001Good evening. It is 6:00 and I'm going to call this meeting to order. All board members are present. It is the practice of our Board of Education to begin our meetings with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. We invite you to bow your head for prayer and stand to join us in the pledge if you so choose. >> Please bow your head. Lord, we respectfully ask for your guidance and wisdom as we proceed with the business before us. Keep us mindful of our purpose of providing a quality education for the students attending Taylor County schools. Amen. >> Dr. Rawlings, do we have any adjustments or addendums to the agenda? >> In fact, Ms. Garvin, we do. Those are the the agenda that was provided to you earlier at the end of last week and
002have been posted. Initially, the agenda was posted with some names to be listed later as soon as the uh closing of the posting had taken place. So, I bring to your attention items 5706 or 5706, 5709, 5719, and 5720. All of those deals with uh first of all, summer employment as well as a tran- um transfer. A substitute, excuse me. >> Okay. >> You should have a copy, I believe, in your agenda. >> Thank you. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda as amended. >> Moved. >> Mrs. Gallo moves. >> Second. >> Mr. Taylor seconds. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. Uh we do have with us this evening two delegations. Um as a reminder for our delegations, you have 5 minutes. It's not a discussion. You're welcome to talk to us,
003but we can't talk to you, and you are being live streamed. Uh the first individual is Ms. Andrea Mayo. >> Ms. Mayo, I think it'd be important to double-check to make sure the mic has been turned on, please. I can't see the red light from here, but There you go. Thank you. >> Can you hear me? Okay. Okay, so this I want to um apologize. I did not send this email to you or Ms. Garvin. Um I just I didn't know if you were still on it or not. So, this is the email I sent the majority of the people. Are we You tell me when I can go. Dear members of the board, I'm writing regarding the board meeting held on July 9th, 2026. June 9th, 2026. I was disappointed to hear so much
004responsibility being placed on the staff of Anna Jarvis Elementary for the challenges currently facing our school. During the faculty meeting held on the second to last day of school, staff members were informed of expectations and procedures many of us had not previously been made aware of. While it is fair to acknowledge that communication within our building has room for improvement, it's important to recognize the effective communication must begin with administrative leadership. Staff can only follow expectations that have been clearly communicated and consistently reinforced. It has been suggested that staff lack of buy-in or fidelity to our school's why. I respectfully disagree. Every teacher, custodian, cook, aide, and support staff member in our building is deeply invested in the well-being and success of our students. If we were not concerned about the behaviors occurring in our
005school, we would not have collectively expressed our concerns to Dr. Stallings. Our commitment to students has never been in question. What has not been adequately addressed is the issue of consequences for students. Hang on. Lost my page. Sorry. Um shoot. Every teacher, custodian, we all Okay. What has not been adequately addressed is the issue of consequences for student behavior. Once behavioral instances are referred to administration, classroom teachers are no longer involved in the disciplinary process. As faculty, our concern is that consequences often do not appear to align with the severity of the behavior. Furthermore, students who are victims or assaults of aggressive incidents are not always receiving the support they need. In some cases, they are made to feel partially responsible for what has occurred. Additionally, parents are not always notified promptly by administration when
006serious incidents take place, and teachers are frequently asked to communicate these events to families instead. This is where much of the frustration among staff originates. Teachers have little to no control over how disciplinary decisions are handled, yet they are expected to manage the ongoing impact in those decisions in their classroom. I understand and support the need for due process, particularly for special ed students. However, not all students exhibiting aggressive behavior have been identified as special ed students. Some may have undiagnosed mental health or behavioral concerns, and while others may require interventions or supports that are not currently being provided. It has been stated that only one student in our county has a documented behavioral disorder. That statistic doesn't eliminate the reality that additional students may be struggling with unmet needs. This is an area where
007staff needs support and resources. AJ also faces significant challenges related to family support systems. Many of our students are in foster care, being raised by grandparents, or living in single parent households where caregivers are already stretched thin. These circumstances create additional barriers that must be considered when addressing student behavior and academic success. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I would like to know specific plans are being put into place for the first day of school and beyond. What measures will be implemented to support teachers? While professional development is valuable, training alone will not resolve these concerns. Strong leadership is essential. Effective schools are built on clear expectations, consistent communication, and accountability. When leadership is inconsistent or expectations are unclear, staff are left to do the best they can without a unified direction. That
008creates confusion and inconsistency in the building. While teachers can continue documenting behaviors and completing required forms, those efforts become ineffective if meaningful consequences and interventions are not consistently implemented. I was also disappointed to hear that our principal characterized staff concerns by suggesting that the situation is not as bad as everyone's making it out to be. Such statements minimize the legitimate concerns of our faculty and leave staff feeling unheard and unsupported. More importantly, they risk diminishing the experiences of students who have been negatively negatively impacted by these incidents. Students with disability deserve support, understanding, and appropriate accommodations. And at the same time, all students must be held accountable for their actions to the extent that they are capable of understanding them. Having a disability does not automatically eliminate a student's ability to distinguish right from wrong.
009Most of the students being discussed are capable of learning expectations, understanding consequences, and demonstrating appropriate behavior when provided with consistent support and accountability. The staff at AJ care deeply about our students. We do not seek to place blame. We are seeking solutions. We want a safe learning environment where students can succeed, staff will support it, and leadership provide the clear direction necessary for our school to move forward. Thank you. >> Our second delegation is Talia Wolf. I was going to apologize if I said that wrong. So, thank you very much. And feel free to begin. >> Okay. Good evening. My name is Talia Wolf, and I am the parent of a student at Anna Jarvis Elementary School. I am here this evening to follow up on the delegation presented by Ms. Courtney Watkins on May
01013th. As you will recall, Ms. Watkins outlined the growing concern shared by many parents and staff regarding the ongoing safety issues at Anna Jarvis Elementary. These concerns focus primarily on the lack of transparency surrounding serious behavioral incidents, the insufficient communication with parents whose children are directly affected, and the significant loss of instructional time caused by frequent classroom clears. For for the public record, I want to emphasize that these concerns do not involve minor or developmentally typical misbehaviors. We are speaking about disruptive, violent, and aggressive incidents occurring on an almost daily basis. Classrooms are being destroyed. Teachers are being physically assaulted. Students are being physically assaulted and exposed to acts of extreme aggression. Several of these incidents have required medical attention. These events often result in classroom clears to protect the safety of other students. However,
011these clears lead to substantial loss of instructional time as children are removed to hallways or other areas of the building for unknown periods of time. Despite the severity of these incidents, parents of the involved and affected students are not being notified. Repeat offenders continue to monopolize instructional time, impose ongoing safety threats. In many cases, the seriousness of these events is being minimized or even concealed by administration, raising legitimate questions about whether policy and proper procedure are being followed. This is precisely why the parents are requesting transparency. While we fully understand the need to protect student confidentiality, we do not understand why parents are left uninformed when their own children have been harmed, endangered, or exposed to violence. This lack of communication poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of both students and staff.
012It also raises significant concerns regarding the integrity and accountability of the school leadership. The continued absence of transparency deepens mistrust and increases concern about current practices. We, the parents, appreciate that this matter is now receiving attention. We appreciate the meetings and the efforts that have taken place thus far, and we recognize that meaningful change takes time. However, on May 13th, Ms. Watkins presented nine reasonable and immediately attainable objectives to the board. Objectives that would demonstrate good faith and a commitment to transparency. To date, none of these objectives have been addressed. This evening, I would like to reiterate and request immediate action on two of these objectives. Number one, that the board develop and implement a formal parent notification procedure for classroom clears and significant behavioral safety incidents, while of course maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Number two,
013that the board provide a clear accessible process for parents to obtain explanations and clarification regarding incidents and current safety policies as calls and emails to administration and county leadership have not proven effective. Both of these objectives are straightforward, reasonable, and fully within the board's ability to implement without delay. We, the parents of Anna Jarvis students, are requesting that these measures be enacted immediately. We appreciate your time and attention to this matter. Lastly, I would like to personally address the commentary from administration and county leadership at the last board meeting. I found it deeply concerning that it was stated the situation wasn't that bad, and I found it appalling that it was implied that these incidents are occurring due to lack of fidelity on the back on part of the faculty. Dr. Stallings noted that the
014state identified Anna Jarvis as a school of opportunity in 2022 and again in 2025. Administration and county leadership have therefore been aware of these issues for four years. Yet, it appears this matter has not been given the level of attention and support it warrants. Our educators are overworked, overlooked, underappreciated, and subjected to physical aggression on a daily basis. Yet, the response they receive is blame rather than support. It is unacceptable for leadership to deflect responsibility onto those who are already carrying the heaviest burden. I'd like to end this delegation with the quote that appears on the Anna Jarvis School Improvement Council agenda. A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they ought to be. Leadership, I'm asking you to be accountable to take action and to take the
015students and faculty of Anna Jarvis to where they ought to be. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you all for your time this evening. Uh that moves us into the 1000 series of information and the superintendent's updates. >> Thank you, Ms. Garvin. I have uh a folder that each of you should have. If you would please pass this around. In response to the uh calls for some additional information, rather than giving us updates about paint colors and building construction, uh I took the liberty of creating updates regarding the following points. Your packet includes a copy of a previously requested uh response to behaviors uh matrix. That is uh in a the second portion of what is the cover sheet. As you recall, the report shared during the Board of Education meeting of June 9th, uh
016this document is developed for the policy 4373 such that it provides a school administrators a quick, user-friendly, and programmatic programmatic specific meaning elementary and or middle high school level intervention and consequence response. Uh that is your copy to review as you see. It It's kind of a sister document to 4373. The next bullet I want to uh provide to everyone is that uh per your agenda, you'll notice I'm recommending that we add an elementary level extra duty itinerant alternative alternative learning uh setting position that will be the responsibility for supervising students who are identified as needing a temporary instructional option if and when the other expectations for intervention have been exhausted and would be modeled after the similar such options that are available through our middle and high school aka alternate learning center option availability.
017That's in direct response to the information we've gathered from data as well as the outcry from the faculty and staff at the school. Uh that's on your board agenda for recommendation and approval. The third bullet is a and if someone has previously uh adopted we have a board policy 8400 which is on school safety um I will be initiating a district council on productive and safe schools during the forthcoming FY27 school year that I will um to meet I'll make sure that I my intent will have it meet no less than each quarter. The requirement is just annually but I think at this time we need to recognize the importance of initiating that uh in accordance with that policy and then going even digging a little deeper. Um in addition to that and it'll be
018information that pre this is based simi- it's similar to what we did the earlier initiative which was called our awareness series initiative if you remember where we brought together the various components throughout the county uh in that policy that we adopted this last winter. Uh it delineates specifically those participants that will have to be part of that process. I'll be pursuing that and then setting that up. Um as well as it includes reports from or representation from local school improvement councils and so they will be asked to report their locations, issues relating to safety concerns that are appropriate to share among the larger group. In addition, there will be discussions at individual schools with their LSIC group because there may be some things and concerns that are raised that are more specific that aren't necessarily
019uh responsibly shared as a whole group in the county, but that could be resolved at the local level as well. The next bullet on there is in addition to the that district county council on productive and safe schools, uh my goal is to expect that the ongoing process that was put into place as a result of the Anna Jarvis diagnostic review of early winter be continued so that the faculty and staff can become more uh familiar with expectations and decisions made within their leadership team process. Uh Some of the things that will also be addressed this summer and ongoing will be individual the trainings of such things as Senate Bill which aligns with policy 4373 and our accompanying draft matrix that I also provided in this your packet this evening. Um Not only that, but
020uh all those things are intended to be addressing inappropriate behaviors as well as policy 2419 just so that we don't find ourselves out of compliance if in fact the student with disabilities happens to be involved. Uh and lastly, and certainly not uh a minor issue, is that we'll be providing additional restraint training of faculty and staff. We discussed that as a part of that larger faculty meeting we had. I believe it was on June 4th right before the faculty was leaving for the summer. Uh and uh clarification during that time was such that everybody needs to be aware of those kinds of concerns because anyone of us could be on that scene when sometime type of restraint may be called for. That doesn't mean everyone's going to be required to jump in, but becoming familiar
021with the process would be helpful. That is one of the intents of those trainings. I say ongoing because there's never going to be enough time invested to fully become experts across the entire faculty staff, but the expertise and awareness training is being provided to try to respond to some of the concerns you've heard even this evening. And, um, the leadership team will continue per per our recommendation by virtue of, uh, having that process that was initiated continue to hear their their faculty colleagues and then make decisions regarding to expected universal implementation of things at the school. Um, I hope that information is helpful. So, those things are not, uh, what's that called? A one and done training. There'll be, uh, additional opportunities for that. I will also remind you, uh, board members that a policy
0225600 was what for a third reading tonight which deals with similar topics and included in that are edits and additions that talk to, uh, us about the things that are really reflected in the process for Senate Bill 199 dealing with the fact that, uh, deals with, uh, immediate responses, removing students who are disruptive, and the next step responsibility of bringing together the people the people that you have on staff such as you've already afforded us an opportunity to approve and that would be your behavior specialist as well as the administrators and the classroom teacher and school counselor so that plan could be put into place for implementing a behavior intervention for the student who's deemed the disruptor and that way uh that will be put into practice so that we can address those on a
023more immediate uh stand up status. Um I feel all these things are definite responses to the ongoing concerns that have been raised this evening. Um the implementation of that safety committee or that district council uh being done with more frequency than once a year. Once a year is fine if it's only to report what's been happening for a year but I think my feeling is that if we do that once per marking period as a as that general meeting of the full council and then expect the schools to implement uh a more frequent maybe monthly if I if it's possible to have them do their localized meetings so that they too can have information to bring together for that that uh I guess quarterly response. Um that is a plan that I'm putting in place.
024I hope that's helpful. Uh I've attached a copy of the uh school safety policy for your review as well. That's the one we adopted uh this past winter. On the top of that, however, I didn't want to exclude that section. I did that in blue. You'll see a special thank you. It's important for us to recognize uh a more This has nothing to do with student behavior, but I put it on the updates because I feel it's important. I've uh prepared two certificates uh in thanks for the contributions to the Taylor County school system to our students and staff and their families. Uh they're both to thank Ms. Garvin and Mr. Dowdy for your service to our Board of Education. As most people know, this is the last official board meeting for the year. And
025we are beyond thankful. On behalf of the Taylor County school system, I'd like to thank you for that. Uh it is merely a certificate. We know we're pretty certificate savvy when we come here, but I have congratulations and thank you to Ms. Gar- Ms. Melissa Garvin for your many years of impressive service to the children and families, faculty and staff of Taylor County as a member of the member and president of the Taylor County Board of Education. So, if you will accept this from us, we appreciate that. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Please know, just for the record, nobody kicked her out. It was a choice that she made to not run for the board again. And uh I personally will miss her very much and appreciate the support she's provided. And um you will
026be missed. Maybe you'll be on that council, we just don't know. And likewise, congratulations and thank you to Mr. Daniel Dowdy for your participation service to the children and families, faculty and staff of Taylor County as a member of the Taylor County Board of Education. Mr. Dowdy's uh tenure uh has not been as long, but he was kind enough to uh helpful enough to apply for uh an an appointment to fulfill a term when we had another board member who decided to leave us. And uh he, like some other people, came and applied and interviewed for that position and was selected that time. And this indeed will like I said to Ms. Garvin, um he's not being kicked out, but this is the end of that duration of his term. >> [applause] >> So, as
027I finish my updates for this particular meeting, this is the last of our FY 26, I I want to do two things on on that positive note with regard to acknowledging the benefit of having these two people on our board. I do express our thank you for that. As official as that can sound, uh and I also want to remind and and assure everyone that the things that I put together for proposal next steps have been done with thoughtful discussion and data collection. You are being heard. It may not feel that it's immediate, and I appreciate you saying some things aren't able to be done immediately, but there are multiple things that uh warrant attention. Uh I can assure you that I'm going to mention her name, Dr. Decker and myself have had multiple conversations
028on behalf of the safety of our children. Uh for what it's worth, we were on board, and we do believe in the safety, and I I have to believe that people that know us at all understand that we're here because we believe. I'm not just saying that because it's something cliché to say. Um it's an uphill battle sometimes. Uh an incident can be an outlier, but just as difficult to deal with or shocking or hurtful or concerning, all of those words. Um, I do believe that the recommendations that we're making at this point will be uh, an excellent next step, certainly not the only steps, but the initial next steps. I hope that's helpful. Uh, so members of the board, thank you for your time. That's my update. >> Thank you. Uh, anybody have any
029specific questions about the update? >> I don't have any specific questions, but I think it does align with policy 5600, which were is in the third reading, which we will be on to, um, approve or disapprove, hopefully approve, but um, >> It does indeed, uh, align with In fact, it some of the edits address more specifically the expectations. >> Well, I think it's important to note, um, to share with our community in case they're not familiar with this, uh, policy, uh, to maximize the extent possible, the plan should be developed collaboratively with the input of stakeholders, including but not limited to parents, business leaders, community organizations, and state and local agencies. And that does have in this policy about the effectiveness of the plan, and it does require LSIC reports, and as, um, you mentioned
030earlier about annually, but doing it It's required annually, but meeting more frequently. So, I would just encourage, um, you know, members of the community to get involved with our LSIC committee. Um, that is one one way to, um, also be actively involved in in the solutions that will help continue to strive for the safety and and well-being of our students and our staff. So. >> Thank you. That's a great suggestion as well. >> All right. Do we have any board member updates or board committee meeting reports? >> I uh >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Summers. You had your >> [clears throat] >> Was that now or before? >> Go ahead. All right. Thank you, John. Uh Mr. Taylor, sorry. Dr. uh Stallings and all um A A You we we we've got to get a
031plan and and you're getting started and I know this is not an easy task regarding the you know, the situations at Anna Jarvis and all that stuff. It It's going to be a tough nut to crack here. And um and you you used the term that it's not a one and done and I 100% agree with that. And I appreciate everybody understanding. But you know, this this this is this is a huge task, okay? It's not to be taken lightly and I'm not telling anyone anything they don't know. But you know, we to to attack or to um tackle this problem, we've got to have some sort of of regular reporting back to this group, even twice a month if we have to. But we've got to find some, you know, and and I I
032hate this term, but we got to find some quick wins. There's some things we can do immediately that can make a difference and there's things that's going to take some time to do it. There's got to be some prioritization done to some of these. They're not all the same priority. They're not all the same uh solution and they're not all going to be solved as quickly or as easily as part of the other. So, we you you as as Mr. Gallo said, this has going to be a a huge committee, but I you know, clearly you said that you can't meet once a month. I mean, this is something going to take some a lot of meetings. You know, I can see this almost like a weekly meeting. This is going to take hours and
033hours to address these. And and we've got to find out, okay, what can we immediately do you know, to get maybe 20% of the issues addressed. What can we What do we know is going to take 6 months? What's going to involve state and looking at with attorneys or or counseling on and and and you know, rule makers to say what's within the law and what's not within the law and what we can do. And and some of those things are not going to get solved today and they're not going to get solved maybe this time next year, but we've got to know what we can solve now and then what we can what we can strive to achieve at some time. So, you know, in the very near future I'd like to see a
034meeting some some sort of an outline that says again, I don't like the term quick wins, but this is what we think based on parents input, based on teachers input, based on administrative input, what we think we can get done, you know, by by start of school year cuz I think one of the speakers said, we've got to have some things by the start of school year and I 100% agree. Some of these things can't be done by the start of school year. I understand that and I realize that. So, so I guess my my request would be some form of prioritization, a list of dates that we can expect to get some of this done. Everything can't be done at a year from today and everything done at not until then. Everything can't be
035done by, you know, start of school year toward the end of August. So, I'd like to understand what we're working on hard to get done fast and the most important and some prioritization and uh and see something like that being reported. So, I'd appreciate that very much. So. >> I did think of another question. So, I'm sorry. >> It was you. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. >> If you're if you're still on that topic, that's fine. >> I >> had a question about the um the CPI restraint training. And you mentioned that it wouldn't be um just a one-and-done. Is is that being done um bi-annually or do you know at this point how frequent they're going to get that training? >> I don't have that scheduled. >> Okay. I think that would also I think
036kind of go in line with uh what Mr. Summers mentioned. >> So, it's required to be done annually. >> Right. >> More frequently would be a good idea. >> I'm just asking is this going to be initiated and started prior to the school year starting? >> Yes. >> And then will those individuals get like a refresh training next year or it will be the whole training again? That kind of thing. >> the requirement of being done each year would be a minimal um and those topics that I've listed in that are those that are specifically planning we're planning to have this done as part of the summer trainings. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. If if Well, if you're on the same subject, go ahead cuz I'm going to change the subject.
037Uh I had the privilege the other day of going out to Camp Tols to the 4-H camp and uh had dinner with them and uh after the dinner was over uh was invited to go down and look at the bathhouse. And I was appalled. They were just barely able to hold camp this year with that bathhouse in the condition that it's in. There is I mean it it The whole bathhouse is devastated, literally. There's a bank of eight sinks only three of which are working. Less than half of the toilets and less than half of the showers are in working order. Something's got to be done with that and I would like that to be put I know it's not appropriate to discuss at this meeting. It's just something that I can report on, but
038I'd like that to be put on our next agenda to discuss. Uh the That facility belongs to us and we should be ashamed of the condition of that bathhouse. Uh Yeah, and and I realize there are some problems and I'll go into that when we discuss it at our next meeting. >> Okay. I believe that that moves us into the 2000 series policies, minutes, contracts, and agreements. Or minutes, policies, contracts, and agreements as written. Um the superintendent respectfully requests approval of the minutes from the regular meeting of June 9th, 2026. Mr. Doughty moves. Mr. Summers seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. We have some policies in the first and second readings upon which no action will be taken this evening unless there are questions. Hearing none, we will move
039into the policies and codes on the third reading. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2336 through 2341 in the 2000 series. Mrs. Gallo moves. Mr. Doughty seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. Resolved that the bylaws policies printed and codified in the comprehensive document entitled bylaws and policies of the Taylor County Board of Education are hereby adopted and that all bylaws policies heretofore adopted by the Taylor County Board are hereby rescinded. Further be it resolved that in the event any policy, part of policy, section of bylaws is judged to be inconsistent with law and operative by a court of competent jurisdiction or is invalidated by a policy or contract duly adopted by this board, the remaining bylaws policies and parts of policies shall remain in full effect. It is my
040last time. Thank y'all for indulging that particular little idiosyncrasy for as long as you have. >> We will miss that. One one-breath sentence. >> We will continue on into the agreements here in the 2000 series. There are several of them. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2342 through 2360 in the 2000 series. >> So moved. >> Mr. Taylor moves. I'll second. Questions, comments, concerns? >> Yes. >> Very good. Go ahead, Ms. Gallo. >> Um so, Dr. Rawlings, I just had um a couple questions here on 2348, 2349, 2351. >> Can we do one at a time? >> Oh, sorry. Well, they all are it's the same question for all three. >> Okay. >> So, in in the agreement it talks about communication and report to the special education director and we I know don't have
041anyone in that position, so I just want to make sure I'm sure that that communication line has been set up with the appropriate person that >> Actually >> is going to get responded to. >> is McCarthy is assuming that special education component of the absorption. >> Okay. So, >> Does that help? >> Yes. Yeah, I just want to make sure that the communication, they know who they need to communicate to and and so forth since >> They do. >> They know who's designated. >> I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> I actually there's a there's different condition uh positions pieces of that position that are being absorbed. There's convers- ongoing conversations before uh Ms. Fisher departs with each of the people that are taking their component. >> Okay. And then and 2349, just for clarification, the
042difference between those. Audiology services and then also the uh Those are one's therapy and one's for screening. Is that >> That is That's correct. >> I just want to make sure I understood that. >> Right. >> Um I have a question for a clarification piece on item 2342. Um, how does that meal reimbursement play out? Um, >> That involves >> there's no there's no number or anything in this, so I'm curious as to that financial piece. >> We reimburse for the same amount for the students for our pre-K. There's a third prong for universal pre-K pre- pre-K, sorry. Pre-K our universal pre-K program incorporates uh, Head the Board of Education. In that particular one for their pre-K students only, are reimbursed for the meal component that's provided at that location. >> Okay. Um, and is
043there a a cap or a per meal moment? >> It's it's in accordance with the same uh, please don't ask me to quote you the actual figure, but we have a per meal uh, allocation that goes that we pay with all meals that come from uh, through the school system for the regular students here. Other students here. >> I think it's 460 for lunch. >> Right. Yeah, it's it's delineated in that policy. >> Okay. >> Um, I was >> And remember the county school system we they're all free or reduced. Used to be just free or reduced students, but all of them fall into that category now. All students are provided the meals. >> It's part of the excess levy. >> Right. It's part of the excess levy. >> going to say it's part of
044the excess levy, right? >> All right. >> I just um, having not seen >> That doesn't happen during this meeting. >> delineated here as easy reference, So was hoping for some more information. But okay, if it's the same rate. Um and they the >> And it's only during the uh 180 year 180-day calendar year, not during the summer. >> And and those numbers report in the same way any other elementary or middle any other school in the district reports in. >> I believe that's correct. >> Okay. Sorry. Um and then I had a question just for clarification on 2358. So this is a continuation of the previous MOU and this is part of a code, I believe, right? Or something? With the state, with the community. >> Right, that's a part of the that particular
045issue is dealing with uh I have that answer here. We have There's a form that's issued to us from the state department regarding uh funding and be because we are part of that universal pre-K that you're That's what you're talking about. >> Yes. >> Uh that money is allocated toward uh per student there and it's applied to uh kind of three different categories, supplies, administration, and the teaching teaching staff. Small portions of that, that's my understanding. It's not a >> I have a question on to follow up on that. Um Do we have How many I'm sure you do like a account of how many students are in that? Uh >> You got me. I don't have the number right now. >> That's right, but I'm assuming it's it's recorded and we know and it's
046tracked. >> Right. Yes, sir. We have We have pre-K locations at uh Anna Jarvis, there three classes. At Fleming there there is one. West Taylor, there are two. And they the group that's at Little Feet or excuse me, it's no longer Little Feet. It's called the Child Care LLC, Taylor County Child Care LLC. >> Okay. So And so that just picks up where either students can't make it or we don't have room for I'm just trying to understand how that works. >> What are you >> He's asking how they get together. >> Oh, they they simply a parent choice in many cases where they're enrolled in specific schools or locations. Some do that because of the convenience of the additional child care before and after. >> Sure. >> I think that's where I was kind
047of going with that. Like that's part of like part of the state requirement that we have some kind of >> our universal pre-K requirement, 20 policy 25 25. >> Yes. Sorry, I couldn't remember what it was, but >> Sorry, I didn't get your question. Policy 25 25 is code for universal pre-K. And Taylor County is one of the All of them are now, but we were one of the first to stop establish that in the state. And one of those requirements is public school Head Start private entity. And those are the ones that we have in this county. >> And with all of these special services and partner pieces, we are regularly reviewing that reporting in and those discussions to make sure that we are um we're all in compliance across the board and in
048whatever case we're getting the best bang for our buck and things like that. Um I mean some of these some of these are like very um a policy driven and some of them there are a day rates and they're POs not to exceed and and I want to make sure that our >> Well, well the not to exceed is trying to cap it so that we don't we take it even some of those are unknowns. We they are known to be needed but no definitive uh numbers they fluctuate. Hence the the services are as needed in some cases. >> Okay. >> You just happen to have a laundry list of this is the end of the year preparing for the school next school year that's coming up. That's why they seem to be many of
049them. >> Well, I I agree with you Ms. Garvin because I know some of these things say increase cost. But then we have one that says decrease cost. So that's nice. >> That's that was an outlier. >> Yeah. >> We like those. >> Okay. Any additional comments, questions, or concerns? We do have open motion on the floor. >> Okay. Uh in that case, superintendent, uh all those in favor? I opposed abstain Motion passes. We are moving into the 3000 series. Uh We got some out-of-state trips and a request to use facility. One out-of-state trip. >> I might mention if I may that's an indicator that there your new band director is already getting on it, bringing the band in to start into perform elsewhere. That's his goal. I expect that he will be presenting multiples
050of that to you. >> All right. Superintendent respectfully request approval of item 3242 and 3243 in the 3000 series. Mr. Dowdy moves. >> Second. >> Mrs. Gallo seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. Moving us directly into the 4000 series financial budget Supplements and vouchers payable. Mr. Dolan, do tell us a delightful number of things. >> Absolutely. Um >> [clears throat] >> inside your package you should have received a copy of the budget supplements for tonight's meeting. Uh some of those supplements included adjustments to um some funding for PEIA and our title four uh grant that we received. Um there was a num- numeracy grant that we received uh some funding for. Uh Mary Mary Battle summer feeding donation and then our McCauley scholarship donation. So, these are all part
051of our budget supplements for this evening. Um onto the vouchers payable. Uh inside your packet you should have received a schedule of checks that have already been written that included uh items for payroll taxes, uh retirement payments, water, sewage, electric bills, uh and other contracts that we have already uh that have already been approved uh through the board. In the packet after that is a schedule of checks to be written upon your approval. Uh some of the items included in the checks to be written after your approval uh were maintenance supplies, uh some child nutrition, fresh fruit uh for uh therefore the end of school transportation supplies, uh coaching employee travel, technology supplies, and then uh county maintenance. Does anybody have any questions about those items? >> Um I did have a question, but I
052I don't know what page to tell you it's I just had a question about the iPads and cases, and there's three different entries. Is that for three different schools, or is that I They all have the same date, so that's why I was clarifying. >> It I will I can go through here and look. Uh usually they're they're because they're from different locations. >> Okay. >> they're usually coded to the schools that they're purchased for. So, when they when they received the I'm going to say since it's here towards the end of school, when they started receiving iPads uh from seniors and and the various schools and the students had probably misplaced them or things of that nature over the over the school year. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Also mentioned, if you
053haven't noticed, members of the board that we took the liberty of putting the previously approved statement in the 4000 series. The finance related documentations available to Hillside School's finance office for public review by appointment. Do you remember passing that? All right, that's where we have included that. Also, I just passed out uh for Mr. Dolan what he had prepared as a sample. This is that ongoing piece of information that Mr. Summers had initiated conversation about. This is just I'll have him speak to that. It's just a sample of what he had prepared in response. And we had postponed for this until this evening. Uh by virtue of Mr. Summers not being able to be here last time and we wanted to make sure that And that would if that is the direction you want to
054go, the plan would be to minim to decrease that size a little bit and it would be part of the 4000 series each time. Not as a separate document. Mr. Summers had suggested there be a like a monthly >> Right. >> uh reporting in the agent in the agenda as well. So that the rest of us laymen would be able to track status with regard to funds. And I'm going to stop describing that so I don't misrepresent what that's doing. Jonathan? All right, thank you. >> I I I think this is a great step. Uh you know, it's get it's getting very close to what what I was originally wanting to get to. Um it has a second sheet attached to it with the expenses. Um I I I I'm still having trouble uh with
055the expenses coming, you know, out of different funds and and and fund categories. Uh I think that just makes it a little bit vague. Um you know, on the second sheet I had had the expenses grouped into uh sort of what their actual um I guess relationship is to being expended such as salaries, transportation, utilities, repairs, maintenance, etc., classroom supplies, and so on. I I just think for the general public that makes it a little more sense. The income revenue um I I'm good with with the way the revenue's reported uh according to fund categories, but I like the expenses just to uh come out and then an addition and we talked about this the last time we discussed this is is how we're running you know compared to the budget because you know it's
056almost the end of the fiscal year and we should know are we going to have a surplus or a deficit for this fiscal year leading in and and things like that aren't probably in here as to what as to what we're tracking according to the budget and so I'd like to see that added but this is a great first step and a great report and I'm very pleased to see it and I can work with you over the next month or so and and I didn't expect it to be done the very first time you have it because I don't understand a lot of the you know the way you you have to track it according to state and I don't want to put an excess undue burden uh on you Mr. Dolan so you
057know whatever we can pull out from that and make some adjustments I'd appreciate it so thank you. >> Okay. I actually just gave it gave gave you an example there and that's that's the purpose of it is to you know to tweak it to get how are you how you would like that information presented so like I said I just kind of put it out there uh with a couple different options we can like I said adjust as we go and you know get it get it to where you want it. You're welcome. >> All right. Does anybody have any other questions for Mr. Dolan? All right. Superintendent respectfully request approval of items in the 4000 series. >> So moved. >> Mr. Taylor moves I Mr. Summer seconds. Any questions? All those in favor? I
058opposed? Motion passes. Moving to the 5000 series student matters personnel and legal matters item 5698 Samuel Wilson requests permission to transfer his child from Preston County to Anna Jarvis Elementary Pre-K for the 26-27 school year. Superintendent respectfully requests approval items 56-98 in the 5000 series. >> Moved. >> Mrs. Gallo moves. I will second. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. >> I'll note that that's a coming into instead of leaving. >> Mhm. >> Let's open. >> But Pre-K. All right. Continuing to the 5000 series, please note that the names from the addendum come here. Several of these. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 56-99 through 57-20 in the 5000 series. Mrs. Gallo moves. Mr. Dowdy seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Motion passes. Moving us into the
0598000 series where the update on school safety concerns at Anna Jarvis. That was our first topic. >> That was provided as a part of your packet, your update packet. >> Very good. Um as part of that uh are we looking at what is uh an established communication chain and how can that be updated, broadened, um or or tightened down to a to create a level of specificity on a classroom by classroom basis or a a school by school basis so that specific things can be shared out or do we need a refresher on how that works for not necessarily for our faculty but for our community and can that be something that we make part of the plan? >> I want to say yes really badly but I got lost in the spotlight. >> Okay.
060So right now right now we have the the thing on the phone and it says bam this happened. Right? And sometimes the teacher says boom here's your homework. And sometimes an administrator says da da da da da sale go sports do thing. Can we use that to be like boom this happened so that it's directed for a classroom a school a a time period a a subset um so that we facilitate that parent that immediate clear parent communication when something happens. Not just bam it's a sale or bam here's a sport thing. Do you know what I mean? >> Yes. >> You didn't think I was going to get out of here without being just a little ridiculous. [laughter] So I'm in the land of communication already set up. Let's make sure that we are
061using that as effectively and as clearly and as cleanly as we can. >> Thank you. >> So >> Thank you for narrowing that a little bit for me. I apologize. >> Right. Yeah. Like >> Like my classroom cleared today. Think my classroom cleared today. Um the kids were in the hallway for 15 minutes so that instead of my second grader coming home being like we were in the hallway or on the playground and cuz second graders don't have a reference. Or was that 5 minutes or 50 hours or was he 97 ft tall? >> Like would that be through rooms or would that going to be? What platform? >> It would primarily be through rooms and it and it can be done individually per classroom. >> Okay. So that >> I'm sorry. I was really
062trying >> Well, I we talk about how we have all these platforms and we push this communication and we push all this messaging out. >> there's some things in place that will help that become more regularly done. >> Okay. Rock and roll. >> Yeah, with that um whatever platform that ends up being can we make sure that we have education to our parents, grandparents guardians um because I have received um feedback from constituents that were not aware of rooms or they were not aware of our app and and things like that and it may just be you know, lack of knowledge or um not everybody uses a cell phone. It's kind of hard to believe but not everybody does. So um just want to make sure that >> I will make sure >> people have
063education. >> I'm making note here that we need to address communication methods awareness as much as as clearly as possible. All right. >> Any other safety questions or concerns? Yeah. Oh, go ahead. >> There was a question that was addressed by Mrs. Sinclair at our last meeting uh about what to do with the student that was destroying the room or whatever and in that situation and you know it seems to me that instead of evacuating a classroom that an appropriately a trained staff person would restrain and remove the culprit rather than the whole class and that an instruction could ensue. >> In fact, the policy just approved addresses that very thing. Hence the training that we're trying to provide, we'll be providing. But the policy, I'm just want to reassure you Mr. Taylor that one
064of the third readings that we just approved and uh I think it was 5600 addresses those things. Those are the new edits that you'll see you'll be when you review that again, I know you read that. Um that's in there to reassure. >> Dr. Stellings, could you um follow up for us on the comment that was made that there were several incidents that required uh medical or health care intervention? Just curious of that data. >> I do not have data of that nature. It's not been brought to my attention. >> Well >> I can I can >> brought before us, so >> Right. >> Yeah. So if you could >> I mean the health care information has not been brought to my attention. >> So if you could follow up with us on that >>
065for sure. >> Thank you. >> Any additional specific or general safety concern moments for this evening? >> I have I have one two or three couple comments. Um thank you um Ms. Garvin. Uh it is basically to follow on certificates that uh, Mr. uh, Stallings, Dr. Stallings so I just want to take the time to thank you and Mr. Dowdy for your time and service on this board. Uh, I I can see your deep commitment and I appreciate and I'm sure the people around the county do as well. And I personally want to thank Mr. Dowdy. He uh, most people don't know it but he did a good job of helping me orient here and he always was quick to show me I was on the wrong page or quick to show me the correct
066thing to look at or the directly to the proper areas I tried to fumble through this and so he's been a big help and he probably didn't know he was doing it but it was it was well received by me and I appreciate that. So I thank both of you for your time. >> I echo that uh, Mr. Summers and also I know that Ms. Garvin was a great mentor to me uh, when I first came on the board and um, I really have appreciated her insight and um, as well as Mr. Dowdy. So really going to miss you guys. >> I wait. I have one more item on the requested information for commit discussion and that was requested of all of you regarding the current cellular devices in the county. Oh. >> I was
067going to say if we are done with the safety conversation for this evening as it will remain on our updates, we're going to move on to board owned electronic devices. >> That was provided to me or to us by our technology coordinator or director who addresses those things. >> So these appear to be I'm just making sure that I'm reading this right. Um these are all cell phones that the county owns and these individuals use or are these personal cell phones that we pay the bill for? >> They are the first option you just described. County owned. >> Okay. >> That are provided for those individuals. >> Okay. >> It is my understanding that this recent training for board members also mentioned the possibility of having those provided to board members. I know. >> [laughter]
068>> Uh we are investigating I I I am I'm in the process of investigating those options that are >> [laughter] >> I'm sorry. >> Well, they they discussed it as um legal, you know, it was legally wise because of you know, yeah, we know as board members we're not just here for uh 2-hour meeting every other week. It's we're 24/7, you know, we're accessible. >> So, here's my drop. You're right, Mr. Downey. Um my expectation is that the or I speculate that uh the purpose is to keep that any legal issues that may come to the board's attention would be easier separated as a with from your personal similar to when we were cautioned not to do group texts, etc. That's my guess. Uh I was not at the training and uh I'll be investigating
069that as well. >> Things like that, those are at the mercy of the employee. Like if they were to drop it or break it or anything like that. Like these look like these are simple charges, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't have one from the board. I chose not to do that. Um So, I don't have a specific answer about that. >> Yes, Mr. Mr. Dolan has one, he can tell us. >> They're all typically smartphones. We do provide cases and screen protectors. That's probably some of the technology items that you you you see. Like I said, they do they are provided like a little bit better cases for some of the maintenance some of the maintenance people so they have OtterBoxes and >> I do caution I've I've watched our maintenance director and different
070people at they're they're at meetings like this and they're trying to figure out which phone to be using and and that's >> This I mean this these tablets are phenomenal. I mean you've got a great deal whoever you're >> I was going to say two of them two of them are hotspots that we have in case, you know, we do have internet issues from time to time. So, those are those are something we can take out to the schools. We've used them here several times. One of them is an emergency phone as well that doesn't get used very often, but in the event again if the phones are down at, you know, Anna Jarvis or Flemington or wherever, that phone can be taken out so the school does have at least you know, some way
071to some way to make contact. >> Just just >> If I could make a comment, um I'm I'm in agreement this is not an excessive amount of funding or a major hit to the budget in any way. Uh Uh, however, uh in in previous employment areas we looked at very various things like this like should employees carry two phones? Um, there are some of these employees that if you said, "Hey, uh, we'll give you a $40 per month allowance to use your own cell phone like you use this and have it available, we would save 10 bucks a month and one less phone to maintain." And that's something we should look, you know, even give them $30 allowance on their own personal phone. But we be we require to do this. Now, I I heard
072uh Miss Gallo mention the legalities of it because sometimes some of that stuff is uh you know, I'm just going to you know, if if uh uh there was something to say there was a uh a uh you know, an accident on a bus and a bus driver had one, that's one that's probably, you know, subject to being, you know, was the person texting or calling during driving or something like that and I understand that. But you could still make that but it it would save a little bit of money. You could probably cut that bill even in half and just give a person allowance. And a lot of people I used to have to carry two phones and it's not fun and it's very difficult and I would [snorts] have much rather them pay
073half my cell phone bill and let me use my own personal phone for work phone. So it's just something you should consider in the past. I'm not going to make a recommendation. I'm not going to uh you know, demand anything or any report or anything like that. >> We could at least look into that, Mr. Summers, comparatively. >> That was part of old start the >> Sorry, one just real quick, one one thing I mean one thing looking at here on a couple of these things you don't see any minutes used. So that might be that might be something to look at because it looks like they have it but they're not using it. So that what he said does speak truth to that. >> No, your phone that that was kind of what I
074was going to add. Um, and then that was kind of the reason I asked um was just so we could all see like how much of an expense is this? Is Is there somewhere we can be um fiscally, you know, cut anything here? So, Great ideas. >> One will come off in probably October or November. >> We'll have to investigate. >> The piece you talked about the legality recommendation, too. So, the difference. >> I made a note. >> We'll investigate. >> Very good. >> And just [clears throat] just to pile on this this this heap where I've created here, uh the emergency phone sounds all well and good. Uh it's one that's not seeing a lot of use. And for the most part, there's probably someone in that school in the administrative area that would
075have a phone to be able to reach out cell-wise. That uh you know, you know, this uh I think the use example of both Farmington phone lines all went down uh at the school, uh there's probably some cell phones in the area either through, you know, staff and people are there that we could an emergency situation could be used. So, it's not if it We could look at it. If it didn't get any usage over the full year, that's another one just to cut. I mean, it sounds good, but reality is probably uh you know, not not an efficient thing to do. I'm not trying to criticize anyone for having it, but it's just one of those things that with technology and advancement, sometimes it's not it's it's a good idea, but probably never come
076to fruition. So, thank you. >> Well, um we should double-check some of the grant pieces that go with that. Um very often, you are required to have a dedicated non-personal um emergency line um depending on the grant situation or what may or may not be coming in and out of the building. So, that might be one of the reasons that that phone exists. >> Good point. Um All right. Any other discussion on our board-owned electronic devices? >> I'm sorry. I'm just seeing a big bat. >> Here is a board-owned electronic device. >> just seeing the the big bat in the big Batman deal type of thing. >> Yeah. >> That's what I was thinking. >> All right. >> [snorts] >> I'm sorry. That was off topic. >> The next the first topic of discussion is
077when do we turn them off at night? When you get them? >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Right. >> I um Our goal is always to leave something better than what we found it. Um I hope that Mrs. Garvin and I have done that um tonight. I hope we left this better than how we came in. Um I appreciate the work with this board, other um ones that we've worked with. Um Dr. Stallings, Dr. Becker, I appreciate you guys. Um We've we've had all sorts of conversations over the last 3 years and uh I appreciate you guys. Thank you for what you're doing. Um I hope uh our paths cross at some point again. >> At the very least, I think don't forget we're going to be cutting a ribbon for our new school in the
078very near future, hopefully. That not tomorrow, but it's happening soon in in the scheme of things. So >> Um 8 years as a school board member was never something that was on my bingo card. So, I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to have done this this long. I hope much like Mr. Daddy said that we have left this better even in some small way. Um I'm not going anywhere. I got kids in this schools. You are not You have not seen the last of me. Um I'm grateful to this board and to previous boards and to the folks who mentored me. Um and listened when I had to vent about a thing about a policy that doesn't make any sense. We are a strong community. And I am privileged to be part of
079that community. So, thank you, Taylor County. Onward and upward. Good night and Godspeed. And before I actually cried, moving on to the 9000 series future meetings. July 6th, 2026, the statutory organizational meeting, which is a Monday for our new board members. That'll be 6:00 here at the board office. July 21st, a retiree reception at 5:30 here at the board office followed by a regular meeting starting at 6:00 here at the board office. Moving on to July 28th, 6:00 here at the board office. Those are all Tuesdays. In August, you got the 11th and the 25th, both at 6:00, both here at the board office, both Tuesdays. At this point, I Mr. Daddy removes us for adjournment. Do I have a second? >> Second. You should say >> I'm going to go ahead and second. Uh
080questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I, opposed? Meeting adjourned at 7:16. Thank you all for everything you do and everything you've done. Go and be graceful and make the world beautiful. >> Is there a >> Do we have a future student in the audience? That future student becomes as good as