001Pledge 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. >> Thank you. >> I have a motion to approve the agenda. So move >> Second. All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. Uh superintendent announcements. Dr. S. >> Evening. There we go. Good evening, board members and staff. Um, this is Thanks much. Um, this is a shortened superintendent update. We just want to wish all of our families across Berkeley County Schools the warmest of holidays. um merry Christmas and um you know uh hope that their time with uh their families and their friends um and in the community is safe um and relaxing uh and so as we finish out the last week of school
002for the year um we look forward to welcoming everybody back on January 6. So we'll see you then. That's all I have. where >> uh two one I have Martin Luther King tickets for sales for the dinner the 18th and I I had to turn them in pretty soon. That's what I was doing. Another concern I have and I do not want to put it on the have it put on the agenda or anything, but I had a parent call me up the other day. They took their uh two grand a grandchild to a basketball game in a middle school to watch his older brother play. And um at the beginning of the game, the SSAC that we were trained has a announcement read about good sportsmanship and everything. And during the course of this
003game, uh, the coach, and I think this was on the junior high level, the coach used, and I want to tell the audience, I did tell the superintendent about this conversation before this. one blind side blind side be the staff but uh it was it was a divided but they started boys uh and girls basketball at the middle school level there was some opposition I supported it by the way but u there was uh opposition to that by the board at the at the And I think it's an imperative not only in public that our coaches demonstrate a good example for their players for the audience. I also think it's important that we do not have to tell our our guests coming into a basketball game whether this is an X-rated under 16 that children
004can't come. I think all adults and especially the coaches and I know we have difficulty getting coaches but I personally think that if we have an atmosphere I personally would change my vote on having junior high or middle school basketball and and I know and I believe me I've been in a situation called Paris silent where I know what propanity sounds like and I know that maybe it's appropriate in some atmospheres but by George it's not appropriate in any of our school settings be it in public for the basketball games for the public or for practice and I've and I just think that uh if we can't have good examples we shouldn't have the activity period. But I am not asking the administration to put it on the agenda or for this board to wrestle
005with it. But I hope that if it's if it's if it's as bad as what this uh these two calls are and I also got one about volleyball. Uh I think that this board then should take action but it's sports. It's an excellent example of opportunity to develop character. It's also a it's an avenue that can develop poor character. And I uh I saw I I've I've seen it and people just we either need to clean house or stop the stop the the form for it to occur. So I hope this message can get out for me. I hope the superintendent picks up on this. Uh but I don't want to try to do it here at this table. I think it needs to be done inhouse at the school levels and then if they
006can't solve the problem we solve it for them. >> Well, I think any any situation like that I would hope a parent would don't contact the superintendent. Well, I did contact >> some parents don't feel you know they they they have many experiences with administration and unfortunately uh that carries on perhaps it should but however we can get the message we don't want to kill the message we want to we want to s see the problem uh correctly I would also ask though that that you consider asking the referees. There's a referee association ask us for the best example of coaching leadership at the camera and that we could recognize that something to consider instead of going after negative emphasize the positive but I think we need to address the issue. just does just the
007referees just a question because I'm I'm when I was in high school obviously different state different county but I was not involved in sports I was more you know forest and other things so I was not involved in that arena um do they have if if there is a coach that is um or assistant coach um is there any sort of penalty that is given to the team should there be foul language or foul behavior. >> I think there's technicals. >> Okay. >> But I think that our I think our expectation should be we don't have to worry about technical swimmer coaches. >> Well, one I I don't want to continue this because it's not a board item. Um it's board announcements and if that's something that you all want on the board agenda, then
008we'll go there. >> Um you just let Dr. Sax know because I don't want it to continue. >> Okay. It's a good point. We'll take it. Thank you. >> Any other board announcements. >> Okay. Next. Citizens forum. Cindy Mcnite. >> I'm here on behalf of Charlie Johnson's widow. And I just want to extend a huge thank you to many many people were involved in um being able to have this funeral service at Spring High School. Of course, Jackie >> I think it was a memorial service actually. >> Yes, it was just a memorial. It was but um Spring High School been over backwards as Jackie you know during the Thanksgiving break a lot of arrangements were made even though people was off. So, I specifically I want to thank you, Mark Sophia, Glenn Simpson, Joshua
009Reese, Hannah Sims, and there are probably many other people involved that I don't know about, but we lost an amazing amazing person. And I brought a couple extras in case anybody would like to have. That's all. I just wanted to say thank you. But I I think it turned out very nice. >> Thank you. Um, Whitney Hiller, I can't read your right hand. >> Good evening, members of Brookley County Board of Education and members of the community. And thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. Uh, my name is Whitney Heler. I'm a senior at Springhouse High School. Um, and I'm here to advocate for an effort of stronger and more accessible college application and financial aid guidance in high schools. something I like to call beyond graduation, specifically promoting increased informational meetings, shared
010resources, and a long-term goal of implementing a semesterl long college readiness course for juniors and seniors. Um, as a current senior, I can say firsthand that the transition from high school to a higher education is not only demanding, but often a disorienting process to go through having to apply for college and financial aid in a um independent manner. Um while our school counselors are diligent and deeply committed, they are also overextended in a district affected by overschool population and individualized counselors becomes more difficult to access. Um I along with many of my peers have struggled to schedule meetings um receive timely responses or obtain detailed feedback on applications um essays and financial aid materials. Um I am not requesting more counselors or anything like that though more resources to help students so then those consistent
011questions given by students can be answered um all at once. I witnessed this challenge extend past to recent graduates and upper classmen revealing a consistent pattern of students feeling unprepared and unsure where to begin. Upon seeing this, I recognized a pattern throughout classes and supported this initiative with a hundred votes from students at Spring Most to implement these resources throughout our education, showing that when adequate support is absent, students are more likely to miss deadlines, u misunderstand financial aid processes, and overall abandon that um process of applying to college or the idea of college altogether. Improving this not only their improves their futures, but the schools and the county as a whole. Um, resources can be implemented as simple as after school meetings in place run by counselors on introductions to the personal statement, common
012application crash courses, and how to even write a college resume, and eventually a semester long course focused on college and financial aid readiness for juniors and seniors. A deeper dive into these questions that counselors are asked 100 times a day by students. We can ensure equitable access to guidance while allowing counselors to better serve students individual needs. This is an issue of equity, opportunity, and representation representation in Berkeley County schools and has students who are capable of excelling in higher education if given those proper tools tools and that opportunity. With intentional investment, we can cultivate a system that prepares students, supports educators, and strengthens our community's future. I do not want future seniors to experience the same confusion and uncertainty that so many of us face today. With your support, we can create a clearer,
013more accessible path forward. Um, thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration and feel free to contact me on any possible further action requests. >> Thank you. >> Next on agenda's consent. Can I have a motion to approve agendas? >> So move second. All in favor >> question >> on uh goes back to what I was talking about earlier on the uh mode of transportation. Uh oh this is the trips >> Trip request. Yes, we have a see we have a boys basketball going to CMI Florida and this team had problems last year Dr. Ses uh on one of the road trips and I just wanted know what has been done to prevent us having a record of that this year. I know the coaches takes it's the last one. Uh it's uh they're going
014on the holiday tournament from 12:16 to 12 5 days. 12:21 5 days. I just want to make sure we have we have proper adult supervision and students will understand what the rules are because this team had problems last year. another from [snorts] >> I don't remember that specifically. >> Well, I I first first and foremost I can tell you that we do have a leadership change. Um uh but again making sure that the coaches um have theformational meetings and the set the expectations with the chaperones as well as the athletes prior to going and that um there there's a quick quick uh one-way ticket right back home uh for any behaviors that are um you know uh unbecoming. >> Okay. I'd like to have a report when they come back from that outbreak with >>
015I can absolutely do that. >> Do we know who the chaperons will be? Are they like support again? >> Um >> I mean have the coaches. >> I'm sorry. >> Just be the coaches. >> How many will that be? >> Uh they have three. >> And how many students are going? So there should be 12 um 12 to 15 kids going with the free coaches. >> Yeah, they 15. >> It's just a varsity >> 15 15. >> Yes, I see that there. >> So no parents are going. >> I think parents are going but they'll go separately. >> But um what we can do is Mrs. Cleer can make sure that Mr. Simpson perhaps and even in the head coach can come back and report back to the board. Um you know after the trip
016so that there's an awareness of how the trip went. >> We'll have we'll have we'll be absolutely uh uh pleased to be able to provide an updated report to the board. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes sir. >> Any questions? >> I have a motion to accept the consent agenda. >> I think we have Thank you. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. >> Next on the agenda is action items, discussion of possible action or mountain range primary/ Marshall High School feeder pattern boundary lines and possible grade configur. >> He is. So, thank you, Madam President. Thank you, board members. As you know, we've been working with HPM um and our our consultant, Mr. Leopold and taking a look at the boundary changes that are needed for the new Mountain Ridge primary. Um at
017the last board meeting, we we presented information on four different scenarios um where that boundary change um a really boundary creation. Um and each uh of the of the options, you know, had uh I would say some pros and cons. And so we wanted to be able to get some information uh from the community. And so uh and we did. we were able to get uh uh a number of responses um and preferences listed. So, I'm going to now turn it over to Mr. Leopold who can um present a summary of of where we have been and what we have before us today. >> Can you hear us, Scott? >> We can't hear you. I don't I don't I don't know if he's Are you talking? >> Can we hear me now? >> I can
018hear you. Very good. >> Okay, there we go. Good. Sorry. Uh, great. Thanks. Good to be here. I won't tell you how warm it is where I am. [laughter] [clears throat] Okay, so this is just kind of a review of the timeline. Uh, we launched this survey on December 2nd, included maps and address located in a in a short video. was sent out to uh families that are in, you know, the Jaredstown, Inwood, Valley View, Bunker Hill, Mountain Ridge Intermediate, Mil Creek Intermediate, Mountain Ridge Middle, Muscleman Middle, and the survey was open through December 10th, so a little bit more than a week. Um, and then we've got board discussion and action today. Uh, so overall for our our survey, again, we had the survey open for about eight days. The survey link was sent
019to all 4,000 families in the areas that are impacted. There were a total of 628 responses to the survey. Uh given that families have students in multiple buildings and that we're likely only hearing from families that are impacted by the potential changes, uh that number sounds about right. It doesn't seem low to me. Uh and it's, you know, we've got good representation from all the schools that are impacted. Uh so this is kind of the overall response. Uh you know, this kind of breaks it down. And I I separated the responses by staff and family and then I showed what the overall combined responses were. Let me get my laser pointer on here. So the bottom shows all combined responses and so this was, you know, 438 responses that got this far in the survey
020and then we break it down by staff and families. Uh, I think overall there's low support for options 1A and 1B that pull the boundary for Mountain Ridge all the way to the railroad tracks in Winchester Avenue. And that was what we was what was originally presented to the board back in November. Uh, we've got moderate support for scenarios 2A and 2B which maintain the current boundaries at least for middle schools in 2B. Uh, 2A is kind of recognized as the minimal amount of change and 2B is the K5 version of that. Um, staff respondents are more supportive of keeping the current configuration and family respondents tend to be more supportive of K5. Uh, and just to kind of illustrate that, uh, so 2B, this is the this is a K5 option. We've got 40
02148% of staff respondents in favor of that, 41% opposed. when we come down and look at just those that identified as you know family members 60% support 23% opposed and so that's kind of that that difference that I'm talking about uh when you get dig a little deeper into this uh so with scenario 2A pros and cons uh you know 2A is the least disruptive minimal student movement reserve stability and current feeder patterns uh it does keep the current K235 model which staff and fam families uh you know may overwhelmingly prefer for developmental instructional reasons. Uh protects continuity for continuity for staff, childcare arrangements, and existing community routines. Uh challenges, Mil Creek remains over capacity, raising concerns about long-term viability. Uh future double moves are possible if the county later adopts K5. Uh some students
022are bus past their nearest school, and that would be that that Valley View area and Enwood staff may feel disadvantaged by unclear placement outcomes. Uh for 2B uh many feel it's the best option if moving to K5 avoids double moves and provides long-term stability uh fewer transition for students and keeping siblings together in one building. Uh balances enrollment while maintaining logical feed feeder patterns. So, Mount Valley View to Mountain Ridge. Uh some challenges, major opposition uh to K5 over developmental, behavioral and philosophical concerns. Uh operational uh readiness issues, staffing, reassignment, morale, facilities with bathrooms and furniture may not be K5 ready. Uh and again, this is just perception that's out there. This isn't necessarily fact. This is what people are saying. Uh again, uh transportation concerns, capacity concerns, including Bunker Hill overutilization and students being
023busted past the closest school. So those are just some of the kind of pros and cons of 2A. And again, 2A is the one that uh keeps things K235 and 2B is one basically the K5 version of that. Uh so if we drill down a little bit more, this is a little bit more overwhelming, but we kind of show the same thing. Uh but what I've done here is I've broken it down by by you know schools that are impacted here. And so uh this is the same chart that we showed on that first slide where it shows all responses and then we can kind of break it down by school community. And so this is Valley View staff, families, all responses. Uh this is Inwood staff, family, and all responses. And then the numbers
024that are in parenthesis here indicate the number of survey responses that we got. Bunker Hill and Mil Creek. Uh the reason that, you know, we broke it down like this is because if we if we really look at the overall response, you know, between 2A and 2B, uh they're both really close. If I look at 2A overall, 60% support, 25% oppose. 2B, 55% support, 29% oppose. I think that's what's, you know, really important to look at is is maybe how some of these uh families look at the, you know, look at this and and think about maybe how they're impacted by each scenario. I tend to focus on Inwood just because they're kind of bearing the, you know, the brunt of any change that is going to occur. And when I look at how I've
025got similarities between, you know, staff and level of support compared to everything overall, when I look at Inwood, uh, that's kind of where we see it break down where staff at Inwood, I've got 60% in support of 2B, only 50% of 2A. But when I look at the families, 64% of the Inwood families prefer 2B versus 30% for 2A. And so for Inwood specifically in 2A, they would move to Valley View uh at the primary grades and then they would stay at Mil Creek like we're currently doing uh you know with our current configuration. And in 2B they would go to Mil Creek as a K5. And so I just kind of wanted to point out because you know we look at this and a lot of it's overwhelming. You may tend to just say
026all right well if we look at the overall feedback there's slightly more support for 2A. But I think it's kind of important to think about the nuance as we break it down, how it impacts different communities. >> Hey Scott, just before you go on, just before you go on there, I just wanted to pause to make sure there's not any questions from the board as it relates to just sort of that drilling down component. And I also wanted to make sure that as we talk about Inwood that uh we preface those 2A and 2B options with uh the slight change that we made based upon feedback from staff and the community. uh which was that uh those Inwood those Inwood families, you know, have been under the impression that they would be able to go
027to the new Mountain Road Primary. Um and that we did make um a modification to both 2A and 2B from a boundary standpoint, which makes the current inwood boundary. It sort of keeps it in place for the primary grades and allows those students in their families to choose which option they would prefer. So under 2 A, it would be do those families want to go to the New Mountain Ridge Primary or do they want to go to Valley View? Under 2B, it's do those students and their families want to go to the New Mountain Ridge Primary or to um Mil Creek. I just wanted to preface that. >> Sure. >> And and all that's reflected in this next >> slides. Yes. Uh so you know for recommendation and discussion based on feedback from the community
028including staff please consider either option 2A and uh or 2B for implementation beginning in the 2627 school year. Uh just you know just some general takeaways. Most staff respondents prefer 2A because it's the least amount of disruption. Family responses are kind of mixed between 2A and 2B. Most Inwood families prefer 2B. Uh based on feedback, this recommendation includes uh making the current inwood boundary at school choice boundary. And this is what Dr. Saxs just alluded to. Uh so in 2A, they can choose between uh Valley View and Mountain Ridge Primary. Uh if 2B is adopted, they can choose between Mil Creek and Mountain Ridge Primary. And then this is just these are the maps. This is the option 2A map. And then here's the 2B map and associated data. So if we want to go
029through back any of these new discussions, we've got it here. That's what I've got as far as presentation goes. >> Questions for Scott or Dr. Sax? >> A lot of information here. um as I know um looked over it. So >> I wanted to say thank you to um Scott and his team for putting this together um for our staff who have been diligent in getting this information out and working with not only our staff but our families to understand this. And it's not easy conversation to to have. Um, and I just wanted to say thank you for being able to listen, sit down, ask questions, and help us understand what you what you all are thinking as well. So, >> yeah, I will thank you for that. I I just wanted to also add
030that, you know, as Scott mentioned, we had 6 I believe it was um >> 6 28 responses and uh it going out to 4,000 families. Yeah. Um, I think that that's indicative that and and as Scott mentioned, you know, 628 are probably the ones that were most directly impacted. They put their, you know, address in the finder and say, "Oh, I'm impacted by this. I want to I want to give them my my two cents." Um, and I think that that's really really important context because I think that also says that we have roughly 3400 other folks that had an opportunity but chose not to go through the process because they just they basically just want to know what's going to happen and and and you know that we can communicate with them. I think
031was very important for us to give the opportunity for peak feedback um and for for staff and families and I'm glad we were able to do that to make the most informed decision um as we can as we weigh the the pros and the cons from both scenarios. >> There were a lot of work went into this from you Dr. uh school leader and all the leadership team and um Scott uh and I know the boards had uh staff um principles and so forth. Contact them and and we you know we're all interested in listening to the feedback and trying to make the best decision that's possible especially for students and families and and staff. So >> what's the next step? We need a motion to >> We need a motion and a second and
032then we'll discuss. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion. >> Mr. Morgan, >> I'd like to move that we adopt uh plan 2B. >> Second. All in favor? >> Do we need discuss? >> Discuss. >> So before we go further for certain >> just to be clear. So 2B is also plus K5, right? >> Yes. >> And I I want to clarify that it's it would be K5 at um Valley View, Bunker Hill, and Mil Creek, Mountain Ridge Primary, and Mountain Ridge Intermediate would stay the same. They would remain intermediate primary schools. >> Repeat that again. >> And Back Creek Valley >> and Bat Creek Valley. So under 2B, Back Creek Valley, Mountain Ridge Primary, and Mountain Ridge Intermediate remain under their same configuration. Under 2B, also Valley View, Bunker Hill, and Mil Creek
033would would revert back to being elementary schools. Um and the staff, we would work out a schedule of classroom changes uh with furniture and those sort of things for the schools. Um and then we would work with those schools over any type of uh infrastructure need that they may have um under the new grade configuration so that we can put it into into any kind of budgeting for next year. Um we are thinking that um you know I I believe that there might be some playground uh equipment configuration that we might want to work through uh with the schools. Um perhaps the libraries making sure that they have the appropriate texts for any new grade configuration that may be impacting their school. So we'd want to make sure we're able to work with the schools
034in that regard as well. Um and then anything else uh you know that that uh needs to be addressed we would be working diligently to address as well. Do we uh expect u additional staffing? >> Uh well know that. >> Well, I think that it's going to be, you know, it's going to be dependent upon um especially like for the Inwood district where those students would end up end up um deciding. And so we would probably put a timeline where we're going to request families under 2B. Um that would, you know, tell us, you know, which school they they're wanting to attend. That will help us make decisions on on bus routing. Um and then of course also staffing decisions. We know that under an elementary K5 that there is the possibility that it requires
035a few more staff members to address class size, you know, considerations. Um but I don't know that we have anything specific as to how many positions would be needed, but it may be a few more. >> Last year when Burke Street was having remodeling issues, we allowed uh the students to be dismissed at home. so that the teachers could do something in their rooms. Is my >> It was It was so that we could get construction started sooner. >> Yes, sir. >> So that people wouldn't be working on their own time. Would we be you think made that decision right now? But would you be willing to consider that? >> I think anytime that you have a transition, we want to be able to take some of those concerns into consideration. I think it depends
036upon how um those jobs are filled um for those transitions, but that would be something that we would want to take a look at and again work with staff um to make sure that those transitions can be seamless and that we're not asking uh them to do more than we would normally on a on a part of the school year. >> Question. when we're talking about furniture and how uh some things are not necessarily um you know primary school's not going to necessarily have a secondary you know um look or not secondary but um intermediate so chairs might be a little bit smaller things you know that you might normally have for a kindergarten class isn't necessarily going to be there for for the fourth grade class so I guess my question would be is
037are we going to um share those resources amongst, you know, so if there's there were 10 kinder I'm giving wild numbers, so please bear with me. If there were 10 kindergarten classes at one school, now there's really only going to be three, but there's going to be other kindergarten classes in other schools because of the K5 structure. Are we going to then take those resources that we're not using anymore in those seven classrooms and disperse what we can, what is usable, what is salvageable cost. >> We we would work with the principles to help inventory what is needed to stay and what is able to be transitioned and we would >> Yeah. Okay. And that's not really any different than if you have an additional, you know, fifth grade class, you know, added because of
038of just numbers of increases. You know, if we have it sort of an inventory somewhere else that's not being used, we're going to we're going to transition it. >> So that's not something we're not used to. That's not something that's unfamiliar. >> So I just wanted to make sure because I know that's a concern that'll probably be a concern at some point. >> Sure. Sure. >> So >> those are things that always occur when you open up a school. So >> Yeah. Yeah. And this is we're we're we're having the new the brand new school open. We're having there there's several different moving parts that and I'm just trying to make sure I get all the info. >> Other questions? >> Um there have been any I know there's been some concerns about the age
039gap. Um we have kindergarten fifth graders in the same school. Um and I know this from the survey respondents. I'm sure they brought that up as well. Um what I guess are there plans to guess almost like reconfigure like on some I know some of the inter intermediate schools like you have the third grade wing this wing that so they don't really interact um or we planning things like that or to try to alleviate the concerns because when I was school he was I think at one point he's in the sixth grade uh for maybe year or so but the behaviors and the special needs of students now are much different than it was back then. And so I guess my concern would be making sure that there aren't going to be issues uh just
040because of those there's fewer homes now because of the economics where more parents have two parents have to work have mom or dad stay at home. So behavior is a little bit out of control more so than they used to. So I guess my concern is for the older children impacting younger and the learning. >> You want to answer that Dr. S? I can't. But uh Oh, >> well, I just want to point out that the the children you were talking about came by all on the bus at the same time. And uh that's where you have most of your problems of bullying and stuff there. It's because of just the one adult driving the bus trying to keep the kids safe. But the uh all of the schools impacted I I was a sixth
041grade aid about a year. >> I know Miss Long worked at Bunker Hill when it was >> first grade through five. >> One through five. So these buildings uh have those two buildings. Now, Mil Creek, I think, was a middle school at one time, but uh but the two the two schools, the two elementary schools history were first grade through fifth grade buildings. Uh and the val was open space, which was I think a horrible environment to be working in. Now, they do have walls, but uh you may have some other concerns. No, I mean I I have um you know I' I've seen that expressed that that concern. Um I think that probably again because of what I've experienced in in my career um of you know having um a school district that had
042had 18 elementary schools that were all K actually prek and through five. So we even had you know prek students in a lot of those programs in a lot of those schools. Um and even actually at one point I was a K through eight principal. So I I had you know kindergarten through 8th grade students in the same bu in the same building. Um that when I when I see those challenges the challenges are still going to potentially exist but I find that they are still very much confined to those grades spans. You know you you know a lot of times you'll find that the older kids go into protective mode. um you know they they go into protective mode for the little lower little lower little lower little lower little lower little ones when
043they see the littleer ones maybe um saying something that's mean or or something like that and um and many of the elementary schools that are K5 that that I've been a part of the other thing that it has also built is programs like in the fourth grade and fifth grade for leadership leadership programming you have uh the fire patrol you know and so that they are sort of like you know they're like um leadership roles so that if the fire drill goes off, then they have a they go outside and they make sure that the kids are where they need to be. And then of course in fifth grade, you have the safety patrol. And so they get to wear a a belt and a little badge and they help the little ones get to
044their classrooms or things like that at the beginning of the day. And those are roles that, you know, not anybody can have. Those are roles that you have to earn. And so it encourages sort of that culture in the school of we take care of each other because we are under one roof. Um that is what I have experienced. I know that um to say that those things would never happen. I I can't say that. Um but um I do think that with what the research has out there that there are many benefits of of K5 through um the l the the lessening of transitions, the the the culture of you know those students going uh and metriculating all the way up through those upward upper grades and sort of aspiring to be a fourth
045grader, a fifth grader kind of in that in that structure. Um the same thing, you know, I've also seen some concerns over and heard some concerns over, well, how will special ed classrooms look? Um if there are self, as an example, a self-contained autism room, those self-contained autism rooms would still be very much based upon primary intermediate grade configurations. We're not we're not putting kindergarters in with fifth graders. Uh and again, a lot of that is due to some of the developmental needs of those students. And um and so um that's another that's another consideration that we would want to make sure we adhere to. Um and uh and and it's it's really what's best practice. So, >> no. And I would say this in in my days of um grade one through five, um
046you know, the the number of kids were down on one wing and the older kids were out on the other wing and they went different recesses, different lunches, and um there was never any issues with that. And as you said, I think the older kids were very protective of the younger kids. >> Yeah. I I realize I did not answer Mr. Wright's full question though, and that is, you know, we will definitely want to have grade spans in in areas. So, you know, I I think that, you know, as much as possible, if there's a wing, you obviously want to try to do that, but there's going to be areas where you have a hallway and you may have, you know, you may have two grades in one hallway. Yes. Uh but we're going to
047try as much as possible to to group students and classrooms by grade level throughout the buildings. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure that because because concerns I heard I want to make sure that they heard this publicly what the plans are so that maybe it can ease some of their fears. >> I mean there going to be concerns with any change and like you said we're going to do our best to them. You're not going to eliminate them out. There's going to be challenges. So >> and I don't I'm sorry. I don't want to sugar coat it. I I will tell you there will be some challenges in in transitioning to K5 if the board >> was to vote in that direction tonight um under 2B. Um there will be challenges. There's probably
048going to be a few things that we didn't account for that we're going to have to maybe adjust with. Um but I can tell you that my staff and I we are deeply committed to making sure that either 2A or 2B works uh well. Um that's what our that's what our role is is to make sure that we're um you know addressing these needs for our students and our families as well as our staff. Um and um regardless of what is chosen, there's going to be some challenges. You know, I promise you that even the best laid out plans for transportation when it comes to those new routes, there's going to be some kinks that we have to work out. Um and what I can tell you is we'll uh as we encounter the challenge,
049we own the challenge and we uh we work diligently to make sure we resolve it. Also, >> we had the same challenges when we went to Venia. It was it's nothing different. Um there were challenges and questions and concerns and you know some parents liked it, some parents didn't. So, >> I think one of the pros and I'm going to talk to towards the school bus drivers for a second. If you've got a child that's in an intermediate school and another child in a primary school and you've got an issue on the bus, now you've got two administrators. And I'm not saying anything against administrators by any means. I know that they work together on a plethora of items, but I think it's easier for the school bus driver to be able to go to
050one singular principal and say, "This is an issue." and then the two kids can get together in you know some form or fashion where there could be some counseling and restorative um relationship building type of things that can happen where we might not ordinarily have that because the kids are in two schools. So I think this is actually going to encourage more community than it is anything else and it is going to help facilitate between parents and then also bus drivers. I just see this as a there there are cons. I get that there's always going to be cons to any idea we throw out, but I think this is a viable solution. >> To reiterate or to go one step further on your point, >> when you have K through five building, I can
051remember I was the fifth grade teacher at Winchester Avenue and I can remember on a few occasions the first grade teacher coming up to my room. It wasn't the bus driver. It was the teacher >> coming up to my room saying, "My child >> is being picked on by your student." >> Yeah. >> And it was teacher to teacher. Whereas now, you don't have that >> correct. >> That ability with this split >> driving. And I will say though that the drivers do exceptionally well. >> They do at that. >> Thank you. um they handle that well working with the principles and working with the garage. So and and one of the concerns I hear is presently with the two configurations is that you have students coming from one school on a bus and transitioning
052to another bus. And that is a very dangerous time when children are moving off of buses onto other buses. uh not only not getting on the right bus but the danger of not seeing the child in the busy very vulnerable vulnerable. >> I went another route and and just mentioned that I think principles that had any concerns that uh Dr. Saxon ste senior staff has tried to uh rectify those concerns or take their input into great consideration to whatever choice is made um that will try to do what's best. >> Yeah, I want to especially thank the Inwood faculty senate that has really been pivotal in making sure that all voices are heard. Yeah, I think I think all the all the schools um they've all been uh vital to make a good decision or
053to make a decision. So um we have a motion and a second and that motion is to Mr. Murray would you repeated? >> Our motion is that we uh take the recommendation from staff for plan 2B. Um well actually the the um recommendation was for option A or uh option B. So you are recommending option B >> and I second it. Um we've had discussion all in favor of option or option 2B. >> I I opposed. Motion carries. So Dr. So >> we will uh madam president board members we will get to work. Um our next steps um is um I apologize for my poor grammar. Our next steps are to [laughter] uh we will do uh some staffing change um u options that will give options for the faculty sense across the county um
054to determine whether or not the staff at Jartown and have u priority um as it relates to the closure of those two schools. And then of course we will also work with those the schools uh impacted by the configuration change um and make sure that uh we are keeping them in the loop and that we are getting their feedback as it relates to the boundary change timeline as well as change notification letters for those families. So >> questions before going next on the agenda u is the discussion of possible action on special ed contracts and that will be Sam. >> Good evening President Long, Superintendent Saxs and members of the board. I am here tonight seeking approval on behalf of the Office of Special Education for supplemental contracts for our BCBAS and RBTs. So, at
055the time of opening this bid, we had a need that was unmet for a DCBA. Our current partnerships and contracts couldn't provide the support we needed. Since then, fortunately, they've been able to meet our needs. However, if these needs increase uh and we're not able to rely on our current contracts, um we may may need these supplemental contracts in place. So, these contracts would begin tomorrow and extend through June 30th, 2026 with the option to renew for additional two years or one year increments for two more years. Um the bids were opened on October 20th and read on October 28th. They were evaluated on a scorecard based on pricing, the capacity to meet demand, past performance, the ability to maintain a collaborative partnership. The recommended vendors are as indicated in the board proposal scored highest
056in those areas. Thank you for your time and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Questions for Mr. Even with uh hiring these companies. Uh do we still have difficulty when we're getting these people to show up? I mean we used to have that problem with other companies that we >> You mean the contracted workers showing up to work? >> Yeah. Did we have >> speak to that Mr. We have had Yes. When we first contracted >> when we first started, yes, but not here recently. The contract companies that we have hired in have been excellent working with us. So, >> okay. >> So, we've not really had that problem. >> Any other questions? Can I have a motion to accept um the uh presentation for the um we are we are accepting America Amerus
057and best life. >> Yes. >> As the two um contractors for uh the RBTs and DCAs. >> How many people this? >> Actually, we're not asking for any right now. Okay. >> This is just in case. >> In case. Yes, we we had a need, but we no longer have that need. >> And so therefore, we'd already put out bids. So, >> Gotcha. >> Yes, >> that makes sense. Okay. I just wanted to make sure because I was like, "Wait a second. I thought we were good, but okay." >> And it's for in person, right? >> Yes. >> How much did we spend last year on this contract? >> I had to get back to you. So, we get that done before you Mr. I think I already have >> vendor vendor payment list that
058I >> the RBTs and the um um >> we do our best to hire our own spent last year on those. >> Well, I just thought you thought you wouldn't let I have a bet on him. >> Maybe just >> you let him know that you got a bet on him first. Trump >> just curious to how much we've spent out of that. So, uh the motion is to accept those two vendors, Americas and Best Life. Um >> we have a motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> Did we get a motion? >> You just did. >> Just you just did. >> I know, but I needed to second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carried. Um Leah the interactive panel. >> Good evening, President Long, Dr. Stock, members of the board.
059Um, I brings you the next action item, which is the potential approval of the purchase of new line boards for the downstairs of Parksburg High School and Hesville Early Learning Academy. Um, in the amount of $148,689.77%. Just a little bit of information of how we got to where we are. Um, we you all approved the purchase of new line handles throughout the county. Um and at that point the schools were actually self-reporting. So we have come up about 44 short and that is the downstairs of Bartsburg High School. Um we also did admit Orchard View just for your awareness. >> Um because they had newer viewboards in that building. Um they are hoping to do that in FY27. So probably over the summer. So that's why View hasn't been posted. Um success stories just so
060you know. Um there was an intermediate school that did not have an intercom system recently and they actually used the new line interactive messaging to do their bus call. We thought that was a great proof of concept. >> Um the company recently integrated with Raptor alertists so they can actually send the rafter messages out to the boards and we have um Mr. Marty on our team is working with the company to make that happen. Um it also gives and I've said this the first time around but just in case you don't remember in this new board and it is not working right now. Um there are PC modules in each new line board which gives the classroom a hardwired option. Um if a substitute is in and the teacher let's say took their device with
061them and that's the only device in the classroom they can still actually log into that and use it as a PC module. We did do the upstairs of Marksburg High School. We outfitted those with New Line boards over Thanksgiving break. Um, and if you noticed on the quote right now through December 31st, we New Line is actually offering a buy 10 get one board free discount as long as we take delivery by the end of the year. So, we were hoping to take advantage of that. Does anybody have questions for me? You've been around me for any amount of time. You know, I like consistency. So, I can't wait until they're all the same and all the displays are the same. And they do have a seven-year warranty, which is pretty much unheard of. >>
062That was some type of Christmas uh or Black Friday promotion or something like that. >> They are their fiscal year ends on December the 31st. So, I it is that's why they're running this promo according to the sales rep >> and the um the 44 that we're getting for March High School. That was because just what you said, we we outfitted the >> we we did 30 upstairs and the schools were self-reporting when we started this process. So, we have found some places along the way that oh, we forgot about this classroom. You know, it's possible we've added a classroom. We purchased several of the rolling carts to use th those boards in spaces like Muscleman High School's auditorium, Martsburg High School's library. So, there are a few around the county. or gymnasiums that are
063on wheels that weren't accounted for in the original account. And then with Head School early learning academy that was um owner purchases in that particular scope of work. Other questions? >> You mentioned the sevenyear warranty. Um do they repair what's not working or do we do it in house? >> It it depends on what's not working. If it's the bezel, for instance, we can actually pull those out and repair them. Um, we can we've set back boards before. At this point, knock on some wood. We have had a very low failure rate. Um, in the upstairs of Martinsburg High School, there was one PC module, which those are pretty small to send back that failed. So, that was 57 classrooms, I believe. So, I mean, the company's great to work with. You send it back
064and they a replacement in the mail. Okay. >> At a cost to us or do they absorb the cost? Uh, we pay for postage. >> Well, because it's under warranty, right? >> Right. >> Yeah. Okay. I just want to make sure I have questions for Leah. Uh, if there are no more questions, uh, can I have a motion to accept um the, uh, amount of $148,689.77 for the Uline interactive camera pages? So move >> second. >> All in favor? Motion carries. Okay. Um Mr. Kos. >> Yeah. >> Uh good evening members of the board and Dr. Saxs. The personal actions dated for Monday, December 15th, uh 2025 are as follows. Uh this evening we have four coaching appointments and one coaching resignation. Uh on lines nine and 10, we have terminated the contract of a
065coach for two sports at Musman High School. That coach is Hunter Reed. Um tonight, we also have seven healthcare appointments. On line 18, we have an unpaid education leave of absence. And then from lines 19 through 26, we have eight unpaid leaves of absence for your consideration. Uh and on line 27, we revised one leave of absence uh as that employee has already returned to work. For professional personnel, we have four professional appointments and one transfer. Uh for service actions, we have 13 new service personnel appointments and two midday appointments. We have eight change of assignments and one correction to a change of assignment. On line 57, we have the ratification of an unpaid suspension and termination of appointment. That employee is Tanya Scott. We have four service resignations and one revised resignation. We have
066two retirements of service personnel. We also have four transfers of service personnel and one service personnel upgrade. This evening we have six new appointments of substitute service personnel and we also removed two substitutes from the substitute list. And we did have one substitute service personnel employee resign. Uh for professional substitute teachers, we have six appointments of professional day-to-day substitutes, two removals from the substitute list, and one resignation of a professional substitute teacher for a total of 88 professional service and substitute personnel actions tonight for your consideration with Superintendent Sax's recommendation. >> Questions for Mr. Austin? >> Where' you get your [laughter] >> This is an oldie but a goodie. I've probably had this for 15 years. >> Not sure that's related to [clears throat] >> I like Mr. Dilly's or not. I'll just say Okay,
067we'll get off the ties then. >> How are we doing on bus operators? Are we >> We have nine vacant bus operators right now. But I think we we're I think we're filling them now. I think we're going to be down to four that we're going to post again >> because we have a lot >> we just have a lot of rotation. >> Yeah, we have a lot of standby, don't they? Go into those positions. Yeah. Got it. We're big on that. >> Yeah. >> Um we're also at 196 perm subs, which I'll be honest with you, this is the first time since I've been doing this job that we've been under 200 this time of year. >> Wow. >> Um and we just had 16 of our special education firm subs sign up for
068a cohort through the Western Department of Education um to get certified through um an alternative certification track with Morland University. It's about a nine-month track. So, um, Electa from the state department reached out to me last week and said, "Hey, we have open spots." I blasted out an email to every perm and our as they now have a waiting list of people. So, >> yeah. So, we are >> we're shocked. >> How many? >> 16. >> So, they will enter the program and then they'll have support from the as >> um the department of ed and hopefully in nine months we have 16 more of them certified. So, >> we're chipping away. We we have in our budget a tuition reimbursement. Yeah. >> Um is that being fully utilized? >> It is actually have two
069to give to Betty today that and they we do that on a rolling basis because the way alter works you know they can finish pretty much anytime. So um we try to work with them on a rolling basis on that. So I just had two more that got certified who sent me their stuff. So yes we are um helping out. The nice thing about that cohort with Morland is it'll be at virtually no cost to the employee. >> So, um you know, they were they were pretty eager to jump into that. >> Um do we run out of funding for that? Do we run out of fun? >> Um we have, but it usually gets until summer. >> Okay. >> Um but we try to do everything we can to help people and that's that's
070why I asked for the additional funds last year was was to try to account for the number of people we had who wanted tuition reimbursement for all surgery. >> That's great. Yeah, >> you've heard Mr. Kowalsski. We have a motion and a question. >> No, no, just one more thing. >> Uh, I just wanted to say thank you to all those that are retiring for the years of service. I see Miss Redmond and Miss S. I know Miss S has been with the school system a long time. >> Yes. >> As well as Redmond. Want to thank them all for their service. >> Very much appreciated. We have a motion and a second. Um, all in favor of the personnel action say I. All right. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Thank you. Wait, >>
071did we did Did we have a motion? I don't think so. >> I move that. >> Usually we do. >> We got a motion and a second. >> Okay. So, I move and we need a second. Somebody's going to say a second. >> A second. All in favor? >> I motion carries again. I ask you confused. [laughter] >> My my cue is Jessica. [laughter] >> She look at me. >> She looked at me. >> I looked up. That's all I >> can >> is the is the only thing left is the celebrations. >> Yeah, we could do that. >> Are they here? >> But I think we just had one one that that might have popped in and then >> we were told six. >> Yeah. No, you're you're right. We just had to do
072some other things. So, you're good. >> Yeah. So, I recommend we just recess >> until I say let's recess till six. >> Seven. >> Okay. I'm back out of recess. Um it's 6 o'clock and the next on the agenda is the DSA and Valley View Principal Brian Ershwine is uh going to do the presentation. All right. Thank you board and members of the cabinet. Thanks for having us this evening. My name is Brian Erskin. I'm the principal at Valley View and this is the assistant principal, Mrs. Hoffman. And we are here and really excited as you can tell um because we get to do something really special tonight. Um, what we do every day is not easy work. And I think you all know that. You hear that from from staff members all the time.
073But what a lot of people don't know is that there's actually somebody running my building um keeping me straight every day who doesn't get a lot of recognition. Um, I came in at the beginning of July and um, like a deer in headlights and within a few minutes of them announcing I'd been hired, I had already gotten a supportive, kind message from this specific person. And ever since then, where the paper clips, holy smokes, where's this form? How do I do this? How do I do that? Um, there is a person that is keeping our building running and is as consistent as the days long. And so we are very excited to be here to award Miss Leslie Smokowitz with our distinguished service award. I don't do my job for words. I do my job
074for the kids and I do it for the people that I work with. Um, we have a fantastic family at Valley View. Um, but I am going to get all of you. Um, you all and probably where most of you were. >> Um, thank you. I mean, I do it for the kids. I don't do it for a word. I don't do it for myself. I do it for the kids. Um, even when Mr. Sherard was there. It nothing changed because we got a new principal. It's just I have two more people to raise. >> [laughter] >> It's not been an easy year with getting two new administrators, but they've been wonderful and they make my job a little more difficult, but [laughter] >> Max, [laughter] but they're they're amazing and they've done wonderful job
075this year at Valley View. Um they've both jumped in head first. Um, and they've taken on a lot of extra duties that they didn't, I think, realize what we had. Um, so I'm just there to support them and do what I can for them. >> Well, on behalf of the boards, I want to congratulate you and I I know what a great job you do and have done throughout the years. So, it's very much appreciated. And, uh, I hope they surprised you. That was uh I usually let that out of the bag, but I try very hard not to. [laughter] Thank you again and as for everything you do for the staff, students, and especially the students. >> Thank you. >> Next on the agenda is Charity Ballard, Winchester Principal, will present the volunteer of
076the month. Brian freestyle here speaking from his heart. That was beautiful. Um, but I'm Charity B. I'm the principal of Winchester Avenue and I'm here today to thank our outstanding volunteer. I think it's a month, but ours for the year because she has been at it for a long time. Um, I've known Amber Glennon for one year now. She has served as she has served the community for much longer. Amber embodies the very best of our community. Not only is she the loving parent, but her dedication to the Boys and Girls Club shows a commitment to every child's success that goes above and beyond. What says am what sets Amber apart is her tire tire tirelessness almost magical ability to secure resources. She understands the that opportunities require more than good intentions. It requires materials,
077funding, and support. Whether it's securing the funding, a last minute Santa suit, a popcorn machine, Amber is our indispensable champion of resources. Her continuous effort ensures the programs don't just exist, but that they are enriching and supported. It takes a special kind of leader to constantly anticipate needs. Amber Glendon is remarkable in her ability to secure vital resources, always finding a way to get the materials and opportunities for our kids to thrive and survive. Winchester Avenue School is very blessed to have Amber Glennon as a partner within the community. So I present this to Miss Amber Glennon. >> I learned from one of the very best, Stacy Row. Um, and it's important to do whatever we can do for our community's kids each and every single day because they're not ours, they're everybody. So we
078have to teach them right and do what we can do from Winchester to Hedgesville to whatever school is in need of whatever. So um to my many friends all over that support me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> You know which board member I get got to do the added on part from the board perspective. Oh, >> and so I'm going >> and uh with without any reservations first they they talked about resources. So they I was told you provided Santa suits. How many Santa suits did you provide? It's plural >> Santa suit multiple years. You just we find them bring them. >> Okay. And the other thing is that the school had a posa school event and you got all these different groups involved. I had I had the number 40. Is it
079>> It was right around 40. It was 40 this year and 40 last year. So >> what are the 40 group what are these 40 groups doing? >> Um you know for our haunted school event we um we just bring everybody together to do trick-or-treating for the kids. Um and honestly the people that we work with every single day um in the community that we know work with the schools I just send out an email and say hey this is for our kids can you come um and we very rarely receive a no. So um there is very little very little room in Winchester Avenue when everybody gets in there because we fill it we fill it to the top um from top to bottom actually >> living the basement to the third floor. Yeah.
080Um, so >> I I know that Winchester Avenue two years ago was on a watch list or something and the school turn was turned around by your leadership ballot but also by the staff and I know the volunteerism that represents also contributed to that academic tournament. So on behalf of the board, we appreciate Santa organization. We really appreciate that academic term. So, thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Can I have motions are journal? >> All in favor? Uh, hey.