001All right. Thank you, Mr. Smith. All right, ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we're going to call to order the board meeting for Tuscaloosa City Schools. It is May 6, 2025. If everybody can stand for a brief period of silence, and we'll follow that by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Attention. Salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance to 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. All right. Everyone may be may be seated. Good evening everyone. Good evening board. Good evening, Mr. Chair. All right, board item number three. May I have a motion to adopt the May 6, 2025 regular board meeting agenda? Second. All in favor? I. Anybody opposed? This agenda will be adopted. Board may have
002a motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2025 regular board meeting and the minutes of the April 22nd, 2025 call board student hearing. So move. All in favor? I. Anybody opposed? Those will be approved. Item number five, we will now recognize 2024 to 2025 spring superintendence be amazing writing contest K through 12 grade level district winners. Dr. Pope, good evening, sir. No, you're good evening board. Good evening. Tonight we are so excited to um honor and recognize our winners for this spring 2024 25 superintendent essay contest and um that spirit of continuing excellence in writing and writing across the continent area is a focus for TCS. So tonight, we want you all to clap as I call these students names and be reminded that we have four students not here, but we're still
003going to recognize them because it's a Wednesday and other um activities are going on as well. So Tuesday, Tuesday, my week is going fast. Tuesday. But um I want to remind how we did this. Every school had to participate. Each student in the building had to write an essay. The essay was on be amazing and what it means to them. We had to up the antics a little bit for second semester. And our um grades K through three, they wrote a persuasive essay, but um the upper grades had to write an argumentative and it was explaining why. So it wasn't necessarily just be amazing, but why you want to be amazing, why you should be amazing. So those prompts were more geared to higher order thinking and more rigorous writing. So as we call those
004names, remember every student participated in every school. The schools ranked those uh by grade level. So all of our kindergarten students in every one of our schools were competing and they actually were competing against each other. Same thing through first, second, all the way to 12th grade. So these are our district level winners and it's across our entire district. So kindergarten winner is from Oakdale Elementary School, Charlie Johnson. Back up. First grade is M Cassidy from Tuscles Magnet Elementary. And when I call your name, please come down. Thank you. Xavon Rivers, second grade, Martin King Jr. Elementary School. Morning. The Alberta School of Performing Arts. That's third grade winner. Clap it up. Clap it up everybody. Fourth grade. Our fourth grade district winner is Mason McBride from University Place Elementary School. Our fifth grade winner
005is Thompson Davis from Rock Corey Elementary School. Our sixth grade winner is Alli Zing from Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School. Seventh grade winner is Emerald Zing Zang from Northridge Middle School. Eighth grade winner is Kazara Hinton from Eastwood Middle [Applause] School. Ninth grade winner is Xavier Anderson from Central High [Applause] School. Our 10th grade winner is Jimmy Steverson from Central High School. And they clean, too. Y'all look at them. Check them out. Our 11th grade winners is Micaia Crawford from Central High School. And our 12th grade district winner is the Derek Cotton from Central High School. So remember, as you look across the stage right now, these are our district level winners. They had to write a paper that is strongly about be amazing because in Tuscalussa City Schools, we're all about making things amazing because
006we are all amazing and all of our students are amazing. But they have to make sure that we are writing just as amazing as we all are. So clap it up for this group of students. [Applause] And again, I want to thank you all for doing this. But I want to hear from some people. So we're going to hear from two students. Our first student we're going to hear from is from Rock Corey Elementary School, Thompson Davis. Come over here. Turn. So you want to just tell tell us about what you wrote, how it made you feel, anything you want to share with the board and the people in the audience. So I wrote about being amazing and how it's about being a good human being. And one of my favorite parts of the writing
007was I kind of like like things about like the brain and how it works. So, so one of my favorite parts was writing about like how being amazing just like like how the chemicals in your brain worked when you're being amazing and things like that. Also, just writing go for it and just write a good thing. [Applause] See how amazing we are. We have one more to share. 11th grader Micaia Crawford. She's willing to share. She right beside me. Okay, come over here. Over here. Good evening everyone. Good evening. My name is Micaia Crawford and I attend Central High School. And I just wrote about my transitioning from 8th grade to 9th grade in high school. And that was a big really big thing for me from losing friends to gaining friends and just finding
008myself and just being amazing all together. And before I um continue thanking everyone, I want to thank the parents. So parents, if you please stand as well. Parents of these [Applause] students, our teachers and our principles as well. Our teachers um the principles had to guide and facilitate this. Principal literacy coaches and math coaches had to facilitate this process. I want to thank all of our schools um for supporting and judging and doing an an amazing job of supporting these students as they were writing again because we want to make sure our writing skills are impeccable and in order to do that practice makes permanent. So in any opportunity that we have in city schools where we'll be practicing writing appropriately. Thank you board. So doc, Dr. Pope, thank you. Thank you teachers for supporting
009this endeavor and students. Awesome job. We always the board loves seeing the the su the successes that all of our students have especially academically because that's what school is all about. So congratulations. Writing is so important. So continue to hone your craft and from the uh entire board, congratulations on your on your award. We appreciate you guys. If I could add just one thing, I'd like to say to you, don't let this be the last time. Let this be the beginning of what you're going to do the rest of your life. Because this is amazing for you to sit there and write that. But the books and things that you're going to write in the future are going to be even more amazing. So, as everyone has said, continue to write, write, write, write right,
010right, ladies, rest, right? Thank you, Dr. Thank you, board. You are going to put stage. So, if you want supporters followations, Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. I love your necklace. That was nice. Thank you. One picture. [Music] Good job, guys. Congratulations. Okay. Stop. You're good. Okay. Item item number six. We will now recognize the 2024 to 2025 Battle of Books Middle and Elementary School District winners. Dr. Pope. Yes, sir. U board. Um let's continue that same spirit of clapping because we're recognizing um something that started we want backup look. We want to make sure our kids are also readers and in order to do that we have to ensure that they have a book in their hand and they're or reading some type of material. So the battle of the books was started 10
011years ago uh or more 10 years or more. But um the middle school librarians worked together rather together to put this event on. And this year they also added two um elementary schools as pilots um to um work with those and that was Rock Corey and Burner. So I'm going to let the person that started all this, our library leaison, Dr. Andrew Maxi, um introduce these winners for tonight. Dr. Maxi, I'm too big to be blocking these kids. Y'all scoot down a little bit so the board can see your faces. You're amazing. Board members, if writing is exhaling, then reading is inhaling. They go together. Dr. Pope was exactly right. If we want to build strong writers, we need to build strong readers. Such credit to you as a board for valuing our school libraries
012over the years. But I want to start this evening by drawing attention and thanks to our school librarians who before this board and this superintendent said we have to make extracurricular opportunities a thing a priority for our kids. They were putting on this event more than 10 years ago. The last couple of years every middle school in our district has sent the maximum number of teams to this event. So, schools form teams of five students, up to three teams. They come to this building one day in the spring and they duke it out. If you've never heard of duking it out with a book, you've not been to Battle of the Books. It's a battle, right? There are tears. There's laughing this year. There was even an injury. Don't worry, Dr. Dar. It was fine.
013It turned out fine. Uh overthinking. I don't know what that was all about, but we want to recognize the students from each of the six teams that advanced from the roundrobin to the elimination round. Uh, so I'm going to call all their names. As Dr. Pope said, it's a lot of activities tonight, so they're not all here, but students, when you hear your name, give a dramatic wave as if you know what drama is because you've been reading a long time. So because it's in order, we're going to go the way it is presented there. So first place in Battle of the Books, round robin, and then elimination tournament was Northridge team one. Those students are Emerald Zang, who was both their te top scorer and their team captain, Emory Fountain, Anastasia Glazier, Matt Hammonds,
014and Sophie Hing. [Applause] All right, help me out a little, Chris. I I can't read behind the thing and I should have been better prepared. Second place team was the first team from magnet. Their captain was Annabasto and their top scorer was Will Sturret, Addison Large, Barrett Maluke, and Delina Malaise were also on the team. Congratulations I know some of those kids. I'm going get yelled at for that very poor pronunciation. I'm sorry. Uh, third place team went to one of the other Northridge teams. Zoe Lwig was both their top score and the team captain. Olivia Belduchcci, Camille Johnson, Alli Stevens, and Nora Walker with the [Applause] team. I don't know if you have noticed that, Northridge Middle takes Battle of the Books pretty seriously. They grabbed the fourth spot as well. Uh, Victtoire Lewig
015was their top scorer. Addison Cole was their team captain. Sophia Glazer was on the team. Gina Kim and Kelsey King. Chelsea King. Chelsea. In fifth place, another team from the Magnus School, Luke Pool was both the top scorer and the team captain. Lahi Bryant, David Delair, Neva Jane Rearen, and Elellanar Windingard. And uh let's let's be honest, all of us, the adults are very excited to recognize TASPA who made it into the elimination round this year and kicked butt along the way. Please join me in congratulating their team. Abigail Po Poe was their top scorer and team captain. Don't don't start clapping until I give you a hint here. Karen Camp and Payton Hill and Kendra Loveless. will notice that a team of four beat nine teams of five to make it into this round.
016Congratulations, Tats. [Applause] And then we quickly want to recognize all the top scorers from around the district. All the teams that participated, Canal Gross, uh Karma Brown and Shaunal Utu, Marissa Rice, Will Starret, Luke Pool, No Noliva Jumba, Emerald Zang, Victtoire Lewig, Zoe Ludwig, Abigail P, Zoe He, Gabby Gaspar, Phipe, Jaden Lewis, and Leah Dore. [Applause] So, Dr. Pope also correctly pointed out that this competition for the last 10 plus years has been between middle schools and our elementary schools are feeling left out. And we as a district have not set up an elementary division yet. And two of our librarians said, "Fine, we'll do it ourselves." So, they set this up. And I I'm already in trouble for going too long, but I'll tell you that the impact that Battle of the Books has
017on a school, it can be felt in the school. Every year when we announce the new books, there's a rush on those titles. And kids who don't even try out read the books. and kids. There's a kid in the room. There's an employee in the room who will tell you that their kid figured out that they were a reader and has gotten hooked on reading because their friends told them they need to be on Battle of the Books. It's not just a feel-good thing, which tonight makes us feel good. It's a powerful strategy for advancing the work we're trying to do. So, kudos to this pioneering group of elementary kids who showed us the way, made us feel a little bit bad. We're going to have to pick up our game in the coming years.
018Uh so in the head-to-head between Verer and Rock Quarry, first place was Verer Elementary, Jack Bradford, Milo Markham, Noah Newles, McCord Pate, and Rosson Stevens. [Applause] And our final trailblazers was the rock warrior team. Uh Rayan Badru Sijay Bandi, Annabbeth Coleman, Hosanna Sehei, and Jonathan Victor. So once again, thank you board. Thank you parents. Thank you for letting them stay late at school to practice. Thank you for getting them there. Thank you for supporting this work. We're really proud of our kids and we're very thankful for the support you're putting into our children through Battle of Brooks. Hey Dr. Max, can you give us an idea of like how how the competition worked? How Absolutely. So each year the librarians and a group picks five or six books and it's essentially a quiz competition. So
019we have teams of five right where you're sitting. We put two rows of tables and around this hall the students are the the moderators ask questions, students buzz in, answer questions. There's also a free response time where both teams get a piece of paper and you answer as many questions as you can. There's a roundroin where every team plays several games and then the scores of that determine which teams will advance into the elimination round and then it's a bracket from there with the top teams advancing to play each other for the title of Battle of the Books champion for for that year. Um very impactful uh on our students. Um I I have a child who participated in Battle of the Books as a sixth grader. I have a picture of me consoling her
020out in the hallway when she was heartbroken that in sixth grade she could only muster second place with her team. And I just noticed last week at the top 10 scholars dinner she and two of her teammates from that from that team were there. I'm not saying it was Battle of the Books that made that happen, but it was there along the way. Well, Dr. Maxi, we appreciate your efforts and your passion for all things reading. We appreciate all the librarians. Um, you know, this board has really prioritized academic competitions and this is the fruit of of the labors and we're so very proud of the entire system and all of our our students for participating and excelling. So, great job students. We appreciate y'all. [Music] [Applause] All right. Just like the writers, we're going
021to have a photo op over in the big room. Parents, uh, you probably want to stay here and listen to the board, but we're going to be over there taking pictures of your kids. So, the choice is up to you. We're headed that way. Before you leave, Mr. Max, sorry. Uh, I know you talked about piling the elementary, but in order to get middle school, you got to come through elementary. So, whatever we do to training, you know, we don't get that reading and that's just good practice to be a better person in middle school and high school. I think that's great that our our librarians in our schools decided they wanted to try it and I'm sure that Dr. Daria, Dr. Paul, and you gonna figure out a way and the librarians and we
022can get all those elementary schools involved. Sarah, where's McCord today? I want you to know how proud your dad was. He called me today and told me that you were going to be on the stage and he was super excited about what you and your team did. All right, before you leave, children, we're going to start this way and go around to the front and we're going to get a picture here first. So, just go that way. And our BFF, Miss House, will tell you where to stand. Good job. Any fish? We need to do two rolls. Okay. Seems professional. Look at all those cameras. They're not looking at us. They're looking at you all. Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] I love your job. Thank you for being here. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. It
023opened in 23. Madison. Next year. Thank you. Appreciate you. All right. Item number seven, P public comments on non-aggenda items. No one has signed up, which brings us to item eight,formational reports from the superintendent. 8A, we will now receive the wireless device plan overview. Mr. Chairman, board members, is going to catch the good evening board. Good evening. So this is actually um the focus act. So, House Bill 166, freeing our classrooms of unnecessary screens for safety act. So um we um prohibit student wireless devices use during instructional time. Device must be powered off and stored in a district um approved manner. Um the internet safety instructions have to be done before 8th grade. The also internet um safety policy has to be updated. Mandates annual staff surveys on implementation and effective this coming school year
0242526 pending legislative action. So, as TCS, this is where we are with our policy as stated during the school day. Um, recognizing that those devices must be turned off and stored in a district approved um manner where it's a box or whatever, but being very clear on what we're talking about. It's not only cell phones. is cell phones, laptops, iPads, smartwatches, any device that can transmit or receive voice, text, image or any data signals. So we um it cannot be kept on that person. We do have some exceptions. Exceptions to the rules, documentation of any medical um issues or needs if they're IEP or 504 accommodations, and any um emergency that's determined by the staff and directional uh if it's direct instructional use that's um authorized by the teacher or any certified staff member. Okay.
025So, in order to do this, we also had to update our code of conduct. In our code of conduct, it is having to revise what is defined as wireless devices. Because when you hear wireless device, most people automatically think of the cell phone. Well, it's anything that can do any of those things I mentioned earlier. transmitting um through voice um texting pictures those things. So think of a laptop, iPad, all of us wear smart watches now. All those devices cannot be in place. So our code of conduct is actually updated to align with the bill and also with the policy and dealing with the consequences. has been updated to address classes one through three and any violation those consequences will fall into class one two or three and it allows the administrator for some discretion
026but we want to ensure we have a consistency across the schools. So not one school doing one thing another school doing other thing. So the team has put together um guidelines for what it looks like and it falls under one of those um op those classes to ensure that the state is going to send us a mandatory training for orientation and um social media safety that's also been updated into the code of conduct as well and it explicitly pro prohibits any type of social media during the school day. So unless a teacher has directly instructed teachers students to go on social media or use any wireless device those things are prohibited and it is within our code of conduct. So before I go to the communication plan in our code book has been updated that
027we have BYOD so bring your own device. We're deleting that language from the code to align our U practices with this bill. Dr. Wilson Death is going to u walk us through our communication plan. Good evening. Good evening. Okay, because this is such a big change, we want to make sure that we are very thorough and intentional about how this is communicated to parents, teachers, and all stakeholders. So, our PR team has come up with a comprehensive plan to that stretches from already from April to August and throughout the next school year. You've probably already seen that graphic that's on that slide included in some principal communications. Um, in the next coming weeks, there will be a social media campaign as well as a launch of some of the anticipated push answers to some of
028the anticipated push back with the FAQ launch. In July, there will be a postcard mailer press release as well as media coverage. In August, there will be handouts at events and a final push as well as a what to expect video that will go out to stakeholders. And this will be implemented and reinforced throughout the year with ongoing reminders with signage and social media and um principal newsletters. So compliance uh monitoring to ensure that this plan is implemented equitably across all schools and as well as to identify any spots where we can provide supports to schools. There will be a mix of district and school level compliance monitoring. Starting in August in those first four weeks where we're rolling this out, we're expecting for administrators to complete walkthroughs during especially those hightra uh points of
029the day, lunch and transitions. uh teachers to be on the lookout for cell phone and device use. We're going to survey the staffs to see how this is going and see what we can do to adjust. Um make sure there's signage and clear expectations posted throughout the school and as well as uh principles weekly reflections of how this is going in their building for those first four weeks. Uh following those first four weeks, we will do ongoing monitoring with monthly advent check um spot checks, quarterly district walkthroughs, track phone related discipline trends, uh midyear level, midyear and end of the year feedback surveys as well as providing support and refreshers and PD where needed. So what does this look like in schools? So, school level logistics, elementary, the expectation is for these devices to be
030powered off and placed in the backpack throughout the day. Um, teachers are to remind students of the expectation and make sure that it is being followed throughout the day. At dismissal, students will be able to access and power on their phones. Again, middle school and high school is a little bit different. Um, we plan to implement the yonder pouches and have those pouches stored in backpacks throughout the day. Um we'll need staff to verify that phones are powered off and stored in in pouches and throughout the day just remain vigilant on and checking to make sure that is happening. Uh administrators are being asked to um address any violations according to the code of conduct as well as to just inspect that expectation regularly. And during dismissal there will be uh unlocking stations for students
031to gain access to their devices again. There are some special considerations that uh have come up. Dual enrollment in TCTA. So students who may leave campuses to travel to other sites. They may unlock their devices while they're traveling, but once they enter a TCS building, they will have to lock those devices again. And as always, school phones remain available for parent student communication in the case of an emergency. The yonder pouch. U Mr. Jinx has a few yonder pouches so that we can see what they are and how they work. So, as he's making his way to you, all secondary schools will be expected to implement the yonder pouch as their storage solution for um this coming stu school year. The expectation is for students devices to remain in those pouches from the start of
032the instructional day until the end. Um, and they will be unlocked during dismissal. To assist with the logistics of how this works and what works best for each site, the vendor, the Yandere Pouch Company, will provide onsite support to help us create a plan for smooth implementation. Go ahead. And Chris probably gonna explain this more too. So the ones you all have, the ones that are like lock, those are the ones that we um we're leaning towards for all of our students, the ones with velcro are the ones that we may have exceptional um exceptionalities. Those students that have medical um issues that they need to get to but is not on um not locked up because you notice he has that locking in front of um Mr. Wilson and between M. Wilson and Mr.
033Ham. That's the lock unlocking device. So it's hopefully they'll be placed in our classrooms. Um, I think Chris says on the walls in the building, you know, we have areas is um the the best design is for it to be posted so they can go to it, unlock it as they are um leaving or entering the building. And Yonder will be providing um if we go through this process, Yonder will be providing more um PD professional um development and more insight on what it looks like for implementation as we are utilizing this um I know this is all new obviously, but do you have any early anticipated um time efficiency problems with like how long is it going to take? That's that's the part where Yonder is helping us with u developing. If you look
034into the packet, there are some implementation plans of the yonder pouch implementation part where the design of what it looks like for the beginning of the school. school level part, but they're giving us the um like a timeline of how much normally how much it takes to do it in the mornings to get that whole process. At least we have some type of estimate of what it what it normally takes for a school size that we have. How many of the unlock unlocking stations come with purchase? So, it varies in number based on the size of the building. Uh, but you would obviously want to have more uh for larger buildings for high schools. Um, the one that I'm holding in my hand now is uh a mobile base. So, if you needed to uh
035leave the building, for example, in an evacuation scenario where you don't want to gang up at the door trying to unlock devices, you would take a take this one outside and be able to unlock devices once you got to your your area to be able to uh have students uh contact parents as necessary, that kind of thing. Uh but you would have multiple ones to be about you saw how long it took for me just to open the single pouch just by bouncing it off the magnet and then you're able to open it and move on. Um but that will take, as with anything else, take a little bit of practice and getting used to. Did we cover who was covering the cost? I mean this is this is something the state is mandating correct.
036So I was just looking for the state grant. So good question. So let me I want to hit a couple things that that definitely was said is this is not yet final. Uh but this team and thanks to a lot of contributions from a larger group have put together what we think is the most ideal way to to implement this. The yonder pouches that Chris has gone over, those aren't required by the law. The what we see in the law is that the students can't have them on their person. This seems to comply with that and allows the our teachers to have a a tool to use. So there's nothing in the law that then says here's funding source to help with compliance. That said, um advancement in technology and other funds that we're seeing
037coming in from the state is where we would pull from to to use this. Currently, some schools use like cell phone lockers that that's okay. That's an option. Um but we we see this as as a possibility. And I I want to conclude with this piece. So tonight you got after this briefing, you have two cell phone actions. is the code of conduct which is a first reading. We can come back and revise it between now and the second reading. Of course, a lot of that is based on what we believe will be the final law. This the last thing you have is on this board is the yonder pouches. And the reason we kind of move somewhat fast on this is we believe the rest of the state will be looking at these as
038a solution to help implement. If we still have a lot of questions on yonder, which we understand if you do, we can move that purchase to May 20. uh we just didn't want to be on the later part of this in purchasing these things. There will be a lot of and I think our team has incorporated that into their plan. We're going to have to do a lot of spot checks to see how we need to adjust this as we go on. But to answer your question shortly is we'd have to use funds that are coming in from the state i.e. advancement technology funds. So did we have an estimate? It'll be in the 167,000. Is that correct? 167,000 only secondary just short of 164 I think. Okay. It's it's in your report later tonight
039in one of the agenda items. So the expectation is for our team staff employees this is another warning barrier that they kind of have to endure. So I'm looking at it the buses first day of school when it's just hectic the first week of school we got to stop get them off the bus especially high schoolers lock stuff down and then get to the classroom they through in that plan there's a there's a method by which our students will come in for example the first day they'll get their pouches we'll go through an orientation on how to use the pouches so that won't all have to happen the minute one so there's a in that plan there's an implementation where the schools would deploy that in a way that's functional and that's effective. But again,
040we'll have we'll have some hiccups along the way and and we'll just we'll learn from it. Um what we are going to do is make sure we comply with what will soon be a law. And then is there any thought on doing and this is more just PR joint communication between us and the county as in this is just a policy that affects all of us. So it's not We are not creating this, but it is something that has to be instituted throughout. So the more media that just says this is a state mandate that is not just us, the more we're all together on one accord helps communication in my mind. That's just a thought, you know, because it's going to not resonate until the first day of school and the second day and
041the third day. And then the more you know, people are aware is you're taking my child's phone. But, you know, just not it's just not our system. It is all systems. And to me, the more we maybe just kind of, you know, we got to do our own thing, but just having some unique collaborative. Miss Aant works closely with Miss Brewer and the county and our standard on this and you'll see it in that the communication plan is to overcommunicate and early. We don't want to wait till August for people hear this for the first time and that's why you you've already seen kind of a dribble campaign with information going out and then when it becomes law officially which we expect to be soon we'll hit the throttle pretty heavy on on communications. So,
042we also have some staff um cell phone expectations because we're talking about the kids cannot have their phones out. So, you know, we we're dealing with adults, but still um personal devices with our adults. We're asking for it should not interfere with their supervision or instruction or their duties. And of course, um limit personal calls and texts while you're in um during instructional time and devices should be on silent or vibrate during that school day. So, um we have adult um wireless device guidelines as well because we want to make sure that we're being good models to those students as well. I do want to put out that we do have some schools that's already have somewhat doing this um um every morning. So it's it's it's a daily practice anyway doing it for the
043last two years. So um and it it's been working. Um so that whole focus part there less interruptions, less um kids on videos and social media especially when they go outside of the classroom in other areas. So, we put together a frequently asked um questions page and this document or things that we just thought may come up based on what we've been hearing. Most of our team members going to schools list the teachers. Um I think all all of us are hearing some type of um information from um other from parents and from other adults in other districts. So these questions here just the big things um um we continue making sure that if parents push back going back to the goal is to focus on learning um to direct concerns to the school leader.
044There is there you have the documents of every piece of the puzzle for communication. There's a principal um document as well. So it's informing the principles on what what they should be talking about, how they can um know where the support is and any questions they may have. There's a principal support page there. So our goal is making sure that they know how to respond if there's an emergency. A lot of parents ask, "Okay, what what happens if there's an emergency?" Our kids have access to the phones in all of our schools um under the staff direction. They can use the phone um that we also provide those automated um alerts to our families and um parents as well. Can the um students use phones for learning? Only if the teacher um um asks for
045and supports um their learning for that particular lesson. It may call for that device to be utilized. Our teachers responsible for enforcing the policy. This is a joint effort. This is sharing responsibility not just the teachers but every all stakeholders ensuring that we are all enforcing at administrators are providing the policies and providing the procedures and they are providing support and oversight and just making sure is this policy fair for all students. We're looking at those exceptions to the rules whether it's IEP medical reasons those things and how will phones be stored. we mentioned earlier with the our our um recommendation is the yonder pouches. So, it's something that is uniform for all students and something that we know that works and other districts have utilized and we did research on it and for those
046locations for lockers or backpacks for those um years, those early years and communication again I think um we have a great communication plan. Dr. Derry mentioned earlier we're saturating as um out early as possible. I think was in one the school s'mores all last week. Just putting that that signage out there so most people know what's coming up so it won't be an all of a sudden thing. Any other questions? What about um in the cafeteria period? What about physical education? No, it be it would be in a pouch. In one of the versions of the bill early on, it had a a break of some sort, if I recall correctly, and I think that was removed at some point. It's the instructional day. Buses obviously that's the end of the day. But lunch, hall
047changes, things of that nature are identified as the instructional day. And once again, to sort of reiterate what Dr. Karen Thompson Jackson said, that's that's from the state, not from the district. And I want to add again that laptops going to be like most of our schools, our students bring their own laptops where those personal devices. No, we we um TCS provides um district level um devices. So we have devices for them. So they cannot use their personal laptops. And that's going to be one of the the biggie um issues for our students because I know most people like me, I'm an Apple person. So, I want my my MacBook with me and most of those kids want their MacBooks. So, it's going to be a switch from Mac to Chromebook. Um, so that's going
048to be one thing that we're going to continue pushing. The team is working with the schools to ensure they understand it's not only cell phones, but iPads, um, watches, the laptops, and those things as well. that we had to put on wireless just because we start thinking if y'all notice their Google glasses, those Ray-B band glasses that have the um technology in there. So, it's so many other devices out there. So, it's our standardization is anything that can transmit, receive those voice um or send any type of signal. Those are the devices that we're prohibiting. For the kids, I'm anticipating an ugly conversation at my own home between my daughter and I about the about the laptop thing. Um for the kids who do prefer their own device, um in that case, Google Sheets is
049a pretty good answer in that they can be using their Chromebook at school and if they save their work it where in Google Sheets they just pick it up on their own laptop when they get home which is presumably where they're doing the bulk of their homework. Exactly way. And we had this conversation this morning which made me even um think further after our meeting was uh getting with um Dr. uh Maxi and Mr. Jinx of putting something out there especially from Mr. Jinx department of all the compatibility um components that like what you just mentioned Google Sheets, Google Doc, Google. So all those things can you can work in it and if you like working your doing your work especially with dual enrollment students they do most of their work at home or other
050locations but they can upload do those things work in Google sheets working Google doc and even Google slides all those things is is in is in our Google platform so they can always have access to it and you would you say were you saying that the even the glasses will be if there if it can transmit and do those signals That's Do the pouches come in different sizes or is that it? That's going to be We're pretty quick. If you start that's a when we only doing the pouch for the cell phone and um possibly like their watches, everything else put away, keep out, don't bring to school. And we know we we even in our implementation things, we're anticipating, we all been doing this and for years, we're anticipating what those things can happen.
051So, we're going to be that first couple of months going to be like a, you know, working trying to get the the kinks out. But, um, the pouches are only for cell phones and hopefully no cell phone as bigger big as that pouch or something. Hopefully not. One, you just said the Apple Watch like half our kids have Apple watches. It's going to be in that pouch according to the bill or don't or they can't bring it. Yeah. So, What school? You said you had a school or schools that were already sort of palatin. What schools? Westl Tasper. Um, Eastwood. Most of our middle schools. Middle schools. It was one high school. TCTA. TCTA here. TCTA. So, they just ask them to put it away or they have a They have a whole plan. Now,
052they have lockers here. They have little lockers at TCTA. But at Westlon, the way they explained to me, they it's like a morning routine. It's automatic. They've been doing it so so long. It's a It's a system. They just approach in the morning. They know where to go. They place it in there. It's back like old school. I think it's like in a is in a box. I think she told me in a box in their home room and and they just put it there. Whereas now power off, put into the pouch and do it that way. But those are the schools that when we when we mentioned to us like we're already doing it, so it's no problem. and also told us about how much disruption has been lessened because of that. And piggybacking
053on uh Mr. Hammer's question, uh the purpose of the pouch is to allow the student to maintain physical possession of the device while not being able to use it. there would be no reason to have the laptop there and in a pouch because they're not going to be able to use that uh during the instructional day at all at any at any time because we're not trying to to support that. So, we're not going to have an additional pouch for that piece. The smartwatch will fit in the same pouch as the as the cell phone. Uh we tested that and a smartwatch will go in in with an iPhone 16 uh Pro. So um so we it will fit that at the same time. So get one pouch per person. Any more questions? Thank you,
054Dr. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Tonight we do not we do not have a report from Mr. J. Duke. So that'll make us bring us to item nine, introductions of motions, resolutions for our first reading. 9A, receive, discuss first reading of the 2025 2026 Tus School academic guide. It's your night tonight, Dr. Pope. Let's see. So good evening board again. Um this is the first reading of the 2526 academic guide and most of the parts in here are um either statemandated or um errors that we found that needs to be corrected. Um for instance on update on page nine to include the times for the subjects for elementary um students. Thank you Mr. Hamner for um letting us know that that change was updated on page 9 for health. Instead of um 150 minutes
055a day, it's supposed to be 60 minutes weekly and most schools do 15 minutes daily. Um state law. So those things were updated. Um adding CCRI as a graduation requirement for 2526 is in um for that's coming up is on page 30. Um the civics exam that requirement is there. those requirements. But those two things I wanted to make sure we um hit and that was it starts on page 30 and it is the is another bill and it's dealing with the workforce pathways diploma and this is where there's an option A and an option B and I want to um emphasize there's only one diploma. This is just another pathway. This pathway is designed for the U workforce um pathway. Whereas option B would um require students instead of having four maps, they would
056only have two. Same thing with um the science, they will only have two versus four. And in its place, they will have 6.5 electives versus the 2.5 electives on option A. Option A is our um pathway, the typical pathway. Option B is the workforce pathway and that is designed to support those students that are going directly into the workforce. That's the one thing that's changed on um it starts on page 30. I think it goes to page 30 U 37. We're also updating the dual enrollment um language to align with House Bill 102. And in this this is basically the way the house bill 102 is saying that if you ever seen the list of all postsecary courses there's a list of just exhaustive list of all courses that students can take for dual enrollment
057and for dual credit where the state has now said students can take any of those courses and get the dual enrollment credit for it. So, we had to update our um active guide to reflect it. However, our crosswalk is still in place because our crosswalk is designed to reflect if the students take the courses that's in our crosswalk, they get weighted credit for it versus they choosing something off the crosswalk that is in that catalog. They'll still get dual enrollment credit, but they would not get the weighted credit that's calculated for their transcript. Those were and we um throughout there was um the update for CTE program pathways to include the state department's guidelines for stakeholders is on page 45 through 54. But the other ones are percentages for um the grade needed for students
058in credit recovery. If the old language stated that if they they had to have an 80 to pass where if they make a 60 in any other um level they pass but they can't. So this particular course this language is correcting stating that they can pass with a 60. However, they're still keeping that 70 as the highest grade they can make for credit recovery for that particular course. Any questions? The only thing that I saw when I attempted to finish reading half of this was we need to correct the time on what time we start. It's updated. Yes. The new if you if it's if you look it's it's updated to 5:30. Um it's should be two. the red line one and the clean copy 530 is in there. I printed. Yes, ma'am. We've been
059working all day to make sure it was correct. So, we've been finding places where we got to update we made sure. Yes, ma'am. Any other questions? And this is a first reading board. So specific questions that you may come across in the next couple of weeks, please reach out to Dr. Pope or Dr. Barry directly. Thank you, Dr. Pope. Thank you. Item 9B, receive discuss first reading of the 2025 to 2026 parent student code of conduct and resource guide drug screening policy. Yes, board. Um on this one I'm going to go line by line so we can kind of go through it. The um we made some did some changes very minimal but most of it was dealing with with under stars academy um the name changed to children's center and stars academy at new
060heights the hours changed to 810 to 310. Under virtual learning, there was a change from grades 6 through 12 um to reflect um kindergarten through 12th grade. We do have special um circumstances that our elementary students are um needing to be placed on virtual on pages 16 through 24. This is revision based on what we noted earlier with the focus act. We're dealing with the cell phones, I'm sorry, the wireless devices. um change all instances um of personal technology device to wireless communi uh communication device. Change anywhere was saying PTD to WCD and updated the definitions for cell phones and wireless communication devices. also updated the restricted material on the internet to include protections um and the measures there for um those things. Added the section about social media on page 20 and we deleted
061bring your own um technology. Um that section was also deleted under student medication procedures on page 31 added the language about what the employee must successfully complete um under for the seedure curriculum. That statement is on page 31. On page 34, student complaints and grievances that policy number instead of 4.62 the correct is 4.06. 06 on page 41. All class three infraction should be reviewed by the office of student services. That was an update there. There was on page 45 for this specific offenses under class 3, possession or use of tobacco or vaping products was a class 3.64. it is now a class two which is 2.49. So the statement was added um there and also the protocol for any disciplinary action related to that offense is also outlined in the appendix. Administrative responses on
062page 48 through 49 deleted some sections there for elementary schools and middle and high schools. On page 51, the disciplinary appeals procedure. This section moved immediately following the definitions of administrative responses for clarity in the process. So that whole piece of what the appeals process looks like on page 52 the procedure for um particular disciplinary dispositions for stars academy that was correction made to reflect that the local school principal can refer to the alternative program and the principal stars um academy to decrease the time that students are placed there. um 504 on page 54, there was an added section there for disciplinary procedures for those students. And then pages 58 through 68, we added some forms in the appendix. And those forms were related to addressing the tobacco and bait related incidents and any the
063forms for consequences for the wireless communication devices. have any questions? Okay, board. Um, this is the first reading, but any questions tonight for Dr. Pope? All right. Thank you, Dr. Item 10 is the consent agenda. We have consent agenda items 10 A, 10 B, and 10 C with subp parts. May I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Second. All in favor? I I. Anybody opposed? Each of those items will be approved. Brings us to item 11, regular agenda items for final adoption 11A, approve superintendent recommendation regarding changes in personnel. Dr. Cameron. Good evening. I have the superintendent changes regarding personnel and also have the supplemental list. There's a large list. So if you need me to stop at any time. Yes. Uh we killed a mini forest tonight. All right. I will start
064on page one. You have two retirements and you have sorry 14 resignations. You have one new support personnel, two new certified personnel, three transfer of certified personnel. Six reassignments, one rehire, one improving of a one-year probationary principle pursuant to the teacher accountability act, 17 part-time extended day tutors. You have two curriculum uh development for the saving center. You have one 24-day contract extension for the summer, one interimm reassignment. You have 273 2425 spring semester academic incentives. Carries us to page 10. On page 10, you have 110 2425 spring semester mentor supplements. This carries us to page 14. You have 5 24-25 spring semester national board system leads. 5 2425 spring semester district teacher leads. 10 2425 spring semester district team leads. You have 12 2425 spring semester ambassadors. On page 15, you have 9 2425
065spring semester for fine arts. You have 37 2425 spring semester clinical master teachers. On page 16, you have 93 literacy leazison stipens. This carries us to page 19. You have 93 summer learning academy contingent upon student enrollment. Take a breath. We'll go to supplemental list. So that spring uh that purple sheet you have one retirement, three resignations, one change in a resignation date, three new certified personnel, one transfer of certified personnel, one termination of a probationary classified employee pursuant to the students first act. Two part-time extended day tutors. One request for a leave of absence. Two 2425 spring semester academic incentives. 14 2425 spring semester national board candidate support providers. 132 summer learning academy contingent upon student enrollment. That takes us to the end. Okay. Um board any set aides for a separate vote. Last
066call for set aides for separate vote. Okay. Hearing those set aside board, may I have a motion to approve the superintendent's recommendations? Questions or discussion for Dr. Cameron? Any other questions or discussion? Call for a vote. All in favor? I I Anybody opposed? Each of those will be approved. Item 11B, discuss approved revision of the coordinator of transportation job description, Dr. Cameron. Just a few technical revisions here. It was last revised in 2002. Um, this change will allow us to broaden our candidate pool that we have for this position. and just a few other minor details on the revisions of this job description that are that are highlighted in yellow for you. All right, board may have a motion to approve. Second questions or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All in favor?
067I. Anybody opposed? That'll be approved. Thank you, Dr. Cameron. Item 11 C discuss approved Tuscaloosa zone case manager job description. Dr. Cameron. Yes sir. So this case manager will responsible for a lead for the families identified in the zone zone for this initial year. That's going to act as a leaison between TCS uh new heights and their community resource center and their partners the city of Tuscaloosa, United Way and any other stakeholders we may have. The funding is for the first three years to United Way at $90,000 a year. All right, board. May I have a motion to approve? Some move. Questions or discussion? What was that, Mr. Any other questions? Call for a vote. All in favor? I I. Anybody opposed? That'll be approved. Item number 11 D, discuss approved 25 to 26 skilled
068trades of West Alabama memorandum of understanding for electrified program at TCTA. Dr. Pope. Yes, board. This is an um moou for the electrical program here at TCTA um working with the skills trades of West Alabama. And this is to provide the apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for our TCTA students um at the level that's level one, two, three classroom and lab instruction. is an alternative education um program workshops and employment opportunities for the communities and is to develop those students as a pre-apprentice or apprentice for the area of electrical um NCC electrical level. This um is from Monday through Thursday including instruction and administrative costs at 72,000 per year. Any questions? Our board may have a motion to approve. Second. Any questions or discussion for Dr. Pope? Hearing none. I'll call for a vote. All in
069favor? I. Anybody opposed would be approved? Thank you, sir. 11.E. Discuss approve purchase of Yonder wireless device pouches. Yes sir. board. This recommendation is to um approve the yonder um pouches that we previously mentioned um that you all got a chance to to look at. Um this total for the um to support our entire district um thus far for equipment planning support and shipping is 163,64775. Um and we will be using if this recommendation goes through and approved, we will be using these for the secondary schools for 2526 school year. Any questions? Board may have a motion to approve. So second, questions, discussion. Will these be are we going to have to buy new ones every year or do we anticipate I mean I guess my question is about the durability of them. Will we
070be able to kids hang on from year to year? In my conversation we we met previously right before this and the conversation was for it not to go home. So, it would be um the Chris, we talked about this with a there's a spot like a window in front of it that we can put a card in. So, it could be something that could be used over years. The durability, I don't know the years of the durability that it has. Um according to everyday use, three to five years. Are these This is a purchase for both, right? We have some some Velcro and some for the because we the Velcro is only going to be for the exceptions to the rule. Majority of our kids will have the ones that are put the click the
071lock. Yes, sir. What other discussed alternatives to the yonder pouches have been had? Um, you going you were saying something? Okay. the um we discussed like like they're currently doing is not the most safe and you know locked up procedure. Um putting in lockers um it can't be on them. So we can't have secondary students putting them on in their backpacks because according to the bill it states it cannot be on the person. Um, so we have had those conversations and when we had those going back and thinking about it, the yonder pouches were the best um, option for what we need. Board members, so I'm go back to what I said earlier. If you want another couple weeks to to hear and think on this one, we're okay with that. We just we don't
072want to be in the the later part of ordering these things. Um, I think our team feels comfortable enough with this helping us comply with the with the pending law. So, we're comfortable going ahead and making the purchase this evening, but it's a we threw a lot at you tonight based on what we understand to be the law. So, if you if you say you want another couple weeks or we can come back in a week maybe, but we don't want to rush it. If you feel like you need to hear more or know more, that is okay. We just don't want to order these things in June and July because I worry we won't get them in time for school. And if we're going to start with these, we want to start day one
073with these, not day 21 with these. To clarify, um you said they can't be on their person, but if they're in a yonder bag, they're going to be on their person. No, it'll be will be actually taken up. It cannot be on them. Mr. Jensen is actually So he all of that is correct. So Mr. Jensen is seeking clarification from folks to make sure that these do qualify even though the bill as it is is not written that way. The spirit of it is. So Chris, if you want to quickly give your brief on that. So in addition to serving as director of technology for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, I serve as the president of the Alabama leaders for educational technology. Um, and we have uh we have an advocate who works with the legislature
074and we reached out when I when we looked at that language in the bill, we reached out to both of the sponsors of the companion bills and ask them for clarity because as you point out, if it's in the yonder pouch and in their backpack, to me, that says it's on their person. But both of the sponsors that the yonder pouches meet the not on their person burden. Um it may be that uh the governor uh enters a line item amendment to clarify that when she is in the signature process, but I don't know that for sure. But it is our understanding from the legislators who wrote who wrote the legislation that the this solution qualifies under that. When you say qu go ahead interrupt no it passes muster meaning if it's in the yonder
075pouch it can be on their person like so it would be in their backpack or something like that. Uh our policy which is what the the legal mechanism requires us to have a policy that deals with these things. Our policy specifically says it can't be in their clothing like it can't be in your jacket and and on your person. It needs to be stored in a bag or something like that. So a purse or a backpack puts it far enough off of their person plus inside the yonder pouch. Yeah. If you don't you don't keep it on the back getting it back at the end of the day class logistically if you but if you allow them to keep it and the idea of the yonder pouch is you can't use it because it's locked
076up that's the right and the language in the bill was a 10 minute break uh that they might have access for 10 10 minutes But in a secondary school, logistically, locking and unlocking for 10 minutes is just an impossibility. You get my phone. I get your phone. You get her phone. No. You need more time? No. Anybody need more time? I hate the whole idea, but You know, I know it have to be done. Just to be honest, I think children know I think they I told Dr. Derry, yeah, it would help with um you know, keeping down I just used for instance, um some little girls was getting in trouble and she took before this even came, she's like, "Oh, let me get the phones. I'm make sure y'all don't get in trouble." You
077know, so I I get it. But then I think about on security piece or the bus piece which we are handling that you know with the buses but something could happen and someone needs their phone you know so it's it's a double edge for you know it's just not I'm not a fan of it but I'm going do what I have to do you know to make sure we comply with the state law. Okay. Any other questions before I call for a vote? Call for a vote. All in favor? I I Anybody opposed? That'll be approved. Thank you, sir. Thank you. 11F discuss approve amended contract for superintend Dr. Darius signed an extended contract in 2022 um with 5 year term that ended 30 June 2027. I believe that was the second extension of his
078original contract. And now at his request, he would like to amend that contract to shorten it by one year. So his contract will end 30 June 2026. And despite my best efforts, I have not been able to get him to engage in discussing an extension for a third contract beyond that date. So, uh, what we are doing tonight is shortening the superintendent's contract to end, uh, in about 13 14 months, at which point he will have his well-earned retirement from the Tuscaloosa City School System, and we will start with a new superintendent. Okay. Board may have a motion to approve. We do have a motion. We don't have a second. Do we just need to adjourn? Don't have a second. We have a motion. We have a second. We have any questions or discussion? How
079many years? You have to ask him. He's so old. I can't keep up. How many years completing next year will be 30 with the Tuscaloosa City Schools? 31. So, We know what's on the horizon. So, it'll be incumbent upon us and Mr. Ryan to get together and start thinking about June 30th of 2026. So, I'll call for a vote. All in favor? I I Ive Anybody opposed? Well deserved. No opposition. That'll pass. Thank you, board. We just glad this year. That's right. Better than the alternative. Item 12, unfinished business to attend to, of which there is none. Which brings us to general announcements. Don't forget we have high school graduation on Friday starting at 3:00. 3:00. And reluctantly, we have Congratulations. You hear that? Only other announcement is another reluctance. After 1,984 documented hours of
080service, this is Mr. Hammer's last official board meeting and We love you. Any words for Mr. Hammer? Yes. Go ahead. I just want to say that I hope that uh the people of TCS, the parents, the staff, the faculty, I hope everybody knows what an asset they've had in Patrick over the last eight years. And um he has always been there with a smile, with a helpful word of encouragement. And what I think will be the biggest loss or what I have always admired about him are the discussions that we all have. some more heated than others, but all eight of us can be talking about something and we're just kind of get to the point where we feel stuck about it and then Patrick's just been quiet the whole time and he says, "Well,
081did you ever think of this?" And it was the answer we were looking for the whole time and I just don't know what we're going to do about that. So, um, Baldi is what I call him. Patrick, we've been board a long time together and we this board is like family and I fell went crazy over Patrick when I was leaving my neighborhood and he was him and his wife was serving meals on wheels. I said he look like Patrick and it was him, you know, and to not have a nothing to do on Saturday, he's out serving the community um speaks speaks volumes about him and just all of our interactions to disagree, which hasn't been a lot of times, but we end up talking after and he just he's he's just that person
082that I'm glad I met. And even even now in a personal situation. He's just like he's like um he's just that person and so you are definitely going to be missed by me. my family love you and I just only thing I don't like about Patrick he never went to certain places we wanted him to go in June but um other than that he has been an awesome board member always saying I know my I know this sound corny but um he asks a lot of questions and brings a lot of um you bring a lot to the table I hate to see you go we beg them to stay but It will be missed from the board, but we'll still be there. Yep. I think you know me and you sit there and see
083us on contract those things your experience finance. Uh each board member on this board unique something to the board. Yours background finance and working through those difficult really know where you were, know where you live. those kids. They just love you so much. Mr. Chairman, just Mr. Hammer, thank you. We're a better school system because of your service. Um we your ability to see where we're going and understand the perspective of the people we serve is absolutely amazing. And when I say you have made us a better school system, it comes from your curiosity about the people we serve and how do we serve them better? Um and asking us the questions that we need to be asked school system. It makes us think deeper. It makes us think better. Um, I am often nervous
084about your questions though because it requires a lot of deep thinking and math. Um, and even though we you value your finance background, you know, you also fill in the role of understanding what educators need because you care about what they're doing and what kids need. And um, we are immensely uh, grateful for your service. We truly are a better school system because of your service. And I and I thank you and we thank you. um times the last are so embedded in my mind. I promise you I will never forget I will never forget any specific but um what we see before you you know meetings in and meetings out um everyone get to see that person that you are but the intimate conversations that we've had you a whole lot of people don't
085even see the heart that you have and that speaks volumes of the person you are when Eric told me this morning he says yeah you know last night I said a few naturally um but I was I was taken back I was I was speechless and I tried to prepare myself for this and coming in tonight. When I left the house, gave my wife a hug and she says, "Oh yeah, give one more hug. Give us the package for me." And I kissed her on the cheek and I pat her on the back side. And then she said, "Don't do that to me." So just went off the ropes. So she does her to you everything that you've accomplished over the last eight years. We love you. You'll always be my brother and I'm not
086going to go anymore because this is crazy um emotional roller coaster that he's really worried because he see or the many times that someone conveniently left one of your good numbers off the bread or who go who eat four plates don't know Elizabeth I thank thank you all for your kind words thank you enjoy working with each one of you it's been one of the joys of my career absolutely work getting to know the students the faculty staff front door to the back door I'm so of what you guys have built in this system and what you have is something special. You're on a fantastic track. This team is going to keep it on that same track and go further. So do a great job. I'm just glad they got to be on the ride.
087Love you all. Thank you. Appreciate you. [Applause] He grabbed that gabble.