001All five board members are present. It is the practice of our Board of Education to begin our meetings with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. We invite you to bow your heads for prayer and stand to join us in the pledge if you so choose. 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. Starlings, are there any adjustments or addendums to the agenda? In fact, Ms. Gordon, there is one or there are two. There are corrections that were uh provided uh as an agenda uh items 54 51 I believe you should have a copy on your in your binder. It represents uh change in name. Item 54
00252 represents a change that was needed with regard to grade level and location. And then the last was a change in the year and name for 54 54. I hope that's helpful. Thank you. The superintendent respectfully requests the approval of the agenda as amended. So moved. Mrs. Gallon moves, Mr. Taylor seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? The yeas have it. Uh we are going to begin this evening with a delegation, Mr. Corey Gerard. You'd like to come up to the microphone. Um as a reminder, uh you are live streamed and you do have a 5-minute time limit. And this is unfortunately a one-sided conversation. Um Okay. >> There you go. Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Uh my name is Corey Gerard. I'm a member of Taylor
003County Baseball, also known as Taylor County Little League. I want to first thank the board for maintaining a positive relationship throughout our years and just everything you've been able to help us with. I came to address the board regarding line item number 31 51. As a organization, we're requesting that you vote no on approving the Hit Dogs uh 11U Bridgeport team baseball team to utilize Flemington Elementary School. This year, we've been blessed to have 14 teams in our league aged from 5 to 12 years old. That's 168 student athletes from Taylor County. With the loss of the gravel field due to construction of Anna Jarvis or the new elementary school, it has become harder to find time and space for adequate field times for practices and games. With the fields at Anna Jarvis, West Taylor,
004and Flemington being our only baseball fields, we have tried to balance times amongst 14 teams. And even staggering our start date of our T-ball to make sure that we allow time for our older youth to maintain adequate practice. Only Anna Jarvis and Flemington have lighting that allows us to extend our times through the season into darkness. And our primary locations for games are those two locations. And due to weather, some of our schedules through the season will be constantly changing that we'll have to reschedule for makeup games. And being able to utilize those two fields or is one of our primary things. Uh we're stretched field stretched thin with field availability and uh that's one of the reason we're coming to you tonight. Other leagues in Taylor County such as the Basin Raiders and even
005the Grafton High School girls softball team have reached out for use of these fields in different occasions that we've had to help accommodate and try to balance our time with them. We are counting it We as a county are blessed to have such a large group of student athletes that wish to use the facilities of the Board of Education. And the safety, and and the improvement and the upkeep of these facilities. As of today, uh we were notified about a sewage emergency on Anna Jarvis's field. Um it was clogged up and they had to dig up partial of it. And we were have practices planned throughout the rest of this week. And what we have planned for the opening day ceremony is this Saturday um at 9:00 a.m. April the 11th. Uh they said it
006was a simple fix right now, but if it continues to be a problem, they will have to dig up the whole field. So, that being said, we'll end up having to move our primary location to Flemington. Um we are just asking if the board does approve this for any reason that if uh someone of a point of contact could be established so all the leagues and organizations in this county would actually have someone to coordinate with on appropriate time to make sure there's no congestion or any kind of interference with everybody else's schedule. Thank you all for hearing me and God bless. Thank you for your time this evening. And that moves us into the 1000 series uh where I believe we have some student recognition to start. Good evening. We are going to be
007recognizing um students tonight for the national the 2026 National Cemetery Essay Contest winners. Um so, just kind of give you a little bit of information about this contest. Our elementary schools students are asked to submit um their idea of a great theme for the year. And so, we had a student from Anna Jarvis this year that selected the essay the winning theme for the essay contest. It's Where Heroes Rest, Freedom Lives. Unfortunately, Benji Cox is our winner and he wasn't able to be with us tonight, but we want to definitely recognize him for that. Would you like to come up and give his award, mother? Yeah. Pass it on to Benji. So, with that, our middle school and high school students are then asked to submit essays. And so, it's not an easy task because
008they're limited on the number of words that they can use. They have to include the theme for that particular year. They have to talk about the history of both cemeteries and Memorial Day. All in I think it's what 500 words, 750 words. I mean, it's a limited number of words. So, we always get quite a a few essays. I think this year we had nearly 50 for the high school and it was over 10 for the middle school. Their teachers kind of help weed it out so we don't have as many to to read through. So, we want to recognize our middle school winner this year, Owen Everett. If you'll come forward, Owen. So, Owen will in addition to having his essay featured in the official program for the festivities, he'll also read his essay
009during the the ceremony on Sunday at the National Cemetery. So, he'll be recognized in that way. And then our high school division winner is J.C. LaRue. J.C., do you want to come up? So, J.C.'s essay will also be featured in the program and she will read her essay during Monday's um ceremony. J.C. and Owen, do you want to stand up? I think the board might want to say something to you. >> [laughter] >> And J.C. does, too. >> [laughter] >> Sorry. I know you can hear me. Congratulations to both of you. Well, that's a lot. Um and Benji, um you guys did an awesome job and I look forward to hearing that at the ceremony here soon. Yeah, I I just like to pass on a congratulations to you. That's a big that's a that's
010a big event and that's something West Virginia had and specially Grafton Taylor County's always been very proud of. So, she you should be proud and happy to make Taylor County shine. So, thank you. I'd like to recognize the fact that you guys have been participating in something that is a life skill. Writing is going to be important to you for the whole rest of your lives and you've already become successful at it. So, congratulations. Keep it up. Keep up the good work and Taylor County is proud of you. So, just echoing what these gentlemen have already said as well and just also to the parents, thank you for supporting your child in this endeavor as well as the teachers who have also helped with the selection process. And thank you for honoring our heroes and
011our families with your talent. Really love the theme, too, and excited to hear the essay. So, thank you again. Um the the level of creativity the level of dedication and the level of heart that goes into essays, especially this kind of an essay, is really indicative of the wonderful wonderful kids that we have here in Taylor County. Um so, thank you to all the adults in their lives for nurturing them and for teaching them the importance of these things. And thank you to those children for being brave enough to tell us what you think. Um so, congratulations and well done. And that is the end of the fun part of the evening. So, if you would like to go Continuing in the 1000 series, I think we've got some superintendent updates. Thank you, Ms. Garvin.
012I have a packet of information I traditionally pass out. I'll do that after I share the next information. Uh or I think it's prudent that we have that I take a moment to provide you uh the following information. So, I want to revisit information I received in the past and that was that historically in December we started the conversation which is about uh the bulk of this evening's agenda. And I want to remind everyone that uh in December we uh in this Dr. Decker initiated some information to our board and that provided us as a timeline that was taken advantage of. And that was the administration was asked to take some information. Uh they were asked to think about some reductions and and the things that each of their school settings might be able to
013address. Uh they were not supposed to be thinking they were asked not to think about specific people but about job descriptions, etc. And how they would cover the workload if in fact some of those things were removed or or reduced. Then in January, Mrs. Robertson, Ms. Fisher, and Dr. Decker met with each school administrator and reviewed the information that was uh their enrollment and the budget data. And they were asked at that time to make some recommendations of cuts for their buildings. Subsequently, uh in January we re re reconvened as a special board meeting during which time um our board uh directed Dr. Decker to move forward with that and cut those cuts and I will quote that that they were we were instructed to get back to basics hearing about the dilemma of the
014situation. And with that in mind uh we were Dr. Decker provided building principals a due date for their recommendation and after that she and I met to review their recommendations and consider possible changes and then ask if the building principals uh had any additional concerns or changes and none were noted at that point. I believe in the packet you received before and information you have tonight also, it's a continuation of those recommendations that were received at that time. Uh and to one clarification that at that point and still today, no program is being eliminated with base based on those recommendations. Uh there are some that are being reduced. Um as shared during that time in December and subsequently we were predicted or projected to be 73.49 positions over the state funding formula. The total of
015recommended reductions will be uh 47.5 with the total uh ultimately uh the additions and those things if we move forward for 40 positions are being reduced in their recommendations. That still will that Taylor County can still fund 33.49 over the state formula but through the limited funds that we have available. Uh Dr. Excuse me, Mr. Dollman will will remind us this evening that the levy and federal funding can currently fund approximately 35 positions with the expected loss of federal funding. Uh however, the 33.49 positions should be able to be covered through the levy grants levy grants and federal funding, but it is our understanding that with this any other local funding will be needed to identify to cover anything over that. Uh so, the question that we would have in our mind this evening is
016if we pull anything from those that are recommended, the question will not be um uh why or how come we didn't do recommend why we recommended them, but the question is how we would uh uh fund those things and from what what what source. Um you were also provided the emails from our building principals' recommendations to demonstrate and to document those things were not just something that came up from our recommendations, but solicited and received by our building administrators who we feel have a a better grasp on their particular programs. When considering the information shared during that last week's during last week's hearing I would remind us that information must be relevant to the reasons for the riff or the reduction of force or transfer. Also, the recommendations are the result of upcoming financial constraints
017for the next year and the administration's obligation to demonstrate uh distribute and utilize those resources within the financial restrictions of the board. Um in addition, the board is not allowed legally to consider information related to how well the employees perform their job. It's not about that. That's the responsibility of their immediate supervisor. The board will only be evaluating the justifiable legal legal reasons. Um the area that can be absorbed and the available funding. In just a few minutes, I anticipate that you'll be hearing from Mr. Dolan, who will share information regarding the existing funding that it will not support both maintaining the status quo in the staffing and facilities maintenance capital improvement needs. As a reminder, these decisions and recommendations are based on positions and the ability to either absorb or fund them. It has
018nothing to do with people. Uh although it may feel that way, it does not have anything to do with that and those individuals' performance, either. Uh all programs, schools, and departments are contributing to the need to absorb and downsize as we promised it would happen. Uh and that is so that we can ensure that the school system is running efficiently and doing through frugal use of the funding that does exist. I want to also mention that uh Dr. Decker and Mr. Dolan are to be congratulated for this essential information and work they put into this with with their assistance, we have these recommendations that I was able to present to you. Um uh As a reminder, uh I I pulled excerpts from our our goals. Superintendent's goal two B indicates develop my responsibility to help
019develop ongoing improvements on all Board of Education properties. And likewise, the board's goal one of the board's goal number two indicates that we should be striving to be good stewards for the of the financial resources of the county and those that exist. With that being said, I will offer this last reminder. Your decisions this evening will result in the what will be considered a legacy provided to your successors if you're leaving our board or those of you that are remaining on the board uh about which you'll be responsible for for dealing with as you move forward. This will result in either being fully operational or the possibility of being taken over by the state such as we've seen occur overnight with other county systems. Uh with that information, I I respectfully uh ask that you
020keep that in mind um as Mr. Dolan presents this information later in tonight's meeting. Thank you. As I mentioned, I have some information to pass along. This is information from our schools and the more routine uh information regarding updates. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the board. Respectfully provided. Okay. Is there anything in the uh school updates particularly that you would like to highlight, Dr. Sollings? In those particular pieces, no, ma'am. There there is an update regarding the utilization schedule of the metal um weapons detection equipment that we have provided to the middle school and the high school. Okay. All right. Um does anybody have any immediate questions on the updates or the other information that we have just been shared? No questions, just uh comment um on the TCMS data. It is really pleasing
021to see that uh you know, we started with looks like 18 students that had two or more F's and we're down to four. So, that speaks volumes to the interventions that are being implemented to help our students. So, >> [clears throat] >> I think that's wonderful. Um really want to commend the middle school on their tracking of their weapons detection. Um I really um like to see this that we are utilizing the equipment that we purchased to ensure um just another layer to ensure safety in our schools. So, appreciate that. It's my understanding, Ms. Garvin and the rest of the board members, that the students have become much more comfortable participating in that. That doesn't mean that they're desensitized, but they are feeling less threatened by that. Very good. Do we have any board member
022updates or board committee meeting reports? All right, hearing none, that concludes the 1000 series, moving us into the 2000 series minutes, policies, contracts, and agreements. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of the minutes from the initial levying levy meeting one of two and the regular meeting both of March 17th, 2026. So moved. Mr. Taylor moves. Do I have a second? I'll second. I have questions. Questions, comments, concerns? >> Yeah, looks like um we're missing a couple delegations that occurred on these minutes that are not reflected on there. I believe we had one from Ms. Anderson and one from Ms. Thorne. Just want to make sure that those are reflected. >> Okay, the those are the 7th, not the 17th. >> My apologies. My apologies. Correct. I was looking at the wrong Okay. I think you'll see them
023on the second meeting, Ms. Gallo. Sorry. Uh all good. Uh any other questions or concerns? All those in favor? I. Opposed? Believe that motion passes 5-0. Continuing into the 2000 series, got an MOU um between the Board of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education for some school-based literary coaches, literacy, not literary. My bad. Literacy coaches funded through a WV Impact Plus grant. Um Superintendent respectfully requests approval of item 2269 in the 2000 series. Mr. Doty moves. Do I have a second? I'll second. Mr. Taylor seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. I. Opposed? Motion passes 5-0. And moves us into the 3000 series, the consent calendar. We have um some purchase orders, some curriculum offerings, facility uses, out of county travel, and some out of state travel and a bunch of
024chaperones. Ms. Garvin, I would like to to move that item 3151 be voted on separately. Okay, do I have a second? Second. Okay, all those in favor of 3151 being a separate vote, say I. I. >> I. Opposed? Motion passes. 3151 will be voted on as a separate vote. I'll second. Daniels I'm apologies. Mr. Doty seconds. Thank you. All right. >> Just a comment on 3158. I think that's really great. Um what they're doing there with the um field trip there with the art. You know, just the the great hands-on for learning. Um that's that's going to be meaningful and fun for them to be able to do that art on their field trip. Okay. So, Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 3149 through 3167 with the exception of 3151 in the 3000 series. Moved.
025Mrs. Gallo moves. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Doty seconds. Questions, comments, concerns on any of those pieces? Yes, Ms. Garvin, I do. Please. On 3149, uh it says the funding store sources step seven. Uh Mr. Dolan, I believe you told us in the last meeting that there were um going to be cuts to that. Are we aware of what those cuts to that funding is yet? I have not received those numbers as of today. Okay. >> hoping that they would push those out, but I have not received those. Okay. And also with that, so part of that step seven funds other positions, right? And so, we're not aware of what those cuts are. So we're going to have There is step seven for technology, which is what this falls under, and there's step
026seven uh for uh personnel. So And I read over this, but can someone elaborate a little bit more? Is this cyber security with our iPads, with uh school computers? What all What else does this include? This is for >> [clears throat] >> for school personnel. Uh it helps to prevent uh you know, cyber security threats, you know, by you training them uh randomly. It gives them uh videos to watch and uh sometimes a quiz for them to take so they're aware of, you know, phishing scams and uh things of that nature. Not to open up um and give out information electronically. So it is a It does help us with our um our brim insurance. So it's cyber security is part of our um our brim. So this is checks a box for for them
027to keep, you know, keep those uh dollar figures down for for that uh uh type of insurance. So it's more for our personnel um security. Correct. Yeah. It's a renewal for what? The It's a renewal. Okay. And then um I had a question on 31 51. For it says 30 31 50, excuse me. Um regarding the middle school fitness course. Um I'm just asking for clarification. How is that different than physical education? It's a new course that's being introduced to the curriculum there. Ms. Roberts is here. She might be able to speak to that for you more specifically. It will be slightly different. They actually the teachers have created a list of standards that are different than the typical um PE standards. It's just going to be another elective available for the eighth grade students
028utilizing um their current staffing. Do we know approximately how many classes will be offered? That I do not know. Okay. The only reason I ask is just for clarification cuz I do, you know, want as many opportunities as we can have for our students, but I also know that we're on the list here is to riff a physical education teacher at the middle school. So with the physical education teachers that are going to be at the middle school, are they going to be able able to absorb adding this? >> Yes, the um this was actually something that the principals working with the um current physical education teachers created using the number of teachers that they will have remaining. Okay. I just needed that clarification before I can move forward. Thank you. Do we have any
029additional questions about the bulk of the 3000 series? As a reminder, the open motion on the floor is for items 31 49 through 31 67 with the exception of 31 51. Hearing no more questions, I'll All those in favor? I. Opposed? Abstain. Motion passes 5-0. Superintendent respectfully recruit requests approval of item 31 51 in the 3000 series. Entertain a motion. Okay. I'll move it. Do I have a second? I'll second. Yes. Okay. Mrs. Garvin moves, Mr. Taylor seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? I'll start. The The main concerns that I have, and I'm I I see when available in there. I I understand that. And I I know that that was probably put in there as a buffer for them. But I see this being a train wreck. Um and I I want I would like to
030see a point of contact put in there so that on a Saturday after they've had rain shower after rain shower after rain shower and Taylor County Little League has to reschedule their dates of their 14 teams that they can call their people that Bridgeport has a connection. I want to have that that I I want to help both, but I want to do it if we can. And if we can't, then we can at least say we tried. Um I don't want to say no, but I want to say maybe. And I think that's I think that's respectful to to be able to do it at this point. So. Yeah, I I wholeheartedly agree with just what Mr. Daddy said. Uh I don't want to say no to Bridgeport. I think uh inter-county relationships are
031important. On the other hand, uh I never want to say no to Taylor County students. And uh if this can't be done in such a way that the Taylor County Little League has priority uh and is never bumped out by Bridgeport, then then I want to say no. But if it can be done in such a way, then yes. So Dr. Stallings, can we get a coordinator that that can be in charge of that? We can try to figure out who to contact and who to put together. Sure. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try. I think my concern on this would possibly be that I I would like that Ms. Dollman would not be that point of contact. I would be concerned that her getting a call on a Saturday night
032would be frustrating for me as a board member because she signed it in good faith that, you know, she put the when available in there because she's trying to build that partnership and she's trying to do all the right things. But and and I'm not trying to put somebody else in that position as well, you know, that to Somebody needs to Somebody's got to be. Yeah. So It's my understanding that both the um the both entities, the Grafton Little League and the uh other league, they've been provided a schedules. So your point about the rain, I I don't know how they would do that. I I don't know. I would hope that the two individuals that There's got to be one person scheduling and I can try to figure out who that would be. I
033don't know if Mr. Gerard can help us with that, but I think they're really good at making the stars align when it comes to that stuff. I think that like those entities are good about talking to each other. And I think that they can like I'm sure there's an app out there. And you know, I'm sure that there's something, but yeah, like you said, I I I don't want to I don't know if I'm allowed to address him on this, but like I I am sure that like you guys can talk to each other or there's something that you guys can potentially do, but I but I don't I I'm I'm coming back to you now because you're in charge of this. I I don't know. I don't know the answers. >> It would be
034my recommendation that the caveat be such that as long as um Thank you. I think if we all have them at the same time, that might contribute. Thank you. I'd like to think that the caveat of the the Taylor County organization or the students from Taylor County have um They have precedent on. So should the So in fact um the the two entities would just need to coordinate that. Can um congenially, I guess, is the word I'm looking for. Well, cuz like at the high school and at the middle school, we have our athletic director that assists with that, but I don't know if one of those individuals would be coming to play with this or if it would need to be >> is I can ask Mr. Gerard either to talk with me afterwards
035or make contact with me soon. Uh then we can obtain those names and I can at least coordinate that to let them know that I'm we're expecting that we're approving it the as written, I'm assuming with the understanding that that caveat exist. Am I understanding that correctly with the board? Yeah. I And I think it in order for it to work as congenial as I am sure both of these organizations are, somebody's got to have the hammer. So that when we rain three Saturdays in a row and it comes down to my kid, your kid, the last kid, somebody says, "This is how it is." And everybody has to go. For sure. And we can certainly build on the words when available with that the spirit of that kind of suggestion. I feel better about
036that. I mean Yeah. Uh cuz that's why I asked for a separate vote cuz I agree with um you know, our Taylor County kids coming first for that. It could be completely dry. We could get them all scheduled just as is. And then we'd have the practice >> All I'll make a note of that and ask Mr. Mr. That's not what I was meaning. I'll make note of that point. >> [laughter] >> I'll talk to God about that, too. Um if you will provide me your phone number before you leave, Mr. Jared, I appreciate that. Thank you. All right, at this point we have an open motion on the floor to approve the Hit Dogs U11 Bridgeport baseball team to use Flemington Elementary School baseball field when available with the priority always going to the
037Taylor County team and the expected installation of a coordinator um for any rescheduling or scheduling purposes. Okay? Mr. Doughty moves. Second. Mrs. Gallo seconds. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Hearing none, motion passes 5-0. I'm speculating that the other team is listening to our meeting tonight, also, to hear what the results are. It's all good. They will know in advance. Yeah, we definitely want that partnership and collaboration, but you know. Okay. We will move into the 4000 series financial budget supplements and vouchers payable. Mr. Dolan, share us some information, sir. Absolutely will. And before I give you provide you the budget supplements and vouchers payable, I provided a letter this evening um to for I can read it if you would like. If not, that's up to you, but I just feel that we should
038we should get this out there. Taylor [clears throat] County Schools is facing a critical financial turning point that cannot be ignored. Over the past 5 years, student enrollment has steadily declined, but this past year alone saw a sharp drop of 110 students. This loss has a direct and severe impact on per pupil funding, significantly reducing the number of positions the state will fund for fiscal year 2027. Despite this decline, staffing levels have moved in the opposite direction. In 2026, the budget already included funding to cover 32.67 positions that exceeded the state formula supports. Since then, decisions made across FY25 and FY26 added 23 more positions, bringing the total to 55.67 positions over the state-funded formula. If immediate action is not taken, specifically reducing the proposed positions through attrition and personnel decisions, the financial consequences will
039be severe. While the short-term increase may appear to be approximately 1.1 million, the true impact is far greater. Due to the reduced state funding, the district is facing a projected financial burden of 4.8 86 million dollars in FY27. Although there are many there may be temporary carryover balances and supplemental funding through excess levy, these sources are not sustainable solutions. They will not be sufficient to support ongoing staffing levels that exceed what the district is funding to maintain. Failure to act decisively places the district at serious risk of state intervention. If the budget is not brought back into alignment with state requirements, control of the school system could be taken over by the state. This will result in the loss of local decision-making authority and oversight. This is not a hypothetical situation. It is an urgent
040and immediate reality. Reducing these positions is not simply a recommendation. It is a necessary step to preserve the district's financial stability and maintain local control of our schools. Sorry. >> [clears throat] >> For this evening, I only have one budget supplement. Uh we should received a grant uh for the our backpack grant, uh which provides you food uh to our students at all five locations uh for various needs. Um so, that was the only uh budget supplement that we had this evening. Uh the next part of the packet uh is a schedule of checks that have already been written. Uh these were checks that were part of our um payroll process for uh the March 15th payroll dates. Uh there were a couple also bills in there for uh looks like some utility payments uh
041for those. Uh deeper into your packet, uh the scheduled checks that are uh to be written upon your all's approval this evening, there's some maintenance supplies, uh employee travel, uh school uh classroom supplies, transportation supplies, um and some other uh products that we have purchased uh throughout the uh throughout the school year. Does anybody have any questions about these? That is all I have for you this evening. Thank you. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items in the 4000 series. Mr. Doughty moves. Second. Mrs. Gallo seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? Hearing none, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes 5-0. Bringing us to the 5000 series. Student matters, personnel, and legal matters. There are a number of pieces here. Um We have get all the way to the end here. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of
042items 5450 through 5496 in the 5000 series. Mr. Taylor moves. Do I have a second? Second. Mrs. Gallo seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? I'd like to make comment. As uh Dr. Stallings and uh Mr. Dolan have already spoken, uh we are in a serious situation. We have uh a budget that has to be adhered to. We have approximately 80% of that budget goes to salary and another 20% is uh de- denoted to uh various things like utilities, fuel for the buses, and all the other things that we pay for. Uh those those monies are all already earmarked. There is an unencumbered balance, however. That unencumbered balance, according to the state, should be at least 5%. However, if you go to other sources, financial experts say that any school board should have an unencumbered balance between 15
043and 25% of their annual budget. I asked the question a few meetings back about our unencumbered budget, and it's it's a little over 10%. That's not enough for us to play silly games. And I I I don't mean to say it's a silly game to to keep people employed. I I I I shouldn't say that that way, but we have a fiduciary responsibility as a board that is absolute, and I don't want to riff anyone. I don't want to have to transfer someone to a job that they don't want. But the unfort- unfortunate choice is that I have a fiduciary responsibility to keep this school system in balance, and in keeping this school system in balance, we, as a county elected officials, are still in charge rather than being taken over by the state. And
044if we make any other choice than the choice in front of us, and I'm sure that Dr. Decker and Dr. Stallings uh and Mr. Dolan did not want to make these recommendations any more than we want to enact on them. But it's it's a a bitter choice, and and we must indeed make that choice. As a board member, I sat at that table over there about 12 to 14 months ago, and I projected that this was going to happen. And we had numbers in front of us, and I said, "Guys, let's not do this. Let's not approve this. Let's not approve these. Let's not look at this. Let's not do this. Let's not do that." Blind eye was given to me. And here we are. As a board member, I support riff and transfer decisions
045that are objective, consistent, and aligned with policy and legal standards. Told you 12 to 14 months ago this was going to happen. >> Go ahead. Yep. I do have um a couple questions and then I'll comment. Um questions regarding um first one regarding school nurses can you tell me what our formula ratio is for that? We were we are required to have one with our funding and we have five now. So, if we reduce this, we will have four. So, we will still be three over the formula for what's required in our nursing services. So, what is I guess what I'm asking is what is the student to nurse ratio? So, I could tell you that with the division of um So, we are funded with for 236 students divided by four, that would be
046534 students to each nurse. If it were divided obviously that way, it it it is not as we will have one nurse that's split between Flemington and West Taylor if this gets approved and we will have a nurse that's at Grafton High School. So, those numbers aren't equally distributed that way as they're based on school locations if that makes sense. But, they are going to be posted itinerant. So, if there was a need that arose, we could move them to service the needs anywhere. And just hypothetically what happens we have a newly diagnosed type one diabetic at every school? Then we could bring >> And we have where would we get that funding? That would be not I couldn't answer that question part of the funding piece, but obviously as I've said over and it's
047we can add a job at any time. We can only reduce during this time period. So, if we had a need that would would arise after this, we could add that back. Again, we would have to make a cut in the budget somewhere else. That's a bigger type of conversation, but we could do that at that time and have that conversation. But, positions can be added at any point in time in the year based on any need that arises. We just can only reduce in this time period. Okay. Then I had another clarify clarification on 5470 um regarding the Communities in Schools site coordinator. Um is there specific terms uh in the original grant regarding like where those um coordinators need to be? Is it based on chronic absenteeism data? And like I know it's
048on here to create two. So, when will those decisions be So, we actually signed an annual MOU with the state department for our Communities in Schools funding and I reached out to the individual at the state to kind of share with her um just to get some information about if we could have an itinerant. And it will be based on need um first being attendance. And then um you know, it'll it'll be based on where the students are. Obviously, um they're unfortunately not going to be able to service all the students as five have been able to do, but it'll be based on need as to where these individuals will be. So, I just wanted to add a comment as well. You know, we have riff and transfer season every spring. It's difficult on on
049everyone involved. Um this year it's more im- more um and more impactful. And you know, yes, we have seen a decline and we also have a formula as Mr. Taylor um mentioned earlier that we have to you know, we have to be fiscally responsible for at this point. And yes, there has been decline, but it has um been more so so that we are projected to be even more over formula. And um I would just say personally um this has been very difficult. And um I have read over many things. I have looked at past board meeting minutes. I've done my own research on a lot of things, asked a lot of questions um so, I take my responsibility very seriously. Um and I have been in a lot of prayer about it. And as
050Mr. Taylor said none of us want to do this, but you know, we we took an oath and we were um elected to do a job and some days is harder than others. Um and this is one of those hard days. Thank you. Um I I looked through this a lot of information to to to read over. I trust very much your decision and the reason you have it down here, but I still have some questions. Um And And I'm going to just kind of plead ignorance here because I'm new to the process and I don't like doing that, but I just don't know, okay? And so, I see that um you know, reading some some information and then the news and so on that um you know, there was a lot of discussion about
051some assistant principals and all that and abolish positions, yet I saw one looked like was appointed after that and I don't know if it was or not. I don't know what I've heard is true and false. I also see a lot of teachers uh being cut, being moved, being transferred. And uh and again, I I I really sympathize with that. Nobody Everybody that wants to work should be allowed to work and do what they love and and all that and I fully support that, but I know tough decision has to be made. As I looked through the information here, I didn't see anywhere where sort of that middle management, I mean, were there any assistant principal positions cut? Were there any assistant principal Not to pick on the assistant principals, but with declining student enrollment,
052you know, you should need need less management to continue as well at the same time keep teachers, you know, as many teachers as we can because that's where the instruction happens in the classroom. And I don't know the true roles of the assistant principals. I again, I'm not picking on them. I don't even know any of their names. If I know their names, I probably don't know the people personally. So, I'm not out to slay them, but at the same time that that middle management area is sometimes can get to be a little bit uh you know, like not knowing just not knowing what's there. So, So, I do have a question on were there any areas in in some of those assistant positions that were looked at and the reasoning for keeping them or
053are there vacancies that we slate as not being filled that can create a savings and so on. So, that is my question. I don't know I can speak to that, Mr. Summers. Uh In fact, with earlier in the year, we were uh uh we had a situation where there was a vacancy created by some shifting of individual staff members across the county to other responsibilities. And uh a request was done to abolish an assistant principal position. Um that was an unsuccessful recommendation. And we have sub- subsequently that person has been We did an interview with six uh um several people several applicants and then uh uh recommendation was made from that those interviews with the school administrator and uh their team. And that uh individual from that interview process was then placed on the agenda
054and subsequently approved. So, she is now working in that emptied previously emptied spot. Uh I'd like a further further follow-up question and and it's all you know, uh as Mr. Taylor and some others uh jumped on and agreed with uh we definitely don't want the state coming in here and running our local school system. We're very pleased to do the best we can with our local people and trust our local people and and I trust you you all have far more knowledge. I know you put a lot more information a lot more time into preparing all this and a lot of thought and it wasn't easy, I know. I I respect you for that and I truly do. And so, I'm not trying to say and you missed the mark. I'm just trying to understand
055and just saying one more time, is this you feel this is the very best we can do? You feel these are the very best recommendations we can make? And then secondly, uh I I didn't quite understand Mr. Dolan's one part of it since we can we can fund a little bit over state funding levels because we're over now and and so, does this leave us with something over the state funding level level by so many positions? I didn't fully get an answer to that. So, yes, so there are there is additional positions that are being funded through the excess levy that we have, other grants that we receive through the state through federal federal grants and state grants that these positions are able to be funded out of. Okay, do you have a number for
056those? I I I it's in your packet actually I do. I presented that to you so it's in that 5,000 section series. So, currently we are using the levy and our federal funding we are we are funding about that 35 mark as Mr. Dolan had said and then the additional ones were taking out of our carryover. And then but for next year with the levy Mr. Dolan has reviewed that and depending on how we fund different people professional or service and then with our title one funding our federal funding all the grants that we receive we will be able to fund those 34 33. whatever that number is there exactly in front of you with those allocations our levy and all those funding sources. So, we will still be funding approximately 34 staff members over
057the formula without having to cut the other places of that Mr. Taylor mentioned. So, 33.49 is what it was and so that is being funded out of our levy out of title one money out of special ed out of all those places that we discussed with what we know as of right now as been asked we don't know what all the reductions are going to be such as step seven and if special education will be reduced any more but as this is the best knowledge that we have right now to be able to present that data. Okay, thank you for that information. So, with those grants and all if I could further ask are are they guaranteed for fiscal year 2027 or are they subject to change given the federal like federal state you know
058the board of education lines up with the state funding you know it goes from July 1st but the federal's kicks in October 1st is there any Well, Mr. Summers you you certainly found something that we all wonder about each year and depending on the funding flow from the federal level to the state level and to the county level we are always at the mercy of waiting until they I don't want to disparage our state representatives but sometimes they're a little slow in telling us what we're getting and that also contributes to the problem. We anticipate that we will be funded with each of those entities but just like uh the title one was the most recent information we received at the last minute before our recent meeting that did cause a slight change uh but
059there's no guarantee that that'll that'll go back up. Thank you for that. I mean you know of course we don't know what we don't know and we can't forecast what might happen in law after July 1st. I get that and so you know I I I respect what you're saying and there's nothing better you could have said. I agree with you on that. We'll just have to adjust and know we do have some reserve that we talked about and we'll have to deal with then and that will be a problem for down the road but you you've made some assumptions you've based that on historical data on things that happened and and I respect that and that's probably the best you can do so >> The other the other as as has been mentioned that
060contributes to the dilemma is the enrollment continues to drop and that's not unique to Taylor. I don't like the fact that people are leaving Taylor and but they're taking advantage of other opportunities um and that impacts us financially as well. One thing I beg you to do is ask yourself why. Just in the future ask yourself why. Please do that. For however long you're a suit superintendent Dr. Decker for as long as you're assistant superintendent we've got to ask ourselves why are we dropping? Good point. Well well that's next on point. Well, there was um some data that I was looking at just recently that Taylor County overall population has decreased by 1.2%. So, it's it's also our population has decreased. So, again it goes to a lot of different factors you know what's our
061economical growth and what opportunities it all factors in. So Agreed. >> Yeah. Thank you. I did have another question um in regard to 5480 um director of special services I'm assuring that we have a plan for that and In fact I was waiting for that question this week. >> Okay. In fact we did work to get Dr. Decker and myself worked with our directors to discuss with they were afforded an opportunity or charged with the responsibility of giving some creative thinking about how we might absorb and redistribute some of the responsibilities throughout the building and that included the the multiple positions that had been previously carried by the current special director. And some of those things that were um more appropriately distributed to to other departments. And I think we're well suited to make that
062work. And as Miss Dr. Decker has indicated if in fact we see that that is not uh that we are not we're not correct about that and we start seeing the need for some additional support in that area we will bring that to your attention as well as And we do have um supportive roles in that area so they can assist with that as it will be new territory for Indeed. Yes, ma'am. And I just want to make sure that our special ed services are are thoroughly covered. That is our current plan. Okay. I might also add that I do appreciate and I've told the directors how much I appreciate them being willing to do that. The task is uh it took us a long time to uh sort and redistribute and that was done
063through their collaborative brainstorming. This process is remarkable. It is painstaking and it is heart-wrenching in many ways. Um and the logistics of how how different groups shuffle whether you're service or professional whether you're how your certifications stack you up all of these things. Um this is not a small or light carry. So thank you everyone who was involved in saying we can absorb and we can try and we will move forward do the best we can with what we've got um because we are all doing this with the hope of creating better and I know that this is not easy and it affects real lives. At this point we have an open motion on the floor. All those in favor I opposed Nay. Motion passes 4-1. Moves us to the 8,000 series board member comments
064and discussions. Um I and several of the other board members have been in receipt of a letter which I believe has now been forwarded to you. If you could do a little investigation into the booster situation and get us some practical information back on that at the next meeting that would be appreciated. >> Thank you. Just so you know [clears throat] I've actually started looking into that and I will make that available that information that I get um I'll have that available for you at the next meeting. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Anyone else have anything for future discussion? All right, hearing none we'll move into the 9,000 series future meetings. Next Tuesday April 14th 6:00 levy meeting 6:05 regular meeting both here at the board office. Tuesday April 28th 6:00 here at the board office.
065May 13th as a note that is a Wednesday 6:00 here at the board office. May 19th 6:00 here at the board office and June 9th 6:00 here at the board office. What was that last one? Here at the board office. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Um At this point, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Taylor moves, Mr. Doughty seconds. Questions, comments, concerns? All those in favor? I. Thank you for all you do. We are adjourned at 7:06 p.m.