001Okay, at this time, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to call to order the December 16th, 2025 regular board meeting for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Let's observe a a brief period of silence and then we'll follow that by reciting the pledge of allegiance. Attention. Salute. Pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Good evening, board. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> All right, board. May I have a motion to adopt the December 16th, 2025 regular board meeting agenda? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Anybody opposed. The agenda will be adopted as printed. Item number four, board may have a motion to approve the minutes
002of the December 2nd, 2025 regular board meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Anybody opposed? Those minutes will be approved. Item number five, receive recognition of the United Way efforts from Tuscaloosa City Schools and the district. Dr. Cameron, one of your favorite times of the year. >> It is. This is one of the best board meetings uh to showcase what our schools, our employees do throughout the year for our Tuscaloosa community through United Way. Uh before I have four of our schools come up, just want to give you a little background. Uh for our student drive with United Way, last year our students raised $41,921.73. Hold on because this year students raised $66,341. So they increased the total uh by over $24,000. Our employee total last year was $41,356.14. This
003year they raised $47,716.83 for an increase of over $6,000. So, our grand total that we gave to United Way was $114,57.84. Fantastic by all of our schools and our employees. But we have four of our top schools and I'm going to when I announce their name, their principal is going to come up. Students are going to tell you what all they did to raise money for United Way. And their United Way sp United Way sponsor is going to come up as well. And it's such a neat thing of what all they do to to raise money. So we have Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. If they'll come up, they raised $4,274.24. Thank you. Thank you for the United Way for this special award. We are very thankful. Our students work hard for many months
004during our annual corn drive. They also help every week by selling snow cones and snacks and by joining in pajama days. Everyone work hard to help others. We also want to thank our local food trucks for helping us with our community. Food truck day. It was it was a fun way to bring our school and community together. We are proud of our students for showing kindness and helping others. Thank you again for this award. See that? I want you to smile pretty. >> Hey, hold on one second. Hold up. Hey, hold up. >> What grade? What grade are you in? >> Third. Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary. They raised $5,36846. Come on up. Good morning. We are sorry. Good evening. [snorts and laughter] >> We are Millie Hill,
005>> Ron Cox, >> and Camila Dwarte. >> We are proud to represent Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools Elementary. >> It is truly an honor to stand before you as we celebrate our collective commitment to making a positive impact in our community. We want to extend a special thank you to all of our magnet families for their ongoing support and helping those in need through our school's United Way student drive. >> At our school, we enjoy At school, we enjoyed a variety of fun activities to help raise funds for United Way. Pajama day, silly sock and hat day, false treats, the 50th day school with soda floats, inside out day, costume day, and our big United Way tailgate. Now, during the tailgate, we took part in football themed STEM, art, and engineering challenges, played tailgate games, enjoyed delicious
006popping sisters snow cones, and best of all, had the chance to pirate principal, Miss Nachani. Raising money for such a meaningful cause has never been more fun. >> So, um, yeah, we are proud to present our donation of $5,36846. What was the what was the most fun activity? >> Uh the United Way tailgate. The best part about that was the snow cones. >> And what grade are y'all in? >> Uh fifth. >> Very good job. All right. Next, we have the Alberta School of Performing Arts. They raised $8,5516. This young man is trying to outdress me. Here we go. >> At pass, but we will keep making great effort in the future. >> Well, good evening, Tuscaloosa City Board. We are very proud to present the amount of money, which is $8,5516. We did this
007with our karaoke night and our United Way food drive, which we had snow cones for. Now, all of these activities were extremely fun, but we still understood the cause that we were supporting. United Way helps many people and we everyone at TASPA really understands that. So, we are really thankful to receive this award. Thank you. >> I see that y'all are developing nice >> [laughter] >> Great job, guys. >> Great job. >> Chloe has been doing this for a number of years, right, Chloe? All right. And next we have Arcadia Elementary. Arcadia raised $12,11864. Dr. Cameron, is this Arcadia's second year in a row? >> Yeah, Arcadia is getting to be like Alabama football back in the days where they're just backto back national champions. So, come up and tell us what all y'all did
008to raise money. >> Good evening. My name is Jazer Mlan >> and I'm Joy Eatman. >> I'm Gillian Escobar and we bring you greetings from Arcadia. Our principal reminds us each day as we listen to the morning announcements that there is power in giving. She talks about helping others and being the change that we wish to see in others. So this year we decided we wanted to make a huge impact in our community. As we kicked off our drive, three fundraisers that we really enjoyed were Nacho Day, Tats for Teachers, and who doesn't love a good snow cone day? We were elated to present our check to United Way for $12,118.64. All of our schools did a tremendous job. I know Monique, this is Munique and she is with the United Way and we do
009such a awesome job through United Way in our schools. So, do you want to say a few words Monique? >> Sure. >> Good evening board. I just want to say thank you all so much for supporting the schools and encouraging the students to work hard to give back when during the student drive program when they were presenting the checks of my coworker Laura Green and I were over there in tears because it means so much to be able to give back and support this community. So students, thank you all so much. I know y'all had a lot of fun, but there are so many people right now who are in need and you are helping so many people in this community. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. We want to thank all of
010our schools, our employees. They do such a tremendous job giving back to United Way. So, u thank you and thank to to all of our schools, our employees. >> And Dr. Cameron, you know, number one, I love how we do this the last meeting before Christmas. It makes it But number one, thank you to all the principles um for their support for this wonderful >> endeavor. And I don't know what's more impressive tonight for me is the amount of money that we've raised for these students that spoke >> so eloquently and delivered the message. Y'all did a fabulous job. >> Very, very impressive. And wow, what an impact TCS makes in the community. Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. And I want to thank Tigle who's our operations secretary. She puts all of this together
011and the principles received numerous emails and I know they do, but she does a great job putting all this together and for the uh culminating event. So, and she works well with the United Way. So, we want to thank Miss Tingles, too. >> Thank y'all. >> If you if you want to stay for the rest of the meeting, you're more than welcome to. I don't blame you. All right. Item number six. Um, we will now receive the CSFO annual evaluation summary report and I'll deliver that report and then I'll ask Mr. Lucas to say a few words. Jay, where's Jay? There's Jay. Jay, you know, we we do this evaluation every year and it seems like every year it's a perfect score which is indicative of how well you and your team are doing. Um,
012eight out of eight board members voted yes on all of your four stated goals and um you know lots of great comments about how well you're doing, how well you communicate with the board, how you know it's it's such a stress relief for us knowing that we've got you and your team that yes the economics and the financials are so very important to the system, but knowing that you and your team are in charge of it um lets us sleep so much better at night. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for what you do for for this system. Uh your evaluation was perfect in every regard and uh the board thinks very highly of you in their comments and stand behind you and your team. So thank you again and congratulations on
013another amazing evaluation. >> M you use the word team several times. I will emp drives that engine. I just hope some of those spoken that they turn >> I can't say but more than did what everything's already said. It's just great to know that we can rest assured that you and your staff are taking care of the funds that come [clears throat] in and out of city schools and we really appreciate having somebody in that position that can look at it. Not only do you do that, you help us project where we could be in the future and everything and we really appreciate that. That helps us a lot. It's a little hard for all of us in different careers that we do to be an expert in everything, but having individual experts like you
014and your staff and all of our team working together is is help to us and we really appreciate. Thank you very much. >> Any other board member like to say anything to Mr. D? >> Job well done, sir. Thank you. >> I would I would just add really can't top that off, but Um I do remember recruitment day for us like you know we're going out find a new head football coach and when we got you from a neighboring system um we knew then that you were something special and even up until this day through the co years and all the other financial hurdles including leaving helping us the tax referendum that almost happened. You know we really appreciate it. We how passionate you are. We know how dedicated you are and we humbly respect,
015admire and love your services. Thank you so much. >> Give a round of applause. >> I just wanted to say I remember when he didn't want he was just like I don't know if I want this job. [laughter] And we we we were like come on J. But we thank you for everything that you do. >> Thank you Mr. Okay, public comments. No one has signed up tonight. Informational reports is item eight. Uh let's see. 8A1 receive virtual program board report. Dr. or Dr. Max. Uh with sincere apologies for the downgrade on muscles on this uh presentation. I'm here to present uh anformational report about the uh virtual learning program our team has planned for to open in the fall of 2026. Um first of all just real quickly why a virtual option? Uh we're
016now in an age in public education and education K12 education that uh this is part of uh education at this time. Uh the opportunity for innovation as a district. Uh the fact that our families value flexibility and choice in the way school works for them. We already have some of these pieces within the district. There are many districts around the state and at an even higher rate of instances in other states [clears throat] for allowing students fully virtual or mostly virtual options. Uh so it's time for Tuscaloosa City Schools to offer this to our uh families in our community. So here are just a few really quick details about what we have planned. Again, we intend for this to begin as of fall of this next year. This will be restricted to students who are
017in high school next year. Um this is uh for students who reside in what in the TCS attendance zone. Um their home school will remain their school of record. So it's not a school. Students don't transfer there. It's a program that the the staff of this virtual program will be responsible for providing services to them, but they will remain enrolled in their home school. Uh we will I'll talk just a little bit more about staffing. Um unlike some of what some of other districts in the state have done, uh these services will be provided by TCS employees. We are not outsourcing these services in any way to anyone else. We our people will teach our students. There will be a blend of li live instruction and then asynchronous work that students will do. So, some
018of it will be done when they're not in the presence or even virtually with their teacher, but then there will be a live component that's required as well. And then we have described a minimum of two, excuse me, 125 students in order to follow through with our plan to launch this program. and we're capping it in at 250. Um the reason we've even established a cap is that our preliminary survey a few several weeks ago indicated that we may have interest that far exceeds that number. Uh before we begin to get too disruptive to our high schools, we want to have a chance to launch the program and get good at doing this as a district before we consider any number that's beyond this if ever. Um there are several things because this is new
019to us. There there are several components of this that we have a task force that's working on diligently uh daily. So there are several things that are not fully developed. We know the big ideas of what we're doing. Um some weeds we have not yet finished working out. We do expect to have uh the key details completely worked out by very early in the spring. Um we know there will be eligibility criteria. We're not going to put students in a position to struggle academically. We will articulate the exact criteria as soon as we've gone through the vetting process internally. Uh we have an idea of what schedules will look like. uh we will be able to share that publicly as soon as that works its way through our internal vetting process courses. We can say
020in regards to extra and co-curricular activities that students will have essentially the same opportunities that their peers have. So they still will be able to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities uh while uh engaging in virtual learning as a student. Um, our intended timeline is today by virtue of this presentation to the board making public the fact that we intend to launch this program in the fall. Uh, we will run an application process. We want to be clear that unlike any other time we've done this, uh, students don't opt into this. There's an application process. We will run that in parallel with our specialty schools process in January. same dates, same duration, not the same platform yet. Perhaps down the road that we may get to that point, but we will run that process at
021the same time. We will review those applications, make decisions, and then based on our progress in interest and eligibility and all of that, make staffing decisions about this program at the time that we normally make staffing decisions anyway. So in line with the normal process, um we do want to share that there will be anticipated costs. Uh the uh slide you see in front of you represents some of the positions and some of the costs associated. The dollar signs there indicate that uh the the administrator, the person who will lead this program will likely be a new FTE. This will not be an existing position. There's another position that for now we're calling a virtual learning coach. Sort of a hybrid between our techs and our instructional coaches. So someone that's dedicated to that area
022of expertise. That will likely be a new unit. If we have 125 students, our minimum we we would have five teacher units. Those we do not think would be new. We do think those would likely follow the students from the school their their home schools to the virtual school. Again, all that would be worked out through the normal staffing process with the high schools in the spring. There will be modest costs for provisioning the employees for the space that those folks work in together. Again, we have ideas and possibilities about that. working quickly to get quite a wide range of details worked out, but we're not yet ready to make the final decisions on all of those things. Um, board, we do want to assure [clears throat] you that we have multiple checkpoints along the
023way that we're positioning as dates on which we will make a decision to continue with this plan or to shove the plan for consideration at a later date. First of all, giving [clears throat] us a little bit of time to review applications as they come in. We've said that by February 27th, we will need at least 300 student applications in order to and and on on that date, if we don't have that number, uh we will make the decision to uh table the consideration by [clears throat] the end of March, having finished the entire screening process. uh if we we we need at least 150 students provisionally invited to join the program uh and then by May 1st at least 125 students accepting that invitation. So again along the way the bottom line here is
024is there enough interest? Are there enough students applying? Is there not are there enough students qualifying and being admitted to the program to make it viable? If we have excitement and no engagement then that will be clear indication to us that we should shel this this idea for now at least and then of course uh we we need at least as we I've said 125 students to start to launch this program in the fall and we've I've described the cap or mentioned the cap of it as well. Um again [clears throat] for both you and for our community uh we do believe that there are several pieces about this that may be appealing to some members of our community such as the flexible scheduling. We have some number of students who have other things that
025they're engaged in and for some the current schedule of a of a high school is less conducive to them than it is for their peers. Um, we again we we're not leaving students on. This is absolutely not independent study. This is not sticking kids online and hoping they do well. This is dedicated school employees that support their learning. We're keeping them connected both with the virtual faculty and also with their home school. Um and there will be opportunity for a certain amount of personalization for the students both in the way the learning works for them uh and things of that nature. Um so we're again um in response to the growing participation in this type of schooling around the state and frankly in our community. Uh we believe that it's time for us to begin
026providing this option to our community and we're sharing this report this evening to make the board aware that this is the plan we're working on and we will continue to report back. Doc the superintendent will keep you informed and we will make these decisions to continue or to shel this process as we go. >> I am happy to take any questions you may have. >> Questions? Yeah, Dr. Max. Will this allow for accelerated learning? In other words, they possibly go virtual completed high school years. >> So, at this at this time, we're >> sure it's it's an excellent question. And um what we'll say I'll say about that is um we already have guidelines for early graduation for students. We've not discussed changing those guidelines, but it is true that by establishing this program that
027might lead us to have discussion about that and similar. So, we're not promising that at this time, but we also can see, as you can see, that that that may we may be led to a consideration of that nature soon. >> Yes. >> And what about um if I was in the U central zone and I wanted to take AP courses um out of North is that will that work something or even vice versa? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, uh, the best way to answer that question, I believe, is that, uh, the students home school will not determine what courses are available to them because they'll have a dedicated faculty of teachers and those teachers will provide the courses that are available. We're also intending to take advantage of other opportunities such as access courses, dual
028enrollment classes, other options that are available to students at our high school. So to answer your question directly, a student's choice will not be limited based on what their home school is. And we we intend to make the widest possible range of courses available to students who participate. >> Okay. And so um extracurricular activities for say athletics would be based on that person >> their residence right in compliance with the state athletic association. So they will not give up their right to participate as long as it's with their home, their zoned school. >> Okay. And even if we, you know, going forward with this, uh, there may be some homeschoolers that are in our district currently who would love that as an option. >> Yes, sir. >> How do we let them know that? >>
029It's a great question. And so, uh, our team that's been working on planning includes our, uh, PR team, and we've been working really closely with Miss Avant for a strategy in making sure that our entire community is aware of this, not just students currently enrolled in the district. So, at a certain level, we believe that all students of school age who reside in Tuscaloosa are a responsibility. And so we want them to be aware that if this matches uh what they're interested in that they are very welcome to be part of this. Uh the one key point is that >> [snorts] >> uh this definitely requires enrollment in Tuscaloosa City School. So they would enroll in the high school they are zoned for but then understood that they would be participating in the virtual program.
030>> Yes sir. So I think you have already answered this based on the um application process uh that you described. So just confirming sort of um this will be a situation where you have to you would commit for if not the whole year at least one semester there won't be any like popping in and out of this. >> Yes. This this is not there's no rolling applications. >> Okay. Uh our plan at this time is that there are some students who unexpectedly and for short periods of time must receive their services virtually. This is not what we're talking about. That will still need to happen and for now we're discussing that continuing to be facilitated through their school with personnel from their school. Um at this time we don't anticipate that changing at all. Uh,
031so un unanticipated emergency virtual is different than what we're talking about, but you're right. Um, it's not strictly a one-way valve, but we don't this is not something that you pop in and out of during the year. >> And so then also no like partial schedules on this. there would be no going to your school for the first half of the day and then going to the virtual thing after that. >> There there we we haven't nailed down all of the very weedy weeds. So there may be some, for example, students will have access to this building in the same way that their peers do. they can request to take classes at TCTA. It's obviously not guaranteed as it's not guaranteed for any student, but they would be able to request those classes because that's
032the only way we're able to deliver those classes, period. So, there there may be some classes um real hard to do marching band virtually. So those are the kinds of things that we're still working out the exact rules on, but we view those as more co-curricular opportunities than academic and curricular activities. So I can I can give you another hypothetical. No, you can't say I' I'd like to go on campus for English but go virtual for science. That's not an option that we're offering. >> Do we have an anticipated cost? >> Uh it's a public school. It's free. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Uh, very sorry. Uh, we don't have a dollar amount for that, but uh, we believe the cost is the equivalent of somewhere in the neighborhood of at least two FTEEs and then
033negligible but not zero cost to equip the folks. Again, um I appreciate the hedging of some of my peers about we we go into staffing and do our best work there. So, we we and we we plan for the teacher units to follow the students and we'll do our best to follow that plan to the best of our ability. >> I have some questions. I want to go back. I've got about three or four questions. Go back to when you said we don't this 300 number we are tableing it >> just 300 applications >> yes ma'am >> but if we have 200 applications why why can't we proceed >> uh so that is based on our internal assumption that to have 125 students apply who would qualify to be part of the program we're unlikely
034to hit that if we have a lower number so it's it's that would be that we we would bring back for discussion. That's that's not the critical number. The 125 is actually the critical number. >> I just didn't like personally when you said the 300 and then we just table it and then you put all this energy and if we get 200 if we going to launch it >> and it's sort of planned out and still go down to your 125. You may not hit that target number which >> I get that but statistically you get the interest and you're Why wouldn't we? We've got to come up with some type of plan to retain students. >> I mean, that's just my my thoughts. >> Yes, ma'am. >> That's a personal thing. >> I think
035you answered it, but I want to humor myself. So, my students that are that are 12th grade that are almost about to drop out, this is not targeted for them. This is not a program where like when we were talking about different type of charter school for those students. This is not >> at this time that is not what we have in mind for this program. Um that's not to say that that couldn't be a skill set and a uh demographic of student that we develop the skill in serving in the future. Part of our internal discussion has been uh in general virtual schooling is much more difficult to attend to and to be successful at when you're a teenager than face-to-face schooling. So broad strokes, generally speaking, students who have been struggling academically when
036they're in the building are less likely to be successful when there's a program that's designed to provide even more freedom and even more independence in the process of their learning. So uh you're right that is not what this intent is intended for at this time, but that doesn't preclude us from thinking in those terms as we move forward. continue to think on that line because it seems like you're building this system or a program or an initiative that could help some of them make it across the finish line. You know, we don't know. Everybody learns differently. So, I just don't want to take anything off the table. >> And then the last question is where will the teachers be housed? >> We've not made a final decision on that. What we have discussed is that
037they would be together. They will not be dispersed. We are we intend to identify a place where they would work together where students would come for in-person tutoring and the state requires that we do in-person testing. So we have to have a place where maybe not all of them the probably not all of them at the same time but where the adults work together and the students have a place to come. We we have not made the determination about that at this time. All right. Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. >> Item eight to proceed discuss establishment of TCS Hall of Fame, TCS Lifetime Service Recognition and the TCS Memorial to recognize, honor, and celebrate the educators of the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Dr. Kiwi Childs. Good evening. >> Good evening everyone. I am back for
038round two of educator hall of fame. Um before you I have um really our goals while we're doing this. The whole goal is to establish a permanent hall of fame and memorial honoring TCS educators and staff for exceptional service, leadership, innovation, and lasting impact. And we want to celebrate long-term commitment, memorialize those who pass while serving, and recognize outstanding contribution across all roles, regardless of what position you're in in our system, build a sustainable community supported recognition site aligned with the district's mission and vision. All right, so there's three categories. The three categories are lifetime service, inmemoriam, and hall of fame inductees. The lifetime service is very simple. Automatic recognition at 25 plus years. Right now we have a legacy group of 85 individuals who meet that mark. Um and we would like to recognize
039them this spring um in a separate recognition not at the obviously the Apple awards has passed but since it's 85 we want to do something different special for them in the spring but moving forward that will happen annually at the Apple Awards. So it should be just a few in that moment in memoriam that honors staff who passed away while actively serving. Eligibility begins at three plus years of service. Their names will be added to a memorial structure once it's built and also recognized at the Apple Awards and postumous honors can be added to the memorial. Obviously we've had some educators to pass and some that we value deeply and we would like to give them that honor as well once that structure is built. Hall of Fame inductees. A formal nomination is required. You
040cannot self-nominate. Someone else has to think you're amazing. Eligibility is 10 plus years in TCS. Exceptions for extraordinary contributions. Maybe there are some out there that haven't given us 10 years, but they're absolutely amazing and do great things for students. Um it'll be evaluated using a 100 point rubric, which we have um in your PDFs that you all have. We have an annual limit of 3 to five. There may be zero. If no one meets the mark, we're okay with having zero. There will be a permanent plaque displayed at central office. It will be across from the NBCT um wall and postumous nominations are accepted there. Again, we've had some great educators come through TCS. We would like to honor them as well in our Hall of Fame inductees. There's a separate piece to this
041um the brick fundraiser. We do not have all of that nailed out and we're going to have a volunteer board which Dr. Derry and I have talked about some people to be on that board. Um and that board will help run this or help get this started. So commemorative bricks available for purchase. Um we talked about some things here but again some of those details can change but right now we talked about eligibility of seven plus years of service. Exceptions obviously allow for those in memorial. We talked about three plus years. proceeds support ongoing maintenance and enhancements. And we thought about actually putting in scholarships for our educators, educators who are trying to go back and get their masters or get a certification in whatever it is that we need, for example, special ed teachers
042that we're doing right now. So, scholarships for our educators and it's going to be the ma first major project for the board. The nomination packet requirements are there. Um, you all have a copy of that in PDF as well. There's a nomination form, an information sheet. This nomination packet is not simple. It it requires work. They're going to have a few months to do this, but Hall of Fame is big. It should be important. People should put in the work for it. So, it's not going to be something where you can just sign your name, write one letter, and you're in the Hall of Fame. It's going to require some work to be put in. It needs to be prestigious. They're going to have to work to get into it. governance. It is superintendent designated
043board. Again, Daria and I have been talking about it. Um it's uh housed in PR. So, it's housed in um Miss Avance's office. Is supported by that volunteer board. Staggered terms for continuity. So, we may have people roll off, but there'll still be someone there who knows the ins and outs so that you don't have any lack or lapse in what's going on with the board. um transparent process, standardized evaluation across all educator roles. The infrastructure is the hall of fame wall of central office near the NBCT display dedicated memorial and lifetime service area. We don't have exactly where that will be. Again, first thing the board has to decide upon maybe a brick pathway or a plaza designed um that will be supported by TCS facilities. um and long-term digital presence. Once we get
044this started, have a website, have a um tab on our TCS um website, a nomination portal, do donor acknowledgements. I mean, you know, we can put them everywhere. If you're donating to this, we're going to tell the world that you're donating to our Hall of Fame and funding and sustainability. The brick sales is what we're going to look to. We're going to look at doing tiered donor levels and sponsorship opportunities, strong partnership with TEF, um annual fundraising, and of right now, we have $2,687.64 in an account that was started years ago that employees used to give from their paychecks that never got off the ground. So, we're back here now with hopes that this will happen. And that's all I have right now. Do you have any questions? >> Well, first we like to Thank
045you for all of your hard work. We know that >> you're welcome. >> You don't have a lot of time being a successful principal in the first place. >> I appreciate that. >> On top of being a mother. >> Thank you. >> Um so we do appreciate all the hard work. This is very well thought out and and very exciting and we look forward to the finished product, but you know can't say thank you enough because this is something that we need to do. It's exciting for TCL. >> Thank you. I know Dr. Daria mentioned um bringing it back in January. >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. So I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Who is ultimately? And I'm not looking at you. I'm going down this way. >> Who's going to be
046ultimately responsible for the fundraising as the board? the volunteer board >> and then how does this sort of so we got new heights that's that's doing its fundraising and then we've got and they're separate but just making sure how are we communicating that that's two separate pots you know two separate non is this one a nonprofit this is coming through the >> so let me answer that first but TCS we'll have to do some initial investment in this to get it off the Quite frankly, some of these things are things that we probably should have been doing already as a school system for a while. >> So, we'll have some initial investment in some of the structures and some of the the um awards, if you will. But after that, it it the board works
047become it's a it's a working board to figure out how to to support some of these things. For example, the scholarships that that won't happen unless these are donations. >> Um and and a lot of that would be, I think, with our our members, our employees because this is this is a professional recognition for many. So that's still to be it is separate from New Heights Foundation. To answer your second question, this would be a an account with the Tuscaloosa City Schools, not a separate foundation. Um and that board would then bring those funds in through our accounting procedures. >> So when someone gives to this, are they getting their tax? >> Yes, ma'am. That that's still qualified. >> I think it's I think it's an awesome um like before, I think it's an awesome
048idea and I want to thank you for taking the charge on it because It's a lot. When I I looked over it, um I was very excited about one portion of it more than anything about the memorial part. >> And it it it helps with retention, too. >> You know, teachers >> in in any industry, people like to be recognized. >> Absolutely. >> You know, they don't mean they just >> being some type of >> It's important >> arrogant way, but absolutely they like to be recognized and so they make some work harder. So that's why we wanted it to be special, not just some other, you know, I mean, something anybody can get. So the Hall of Fame, you have to be special to get the Hall of Fame. 25 plus years, you've proven
049yourself. And then the memorial, obviously, in service, you're dedicating yourself to our district. >> Thank you. You all have a great night. Item nine, excuse me. Item nine, introductions and motions, resolutions for first reading, of which there are none. Brings us to item 10, consent agenda items 10 through 10 board. I have a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Anybody opposed? Each of those will be approved. Brings us to item 11, regular agenda items for final adoption. 11 approved superintendence recommendation changes in personnel. >> Good evening again. Uh we have the personnel list. I also have the supplemental list for you. I'll go through each starting on page one. We have six retirements, five resignations, one job abandonment, two part-time extended day tutors, 7 2526 fall semester academic incentives, three
0502526 contracted coaches, one request for a military leave of absence, one 202526 fall semester academic incentive, and one 2526 fall semester academic incentive as well. And then we have one 202526 fall semester mentor supplement removal. All the supplemental list you have one retirement, one resignation, three new certified personnel, one new classified personnel, four 202526 fall semester academic incentive, and five part-time extended day tutors. are there any set aides for a separate vote? >> I got a question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Hold on. >> Any set aides for a separate vote? >> Hearing a motion to approve second by Mr. Lucas. questions. >> Yes. Um Dr. Cameron. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Is there a reason for so many at TCC to leave >> there? Various various reasons. Uh you've got if you'll look at number five,
051she's staying uh just part of the retirement. She'll stay until uh June u July one. You've got number 10. It's due to family reasons. uh that uh she's leaving. And then you've got another one got another one that's due to personal medical reason. >> Yes, ma'am. So, I believe Dr. Darius sent an email that tells you a little bit how we're going to go about it. Um but we're working with um this branch um throughout this process. Like again, one doesn't come along until the end of the uh end of the school year. Two others, one's happening in this month and then another will be in February. So we got a little time on the February, but uh we're um Miss Branch is working on the one that will come come available in January. also
052on supplementalist first one. >> He's gonna be missed as well. >> He is he's >> really good guy. Attended the concert. He he does a great job with his band students. >> Um I just do have brief comment. Um number two, number two, number four, and supplementally number one, but definitely number four. Um and number two, they will And I just know we got to make sure we fill those spots. >> Yes, ma'am. >> They are great. >> They'll be for sure. >> Lost for words. Really? >> Yeah. >> Hey, everybody retired. So, >> it's in the water. >> Any other questions or comments? >> So, I have a question, but it's not impacting this. Okay, call for a vote then. All in favor? >> I anybody opposed be approved? >> Dr. Cameron, >> when
053do we start our normal is it January or February for retirements? You know, we normally start to amp that up and offer incentives. >> So, we've got that incentive out there now. 11 have taken advantage of it. Uh the bulk of it usually comes around this time. It goes until I believe it's January the 9th this year. Yes, ma'am. So, we've got that for 2,000 per eligible employee and it's up to 50,000. So, we've got 11. So, we've got 14 available spots left. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Thank you, everyone. Um, item 11B, review, discuss second reading of the 26 to 27 academic calendar. >> Yes, sir. There's been no changes since the first draft. Um and it is very similar to what we have this year um with our academic calendar.
054I do want to provide a little clarification. Three-day weekends, they're only three. So there's one that occurs in October, uh a three-day weekend in February, and a three-day weekend in April. So want to provide that clarification. >> We're not moving permanently to >> weekend, right? >> I'm sure someone would like it, but we're not moving that way. No, sir. >> Okay. asked a question to Dr. about how does this impact testing in the spring and can you repeat that again because I don't want to repeat what I think you said. conversation because our students test the way. >> Okay. Board may have a motion to approve. >> So move. >> Second. Any further questions or discussion on the academic calendar? Hearing none, we'll vote. All in favor? >> I. Anybody opposed? Be approved. Thank you,
055Dr. Cameron. Item 11 C, discuss approved wireless communication device appendix. Appendix. Dr. >> Good evening, board. this um after our first semester of going through the focus act, we noticed that we need to ensure that we have a systemic approach for any u violating of the con consequences for if a student is caught with the phone or um any type of wireless device. So, this is an add-on to our code of conduct and there's um a process that for first through fourth offense. So, each one of our secondary schools will follow this process. So our recommendation is to add this to the code of conduct as an appendix to the focus act. >> Okay. Board may have a motion to approve. >> Second >> questions. >> Have we had a lot of issues with this?
056>> It hasn't been a lot of issues, but just consistency across the board. Want to make sure that if um school A is um saying you just come pick it up, but then school B holds it for 24 hours. We've had those type of situations where um we want to make sure we're doing the same thing across all of our campuses so we could be fair and consistent. So when a parent called me because I have parents call and say um I got I received this phone the day of but at this school they held it for 24 hours. So just to give us some some uh a process that we can follow and I can refer back to the code of conduct have something to make sure that we're all doing the same thing.
057So it hasn't been a big problem, but it could become an issue with inconsistent practices. >> Dr. Pope, when it says device is confiscated and held for the five or 10 instructional days, I mean it stays at the school. >> Yes, sir. >> Where are they in the pouch? >> Are the storage room closet? Yes, sir. Like in the yonder pouch. Um if it Yeah. depends on the device too. And hopefully we don't get there. That's our goal of not getting to that um that step. But right now we our middle schools have been practicing this for >> I'm assuming M Mr. Ryan has approved this, right? Like we're holding on to property student. We're okay with that. So, how are the while y'all deciding whether or not? How are the pouches discom? >> So
058far, it's been working. Uh we may have every now and then like at the close of school day um we may have some issues where they end up going and undoing it um early on but most in most schools it hasn't been a an issue. We've been seeing more I think we've been looking noticing our um for one our discipline has gone down um attendance has gone up so more engagement and also um our data thus far is showing more of um our tipping upwards in all of our schools. So, and to response, I see it being I haven't had a whole lot of issues with um the parents. I think we did a great job of putting it out ahead of time. So, during the summer, the plug was out there. PR was putting
059things out. So, the expectation was done in the summer. So, planting the seeds of what was expected. I think we did a great job of that as a system. And um so, we hadn't seen that much of an issue. The only thing most times has been that first um offense when the parent has to come get it has been the um the the the problems. >> Any other questions? No, no questions. Just >> I want to say something real quick. Just be mindful that some kids are very smart. >> I'm keep it real. They're putting the calculators in thing and having their phones still. >> Yeah, we've we've caught the ones that have placed their um old phones in there and then we So that that was early on too. We've been we we've been
060very cuz know also our kids tell it. >> So the ones that's being smart the other ones are telling on them. So we're finding those out. They were placing the their um old phones or burner phones and they were using their real phones. So those were there um as well. So we we been hooked on to it. But you know a lot of things we find out like hold on what's in your yonder pouch. We just saw you with your phone. So that that comes up in the middle of the school day too. is not a perfect um has not been this perfect no issues at all, but it's the way we attack it. One thing we did not want to do is we don't want to be putting kids out of school for this
061um offense. So having conversations with students, making sure they understand. So we don't want to be a place where we're gonna be the police of phones and then now we're distraction of instruction when the whole purpose is that we're focusing on instruction and there isn't any distraction. So we don't want to be on the place of everybody policing. So when you say those things, we catch it, but it's a way be very mindful of how you address it so it isn't something that's being so alarmed. And then you all see him at a turn to school placement because of a phone issue. And that's what we're not doing. We're trying our best of not making um adding fuel to the fire. >> I know we have to enforce our rules, but the fourth one feels
062a little aggressive to me. >> That's all. I just wanted to put that out there. The fourth >> school weekend 10 days. >> Now remember the devices we're talking about are not their their school devices. our students have their school devices is their um it'll be their cell phone if they and we like I said we've been we use this based off of practices for the last two years from the middle schools middle schools been using um this this um process and we haven't gotten it's more of a making sure they understand how serious it is but um again uh I I'm just u I feel okay to a point on it. Um I know we got a motion on second on the floor. I would feel more comfortable approving this after review by unless
063it's a dead questionary But we do want to start back. It just sounds like the board me the five days is what a lot of the board members so they had question about. Everything else sounds good. Consistency and everything. There's nothing And I know you say you've been working on it, but let's make the board feel comfortable >> if we get it reviewed and we just fly right through it. >> So, do we need a motion to table? >> We got first motions. Well, I think there's nothing wrong with what we're doing, but I think what we're concerned about is if you have a high school student and look, it will be his or her fault. But 10 days without a phone, especially >> my concern is um I'm good as well. I do think
064that 10 days is a lot, but it's okay. Okay. But I'm just thinking about getting into those wars with what really happened to you know like leading up and now sometimes feel a problem between teaching and student >> [clears throat] >> um no disrespect to the student or or our educators but sometimes it's an issue and just knowing definitely what happened um before that take a phone. >> The point is they shouldn't have a phone. >> Yeah, they should have had a phone. >> Correct. This is the rule and we do need to enforce our rules. Absolutely. >> Enforce the rule. just want to make sure that I would hate for us to approve something and then have to turn back around and change what we approve >> because right >> I do have one
065more question and this may be splitting hairs but um in the situation where the time that it's been confiscated goes over a weekend would they get it back on the weekend? I think that's one of the things we need on >> if they get it back over the weekend from the that like you say it's five days and it's over the weekend, >> right? If it happens on a Thursday but it's five days instructional days and that's the language that the students and their parents need to be aware of instructional days. So, if it happens on a Friday, they should be selfconscious to say, "Hey, I'm not I'm not going to risk this thing on Friday because I'm going to get it back until Wednesday or or whatever the case may be." So, it's instructional
066days. I think we're trying to be too too particular. That makes sense. But the thing is, it's an escalation. I mean, first, second, third offense, okay, you guys are good. But the fourth offense, I mean, you're going to get the that I mean what are we what are we doing here? What are we trying to create? What are we trying to pacify? I understand what where the um but instructional days is that that's like saying business days. So you don't count. So if you're saying Friday, then if you're not Saturday and Sunday. >> I think it's one of those things that it reads really great and I think >> like Dr. Dar said we can um it's nothing we need to I mean >> I don't think any changes right now but I do think
067>> some people would you would you prefer let's say if it happens on let's say this is the fourth time you may call as opposed to keeping your phone for x amount of days we're going to suspend you for one day >> I mean is that what we're trying to >> say that again >> instead of giving you five days holding your phone, we're going to suspend you for one day and your parents have to [music] bring you back to school. >> Are those kind of things you get one day in school suspension goes up to three days in school suspension >> because at some point I feel like now we're making way too we're trying to keep the child in school. So it's either you going to take a suspension or you going to
068take 10 days and you don't have your phone. We asked you one time to teach get tired. You putting your your I don't say your microwave. You putting your your whatever in the the whatever pouch like we going progressively at some point at a job. You have progressive steps. If we don't start to teach our children what is progressive punishment at this level. When we gonna learn it when they get on the job and they don't have a job. I mean, I'm not trying to be ugly, but at some point you get three strikes and you are you not up out of this system as a teacher. >> And if our teachers are upholding this, I'm just saying we I don't want you suspended. I'd rather take the phone, take the 10 days, stop it,
069everybody, just stop it. If you're saying attendance is going up, the fights are stopping. If we're seeing progression, we got a total line somewhere versus suspension. I I just don't want to see a kid suspended. I need all my bodies. >> Our whole goal, if y'all notice, we that's our goal of not putting them out. We don't want We want them in school as much as possible, but >> the whole part is being the focus. Now, like Dr. Dar said, we can come back to this and uh revisit if needed. >> I think this is all about healthy. >> Yeah, it is. And and what do I'm I'm totally in agreeance with. We said no, you know, unforcing it. I just want to make sure that I everybody you don't get to have your phone
070and don't get in trouble like pastor you can't bring your phone and you don't get into trouble and uh uh uh this baby do get in trouble like it needs to be enforced. That's what I'm saying across the board. It can't be lack in this class and go in that class. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. Um >> and I'm not saying that the educators are not doing this. I'm just saying moving forward this going to be a strict policy. It got to be enforced. >> Yes, ma'am. And that's our goal is making sure because we may have someone visit our campus and then the way I think was written in the bill at one point about funds being um held or something if they go on campus and see a phone. So,
071it's it's not a it's it's very it's compliance from the state level, but it's also what we're seeing is more um success from what our process has been since August. So, but our goal is we want kids in school. We don't want anything written there put out of school for. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Pope. I'm going to call for a vote. >> I want to tell the board that there are phones in some classroom majority, right? And they are letting the children go use the phone. So, you know, safety measure. I think it's a lot of different things that Mr. Harris and that, you know, they're doing within the classroom where they don't have to have their I'm okay with it. I just want to make sure it's across the board in his
072teach. >> Anybody opposed? We approve. Thank you, Dr. P. >> Thank you. 11D discuss approve a no bid for Central High School track bid number 2025-6. >> Good evening board. >> Uh we are requesting a no bid for this uh two 2025-6 bid for the Central High School track. Um the bid was stated as seal bids that would be accepted. However, there was conflicting instruction that allowed email bids. Uh, the TCS received only one bid that was both responsible and responsive. Uh, the TCS received two other bids that were emailed. As such, the administration determined that this is not in best interest of TCS and we're required to rebid this. >> Okay. Board. Motion to approve. So, move. >> Second. >> Any questions for Mr. Smith hearing. None. I'll call for a vote. All in
073favor? >> I. >> Anybody opposed? We approve. Thank you, sir. Item 12, we have no unfinished business to attend to. General announcements. I'd like to say board, great semester, especially this new board member, Mr. Mountain. >> End of semester is December 19th, this Friday. Our next regular board meeting will be January 6 and I believe we are getting together either we can go to or we can go to and enjoy one another's company. So making a formal invite. Any other general announcements? >> I have one and I'm only looking at M. Did we comply with coming up with the date? I'm just speaking because I I didn't I'm only I did not read the email until late and I know you were asking for us. We needed to turn to her the dates for the
074January. >> Okay. You know who you are. Wait a minute. >> You know who you are if you didn't respond. >> Oh, you got my Oh, okay. I should >> Anything else? >> The sup the superintendent is telling me to bang the >> G. >> Merry Christmas. that's leaving.