001and I'm going to go ahead and call this meeting to order. All members of the board 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 heads for prayer and join us in the pledge if you so choose. Mr. Dowy, 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. Right. Uh Dr. Stallings, do we have any adjustments or addendums? There are a couple, Miss Garvin. However, in as much as I sent everyone the electronic copy and those few type, I will tell you what those are,
002but I took the liberty of making those changes for us this evening. So, it's in your binder with the corrections made. And that is one of them was in the 4,000 series. Inadvertently, your other copy mentioned an item 41. There was none. And so I removed that. So but the statement at one point said ple respectfully request that you approve the item 40001 when I realized oh that didn't exist. Senseless. The other was there was an enumeration change or a typo in at number 5239 which in the copy you have now says the correct number. There was an in an erroneous two showed up because we just started the 5000 series with this new year. Should should have been 5,039 which should be in the copy you now have in your binders. Likewise, uh there
003is an item that needed to have a change in it and that is the one that speaks to 5027 just a few of there is the addition of we had inadvertently Dr. Decker and I realize that the position that's being recommended for 527 is to be shared between West Taylor and Flemington Elementary School, not just assigned to Flem to West Taylor. So that is uh the those are the corrections that we've taken care of for you so that when you're now looking at this cleaner agenda, those inadvertent oddities of the numbering have already been fixed. All right, I hope that's helpful. Thank you. Uh, superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda as amended. Mr. Taylor moves. Mr. D, you look like you have a question. Yes. Um, on did someone have a second? 2047 and
0042048. I'd like to make a motion to separate those in the 2000 series so that I mayuse myself. Yes, sir. Uh 2047 2048. Is that in the form of a motion? Second that motion. Yes, please. All right. At this point, we have a motion on the floor to hold 2047 and 2048 for separate votes. All those in favor? I We also have half a motion on the floor. We are Okay. Uh while we're doing that, I'd like to vote 5034, please. We have a second on that. That number again, please. 5034. Thank you. Second. And Mr. Taylor moves and Mrs. Not second. All those in favor? I. 5034 will be held for separate vote. Any additional separations or All right. So, the superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda. Second. Sorry. I just wanted to
005clarify on item 30005. It looks like there's a typo. There's too many zeros there. That would be really 1,300,000. That is correct. Which one? 305. Say how many zeros is it supposed to be? It should be 130,000. Okay. 13 comma 0 0 period. Thank you. I I apologize for that. Yeah, a lot of diesel, but would have been happy. My guess is you're right. Thank you. I'm gonna try this one more time. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda as amended. Moved. Mr. Daddy moves. Second. Mrs. Galla seconds. Any additional questions? All those in favor? I. Motion passes. Bringing us to the 1000 series information. Oh, that would be me. Yes, sir. I want to give you a quick update about each of the campuses as I've done in the past. And this is
006Not a handout, but just a quick update to let you know that uh in at Anna Jarvis Elementary School, the new construction, the word on the street from our construction company is quote, "We are going vertical." So, you're as you drive by, you're finally seeing things being constructed upward. And I'm beyond excited about that because everyone's wondering why we kept moving dirt. We're still moving some dirt, but we're working from west to east. And uh they have assured me that 20 spring 27 is when we will have this building completed. That's so right now we are still on schedule. Um Flemington Elementary School, we have a couple updates that we've met with the faculty and again with the principal and we are currently working on data regarding the staffing needs. There was a concern that
007you remember they had expressed. We are working on that. One of which is actually uh the agenda item that I just amended or adjusted in response. So uh I believe that's a positive move as well. The other is that the roof replacement project is still in proc in process. And uh a third item about Flemington is the asbestous abatement progress has been completed. So, good news. No best no asbestous flooring at Flemington Elementary School. That's been a a difficult task for a lot of schools for many decades. And so, good job in Taylor County for your decisions to have that started because that has now been completed and it'll make a more safe environment for our students there, too. West Taylor has the new additional parking project that um caused some of us pause, but
008I that is in process and should be completed soon. And our commitment was if we we tear it up, we'll make it nice when it's finished. So, we'll see. Yeah, I I looked at that the other day when I was out there to uh take my grandson to cross country and uh it it looks like it's going to be very nice and we'll have ample grass on the other side of it. So, I I I we've been assured that when that is finished to reassure everyone. I'm passing on the reassurance that once that is reclaimed, uh, at some point you won't you probably won't even notice with the people other than people that are that are used to when we built the school or open the building. It's going to be a little different, but
009eventually it'll become just part of what we're used to there. As well, as I mentioned earlier, the canopy is is still in the process, but it's been put on hold by the company that is delivering the actual canopy construction materials. We're still thinking that's about October, but they've assured me that that's not going to be a problem once those materials get to us. The construction company isn't holding it up. It's the company that's providing the materials for that canopy. Um, Taylor County Middle School, we are in the process of discussing some additional recreational type activity areas to be added to their property, their campus. up on the main level. For instance, they're considering uh adding a a volleyball court. Um they found a company that can provide uh cornhole and foosball and let me see
010what and it also said something a couple additional picnic tables. The purpose of them having this conversation is uh the original question was can we now we've got this brand new parking lot down below and we painted those lanes. Can we go ahead and paint things like four square which is a game you play on which takes about 16 by 16 square piece of concrete. There are no security cameras like up around the building down there yet. But for that reason, they typically will have the students walking around this the main entrance circle and they have a couple basketball hoops and they're re opening those so that they'll have more things to do rather than just walk around the circle for their free time. And that'll divide also divide the students into different activities so
011it's not just one crowd of one around one thing. um and that none of that's been finalized, but they're getting together some ideas so that they can make some proposals about which would be the really a good idea and they're going to be bringing their faculty center president together to talk about that as well. It's not just what I'm doing, but they're just starting to have that conversation. Uh and lastly, but not least, Grafton High School's new restrooms down by the uh ball fields plural are still under construction, but they've reached a point uh that talked to Mrs. Shoemaker earlier in the week, which was just yesterday, that they're in process of getting ready to do the paving that was planned for the next portion of that area, but they had to wait until the
012restrooms got under construction. I believe I understand that we're about to put the roof on the restroom areas. Um, and that's Can I add a concern? Um, so I went down there yesterday and was looking at things and they had soccer happening there and that area is not marked off with any kind of caution tape or any anything like that. the gate was open from the track to right where the little, you know, excavating equipment and stuff was. And there's that deep ditch with with the pipe in it. I just that caused me a lot of concern. By all means, I'll look into that to make sure we read Mr. Marked so that um no one's over there for children, you know, playing in that area and we we don't even have it marked with
013a cone or anything. definite good cause. I I look I did not know that last time I was there. Did not that that concern was not there. Um I also did um per your request I'm going to pass out a binder or a folder that has information for each of our board members to have at your table. Um, I've captured some of the information regarding uh some of the questions that have been raised regarding policies that we have and procedures that we have that speak more of the the uh in the I pulled them from like the bylaws section of our policies so they're more readily available dealing with uh the question of public expressions uh of members your repres your our your goal your goal or the expectation expectation of us about speaking in
014public uh board staff communications uh executive sessions. I know we have the reference on the table but this is just I pulled the policy so it would be available to you. Uh public participation in board at board meetings and superintendent me the super me or whoever the superintendent happens to be my responsibilities and roles. Uh it also included a clarification from a chapter five of the board of education meetings from BS and rice uh excuse me from this West Virginia school boards association just to clarify it was I said bowls and rice and that's who helped facilitate that and that is available for your reading pleasure and reference in case there's any kind of question at any given time that's simply meant to make it convenient for that process. I did also include I believe
015in their lefthand corner you should receive uh this copy of the forthcoming September 5th and 6 West Virginia School Board Association fall conference and I wanted to I know that I've received a couple of your texts about who wants I need to take a survey of you as I mentioned an email to tell me who plans to attend virtually who plans to attend in person in person andor who does not plan to attend at all so that we can then follow up with making either reservations or uh of either entity either register you for attending in person and get you a hotel room because that's an overnight in Charleston if that is your pleasure. Uh it's a Friday and a Saturday night if you've looked at that schedule in September. Uh it does excuse me
016it's a Friday and a Saturday event and it would require just a Friday evening stay. All right. So Thursday and Friday then in person. Yes sir. I'm going to attend virtually. All right. Mrs. KN virtually. Dr. Sings, I'll be attending virtually. Thank you, sir. This is live. But that would be Friday night. You'll go Friday and stay Friday night. All right. Miss Carvin, I anticipate attending live just the Friday evening. A Baker Friday evening hotel. So, I'll be there Friday and Saturday. Okay. both the two of you. Okay, thank you. We will make those arrangements for all of you and let you know etc. how what you need to take bring to the attention of the like your confirmation number etc. We'll do that. Thank you. I hope that's helpful. Does that bring you to
017the end of your what have you? And that is what that is the end of my what have you. Delightful or what have me. Uh do we have any board member updates or committee meeting reports? Uh I don't know that this is exactly the place I should do this, but I'll try anyhow. Uh at the recent United Technical Center board meeting, they informed us that the adult commercial drone drone operation team had participated at the nationals and won second place in the nation. Uh that's significant. uh weren't any Taylor County folks involved in it, but uh it was United Technical Center and uh you know that's a program that's available to Taylor County people. Mr. Taylor, would you be so kind as to explain what that entailed? Do you remember what? Yeah. Uh the the
018drone competition actually uh it it involved operation of a commercial zone drone and at one point one of the team members had to be blindfolded and operating the drone under the direction of the non-blindfolded team member who was telling them where to go. And uh you know they managed to win second place in the nation under such arduous task and just 10 points away from the winning team from California. So we're right there. Right there. That's that's that's big medicine for the United Technical Center. All right. Um, anybody else got any updates? All right, that takes us into the 2000 series. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the minutes for the regular meeting on July 8th, 2025. Moved. Mr. Douty moves. Mrs. Gallows, questions, comments, concerns. All those in favor? I. Delightful. Uh, motion passes.
019We have some policies and codes in the first reading and some policies and codes in the third reading. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2035 through 2038 in the 2000 series. Mr. Taylor moves. Second. Mrs. Gallows. Questions, comments, concerns? I have one. Madam, I just want to clarify and make sure that 2034 This is a policy that we are just ratifying from the state is not something that we actually developed in house. Correct. Well, actually we I did that twice now. I'm so sorry. Actually, we did that in June and then we received the additional pieces that were handed to us to make sure they were also in. So, this version, that's why I put it back as a first reading. I see that. Yeah. So, it's that I hope that answered your question. Nothing
020came out of it from what you had already approved. But I know, but I just wanted to make sure that I asked this one last time. We approved it, but it was state driven, right? We get something from the legislature. We get recommendations to add to the SDM. I just want to make sure it's the same. Nothing. You're right. Nothing added. It came directed to us that we had. But the important part is nothing that we approved in June was removed from it. They just were adding some additional clarifications etc. Okay. Thanks. Yes ma'am. Yeah I think Mr. Taylor had backpack made that if you recall the first option was are you interested in not having phones at all in the schools or or are we going in a different direction? we went the different
021direction and I believe it was Mr. Taylor's suggestion that we make sure we included that they could keep them in their backpacks as well. Right. That's pretty much what we had added back then and um that's what Yep. that's where we are with that. Okay. Just wanted to make sure because it's on there first reading I was like thanks and they're to be they're to be off completely and never in sight. That's the expectation Mr. Taylor and that will once it becomes an approved policy by you it'll become a part of the student handbooks that are promoted and shared with the student population by the schools. I anticipate that we you can anticipate there probably even with those allowances at all. I anticipate there might be some yipping and spitting by some parents who believe
022that they should have them on their in person. But uh this is pretty much a compromised policy it seems versus none at all. Not not disruptive of the instructional program. That's kind of the essence of what your policy is promoting. Again, we didn't have much choice in putting a policy there. We we had to put something in place. We were direct. You did indeed. But you still had the autonomy to decide whether it was complete. Some counties went clean slate, no phones. Are we going to have enough time for the second and then third reading for that to get added to those handbooks before the start of school or is that going to happen? I can make them aware of that and they can have that as a preliminary uh tip in for their information.
023They it should by the time we have uh I believe the 19th is our is our final of the three tonight and the two in August. Yes. Let me double check. The 19th is when their the faculty is starting but they won't start with the students yet. I just want to make sure you know that communication gets Yes, ma'am. I'll alert them have administrative council meeting at the end of this month and I'll make sure the faculty this principles know that as well. Okay, I'm done. I'm finished. I don't have anything else. Okay, thank you ma'am. All right. Uh so we have an open motion on the floor to approve the policies in the third reading. All those in favor? I motion passes. Resolve that the bylaws and policies printed and codified in the comprehensive
024document entitled bylaws and policies of Taylor County Board of Education are hereby adopted and that all bylaws policies hereto for adopted by the Taylor County Board are hereby rescended. Further it be resolved that in the event of any policy part of policy section of the bylaws is judged to be inconsistent with law inoperative by a court of competent jurisdiction or invalidated by a policy or contract duly adopted by this board. The remaining bylaws, policies and parts of policies shall remain in full effect. Thank you, Miss Gar. All right, continuing into the 2000 series and got someus and some contracts and some agreements. Uh, at this point, 2047 and 2048 have been called on for a separate vote. Would we like to take those now? Yes. At the top of this Mr. Daddy, if you'd like
025to be excused, Since 2048 is listed separately, will it be will we have two separate votes? They're all in the same. They all see contract versus an Gotcha. All right. Um, so to be clear, that would be one vote for those two. Yes. We're going to do one vote for those two items. Okay. So, the superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2047 and 2048. Move approval. Second. Mrs. KN moves. Mrs. Gallow seconds. Questions, comments, concerns. I have one. Madam, so the funding source, I'm just going to ensure with the state of federal funding that nothing's going to be impacting that we're that we we're going to be okay with funding. Um because that says funding source special revenue. Um what exactly is the special revenue and is it federal funds? That's my concern. They they
026those are federal funds. Um at this point in time, we've received nothing nothing that said that we are not receiving those particular funds. So what happens if we would would we come back and then have to approve general budget approval or would the program end or how would what would happen? We don't know. I believe the plan A would be okay. Well, let's talk about that' be plan B. This is plan A. Let's hope let's hope though we would continue. Plan B would be we would need to figure out we get approval to shift some of the monies that we have in in your general current to that to cover those expenses because as as you know that particular issue is um just helping us fulfill the preschool requirement that collaborative component as well. Yep.
027And I wanted to make sure of that. Likewise, the meals portion, which is the the other one that's in there, uh, deals with feeding those particular students as well. If we are going to count these students as our preschoolers, part of the collaborative, we we must make sure that they're fed as well. The overall anticipation though being that should something happen to that federal funding, several if not every aspect of what we do and across all of our campuses and associated campuses will be affected. Right. Potentially and and to reassure it is my understanding having a conversation with Mr. Dout Mr. uh Dolan as well that your funds we we can survive that. That's not our plan, but you can survive that. Yeah, I'm we're not always concerned about the possibility of not having the
028flow through that we would always be used to having, but not concerned that it's going to destroy what we know now, our current program we're about to do. Mr. Is that an accurate way of saying that? It is. And and hopefully I mean if things flow in that direction, in a negative direction, uh the state's already working on, you know, trying to make those adjustments. So, it's not going to be an overnight, you know, occurrence. Um, you know, it would probably be something that would be addressed in next year's budget if if that was not foreseeable funding source. So, those items are if if if there's no funding at all. I mean, like Mrs. Garvin said, every all preschool across the county would Well, and I can assure you that Taylor would not be like
029the cheese stands alone kind. we would be one of 55 saying, "Wait a minute. We'll be doing and the state's clamoring right now trying to figure that out for us as well." Okay. Reassured that our kids were going to be taken care of in this. I'm not looking at the devil, you know, who cares kind of concept, but I'm not concerned about that yet. Okay. I say we we we have since July 1st, uh several of us up here receive multiple emails a week just keeping us updated on on what all is happening. So, as soon as one of us receives any kind of communication one way or the other, I'm sure you'll be quick to bring that to your attention. It seems like what's happening is they may be looking there are multiple uh
030grants to come through title one, title two, whatever. Seems like they're they kind of step back to say, "Okay, we what are we doing with this one and this one and then this one?" So that they're not trying to uh address all the concerns simultaneously. Okay. Um finished again. All right. Well, thank you. It's a good question. All right. So, we have an open motion. Um all those in favor of items 2048 and 2047. I motion passes 4. Never mind. We got him. Thank you. So, stepping back ever so slightly in the 2000 series, the superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2039 through 2046 in the 2000 series. Mr. Daddy moves second. I think Mr. Taylor got there first, but Mrs. not supposed louder. So, we're going to go with Mr. Taylor. Well, that's always
031going to be okay. This is not second. Uh, additional questions, comments, concerns. Yeah, I just have a very weird Oh, go ahead. You first. That's okay. Um, I have a question uh Dr. Stallings on 2040 uh regarding the agreement with the education system solutions um for Anna Jarvis. is talking about academic and leadership support and I wondered if you could expand on that. Would that include um anything support related to strategies for behavior um in students or anything like that? Well, they had a team uh a representative they've been working with in Char from Charleston and that is a continuation. I believe we're about to bring closure to that with at that school and I'm only I'm saying that as I look to the for clarification if I might ask for specifics that I believe
032we're on the last year of that Mrs. Sinclair. Is that correct? Right. Okay. So, this is a continuation of that support that the that the uh state department had deemed based on the monitoring of that location. Similar to but not the same as Flemington was also dealing with the similar but not same component with other staff from the state department coming to help with that. I hope that was helpful. Yeah, I just didn't know if there was any um support there. I know it says academic and leadership support, but if that also included um supporthavior things, it would certainly be included. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. Mrs. Not, she had something. Yeah, I did. Just a offthe-wall question. Um don't laugh. Don't laugh at me. It's going to be a weird question, but very happy
033that we're replacing this. Lington needs it. Um, but just to think outside the box for a minute. If we were to build a new school there in the future, could we then transfer that type of brand new equipment and utilize it or would we put all brand new equipment like Hback and stuff like that in the new school? Um, I don't know that every you're I'm going to speculate here. I don't even want to suggest I don't want to suggest that I have an expert. This is what was approved as part of the SBA allowance to us, right? and they understood that this was because it was an immediate need for the school. And so those monies um there was no conversation or uh part of the conversation at all that there was going to
034be a new school. No, no, no, no, no. I know. I'm just asking if we would in the future build a new school and that HVAC is relatively new. Well, would it be utilized in the school or would we I believe it would be part of surplus it or I think I do have the answer for that and that was based on what I'm learning from the new anervis elementary school. The contract that is awarded includes certain conditions including and so people can I've had lots of people say so what are you going to do with all the copper in that existing building and are you going to sell it? What are you going to do with all the X Y fill in the space X Y or Z of the current and Jarvis Elementary
035School? Are you going to have an auction? And the contract because I did ask this question. I didn't know for sure. Early on, I was just gifted with the opportunity to build a school. But I learned that part of that contract includes that's the awarded contract to the company that's now building the front building up, the new building. They are they dispose of and utilize that. They now will own that building to take it down and do with whatever. We don't we don't have a a yard sale of contents. I see. Okay. And so my answer to you is I'm speculating it would be the same thing if and when the decision was ever made to build a new school for Flemington. understand I want the public to know whoever's listening out in the public
036land in virtual land is that we couldn't build a new school implement this time because we didn't we couldn't get the SBA. Um so that's the way the state law or the state their state rules are. It is uh it is possible that we could request to keep things if we want them but I understand the contract is written such that that's what I was mentioning to you. Yeah. And I'm hoping that the I know there's been a little bit of chatter about the SBA rules changing. So I'm hoping that in the future that does change and that that opens the door for possible building projects like that that we haven't been able to do. Right. So I was just a question I said it was. I do want to say uh on the airwaves
037that we have been blessed by the recognition and support by the school building authority. Right. My experience has been each time we've added any or proposed anything to date since I started back with the school system, they've been very gracious to us to the tune of a lot of money and this project is really needed. It is indeed and they this project is they there wasn't any please talking into they were receptive immediately to that proposal. also to thank the uh the architectural firm that helped us uh prepare our our proposal to them. Of course, it becomes the decision of the SBA, but like I said, I just want to credit them for at least being positively responsive to us. And once again, I'm finished. I'm on the only one running my mouth tonight. That's
038all right. All right. At this point, we have an open motion on the floor. So, all those in favor of items 2039 through 2046 in the 2000 series. I motion passes 5-0. That moves us into the 3000 series consent calendar. Purchase Office in the central office. Central office transportation chaperon facility use out of state travel. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 3003 through 3008 in 3000 series. Mr. Daddy moves. Mr. Taylor seconds, questions, comments, concerns. I I do have a question on 3004 uh the Parkco propane for the school buses. Where is that going to be delivered? Until we have a new tank elsewhere, it's to be delivered, I believe, in the current place we we service. Can it be moved? The the fuel or the tank? The fuel. Are we're going to are we
039going to put this at the new facility? This is not a single drop, right? And this is a case of if we need to change the delivery address. That's correct. Yes, this is Yeah, this is until we get the new Remember, we haven't finalized that proposal that Mr. Mr. Martin was here and he told us the stages of what would be needed to happen at the new facility. That hasn't been finalized yet. Uh, and so we're it's lo but Yeah. Yeah. It would this would be more kind of a routine thing is even if we hadn't built or purchased the new location. Uh that was my interpretation of that. Good question. We don't want to just take it there and then walk away from it. Uh but that the utilization of that propane right now
040is we're not nobody's showing up at the new property to get it because it's we're not ready for that. sooner rather than later, I hope. Well, me too. From your lips to God's ears, Mr. Taylor. I hope that was helpful. All right, any additional questions? We have an open motion on the floor. All those in favor? I motion passes 5-0. bringing us to the 4,000 series financial budget supplements, vouchers payable, and updates regarding recent changes to retirement procedures and requirements. Mr. Dolan, tell us some things. Good evening, everyone. Um, so we received the um SBA grant uh for the rooftop units. So that's one of the budget supplements we have. Also, we had received another uh grant for early literacy allocation uh in the amount of $28,000. uh for uh various uh PD throughout the
041year for for educators. Um so that's all the budget supplements we've se have received uh so far in one in the first couple weeks of July here. So there should be some more coming in the very near future. Um your inside your book, you received a copy of the schedule of checks that have already been written, schedule of checks to be written. Um the checks that have already been written are to cover u our day-to-day operations bills, contracts that uh have been approved throughout the year. Um and we're quickly coming uh putting a close on FY25. So that's what uh a lot of these uh invoices and bills that have been paid here recently are for. Um we have schedule of checks to be written tomorrow morning upon your approval uh for items such as
042uh travel that has happened for some of the um professional development that's been done over the u over the summer here and then some other bills that we have received uh for the first part of uh July. So that's all I have for for that and then I will provide you the update of the procedures for the new requirements for uh before retiring. Uh inside your book uh you received a overview of u you know what is what is getting ready to start on August 1. So, um, basically what is going to happen is beginning August 1st, uh, if an employee retires from the board of education, um, they cannot come back and work for us for 60 days. So, there has to be a complete separation. Um, it's it's an IRS rule. Um, and
043the way they they've kind of conveyed it to us, they being the Consolidated Public Retirement Board, is that we're really not even allowed to have that conversation with our employees. It used to be, you know, oh, hey, you're retiring. Uh, great. You want to come back and be a sub. Um, and, you know, we've seen it on, you know, multiple agendas where a person or an employee retires and is hired right back as a as a substitute employee. Can't do that. That cannot happen anymore. I think if you recall today or as of August what? August 1st. So the thing that's happening later in the 5000 series is still legal. That that is legal because that is a resignation. It just has to do with retirement. Like all the employees that were or all of
044the employees that were here at the last meeting that retired on June 30th beat the beat the line. So if they if they So we were able to say to them, so are you you get on our sub list? And some said yes, some said they would. They got in under the under the under the wire. So So what would have prompted that? Because that really makes no sense. It goes back to something that came up in uh IRS code. So it it came in at a federal level. So it's a federal IRS. It's not anything. Okay. Yeah. So they're and knowing the shortage of teachers that we have and starting off the first month or two of school when everybody gets back in you get snotty noses you get the you know start getting
045all the illnesses you're going to have teachers get sick obviously and and then what are you g I mean that I I would hope the state would not have done that entire hands but I'm glad in some cases on the federal level u some of the examples they gave us some separations have to be uh 12 months. If you if you resigned from a federal position, you couldn't go work for a contractor, right? Doing the same thing, you know, you couldn't Right. Right. So, um but that it also has other it also applies to coaches. So, just to give you that heads up. Wow. If if we have a as an example, if we have a football coach that's retiring June 30th, he can't be the football coach August 1. So could we September 1st
046could they be but they could be unpaid or that is an excellent question and we have to they advised us to maybe speak with our legal counsel because there might be tied to um workers compensation because even as a as an unpaid coach they're they're kind of still if they were to be injured on the So we just would need to get clarification on that before before I give you a definite answer. Okay. Thank you. So Mr. Dolan, also I believe there's a piece of this process that we're about to embrace that requires all retirees from registering each year. Tell me what help us know what that was. Yes, that is correct. So, um, in the past, it's or has been on the books as part of the being a retired retirey and coming back
047to work that you're not permitted to work more than 140 days in a school year. If you do, then it has an effect on your uh on your retirement. They they start docking you uh day for day. Um, so as part of that, every year now we have a document that the retirement board provided us that we have to have each of our retirees that that are working for us sign stating that they understand that um, you know, if they work more than 140 days um, in a position other than maybe a critical need area, there is that little waiver there um, which we have to do. you know, we have to submit waiverss uh for for anybody that's in that position. Um just them signing off saying that they understand that, you know, if
048they work more than 140 days that it could have an effect on their retirement or that if they started working before the 60-day separation date that um there's other implications to that. Sorry. Could we have added to our next agenda the possibility of writing a letter to our congressional representatives and senators uh uh asking for their intercession in this issue? Well, I don't think it's going to matter if it's federal. That's why I said congressional and senators. Oh, sorry. Okay. I didn't catch you. Good idea. So, I'm making a note, Mr. Taylor or Miss Carvin, that for that meeting you would prefer to have include an 8,000 series discussion of a possible letter. I just want to make sure I'm capturing that correctly. I feel like that's reasonable. Anything else in the 4,000 series? I
049have I have nothing else for you. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of items in the 4,000 series. Mrs. Gallow moves. Second. Mrs. Knots. All those in favor? I. Motion passes. Brings us to the 5000 series. We'll note that at this point uh item 5035 has been moved to vote. Sorry, I have a wrong number. 5034. Yes. Item 5034 will be voted upon separately. Um let's vote on the rest, shall we? Superintendent respectfully recruit requests approval of items. Let me make sure I have the right numbers. 5027 through 5041 with the exception of 5034. Mrs. Gallow moves second. Mrs. Not seconds. Questions on any of those? All those in favor? I that passes. That brings us to item 5034. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of item 5034 in the 5000 series. Do we have a motion? Are
050we able to go to executive for this one for discussion? We can about the creation. Um I believe it falls under clarify that under personnel. Yeah, I think it falls under personnel. So Shall we entertain a motion? I'll move it if if Mrs. Gallow wants to go in. Yeah, I had some further questions about that before I can. All right. Mrs. KN has a motion for executive session and I believe I heard Mr. Daddy second. Is that accurate? Okay. All those in favor? I we are in executive session at 6:50. Um we will ex adjourn ourselves to Dr. Sty's office. Um and we are back in regular session at 8:06. Um item 5034 is on the table. Madame chairman, I move to table this uh item until our next meeting. I have a second. Second.
051All those in favor? I. Okay. This item is tabled to the next meeting. That moves us. Yes. That completes the 5,000 series for this evening and moves us into the 8,000 series. Um, in deference to our friends who have been waiting, I'm going to take this out of order and we are going to do the second point. the consideration of the contribution of the Taylor County Middle School Band to support planned participation in and representation of West Virginia in Washington DC as part of the forthcoming Invitational 2025 National Veterans Day celebration. To that point, we have last meeting had the incomparable uh middle school boosters, band boosters come to us with an amazing opportunity for our students. I don't think we voted on the rest of the other series. We did the whole 5,000 series
052and then we did this because we knew it was going to be messy. Okay, that's okay. I that's what the minutes will show. Okay. But the minutes I'm on my mind is gone after everything else has um uh to the point um they have come back to us with a a and I think everybody has a copy um a request um and a budget for what it's going to sort of cost. um last time they visited us, they laid out a really comprehensive um plan for donations and fundraising. Um they have graciously spent their time with us again this evening. Is there anything else that you would like to get up and say to us or smile about on this request? Somebody stand up quick. Quick. Don't miss say this number out loud. Um, I
053will just say since our uh our last meeting that we had here uh presenting this u honor for us, we have had numerous people reach out to us in full support um letting us know if there's anything that you need as far as meals, help with travel, sponsoring kids, things like that. Um we have already taken the next steps with some of the um fundraising ideas that we were talking about. Um Miss Leech, Carrie Leech, excuse me. I got I got two back there now. She's already started putting up the billboards of the that each student can do as their own individual fundraiser fill my music note type of thing. We already have those templates made up to to start getting things started. So when we have those kids back on on day one, actually
054probably the last hopefully through band camp starting in August 4th, we can we're going to have a parent meeting that last day to conclude band camp to go over the year expectations, but more importantly the trip on DC. So they kind of already know what we've been planning, where our goal is at, and where we need to be to have our kids ready to go and do their best job. Okay, Madame President, I would like to make a motion that uh we contribute uh 45,000 that is requested for the Taylor County Middle School Band to support their planned participation in the representation of West Virginia in Washington DC as part of the forthcoming invitational 2025 National Veterans Day Celebration. Um to get you guys started, I think we all second that. So, that almost sounds
055like a vote. All those in favor? I congratulations. Thank you. Keep us informed. Absolutely. Um, go to your other bigs because we're in. Yeah, we're super excited for your kids. We appreciate it. And I think there were some board members that said they might surprise someone in DC or some students in DC. We would welcome it. Be super exciting. Maybe we can have a carpool. Good luck with that. Um, I just want to say thank you very much. Uh, it means a lot to us. I always make it a point to um mention your support to the kids so they know that they do have backing. It's just not coming from me and moms and dads, but that they do have the community's backing as well. So, I really do appreciate that. Means a lot.
056Thank you. Well, and we have been blessed with the thank you notes from those kids and I tell you what, just cracks my heart open every time. It's amazing. So, thank you for everything you do. and we've been on the the sidelines and along the streets and we hear the comments about what a wonderful program that you have and just wonderful positive compliments and takes the support of our boosters um as well as parents and in our community. Um, but you're the leader of that and we really appreciate all that you're doing there. And um, I think if you keep us informed and I think if you come up and you have more that you're going to end up needing, um, I think it would be okay for you to come back and I agree
057with that. Yeah. Keep us posted. Don't Yeah. Don't put yourself. Don't put yourself in a position where Absolutely. appreciate that. I mean, don't not fundra anything, but you all are known for what you did. Yeah. No, no. I appreciate that. Um, on behalf of myself, the band, uh, also my wife who is our choir director. Um, trying to get emotional here. It is overwhelming how much you all support music in the arts. Um, sadly, it's something we don't see in this state. U, a lot of surrounding states. No, not downplaying anybody else. I don't mean that disrespectfully. It's just reality and the stuff that you have supported my the music department here that the middle school with is just it blows my mind. I don't understand it but I am so thankful for your support.
058I appreciate it. I will tell you some of my best memories are from the band. Best friendships, best memories, saw sites and places and participated in things that never would have, you know. So, it's definitely important and coral honey. Yes. Yes, I was a honey bees. I may not have been the best at it, but band and choir were my things. and I got to go to the presidential inaugural parade. And so it is a tremendous honor and to see that you guys are getting to go do something like this and be nationally recognized. It's Yeah, they'll never forget it. That they will this memory will stay with them forever. I still remember the temperature, the smells, the sights, everything. those memories will stay with them. So, I'm really glad that this board was able
059to help with that. Thank you so much. I want to also commend you from where when you stepped into this program, where the program was, and where the program is now. We needed you. The school needed you. This county needed you. and you definitely brought brought us to a point to where we are at this this day in this day. And we're proud of you. Very proud of you. And I'm saying that from not just being a board member of an experience, too. I mean, my son went three years in the middle school and couldn't even play a drum until you got there. So, we know where we were and uh we where we where we are now and it's all on you and your help that you've had. So, Thank you so much for
060everything. Thank you again. We'll keep you posted. Enjoy yourself in the city of my birth. All right. Now, what are we doing? Okay. Uh the the last thing is the discussion of the board member self assessment survey results. Every year we are required to do this selfappraisal survey. Um it is 29 questions and Miss Carvin, you'll find that copy of that information, your 8,000 series. Yes. Um everybody should have You emailed it to us, too. I did. Um, I just thought maybe you want a hard copy tonight as well. Uh, some things I have to do from my work computer because my tablet doesn't like it. So, didn't get an email to you until later today. Um, as we go through these overall, uh, I'm I'm delighted to say that very rarely are we 100%
061in agreement on anything which says we're actually thinking about stuff. Um although for the most part we either agree or strongly agree in with everything that is happening here. Um did the questions change this year? They they tweaked some of the wording but the I thought some of the there weren't there either were questions eliminated or they were different. Well, and last year we talked a lot about the way these were worded when we discussed it because because we had some disagreements. Yeah. Because of interpretation of verbiage. I thought it was a lot easier for me to when I answered the questions to put strongly agree or agree, right? But there was one question that I was very disappointed in and I know we'll get to it. Which let me see 20. Why Why do
062you think it's 28? No, that's not it. No. Um it was the one on um let me see when speaking. Oh, yeah. It is 28. When speaking publicly regarding a county issue, board members align their statements with the board's official position. Well, how would I know what you all do unless you tell me? I I couldn't answer that. I don't even know what I answered because I don't I can't answer. I I know what I do, but I don't know what the rest of the board does unless I'm standing beside them when they're talking in public. I I agree with that just based off of what is said here. That was my my vote. agree on that. Well, that's not how I read that, though. Is that how you read that? Well, I read that
063a lot more like if I'm going to say it here on a microphone, that's what I'm going to repeat. Um, it's sort of my expectation that if you were to say something here on a microphone or without a microphone to me to as that if if that lines up with what we're all saying, that's what we're going to keep saying because for me regarding county issue statements. So for me, I might be only votes no on something. When I leave here, I have to support whatever policy, whatever the board decides. Then I have to be in alignment and support that. But that doesn't mean that I can't say, you know, if somebody says, well, how did you vote on it? Well, I voted no and this is why. However, this is this is what was
064approved and we need to move forward and support that, right? got to come out of here as and I think perhaps it's the difference between um while I don't while I didn't initially align with the decision after the discussion the board decided exactly versus well I think that's stupid and I said no and the rest of them did it anyway and I don't care and like that's the difference between my statement aligns with this and I'm spreading disinformation or creating chaos, which is where I right I would agree disagree. I don't think any of us are out there spreading chaos. Again, how would any of us know unless we're standing there together? I guess the question is, do we trust each other? Well, it's not a trick question. I'm sorry. No, I mean like I
065think it maybe if it was rewarded the board's official outcome on the issue would be would have made it a little bit more clarifying um rather their position because it gives more definitive right to it. I just I guess I guess still go back to that was the hardest question for me to answer, right? And that that's that's all. Um the way some things are worded sometimes makes the answers awkward. Agreed and I know that we had that problem a lot last year. Um so but I mean it is go back not to metaphorically beat a dead horse but the board's official position does is comprised of a 3 to2 vote or two to three vote, four to one. You know what I mean? Like the outcome I think would have been a better word.
066I don't disagree with that. Um does anybody have any other particular question or point of clarification about the way we communicate or what we communicate that we feel like we need to address? based on these survey results. This is more really just on the question. I I really do not like number two because it says in learning for all whatever it takes like that's like a all or nothing kind of that that hearkens back to the uh the 90s where we were doing No Child Left Behind. Yeah, the 80s that some of the language is a carryover. I'm guessing maybe not as but whenever it says whatever it takes like that that's just not that doesn't sit well with me because you're saying whatever it takes well that could be something unethical like why why
067would this be worded that way agreed just way that was I think it was Larry Lazot's research that introduced all that back in the 90s I will take the wording suggestion for number two and for number 28 and I will forward them um with our results to the state as is required. Additionally, what is required is that this these results are posted on our website and I believe that that can be accomplished through the link that I sent you that allowed you to print these. Tada. And you will take care of that for us, please, sir. Or have the lovely Miss Griff. If it is your pleasure, we will make sure that happens. Of course. Of course. Unfortunately, the state says we got to post it. So, it's just really not so much about what
068I want at all. I mean, I really don't I think the answers to our survey, I mean, I think we did pretty well as a board. I don't think they've been this I think they are the right level of inconsistently consistent, right? But our level of commitment I mean just yeah, if I remember in previous years we've had some disagrees and strongly disagrees thrown in there, scattered, sprinkled, whatever. We didn't this time, right? It also shares um just, you know, 17, for example, all potential countywide issues are referred to the superintendent for management. You know, that could qualify as what Mrs. N is saying. We might have possibly seen a disagree or strongly disagree in the past, but we're showing growth. Right. Right. And I think that that's showing the relationship building. Exactly. which is
069one of your goals and ours as well is that relationship building with the community with with each other with staff. Um yeah, I I agree too. So I think that's why we're seeing the results that we are is because but I still think their questions were worded a little differently that and maybe allowed some of us not to be able to disagree and strongly disagree too. I think they may have changed. Yeah, I felt like it was a lot easier for me to hit the agree and strongly disagree this time. So, I feel like their questions changed, which may have been good. Maybe maybe they were meaning it in a different manner than I took it too, you know. Okay. Any other discussion on the self assessment survey results? Anything else for the good of
070the order? I just had one thing that I wanted to ask Dr. Stallings if he could uh follow up on with us. I had someone um inquire with me about the tennis courts at Grafton High School. So, I did go down there last night to take a look. Um, and there's only one usable net out of four quarts. The one is there's two nets, but it's the one is not. Um, and then the dry rollers, there's like five or six of them that they're not any good. Um, there's lots of grass and like trees starting I I think there just needs some attention. It they're not usable and there were six people down there trying to play tennis on two courts and we were we're to help to help with that. You are dead on
071correct about all those needing those things need to be addressed and they are actually on the docket to be okay that we're look we are actually there's some discussion right now about when they do finish the work that needs to be done what color paint is to be used on that. So they were trying to make sure we match the right you know we have like a it's a the word is patented is not the right word. Um, the high school colors have been trademarked. What? They're color matched. They are specific. Trademarked. Thank you. Thank Mr. Dolan. Trademarked. And so they're trying to make sure that whatever options are available meet the trademarking as well. But you are very correct. And I will follow up with that to see where we are with that. I
072just I just felt for the people down there trying to play because it's like there's six people trying to play on two courts and only one really usable net, but all this grass growing up and I don't have any. We actually we don't have any other tennis courts in the county that other than down by the Are there any by the pool still? No, not now. And then on Maple Avenue, that's a pickle ball. They've made it a pickle ball court. Someone told me just yesterday that pickle ball is seeming is the new invogue. It's replacing tennis and you'll probably soon see Well, I watch Wimbledon every year. So, is there any uh and I might have missed this any discussion about flights? Yes, ma'am. Okay, good. I can save your update on that. Um,
073the gentleman just emailed me yesterday. Sorry, I thought I was talking. I thought I was on. Um, gentleman emailed me yesterday and he was uh providing me an updated quote uh for that. So, yes, we are doing that promise. Thank you. I appreciate that. just know seeing what wonderful things we have going on at the baseball field and and the new school, but we have other areas that we and their lighting is definitely on the table as a need for that location as well and software field. Thank you for asking that question because I wanted the public to know that that's not something we're just ignoring. Indeed, we've set a standard and we need to uphold it. All parts of the campus need to be lighted in my opinion. All the different sport type things
074and whatever else we have in the offing and we'll have some other suggestions as time passes. Okay. Moving into the 9,000 series future meetings. All the following meetings are on Tuesdays at six o'clock here at the board office. August 5th, August 19th, September 9th, and September 23rd. All the year 2025. Again, all on Tuesdays at six o'clock here at the board office. Motion motion moved. Mr. Daddy moves to adjurnn. Do we need seconds? Who who in favor? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Who seconded? Gallow second. M Miss Gar, with all due respect, could someone please take ownership on seconding the motion with Mi Mr. Daddy moved? No, no, no. The pre the previous motion regarding the the middle school. I know there were three people that yelled out and I didn't. I made the motion,
075but then I think everyone shouted it. I just want to put I just want it. It doesn't matter. I just want to make sure the minutes have the right information. Thank you. I know that's a detail that seems minute. That's all right. At this point, we have an open motion on the floor for adjournment. All those in favor? I. Motion passes. Thank you all very much for what you do. We are adjourned at 8:31.