001Dr. Solings, are there any adjustments to the first agenda? No, Miss Garvin, there are not. Outstanding. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda as presented. M Mr. Taylor moves. Mr. Dowy seconds. All those in favor? I. Motion passes. brings us to the single article on this agenda, the 4,000 series financial approval of the schedule of proposed levy rates for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026. Mr. Dolan, do you have any information for us? The at the current levy rate, uh, they went unchanged. Um there I provided inside your inside your book uh the projected uh revenue that these levy rates would generate uh for the current levy expense, the excess levy and the bond levy. Um the current levy expense is projected to with these rates generate uh $6.3 million. The excess levy
002um is projected to generate 3.8 8 million, which is down just a little bit from uh from last year. And um the bond levy is projected to generate 1.7 million and that's the what we're required to generate to repay the bond that we passed here in Kelly. All right. And to be clear about what you said, these rates remain unchanged from previous years. That is correct. All right. Does anybody have any additional questions? All right. The superintendent respectfully recommends the schedule of the proposed levy rates be approved and adopted as submitted and that the Taylor County Board of Education proposes to lay the following levy on each $100 valuation in each prop each class of property. Current expense levy rates class one $19.40. Class 2, $38.80. Classes three and four, $77.60. Excess levy rates. Class
0031 $1148. Class 222.95. Classes 3 and4590. Bond levy rates. Class 1 474. Class 2948. Classes 3 and 41 1896. with a copy of the schedule immediately forwarded to the West Virginia State Auditor's Office and a copy of the schedule to be published in the local newspaper as required by West Virginia code. Do I have a motion? Mr. Taylor moves. Mrs. Not second. All the Any additional questions? All those in favor? I motion passes. Uh, this meeting will be recessed. I will entertain a motion to recess this meeting and reconvene it on April 15, 2025 in a special meeting at 6:00 to enter the levy rates receiving approval from the state department of education and West Virginia State Auditor's Office. Motion to recess. Mrs. Knots, Mr. Dowy seconds. All those in favor? I and this meeting
004is recessed at 6:04 p.m. Yep. And unless there are objections, we'll just go ahead and start. I call this meeting of the Taylor County Board of Education to order. It is Tuesday, March 25th at 6:05. Uh four board members are present. Mrs. Gallow is absent this evening. It is the practice of our board of education to begin our meeting 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. 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. Please join me in honoring our country's flag. I aliance
005to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Dr. Stings, do we have any adjustments or um addendums to the second agenda this evening? Miss Kell, I do have one request and that is simply that we allow uh the recognition of our students to preede the presentation by the behavioral health specialist who is here. I have spoken with her before the meeting and she has graciously agreed that that would not be a problem for her. Okay. We also have with no other addendum. I'm sorry. Uh we also have one delegation. Oh yes, ma'am. Uh, and I would prefer that we recognize our students before the delegation. I would agree that that would be a great idea.
006Outstanding. So, the superintendent respectfully requests approval of the agenda as presented. Mr. Daddy moves. Mr. Taylor seconds. All those in favor? I. Motion passes. Which brings us to the 1000 series information and a series of students to be recognized this evening. Good evening. Um, Taylor County students had the opportunity to compete in the 2025 Young Writers Contest through the Central West Virginia Writing Project. First place county winners were submitted to the state for judging and can participate in Young Writers Day on May 2nd at the University of Charleston. Um, winners, as I call your name, please come up to the front to receive your certificate and a small gift. And then if you would all remain up there for a group picture and then so your families can also get pictures. Our third and fourth
007grade category winner, Thaddius Etsy. Seventh and eighth grade category winner, Julia Rossi. Um, our ninth and tth grade category winner was Sarah Moore. She wasn't able to be here tonight. And 11th and 12th grade category winner, Kelly Ballard. Um, Dr. Solings, if you wouldn't mind coming up for a picture with our winners, please. Yes. Well, I remember when my uh kids would participate in this, I always always loved the young writers contest. One, it brought out creativity and I know you have to have a lot of creativity to be able to win the young writers. So, uh, what'd you write about? What' you write about? A magic like magic was a little bit. Oh, interesting. What' you write about? Where's that? Where's that? And what did you write about? Oh, that's pretty good. That's pretty
008good. So, you know, you had to use creativity and I mean to really sit down and think about how you wanted to put this together and then you had to kind of go through an agenda and how you wanted to write it and how you wanted to come out with, you know, I'm sure your teachers taught you how to put things together and how to make it flow and all of that, but then writing it. So what you did for this project, right, is going to be able to help you for years to come all the way through school and then what you decide to do after school, right? And then just normal life, you're going to need these skills. So I'm super proud of you. Um I'm very happy and proud that you're representing
009our county and I just wish you all the luck and we'll see you back next year, I'm sure. So congratulations and just know the board's really proud of you. So, I just All right. I just wanted to congratulate everyone again. Are you I'm sorry. Was everyone I was just going to say we are all remarkably proud of you and thank you so much for all of the effort that you put in. Thank you. Um families, you can feel free to head out, enjoy the rest of your evening if you would like. So thanks again. Okay, I believe that we also have a national merit finalist in our midst this evening. We do. If Sydney Chin would please join me. [Applause] So, um, it's been a couple years, um, since I've had an opportunity to present
010on a National Merit Scholarship finalist in Taylor County. So, for those of you who are not familiar, this program starts when the students are sophomores and they take the N I'm sorry, when they're juniors and they take the NMSQT, which is this really the PSAT, and they take it in the fall of their s their junior year. And it starts with 1.6 6 million students are who enter this contest. That's you solely take this test as a scholarship test. It is not like the SAT for college entrance. This is solely trying to earn a scholarship. So they start with 1.6 million in the fall. They eliminate that or not eliminate but they eliminate out down to 50,000 semiinalists and then they go to 16,000 finalists. So Sydney stands before you as one out of 16,000.
011that started at 1.6 million. So, let that number settle in. If you're not a math person, try to set with that for a minute. And also in the state of West Virginia, we had 70 winners. So, she is one out of 70 out of our state out of 1.6 million. So, we are very proud of Sydney. So, the next step is this will be eliminated. I don't know what eliminated is not really the right word. This will this will be um narrowed down. Thank you to 6,870 winners. And we'll know within the next couple months whether or not Sydney gets into that group. But where she's at right now is such a huge honor. It is solely based on her performance on the NMSQT test and the outstanding score that she had that I will
012not share with you because it's confidential, but she had an excellent job. Wow. We're not sharing it because we don't remember the exact number. So, um, but I am very proud. So, Sydney just I'm gonna give hers this whole piece of paper that says this, um, this certificate of merit is awarded to Sydney Chin who has been advanced to the finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Um, Cindy's been before you before and she will be back. Um, she's been a wonderful student for Grafton High School. so thankful to her family that they um came and set down roots in Taylor County and as both a local business um that I love to go to and um the fact that we get to have Sydney in our school with so many other excellent students.
013She's a wonderful leader. She's very active in so many different areas uh with fine arts and academics and competition and then the fact that she also makes this happen. So we're very proud of Sydney and congratulations Congratulations. This is an awesome accomplishment. Uh you you you probably have an idea of how how awesome of an accomplishment it is. And this this board is aed at what you have done. Uh you you really you really uh have done a great thing and thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being before us and I hope to see you back when you're a winner. So that's a good thing. Congratulations, Sydney. Very good. [Applause] You got another minute? Yeah. I have uh a list of the local Skills USA winners from the United Technical Center. Oh. Uh do
014you want me to present that during the board many members updates or now? I think as we are in the middle of student recognition now is an excellent time to do that. Uh from Grafton Israel or Isaac Mcclo won in automotive service technology from Grafton Michael Nubra one in criminal justice. Uh Luke Gallow won in power equipment technology. Charlie Halen one in residential wiring one. Uh Isabella Leard won one in welding scrap which is uh art made from scrap metal. Uh some of the pieces are really dramatically neat. And Gavin Wilds also won in welding scrap. So, those are the Grafton winners from the United Technical Center Local Skills USA winners. Very good. Very good. [Applause] I believe the total student enrollment from our county is 30 or 31. At this point, it's it's 30
015was the last number I heard, but as I I recall that, but six of the It's right in that n neighborhood. But six of the 30 is certainly nothing to It was great. It's very nice. All right. And y'all are welcome to um carry on with your evening or or hang out and listen to the rest of the meeting. Your choice. Miss Garvin, if I might just real quick, I think Sydney, you're you're my one of our violinist. Is that right? Violinist. Yeah. I just want to acknowledge the skill that this lady has. She's not just an academic, but she is extremely skilled musically, and if you've not heard her play, um, you've missed out. So, I we love the creative arts as well. And so, congratulations for that as well. Um, and continuing with
016our slightly out of order 10,00 series, we do have a delegation, Miss EA Robinson. Miss Robinson, thank you for joining us this evening. Just as a formality, um you are being livereamed. Okay. Um and we are in we do have a fivem minute time limit and as this is a delegation, you are welcome to address us but we cannot answer questions or address you back at this point. Okay. Thank you. All right. We sort of can since it's on the agenda. Oh, we'll see what you have to say. Okay, we'll go from there. Um, thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak to you this evening. I would like to discuss the proposed calendar that's on your agenda. Um, I would like for you to consider um having a second vote of just two
017options because I feel like option one and two were so closely aligned with one day here and one day there that it kind of split the vote of the people who would uh enjoy starting August 18th. So, I'm addressing you not as a teacher right now. I am addressing you as a business person who runs I'm the manager at Tiger Adventure um Lake at Tiger Lake. And um we right now we start we close a week right now with the start date of the 25th 26 for the kids. We are closed a whole week. Um, this proposed option three calendar would actually close my business a second week. And as a manager, my revenue stream, believe it or not, we would lose $28,000 in that just that one week that we would have to be
018closed. Um, so I kind of pulled the co-workers and I have some just a little bit of information for you. Um, first of all, uh, I did I did reach out to to Dan's Marina and um, also tried to get a hold of um, Busty today for the city pool because I know both of those places would be impacted because they hire high school students. Um, but I can't speak for them. But I can tell you that I talked to um, Mr. Rucker. Mr. Rucker says that he will lose about two and a half hours a day of practice in August um, if we change the date. He says there is a positive to it though that he would have more seat time, school time with the students if we did start early. So, he
019was kind of split. Um, our choir director says right now she finds it difficult to um, schedule her choreography clinic and if you take another week away from summer that that tightens her area even more because she's competing with the three weeks of summer uh, athletics that we can have plus travel basketball, travel baseball. Um, so she would would benefit from a later start. Something we don't consider parents that co-parent where one parent doesn't live here and they have the child during the summer and then they live with the other parent uh during the school year. That may impact them. I know that there are several of our teachers that already had things planned such as vacations because they told me. Um, and there are a lot of us that actually have second jobs that
020we work in the summer. Um, I work out of necessity. I'm not a single parent anymore, but I'm still a single parent with a single income uh household. So, summertime does benefit me. Um, one of our teachers said that um she cans a lot of vegetables and this would cut into her garden time because they have a great big competition between their families as to who can can the most. Um, which if you are a farmer, I know that I don't can anymore because we come back to school in August in the, you know, later August, but I don't time to garden anymore. Um, and then students, one of the teachers said some of the students have internships planned. Um, we have summer school that goes right up till the end of July. Um, and
021summer employment for our students. As far as the building goes, Grafton High School does suffer a little bit with its air conditioning. It always has. Um, Mr. Zukowsk's room. I'm just going to use his as an example. I have lunch with him. There are days that he comes in in September, even in September, and his room's 80°. So, it would impact the heating and cooling areas of our school, I feel like. Um, but I would just like for you to consider um letting us have a redo of just um option two, which had the spring break in it, and option three, which is the early start date. Um, thank you for allowing me to speak and considering my comments. Thank you very much. With three seconds to spare. All right. I will take that into
022consideration as we move forward as we get to it in the agenda. Um I believe that brings us [Music] to the behavior health specialist whose name I apologize but I am not going to try to mispronounce dramatically. Okay. So my name is Crystal Replogle. I'm a behavioral health specialist with Human Resource Development Foundation, HRDF for short. We're a nonprofit that's been serving West Virginia for over 50 years. And back in October of 2024, we received some new funding from the DOHS and the Bureau for Behavioral Health to establish threat assessment teams across the state of West Virginia. Um, so my role is to collaborate with the schools and either help them establish a threat assessment process or support their current threat assessment process and also to make sure that the students um, making the threats
023are getting the mental health services that they need. Um, I do have some information I wanted to give you. Um, so what the threat process can look like is when a student makes or poses a threat, um, the appropriate individual can email me a referral form and I will respond within 24 hours and then within 5 days I can do a threat assessment. I can also do if necessary a cans which is the child and adolescent needs and strengths assessment and then we can determine the level of threat, develop a safety plan and then make any um referrals necessary. Um this sheet that I'm going to give you is just going to um tell you the definition of a threat defined by the West Virginia State Board of Education and also give you some examples
024of what a threat can look like. Um, and then this other sheet I'm going to give you is just the overview of the program which I've talked about and it also Oh, wait, that's the wrong one. Sorry, hold on. Um, and it also has my information on it. Um the second sheet is going to talk about the services and it is going to mention that I can offer training for schools and what that means is that I can go in to the schools and do training with the staff to make sure that they understand the threat assessment process and um what threats may look like. Um I have been um speaking with Dr. Stallings and also Jenny McCarthy, Jameson Fiser on how we can work together to ensure safety in the schools and we're going
025to continue to collaborate. Um I also will have the opportunity to attend a statewide conference next month in Charleston that's going to give us some valuable information on the threat assessment process so that I can bring that information back to all the schools in West Virginia. So, we just wanted to share that information with you guys today. I did want actually want to mention that this funding, it is new funding for the state of West Virginia. This is being done in other states. Um, but it's stemming from Governor Jim Justice's safe safe school initiative that was set in 2022, which was a collaboration with several organizations including um Homeland Security, West Virginia Fusion Center, West Virginia State Board of Education, DHHR, and local and state law enforcement. So, this is why this funding has become
026available to create this program. Miss Garvin, thank you. Miss Garin, if I weigh in a little bit and add to this presentation. Thank you for being here, by the way. Yes, I do have a copy of the our memorandum of understanding that was visited in March earlier than on the 4th, but um and I had signed that and she was Miss Replogle was invited to join us this evening to give you her verbal information. Uh, and it is something that we have we had it was previous part of your agenda and all we need is her signature on the MOU once you hear her presentation this evening. So don't leave me until we do this. Okay. Do you want to sign it now? I can hand that to you and you can do that if
027you'd like. it tonight was more offormational catch up from the previous meeting and the reason she's here tonight was that she slipped away before she signed it after you approved the last time. Um she's bringing closure to thatou for us and we see that as a definite benefit to the needs of our students. Wonderful. Thank you very much. Okay. Um, I believe that that brings us to our superintendent update. Thank you. I first want to start uh I did not provide you with uh uh written information over the weekend and I'm positive you're aware that I've been a little distracted this last week and I I beg your forgiveness for that. And so I I'm I have a few topics to share with you verbally tonight without a hard copy. It's not been written. But
028uh as you well know my wife experienced a medical emergency last week and uh God smiled and we were at the right place and uh her emergency surgery took place. Uh, as everyone knows, I say m often, I don't sports, but I did fall in love with our girls basketball team this year. And I f Margan and I went down to Charleston Friday a week ago. And our goal, as was our girls, uh, was to watch them win on Friday with the semi-finals and then stay overnight for uh, that opportunity for them to be in the finals. Unfortunately, that did not happen. But I have to tell you, if you've heard anything about that game, our girls represented Taylor County extremely well. After that game, Margaret and I were had planned to go back to
029the hotel to grab some dinner, which we did. And in mid dinner, she suffered um heart attack type uh uh symptoms. Uh we rushed her to the hospital after some I say rush, she said, "Wait a minute." U she but she she was then spent the night in the local emergency room where they finally diagnosed that it was dealing with uh diaphragm and and internal issues that needed emergency surgery for that. um they transferred her to another hospital, Memorial Hospital, and I'm here to endorse that hospital just because uh we have fallen in love with this the CAMC Memorial Hospital, which is near the Capitol in Charleston where we proceeded she proceeded to spend the remainder of that week and was not released until this recent Friday. Um, we believe that her life was saved
030and I appreciate your prayers and your support and you're reaching out and asking me how she's been doing. Um, right now she is recuperating at home and dealing with a liquid diet which is part of the regimen until she goes back to see the surgeon in a couple weeks. But I just want to take a moment to thank you for your patience with me and my family. was appreciated. And so now we're going to move on to other things. I want to congratulate you as a board because you now are the owners of that property you've been looking at for some time. We have arranged that all that has been done electronically through our attorney. We you are now the proud owners of yet another piece of property that you'll be using as you've been
031considering to expand the the uh campuses not not classroom campuses but utilization across Taylor County which will only improve uh your operations or our operations. Um those keys are being overnighted to us so that we can actually access that and start working there. um spoke just today to um the realtor that was helping us work on that. Um I did want to also tell you that um as you have been receiving the what I believe diligent work from Mr. Jim Brown, he has been following all the legislative good, bad, and ugly. Let's just call it that. There are many House bills and Senate bills that are very focused on improving things. And if I might, I won't mention anyone specifically, but there are some crazy ideas and it seems like that he is at least
032keeping us ab breast of that and trying to uh fend off those decisions from that we do not believe would be in the best interest of education in our state. Um I trust that you have been reading those. There's some lengthy things, but please don't stop because uh at some point we are at the mercy of our board members being well aware of what's about to happen if it does. Some of the more frightening ones, the consolidation bill, I believe, has been tabled at this point. um at least the recent vote was it was brought to be tabled and then voted down and it's still to be now is that first reading was where they brought that to our attention but um I did reach out to him and say what do we do in
033Taylor County although he can't assure us anything he reassured me a little bit that he has not heard Taylor County mentioned as any of those potential uh counties under scrutiny for any kind of piloting And that is because of the good work that you are doing and I I have to give credit to the your directors and your administrators here, the good work that they are doing as well um across the county. So I'm pleased to tell you that part and of course we have to still watch that because as Mr. Taylor will tell you that uh we're well into the s season but not finished yet. I did want to qualify one thing if I may. I it's it's calendar specific and I can either speak to that later or I can speak to
034that today. I feel it's important that you recognize that in the agenda there is a superintendent's recommendation and I also want to clarify that that recommendation is in direct response to your directive that once we looked at those three options that the one that was the highest vote getter would be the recommendation from your superintendent. I must tell you that I'm troubled with that. I followed. I did exactly that. But I am troubled with a couple things. I won't disparrage anyone, but it troubles me that our vote count was significantly less than the potential faculty and staff who could vote. The other thing that causes me a pause is the numbers. The one that's in there as an agenda recommendation is merely I find that very difficult to say the three counts were so extremely
035close only three points three votes apart. Um that troubles me. I work 261 days so it really doesn't matter. I come to work uh except for those occasions when I'm in Charleston with my wife. But uh I just wanted to bring that to your attention um and appeal to you to discuss that tonight so that you can make a decision that of course is in what you believe is in the best interest of the county. Um, we heard her presentation this evening and I'm not I'm not weighing in on her side or to support her, but I do appreciate the fact that she brought that to your attention. Uh, but I also want to clarify uh if that is if you approve that recommendation, please note I did that based on my directive from you
036that that was the highest vote getter. Um, and but um I have those concerns. So could you point to any reason on why we didn't get the vote participation from faculty? I can tell you that there have been multiple multi the answer to that question Mrs. KN is not really but at the same time and at the same time I wanted to reassure you that uh to her credit Mrs. McCarthy has gone above and beyond. And there I'm holding a sheet of paper that is two-sided sheet that gives me multiple multiple reminders of all the many times where she presented that to different people, hosted meetings, solicited participation. Um, and that's one of my reservations this evening. Um, I love working with all the people in Sand County, but I'm just so disappointed that something
037that seems to be such an emotional thing for everybody. We have over 300 potential voters and your total vote that we received uh is uh with 41, 38, and 28. And that does not nearly come close to 300. That that surprises me because normally in my past they want to vote on this without question. And it seemed like each time people were asking you to make sure that they got a chance to do that. Yeah. I'm going to hold a lot of my and comments till we get there though. To that point though, I I believe rightly so you did respond and afford them more opportunities. Mrs. McCarthy, to her credit, heard you responded to your expectations, but somehow our colleagues, somebody allowed that to pass. They missed their multiple opportunities. I participated in some
038virtual uh teams meetings I believe were called and uh some people weighed in and called in and but uh it I'm just amazed at something that is so emotionally connected to people but they didn't I yeah I'm going to save some of my comments to when we get there though there but I I do appreciate you allowing me to say that uh your task is hard tonight but I just want to qualify that that number may not be what you're interested in but That was per your directive the top vote getter but only by three votes and the other two as we've heard this evening uh seemingly were the majority of the votes and they were neither of those were the one that's now in the official recommendation from your superintendent. Do we have time
039for a revote for with the two options? I believe that that is probably possible. It might be a little tight the turnaround, but I I I don't think that the deadline is not tonight to answer your question. I'm not sure how I we would energize them to do that, but maybe I don't know. Sure. I just want I felt like as part of my comments tonight that's I would have written that had I had the chance to do that for you. Um also one last thing I want to remind you that we are having we're building a school down in front of the Jarvis building. If you have not been by that location recently, there's a whole lot of dirt being moved around and people are starting to ask if we're building a sheets and
040I just thought maybe on the airways I should say no, we're not building a sheets. But um I want to know I don't know where those people have been and no I don't want to disparage them either but I found that funny. Um but we are making a lot of progress and I'm excited beyond measure. There's going to be a new school and I can't wait. Um, and uh, remember that this Saturday we are having uh, the ma the Masonic Lodge of Grafton has is hosting with us. You are hosting the cornerstone laying ceremony at 1:00 on Saturday the 29th. Um, and it's just one step closer. And it, by the way, once that stone is engraved, it's a rain or shine. No matter what, we do it on that date. And having never been
041involved in something quite this momentous, uh, other than Galos as necessary, is there anything specific required of us? I mean, most importantly, your presence. Um and we do have a program similar to uh I've created a program similar to that which we did for the groundbreaking um which does not require that I I will make it possible for all of you to speak if you're so inclined. I did not do that. Uh it's primarily us just welcoming the Masons and then handing it over to them to conduct their ceremony. Um, and they are assuring me we will be well attended by the local Masons. Uh, the number 60 has actually been thrown out that there's going to be at least 60 of our Masons who are coming to be part of that process. And I
042believe it's because it doesn't happen very often. And so, um, it's been in the newspaper to invite the community. It is on a Saturday, so the parking area will not be filled with staff unless I unless we are surprised and they all come on a Saturday. But there'll be ample parking. Um, and we've also been ar we're arranging to do transport from downtown. Our transportation department uh is going to provide a shuttle bus for most of the Masons to meet downtown near their lodge and then join us on the campus and take them back when they're finished. The program should be approximately an hour max. Is that is that helpful information? That is helpful for me at any Thank you. I will share the program before you leave tonight if you'd like to see that.
043Great. Thank you. Because I do think I have you welcoming someone. Delightful. I I am delighted to welcome anyone who is helping us in this process. Very good. Any other updates, sir? I think at this point I've taken too long of your time, but I appreciate your patience. Thank you. Do we have any board member updates? Okay, Mr. Taylor's already shared with us our skills winners. Um, who's that boy? Sorry. Um, do we have any board committee meeting reports? [Music] All right. Hearing none, we will move to the 2000 series. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the minutes for the special meeting on March 4th, 2025. Mrs. Knots moves. Second. Mrs. Gallows and Mrs. Galla has joined us. Um, any questions or concerns? All those in favor? I motion passes. We have a number of
044policies in the first reading upon which no action needs to be taken this evening unless we have questions. I have okay the policies sorry okay sorry um we have an agreement and someus superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2207 through 2210 in the 2000 series motion moved Mrs. Gallow moves Mrs. Not seconds questions. Yes, I have a a few clarifying questions that I wanted to ask. So on um 2208 just was clarification of those duties um for that individual. Is that because I know that recently we did a agreement for lawn care. So that doesn't include that, does it? Mr. Garrison is the uh gentleman who we have on contract under contract to help us with their camped holes. He does all of those things for us out there, the maintenance of those things, keeps
045us up to date about what needs to be repaired and usually addresses those things for us, but that is different from the contract of the groundskeeper for our campuses, other campuses. Okay. So, it's doesn't have anything to do with the law and care. No, ma'am. Okay. No, correct. We just happened to start him. The gentleman that preceded him stopped mid year last year and we interviewed for and hired this gentleman to replace him and he's been doing a great job for us. But the lawn care that we approved will also cut grass at camp to no or this individual cuts grass. He does that as well. And does other things for that? Correct. Correct. Yes, it's a separate It's almost like a campus by itself. Gotcha. Literally. Okay. Because I think when we talked about
046the long care, we were including, you know, in our thought processes, thinking about the monetary amount for our five schools and then our other properties. So here. Okay. As well as your your newly acquired piece of property, too. Yeah. Well, the main front yard is no longer available to cut. Right. That particular lot. Yes, sir. For now. For now. Um, so then, um, just another clarifying question on 2209. [Music] is that uh elementary and our secondary schools or our agreement with Fairmont State University. Sorry, I've been out of touch. I've got to refresh my memory on these just where they're going to be doing um their clinical and their student teaching and so forth. Right. We're doing that. That's this particular one is is for Fairmont State. Yes, but that one that's for elementary and
047secondary, right? Yes, ma'am. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize the question. That's okay. Thank you. And then um also had a question on 2210 um with this addition and I I may have missed it and if I did I apologize with um you know alternative pickup and drop off locations. Do do we need any additional resources as far as bus drivers or I see in here trash pickup. Do we need any any resources as far as maintenance goes? Yes, but minimal. There are maintenance guys for picking up those things and of course it's only being made available to us should we need it at location. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. I want Mrs. Gar Miss Garvin if I might. Uh there's a numeric typo. We c we don't want to include 2207 because you will be
048approving policy. Oh, very good. So that's an oversight on our part and I apologize for that. Yes. Scratch it from the first reading. No, it was it remains there. If you go down and approve 27 2207 to 2210, you will have inadvertently approved the last of the policies. Yes. So it needs to be 228 through 2210. Correct. So an amendment to the motion to exclude 2207 and make them 2208 through 2210. Second. Okay. Any additional questions? All those in favor? I. Motion passes. Brings us to the 3000 series and the consent calendar. Have a number of things [Music] here. including trips and chefs and use of spaces. Do we want to entertain questions on this before we open the series up to a motion? Are we going to hold discussion? I'd like to hold a
049discussion. My 3152. Yep. Do we feel that we need to vote on 3152 separately? I think we should. Mr. Taylor moves that and Mr. Dowy second. So 3152 will be pulled for a separate vote. Okay. All those in favor? I I thank you. All right. So, uh, discussion on 3152. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of the 25 2025 2026 school calendar option three. Discussion. Dr. Sings, do you say you do believe we have room in our schedule to vote on option one and two or or two and three, rather? Two and three. Yes, sir. I do. Uh, yes, sir, I do. Can I move that? That's that we ask for a revote on option two and three. I have a sorry I was called away there briefly but I just have um question about that
050because I've received um inquiries from constituents as far as families uh with the concern expressed on option three and um also their concerns. So, I just wanted to share and you maybe have already done that, but I feel they're very valid and just want to share those with you. Um, concerns about, you know, some of our older students who have summer jobs and how those will be cut short. Um, as well as I've also received um things about the the cooling of the rooms and so forth. And again, I guess maybe you guys have already discussed that, but um just the feedback that I've received seems more of an overwhelming u not in favor of option three. Um and I'm just going to share my opinion. I feel like summer needs to be summer. And
051I've I shared this before. I I really wasn't a fan of option three, but um I know we wanted to give our staff, you know, some options there. And um while option two does give, you know, a little bit of a nice break for Christmas, um as well as Thanksgiving as well as a spring break. So, you know, it it's very difficult. we're we're in a very difficult situation because, you know, there's so many regulations that we have to follow and when we have to have days and um things like that. So, it it's very difficult and I I know that we're not going to please 100% of the people all of the time. Um I think we would all be silly to think that we would. Um but I just want to thank um
052our central office staff and Mrs. McCarthy and and the team for, you know, I know this isn't an easy task and um so I I really appreciate all the hard work that you guys have have done in looking at these and um sometimes I just kind of wish the state would just say this is your calendar. No, you don't. No, you don't. And no, I don't know. Give me that idea. I don't know. it. I think it might be a little bit easier. So, no, we're not. We're already They make it so so many stipulations so far that it it makes it very difficult. Well, and for me, I mean, I'm going to sound like I'm all over the place, but I will eventually narrow down my thoughts. Okay. Um, the number one thing I
053mean I feel that our well our staff, our teachers and staff, they have a there's a lot that they can do in our county, but this is one thing that they can really voice what they would like to see. It's their working schedule. Basically, our calendar is their working schedule. We're not there every day, right? We're at our jobs. This is their job. and not a lot of people have the choice to be able to set their working schedule. And that is something that we have historically provided our teachers and staff is to have a voice in that. And I've advocated for that. I've continued to advocate for that. A couple years ago, we had three or maybe even four options in front of us and we pulled one or two and we only put
054out to vote a couple and we got flack back on that. We'd have liked to have seen them all, right? We'd have liked to have seen everything that all the calendars to be able to have a vote on instead of you pulling ones that you didn't like and then only giving us a couple to vote on. So this time from hearing all that, I said, "Give them all. give it all to them, right? Let them vote on all three because I wanted them to be able to see what we were seeing and give them the opportunity to have their voice in those three because last time we I felt like we messed up and we didn't and we heard about it. Secondly, or not, well, I don't know, maybe this is my third point. I'm
055not sure. Actually, maybe um we've had many calendar meetings We have had people show up and speak, but it seems like when we get down to making a decision is when we do get people to come out and speak. Why didn't you know I want to see people come when we're really having the debates in the last two months on the calendar, not when we gets put on an agenda and now we're we're under a under, you know, under the gun to to try to backtrack and see what's what we're going to do and try to make as many people happy as possible, which is what Mrs. Gallow already said. So, it sounds like I'm all over the place, but I'm trying to bring out every point that I can think of. I for one
056I am not a fan of an early school start date. I never have been and there have been many years in the past that we have had early start dates even when my kids were young and I didn't like it as a parent. But at that point we did have the state have their fingers in it and they were making us start earlier. Harrison County was starting earlier. We had to kind of go with the flow of that. But I hated that early start date. I am I'm not a fan of that. However, it's only been three or four years that we have stopped doing those early start dates. It was like the 15th or something. We've done that for years. So, it's not like it's all of a sudden something brand new that we've
057never done because we've been forced to really do that in the past recent years other than maybe the last three or four that I can remember. But I mean, I'm not I am not against giving a an option to vote on option two and three. I'm not against that. I just feel like a little bit no matter what we do, we can't keep we can't get it we can't seem to get it right. But you're never going to make everyone happy. And that's something that I have to, you know, we're I think this board has really really tried to do the right thing on this calendar. We really have strived. Um I just wish that we would had all the voices that we're hearing all here at one time instead of we've had five meetings
058or five discussions starting back at AJ. Remember when we had that hot and heavy meeting? And if we could get all the voices here in one room instead of having a few on the first one, a few on the second, a few on the third, and really just hear from everyone. It just seems like every meeting it's something new brought up, which I'm okay with because I want to hear from the public. But, you know, now it just kind of makes it hard on us when we we I promised the community that I did. I promised here in this last meeting that if we vote if we put out three options, go ahead and let them vote on all three because I felt like we got flack on that the last time when we pulled
059one we didn't like. And I'm going to vote on the one that we get that gets back the most votes. That's what I felt would be fair. But now I'm now I'm probably going to eat those words and but I'm okay with that because I'm not perfect and I'm willing to do what the rest of the board feels is right in this one. So if that's to vote again, I'm okay with that. So when we were originally asked, we had two options and I felt like there was an apparent option that was the best out there. Then we were given the third. We asked Miss McCarthy to paint us another picture. She painted us another one. I mean, I'm gonna be honest. I thought that one was the best picture. You all all knew that.
060I made that very clear that I thought that was the best picture. Um, talking to the parents, the faculty, the staff, hearing what we heard tonight, I feel completely different. Um, hearing what I've heard, you know, over the weekend, over the last week, I don't agree with what I originally said. I'm taking back what I said. Um, just as Mrs. Knots indicated, um, we have no idea what winter we're going to have next year. We have no idea what it's going to impact. We we we don't know these things. We don't know what days are going to happen. I advocate for what has been said to us tonight. Um what what's been said by others. And I'm going to be honest. I I don't advocate to ask Miss McCarthy to paint another picture with another
061set of votes because we get another 68 votes. And I just don't think that she's super busy. And I just don't think that those 68 votes are reflective of and I'm making that 68 number up, but that's probably what it's going to be is 68 people giving an an advice over two options. And I just I So you don't want to vote again? I don't advocate for I don't advocate for another vote of I I have I have already made up my mind on on an option. I I just we've asked her three times. She's she's done it three times. I'm sorry. I just Miss McCarthy, I think you're super busy. I You've done everything we've asked of you and I'm not going to ask you again. Here's a couple of thoughts. If you look
062at this chart we have in front of us, I think 62% of them voted for the later start date. That is accurate. Uh I'm not comfortable ignoring the fact that option three got the most votes. If I had to vote tonight, I'd have to vote for option three. And I'm very much against that. I think it's the wrong decision. That's why I I made a motion to revote using option two and option three, the two highest vote getters, which were within 2% of being the same vote. I I I I honestly think that we will get a different result if we do that. Whatever that result is when it comes back to us, if if we should choose to ask for that revote, I I will vote for the highest vote choice, but even if
063it's the one I don't like, it's if I think it's the employees choice and we should give them that choice. But uh you know I I really think that most of the employees want a later start date and the the vote was split. So I I I would like to reiterate my motion that we ask for a a vote of option two and three. And I can I add to I feel that if you would talk now I'm not going to say all parents. I'm going to say if you would If you would speak with the majority, if you would speak with a lot of parents in the county, and I might be wrong. I'm just going with my gut how I felt when I was I had little ones going through that a later
064start date as a parent, we like later start dates. It gives us the opportunity to be able to go on vacations in August. Um, now when you get to high school, it's a little trickier. It's when you have little ones. When you get to high school, they're in their activities in August. So, it's really tough. But even that it's really hard if you talk to the football coaches and you talk to to to parents that have kids in football. It's really hard to have those first two weeks of practice and also go back to school. It's nice to get those practices under your belt, be um doing the conditioning, doing all of that and then add school. So, you know, I know we're not here for sports, right? We're here for education, but It's easier
065on the educational side too to wait a couple weeks as these kids are, you know, coming off the potato chips and stuff and the soda from July, you know, to then get back into shape and then get back into the classroom. So that's because that's how my kids eat in the summer. But anyway, not always. But um yeah, I mean, if you talk to a lot of parents, they're going to want that later start date. And a lot of even want to go until after Labor Day. You know, that's what we did when I was in school. It wasn't. We didn't go to school until after Labor Day. So, I want to if I may, Miss Were you going to say something? I cut you off. Sorry. Yes, I was going to say something. Um,
066my personal feelings aside on these calendars, this vote split three ways I don't feel is the best representation of the reality and I am happy to come into Miss McCarthy's office and create the survey if she points me to the computer to do it on to not make more work for her. Um, but I would like to at this point second Mr. Taylor's motion that we put out calendars two and three for a revote. I have another comment. I would agree about that. I'm not happy about it. I'm okay with it and I would like to see it reflective of more people being involved in the vote. I know there's nothing that I know there's nothing that you can do but more that you can do but I'm hoping that we can get more. This
067is their voice and this is something that I want to them to have their voice in. Well, I just have a couple things I want to add. I I uh appreciate Mr. Taylor for his um insight in pulling out the 62%. Um and when you do have more options, it does, you know, it kind of skews things and you're not really um like Mrs. Garvin said, maybe getting that true picture. Um I have a couple schools that thought about it really. I mean we asked and the majority said option three but the other thing is as well what I'm hearing from right now is a lot of parents. So right if this is also those are our constituents so this is also yeah impacting them. So, if we're considering putting a survey out there for
068parents, please don't hit me, Miss McCarthy. But would we have an option for the community to complete the survey as well? Because that that's the other thing I'm getting. Where was the survey? They didn't know about it. And I kind of shared where that was, but I I feel like if we're going to go down that route, we need the community's input as well. Well, and I and and I'm for that, too. But I think that our calendar meetings give the community the opportunity to come in and give us They didn't really get to see what I think they're seeing now what that means, what those dates are is is what I'm hearing. Yeah, we I mean, and if you remember during the calendar meetings, I've asked I asked a couple times, are the are
069is the community able to see this? Is there any way we can let the community see this? And I I I was hoping that if somebody called and asked or wanted to see it, then we would be able to give it to them or if they showed up here, we could have provided the calendars that we were looking at and debating at the time. And that's why I'm not happy about it because I don't think there's not one doubt in my mind. She doesn't need to paint another picture. I No, I agree. I agree with that as well. I agree with that as well. But I feel like at this point that's what I started off my whole conversation with. I was going I was going to sound like I was all over the place.
070We we we we pulled one a couple years ago or last year and we didn't give the opportunity for the staff to vote on it and they didn't like it. So this year I said let them vote on all and then now we got too many to vote on. So I really don't know what the right way would have been. But I think I think with such a close vote and not having all voices heard or we had a good majority of the people not vote. I don't know if it's because they just didn't care. I don't know. Or was there some other reason? I don't know. Can't put my finger on it right now. Right. We don't know. Um I think Grafton High School gives us the biggest representation there um of responses. So
071thank you Mrs. Shoemaker for um advocating for them to complete that. I just know it's frustrating for I don't know how the rest of you feel, but for me it's frustrating that as a board member. We we had many calendar meetings and we really really have tried to give everyone the opportunity to voice their concern on the calendar in the community and the staff and we get to the point to where we still but that's just comes along with this job. I guess there's still just can't get people to be okay with what we're doing and it's, you know, it's just it's just frustrating. But eventually, we have to make a decision and be able to lay our heads down at night that this is the way we're going to go. And I'm okay to
072have a second vote. But I feel like I'm eating my words, right? Because I said I was going to vote on the one with the most. But I'm okay to have a second vote. I admit I admit on record that I was wrong with my telling you all all with the option that I originally told you all prior to this meeting and you know which option that I was advocating for. That would be number three. I want to remind you that the superintendent's recommendation is not something you're required to approve. It is merely fulfilling and I'm not trying to hide in the shadow, but I followed the directive of you. What was the biggest number? And it was 41. That's just and as I said earlier tonight, I was I'm I'm befuddled as to where
073the other people were. I don't want to disparrage any of my colleagues but where have you been and this is not helpful when they don't vote and it has pres presented me with that fulfilling my obligation to present you with the highest vote getter uh and I might find that there are 41 people who use my name in vain tonight when they hear this but I it is merely me fulfilling my obligation not do do you feel that people voted with with option Option one and option two. Do you feel that the main reason they would have voted for option one and option two would have been for the start date or were there other things in those? It seems to me that that is your determinant that it one is giving up some of
074their summer and the other is saying in sooner out sooner and um well there had to be something that got people to vote either for one or two though. Wonder what it was. trying to remember but the two they are not exact correct but they're but they're similar I think uh our other present presentation this this evening indicated there were some shifts of a day or two but there was same numbers because of the criteria to use for designing calendars listen guys you look like you have something that feels gerine if you wouldn't mind sharing that with So, I think that we keep referring to the differences in option one and two as merely the start date, but on option one and two, there is a difference in the spring break. So, if you I
075don't know if you still have those copies in front of you if you'd like to pass my two around so that you can see the two differences between one and two, but one of the glaring differences is um the spring break, the length of spring break. So, let's see here. Option one. Trying to remember. Trying to see here. Oh, yeah. I see now. Okay, I got you. So, option two. Yeah, my guess is it'll be option two with the most votes when it comes back. There is an option for you as a board and that is simply to respond to the recommendation that's on your agenda and deny it and then make a recommendation else. Oh yeah, because that's what I was just going to say. This board has the ability to not even vote
076on calendars. It's something that we have done historically um because it's one of the things we want to see our staff have that ability to voice their feelings on. I'm not sure how many counties actually do that. And I do I do not hear me out. I do not want to cease and desist that what we're that practice and what we're doing. Yeah. But we don't have to. We can pick a calendar and go with it. Yes, you can. We can. Um but I I I I'm just going to come right out and say at this point I do feel that I'm in agreement with Mr. Taylor that if you look at the percentages more more voted for that early that later start date than for option three. So significant I kind of feel in
077my gut that if we put out option two and three that option two will come back with the most votes. I I I just say if we're going we got to make a decision. If we're going to give the voice to the staff, then we need to fully give the voice to the staff or we just pick a calendar from, you know, I mean, I don't want to I'm not advocating for that, but I think we need to go ahead and then we did ask them and we did get the majority. So, no, we did not get a majority. We got well 38%. I know but the number was higher for option three. So yeah the the the I would be hesitant to ask them to revote if there were not two options that were
078for a later start that had so much higher a vote between the two of them. you know, and I I I think we owe it to the staff to give them the options two and three and let them make the choice and come come back with it. But Mrs. Gallow is right. What we decide today, if we do give them another vote, 41 people are going to be mad at us for doing that. I mean, it's just it's just it's just common sense, you know? It's just human nature. they will be mad at us for doing that. We can't win, right? So, we just got to make the best decision that we feel in our gut is best for everyone in the county at this point and giving them their voice and allowing them, you
079know, I feel like I've done wrong by saying I'm going to vote on the one that has the most votes and now I'm changing my mind. But the way I feel in this position is as a leader, sometimes I'm not always right. And I have to be able to be brave enough, I don't know, maybe mature enough to sometimes come out and say, I'm not always right. And what other path can I take? You know, and I would agree with the higher number if we were encompassing every student, every faculty, every teacher, every everything. The the 41 that we have here does not encompass everybody. Um it doesn't encompass the the extracurriculars. It doesn't encompass the summer jobs. It doesn't encompass all of those. And with that being brought to my attention and the summer
080jobs and and that additional things. I'm not going to vote against that. I'm I'm I'm sorry. I'm not going to vote against. So, I mean, I I think then that brings a good point because what if then that does come back and it's still option three? Then I'm going to vote three. But I'm I'm never going to I'm never going to put somebody out of work. I'm not going to do it. I feel I feel that Sorry. No, no, I agree with you. But I also feel that some of those individuals that have advocated for us to take a second look at it that if that would happen that they would also say, "Okay, the majority did vote on on that." I I still feel I feel torn about this because I feel like we
081we did put this out there to give your voice and if there is low volume of results then how important is it to them then I said earlier if you if you're not so we're taking it very heavily that for their voice but if if we're wanting more people to respond but they're not then I In the end, I'm going to look at this objectively. What is best for our students first and foremost? That's why I'm here. I am here for those children first and foremost, our constituents. And yes, that includes our staff. But when I look at these things, any decision, that is what I look at first. How does this impact the students? What is best for them? And that's just how I go by and I agree with that too. I I
082think though in this instance, Mrs. Gallow, and I would hope you would agree is that from so many parents. They feel it's not the best for their kids to come back so early either. Right. That's why I'm Yeah. I'm not in favor of option three. I'm just not. And and I've said that before. So, we could just go right ahead tonight and do option two if we wanted to and not even put it out for another vote. We have the Wait, the floor. Wait, we Hey, there's already a motion on the floor, so we have to sort that. I got to watch what I say because you're going to make a motion out of it. But I mean, we have the ability as a board to do that, to pick one that we want. I
083just I think we need to let the the staff vote on two and three. Could you repeat the motion? So the question I have before we repeat is do we need to vote this down and then create a motion for what we want done as two separate pieces or do we just if you just vote this down it's to answer your question vote that down there's no calendar approved tonight right but with no guidance from Unless you don't know what to do. And that's fine. Yeah, we could do that. Okay. I I want to say one last thing before we move on. For those of us that are legitimately opposed to option three, if we put out this again to vote between two and three and we get back option three as the majority wins,
084how are we going to feel then? I think at that point for me, um, as frustrated as that might make me as a parent and an individual, if what we have asked for has happened and what we have said is even the simple majority wins, we're going to be okay with that. Then that's where we have to go. This I'm not This is significantly closer than I expected it to be. Me, too. Um, but I think if we're not if we're not willing to commit right now and say whatever the majority, even if it's one vote, then we might as well just make a choice and own that particular piece of because I don't like an early start date either. I've never liked it as a parent. I was just going to say I'm I
085am not going to say how I would vote in a future agenda item. I I can't You got take time to think about it. You got to take time to think about it. I mean, but Well, I'm not asking you how you I didn't ask you how you would vote. I was like, how would you feel? I mean, how how would you feel? I'm going to I'm going to probably be frustrated. I want to see I want I've heard a lot of community feedback already. So I think three doesn't make me feel good. Three Three does not make me feel good. It's not a It's not a good for our community. It's not good for some faculty members. It's not good for parents. I guess that's where I I don't feel good with that one.
086I just I don't want to be put in a position. Here's what I mean. Mrs. Gallow. I don't want to be put into a position at the next meeting if we vote on two and three and calendar three comes back with the most and then I'm sitting here saying I don't really care for option three but I'm going to vote on option three because that's the number that came back as the highest or do we want to use our prerogative as a board to do the board duty of saying this is the calendar we're going with. Those are what that's what I'm trying to get at. How are we going to feel? I want to know and I'm not saying that's what I what I want to do one or the other. I'm just saying
087let's think about that before we make a decision on Mr. Taylor's vote or motion. Well, I think the motion that's on the floor is just um to vote again on option three. No option on the floor or I mean to revote with option two and three. Revote on two and three. I point of point I believe the vote was that to your motion was to vote have a separate vote on that particular item. That was all you said initially. No, no, no, no. On option two and option three, he wants to do a revote on two and three. Yes, Dr. Sullies, there was a vote to vote on this piece separately and it was the five subsequently in that discussion. Okay. Thank you. A motion was made, discussion happened, it got seconded and it more
088discussion happened and at this point there is no vote on that motion. So the question I am asking is do we need that motion here or do we vote this down and in the 8000 series we give the directive to please revote. That's what you want. I want to revote and I think however we do it. And again, I need to reiterate. I think it needs to be said it is not the responsibility of Miss McCarthy to ensure that we get these votes. It is not her responsibility. I'm not happy that she's having to do this again. If she has to do it again and we think that she needs to, then that's fine. I'm not happy about it. It is not her responsibility for us to get these numbers back in. Whoever's listening at
089home, get on the app. get on the website, wherever it's at. Let's get it done. Let's get these numbers in. It's not her responsibility to tell you where to go to get these. But I will. But she will, but it's not her responsibility. And we appreciate Yes. the app. And I appreciate you recognizing that. I do. I appreciate. It's been a long couple months. It really has. This has been one of the longest um situations of any calendar development because like you said, you as the board have gone way beyond Yes, we have the state requirements of what is required to develop a calendar for a county. And so I do hope that the employees and and community members and parents appreciate that the only thing that is required for us to do are the
090two calendar hearings done, right? We do not have to have the teams meetings. We do not have to have the surveys. We do not have to have the additional calendar hearing meeting that you had. We do not have to have the staff vote. All of those things that you have afforded to your constituents, your employees have been way above and beyond the call of duty. So, I understand the frustration. Um, when just the vote alone was put out, I emailed it to all administrators to have it forwarded to every staff member. We made a phone call and a text message through our um system that we do to remind every employee. There was another email reminder followup. It's online. It's attached to their email address so there's no way for them to be lost and
091nobody can vote more than once. So there there have been many many things that have been put in place that that the faculty and staff need to be very thankful for towards that the the opportunities that you guys have afforded them. However, with that being said, if you do want to consider a revote, I can recreate all of that. It's not a major undertaking, but we can do it and we can do those exact same steps. We can do the phone call. We can do the text message. We can do the emails. We can do the reminder. Now, there won't be as much time in between. They had quite a lengthy time to vote this time. There won't be that much time to turn around. I will say and and I like Mr. that you
092said for anybody listening at home, I will say I'm afraid there will be some confusion. I'm afraid that somebody who has maybe thought that they've cast their vote and they are moving on past the calendar and thought that that was done when they see another email come through and the and the you know busyiness of their day, they're going to say, "Oh, I already did that." Right? And we may not hear from them again. So, I will try to really reiterate if that's the decision you make. Um because I am afraid that there will be people we won't hear from this time around because they feel that they've already voted. They've already cast their votes. You're never asked to come back to the election poll or the polling place, you know. So, um well, I
093think if we I don't know. Let's hope that doesn't happen. I agree. And I would like to at some point revisit the piece so that I am clear on the expectation. Is it faculty only? Is it something for the community? I just if you could clear up exactly what it is that you expect me to complete. I think it would be too big a job for us to expect you to do other than the staff. I I really it's really not. It's the same survey. I my suggestion would be and this is for you to decide if that is something you want to consider that we keep it two separate voting two separate apps two separate locations so that you could get a representation of what the faculty feels and a representation of what the
094community feels and I will also caution you that unless Amy Vanderg I hope you're listening unless there's something that I don't know about with forms with the faculty piece I can set it up so that K12 email accounts can only vote once. I'm not sure I can do that with the public piece. So, historically, that would be problematic. And please correct me if I am wrong, but historically the public vote has been by their presence at a meeting. Um, right. And this has only been either up to the board or the board in reference to the staff vote. Yes, ma'am. Yep. Okay. That's why we have the public meetings, right? Yeah. Mrs. Gar and you afforded in the survey this year. The survey was something new that we hadn't done to the public before, right?
095Um, Mr. Taylor, are you willing to withdraw your motion to move it to the 8000 series as a discussion piece there? I am. Okay. At this point, the motion has been withdrawn. And that leaves us with the superintendent respectfully requests approval of the 2025 2026 school calendar option three as presented. Do I have a motion? So, we need a motion, right? Yep. If we're going to vote on it. Yes. Okay. Wait a minute. I'm not voting this down. We're pulling it, right? We're gonna I think because we pulled it for a separate vote. We pulled it for a separate vote. So, we can vote to pull it or we can vote it down. I am amending the motion. I am amending the motion to pull it and table it until we get for the next
096meeting. Okay. If we pull this and table it as is, we do not allow ourselves to change the directive. We're simply saying we are not going to vote on this wording right now. If we vote it down, we can redirect and they will come back to us with whatever the redirection is. Yeah, I think that's what we need to do. It's no different than me saying, "I recommend this person to be hired in this position." You say, "No, come up with a different candidate." All right, I'll do that. I just felt like we should just I'm trying to make a parallel example. I hope that's helpful because I look at us as voting down option three and then it's going to be possibly put back on the agenda next time if it wins the votes,
097which would be similar to me bringing you a candidate. you vote down me coming back with that person saying that person is still my recommendation because they're the best candidate for the job. I'll follow that. Okay, I'll follow that. All right, let's move. So, at this point, I made the motion. Mrs. Gallow makes the motion. Mr. Daddy seconds. All those in favor? All those opposed? I no. All right. 05 motion fails. In the 8,000 series, we will discuss uh our goals for moving forward with what we would like to see happen. Thank you very much. Okay, looking at the rest of the 3000 series. I'm going to take just a second and adjust my numbers here so I read this properly. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 3153 through 3173 in the 3000 series.
098Moved. Mrs. Knots moves. Mr. Taylor seconds. Questions. Yeah, I did. So on 3153, when is this going to take place? Yes. Yeah. When will when will the abatement take place? after school's out. Okay, that's what I want to make sure of. Thank you. You're welcome. Will that affect the envelope process? your microphone, sir. Sorry. I'm usually told to turn it off there. They've been to the campus a number of times already, Mr. Taylor, and um they're still making recommendations about how to proceed with different portions of the original envelope project. like they were looking at windows and they were determining maybe not all of those windows needed to be addressed like the original proposal was being made because they weren't uh in deteriorated condition. So they're shifting some of that recommendation still within the envelope
099project concept but those kinds of things are still in the offing with the the architect in the company. That help it helps but it doesn't give me a time. Well, we because of those things, we're still waiting for that. Each time there's like I think that's not called a change order, but similar in fashion. When there's a when there's a shift in recommendation, they have to wait until that's finalized. And so, we haven't received the actual recommendation from the architect and the company. So I I don't have an actual time for you yet, but they are moving forward with all yet they are indeed they are indeed they have not put it aside. It's still in the process. Okay. So I have a question on 3154 then for the and maybe you're not sure on
100that one though, but and that will be started complete. Um that seems like a large amount for seems like a lot of money for some restaurants that are desperately needed and we all Yes, I'm not denying that but um are you asking a timeline kind of? Yes. Mr. Dolan, can you help me with that? I believe if you if if it's approved this evening, then we will let them know and they will get started on it as soon as possible because I believe that in order that has to be done in order for the paving to be done um because they have to pave up to it. So that would have to be completed. Like I said, there was a timeline there. That's why we're trying to get all these all these projects kind of
101in a in line here so we can get them completed because it one's holding up the other. Okay. And they are aware of the fact that this is an active campus with an active schedule on that field and they will appropriately maintain the safety and cleanliness of their area so as to not impede our students or spectators. Correct. This company is very very very diligent. We've used them for several the several of our projects. Um and they're very diligent with everything. Any additional questions for the 3000 series? I do have a further clarification regarding that question that that the envelope period has been submitted to the SBA and I didn't say that. Also waiting for their final approval. All those things have to go through them as well because they're helping us with the funding
102of it. Okay. All right. We have a motion on the floor. All those in favor? I I motion passes 5-0. Brings us to the 4,000 series. Mr. Dolan. Okay. inside your packet. Uh there was a couple of um budget supplements I had to do this um this month. Uh one was for the grant for the tools for schools for a few of the items that you just approved. Um the other was for the um project at the middle school for the basketball hoops that you also just approved. And then in the rest of your packet were are the u list of checks for your approval to pay the bills and keep everything moving along. Excuse me. Uh superintendent respectfully request approval of items in the 4,000 series. Moved. Mrs. Galla moves. Second. Mr. Dowy seconds.
103Any additional questions? All those in favor? I I motion passes. Moving into the 5000 series, student matters, personnel, legal matters. Uh, item 5471, Tammy L. Phillips requests permission to transfer her daughter from Preston High School in Preston County, where they reside to Grafton High School in Taylor County. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of item 5471 in the 5000 series. Moved. Mrs. KN moves. Second. Mr. Taylor seconds. Questions? Yes. Yes. Um, just have a question. Do we have any disciplinary concerns that need to be aware of? I'm not aware of any. Okay. Okay. Well, I looked at the the record and it looked okay, but I just want to Yeah. Mrs. KN, did you have a question as well? No, I always want to know the same thing. Okay. And I mean, you know, that's just something
104I think I get concerned. It's appropriate to that we're not inheriting trouble. You're right. The other question I had with that was um on the request from the parent, she dated it May 14th. Is that just a typo? When she signed it, she signed it May 14th, 2025. I just don't know if that would have any impact on anything. [Music] The request on the agenda does not have a date. Yeah. I I just want to make sure you're aware. Do we need to pull it for that? It was it was received in on 3:14. So there's a time stamp that indicates that's when it was received. And it's not like she meant to put March and she put May. We would we would like to think that. Okay, I'm okay to move. We can pull
105it if it's your pleasure to answer your question, but you're just if there's any reason that you need to have that corrected for her signature, right? I mean, you're just going to have to pull the parent in to get it signed again, but I'm okay to move forward with voting. All those in favor? I motion passes. um professional extracurricular extra duty resignations, leave of absence, creation of some interventionists, some substitutes, and an additional leave of absence. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 5472 through 5495 in the 5000 series. Move approval. Mrs. KN moves. Second, Mr. Dowy seconds. Any additional questions. All those in favor say I. I. Motion passes. 5-0. Brings us to the 8000 series board member comments and discussion. I do have just one thing. If you could update us at the
106next meeting. I know it's not on the agenda, so if you could give it to us in the next meeting. um a status update on the Flemington uh baseball field concession stand. I can certainly do that then. I can give you a little bit tonight. No, it's not on the if you'll give it to us then. I appreciate that. Thank you. Returning to the discussion on how we would like to move forward with calendar options. I'd like to reinstate my motion that we uh ask for a vote on option two and option three for the calendar. Uh and my apologize my apology to Miss McCarthy, but uh I feel it's necessary. I was just going to say one other thing. Is it next year? I'm not gonna worry about it. I'll get to it next
107year. I have a feeling that's what landed us here this year. Um, okay. So, Mr. Taylor has made a motion. You have a second. I'll second. Okay. This is not seconds. All those in favor? I. I. Motion passes. Miss McCarthy, if you would please to put out that survey. Um, and whatever timeline you need to do it in to make sure that we hit wherever timelines we need. Um, and whatever help you need from us, please don't hesitate since we're throwing this back onto your stove. Only staff. Only staff. Okay. That's where I was. And yeah, and and that's what I was going to say is that we need to really before we vote next Well, we did it. This is the way we did it this year. We had our calendar meetings for the
108public, discussed those options, directed a third option, and then we voted. We put it out for vote. We considered the public's voice, the public, the parents, the public, not you know, we had some staff members come in too, right? But those two calendar meetings was for us to consider their voice before we put the options out for the staff to vote. So if we wanted to make any changes, if we wanted to make, you know, another option or whatever. So, our parents need to come to the two calendar meetings that are public calendar hearings for them to give us their opinions. That's what we need them to do. And we I I'm hoping that there's enough listening that next year that we can get them here to be able to take their input before we
109put something out to vote. They were actually gave a third one. They were publicized and they were publicized by the paper as well, right? Um on social media. So I we did it right. I could scratch my head and pull what little hair I have left out. I don't know what else more we could have exactly done. Exactly. So, okay, I'm ready to go home now. I think it's just, you know, us as board members just need to do what we can to let the public know, you know, our agendas, our meeting minutes, everything is on our county web page. So, yes, we did we went above and beyond because we had a third public hearing and we did a survey. So, right, um, you know, I don't know. Okay. So I think our deadline
110is May, right? The first part of May. Friday, May 2nd. So our next meeting is what? April 8th. Yeah. Two weeks. Budget and personnel meeting. Yes. suggest. I know that some of the feedback that I've got from parents are we're kind of late in the game for them to be scheduling an August vacation even because they still don't know what the start date is going to be for the fall. So while I see the need to have some time, I also know that people are wondering. So April 8th or April 15th. Do you miss McCarthy? Do you feel comfortable getting it out and we could potentially have it within a neighborhood? tomorrow. I think that's ample enough time. I don't think we should have it out there a crazy amount of time. We've had it
111out there. How many How many days total have we had the first two out there? Yeah. I mean, I mean, you know, 12 days. So, exactly. Yeah. Um that's just my just my thoughts. Yeah. I think All right, Miss McCarthy, we would request that we have that information on the ETH then. Okay, right to vote on it. We'll give them a week to vote on it. Okay. All right. Anything else in the discussion series? Okay, I apologize. Want to I overlooked something from my uh my updates and that is to give you an update on the fact that West Taylor's capital improvement is in process for increasing the parking in front of the building. Um just to let you know that is to to accommodate the increasing number of people that are coming there. Just
112a quick update more more at 11. Very good. All right. 9,000 series future meetings April 8th, 2025. Calendar, budget, and personnel 6 o'clock here at the board office. April 15, 2025. 6 and 605. A levy meeting and a regular meeting. April 29th, 6 o'clock here at the board office. and May 13th, six o'clock here at the board office. Miss Gallow, Mrs. Gar, Miss Garbin. Yep. I know what you're about to say to me. I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is we've had a few students who have had some issues. That's not good news. And that they have taken advantage of our options to u remediate their poor decisions and they have taken advantage of those successfully. The bad news is we have one individual more recently who is now
113uh being presented. We need an expulsion hearing. Um and the deadline for this young person is April 4th. That would be April 1st. That's the option that's been floated out by Mrs. KN. I can do any day next week after 6:15, which I know pushes that back and I apologize, but I could do 6:30. What are we looking at? Like the first or you're not available the first, but you're not available. Oh, it's either Monday or the third, right? So, either Monday or Thursday, unless we want to do the fourth on Friday. I would rather not do Friday. Me, too. It's all the same. I don't want to do Friday. What was that? Mr. Dowy, Mr. Taylor, can you do the third? Okay, I can do the third. Do you need at 6:30? 6:30 would
114be amazing if I know that pushes things. You can tell me the time. I haven't told the parents anything yet because outstanding. April 3rd, 6:30 in the evening. Sounds like a plan. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. You gonna do anything else to my calendar? Just a reminder of Saturday vote Saturday 29th one o'clock. Okay. Thank you. Hearing nothing else for the good of the order I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Moved. Mr. Scallow moves. Mr. Dy seconds. All those in favor? I. Hi. Hi. Thank you for everything you do. Everybody go safely.