001algiance 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. >> I I'll note that Mr. Bry is virtual. Miss Power is not available this evening. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Superintendent announcements. Staff. >> That was quick. That was celebration. So, yeah. Um, >> let's make sure we get them up here for everyone else to see. >> Thank you, uh, Madame President and board members. Um, some dates to remember, uh, coming up. We are really excited for all of our youth in Berkeley County because the uh county fair is uh through August 9th and so we already have some students that have started
002participating. Um but we know that the week of fair um is not when they start participating because of many of these students start well beyond um almost as early as the last fair when it comes to raising their their livestock um or their projects for the fair. Um, so I want to encourage all board members um, join us um, at the at the Berkeley County Youth Fair to support our students, especially next Friday uh, for the auction. We want to encourage all of our community members and our business leaders to come out and support our students because uh, these uh, student enterprises a lot of times are the financial foundations for these kiddos when it comes to either starting a career or um, even preparing for college well after high school. Um, also next Thursday,
003I don't know if it's already in here, but next Thursday if anybody wants an opportunity to uh give a little payback to the superintendent, I will be at Dunan booth. I believe that's Thursday starting at 6. Is that right? So, come and give me your best shot. >> Uh, I also know that we have some other Berkeley County uh uh staff and leaders that have also graciously agreed to uh become victim to the dunk tank. Um, I was disappointed Mr. uh Buts did not sign up for it. Um, I tried to encourage him to, but he >> My son's in the tank. >> His son's in the tank and he's he he was going to take one for the family. So, but we definitely want to encourage anybody to come out and help support the
004youth fair. August 11th is our first day for all of our um staff. Uh, and so we're excited to welcome all of our staff back for what will be a fantastic school year on August 11th. Uh August 19th will be our first day for students and we will again be doing uh our new tradition of senior leadership uh being at our transportation department to wish our our uh bus drivers off for a fabulous first day of school. Um I'd like to remind the board members to save the date for our new employee breakfast um which will be Friday, August 8th at 8 a.m. at the Hall of Am. And again, as always, we want to thank the Martinsburg um and Berkeley County Regional Chamber of Commerce for being able to host this event and sponsor
005the event. Um so again, mark your calendars. We hope to see you there at 8:00. >> Actually starts at 7:15. >> It actually starts at 7:15. Very good. Okay. Um our next regular meeting will be Monday, August 18th, 2025 at 6 PM right here at the Winchester office. Madam President, board members, that update that it concludes my updates and our date for our members. >> Board announcements. First clarification, what time are you scheduled to be in the tank? >> 6 p.m. >> No, nothing. >> No, I'm just I'm ready. >> Not sure where the dump tank is, but I'll find it. the uh on Friday I went to the attended Martinsburg fans halftime presentation very impression is doing wonderful job and uh it's amazing how many students she has uh next on the agenda is
006citizens forum And that would be Christy. Christine Ivy Christine Joy of Joy. I apologize. Put my glasses on. My name is Christine Joy. Uh, I'm asking that the Berkeley County School Board show executive order number 725 that allows religious, personal belief, and medical exemptions for vaccine mandates to attend school in its enrollment details because I don't see that on your website. On his second day in office, Governor Morrisy signed an executive order directing the creation of a vaccine exemption program, executive order number 725. West Virginia is one of the five states that does not allow non-medical exemptions to school vaccine mandates. This includes California, New York, Connecticut, Maine, and West Virginia 5. A suit was filed by Miranda Guzman, mother of a four-year-old, against Braley County Board of Education and the state board due to
007her religious objections to the vaccine vaccination. This is according to wvnews.com July 2nd, 2025. West Virginia Board of Education hires legal counsel in school vaccine lawsuit. Why you should consider a vaccine exemption? Number one, due to the 1986 act, no vaccine manufacturer holds liability for the vaccine for something might go wrong following vaccination. Therefore, all liability falls on the parent and child who take the vaccine. Number two, none of the vaccines the CDC recommends for routine injection into children were licensed by the FDA uh based on a long-term placebo control trial. The vaccines include fetal cells and animal cell lines that may cause cancer and health issues. They contain adgivants that are not meant to be in the human body that are potentially toxic. Congress has called them unavoidably unsafe. Injecting fetal cell lines is
008a violation of some people religious beliefs and personal beliefs and West Virginia is one of the most religious states. Berkeley County has a high rate of autism in the school district. Now, medical exemptions are almost impossible to get. I request that the Berkeley County Board show executive order 725 in its enrollment details so the parents understand that that's available right now. If you're a parent, I don't know if there's an apparent pin tonight. If you're a parent, will you be online? You might want to consider a vaccine exemption and contact the school board and ask why your religious rights and your per personal belief rights are not being honored. Thank you. Next on the agenda is monitor items instructional update of virtual school restructuring director of organizational development student learning experiences Dr. Alonso and the
009director of alter programs Dr. Good evening, Madame President, board members, superintendent Zach. We're here tonight to talk to you about a restructuring of the virtual program, the virtual pathway program. We have a a handout that we've given to you. >> Yeah, sure. the one page. >> Do you have it? >> I do, but I lost my mouth. >> So, Berkeley County Schools is partnering with Pearson Connectis and this Berkeley County Schools virtual pathway program that will serve um K through2 students who desire flexible uh virtual learning environment. Students will access their courses on Pearson Kexus and Brookley County Schools teachers and staff will be able to provide academic guidance and support to student achievement. Um Pearson responsibilities they are going to be offering a K through 12 catalog of courses. We will have access to
010a live um platform with real-time data and detailed reporting which shows um the students prog progress and um accessibility and activity in the program and their grades. They have NCAA eligible courses for high school athletes. um live training and family engagement support and district success partner for ongoing operational support which our liaison works with that district support and then marketing and student recruitment guidance and parent login for insight and awareness. So they too um can log in and see their students activity progress and grades. >> So that is the responsibility of Pearson. So let's talk about what Burke County's responsibilities are. Well, first of all, we are responsible obviously for the overall program accountability and oversight and Mrs. Holly Branch will do that. She is the assistant director of virtual school. She is thus in
011charge of virtual virtual school. Uh we will enroll the students and we will provide their academic placement which is their schedule and we will also handle any counseling needs that they may need. Now that will be done through the home school not the virtual platform itself. We will provide instructional support and a teacher of record for all K through 12 students. Now I will tell you that K through five we will we have roughly 70 kids. We will split those 70 kids up in groups of 35 and a lead teacher will handle both. And also the lead teacher will be the teacher of record for 6 through 12 as well. Special education services and state testing. We are responsible for that as well. state testing. We've bounced around some ideas. Uh sometimes they come into
012the school and test with their peers. Other times they will test after school in a in an environment where maybe it's just themselves and their proctor also too special education services. Special education services offered to the school as well. They're required to have IEPs and accommodations which come out of their home schools. Now Mrs. branch told us today that roughly she had about 20% of her program that was special education. However, we will follow those accommodations in the program, but there is no such thing as a special education virtual school teacher >> at the moment. Um, obviously too, we are in charge of granting diplomas for students who go through the program and at the end of the year, Mrs. Branch has to report to the state. And then last the district liaison. Well, that's
013me. And I've been dealing with Pearson, Kexus for quite some time. Um, we've had a a a great summer, great couple weeks dealing with people from Pearson. So, um, I know them. Well, Sharon Jasso will provide uh support for us and um >> Mary Beth, she uh has really explained to us the process and what is the right program for us to choose to go down this pathway. So, with that said, if you guys have any questions or concerns, >> I'd like you just also can you can you explain to the board what is different with this this implementation than maybe what has been implemented in the past and why we're making this shift now. >> Sure. We'll tag. >> Okay. Sure. >> Okay. >> All right. So, the difference is we are purchasing Pearson
014Kexus platform and courses. Our students um 6 through 12 will receive self-paced instruction and it will autograde and they will have a teacher on record in the district who will check in with them and provide any support as requested. On the K5 level, we're required to provide synchronous support to students and they also have self-paced courses. Our teachers will be grading them, providing them feedback and conducting check-ins. So with that as well, we're streamlining our ST as well. Uh the old program had roughly anywhere from 20 to 40 adjuncts. uh we are eliminating those adjunks >> and we are doing two lead teachers and as I said the lead teachers will have groups of 35 at the K through five level and then also meet with those students one hour every week and then at
015the uh 6 through 12 level they will be the assigned teacher. >> Yeah. I think another major point though is that this plan what it does is that we're we're being able to deliver the same type of and the same u uh model of instruction that our students are used to but we've been able to also reduce staffing because one we had all the adjuncts but we also had four lead teachers in the past right >> um under this restructure being able to do it with two lead teachers and then with Pearson Kexus is not only what we, you know, not only going to be able to streamline processes, but it's also going to be able to save the district uh funding resources as well. Would that is that an accurate state? >> Absolutely. Yes.
016>> We'll be able to do this process much more efficiently and streamline with less money >> questions >> and more choices. >> Yeah. Um first, second bulletin on LMS. What is that language? What does it say? >> I'm not certain what the LMS >> learning management system. >> Okay. >> It's their platform where um our staff and the parents can access the students activity progress and um grades in real time >> very similar to like schooly. So at any time the parent can log in your grades and see the progress of the student. All right. I just And question I I had a sheet earlier and I got the revision stamp. Uh what are the differences between the initial sheet in this mail sign comparisons? >> So the initial the difference between the sheet you
017have from earlier this week and today is we want to recognize that this is considered a virtual program not a virtual school. And that's the that's the key that's the only difference between the two. >> Okay. Will Kexus be used for homebound students? >> Yes, it's it's used for virtual home as well. >> Will the transitional school be required to do this or will they be able to continue their present model? >> They're going to be able to continue the present model right now. Um I I have some ideas about transitional school but I don't want to get into those at this time but yeah they'll be able to to do their present model. >> Yeah connection seems to be working very well at home. My last question is um what do you mean by
018academic placement? So, um, in this academic placement, our school counselors on the high school level still set the student schedule and that's the counseling of the academic placement. That's still our district's responsibility. >> So, a 10year-old student will still be a fourth grade. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Michael, >> so is this going to be replacing the Canal C the Canal County curriculum essentially? Is that what this is for? >> Yes. Okay. >> Was there something like besides like the for is there anything >> wrong with it in a sense? >> It just cost us additional money every year to update to be aligned with the standards. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So sorry so I guess that question. So with the with the curriculum kind of like the curriculum when we adopted here it's only
019good for several years. So, one of the expenses that we that we saw is that for the last several years, we we're always we're almost having to invest more into the program to keep it sustained because then we have to make sure is the curriculum we're putting in front of the kids align with the standards. >> So, it kind of tied into the conversations that we're having just across the district now. And that was one of the big alarming things that we kind of noticed as we were excuse me as we were reviewing them. >> Gotcha. from like your talks with them as are any other districts in the state using Pearson for their virtual programs? >> Yes. >> Do you see like I'm pretty sure you like probably delve into like this their schools
020compared to like our current virtual school like how does that match up with their GSA with like districts using Pearson versus our students using our kind of accounting curriculum? There there are several districts um I hate to start throwing throwing names out there without having information in front of me. Um but there are several of our our colleagues who are using the same um platform and same process. Um it does look a little different district by district because depending on how your district um sets up virtual the virtual program, it could look a little different, but everyone who has used it in conjunction like this has uh seen really good results. I' I'd also like to say that there are several other there are several products out there that do similar work as to what
021this is. There's Pearson. Um there is also it's not egenuity is it >> and several sorry proximity. That was the other one I was looking at. And you know I think that we one of the reasons that we landed on Pearson is because we had had good success with Kexus with some of our credit recovery and our homebound instruction. And so we felt like it was a a very natural transition for us to be able to do it with them this year. However, I I want to be very uh forthright and that is that one of the things that I I really want our virtual school to evolve into is um where students, especially at the elementary level, instead of just having a check-in with assignments, is that they actually have a school schedule that
022they have with a cohort of students that are and and they're and they're in there with a class. it's a virtual class, you know, and so they're they're engaging with their teacher on a schedule and with their classmates and they're going into breakout rooms and they're doing those sort of things and and there are several products Pearson um the proximity that can do that and they're being implemented across the state. Um, and so I think that as we evaluate this transition this year, that may be the next I think logical step because that's one thing that uh from my uh research and and talking with Mrs. Branch that we've not been able to fully implement here in Berkeley yet is that one-on-one instruction virtually as opposed to here's an assignment, go out and if you
023need a check-in with the teacher, you can do so. So, um, and and there are some really good models that that I think we can look at as we think of this year as sort of a transition year and thinking about what what exists and what, um, there may be the greatest level of support for in the future. >> Very good. >> Because we want to be the best. We want to be the best as it relates to not only, you know, um, inerson instruction, but we want to be also the best when it comes to virtual because there are there's a lot of competition out there and we want to be competitive with that. So >> we want to make sure students are getting more there's they're supposed to as far as >> so
024we're looking to build more rigorous and also call savings to the district >> well put amazing one thing Dr. on transitional school and I'm not trying to pull out of you what we have in mind but >> but uh this the transition school is not the governor's honors that got to be in >> correct and you're there for a reason. >> Yes. And not only to stop the disruption where they originated but also to help them get to the service. I've been out there a number of times. They're they're focused. >> Yeah. We have to make sure they're working on the goals and objectives of the of the state. Just have you busy. >> Dr. Woods and I have discussed some ideas for the future of transitional school. I'm not prepared to go into those
025ideas right now, >> but um we have some really good ideas um ways that we can keep the behavior under control, but also ways that we could add a little bit of rigor into what they're doing. And I know that's the magic catch word, but but really um we have several good ideas that I'm fairly certain with your all's okay that we could present them in the future. >> Well, and and involve Mr. Marquette. >> Yes. Correct. Yes. >> Just one question beyond the world that uh that you did touch upon and the training for the employees. I was looking through all these notes I'm getting and uh you have one training session. I know you're doing the secondary senior student elementary. Uh when is that that the uh the objectives the state objectives the
026I don't I was reading it in the newsletter >> the high impact practices >> pardon me >> the high impact practices with the yeah with >> yeah I just wanted I was wondering when that training session >> we we have done that or Dr. Woods has led that with our principles and our assistant principles, but the principles will be doing that for their staff >> and it's at a variety of times. If you want to jump in on any of them, just let me know what level and we'll get it for you. >> Great. Um when you um one of the district responsibilities student enrollment of academic placement and counseling are you referring to counseling for their schedule or counseling all around anything that they would need? >> So we're we're referring to counseling such
027as what you would see in in a school with a school counselor. That's what we're referring to. So that encompasses honestly >> Everything. Okay. I just wanted to be sure. >> And each um each school has a request to meet with the counselor. So the students enrolled in the virtual program have access to that as well. >> Okay. >> Because they're still very much part of their home base. >> Um and this might be a question for Dr. But does the uh u the need teachers are for virtual school can they only be uh especially K through five uh certain number of students or since they do they fall under code >> well by grade that's by grade level so be a little different because they're not actually assigned by a grade level. >> Okay.
028I'm just curious. >> I just want to state that Dr. Long and I met with Mrs. branch and we talked a little bit about how the scheduling of those grades would go. And it seems like each lead teacher would get a specific grade uh to to oversee because it's better for scheduling and organizing. >> And so when we say 35 students, we don't mean 35 students per grade. We mean 35 students for all K through five. >> Uh President Long, Mr. Wright had his computer. If you wanted to ask how many students we anticipate taking our virtual >> I think 130 on the secondary level and of 68 right now on K5 elementary >> elementary right now we have 68 in >> and secondary >> between middle and nine at 1:30 >> why do we
029offer virtual I I think I know I just refreshing my >> I would you if you want them to answer I'd be happy to let them but um I have a little soap box >> one of the things is that um you know we want to be able to offer virtual for two reasons one is those students that what benefits their family need is virtual instruction we want to ensure that as Berkeley County Public Schools. We're able to be there as a resource for those families in ensuring that the instruction they are receiving is of high quality, but that when there is a struggle that we're there to support them because uh what is offered out there as the alternatives, whether that be through charter or other online private instruct instructional uh platforms. um you
030know if if it doesn't work out for them then they're coming back to us looking for you know the fix. And so if we can work with those families from the very beginning and offering them the choice of what works best for their family like virtual instruction, we would rather be the ones that help offer that offer them that support, offer them that service so that if there is a struggle and they determine that maybe the best fit for them is to come back to um our brickandmortar schools that the the transition and the relationships already exist. So, it's a really when it comes down to it, it's about the continuity of working with those families, working with those students, and having a a fundamental knowledge of of where the students strengths are from a
031learning standpoint and also where their struggles are so we can best meet their needs when they come back to us in in the long run. And and the numbers they gave us just now, do they include the homebound students because >> it's going to be under conne like like a medical need. Um, so the child will be temporarily out and it would almost be like a way we can accommodate that student based on that need until we get them back. >> I think his question is why is the why is the platform different? >> Yeah. >> And so what Dr. Woods was saying is is he's he's absolutely right about what homebound is. Okay, that's for either a medical or a psychological issue and that is a temporary placement. Now, virtual school goes by the
032semester. Um, at the end of the semester, if they don't make the grades or for example, they have an excessive number of absences and we've actually thrown around a number um in our meetings, uh, they will go back to their brick and mortar school. Now, why there's a different platform um really the platforms I don't believe are that different for this year. um virtual uh homebound does credit recovery and this homeschool program I'm sorry this virtual school program will do credit recovery right >> it's the way it's the way the it's the way the classes would be sequenced for the child and how the structure would be because in the virtual program like if I was opting into it like Dr. long alluded to. I would be there for the entire uh semester, the entire
033year, homebound. Anything could happen at any time and then I'm going on there temporarily and then transitioning back. So, it's not a um a clean start in per se. Well, homebound is uh okay, you broke your leg and you're not able to correct >> successfully manipulate uh self. >> And you'll be back in six weeks. So, >> you made a good point psychological. Yes, >> there are children who just >> can't handle the atmosphere >> and they have to go through the s process and be signed off on by a licensed psychiatrist. >> Other questions for Mansono, Dr. Long, and Dr. Woods. >> Thank you, Dad. >> Next on the agenda is Mr. Tyson Bond and construction project update. All right, good evening everyone. I've got a few updates for you. First one is the
034Hedesville Early Learning Academy, the prek center. Um they are currently putting the uh finishing a lot of the brick work on the exterior veneer and also installing the um you'll see a lot of that rigid insulation like you see in the one picture here that green and the front entrance. A lot of the insulation is being finished up. the bar joist, the roof decking is in progress and as they are uh making progress with that, they're also installing the roof system. So, uh currently at Hedesville, that's what's happening. Questions there. >> Are the roofs flat? >> Roofs are flat. Yes. Except for the that one main entrance, but other than that, everything is flat. >> I I thought they couple years ago required there be a slope to a roof. >> Well, actually, even the
035flat roof have a slope. >> Yeah, they they are slope. They're but they're not pitched. They're not they're not going to see a gable. They are a very minimal slope. So you don't have any water, >> right? They slope toward a drain. >> Yes. >> When you're sitting there staying flat. >> Yeah. They're not perfectly flat. >> Um all right. The next one is Tomahawk Intermediate. That project is finishing up today and tomorrow. And then um on Wednesday we have our final walkthrough of the uh kind of the punch list items with Mckenley architecture will be on site uh today. They started up the u the heat HVAC system and did the testing and balances of that system. Uh so that project will be ready for occupancy at the end of this week and then
036also at the end of this week once they finish that part they will begin installation of that retaining or construction of that retaining wall that we talked about at our last meeting >> on the retaining wall or their feet. It won't be a draw for the kids. >> There will not be a well there'll be a fence there. We did it. We did entertain a slide. >> Yeah, we eat that. Okay, I'm kidding. We never did a slide. All right. >> Yeah, we should have. Yeah, maybe. Next one is Martinsburg High School Band Room Edition. Uh, same thing throughout this week. They're doing all the finishing touches throughout that space. The exterior sidewalk is complete. Uh, you can see some pictures some where it wasn't quite complete, but that is all finished. Now the um
037the project will finish up on August the 12th and then once that finishes then the focus will be to move into the auditorium. That'll be the only thing left. Band room lockers uh they are on site and once they finish all of the touchup painting probably toward the end of this week we'll be able to move in and install the the lockers as well. The dance floor. What did we decide? >> We decided to go with the dance floor as it was uh specified in the contract document, which was to put the top layer directly onto the concrete surface. And then I think we're still contemplating maybe um seeing the the option of a dance mat in that space. It kind of seems like maybe that is a need that they are considering. And so
038we reached out to McKinley Architecture for them to give us some guidance as to what would be a good solution for that space. All right. Uh, next one is Mountain Ridge Primary School and they're still working on basically cutting and filling out where the building pad goes. Uh, remember there was a lot of blasting and removal of rock and then busting up that rock and a lot of that has finished up and now they can finally focus on getting that building pad ready. In the next two weeks they will start marking off for the footers and start installing uh and digging for those. um the connecting roads to that were also part of this project in front of the middle school and in front of the intermediate school. All of those connecting roads are complete
039and they're paved and they will be uh open and operational for the first day of school. Uh there was only one piece of it that we could not complete. The uh you might remember of course the entrance to the main campus uh that will take you around to the primary school comes off of Route 51. And so the Department of Highways of course has to approve the permitting for that entrance. And I think we only received that maybe a couple of weeks ago. And so because of that delay, uh we could not connect that road uh on that route to the Route 51. But um now that we have the permit, that'll be the next step is to get that connected and then they'll be able to tie in those two uh roads that are
040going in front of the intermediate and the middle school. So right now the way that uh parents and buses will enter and operate are the same as they've done since their schools have been built. And then once that rate is complete then we'll have a way that we can separate uh parents in one part of the building and and buses in the other. Uh so that's kind of where we are at primary. >> Hey Ty, um when they end up connecting that is that going to be when they end up doing the interchange at 52 also? >> Yes. So, but that'll but so that will not occur until that interchange has been approved by do which is you're saying what they have approved. >> Yeah, they've approved the uh the design and the and the
041permitting. And so I guess the next step is for us to decide do we do that contract with Warner or do we advertise that per bid uh so that we can get that part connected. >> Right. Okay. Thank you. >> So that's where we are on that. Y >> All right. The next one is the summer HVAC projects. All of those are finishing up throughout the next two weeks. Burke Street and Tomahawk are essentially at the same stage. They're putting in ceiling tile, finishing up painting, and just uh starting to clean those buildings. Right now, if you walked in Burke Street, you would wonder how in the world is going to be ready for the first day of school. But uh it's about to transform and uh be ready by the by the well before
042teachers return. And so uh like I said, Burk Street and Tomahawk are both at the same place. Uh and Tomahawk, you see in my bullet points, we completed the mold remediation. Unfortunately, um at at one of the wings of Tomahawk, there was uh an issue because of the HVAC being turned off. Uh you know, as much rain and moisture we had in the air, there was uh some mold in that um fifth grade wing actually. And so CMTA took care of that. They hired a master dry. That company came in and totally remediated that space. They finished up over the weekend and so everything is back to normal as it should be. The system is up and running and um so which is very important so the space is conditioned so that doesn't happen again.
043I just wanted to you know make sure you were aware we did have a little bit of an issue but it's been resolved and Tomahawk will be be ready to go uh when students arrive. Were were was there any uh equipment, textbooks, anything in there that >> uh yes, we're still sorting out some of the damage uh that was done. A lot of the teacher chairs u and different types of seating were just not in good shape. And so CMTA is going to uh pay to have those replaced. We we just threw them away uh because it wasn't worth the trouble to try to clean. Some of them have like a cloth seat and that would be very difficult to try to clean it properly. So the solution was dispose of those items and um
044and replace them with new. And then as far as textbooks and uh any student workbooks or any other uh maybe you know classroom sets of books that the reading materials uh tomorrow we're doing an assessment and evaluation on all of those items to see if any of that needs replaced. Uh so uh we'll have more information on that. Uh certainly not an ideal situation, but there is a solution uh you know in in the works. >> Make sure you call up people in case they have personal related. >> Yeah. >> Oh yeah. Actually, yeah, we're going to be on site tomorrow morning at Tom Hawk. There's a few teachers who will be there as well to go over some of that with us to make sure that you know we are figuring out what all
045damage has been done and what we need to do to uh to fix that. and CMTA will be there with us too as we do that assessment. >> Thank you. >> So that was Burk Street and Tomahawk. They're both at about the same place. And then the four uh gymnasiums are also at about the same place. Each one of them, we're still waiting on some of the rooftop units to be set. Those are scheduled to arrive throughout this week and next. And uh so throughout the next two weeks, those four projects, all of those rooftop units should be set and those projects complete. And then the last one are just some uh miscellaneous summer projects that we've been working on throughout this entire school year or throughout this summer. I mean, um there were four
046or six schools that we needed to build walls, put doors in because we're trying to be creative with the different spaces. All of that those are going to wrap up throughout the this week. Uh there were some restroom upgrades took place at Martinsburg High and Berkeley Heights. Uh those will also wrap up and finish this week. uh some much needed needed uh spaces there that needed addressed. And then the athletics that we've been working on, all of the track systems that uh have been installed and are finished except for the striking, the striping crew, uh they've done muscle and spring mills and they're going to be here I think Thursday and Friday to finish uh Martinsburg with the striking. So all the tracks will be complete and ready. The tennis court at Muscleman has been
047paved there. uh they started installing the fencing system I think today. And uh so that as soon as that's finished, they'll move in and do the acrylic paint. So in the next three or four weeks, uh the tennis courts at Mosa will be complete. And then we're going to follow up with the tennis lighting that was a part of that project. And then you might remember at the beginning of this summer, there were 14 gymnasium floors that needed uh either screened and sanded or or screened or sanded and refinished. And there's only three to go. Those are the three on the list. Uh, and they are happening this week and we'll finish up by the end of this week or first part of next week. >> Good. >> And there you go. There's our construction
048updates. Any questions? >> Question. I would just like to say that um that list that Mr. Tyson has just gone through, not just the bond projects, but all of those summer projects. I mean, >> my goodness. um the amount of coordination um and organization um the the recordkeeping, the contacting contractors, that is no small feat. And I just uh I I want to recognize Mr. Tyson for your leadership and being able to get these projects, you know, planned, scheduled, and done um as much as possible before students come back. >> Right. I I want I want you to say I just want to be able to publicly say how impressed I am with your leadership to get this done because um many many school districts struggle with just a few projects over the summer and
049the litany of of HVAC uh flooring construction. Um you my friend have got it done and and that takes a lot of work and so thank you for putting the hours in and you and your team um should be commended very much. Yes. And also, yeah, the custodians at all of these schools been doing their morning preparation for the sermon to get to school wax. >> They've been trying all that. >> Yeah, that's been a creative test as well because some of them, you know, Tom Hack and Burke Street, there was no place for them. So, we uh we borrowed them and they worked with us whenever we did the move between 401 and 1453. some of those custodians were helping us with those type of things. So, it's been, like you said, a tremendous
050team effort in many different areas. >> And the one thing I really appreciate about uh Mr. Tyson is if there is an issue um or if there's a concern, uh you you get a hold of him and he has not once ever said to me, I don't think we can get that accomplished. Um, I would appreciate it if he told me that, but thing is is that he's felt confident they could get it done and he he and his team have just um and they just hit it out of the park every time. And uh and so I do hope that there comes a day when he, you know, feels confident. He say, "Dr. Sax, I apologize. That's just not going to be done in that timeline." But uh but he's but he's always positive,
051too. He's always very positive. Um and he and I I'll give you another example. when the tomahawk when that concern with some of the humidity occurred um there there were some anxiousness within this building and I know it was cool Mr. Mr. Tyson as always was calm cool and collective and said you know he got with the the contractors he Dr. Skoolie um Dr. should also be commended because he's also been very calm, cool, and collected. Probably much more than I would be. And uh sometimes it's like, are you not worried about it? Because I am. They're like, I think we got this. And so it just they're just a phenomenal team all the way around. So thank you for your leadership, Dr. >> Mr. Tyson, and your team are first class. Thanks so much.
052Greatly appreciate it. >> Thank you. Next on the agenda is approve of the consent agenda items. I have a motion. >> All in favor? >> I motion carries to Mr. Rights voting miss >> action items discussion and possible action on transportation department business. >> Good evening president lo members of the board and Dr. Saxs. Um tonight I'm here to um extend approval, the board's approval for um several different items for our transportation department. The first being uh our supply bid that we do annually with all of our vendors. Um of course, we're trying to get the the best price that we can. And um uh so that's first up for approval, but if you have any questions, I'd be willing to answer them. I will say that on a lot of our products this year,
053we're damaging. >> Every single one came under last year's >> almost every single one came under last year. >> And as you notice, the fuel bid was only went up penny. So that is fantastic. >> And the tires went down, right? >> Yeah. By by a large margin. I guess rubber's cheap now. questions first. >> Well, we under consent we had the varsity travel >> and I [Music] Okay. Um, do we want So, we're going to vote on the physicals, the supplies, >> physical. Yeah, physicals and supplies were all part of the bid process. >> Can I have a motion to accept the uh the u bid for um chambers $115? >> I I think you're approving both of them. >> Yeah, Madam President. >> And health $99 for the physicals. >> Yes, sir. I
054was just going to suggest that if you would just approve um action 9.1 in its entirety, that would be my recommendation. >> That would probably be easier. Um with uh having said that, can I have a motion to accept action item 9.1 which is the uh uh health fiscal bids and supply bids for the 25 school year >> 26 256 schools >> second. >> All in favor? Motion carried. Next we have the uh varsity travel rivers contract. >> Yes, this is um I'm asking for approval to uh use the option for the third year um using the same price structure that we've um had for the past two years with travel and river riders. >> Questions for Mr. Sir, >> I not to you because you're just you're the private making arrangements for transportation. I
055I'm concerned that this will be a $5 million anticipated project. >> It's an estimation. >> Estimation. Okay. Um, we this is part of the process and I'm glad Mr. here because some of these students uh where we're basically providing show fair service u some of these students are be on the school bus and how do we how do we uh make sure that we're doing it the most efficient manner I was uh >> sir to answer that question we are currently working on that project And uh sorry, it's okay. Uh we're currently working with the transportation department on that project. Actually, uh we're looking at every decision we're making as far as it comes to traveling for our students. Uh if it's around behaviors, that kind of thing, we try to take every caution to
056make sure that the children are being met where they need to be met. But we're also taking a look at looking at closely at how we're making those decisions and we started that process probably about Yeah. two weeks. Yeah. So we're we're working on it right now. So >> how do we disengage ourselves if we put it into an IEP? >> Well, that that's one of the things that we're going to have to look at as we're going through our IEPs because not all IEPs are made at the same time. So, as we are moving forward, as we're looking at those IEPs, we're questioning does this child really need the transportation and we're making those decisions based on some criteria that we're trying to come up with right now to um make a better process
057for ourselves and also look at the bottom line. >> Yeah. Plus, plus some of these children could be um provided transportation by their parents >> and that that those discussions need to be impact. Yes. And that's one of the things that we're stressing with our coordinators and anyone who's part of that IP. Uh also want to remind the board that if you if you think back to u the transportation efficiency study that we had you know one of the other goals for the year um and while you know I would say more significant changes can occur until personnel season but you know as it as they as there are opportunities and there are agreements that can be made on condensing and consolidating regular routes that opens the potential for yellow bus service potential potentially to
058be able to provide these special ed transportation needs as opposed to a third party vendor. Um the goal is to be able to not only ensure that the equitable services through a student's IEP is being met um and that what is being provided is necessary uh per the accommodation the child requires um and that we're not over serving over sererving our students as it relates to that that that need. uh but that in conjunction with that that as many of our students can ride our yellow bus service as possible because that is also efficient and um some of the those things have already occurred because while and this is just a full matter of transparency while we're anticipating an eclipse of 5 million uh Mr. butts would tell you that our expenses this past year
059were just over 6.5 million. So, we've already made some concessions to be able to bring the budget down for what we are are having to spend on the third party uh transportation provider, but our goal is is to continue to reduce that. So, while there's an anticipated expense of 5 million, our goal is going to be able to is to come under that. Um, and should we um go over that, then we're going to end up coming back to you anyway. So, um, it's a it's a two-fold strategy uh to be able to get it under control. And I I will say though that uh our two leaders here, they have been working hand in hand to try to address this. And uh and I appreciate their I appreciate their work on it. And of
060course, I couldn't help but look at the screen uh the virtual screen there. And I mean I know three baldheaded fellas up here that are you know certainly we can get something accomplished. >> Oh my another question I have when the prescription of the on the back of the paper it says transporting students between a home and school dealer could pay $129. Is that one way or is that >> no trans the the transporting the students between the school if you see um you're looking at that's busing the actual use of a bus we do not use varsity or river round routers for any bus uh as far as bus stops. No, no. I'm I'm looking at what they showed me here. Make sure we're looking at the right same page. >> Have to look
061at >> I'm looking at this. This is >> Yeah, that's for that's for van use. That's what we're currently using. It's $89 is a single driver and then 34, >> right? Now is that for one way or is that included >> Hourly. So, so it takes half hour to pick the kid up in the morning and does the other half hour then at the end of the day or do they get >> Yeah, there we contract with it. It's for AM and PM taking and it's a six hour minimum. Is that right? Yeah, that's the problem. That's what I >> Well, I spoke to Tyler with Barcel Travel and he doesn't know where that came from. So, they're not filling us They're not billing us hourly. Okay. >> Is there a reason that we have
062to have threeear approve a three-year contract with them? >> No, we're this there's now Jim, you might be able to help me with this. There's when you go into a um contract, when you approve the very first contract, you have an option to pick up year two and year three, as long as the um price structure doesn't differ, I think by 10%. Yeah. As long as it doesn't go up by 10%. Because River Riders is staying at the same price of year one. I think this is a good bet for us. >> And this is year three of the >> This is year This will be year three. >> I thought we were proving it. Next year we have to bid it back up. >> But if everything we spend in his contract, if we
063were spending it through the school's transportation system, which we can't get the truck drivers to do, I understand that right. >> But everything we spend through this contract, if we had spent it through the counties, we'd be reimbursed from the state. >> Mr. So the staff is covered in in formula and we're already over staff. So a hiring people would not get reimbursement. We're already secondly because we have spent so much in transportation over the last several years. We're over the 87% reimbursement of max. >> Okay. >> So to get back to that we have basically a limited contract more bus drivers. >> But I I asked Mr. Keysucker earlier we have 243 bus routes. If we could include some of these foods instead of giving them sharper clothes. >> That's right. >> We we
064would put them on a yellow bus, we would save money on this end. >> Correct. >> And one of the one of the things that we're doing differently this year that we get we don't know exactly how much it's going to end up saving in the long run though is that we've added uh we've sort of restructured our special education classroom hubs. So before if you were a student at Spring Mills, you may end up having to go over to um Hedgesville for example because that's where the service is offered. So what we've done is we've taken a comprehensive look at all the services we have to provide across the district. We've group them by student and region and we've tried to put those hubs back at their zone schools. So that means that for
065example autism uh if you're if you need to be in a self-contained autism room and you're zoned for Spring Mills Primary, you're not having to go across the county and us provide transportation to that other school because the services are offered at that home school. I believe that that's also going to help with the cost um significantly. So that's the that's another thing that um Mr. uh Dilly and his team have been working through and it's why during our staffing season we were starting to add special education classrooms at several different schools because they had so many students from that zone they we could justify a classroom there as opposed to transporting them somewhere else. >> Okay, Mr. So that's the um you brought up properly the overstaffing we have now. We wouldn't be reimbursed
066for the personnel, but the cost of transporting the students, we would be given the money for the fuel and the equipment. >> But we're already over already. >> The goal would be to make all the expensive parts to travel and get back to our base where we used to be several years ago. And and I I'm sorry, I just want to make sure I clarify also with our 240 routes, that means there's 240 bus drivers that we have a need for for what we currently have. >> But if you think back to the efficiency study, our routes weren't as efficient because they were underutilized. So, as we consolidate routes, we consolidate routes, but we still have a need for those drivers. So I think that there's an opportunity for us to be able to get
067closer to living within the means and by which the formula has has given us for staffing and for the budgetary proc the budgetary needs of transportation. And that's what we're trying to accomplish both in in several different venues. So by classroom resource allocation so we're not having to trans have students go to different schools by by service need. consolidating routes so that there are um fewer routes, but there will need to be some, you know, additional students on buses so that they're more efficient. Um and then and then finally um is trying to get as many of those special education or McKenna Vento students that require transportation on yellow bus service with those extra the differential from the routes where we've been able to consolidate a little bit. Are we close to consolidating routes? >>
068We've already begun. >> Well, will we have the drivers come back >> year? Yeah. Year year one, which is this space year, we we are looking at several that we're not bringing back. >> Okay. >> Um, however, I think the biggest the the the the biggest jump you're going to see is in year two and year three. Um, because I we have already um talked to Edel. We have training. They're going to come in and train us on their route optimization, which is a key component of making route efficient. Um, so they're coming in late September, early October to train the routing team on how to use that. >> So that will help us personnel season two if >> yes, >> we're going to and and I don't anticipate anybody will not have a job,
069right? >> It may mean that their route may be different, but it's because we're making those routes more efficient. So, I want to just be very uh explicit in saying that really loud is that we will not we do not anticipate needing to reduce any transportation staff. >> Is about making sure the routes are as efficient as possible and that we're able to pick up the needs of the transportation that we're outsourcing. >> Right. Right. >> Do do any other counties in the state have our problem with transporting special education students? It's not so much special ed students um as far as contracting the service out, but there are several counties now that um are dealing with Mckenn Vento um and the increasing numbers there. I know um M County is now using varsity travel.
070Jefferson uses them some to do their outsourcing. Um and yes uh at the conference um two weeks ago um there was a lot of talk about the increased number of McKini mento students and and how difficult it is to transport a ner out of district or out of county >> or out of state. >> Yeah. Or out of state. >> Any other questions for Mr. Cucker or Mr. Dillard? >> Just appreciate the three staff stance questions. If there's no other questions, can I have a motion to approve the uh year three contract of Bertie Travel/ River at an anticipated expense of $5 million? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Key discussion possible action on school year 26 school bus purchase. >> Yes, ma'am. So, as always, we we purchase buses.
071Um, and we get funding from the state. It's a budget replacement fund. Um, that does not come out of Berkeley County's budget. Um, this year, we received enough funding to buy 11 GenEd buses and three uh special ed buses for a total of 2 million uh $99,679. And they do come with air conditioning. questions for Mr. Cir. I was reading the contract to what they did get what we threw in their extra. >> Yeah. >> Any questions? >> Where these come from Parker Parker? >> Yes, it's Mini Motors who we buy them through, but they're made in High Point, North Carolina. start talking about >> let that >> he let him know about the features about the lab he sent us that >> they did just want to make sure everyone that that they knew
072that they would all have air conditioning. >> Yes. And when we get this order we'll have um I think 30 uh buses with air conditioning um to go into the next school year. >> Great. Why do we buy Thomas and Bloomberg just close to the price? >> Uh, no. Uh, all all the buses are on the state bid. Um, they're all very similar. Uh, we buy Thomas um so that we can streamline our um operations because if you have as big a county as we are and you have three or four different types of buses you're working on, that's three or four different types of parts you have to have. Um, will we be getting rid of any buses since we're going to get these or are we going to have and use those for
073spare buses? >> Yes, we will be getting um >> we're a little tight on spares at the moment. Um, so the ones that we no longer receive any money for, any bus replacement money for is those tend to go um first. Uh, we will probably, uh, I think Eddie McDonald, our chief mechanic, said we probably have five or six that we can sell this year. >> You still get the people from Central America. >> Yes. Yeah. They they've learned how to do the online auction. >> I mean, they tear them down right there in the line. >> Mhm. >> And drive them all. >> They take them to They take them to Venezuela. They don't have any more light for us. That's the face. >> Yeah. >> If there's no other questions, can I have
074a motion to accept the um letter of intent to purchase the new school buses for the 256 school year in the amount of $2,99,679? >> Second. All in favor? I motion carries. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. Dr. Mr. Dilly, I assume that's Mr. Oh, Sam turn. I'm sorry. I apologize. >> No, you are totally okay. >> Wisconsin discussion possible action or contracted services for special education students. >> Yep. Good evening, President Long, Superintendent S, members of the board. I'm here tonight to speak to you regarding our special education contracts and obviously our ongoing commitment of meeting the needs of our special education students. We are seeking approval of contracts for nursing services, speech language pathologists and sign language interpreters. Uh these contracts will be begin tomorrow and sent through June the 30th, 2026. Bids
075were accepted on May 27th in response to request for proposal issued on May 12th for nursing and speech and May 19th for sign language interpretation. Proposals were evaluated not only on pricing but their capacity to meet demand, their past performance, responsiveness and the ability to maintain a collaborative partnership. Recommended vendors as indicated on the board proposal scored the highest in these areas. Uh, additionally important to note that the speech and sign language interpreter contracts are in addition to those that were already previously renewed. And the purpose of these supplemental contracts is to ensure a service continuity throughout the year and so that we're not relying on one single vendor. >> I'm happy to take any questions. >> Questions for Mr. Con? >> Uh there's major Medicaid cuts coming down. It might be Mr. BS is
076one of the These are the kind of services that would be Medicaid pre reimburse they could be. Yes. >> And any any direction from Charleston or anything about what we can anticipate about the Medicaid? [Music] >> I'm not sure about >> Right. >> You mean Medicaid cuts? Medicaid cuts that have been by Congress signed by the president are going to impact the kind of services that these people over provide that we can't >> I'm not sure if there's a service but I haven't seen anything our service level would improve. >> Okay. Well, I'm just I'm I'm just concerned the money I mean whether we had the people in house doing this, you know, nurses, speech pathologists. >> So in the state of West Virginia, our Medicaid is costb reimbursement. So these calls whether they're from
077an outside agency within which part of our cost report our settlement. >> Okay. But are we anticipating less money coming from Washington? that number we have not been given an indication that just won't be certain will be fewer than what it has been in the past. >> But if we get but if we get that information we'll make sure you're aware of it. But we just haven't been given any information from the Department of Education or otherwise to lend to that would lead us to believe that our reimbursements would change under under any current action of the federal administration. Okay. Well, my next question here. >> Well, this this is my fair question if you know it. If you don't, I I respect that because I didn't think to just do you know how much
078money we get through Medicaid. >> Yeah. Our cost at the end of the year is about 2.1 to 2.5 depending on how many services for the year. Um it's not just per account, it's a statewide. There's several factors to the reimbursement cost report and they depend on how the state as a whole answer certain segments of the cost report process but for us we usually average over two two and a half million I think 2.6 also based on how much it will collect during here as well. Well, and regardless if we get reimbursement or not, if those students need that those services, we're have to we will provide those services. If you recall, many many years ago, you see 56 million for Medicaid that has changed. It went from a paid service base to a
079cost base reimbursement. >> Any other questions for Mr. Turner? If not, can I have a motion to uh approve the contracted services for special education students for nursing, speech pathologists, and sign languages and interpreters as presented? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Question carries. Thank you. >> Discussing a possible action on the Hatsburg High School Rain soundscapes change order. Hi, >> Mr. Price. >> Good evening again, everyone. Um, so as part of the LSburg Auditorium renovation, originally the plan was to keep the plaster ceiling intact as as it was, but we learned that that was not going to be an option. And so that plaster ceiling was removed to basically provide an open concept structure. And the result of that would probably mean you would want to have some kind of acoustical panels
080to kind of fill that void. And so this change order that is presented to you tonight for you to contemplate and perhaps approve is to install those uh they're called soundsscape panels and they're these are the actual product that I just handed out to you designed by the Armstrong company. So they are a a slightly curved panel that would provide the acoustics for the auditorium space. And right now the ceiling that is going to be more of an industrial look is is all going to be painted black and the soundsscape panels will be like an orange to go with the theme of marksbury. Right. And so, um, in order to make that happen, it's throughout the space as designed, it would be $252,891 for the materials and installation of those soundscape uh, panels. Um, as
081you are contemplating this, I'm sure you'll have some questions. There is a construction contingency at Martinsburg on this edition of $212,500. Most of that will already be exhausted. There are a little more than that currently in the works that we're waiting for McKenley to review. That's not including the soundsscape panels. So, just want to make sure that I was clear on that. that contingency will all be used up by the time I come to you with some more change orders that are that are in the works. >> Uh some of those you've already approved and some of them are still under review by McKenley who is in collaboration with the contractor and sort some of those out. Um there probably is approximately $500,000 worth of change orders including these sound skate panels. So, just want
082to make sure you knew we will certainly max out the contingency and and go over this budget, but it's your decision, of course, if you want to approve the this additional feature of the soundsscape. >> So, uh in essence, the 225 is gone. >> It's gone. Yes. I haven't actually presented all of it to you yet, but it it's in the works. >> It was the demolition, right? You're mostly see the demolition and some other thing like you know the sprinkler upgrade is in the works. I haven't really presented a number to you on that and there's a few other related items that um that you you can't really do without but so that is exhausted. So this would be in addition to uh above and beyond the current contingency that already >> 52891 is
083what this would cost and you're anticipating additional change orders that could total with this to 500,000. >> Yes. >> And where are we getting this money from? >> Um, that is a question for our finance department, >> Mr. >> Well, it would come correct me wrong. Well, it come out of bond funds until until the falling waters project, which we will exhaust all bond funds plus the general fund. So right now it would come out of bond funds to get it completed. It just means that we have less money for bond funding for the other projects in which we will need to make sure that we have adequate reserves to be able to complete those projects. >> Is that right? >> That is correct. Thank you. >> There you go. >> Questions. >> And you
084you indicated why ceiling was ripped out because of the sprinkler system that was there. the lighting. >> It was because of the the lighting and the rewiring of the lighting, the new lighting, and the fire marshall said we could not abandon the old wiring and the only way to access it was to remove the existing plaster. So, that was kind of what got us in that direction, >> which we had to tear the entire ceiling off. >> So, the entire ceiling is out and the plan is to leave it open, more of an industrial type of look. Uh, so basically these soundscape panels would kind of fill in the void and provide I guess a better sound quality in in that space. >> Over the balcony when you put these in. I'm just worried about
085bangism. How high is the ceiling be? >> Did you say under the balcony? >> Over the balcony. The ceiling. >> Yeah, they you would not be able to reach them. questions, additional questions for Mr. Kyson. >> So, if these aren't in place, could it be drop ceiling? >> If these aren't in place, >> it would just be >> I mean, I guess technically you just do without them >> and see how the sound how it is. You know, you could take a chance and not even do acoustical panels. >> Uh there are some that are going to be on the wall that's already part of the contract. So there are some representation of acoustical panels. These are just uh to provide I guess optimum uh sound qualities in that space since it's a theater auditorium
086kind of space. >> It would be more like a gymnasium sound because of the height and then you all you have is the expanded metal >> with the metal girders. And so the plaster, even having a plaster provided a sound sort of a sound uh softening. Um so think of like putting a theatrical production on in a gymnasium. Uh it may not be as bad because you do have some acoustical panels on the sides, but you're you're not going to have very good sound if you don't have some sort of sound absorption that's on the ceiling. So that's the that's the biggest concern there. And right now with the design, what McKenley Architecture did was they placed all of the lighting, all of the sprinkler system, all of the HVAC duct work in such a
087way that it with or without these, all these things are in place. These are just panels for sound purposes and follow. >> I'm definitely on the fence about it. I'm just scared of the other bond projects that we have. Yeah, >> you guys don't want to like come back to like inspect the >> sound panels. >> Is this something that could be installed later at a later time? >> It could be. Yes. >> How confident are you with the right now with the other change or that you could be expecting overages on those? I'm confident that there that we will certainly use up the contingency and and and then some >> for that same project. >> Oh, for the I'm just talking about the Marsburg project. You're talking about >> other projects. >> Uh let's
088see. Title Hack, we're good. Hedgesville prek. I mean, that was tough for me to know. >> Yeah, that's that's tough to know at this point. So, I don't think I can uh answer that very confidently. >> Mountain I can answer confidently. I'll be over >> in Mountain Ridge. Um they did put there was a there was an allocation for the water suppression. Um I don't know how much it was, but you know, we're looking at pretty significant um addition to that project just to get the water suppression with the tank. Um that will need to be they're still engineering that. Um, I do I do understand and agree with the reservations. I do think that as we're talking about sound panels, we're also talking about aesthetics also. You know, the Martinsburg High School project was
089what $2.7 million. Am I Am I correct on that? >> Or am I under? >> Seems to me it was more, but I could be wrong. But the reason I bring that up is that we are making a significant investment into improving the theater and the and the the arts programs. I I would have a concern that the not only from the sound, but the aesthetics of that space if you didn't have that um I think I think it would look very odd. It would it would look very incomplete if you didn't have some sort of >> 4.5 I'm sorry. Um but but on a $4.5 million project, you have to have that finished look in the auditorium. I I think it's something to consider. Um and uh I would also say that, you know,
090the other changes that we um obviously the big issue that we have on this project was is the unforeseen that the lights um did not meet the fire code and that we couldn't abandon them. And that's what caused all this. That's what really has caused both the the um reaching the capacity and capency of 212 and then having to also look at a $252 $22,000 request for the sound and aesthetics that we didn't think we' have to address. So, it is a challenge, but I I will also say that there you may have already heard a little bit of uh some concern over the dance floor. Um, you know, that's one change order that that I have not put before the board because I don't think it's necessary. Um, when you consider what, you know,
091um, other schools other schools have and that this is still an improvement as to what they've had in the past. Um, having a change order of I think it was what 50 or $60,000. Am I correct? >> 56 34,000 for that the shock absorbers >> to change to 34. Okay. Thank you for clarifying me. >> Yeah. decided not to go with. >> Yeah. And I think that was a wise decision. I I really do. Um I think that and again, whatever the board decides, we'll support. I just think that um we will probably at the end of the project be coming back and saying we've got to do something in this auditorium because one, it doesn't look it doesn't look nearly as as complete and two, there's going to be some sound issues. And it's
092okay to wait. I mean, that's perfectly fine. Um I don't know. Do you think the only question I would have is do you think that there would be additional cost to the installation if we were to purchase them later than what we had? >> There would be an additional cost because right now there's scaffolding in that space. So they would just utilize the scaffolding that's right there. If we wait, we install the seating and then we want to do it after the fact, it's still possible, but we would have to, you know, rent some kind of a lift or something like that. So there would be an additional expense because right now the scaff is already there >> and they would be doing it before the chairs are installed. >> Yeah. Well, I guess if
093we're going to take a chance and see how the sound is, then we probably would do it after the chairs. >> No, no, no. I'm saying right now. >> Oh, right now. >> It would be They're doing it before the chairs are installed. So, it would complicate it a little bit more once the chairs are installed. Yes. >> To bring equipment in. And I'm not and I'm not maybe if there is any potential reservation that we have maybe it would be in our interest also to bring some additional information back to the board on this project where we say if we were to wait until after installation or or or at some point to determine whether or not you know we would have to add this at a later time. What would it cost at
094a later time? Okay. >> You know, what would what would be the additional costs that just so that they had that information? >> They had to work around the seating to install it >> or would they even have to take some of the seating out again? >> And they might. Yeah, that might be possible. Yes. >> Well, what what I don't want is for us to put all this money in this project and then do it incomplete. >> Yeah. So, you're like the scaffolding that's like saving money and labor the scaffolding. Um, if we're going to do it, do it now. >> Yes. Mr. Mar, >> but I don't want to and I I mean I mean this nothing nothing would prohibit us from going back to the contract saying what would it cost if
095we were to not hold off and what would that add in additional cost be so that you as a board are very well informed and you're not having to rush into a decision tonight because we have another board meeting in what two weeks we could we could postpone it so we have all the right information. Um, and there might even be some way that we could assess the quality of sound without it and and have some information for the board too just so that you're making this um just so that any reservation you have could be at least addressed. >> What's the >> if you're comfortable now? >> I'm good now. >> Okay. >> I'm good. >> After graduation in the RS >> Yeah. Trust me. significant. [Music] >> Okay. Um, everybody in agreement as
096everybody's in agreement. Can I have a motion? >> To uh accept the Armstrong acoustical sounds gate panels to be installed at 252,899 for ice water. Second. All in favor? I >> motion carried >> discussion and possible action on high school geothermal heat pump replacement uh change order. >> Okay. So I shared with you a document from CMTA that explains the issue that they have experienced or that we have experienced on a uh a system that was installed in 2019. Two of the HVAC heat pumps have failed prematurely. Uh like I said, they're part of the geothermal system. They're out of warranty, so they're not covered. Um the total cost to replace the equipment and the uh the two HVAC units is $112,000, but the CMTA is saying that um they'll pay half of that. So,
097they're asking us to cover 56,000 to have this equipment installed. Uh, in their investigation, they determined that there are some filters that we could probably do a better job of maintaining that we were not aware of. Uh, they have since educated us on these filters. They think they they can't say for sure if that contributed uh to the the premature failure of these systems, but we are now aware of some other uh maintenance type of items that we can address. And of course, we have an outstanding HVAC team that does a great job servicing our equipment. Uh, and now they've been informed as to what they can do, uh, moving forward. But, uh, unfortunately, we have two units that have failed and we've replaced. Um, now I'm thinking about it. Uh, is there a possibility
098that since we're not maintaining some of these right with filters other places, do we need to go around and make sure that we are maintaining those properly? Uh yeah, since this has uh you know happened here recently that CMTA did an assessment and has provided that information to our HVAC team of any similar type of equipment so that it's it's being addressed properly. >> Okay, great. >> So far everything else is working as it should be. However, you did see in this write up that there is one of the units that's working I believe at 50%. Um, but because of where it's located, I can't remember the details right now, >> but yeah, it's kind of like a backup. There wasn't really a concern with that one. Uh, so other than that, the other ones
099that they've assessed throughout the district, and I think, like I said, I think we have nine schools that have geothermal or partial geothermal, um, everything with their inspection is operating as it should. And the ones that had these filters that we're now aware of, we're able to go in and maintain them as like like we're supposed to. But uh apparently we just weren't aware that they had these extra filters. >> Okay. >> But now we are. >> Additional questions for Mr. Tyson. Uh this this chair at first I was worried about they have an existing contract and the savings from GE was supposed to retire the debt over the 15 years and uh so I was wondering one is is this a a shortcoming of the contract and report of the the CMTA. Uh my
100other question is well and so will this impact the debt retirement uh the uh initial cost of this whole process. The second question I have is that when this was presented to us, we had kind of the idea that everything will last 50 years. That roof we're replacing rooftop units which have a limited life and by the time they're they're they're dying, you can't even find the parts for them because of of upgrades and rooftop units. So, I'm just I'm just worried about um the promise and the contract. I I realized we have to have heat there at the school on those extreme days, right? So normally geothermal was going to cover most of the days process but as I was reading the letter here I saw where they said sometimes these units have to
101kick on because of the excessive heat or low excessive cold in the atmosphere but I'm just worried about future HVAC's I do appreciate appreciate CMPA saying we'll go ahead with it. I'm just wondering if there's any we should be any questions we should be asking asked at this point. >> Yeah, I think uh it probably be a good idea to have CMTA come your questions. I mean, I can't speak to it, but I think CMTA could give us an assessment because they're obviously concerned about this and they've evaluated and done some uh investigations throughout the district. So, uh maybe I can have them come back at one of the future board meetings and give us an update if you'd like >> just virtually >> or perhaps virtually. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I I've always liked
102dealing with CMPA, but I'm just concerned that uh it was kind of the the issue of you have a backup pump for the circulation. You have and I'm just worried that we have nine other units and here we have one school that's that's doing this >> and what's what are the other nine or eight whatever we have. I I don't worry so much about that. I mean, even top units of something good or out of 20 units and then you've got a couple bad ones, but I don't see this as any any different, but they can answer that better than me guessing. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, that's that's a good option for them to good idea for them to come and present. I have a comment might give us some update on yeah summary
103on this >> what's the source of >> I guess it's just from the uh the water that circulates through those pumps and they the water is uh treated but uh man you still need to do those filters regardless >> well I guess we weren't using those filters right >> we weren't even addressing we didn't even realize that that was a responsibility to maintain but now we know I'd like to table this table. >> Yeah, >> I can bring them back. Bring them up here. >> They're about 16. >> So, you push it too far out, you're going to be in the middle of winter without >> HBAC about 16 weeks from the time that we get them to go ahead. >> Uh, Mr. Murphy would it because of the because we because we know that
104we're going to need to address the the issue um as it relates to Martinsburg regardless just for climate control especially entering into the fall. Would you entertain a a request to go ahead and approve this but we still have CMTA come back and provide a comprehensive report and analysis on the other systems and really why this why this anomaly really occurred. Would that would that be appropriate or would you prefer to still hold off on the approval of this? >> I I hear I hear what you're saying. Go ahead and put it on. I'm a vote now, but we'll have to we'll pass. >> Oh, I'm comfortable with holding off. I just >> I think I think Dr. >> Yeah, that's my only concern. I mean, we could hold off on it until they can
105can get us some answers, but then yeah, we're getting into whether or not that we're going to need heat. >> What's the What's the warranty on them? >> Is it just one year? I think it's a one-year warrant >> that was in >> Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's one year. >> Oh, warranties expired in 2024. >> Oh, so what's the board's pleasure? Uh let me just think about this for a second before before I before I um you said 15we lead time 16 weeks. So that's um like four months and um >> December January. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Well, >> I don't I don't like I don't like um uh from a personal standpoint, I don't like uh bringing something to you all where if you have reservations that we can't flush it out.
106So, I do apologize for that, but I think we know. So, I apologize for that. >> It's timely it's needed. >> Yes, sir. >> My only concern is we're going to have bigger problems if we don't heat >> um that area. Um, we're going to have worse than $56,000 to come up with. >> Yeah. >> So, well, what are we doing here? And I have a motion to uh I have a motion for for CMTa to replace F equipment I described for a change order of $56,000 >> and CMTA will absorb $56,000 on their >> second. I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I [Music] motion carries. All right. >> And madam president, I just want to state I absolutely agree why you have the concerns and we'll make sure and we'll make sure
107we have CMTA here to explain that um for full transparency >> as well like the training for like the existing units too. >> Yes. You're saying you want them to explain the training for what did you say? >> Like make sure that there's training for the existing units. >> Oh yes. >> I think I think it was in there but yes remember. >> Yeah. they've already met with our HBAC team and they are informed as to what one of the potential issues was and how they're going to resolve it moving forward. So that's already happened. >> I think we have a reason for concern. So >> absolutely. Yeah. I'll try again here the next meeting either in person or virtually. >> Thank you. Personal actions. Uh good evening members of the board and superintendent sex.
108The personnel actions dated for Monday, August 4th, 2025 are as follows. We have four coaching uh appointments. Um one interimm appointment of a game manager and two coaching resignations. We have seven extra duty appointments and two resignations. Beginning on line 18, we have three unpaid leave of actions uh for your considerations uh this evening or excuse me, unpaid leave of absences for your consideration this evening. For professional personnel, we have 14 professional appointments. On line 35, we have one correction of an appointment. And on line 36, we've rescended one appointment. We have three changes of assignments for next school year. And we also have one mutual agreement and a policy 5,000. We have six professional resignations and one retirement. And we have nine transfers for the 2526 school year and one correction of a transfer.
109Uh for service actions, we have 18 new service personnel appointments. and we rescended the appointment of one service personnel employee. We also have seven changes of assignment of service personnel. We have six service resignations and two retirements. We have 13 transfers of service personnel and one resend of a transfer. Uh we have one resignation of a substitute nurse and 27 new appointments of substitute service personnel. We also have one leave of absence appointment and two resignations. Uh for professional substitute teachers, we have 25 appointments of professional day-to-day substitutes and 14 renewals of substitute contracts. We also had six substitute teacher resignations. Um tonight we also have two summer school appointments for a total of 183 professional service and substitute personnel actions um for your consideration with superintendent Sax's recommendation. >> Question for Mr. Camp. Um,
110a lot of the transfers are from like professional positions to substitute teachers. So, those are people, excuse me, that were on permit. Um, and they either did not pass a practice or did not, excuse me, complete coursework to renew. Um, we will continue to work with them. Um my guess is you will see a couple of them in the very short term going back to being a full-time employee. Um but that is why they go back to substitute teacher status. Technically they they should have went back right after June 30, but we try to work with them as long as we can in the summertime so as not to to do this. >> Um but typically we have an August 1 deadline. We absolutely have to do that just to get started for the school
111year. But they will remain in their classroom just as a permanent substitute teacher. >> Got it. >> Yes. So that um means where are we with positions right now? >> So on the professional side um we have posted 512 jobs this summer. Right now and what I'm focusing mostly on is the classroom teacher openings. We have 25 openings right now. Uh if you recall back on July 7th we were at 102 and the last time I was here we were at 53. So, we continue to knock that number down. I I send an update to Dr. Saxs and some senior staff every Friday. Um, you know, I think we'll continue to get that number knocked down. I've been working with principles today, even talking about people they've got coming in for interviews. Um, so I
112anticipate that number being, you know, probably into the low teens by later this week. Uh, on the service side, she has posted 254 positions. She has 31 aid openings um and 54 total openings. But you know we on boarded tonight I think 27 substitute serves personnel. I mean we we are still working to fill those and we will work obviously up until the first day of school and even after kids come back we'll still be work fill position if need be. Um, you know, talking to the principles this morning in the meeting, I told them that, you know, classroom teacher positions right now are absolutely the priority and that is mostly what we're focusing on about our advance. How many permanents? >> 190. >> We have a motion to accept personnel actions as presented. >>
113Second. >> All in favor? >> I motion carries. Thank you. >> Next on the agenda is legal update. Can I have a motion to go in executive session under West Virginia code 6-96-9-4 to discuss >> an anending legal matter >> pending legal matter >> second? >> All in favor? >> I motion carries. It is um 8:31. We're going into executive session and we probably will have a vote. >> Okay. So, we will be a journal. >> If you guys give us a few seconds, if you guys could just say I'd like to go someplace more, but