001any board member discuss what health ses recommended or ask of who can participate in the uh stakeholders group? Do we anticipate that that will be months or do we have any idea of that? This this one will the this will just be a one-time uh opportunity. This will be a onetime event where at the end the the artifact is is that they will be making a re this stakeholders will be making a recommendation on the vision, the mission and our our belief statements. Ultimately the board is going to approve our our the work of the five-year plan. Um but the artifact of that day is to come up with those things to bring to the board when we have the comprehensive plan actually constructed. there will be another stakeholder group that will be created that
002will do some additional leg work in creating the the goals and the action steps that we're going to be putting into there. So, this one is just a one time one time thing. Um, I do think it might be nice though that for the board member preventatives that they be consistent throughout. So, there will be probably another two maybe three meetings between now and December. um that we would be we would be asking for input. I would like to be one of them. But if that's not possible because some of you all want to do that then I would step back. The only concern I just have one thing and that's the student accountability be put into the statement. But I I think my future on the board is limited. I think it should be
003somebody that will be here during the five years for for I'm willing to I just don't want to necessarily be the only one that that says that out loud besides his long. I want to be able to have other people say whether they want to or not. Damon keep looking over here and like Mr. Um, Martin, I'll take Jack's place, but I mean it's up it's up to you. I'm very okay with you, Representative. Well, we get it, too. You know, being president. Well, that shouldn't play a part in it. No, no, it should not. person. So, well, do you want to organize? That's my only concern in my like Q4. I just don't want to That's immediate. I'm I don't have an issue with with doing it. So, I just, you know, I don't
004have a work schedule. So, I know you don't have because I have advanced notice. I'm good. But Mr. Sure. Well, and if there is a time that maybe one of us cannot then I'll put it out there. Yeah. Okay. Are you going to solicit feedback from the member from the board before this meeting? Well, I think that things are covered. I think that would be the the short answer is I think that would be where the the member the the uh representative would bring that to the table. Um, obviously if there's anything that you as an individual want added, sending that to us so that we can share that with the stakeholder group I think is going to be valuable. Um, there I I believe Carla, correct me if I'm wrong, the there is a
005survey that goes out to I know principles and leaders regarding the strategic plan. Are board members included on that? Uh, I think so. Yes. So there there is actually a survey that's it's actually intended for the uh leadership leadership Berkeley to provide feedback into the plan and so you all we'll make sure you all are included in that too so that some of that feedback is captured through the survey as well and then also we can um I don't want to say talk amongst ourselves because we can't do that right so um I I think the board members can bring things to view that they want to see incorporated or they find, you know, just like what Mr. Murphy was talking about. And I and I think that we all believe that there needs to
006be student accountability. Um, especially from the work we just did in the literacy statement, that's going to play a heavy heavy part in in the moving forward of our strategic plan as well. So between now and then something for you all to think about maybe they could provide their thoughts during um board announcements just so that we make sure that it stays in the public forum. Yeah, sounds good. So I want to make sure I understand it' be Miss Long and Miss Power. Okay. Unless one and then solicit from the rest of the board members and then in the meantime we'll get clear thoughts and feedback on other things that they would like this week and continue to discuss that some hearing at another time with the board announcements and so on and so forth.
007Sounds great. Right. Any other emails? Monitoring items, instructional update. Miss Dr. Good evening, President Long, Superintendent Sax, and members of the board. Tonight's instructional update um is about our Brooklyn County School summer programs. Tonight we will have steps to success and enrichment camps presented by Ann Laski. Um robotics as well, career technical education camps, Ken Pack, credit recovery by how van meter and extended school year by Rebecca Hutchinson. Awesome. Thank you. All right. Good evening everyone. Um we want to begin tonight by highlighting the first component of our summer lo learn learning program steps to success which is designed for students in kindergarten through third grade. Um in alignment with house bill 30 3035. This initiative um supports students who scored below the West Virginia Department of Ed cut score on their winter diagnostic which
008is their I Ready um in literacy and numeracy. Um these students were invited to participate in our summer program to receive the additional supports in ELA and math. Um we had well we're still currently in it but we have small student teacher ratios that's focused on providing targeted intentional instruction to help close the gaps and strengthen um our foundational learning. Um, so we started STE success on June 16th and it concludes next Tuesday. Um, this year we have three sites for our K3 students. We have students at Rosmont Elementary, Spring Primary, and Valley View Elementary. Um, across all three of these locations, we have hired 31 professional staff, which is all certified teachers. Um, we have nurses and we have some additional EL support for our students. Um, in addition to our professional employees, we
009have 30 service personnel of aids, secretaries, and custodians um to help support our operations. Every K3 classroom in these three locations has a teacher and an aid this summer to help support our kiddos. Um, currently 261 students are enrolled. Um, we have 17 days of instruction. We're just like in the past, we're utilizing our transportation hubs with our transportation department. Um and we serve the children breakfast and lunch daily. All right. Um so next so the next portion of our slideshow is a video created by our communications coordinator Tyler H and this is solely about BCS summer camps. Yes. There's music back to the video. Ken and I will talk about what you're seeing in these videos. It's just Yes. Okay. I think you're in it. Aren't you in it? I don't see that. It
010might be on that one. It's the solid blue. You did not receive this most recent update. This video was provided. Oh, yes. Oh, sorry. [Music] But Dr. School sent us an updated version. Oh, yeah. Then it is in page 30. 33. It just looks like a blue screen. Yeah. You have to click on it to hit play. Play. It's not good. The music's not being our friends. Oh, that's fine. to stop being our friend. All right. So, I'm going to talk to you about the first half of what you saw in the camps and then my colleague here Ken will um fill you in on the second half of CTE. So, um under the direction of Dr. Sax this year, he asked us to provide um he asked us to provide some enrichment camps for
011our students. So, I'm going to talk about the enrichment camps um that we had for current fourth and fifth graders and current students in grades four through seven. So, my picture is not being my friend there, but that's okay. So, what we decided is we we designed some programs for them this year in STEM and some theater and some robotics. And the goal was basically to like spark some interest, right? Give them some good structure and summer learning um outside of like, you know, traditional school. So um in collaboration with the Apollo Theater Horses with Hearts in Bluridge and Community Technical College, we offered three week they're four day camps and they were three we had three different times. So the Apollo gave um they split their camps up. So they had one week of
012theater, they had one week of STEM kids and currently they're having colonial camp with our kiddos. Um, Horses with Hearts did the therapeutic um, program that they offer with some literacy. They threw some math in for Annaski, which made me very happy. Um, they offered the same camp three times for the kids. So, the kids had three different times to go. And then Blige is doing a more of a coding camp. It's a STEM camp, but they're doing more coding with the kids. Um, like today they designed a video game that pop balloons. Tomorrow they're doing something with Minecraft. They do some writing. And their favorite day so far is the kids have Legos on Thursday. Um we were fortunate enough from ZM ZM architects and engineers that provides this sponsor for the Blige STEM
013camp. Um we had 100 we have because we have one more week this week 145 kids enrolled in the program and we made sure that the times match the steps of success program. So we're utilizing the transportation hubs for those three sites to get our kiddos to these camps. So, um, that was way and we also are providing these kiddos with breakfast and lunch every day at camp. Um, did they sign up for what they wanted? Yes. Okay, we did Yes. Yeah. This is open any Berkeley County child that was in fourth or fifth grade. Um, and then I was the middle school I'm going to talk about. We're just starting right now at South also. So, any of those kiddos could sign up for these programs. Did we end up with a wait list
014on anything? We we're close, very very close. Um we are in the robotics program that's next. Um the horses in Bleridge obvious right at the right at the m and and families had to pay. Yes. You know they had skin in the game so to speak. Yes they did. Yes they did. Um and then the next camp that we organized was um this robotics camp which background story is um so the Katherine Johnson NASA center has a robotics camp every summer. So they this the background story is they they opened it up like in March and they had a huge waiting list. They had like 50 Berkeley County kids on this waiting list. It was open for like 10 minutes. And so um with our robotics programs we have Todd Enson emailed me and he
015said you know we have 50 kids. So um and it wasn't here. It was like in Fairmore right that they it was gonna be at James Rosen. Oh okay. Okay. and it filled. And so, um, Jefferson County, um, their robotics teacher hosted a camp for some of our kids. And then we were fortunate enough, um, with the support that we had a camp this week. So, pretty much any kid that wanted to do robotics is at South Middle right now. That's wonderful. Um, and they're with Cindy Evers and Sharon Mason and, um, Devita Mander who are current robotics. Um, so there's 30 kids there. I was there today. 30s and up. There's 30 kids and they were doing their little hockey puffs. um to get the robot, the hockey puck and the the goal. Um
016they'll be there all week. Now, that camp is all day. They are there from 8 to 3 and we're giving them breakfast and lunch. And since that is a all day program, their parents are actually doing their transportation. Um so that's what been happening for. And then we have kids from fourth grade all the way up to eighth grade, seventh grade in that program this week. So it was pretty cool. So my colleague Ken here will tell you about what he did with CP. Thank you. You're welcome. So I want to thank the board and our superintendent for allowing us to have a CT summer camp. We've never had that before. And this was our first and looking forward. We're going to have I'm sure many more. So when I met with the staff at
017our opening meeting, I asked them that they plan the week that they develop learning opportunities that were student centered, fun, and learn by doing hands-on activities. I'm pleased to say that our teachers did just that in planning an experience for our students. We had one week of camp at Hedesville High School in Muslim High School week of June 23rd. The students chose an AM and a PM class. And our classes were from esports, baking and pastry, agriculture awareness, broadcasting, graphic design, and building and maintenance. And I want to read to you some of the activities that the teacher included in their lesson plans. Students will create a video using Canva with narrative and iMovie. One video topic will include the research of the 36 almost heaven West Virginia swings found throughout West Virginia. Students will
018create videos on numerous places to visit in Berkeley County and Relay Relay for Life for Berkeley County. Another class students will learn leadership communication through structured gameplay. They'll explore clear career paths in esports from streaming to game design and analyzing play. They will develop digital skills using Canva to create streaming platforms and they will compete in friendly tournaments creating a team logo. There will be an emphasis on online safety, digital literacy and healthy game gaming habits. Students will design posters, learn designs, the thinking process, use sketchbook prompts, make badges, and a recipe book for our baking pastry class. Another class students will remove a classroom door, learn to refinish it, and make a stool to take home favorite baking and patient. I'm just going to read what they made. Strawberry jam, buttermilk biscuits, pizza, cinnamon
019rolls, fruit pizza, chicken pot pie, fair lemonade, fair style lemonade, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, and yeast, bread loaves, whipped cream. It was a great week. We had a meaningful collaboration with our host schools with transportation, with meal service, and who was very helpful in helping us start the first one. And then once again, the willingness of parents to arrange for transportation, not only getting them to a hub, but sometimes bringing them to our school. I think our camps will grow next year, and I'm very pleased where we finished, and we're looking forward to how we start next year. Good evening everyone. Good evening. I'm here to talk a little bit about our credit recovery program for middle and high school. Our credit recovery program at the middle school level is designed to help kids who
020failed two classes make it on to their next grade. U we we have an English language arts class, we have a math class, and we have a PE rotation. Um the PD rotation we added in uh during COVID um to make sure that we had opportunities for kids to get up and move. Um and what we found was during that time that we had a lot less behaviors and a lot more focus when kids were back in class by adding that PEN and we've kept that over the years. Our high school program has a few different uh outlooks or few different objectives. One, we want to have kids be able to re recoup classes and credits that they haven't passed. So, they can only take classes that they failed. Um, that's first part. Second part
021is we have kids that are looking for athletic eligibility and they'll take some classes. Third, and this is very important, we allow kids in ninth grade to take help so that they make room in their schedule so they can take other electives that they would like to take um in nth grade. So, if they're taking classes, uh, they have one elective in high in ninth grade that they can take. This allows them to be able to take more than one. They get a class out of the way. And, uh, 10th grade, we allow them to take PE so that they can earn that credit. And again, that opens up places in their class curriculum to be able to take their schedule to take more classes that they would like to take. And then we offer
022driver's education in the summer as well because that is a class that is full quite often during the school year and the public loves to take sign their kids up for driver's ed. We're at North Middle School this year. We have 12 professional staff with four uh service personnel positions. We have 174 students enrolled in both middle and high combined. We have nine uh hubs that kids come in on. Um and we do serve breakfast and lunch in our facilities. Our numbers are a little bit down this year because we went back to uh charging a tuition like we did. Our co money is gone and I think that has had an impact on our enrollment for this year. Do you um do you have any uh information on if students are missing or they've
023signed up and they do they have to attend an entire time period to get the all the credit or can they be absent a day? Okay, so um our high school classes are set up in semesters. They have 12 classes or 12 days of summer school. First semester, 12 days second semester. If they miss more than two days, they do not they cannot earn their credit. 12 Um, and the middle school has 24 days that they come to school. They can miss no more than four. I still think that's a lot of days, but um, that's they're allowed up to four for the summer. Is that u county school rules or is that a state? That's that's our that's our choice. Seems like a lot of days. Other questions for Mr. Mrs. to where the
024other speakers were. I know high school teachers when they're teaching accredited course were paid their daily rate. Are these teachers paid their daily rate? They are. My paid are the credit recovery paid their daily rate. um to the uh the first presentation, the third grade success. Um I I'm concerned that well at the end of this year I think the state department will have a test that the third grade which is third graders must take and someone will be excused if they're have certain IEPs or something but by and large if you're a general student and you don't pass the test and you go to summer school, will that get you over there? I I don't think the state doctor's tax has given us those guidelines yet. Correct. I don't think they've all been published
025yet about next year and the child not making it through the come summitive assessment and if they come to our program next summer, do they get that type of I don't think the state's released all those details yet for next year, have they? They have not. Well, not to my knowledge, but Not to my knowledge either. What can you I apologize. No, I apologize. What What was the question exactly? Mr. Murphy was asking if next school year for next summer for our um success act, if a child does not pass summitative assessment in third grade and they come to our summer program, do they get promoted? And I that's why I hope the states release that information. Just just I will say just them coming to the summer program alone does not mean they'll be
026promoted. Correct. they have to be able to show proficiency in the summer program, right? So, um there are different methods by which the student can be promoted um if they are not proficient. Uh they have been held back more than two consecutive years. they have an IEP or an LEP um which is a language English language proficiency. Um there's a there's a couple other metrics but one of them is to be able to um show proficiency through extended day or summer learning activities. Um but that also means that what what they have not clarified is it a portfolio of work or is it um perhaps taking the diagnostic assessment that would show proficiency uh at the end of the summer months. So we're still waiting on that for the state. Isn't there um and I
027don't want to sound so negative, but isn't there some hoops that um can move the child on that with like some of the things you mentioned? Well, this summer, this summer is not a year or two retainment. No, it's next year. Yeah. So, this summer we don't So, we have glad they come and we work with them as much as we can um to fill the gaps. And I will say from walking the three sites and talking to all our teachers, there's a huge this year we with the invited students, they feel they're making much more progress because these kiddos are invited cut scores and they really feel like they're get they're reaching these kids this year more so in the past previous years of um the kids coming. So they and with using the
028tools for instruction and all the supports from IR um they're using the customized lesson plans based for the kiddos in their groups in their rooms. So um I feel different when I walk the halls and go into the classrooms um with our teachers this year. Yeah. And I also think it's a a major point that needs to be made is that one of the things by offering it now is we're trying to not wait until their third grade year that they don't show proficiency to offer this level of support because doing it once probably is not going to make the difference. It's extending the school year as early as possible uh and and providing them those learning experiences to master the skills necessary for them to be proficient readers uh as assessed on the GSA.
029Yeah. Um you know, and so students that are in first, second grade now, we're hoping that they're not going to have to take summer school third grade, but if they do, they're at that much more of an advantage because they've already gone through some of that programming now. Yeah. How many minutes of instruction do they receive a day? They are getting an hour of ELA and an hour of math by the time we get there and they have breakfast and lunch. So they they get an hour. Yes. There's no no downtime. It's come in, eat your breakfast, hour of math, hour of ELA, eat your lunch. True. And their day is over. Well, and and to be fair, for the kiddos that we're talking about, first grade, second grade, and even third grade, doing more
030than an hour, you know, back to back like that, that's a lot. It's a lot. The teachers are doing a nice job with the additional eight in the room. They have centers going on. Um, you know, it's great having, you know, 12 kids in a room and you're splitting them into groups of like five and six and the L teacher is there. Um, they're really getting some really good target as far and Dr. is right. That arrow shows up, they're ready for their little brain break and move into the other subject. Good. So, yeah. Other questions? You said that um you had 261 261 were enrolled were enrolled. Yes. How many um guess didn't meet the criteria? Not like all the children that were invited did not meet the criteria. Right. No, no. I say
031um I guess the question is Yeah. Um, of all the student that did did not meet the criteria, they were invited. Did all of them show up? No. Okay. No, we were we were fortunate to get 261 of them, you know, a lot I get, you know, I hear a lot of transportation. Um, we reached out several times. I mean, I emailed them every week. The schools reached out. Um, we did try our best to get them. Um, but we did get a good amount of kiddos. Do do you know how many um did not meet the criterion or approximately how many? Um we had almost um I would say between 800 kids. Okay. Um and it was math or ELA or both. So if you just missed it in ELA, you were still invited.
032If you're dismissed in math, you were invited. If you missed it in both, you weren't invited. So we invited everybody. So we had we invited 800 students and 261 supposedly signed up and then how many attended there's a difference attendance is different fluctuates um it's pretty good but last week was a big holiday week um somebody's got somebody you know you know struggle to get there but large majority for us so and this is a first year so Yeah. Okay. I guess but the all the teachers have been doing it for so long. Um they're very happy with the invited students and being able to really focus on kids that need support. So the reason I asked this is because I was just trying to do the math, right? Good job. Yeah. Um, so if
033we have that many that are not proficient and we have this ball that's coming out, I just want to make sure that parents understand the seriousness of what's about to happen. Yes. If we have 800 students that not needed and 261 showed up, 261% like Mr. Even if they also that's 5% of all correct. Well, and a lot of the site transportation transportation, but we start in December. So, when that cut score comes out in December and we send that letter home, it's on there. Um, we start in December telling these families your child score was this invite to our summer program. We had the dates ready for the parents till we get the spring. So, we we we are trying to get the word out um to these parents. We had a lot of
034third graders this year. I was very happy with the number of third grade students that have shown up. Yeah. More than have in the past. Yeah, that was my question. Like break down kindergarten, first second. Honestly, we have more second and third graders than we do kindergarten and first, right? And in the past, me and Summer was all kindergarten and first grade and barely any older students. Um, every every site has at least two, Rosemont has three third grade rooms. Spring Mills has two, Valley View has two. And they they all each only have like one kindergarten class. So, we have a lot of older kids. Second grade is the most popular grade, which made me very happy. As Dr. Zach said, let's get them now before they move on. Yeah. Well, my fear is
035as agreeing indicated that parents aren't taking this seriously and then it's going to smack them in the face next year and we'll talk to the principles. I know the principles will get on board and help um promote it because next year it's serious. So, next year we'll start early and start spreading the word to these families um about what their child needs to do in the summer. So yeah, one one more observation when you talk about transportation nine hubs. Yes. That means you're not doing door to door. No, we are not doing door to door. Just meeting in place. So the parents are showing bring their child to their home and pick up. No, that's good. That's that's good. It's also part of the reason why you don't have more people. Right. No, those are
036all great questions. Any other questions? I I just want to for the board's information and Mr. bands here not related to me but you and I discussed we have about 4,000 students who either hope home home school hope charter school private school so we have as many children who are not in public but doing alternatives in the school I have a quick question. I don't know if anybody is sort of related. Um in the act um private schools are excluded or are they part of the hope? No, I'm talking about for the third grade. Does anybody know that they are they are exempt? Okay. I thought so, but I wasn't 100% sure. And the reason is that there's not a a standardized assessment the state requires for homeschool or for private school or even charter.
037I believe I believe charter is also exempt from it as well. Yeah, this is a concern I have. uh it's past third grade and we get those students back and then you know yeah they're we have an option to retain them again but once they get in the higher grade levels it's harder and harder to um retain those kids. So not harder meaning um you know what I mean it's more more difficult on the student to retain them. Well, and it, you know, I think that when you look at the third grade success act, one of the reasons that they do the two-year um the two-year um accommodation is is that if you start retaining students too much, um and and really that's why we have such a focus, you know, this we're we're shifting
038our focus to grade level um high high yield instructional practices um because we we won't want our kids to fall into that that cyclical issue of of being so far behind. But when you retain a student in those those grade levels two two you know two three years if it's the first grade is retaining two years second grade retaining two years what have you end up with a 13 or 14y old fifth grade and um I don't think anybody feels comfortable with that you know so um that's why there's a sense of urgency now to be able and honestly I think it's a it is a um we have a moral imperative to make sure that what we are doing is we're catching kids early and giving that extra support where we identify that they
039are behind. And so, well, none of us want students retained. Of course not. But we also but but we retain to make them sure that they're going to be successful. Yes. I have a 13year-old fifth grade. And the second year I held him back. I mean, I held him back. I'm not going to mention name but quite proud of his what he did when he realized I was serious and and he he got his acting gear and he graduated and sadly he came back he was a big guy he wanted to see me as a friend and principal wouldn't let him come up to the room but I and I was sorry about that because he he uh he did a great job his second year in my classroom and I knew he could do
040it and and he proved it and and he had he had four good teachers at James Ramsey and other places and and just like him he had support people but he I always thought that extra year in that case helped him I don't I wouldn't want to make a generalization say but I think that goes in with what CLI has told us especially when they, you know, gave us the presentation recently where they said when you keep that standard solid, you don't lower it. You keep it, you keep it where it's supposed to be, they will rise to the occasion. It might have taken him once or twice, but he did and he appreciated you for it. So, absolutely. Um, we've got to we we've got to for lack of a better way to explain
041this, we've got to grow that backbone of this is the standard and we have to hold the line on. We have to, like you said, ensure that our experience rocks to the occasion instead of going back to them and and making them feel like, well, we know that. So, we're going to teach you on this level when possible could be a level three. Thank all of you. There's no other questions. Mr. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. I totally forgot. So, extended school year. I'm Rebecca Hutchinson, coordinator. in extended school years prek through 12 and it falls under IDA and policy 2419 for our students with disabilities that require special education or related services throughout the summer. Um this is focused because they with the main critical goals within their IEP they would see regression without continual
042support throughout the summer. So our goal is to prevent substantial regression of those skills through the instruction and the support of related services through ESY. We are at Tesbora Elementary. Um and we have 19 instructional days. I have 28 professional employees. 22 of them are teachers. I have three speech language pathologists, one occupational therapist. I have a hearing impaired teacher and a vision teacher as well. Um we have BCDAS, three of those and then we also have behavior support consults or RBTs, eight of those within the program. currently 148 K to2 students, 13 preK students, seven walk-in speech only students, and four students that will receive their homebound instruction, their ESY instruction through homebound services. Um I have prek one bus, five vans. K12 we have 11 special education buses and four vans as transportation
043is provided through the IEP and we will serve breakfast and lunch daily. So the total that you mentioned include that makes up the 148 or is the 148 plus the 148 plus the others. So so which is a total? Well, we have 161 actual students scheduled to come into the building for the half days of instruction and then seven will come in just for their third and seventh walk-ins each weekly. And then those four homebound students will receive home instruction of four hours per week provided by a teacher. Is that an increase? I like it. It's Yes. And all of these decisions are based by the IEP team makes. the decision for the student to attend but yes this is an increase this year questions thank you now should I wrap it up now that
044concludes our present we have one these two little girls at Valley View um in third grade um they're really cute Emma and Riley I read that that was their school. They thought, you know, summer school wasn't going to be fun, but they're having a blast and um they don't want it to be over next week. Thank you all so much. Very important, Mr. Farm project. All right, good evening everyone. Got a PowerPoint that you'll see here shortly. Uh starting off at the Hedesville Early Learning Academy. and that one. Um, the first thing I'm going to tell you is we're still waiting on the report from First Energy so that we can finish uh redesigning and that corner that that we have an issue with. And do we have the power? Oh, here. Is it here?
045Oh, no. Oh, no. Well, let me get my PowerPoint on my MacBook. I know what I'm talking about. And I'll just do it like that. Um but head I want to at least mention that um that's still a hangout for us and it's likely going to delay the schedule and the completion of this project but we won't know for sure until we actually get the uh the okay which we are patiently waiting. It's in their court. It's in First Energy's court. So when they might be responding, the only thing they tell us is it has to go through five different departments of theirs and so we have submitted all of that information, the drawing, everything, but they are uh we're just waiting. All right. So at Hedgesville, I'll just do it like this. Right. There
046you go. Hedesville Early Learning Academy. Can you from his eye in the chimney? Oh, he's in too. Um, the masons are actually topping out the block and setting the bearing plates. So, uh, I know that every week I come in here, I tell you that the masons are still laying block, but they've made it to the top. Uh, and they're setting steel. All the most of the steel girder beams are set. You can see some steel going into place here. Uh you can kind of see the front entryway is what I tried to capture an image of. But a lot of the steel and the decking is complete and it's uh you know starting to look like a a school structure except for the one little corner. Exterior walls. What's that? Spond and trying to
047figure out have they done anything with that corner yet? They haven't quite. And I took a picture of that. I don't know if you can tell but you know you can see everything is complete except for that one corner. And then also all of the uh exterior waterproofing is in progress which means the very next thing to follow after the waterproofing is the laying of the exterior brick veneer. So that's uh that's where we are with the Hedesville. Can I just I wanted to share that uh Dr. Skoolie and I had the opportunity last um Thursday. I think it was Thursday um to uh we went to the construction meeting and we were able to walk through part of the building um which there's a building now and I will say that I was very
048proud of Dr. Skoolie who um has been transitioning well into his new role. Um, however, I'm going to have to teach I'm going to have to teach him that he he's got to he's got to learn to bring some construction boots with him. Uh, because I'm pretty sure he went through he went through the the muddy hallways with a very nice pair of loafers. U, but he did well. He he he was like um Katherine Zeta Jones in that uh in that movie with um Sean Connory where you know she had to you know do the lasers and so he was really walking the the hallway well. But I I'm giving a hard time. It was actually but I think it was very rewarding for us to be able to go in and see the
049see the structure. We were able to see some of the brick work that on the veneer where they've done the the mockup. Um and so the building is coming together quite nicely. We were able to walk through where what will soon be the administrative suite. Um and uh so again it was it was it was nice to be able to see especially the I call it the portigo um the the the entrance. Um it's you can tell you can really sort of start getting a feel of where things are going to be in the school and so it's going to be a really exciting space for the for the students and the view is just spectacular from where it is. It is very nice. If we get to a point where uh if they keep
050going and going and we have not heard anything about that corner that will will stop us. Um they can continue to work on the parts that they have completed. It's just that one corner. So it's not going to stop us but it is likely going to delay the schedule because of you know we have to uh get approval to actually put in the footers. So we that corner has to be brought up from the footers to the to the roof. And uh so we're still kind of waiting on that. Oh, it looks like I might have something for you to see now. Yes, I did. Um and we can jump to Well, yeah, we jump to Tom. All right. So, as I was saying, here's the corner that we can't quite finish yet. Uh there
051is the like you said, the portico. I'm trying to get some images of the steel so you can kind of see that's the front entryway of the school. And if you go straight back through that entryway, that's the uh the further back part is within the U-shaped, which is where the playground will be. So, it's kind of neat to see how that's captured uh in amongst the three wings essentially of the the school. It's going to be really neat when you walk through the front doors because you'll you'll be able to see clear of the playground. So, you're going to see all that as you come in. It's going to feel very student centered. So, I'm excited about it. Good. Excited for that. All right. in good at Tomahawk intermediate and this uh project has
052come along perfectly on schedule. The um you can see the walls been painted, the countertops, sinks, the cubbies, all those have been installed. The ceiling grid is in place. You kind of see a little bit of it in that one picture. They actually were putting in ceiling tile where all of the intercom speakers and those sorts of things go. Um and then so the ceiling is getting closed in. The sidewalks are going to be poured this week. There's just where they were formed up. There's a patio that goes from the one new wing over here to your left all the way over to the the other wing on the right, which is their outdoor classroom space. Tomahawk previously had an outdoor classroom space, but the new uh phase two addition is right on that spot.
053So, we've uh that was included as part of the project was to include that outdoor space. And uh that's just showing you that all the windows were installed. The epoxy flooring for the restrooms, uh those guys were on site today. So the epoxy flooring will wrap up this week. And then the uh the flooring that's similar to this LVP will uh will immediately follow that. Um and I think that's essentially it. And I warned you that there is a dilemma with the retaining wall need. And I'll have better information to present to you the next time. Uh and I had Dr. Saxs look at it with me. he was on site and um so but I'll I'll save that for the next meeting so I don't have the information but uh yes um not going
054back to it but just the question will the Hedgesville preschool blueprint be used at the endwood sorry uh yes it's the same exact same blueprint yes even with the adjustment that we're having to make except for the adjustment okay there we go it's the exact same original blueprint about that kind You mean we're not going to cut the corner off anymore. We're not knocking the corner off. That one will be as originally. We do I do have I do actually have a question for the board though. Um that we need to discuss um the you know the Well, when we get to Inwood, are we going is Inwood on here? No. Well, if if we could go a little backwards. So, one of the dilemmas that we have regarding Inwood is is uh we we
055now own the property. Um so, we've tasked um the architect um McKenley to go ahead and start moving forward. Um however, uh as you know, there are some differences in federal regulations that are coming about which I fear could impact um the geothermal rebates. Uh currently there are no there according to CMTA there the the rebates still exist but what's important to re recognize is that you don't qualify for the rebates until you actually take occupancy. So so if we think that if we think that the the you know let's say we start construction in three months um you know that that project take at least 14 months to complete. So, we're still looking at almost 2 years before we would even qualify for the actual rebate. And my concern is is that if that
056is next like some of the other um uh energy saving the energy um solutions that are out there like solar and EV and those sort of things, then the cost savings that we were hoping to realize um and to recoup uh through the um through the tax credits would never be realized. And again, this is a big what if. Um the the cost to install geothermal is significantly more than it is, for example, with the heating heating system that we're putting in at Edgesville, which is a traditional fourpipe system. I mean, it's still still high efficiency um in today's standards, but it's not the geothermal um where uh again, we would realize probably the energy savings over the long term compared to the short term. Um and and the difference in cost savings is you
057know in actual construction is it's it's in the millions. Um so the question becomes do we want to stay the course on geothermal or would which will also somewhat delay the start of the project. I shouldn't say delay. It's going to extend the time from when we can start the project because we have to do the the drilling to determine where the field needs to where the I'd say the where the field will be and whether or not the property is conducive to it. So when we drew a sample well, it's about $25,000 and it takes several weeks to have it scheduled to come out to drill it and then a week or two to get the report back and then the engineers can start designing the HVAC system around geothermal. If we don't have
058to go that route, um we'll probably shave off a month, month and a half in preparation time to to actually put out the bid. Um, so again, I'm concerned that it's a little bit of a gamble with the the way the federal regulations are evolving. Um, and it may cost us and regardless it's going to cost us more at the front end and then we get the rebate that's, you know, three years out because two years to qualify, three years for the reimbursement. So, we're not going to actually realize those savings, especially with the current projects we have. It would be something that comes back into our coffers and we apply it three or four years down the road. Um, how much are the rebates? I couldn't remember. I mean, we've discussed that early on
059in the process. I I'll be honest with you, I don't I don't have the exact figures off the top of my head. I'd be happy to try to get those for you all. Um, but um I I it was enough to bring the cost of the geothermal back into alignment with what you'd be paying for for a fourpipe system. I can tell you that it was it was basically creating a wash, but you're not getting the rebate until down the road. So So again, I was just curious as to how tied we were to geothermal or if we felt like, you know, the there's more of a sense of urgency to get the building built and save money now than it than it was over the over the long haul. So I think the idea
060is there. I think the initial cost though is is what's going to bite us in the butt at the onset. So, I mean, I'm not sold to it, tied to it. That's me personally. So, well, I I although the way I feel about that is um we don't know. We're just thinking that that might be a an issue. So, we don't know that for sure. What I don't want to do is uh okay so we can be um way ahead of the ball game or ahead of the ball game and then uh not do something that could save us money over the next 30 years. CMTA there where's the guaranteed savings loan? We need to we need to be aware of that. We need to have them come in and talk to us. Yeah. And
061see because they have the agreement you reach, you have 15 years, pay it off and the savings that your CMTA installation saves you pays for the installation on a on an energy savings contract. But this is not an energy savings contract. This is just initial construction. So I will double check, but I am not aware that there is a guaranteed savings on the initial contract. on the initial construction because there's nothing for them to baseline it off of. Well, I I'd like to explore it, but be sure. I like the idea of talking with CMTA. And to answer Mr. Murphy's question, the design between Hedgesville and Minwood be the same format. Uh the layout would be similar, but there would be a redesign fee because of the difference in the piping lake on the land
062differently. So, it'll be a whole new design. They can't just make one just because of the plumbing and things like that with the the the HVAC. But, I'll be happy to reach out to CMT and make sure that they um provide a summary for you all to review that gives you the pros and the cons and so that you're you're well and and is there um guarantee any kind of guarantee on the initial construction? Right. And we and they might have some information on that, but we don't as far as the reimbursement. Yeah, we we actually talked about the reimbursement. They investigated it and they said they Yes, ma'am. And they um they actually uh said that through their research that it still exists and obviously they're tracking it. Um and if anything was to
063change, then they'll make us aware of it. But currently, you know, I guess still exists. It's like everything else that like you think you have money now and you might not be getting it and so it's just the way you say it. But everything is just you never know because it can change the dime. It's like I have to like pay for this big word and this doesn't happen. So thank you very much for letting me go down that rabbit hole. No problem. uh Martinsburg High School band room edition. The um the painting is progressing basically from the band room throughout the rest of the space. Uh you can see the band room here on the left. The painting is complete and this this is out on the hallway where they have that breakout space.
064Uh the painting is finished up in there and then that in the middle is the old band room that is now turned into the choir. And then the dance room is the next room on down beyond that. So the painting is heading that direction and the ceiling grid is going in. The light fixtures are going in and the epoxy floor guys were on site today starting the uh restroom floors and the um LVP flooring installation is also has also started today. So that space will be ready uh for students come August 19th. And of course the hangup is the auditorium. The sprinkler I I told you was one of the latest dilemmas. Uh that upgrade has um been piped through to that space. Uh so that the only thing left to do once they finish
065up the band room and the choir and the dance is the auditorium portion. And I'll of course keep you posted on that. Lockers are delivered are to be delivered on July 14th um for that the band room. So we'll install them shortly thereafter. What's um the step thing? What is that? The step thing is a space where students come out and kind of be on that staged area uh to I guess practice and or it's like a breakout. Yeah, it's like a breakout space or if they're uh performing in the auditorium, it's a place where they can kind of warm up and and and stage them until they go to the auditorium for a performance something like that. What's the soundproofing like? I mean there the soundproofing will be um various clouds coming throughout the
066the ceiling and then also on the wall the um where you see the black paint there's going to be um bulldog orange acoustical panels all throughout that space. And once the auditorium will not be ready when school the alter will not be ready uh not when school starts. Um, we requested to try and get it ready before Christmas break because I know they'll have a concert at that time. So, that's kind of the latest goal. But, we're waiting for some more details on the sprinkler upgrades that need to happen. And, uh, I haven't they didn't have any upgrade or information on the last meeting, but hopefully the next couple they'll have better schedule for us. Why the hold up on the spring bushes? Uh, it has to be upsized right now. is the the one
067that's in there was designed for a plaster ceiling, but we of course have totally opened up that space and now we're going to have the the clouds throughout the space. So, it essentially doubles the volume that's needed uh when the fire marshall came to inspect it. So, we had to upsize the I think it's like a 3-in pipe to a 6 in pipe. So, that whole place has to be reconfigured. So, is they hold up the reconfiguring from the uh drawings or the getting the um Well, yeah, there was some delay because you have to wait for the drawings and I don't know if that's been complete yet, but then the strength guys have to finish their thing first before we can move forward and finish up the wiring and the the duct work and
068and all that, all the other trades that need to get in there. So, all right. Uh, next project is the Mountain Ridge Primary School and the focus right now is for them to complete all of the connecting roads, which is what I tried to capture some images of for the connecting road that will go from Mountain Ridge Intermediate School over to the new road and from the Mountain Ridge Middle School over to the new road. All of those roads will be um ready and open for the first day of school. Matter of fact, the asphalt company is going to be paving scheduled for July the 18th. And so, um, they've made tremendous progress on the roads. And then the, um, the building pad where the school is going to sit, they are in the process.
069It seems like every couple days they're doing, um, a lot of drilling and blasting. I try to capture an image of a blast over there. Oh, I see. A lot of drilling and blasting is happening on that site to get the site the building pad ready for uh, for the school. Yeah. I was talking with them. I said I said uh said, "Have you encountered much rock?" And they go, "It's all rock." All right. That was their response. It's all right. Elsewhere in our agenda, the recent agenda, we had a right away with PE. Uh, yes. Okay. Will that in any way per limit future development on that property? Uh, no. I met with Tonic Edison and Walcat site and we picked a location that is least obtrusive to us and it's in the far
070corner nearest to the rest of Jaredtown. Um I can show you I think I printed an image or I shared an image of an aerial view and I can point that out to you here once once we bring that up. Would you like to hold that hostage until they get us a something on Edgesville? Oh boy. You know, and I I will say they'll flip that one right back on. Oh, I know they will. Yeah. It's like working with a railroad. Um Burke Street is the next uh project that I have for you. And that one, of course, the window replacement as of July 3rd was 80% complete. the restroom demolition. Uh that's the restroom on the right totally uh has been demoed and they actually have are installing the epoxy flooring today that started
071um and then the rooftop equipment is in progress there. The rooftop unit and the duct work is also continuing throughout that space. So Burke Street is seeing some big changes and um I don't know if you've driven past to see the windows but it's really changed the appearance of that school. Looks very nice. What's the gray area over the green door? That's plastic. Just covering that up till they they get the new one there. As they've gone, they removed the plastic up and kind of done that. I was wondering why they put that window in. Yeah. I'm not sure what that was in there. I I thought are they taking the equipment and stuff through that window? I don't think so, but I'm not sure. Could be years ago. When I was second or third
072grade going victim over on the right side, a window fell out and actually hit a girl. Didn't kill her. The whole thing just so make sure all make sure they're Yeah. The next one is Martinsburg High School HAC. Uh that one you remember is 13 classrooms that we're tying into the already existing geothermal. The piping has been installed. The ceiling grid is going back in and then uh there's some demo of the old air handlers. I took a picture of where those used to sit, but uh so that's kind of what's happening at Martinsburg High School. Um the next one is the Heathersville High School auxiliary gym, which is their old gymnasium. The roof exhaust has been demoed. the old roof exhaust. There's a picture of it in the middle. The uh wrestling room exhaust
073fan has been dimmed. If you could have seen that space before, you wouldn't believe it, but that's made room for the new equipment. And then you can see this is the gymnasium. They they're putting like a a duct sock throughout that space that has been completed as well. It'll be ready when school opens. um Hedisville Middle School the um you might remember in the the gymnasium uh these ginormous fan units that are up there. All those have been removed and demoed because um they're not going to be needed anymore. The only thing left to do is install the duct sock which goes on that cable that's in the zone and the rooftop units. All the wiring is complete. took a picture of the conduit for you to prove it. So, we're swinging one of the
074rooftop units. Next one is Musima Middle School. Um, same thing. All the prep work has been completed. The only thing left to do is install the rooftop unit. Uh, at Musa Middle, the duct work already existed because they did have a heating system. So, it's basically installing the new rooftop unit is all we're waiting on. And at Tomahawk Intermediate, um, the duct work installation is still in progress. All the piping is almost complete. The um the contractors are currently going throughout the space installing all the new heat pumps and the um cooling tower for Tomok. That's the next one. It has been installed. There's the cooling tower. And um I think it will wrap up about the same week the teachers return. So it'll be it'll be tight. Where is that tower? How far off?
075is in the back of the school um in between the school and the playground. It's it's essentially the same place where the old one was. It's moved about 10 ft from the original location of the oven. Um the next one is just a summary of the athletic uh progress. All most of these were bond projects. The tennis lights at P Faulner are complete. Uh you cannot turn them on yet though because we're waiting on PTOIC Edison to hook up the transformer. So other other than PTOIC Edison the lights are are ready to um sorry couldn't help it. Spring Mills High School track is complete. Uh except you know we haven't they haven't up the striking of the lanes yet. I think they're trying to coordinate it because they're also doing the Muslim high school track.
076It's approximately 40% complete. So once Musman is wrapped up, sure they'll start striking that one in spring mills. Martinsburg High School track has been demoed and as soon as they finish Musman, they're moving to Martinsburg. The uh tennis courts at Musman are in progress, which I shared with you a change order that's coming later tonight. And the lights are also going to follow as soon as the tennis courts are done. Remember, one of the bond projects was tennis lighting. So once the tennis courts are done, we will install the lighting that is on schedule and all of the gymnasium flooring that we are finishing throughout the county are almost finished. So that sums up my bond and construction updates. He's made sure all this is occurring while moving uh people from office to office. Yes.
077And he moved people which has been he's been fabulous. He's done a great job. All good. Thanks Tom. See the end of it. Next on the agenda is the consent agenda. Can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda presented? Second. All in favor? I thank you to the scouts that were here. Just saying thank you for for visiting with us. Thank you. All in favor? Motion carries. Yes. In the consent agenda, I had concern about um the the trips that were on the agenda. Um I think there was eight or nine of them and all but one has already occurred and here we are approving the trips. So, um I'd like for that not to happen in the future. that they come on the agenda before uh um maybe Dr. Branch. You miss
078Holland, you're going to have to learn to like poke. No, no. What was funny was Dr. Branch was paying attention to the president and I was trying to get his attention to go ahead and stand up. And so Melissa, Melissa and I were talking, but she was just real gentle and I was like, "Okay, don't give me just shove them over to the podium." So, I mean, there there is multiple reasons behind that. Um, and all of our trips are supposed to be due into Travel Tracker by the 10th of the month prior to the event. And if that were the case all of the time, we probably wouldn't have issues. Although sometimes they do get lost in the improvement process, you know, principal and director, all that before they come. But often they're just,
079you know, especially some of our athletic trips in the summer. Um, coach sees a camp or, you know, a seven on seven tournament or something. Um, but we did met with Dr. woods today and um we have a meeting set up later this week so that we can make sure that people understand if you're putting them in late then they're not going to be because I I told mentioned to Dr. Saxki that got been written up before for the state for approving trips that and other things that have that have already occurred that we haven't approved. So I don't want to go there. Wow. And I don't know if you all still get them, but um when those trips come in, Mr. Garrett does compile a list and and send those on so that you're
080aware of them. Um but you know, we can tighten that up, take care of that. Yeah. And one of the things we talked about this morning is that sometimes what we have is either it's a compliance issue with the person doing the requesting or that person has done it but it has sat in um another approver's inbox without them signing off on it. And um Dr. Woods, Dr. branch and I we also talked about is as they flesh out the the process under the new structure that um one we make people aware we we remind people what the pro process and timelines are but um we need to make sure we're holding those people in the timelines accountable because again if those things have to be board approved there are specific timelines that have to
081be met. obviously people that are qualifying for a state or a national competition and there's a very that's different. Uh but obviously there were some things on there that there is really no excuses to why they should have done earlier and we're going to work through that to make sure people understand our expectations moving forward. We also have the liability that something were to go wrong. Yeah, we've approved it. That's the issue I'm concerned about. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for bringing that up. Did we vote on consent agenda? Yes. Next on the agenda is the security film project. So, um, good evening, Dr. Saxs, President Long, members of our board. Um, I and Melissa Holland, coordinator for pupil services are here tonight for two requests. The first is action item 10.1, which is a
082request for $165,000 for security film for our schools that um have not already had that installed. This film is bullet resistant, crash resistant. Um, you know, with the idea being if someone is trying to break into our our buildings, you know, either smash the windows or shoot through the windows, this film will make those windows resistant so that it takes a longer amount of time for them to get in. and in discussions with our sheriff's department, um they're confident that, you know, with the strength of the film that that we're purchasing and the amount of time it takes to actually get through a window with that film on it that they would be able to respond to any event within that time period. So, uh pupil services was awarded a grant through Homeland Security. So,
083this will be covered, but it is a reimbursement grant. So, we need to request the money up front so that we can pay for that and get it installed and then we'll submit that Homeland Security and Berkeley County Schools will be reimbursed. My concern and Mr. I give Mr. Ray credit bringing up about the title two, three, and four monies. This is title two reimbursement. Not not this one. This is this is not title two. This is a just a specific rant, right? Homeland Security is going to reimburse us, right? Right. That's correct. Okay. What what I'm worried about is uh the feds reneging on what they're what's already been allocated. I don't what you call the term call back caller. And I've just went finance went down to Charleston. You you've been to some
084when have you heard about things that people count on money and all this uncertain? So I don't support this and I just it's a fair it's a very good question. Um so the communication from the state superintendent to superintendent um they she she has kept us a breast of their conversations with the feds and and what they're seeing. Um right now the hold is specifically on title uh one uh part C which we don't even get title two title three and title four. Um the there has been no mention of any of the um other other grants that are out there. Um and again this is it sounds like this is a reimbursement grant as opposed to a an allocation and you spend down. So, um I don't want to speak with certainty, but um
085there's been nothing that has said that this one is in limbo and as soon as we approve it, the turnaround time for being able to get reimbursement and to apply for the reimbursement is it's not like years like uh like for example the the geothermal concern. Yeah. And Miss Holland has checked on that. So, yes, sir. We spoke with uh Mr. Nick Allen who works at the federal level with the Department of Homeland Security and and brought up that concern because we didn't want to expend funds from the county and not be able to be be reimbursed w with them especially at this dollar amount. and he said because it had already been pre-allocated um it was not in danger that he you know he felt confidently that it wasn't in danger uh at this
086time that uh he he was sure that his future funding was going to be cut but funds that were already allocated such as this was not in danger of being cut. The good news is that this was allocated uh during a different different term in office prior to the the cuts coming through. The grant was was actually won quite quite a long time ago, but it took us a while to get through the federal hoops and and we had to work with the EPA with our buildings that were over a hundred years old um and do a couple couple different things. It was a big learning experience, but he is not concerned um with that money being in danger. Other questions? So um we are voting on the bid 10.1 the project for the security
087fil we provided that information out we had eight companies bid two were to disqualified and of the six remaining this one had excellent references with school systems colleges um and they did come in at our price point which was an additional bonus, but even the other criteria, they met all of it and and did a pretty fantastic job. So, we're excited to work with them. They are very comfortable with the timeline of getting things installed very quickly as well. Um, as with any timeline with construction projects, I've learned to to promise low, you know, so we know that it'll be in by October, but we hope even sooner than that. So, the bids going to uh Carolina Premium? Yes, ma'am. So, can I have a motion to accept that? So, move. Second. All in favor?
088I motion carries. And our second request this evening um item 10.2 two is in regard to the night locks which you all um did approve $220,324.9 8 cents um prior to um us starting the uh installation process. As we got into the installations and uh our installers were going through the the buildings, we noticed, you know, there were some rooms that hadn't been identified. um on the original maps and then there were also some situations like um libraries. So Spring Mills High School's library, Miss Pollen have pointed that out as a significant example where it's all glass. So putting a night lock on the doors into the library uh would not be judicious. Um but there are rooms inside the library that we could put uh light locks there so students could enter enter those
089rooms and um so that's more rooms than just the doors. So that added we ended up adding 32 locks I believe and then there was some situations with gym doors where we needed a larger unit and the installation was a little bit uh longer for that. So, um, our final price actually came into or came up to $225,848, which is $4,759.50 over what you had approved before. So, we're here tonight asking for an additional $4,759.50 to cover the um the additional installation and of the nightlock, which is coming out of maintenance budget. Yes, ma'am. That's nice of Mr. Tyson. It was very nice of Mr. Tyson. And we did that ahead of time late one evening. Just find an ad out. No, no, we we solution solved early on that one. I will say I
090appreciate the fact that you're, you know, in so sometimes when you look at a a blueprint, if you will, it doesn't give you the full story. Toring it does. And so I'm I'm glad that there's the vigilance. So appreciate that. Well, I um we communicated with the nightlock reps often. Uh visited them on site often and I have to tell a story on Dr. Saxs, which I benefit in no way from sharing the story. Um but I said to him, I said, "Oh, you know, I'm a little nervous coming to you with this because I usually stay right within budget and I I didn't we went over this time, but we figured out ahead of time. I talked to Mr. Tyson, Dr. Branch, we're we're got we've got a solution. It's going to be okay.
091And it's less than 10%. We don't have to take it to the board, right? It should be good. And he said, "No, no, let's take it to the board. We need to to disclose all these things and share all these things so that we're all on the same page." So, uh, that did happen. And and I, man, I love being I love coming out with zero left over, but Mr. Tyson's teaching me that's not not really possible. Not with construction. Well, this is definitely um I I know this has been talked about for a long time for for principles and others. So, this is definitely a four $4,700 Oh, that could a student be in a room and lock the door. a way for us to bypass this process if that happened. So, I think
092that that falls in line with and it's a question that I get often. Um, and I think it falls in line with other fire safety devices that we've had in our buildings for years like u fire stations or fire extinguishers. You know, there's always this concern of what if a student gets to it? Um, and think about those concerns over the years and how often we actually see that happening. It's very, very rare. Could it happen? Yeah, it could absolutely happen. But some things that we've put into place is that universally throughout the school and the installers were very cognizant of this too. They were a really really great company to work with. Um they put them up high enough in our elementary rooms where it would be difficult for a child to reach it
093but very easy for an adult to reach it. Um the way that the box is uh made um it's one of those ones that an adult can can access but would be a little bit more difficult if you haven't had some practice with it. So, we plan to give our staff members some practice with the device, with the box, with all those things that for a student to be unsupervised in an area near the door for the amount of time it would take to kind of um be engaged with that device, then then we're looking at a supervision problem versus a device problem. Say we have a pretty tall middle school. That's true. It's true. Many of my students were taller than me. So, I can imagine what they would get into if they're in
094the locked room. But we don't want to. But yes, we have to, don't we? I will say the vast majority of our students probably will understand that this is a security measure. And there's likely not going to be that that issue of students of sconding with or, you know, using it to barricade themselves into a room. And like you said, if they are, it's a different conversation. That would be a serious discipline violation, too. We would handle that and and each school as well as our uh first responders, law enforcement, EMS, fire safety, um have a device to unlock the door. So, if that did happen, if it would take us a few seconds to get back in, that's a good that's good. There's redundancy. I have a question. You mentioned spring those high and
095not putting them in the entrance way to the library door because of the glass. Um they sit on the floor. Is that is that correct to go? Well, couldn't it be wouldn't it be a good idea to maybe have them there at the door at the front doors but also the other rooms as well? because although there's class, it could at least slow anybody down and give people time to get to the other rooms that are in the library. I think that that's a it could be a good point. You have to take into consideration where the threat is at the time, too. If we're in this room and this is and many of our libraries are created with that the big glass windows and the glass doors. So, looking at that glass door behind
096you, if the threat was there, you wouldn't want to take the time to run toward that glass door to put the device in place. Um, and then think about how many other entrances there are that you'd have to barricade because for Spring Mills High School, there are several entrances in and out of that library, right? Yeah. Yeah. That's the unfortunate part. And you have to wind your way through. It's a large footprint. Yes. And I think it's important, too. We we focused on classrooms this visitor, any space where where children were. And we feel very confident that we hit every space where there there's going to be our kids. Um but there may be a few other spaces in the building and conference room here or there that that wasn't outfitted at this time. The
097devices are are really reasonable um when you're looking at a handful of them. So we've given our principles information and they'll get more information on July 15th when they they meet with us about a variety of things about hey if you're interested more of these here you go. Um you know if you because a lot of times you know principles will work through the maintenance department to divide rooms in half. So, if you divide a room, our maintenance department is on board. Anytime a new door is installed, they're going to make sure these devices are in there as well. So, um I think there's lots of considerations and we'll find maybe a couple holes moving forward, but we've given everybody tools to kind of combat those issues. I think there being no other question, are
098we ready to vote? So, move a motion to approve the $4,759.50 50 cents additional cost for the nights. Second. All in favor? I motion appears. Thank you, Mr. Turner. Education contract. Yep. Okay. Good evening, President Superintendent Saxs and members of the board. Uh firstly, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about our special education contractual meeting the needs of our special education students. Uh hopefully from tomorrow through the 25 26 school year, the office of special education is seeking approval for renewal of contracts for occupational therapy board certified behavior analysts, registered behavior technicians, psychologists, sign language interpreters, and speech pathologists. All the contracts as indicated by the board proposal and the renewal letters will be renewed at the same rate with the expense with the exception of proare for psychologists that renewed at a
099slightly lower rate. I think it's in my handwriting there next to the the typed rate and there's a handwriting rate right next to it. Um, as you know, it's our responsibility to ensure that every student, regardless of their challenges, receives the support and the tools they need to thrive in this in the school system. And for many of our students with disabilities, they receive these specialized services from contracted professionals. There's a variety of reasons for that. Two of the main reasons would be service demand. That's increasing more students with these needs. And of course, job vacancies. even though we try our hardest, we can't always fill those positions with our own people. On a positive note with that, last year at the same time, uh, with speech, we had 11 vacancies and currently we have
100five. So, it's going down. Um, we thought we were going to have a need to utilize contracts for occupational therapists and we managed to fill that full stamp with our own people. So, that was great. Um the providers under these contracts over the last year have built trust with our families, collaborated very closely with our staff and most importantly help Berkeley County students make the progress. So once again, we're seeking approval for the renewal of contracts as noted on the board proposal. Question for Mr. Turner. Uh Turner or Dr. Saxs. Uh if we had qualified applicants, uh would these positions uh been covered under the formula, are we going to be reimbursed for what we spend because we couldn't get qualified people like like we did on the transportation? Um well, we're we're overational as
101well as some of the service positions. So it's not going to make it's not going to make any difference. Now uh over time it probably would save us if we could hire people. But the problem is that we can't get we can't hire we can't get applicants for these positions. And so that's why we've had to look at contracting out. And when we sign a contract, since you indicated we have positions already, that we just won't activate those positions for service. You said we have five people in one of these areas. Five vacancies in speech. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. You Well, one of the positions you said we have full contention of people, occupational therapist. Okay. So even though we're approving this contract, we we won't spend any money on it. So when when I was
102going through this process, we did have a need. We we didn't have our positions filled. But also things come up like for instance last year we had a maternity leave and you know it took us a while to get those services covered and it puts us in a situation where we have to offer compensatory services and it just becomes tricky. So we're covered as well. Yeah. Do do you um have a feeling that we will be spending half as much this year as we did last year because we have those positions filled um for for speech specifically. So I was looking at that actually earlier. I think our projected spend last year for 11 vacancies was between 1.1 and 1.4 million. Um we didn't end up spending that. I've got that somewhere. I'm sorry to
103put you on the spot. No, you're good. Curious. That's fine. Um, we ended up spending it looks like 658,11362, but the projected spend five vacancies. We can't fill those with our own people would be 519,000 give or take. So, yes, predicted around. So uh and we have no um sign language interpreters right now. Not not in house. Not in house. We have two hire through Epic. Yeah. So we're totally using Deathn and Epic. And Epic and Epic. Yes. So what uh what do you have any idea what we spend on uh that paying Epic for those positions? Um because they're on an we're calling them as needed, right? Or they are on a schedule. They Yeah, they're on a schedule. They are with the student. Yes, they're a standard student. They are inter. They the
104whole school day they Okay. Yeah. Um I guess max spend there would be around 600,000 for six interpreters through that. We do also have I'm currently going through a supplemental bid process too working with some other companies that may be cheaper. Okay. But Death Met are very good at meeting the demand and that's what's one of the most when it comes to services and providing them that's that's one of the key factors. Now any other questions for Mr. Tony? Can I have a motion to approve the uh uh contracts for the uh special? So move second. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Professional development contract stand leadership support. Dr. Wood. Good English law members of board. Dr. Saxs. I'm here tonight to um discuss the um possible action on professional development
105contract. Um we had put out for bids and submitted several results in reference to the districtwide literacy enhancement program and the uh winning bidder was CLI, the children's literacy initiative. Um we have it um right now um being funded for the project is allocated from our federal funds for title one title two. So it is um our recommend recommendation to the board to approve the award for the professional development contract to CLI at the price of $370,99955. Dr. Woods, can you give them a little bit of an overview of the different phases in the schools that will be supported through this contract? Uh yes, sir. So there will be um three phases that are a part of the bid. Phase one, phase two, phase three. Um specifically as it relates to the uh four schools
106within phase three that references to the additional support that is North Middle, OVI, Berkeley Heights, and Eagle. I've already had um direct conversations with the principles there. They're they're excited about the work and excited about that support. CLI can give it. Um could you also talk a little bit about how um the support through CLI is going to directly impact teachers uh and teacher instruction? Um how are they going to be working with teachers and school leaders and instructional teams of the schools as well as at the district level? Yes, sir. because I think that there's a that's one of the things that in previous contracts that has been a concern that I think that we really wanted to make sure we were targeting with this this bid was how are we going to be
107directly impacting the work with teachers and making sure the teachers are getting the professional development that aligns with your expectations and our expectations on grade level standards and high quality instruction especially around literacy. Oh yes sir. So um if you uh look uh deeply at it. So one of the things at the first one when they talk about phase one uh laying the foundation for success um one of the things that they're going to help uh members of my team and then also as we talk about in the schools with the with the building principles now to the teachers is really aligning um uh that leadership and those clear and districtwide literacy visions and supports. Um as we are having um our conversations right now currently with our building principles about professional development uh CLI
108will help us facilitate those conversations in depth and how that'll be differentiated uh within the different buildings. So really having a hard look or excuse me having the principles take a hard look when we talk about operationally what that professional development will look like as it relates to if you're at a um elementary school at an intermediate school middle or high school as it relates to their master schedule and so forth. And then um also giving that u that coaching support for for our building principles. So really helping me and members of the team uh coach our principles up to feel empowered to be those instructional leaders that we know they are. And this is going to bring everything back towards the the init the the initiative to to drive for towards teaching to the
109standards not necessarily you know teaching at that child's individual level but bringing them up teaching them to the standard. Yes ma'am. Yes sir. question forwards. Um yes. Um in choosing CLI um was there a committee that um made this decision? Was it a board office administrator? there was a there was a um I guess a matrix of of such that would assess the different biders um and specifically aligned to what we were looking for in the way of uh support um and a phased approach but the the short answer is is that um it was the purchasing department and I guess it was our yeah our team. How many biders did we have though? Uh, there were two biders. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very well. Oh, there's two and some. Right. Okay. So
110I guess um my other question is um yeah there only two biders but were there any teachers or anybody else that looked at both companies to my concern is that um teaching and learning this decision to then you know help our our school system and our teachers but if if there were no teachers in the room seeing how it's going to impact them It's it's like it's like mind people come and they say, "Oh, this is going to work." I'm like, "No, it will not work because I'm doing it. I know I'm telling you it's not going to work." So, I'm want to make I was just hoping that there would be some that are in the trenches that could be part of the discussion to maybe see things that maybe others don't see because
111they're in in it all the time. I think we had I mean when we had our workshop workshop Yeah. when we had workshop we had a collection of principles and and and teachers and other folks in there. So that is one of the things that did help kind of guide our feedback as we did explore at CLI uh due to the um overwhelming positive response we had when we did the workshop. I would also I would also say though that um one of the things that we did in crafting the uh the bid and then reviewing the bids is that we also had individual conversations with several of our schools to say you know if you had for example model schools or CLI who would you who would you like to receive support from? These
112four schools specifically said that they would like to have CLI to support them. So we were also getting I would say um the the feedback from our our school leaders as to who they felt would be best um to support the work in their schools in the in the year ahead. Um so between the I would say between the folks in the stakeholder group that uh was with the board the feedback from those specific principles um is really what I think formulated some of the feedback. But the I'll I'll be completely honest with you. The the final decision uh based upon the bid documents and um who the successful bidder was really came down to really it was me. No, it's fine. I don't want to own it. I wasn't saying that it was a
113bad decision making as part of our we were taking part as well. I see a lot did excellent job. Um I just didn't know and I and I appreciate you adding that context in terms of teachers that were in that room because that did provide some context. Well, I just want to make sure that they have as many voices or they're impacted. Well, I think anytime that we can get the the feedback from the the the practitioners, the people that they're going to be working directly with, I think it's always good to try to get that feedback and um you know, in hindsight, maybe that would have been an extra step that could have been beneficial. Yeah. And one of my concerns that I had spoke to Dr. sex about was that we weren't using
114CLI and model schools and that we were going to say cut back on model schools and yeah model schools we've already we we already have a contract for model schools and the model schools will only be servicing the schools that requested it. So we're not applying I would say the the blanket oneizefits-all. Um we we wanted to hear what our school leaders that had felt like they had success with model schools but not require everybody to go through it and the same thing sort of you know while CLI will be supporting the work that the district level is doing and there will be some training for all principles it's not going to be taking them out of the buildings on a consistent basis or anything like that be more really you know push in and
115um but again it's uh the schools that they're going to be working directly with they're doing it by choice and same thing for model schools, but the model schools contract doesn't rise the threshold where it would have to be board approved. And so that is just an example how significantly we've cut that one contract. So, and I I would imagine this will this is that this is the third I think the third year of that contract anyway. So, they I had to I sort of talked to them and had them scale it back and so after this year um I don't anticipate moving forward. I think the only other question I have and it kind of goes back to what Mr. Murphy was talking about earlier and asking about that Mr. Wright had brought up
116is the title one and title two funding um that would be used to to pay for this. Um I know you and I had spoken earlier today, but I wanted you to be able to provide some additional information that you had given to me over the phone. The rest I'll let Dr. Wood Dr. Woods. Sure. So I think Miss Pow, if she can hear me, um she's she's chimed in as well. Um we we have looked at that with with everything going on right now as it relates to title one and title two. Um there are some different different funds that we can use out of seven 7 7A excuse me 7A make sure 7A and also the general budget to cover that cost. Um so that way we don't have to slow down the
117work um as it relates to everything else getting sorted out. So and that's if we end up having to if we don't get end up getting Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. So, right now the the federal government is holding the funds that they've already said that we are entitled to. They just have they've held the release. And so, if for some reason there is a claw back and they don't actually release those funds, um we do feel confident that we're going to be able to abort um a good portion of it through the title through title one, but any portion that's not eligible for title one um funding um we feel like we can take out a 7A or general fund. Okay. And we actually had a another follow-up conversation with Mr. Bus about that
118today. Um, and so we we feel like it's we're not concerned about the funding source. Hopefully title two comes through if that just helps in other areas, but if not, we feel like we can solve that problem. Um, I think that the biggest concern as it relates to federal funding while we're on it, um, is title four. Um, title four, we have uh several staff members that are um that cannot be picked up by title one because of the schools they're assigned to are non-title one schools. In those situations, we would need to absorb them into the the general budget or see if they do weren't moved to a title one school if if that would, you know, come to fruition. But we are making plans for that. Are there any current um not with
119us but lawsuits regarding the holding of the fund because it's already been current has already said the fund is supposed to be released. So it's almost impoundment which is what I think during the Nixon administration can't do that anymore. So do you know if there's any lawsuit? I haven't I haven't heard anything yet. Um, but given time I'm sure I'm sure they will because you know it actually goes to speak to the the problems that I think we have some with some of our West Virginia personnel laws. You know, the the individuals that are funded out of a specific funding source when we were told that, hey, you know, you you qualify for this money, we go and resend those transfers and that's if we had the foresight to put them on transfer. Luckily, uh,
120Mrs. pal, our federal programs director, you know, as we were working through personnel, she's like, you know, look, there's some uncertainty with the federal funds this year. Um, I really think that we need to air on the side of caution. So, that's why everybody that was funded with federal funds was put on transfer until we knew and we got that that information. When we got that information that we were going to get the money and what our allocations would be, we rescended those transfers knowing that we should get the money on July 1. Well, July or June June 29th comes around, they say you're not getting it because they're holding it and we don't know if you're going to get it and and unfortunately, you know, the state's trying to work, you know, um through
121their their contacts at the federal level, but um they they too that don't have information as to when or if it's going to be released. So, it's almost like, to be honest with you, there's a plan for the FY27 federal budget to cut those programs and they're just starting early by holding back that money. And that's that's probably honestly what's happening is is that um they're looking at uh cutting in totality title two, title three which is um non-English-speaking uh student support and then title four which is um is it Benny? Help me. Title four is social social emotional is that right? It is programs for well-rounded student opportunities. So um yes, social emotional falls under that. It's also some technology and also um safe and supportive schools. So that is the grant that we
122do pay for um a couple social workers out of to help support that. Yeah. So I guess my trying to see the long thing here. Um so if those funds like you say make then go away either the states would have to provide absorb it which West Virginia there's no way we can do that it wouldn't do that um so then we'd have students that aren't getting the supports they need and then generally when what happen when students don't get the supports they need like or students um aren't able to speak the language and get behind or students don't get the well grounded help they need and fall behind they'll then get into trouble they'll then end up going to trans school then they end up going to Judy jail and then under the 13th
123amendment. Now they can be forced to work in the fields because the because under the 13th amendment slavery is not illegal and you could comment. What what I would what I would I would not want to for me personally um I don't want I know that there are changes occurring at the federal level. Um and what I have heard will occur is that with like the the elimination of the department of education for example that funds would be released to states in sort of block grants as opposed to specific title one, title two, title three etc. And when the state receives those that those monies, then it's the state that determines how it shall be spent, which again, and I'm just saying that's that is what I have heard could occur and that is through
124I would say the um the the lobbying channels of our superintendent association. Um but I think all of those are just assumptions because no one has actually seen what will happen. So I don't think I think that the the takeaway is there's no guarantee. Um, and we have to be as as u alert as possible. We have to be as conscientious as possible. Um, and and of course, you know, uh to see how it's all going to shake out. And I think we have to be flexible, you know, the ability to pivot. I also think that it comes back to the importance of really doing a this may sound cliche but having a very strong well put together strategic plan that will keep us uh grounded in what our specific priorities are going to be
125because as federal or state funds become more restrictive because of uh school choice options because of declining enrollment in other places within the state because of the poverty rate decreasing in Berkeley County or you know and then of course the way the federal funds are working I think we're just going to have to be become more adapt adaptable um on the fly and I think it's also going to be important is and Mr. Bud I don't know if he's listening but he has Mr. here. Um, this is why we have rainy day funds. This is why we have, you know, contingency contingency bal uh fund balances so that when something unexpected like this happens, we can still make sure we keep our our legal priorities to employment and those types of things. So, but right
126now we feel that we're in in good shape as it relates to again still prioritizing high quality professional development support in the classroom. And um I I really do firmly believe that this is going to be helpful in becoming a gamecher for um how we set a strong foundation for learning moving into the next um several years in Berkeley County Schools. Couple concerns I have about this contract. Well, about about the funding sources in general. Um earlier it was mentioned that federala requirements. uh so that the funding is cut off but the idea requirements are not relaxed nor do we want to relax because they're serving children that need the help that's one that's one concern I have and the other concern I have and I talked to Stacy room down Dr. Boys and girls,
127they have a program for after school child care which also uses some of our employees with employmental support and and and they're going to be impacted the biggest cuts. So I uh I'm glad that Jam you brought up the pointed out the educational weekly news article. about this because this this is going to have a big impact upon our academics. The gap between our slowest moving students uh the support uh I shouldn't say what I'm about to say but we uh we stopped making the penny because it was costing three cents. It's costing too much to make a penny. Yet, we're going to make cuts that benefit the top 1% in this country. And we're sitting here discussing the impact of those cuts that are going to be financed by the loss of these funds
128for that 1%. I know the board's not supposed to go into partisan political politics, but that's the fact check you should recognize. Having said all that, I was going to say, can we get back on track? back on the CLI contract. Can I have a motion to did in the bid did did we specify like how many days in person they would have to be here? Yes, sir. Okay. um in the if you go back to if you go in the contract it depends on I guess it depends on which phase you're talking about because each phase it has um the scope of work and it has like for example like how many inerson days or if it's virtual check-ins or so forth. I'm just saying like yeah like phase one I think is 11
129days and phase two is eight days or vice versa. Um I don't know if it's possible to go back to them see like we need a couple more days. I'm just thinking like the price the scope will work with that price tag is a bit steep in my opinion and I know there's only two biders one other one versus Seattle. I don't know if you guys would be willing to go back to see if you can get a couple more days um within the scope work get a couple more days. Yeah. To get more obviously more I know that I know that part of it Go ahead. I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry. No. Well, what I was gonna say is I know that part of it is that there are virtual touch points that are
130that are also there. So that there's and so if they don't use those then we don't get build. Oh, so we don't get Yeah. If they're not if they're not using it then we're not going to get build for that time but it's built in there so that if it is used by those principles or teachers to ask questions to engage then then we're not going to be built for those times. Okay. So this is Yeah, this is one of those things that it's worse and of course if if you know if if we're in the middle of a, you know, let's say we're in day five and there's three more days left in that phase and we we recognize that, hey, we don't really need those three additional days, then we're not going to
131get build for those three days of them traveling here and all that sort of stuff. All that stuff. Or they could be rotated down if need be. if we see like the need um like somewhere that some portion of like phase two we could actually rotate those those days and touch points down into that. Okay. So the school and your office would determine that. Yeah. In in in collaboration. Okay. Now good question. That's a good question. Any anyone else if we're going to stay on this topic? Uh, can I have a motion to approve the 370,98955 motion for the CLI contract? So move. Second. All in favor? I motion carries. Mr. Tyson, Westman High School tennis court change order. Mr. Tyson, we're here to talk about that tennis court again. I know. I was preparing.
132All right. So, uh yeah, the uh geotech report warned us that um you know, make sure that once we remove the asphalt and the tennis courts that we rollproof the soil, uh which we did that, which is essentially drive a uh dump truck that's loaded, so it's 20 ton of weight back and forth over the soil to make sure it's not compressing. The southernmost court was solid. No issues. Good to go. The northern court, which I shared some photos with you, you can see the dump truck uh sank anywhere from 4 to 8 in. And so that soil of course was too soft to rebuild on. So it has to be removed. Uh and then a rather extensive drain system to accommodate the moisture that's headed in that direction to make sure that is diverted.
133And uh so in order to accomplish that, you can see the quote there from the the contractor who's doing the work is 46,000 in order to uh make sure that that court uh won't have any future issues. So here I am asking for a change order that is probably the least of our concern at this point on that. Yes, that probably is correct. What does that mean? that that means that um we have uh identified that there is a significant amount of settling under the new addition and uh there are some significant cracks and so we have engineers taking a look at it new addition of the high school the the freshman wing that was added on the newest error okay it was there is 10 12 years old yeah there's some significant cracking in
134the in some of the walls and so um we have engineers taking a look at the a solution. But what we they believe is the issue is is that the same issue that was affecting the tennis courts, which is the the soil, the the dampness of the soil is sort of eroding out the some of the gravel base. So, um they believe we think that doing an exterior sort of French drain to to dig out and then to redirect the water around that building may be sufficient, but we're still waiting on that analysis. But basically the same thing that was affecting the tennis courts is affecting that in the building. Yes. We're hopeful that Brim will help cover us that time. Oh, I thought a joke. I'm really serious. Court if a tennis court is
135$46,000. I can only imagine what a wing is going to end up costing us. Um, and I I'm echoing that with Brim. Um, I guess I'm concerned. Is this I'm going to ask a question and I already know the answer to it, but I'm going to ask I'm going to ask it anyway. Is this the only change order that we're going to be seeing with this? Uh, yes. This is their thing. Once this is complete, then they're essentially going to build the court and it will be completed. Well, I know Mr. has concerns, but so do I. I mean, I have concerns just about building that court. I Yeah, the the southern court had a drainage around it and so that one no issues, but the northern court um had it only had drainage along
136the one side. So, it was not protected like the the southernmost court. Uh the southern court solid, no issue because it had the appropriate drainage. So this will basically accomplish the drainage that is similar to the although this is addition in addition to the drainage because it's going to include drain a drainage system beneath that port system that's needed. And what's that total cost that tennis court's going to be costing us? I think it was around 400,000 total plus this addition. So 10%. Oh my gosh. Mr. Murphy, did you have questions? Well, I called Mr. Tyson up today and asked the questions. I'll ask again. But I I know the answer first off and I'd ask you, should we just find another location to put the northern court either east, west, south? Yeah. Yeah. And
137we considered that, but there really is not another location in that space uh for a tennis court. Um so I don't think that that we can do that. And because I was worried they just keep pouring money into a site, it's unsuitable. That's my uh the second question I asked you was I was worried that if we put this drainage system and you're talking about uh will we just have water sitting in a drainage system underneath the court? Uh and then the water will freeze and we're back elevation. You you shared between them, right? water will be drained off from the court or prevented from getting there. Yeah. Similar a similar concept to the way to do the drainage underneath of the turf football fields. It's a similar concept as that. So it's it's getting
138my water out from under there. Yeah. But you do have movement on a football field. You don't have to worry about where this is solid. Yeah. Court service. But you you feel that the court will not be the water will be drained off and will not be said within right drainage system expanded room whatever the other uh yes structure is. Where's the water going to go to? To the south court. It's want to go beyond the south court. There is a storm drain beyond these two courts where all the water is from. Okay. So, this will this will help to divert that water to its proper location instead of being trapped underneath the courts like it has been. When did they do these tests? What was that? What date was this? What date was the
139the test where they did the proof the proofing? It was u It was during the week of we had an extreme heat because we were kind of waiting. We knew that we were going to finally get a break from the rain and get some sunshine and heat. So they gave it approximately a week to evaporate and then they did did the the roll proofing. So that was approximately when it was completed and it was still that much and it was still very soft. Yeah. Standing water before the standing water was shortly after the rain. Uh just to kind of give a glimpse of hey this is how saturated is. Okay. I'm concerned and I go back to the the statement that Miss Long made earlier is the concern of just having the courts in this
140lo I I know there's no other location. I get that. Just having them period that we're going to continue beating money after, you know, money, money, money, money, and more money. It's a money pit. Um I just I'm We've already spent so much. So I have a question about the north the north court and the drainage because you said been like that for years. It's been like that since it was installed. So approximately what 1998 2000 somewhere around there probably is when it was originally installed and there was no no drainage uh system at that time were north and south built at the same time. They were built at the same time and then after a certain amount of time they did put a drainage system in between the courts and the school which helps
141to capture the need for the south court but it didn't really protect the north court. I was just trying to think who I mean how the ball dropped to I mean did not consider that and they had it years ago had it divert in like the south court is still right well I would I would say that for whatever reason the geotechnical that was done on that site uh didn't pick up the whether it's springs or or whatever it is that's that's causing the water issue because of the fact that the you know 11 years ago when is it 11 years ago when the new addition I think it was approximately yeah something like that I mean they were drilling at that point to determine you know quality ground and that sort of stuff and
142for whatever reason it wasn't picked up at that time so right well drilling back there um I guess the only concern I have is is that and and maybe I don't know the answer to this but the current tennis team the ten tennis teams at muscle where where do they practice They've been using the the cord. That is their We waited till the end of their season before we started, right? I mean, so they have been using that cord despite the, you know, various cracks that were on there. They're still using it. Is there is there any place to put it over at parks and wreck? We looked at that, but the uh if you're at the school facing the parks and wreck, off to the left of that, which looks like a nice field
143space area is just like a wetland type of space. What about What about across the street near the football complex? Across the street at the middle school there is uh that's where the old tennis courts were located is across the street, which those are still there. They use them. I think they might be basketball courts for the middle school kids at this time. Well, I mean, even to add high school courts, I mean, is there is there is there room enough? There's not really room to add anything. No. Okay. You're supposed to come with us with good news. Yes. And not turn down all of the solutions that we're coming up with. The good news is this drainage system is going to fix the problem. No, no, no, no, no. See, that that is the
144problem. Well, I I hope that's accurate. I hope that does the trick. Well, considering that there was no drainage system at all except for the one side and now there will be an extensive drainage system. I would say that The one side was working. The south cord no issues. Is there argument to be had that maybe we keep a a few just not all? We put in two, three, not well I think if you're going to do it you need to do it right. I'm not in disagreement. The only problem is this is costing a ton of money and it's in an area that is proven to be unstable. Even with somewhat of a drainage system, I'm concerned that we're going to have something yet again in 10 years that they're going to have to
145revisit because something was either missed. Not saying that that anybody has done anything wrong here, but I just we we know water can create so much damage. We've seen it in Texas. We've seen it in southern West Virginia. I just I'm very very concerned about the money that we're putting into this and it's going to be wasted. My concern is you're only spending $400,000 so to not fix it to capacity that we could right now. Um I just think it's not um prudent of us not to follow through with that. I mean, as much as I think it hope hopefully it's not a a waste and in 15 years we'll be someone else will be back either. I'd be 90 so well I'm not saying remove I'm not saying not do it at all. I'm
146saying like cut it back. Well, that's doing a half job my to what was there but that's also being prudent and understanding that where we're building is not necessarily the best. You mean cut the quart back? I could go with that. You know, instead of it being four quarts, maybe it's two or three where it is stable and that one where it's not stable. No, because it's a safety concern. Well, well, it wouldn't be if supposedly if we fix it. Supposedly, I go back to our 11 years ago, the addition to our school. I do I do think that because what's happened on the the north end has been effective or south end on the south end the south end that there's a high level of confidence that this is the solution we need to
147ensure the stability of the north end the only other thing I would also just caution is is that while Martinsburg does is over at PO Falner um I I don't know but I would assume because in most of the high schools I've been to It does appear that four courts is sort of the standard for these high schools is that if um you know Spring Mills and Hedgesville and Martinsburg all have four courts to practice on you know um I just would be cautious to reduce at one high school that we're where we're trying to be equitable. Also um the other thing we have to be concerned about is supervision. can't have part of the team at one location, the other part at the other. Sure. And only have one coach and the equitable question,
148but also just supervising the players coaching them and they benefit from the the program. Yeah. Yeah. But also keep it all. Yeah. And the uh you know, the fizz classes are going to use these course as well. So, you know, it's nice to have them nearby possible. Is there another I'm going to ask a different question. Is there another piece of property that maybe we don't necessarily own that could be that could be looked at? You mean near the existing tennis courts? Yeah. No, the property that is directly behind that is the Inwood quarry. So there's no other surrounding property. Well, that's our problem anyway. I know that. Yeah. I don't know all the layouts for Inwood yet. So, apologies for an ignorant question. You want to think out of the box and you want
149to try to find way. Yeah, I'm trying, but I just I got the solution right here. I know. Mr. Tyson, do it right. I'll I'll mad person. When you're ready, I'll make a motion. I'm ready. Make a motion to approve the recommendation that superintendent for drinks. Second. All in favor? Motion carries 4 to one. Next is the uh intermediate roof replacement. Uh yes. So as part of the uh bond projects, PTOIC intermediate was not included on the roof replacements, but the most work orders that we get every time it rains with significant leaking is the PTOIC intermediate roof. So because of that, last year we were able to replace the roof over the gymnasium and the cafeteria areas because those were where where we received the most issues. Uh but we still have considerable leaking
150throughout the remainder of the school. And so I got uh the bid advertised. Six contractors submitted bids on replacing this roofing system. The uh company called 3G Contracting had the best price. Uh so to replace all of the remaining portions of the flat uh white TPO membrane roofing system, it's $259,931. And then that also includes uh you might remember if you've been pastic intermediate, a lot of the uh pitched roofing that you see from the road, for example, are shingles and then directly behind that the wall goes down and then you have the membrane. So along along the perimeter of that school is a shingled roof system. The 259,931 includes also the shingle replacing the shingles. So it would be all new membrane, all new shingles. I asked them to to give us an alternate
151of replacing the shingles with a metal roof system if you would so desire. If if you think that is a good idea, that would be an additional 100 $1,250 to replace the shingles with metal, just throw that out there as an option in case you want to consider it. Typically, metal is uh has a much longer lifespan than shingles. However, we can also replace it as it is with shingles, and you're at the 259,931. questions. I'm We talked about this this morning. I appreciate it. First off, if you did the metal, you'll be getting twice the life of those areas of the metal versus shambers. But I'm also thinking about the desire to have as much money possible. I you all calling waters call the new K5 school up there and I'm I'm leaning more
152towards the shingles in order to have 100,000 towards the school. I agree. Okay. Does the I just want to clarify the base bid though does include Oh, I'm sorry. Right there. Never mind. The base bid includes replacing the shingles with new shingles. Okay, thank you. The alternate was just if you want to consider metal instead of shingles. And the shingles are a 30-year shingle. Uh, yes. Madam President, I'm ready to make a motion. question. We um the money that we got from the state recently um from the program. Yes. Is that is that No, that was this one of the schools that that was from Martinsburg High School on that. All right. That was a roof, but I couldn't remember. Thank you. Okay. I'll make a motion that we go with the uh base bed
153roof shingle replacement on the on the 45 degree angle parts with the other 3G contract which is which is a cost of 202 25930. All in favor I motion carries. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Uh next on again is the superintendent to spark county schools the executive membership fellowship. Uh thank you board members. I um believe that I provided this overview in the um but pass this out um give you all a little bit of context as to the nuances of this um this recommendation. The first thing I want to say is that uh she's I think who's left um the the work that Dr. Alfonso has done to build the aspiring leaders program that you know takes school folks that aspire to be principles or assistant principles um is a is a solid
154program a great job in designing facilitating with our colleagues across the district. Um, however, you know, part of one of the things that, uh, I've identified as a another additional need, I think, is that we're also cultivating the next generation of district leaders. Um, and that there is, um, a bench or a continuity of of well-rounded individuals that have the skills necessary to become, you know, specialists or coordinators, directors, executive directors, deputy superintendent, perhaps even superintendent. And um one of the things that as I was thinking about how do we how do we improve uh the capacity of individuals to to take on these roles um was a personal reflection and that was that I vividly remember being a high school principal um and you know developing a you know strategic plan working with my
155faculty um and and stakeholders ers to create meaningful school improvement. And it it wasn't until I left the the school level and went to the state and the district level that I very quickly realized very I remember very shortly working at the state level about a month month and a half that I I said you know I' I've grown so much in my perspective my perspective has changed because I'm at a different level doing different types of work that is supporting the work of schools that had I to do over again as principal, I would do things differently. And um in talking with fellow district leaders, every you know, you talk about that, they're like, "Absolutely." You know, if I if I was to go back and be a principal based upon what I know
156and the experiences that I've I've, you know, learned, um I would absolutely do things a little bit differently. And so that from that was born this um practicum if you will where the in this fellowship um that these individuals that will be selected to be a part of the Aspire program would have an opportunity to identify a problem of practice that they see in the district to be around discipline attendance uh student behaviors uh grading uh u professional development um perhaps Perhaps it's even food service or transportation. Whatever it is that they see there's an issue, this problem that is impacting the deliverables in schools for students. Um or maybe it's in recruiting high quality staff and they identify this problem of practice. They research it extensively to see what research has out there as
157to what other people have done or or what the research indicates and they develop a plan of action. And during their implementation of this plan of action, they actually uh shadow a district level person. So that's they they take a a brief time off from their specific position from two to four weeks where we provide sub coverage. They work alongside of a director or executive director, even a deputy superintendent while they work on this problem of practice at the district level. And again, it's to be able to one shape a difference of of and reflection to maybe improve what they're doing at the school level themselves, but to also prepare them to understand what it's like when you actually come over to the at the district level or or even higher in providing um that
158that different level of leadership. And so um that that's really sort of how this is designed. Um the program would have um if approved by you all um the opportunity for four to five high potential leaders annually um to become a fellow uh with the superintendent. They would engage in a full day leadership retreat with uh myself and and my cabinet level team. They would identify a district level problem or practice to explore and solve. They would then participate in a two to four-week practicum embedded with the central office department. And that two to four weeks is going to be based upon what the need is within their own area. Um some people might be two weeks, some people might be as much as four weeks, but we don't really want to go over the
159four-week time frame just because we want to make sure we have continuity in their schools. Um and it could be spaced out if need be, but ideally it would be two at least a twoe chunk. Um again, they'd work alongside a cabinet level mentor. They would present the data informed solution or initiative to our senior leadership team. um and they would obviously receive ongoing support um to implement the a pilot or a recommendation where where it may be applicable and then they would be recognized at a board meeting where they would be able to f uh sort of provide a capstone of their of their experience. So you all would see firsthand uh perhaps you know the takeaways that these individuals that have participated um had. So again, um this is uh something that I
160I wanted your I wanted to ask for your blessing on. Um if there's any suggestions or improvements, we can absolutely tweak it. Uh but I want to thank uh Dr. Skoolie and Dr. Woods for collaborating with me on this project. Um and I really think it's something that no other school district in the state of West Virginia is doing to prepare the next uh the next season of of uh district leaders. Um but just as we prepare to have high quality instructional school, we need to be able to do the same. So we have continuity and leadership at the district level as well. Um would would um will this um be over the entire school year or would you do four or five this semester and four or five next semester? It would be four
161to five people throughout the entire year. there is, you know, there will be a kickoff retreat uh where those those participants meet with me and and the cabinet where we go through it and I've actually provided a a draft schedule there so you can sort of see what that sample agenda would look like. But I think that the practicum period where they, you know, sort of go on uh a shadow leave is going to be based upon what their problem of practice is because certain things it may be you and if they're looking at a personnel a personnel challenge, it may be better for them to do that that experience during personnel season as opposed to in the fall. Um the same thing as it relates to discipline might be that they want to take
162two weeks in the fall to develop it and then two weeks in the spring to see how it's implemented. So I think it's something that will evolve based upon the participant and we're going to work with them um with that uh that cabinet level mentor um through that process. I have questions about I'm really sold on this idea. This is really but I I'm concerned that you you may be bottlenecking your your candidate pool uh for the program or for district level position program here. Uh you you may have people who want to do it and they won't make the cut up to five four or five people and and uh and these four or five people will have an inside track to any jobs that are available here and others who would have been
163interested in trying to do it. Um should should not have that insight nor advantage because they were not selected in the initial thing. Should there be maybe two cohorts? Maybe one that starts at the beginning of the year and one that starts halfway through the year. I understand what you two are saying here. I I'm concerned about I want candidates to be uh given a chance to do it. And I think that you're limiting your your pool and thus your awareness of other good candidates u for the for the process. Uh and then then you would not be aware of they get frustrated and go to another county as their treatment. Sure. So you're you're thinking that maybe four or five is is too limited. Is that right? Yes. Okay. Well, we we we can
164I think that part of it is we wanted to make sure it was manageable with the coverage that we would have for folks. Um I think I think it also may be highly dependent upon who applies. You know, for example, if we had if we had four to five principles, that would really stretch the resource of having coverage. If it was uh a teacher leader, maybe it's even let's say it's a let's say it's a a lower level district person already. Let's say it's a a specialist that's that's not in the classroom and then you have a principal or two. You could obviously increase the you can increase the footprint of of who you are of the cohort I guess. Um so as long as we can cover have sub coverage um so that there's
165continuity in the schools during this these times then I don't think we have to have a number that limits uses. I think the limit is being able to logistically cover things. So yeah, we can definitely increase it based upon Yeah, I just availability. I I some of it you could have 15 people at a meeting on a Saturday and it's no problem. Whereas what you're talking about the logistics of five people. You also have to think about the people in here have to take their time to work with these people. That's right. And so you want to think about their I think maybe one one thing that they're going to have to do is just kind of wait and see what the applicant pool looks like for it and then kind of go from there
166a little bit. I will say barring the number um that ends up in the cohort. Uh I think this is a very way very well laid out plan. I love the practicum period. I love that's that is spot on. Um with taking it and then putting it actually into something that's every day. Um I like that. So no, go ahead. I was going to say is it every like for two or four weeks it's every single day or is it one day per week? Um you mean the the practicum? Yeah. Um I would envision it being at least a two week stent and the reason is that every day. And the reason is that you you really want them to be immersed in the experience of providing district level leadership. I mean and and to
167be honest with you, I think ideally it would be four weeks, but again, we want to be able to I don't want it to go over four weeks just because of coverage. Um I I think as a starting point being able to say two to four weeks and then you know getting that immersive experience. um if they have to divide it in two based upon their their project, they have two weeks, you know, immersed working alongside of a department working on their their activity. Um and part of it is is that part of it is is that, you know, they may have to go out and survey like they may have to go out and get interviews from other principles to get their perspectives on the solutions that they're they're they're putting together, which is
168going to be another, you know, I think a an intriguing experience for them also. Anyway, um the other thing I would I would say is that this is since this is the first time we're doing it, I I would say that we're going to learn a lot from it and say, "Okay, how can we improve it for next year?" So, the the ability to what I would say is start manageable. Get get start manageable and then learn from either the successes or the barriers to improve it so that it's it's evolving is important. I don't disagree with uh Mr. Murphy though is that we we don't want to limit candidate pools because what I would say is that someone who goes through the Aspire BCS if approved uh in somewhat of the structure we have
169would not guarantee them the ability to get a job over someone else. Now, it may be able to enhance their their qualifications perhaps, but it shouldn't be the determining factor, you know, for someone who may be coming out of out of county that has experience or someone who's in county that has some certain experiences. We we may learn that we may learn that that candidate isn't somebody that we really want at the district level because they're they're not followers or or what have you. So just participating in it in in of itself would not be a determining factor for getting a position either. So we want to be careful about that. That was a concern of mine because um I didn't know if that I because everybody that that um maybe applies is not going
170to get in. So then individuals might not apply for jobs because they they're thinking, well, I wouldn't get it because these aspiring uh leaders that have participated in that uh workshop or program have a one up on me. Um so is that going to be part of the matrix? Yeah. And I would say that you know even now where we have the aspiring principles, aspiring leaders, you know, we we really haven't put in the the matrices that this would be a preferred qualification. They've completed it. Um what we hope is that because they've gone through the aspiring leaders is that they're able to articulate and be able to provide examples of the training and the qualifications they have. Um, it also I think is because again as it says, you know, we're trying to to
171cultivate the next generation. It also may be something where they think they may want to do it and then once they experience it, they say, you know what, I like being a principal. I like being an AP. I I was going to say it might be something just throwing this out there. Maybe it's maybe less likely of the person who's going to school to to do that leadership piece, but it's maybe the the the person that just got their bachelor's degree and is trying to figure out where they want to go in their future and they're trying different things. I guess my I you know if someone's going for their um master's or or PhD with um you know administrative focus that might be less likely to I'm not saying that they would get in.
172I'm just saying that would be less likely to focus versus the one that you're trying to help cultivate leadership in because they're already getting a lot of that in their other coursework. This is to discover. This is more of where are you? What would you like to do? We want to find you. You might call it safe every single day, but we want calling that leadership piece out of someone who might be overlooked is I would think the ideal person for this candidate or candidate for this this type of I think it's a mixture of both. Um I mean there's people out there that are taking um that's what I'm saying. I won't I wouldn't limit it to one area. I'm just saying I guess where I'm sitting I would think that focus could be
173both both. Yeah. You know I think of um the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and even the Chamber here in Berkeley has leadership Berkeley. There's Leadership West Virginia and this is more of an experience like that where these individuals are getting a a a taste of what the district leadership, you know, is facing on a on a daily basis. and part of their experiences is to try to solve a problem as being a part of it. So, it's almost like a I mean, it it truly is I think sharpening sharpening a saw. Um, and we could even change a little bit of the, you know, as we're, as we're talking through this, I think we could evolve the purpose slightly if you're comfortable with it to where it's more of that experience as opposed to
174specifically to train someone up to be a district leader because to be quite honest with you, they're going to have to have a lot more than what we can offer in a one-dayer. Yeah. And then obviously their their practicum. This may be the opportunity for whether it be a principal or a teacher or even a someone in the service to be able to say, "Hey, I wanna I wanna, you know, I want I want um leadership Berkeley County Schools." And they get that different lens. Um if I'm hearing you all correctly, I don't know if if you are comfortable with that, but I think I think it's great. I do too. It's a trial. Yeah. Go ahead. No, no, no. I had already No, I think it's a very good idea. I think I'm waiting
175to see um what the criteria will be for the people that are applying because I know that you sent us that's coming next. How you going to pick the people? Because I think I have the similar concerns to uh to Murphy in terms of just giving people an advantage in terms of applying for positions. um which I know years ago um several past superintendent they would have like a lunchon type thing and if you would happen to show up people didn't didn't realize it was like it was like an informal interview people just I don't disclaimer out there that disclaimer and I didn't I never remember if you came to lunch you got one up no no it was it was a it was a gathering but it so it wasn't just one on one
176lunchon it was or dinner whatever it was but it was a group thing and if you have open like the coverage point Mr. Murphy maybe it is like leadership or leadership Jefferson it's a six eight month thing that's like maybe a half day a week or half day a week just to cover the cover so more people can be involved they want to be we could definitely I think we can definitely do that half day a week two months three months week test like this but then sorry like two weeks straight during or something I I I love the I disagree with my two colleagues here. I think I think uh the the the two week complete you're thrown in the deep end the pool. You're the tag along. You're seeing the dayto days. You're
177seeing the followup and everything and and you could use retired principles to go in cover for people or or because if we go far enough out, we we can get coverage. But I think you I do think I understand the interruption concern that you both are expressing but I think what Dr. Sax is suggesting is a better insight and also you see the person that he's going to say what would you do and the problem that you face today a week later may not be there but you were there the next day to see the solution offered there. So I I do think the total you walk away from this job and you're you're in this job for two weeks will provide very good insight for both parts, the candidate and the and the people
178observing how they operate in the process. They'll bring this back to the classroom. They're going to change how they're going to be viewing things that are being done in the classroom. They're it's going to change how they're doing leadership of their kids. Yeah. So being it I I agree with you with the the the immersive in the immersing I can talk today. Either way you go I won't but it's a great idea. However, well what I'd like to do is if I could have tenative approval then what what I'd like to do is I'll get with uh Dr. Skoolie and Dr. Woods and we'll we'll incorporate I think some of the feedback that you've had and then I'll update you on on how it's how it's evolving. I'll keep you I'll keep you included every
179step of the way and I'll also have um I'll bring to you the criteria we'll look for candidates so that you all have some input in that as well. Um and uh I think I think again working with this board and and trying to establish a a unique program that sets us apart from others also makes Berkeley County hopefully stand apart for when someone's looking to choose whether to come here or somewhere else. So, well, and I hope it does work out that that person could come for two weeks at a time or so because you could actually get a better feel for the actual job that's happening instead of a little bit here and there because you know a little bit here and there you might be experiencing the same thing over and over
180again. So, borrowing Mr. Murphy's attempts previously, I am ready to make a motion. Madam President, I'm ready for you to make a motion. motion to accept the Aspire for preership. So move second. All in favor? I motion carries. Thank you. Um personnel actions. Uh good evening members of the board and superintendent sex. The personal actions dated for Monday, July 7th, 2025 were as follows. Uh we have three coaching appointments and two coaching resignations. We have three extra duty appointments and four resignations. Uh on line 14, we have one revised unpaid leave of absence for your consideration this evening. Um for professional personnel, we have 18 professional appointments. Um on line 26, that second grade job should be for Hedgesville Elementary School, not Berkeley Heights. Uh we have one change of assignment for next school year.
181On line 34, we rescended the RIP of one employee uh and they are being assigned a new position for next year. We have six professional resignations. Uh we have nine transfers to the 2526 school year and five employees or uh who were removed from the transfer list and assign for service actions. We have two new service personnel appointments and one administrative change of assignment of service personnel. Uh we also have three other change of assignments. We have eight service resignations and one retirement. Uh we have 11 transfers of service personnel. Uh on line 81, we have the correction of a transfer to the correct school. We have 12 service personnel who have been removed from the transfer list and assigned for the 2526 school year. We have one correction of a removal from the transfer
182list as well as one employee who we are rescending their removal um from the transfer list and they're going to remain in their position. Uh we have four service employees who have been removed from the transfer list and will remain in their current position. And we also have one service upgrade. We have five new appointments of substitute service personnel. Uh we also renewed two substitute service personnel contracts. We removed one name from the substitute service list and rescended the removal of two people from that same list. We also have one substitute service resignation. For professional substitute teachers, we have 10 appointments of professional day-to-day substitutes and 20 renewals of substitute teacher contracts. Uh we also had four substitute teacher resignations and tonight we also have nine summer school appointments, eight summer healthcare appointments and one
183summer school resignation uh for a total of 162 professional service and substitute personnel actions for your consideration of superintendent sax's recommendation. Questions for Mr. possible. First, I have to recuse myself of number seven. It's relevant to uh but my question for you is I noticed that three middle school are losing their SYSOP. So, yeah. So, what those were um those employees are now in the TSS role. Uh so, they are they are counting TSS. So those um as part of that they have to resign from their CIS opposition because they won't be necessarily school based at that specific school next year. Um so they they will no longer function. So they're they're going to still work for Yeah. Oh yes. Yes. They are still it's just an extra duty extra duty. All right. And when
184are the permanent serves reported? We have those have been rolling in over the last couple of weeks. So we so they don't get a board action per se um because they're they're just on this the substitute list. So there is nothing that that we officially quote unquote approved them um into a position because techition. Yeah. I mean we we will post throughout the school year to try to post that job. I mean I'm still posting positions now um to try to do that. But yeah, we've been we've been hiring for ourselves for a couple weeks. Plus you'd have to post those twice a year. I mean, I posted them probably six or seven times to be honest with you. But legally, we have to Yes, we have to we have to satisfy for state code
185we have to host at least twice. Yes. Where are we at for service personnel that were still on transfer list versus actually in a position now? 13 are still on transfer. I mean, 79. Okay, that's good. That's really good. Um, do we have still open positions that that they are able to apply for? Yeah, she Yeah, she's still working through all of that. The the it's a very a good The other thing is is that sometimes there are positions, but they don't want them. Oh. So, they're given opportunities, but maybe it's in a different part of the county that they want to they want to accept the bid for. So, I mean, I think there are definitely opportunities, but it may but it's also in the court of the applicant as to whether or not
186they want to be considered for their position. Sure. The principles are calling, you know, sometimes because they have to go through that transfer list first. So, sometimes they're making 30 phone calls before they get somewhere either says yes or is able to say yes. Well, now that list is a lot smaller. It is. It's getting there. So well and and also if they don't accept a position the first day of school or back at the magic date, they'll be placed in a position which will probably be coming. You know, we I've started reaching out to some on the professional side. We have a handful left. Um I actually talked to one today, but I think he's going to be I think we've got a couple spots for him, but that that's coming. And what I
187I think we'll probably end up finding is some of those people have probably chosen not to return. Yeah. But they just haven't officially let us know yet. Um, so once I reach out, I'm anticipating them saying, you know, because you hear things, I'm anticipating them saying, "Oh, you know, we just need to get it official on the on the books." Can you share with the board where we are on hiring for teachers and where you expect that we may be in the coming weeks? So, we have posted uh on the professional side 463 openings so far this year. we are down to 102 um without somebody in the position. I would say of those 102 as far as what are actually classroom teacher jobs, it's probably less than 90 because some of those positions are
188still central office personnel that we've got placed. Um some of them are nurses. So as far as actual classroom teacher positions, it's probably close to 90. Um I told Dr. Saxs today, you know, when I leave for vacation every year, it's about the same time of year I'm leaving Saturday. I'd like to have it under a hundred by the time I leave. So, um I think we should get there and then we'll just, you know, we'll keep our way at it. Yeah. Will we be um posting the coordinator position at transfer to the multiat? It's posted. Okay. Yes, ma'am. I had a question about the school safety officers. Um, are any of them or I guess are all of them former law enforcement? Yes. Um, I know, well, two of the three that are on
189there are absolutely former law enforcement because I've worked with them at the school system. Um, they're not on I think they have they have So, yeah. So yes, they all meet the retirement requirement period. All right. So I guess my question probably have asked this a long time ago for the previous divisions was um do we get a copy of their personnel records or just do a regular background check? We will do a regular background check. Um but I can tell you that I spoke with one and I mean he was willing to give us whatever we would request. Um but we also do back we also do uh reference checks. Yeah. I mean, well, I mean, that recording, that's great, but people who slip through the cracks with look personal record, you can find
190out how many use of force uh complaints do they have and other things like that, other things may not have come out, but I mean, you always hear about cases where certain officers where they did things and just, you know, then blue line and nothing happened. Just please leave. as part of our application process. There is I mean there are questions on there that that do ask if you've ever been, you know, either forced to resign, as to resign, you know, let go, fired from a previous position, right? Um, you know, and if they answer yes to that question, it does ask them for an explanation as to what that potentially could have been. um you know so if if that would have happened they should on the application as part of the application process
191answer that question and then if it would come out after the fact that they that something happened and and it resulted in that they would be terminated. Yeah. I just would just be a little proactive just to make if if we're able to get their personal records it would help to make sure that we're we're getting great people. Not saying none of the people that we are on this list are not great but just just don't know. I don't know that we're I don't know if you're allowed to, but I was going to say I don't know that we're re there I don't think there's a there's there's the ability to require a candidate to provide a previous personnel record. I know that I don't I correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Stoie. Um but
192I don't even know that we're able like you couldn't just contact Morgan County and say give me the personnel record for this person. I mean the and the reference checks I mean they that's also I mean part of this to make sure that you know that who we're hiring. Yeah. I' I've just seen a lot of cases where they'll give you a great reference, but they're are terrible officers and we have that with a I mean same thing with regular employees, but these people we're putting in that have because they're going to be armed, correct? So you're putting armed people that potentially could then harm our students. So that's why I'm thinking maybe on a higher level if whether I don't know if it's allowed or not but if it is possible maybe something we
193can look into. I think I think what we could do is we could definitely explore with legal what what we can to increase the rigor of our of of the hiring process for our safety officers um and and where those thresholds will exist. Yeah. Um I don't think it's unreasonable for us to ask those questions to to vet it. I think those are I think it's a good idea because These people are our first responders and first line of defense when an emergency happens. And we also want them to be able to u be calm, cool, and collected when need be too. We don't, you know, so um well, especially since we don't get those our personnel records, you don't know specifically what behaviors they might have been cited for that weren't up to our
194standards when you're working with children. Yeah, I can have a I can have a conversation. Sure. Let's let's also make sure that what we do is we'll follow up with the board um around what that legal guidance is as it relates to what we can and can't ask for um spec specifically in that in that arena. I just want to make sure we follow up on that as well so you all informed. Any other questions for I'll make a motion with the exception of number seven that we approve the recommended risk. We have a motion to approve the uh personnel actions with the exception of line seven. Can I have a second? Second. All in favor? I I oppos motion carries. Did you get for answering all those questions? I have a motion to approve
195line seven of the move. Second. All in favor? I um Madam President, board members, first of all, I want to want to thank you for approving the uh personnel section this evening. I wanted to bring to your attention that um something that that I know that you're probably aware of, but um the last board meeting, I think it was um maybe it was the second to last. It's all running together. Um you all approved the uh recommendation for the principal of Marksburg High School, which was Miss Miranda Lynch. She vacated the assistant director of uh in uh it was professional development instructional technology position. Um and uh at the same token um we also posted a position for a uh school family and school choice uh liaison that um was a uh again a district
196level leadership position similar to director that u was going to be there to assist Mr. van meter in the the uh attendance office for uh families, you know, looking at different school choice options. Uh making sure that they were filing their hope scholarship records correctly. Also tracking down the families that um that needed to submit the documentation of adequate um instructional progress with their students that are homeschooled, those sort of things. And again to be a resource for our our community as it relates to school choice options. And there was 4,000 he said at this. So just making everybody aware of that we we we did post that position. We had one applicant and uh that one applicant for that specific position you all actually approved to to take a different role here in the
197district. This evening um Dr. Woods and I talked about uh the the candidate pool uh but also the need to to make sure we're streamlining some processes and we also want to make sure that we're continuing to to reassess our staffing to see is it is it appropriate? do we do we we feel like we need to cut back a little bit um even after some of the shifts that that we made. And I think this presented a unique opportunity to not necessarily repost a an assistant director position and post also a a another uh director styled position. Um, and so as we talked about it, we really felt that with the the the need for a school choice advocate, also some of the the not all of the need is what an assistant director
198would do, but a lot of the need around professional development and um the work that that position was doing with um supporting Dr. Alfonso's team with uh professional development skills u uh this the the uh in teacher inservice days even service inservice days is what I would like to propose is is instead of filling both of those positions that instead we um uh post a coordinator position similar to what is already in Dr. Ralph Honda's office, which is a coordinator of math, coordinator of ELA. Am I missing another coordinator? Um, and create a coordinator of uh professional development and school choice options that will sort of coales those two those two activities. And you know, by structure, both of those positions were going to report to Dr. Alonszo's department anyway. They were going to be
199within her department. So this is a I think a uh good solution to getting the work in really two new areas that we were needing. Um and you know and obviously I think school choice is going to continue to expand in the future and if there needs to be a change later on we can but I think right now a coordinator level position as opposed to assistant director or a director level position u will fulfill our need and I just wanted to see if that was okay with you all for us to move forward. Um, I believe you have a a draft job description already created. Am I correct? I do. Um, and so I just I really just wanted to see if if that was okay for us to move forward in that direction
200or if as a board you all would prefer that we go in a different direction. Well, we're essentially taking two positions now, [Music] two higher level positions and creating a a lower lower grade, but it um will coalesce and combine the highest need of the two areas in the in one position. Yes. In essence, we weren't filling we never filled the one position and then um the other position was Miranda which was a coordinator. It it was assistant director. So which and then the coordinator is one step below the assistant director about that. Right. It is it is one step. Yes. Yeah. Board's thoughts. I think the collaboration that you guys have done to work to streamline the the central office um can be commendable. um looking to see where things, you know, uh needed,
201where things are not necessarily maybe needed as much, maybe where it was 5 years ago, maybe not so much now. Um whatever that that might look like, I think is is commendable. But, um I think that that Berkeley County is we've got 4,000, you know, um individuals that are doing alternative school choice here than than public school. And I think that um that's a that's a high mountain for anybody to to undertake in in addition to attendance in addition to so many other things that that um has previously been done. And I think to your point, Dr. sex. It's only going to likely increase um potentially um and having that liaison, that that person that can be that go-to um for our county, but but also being able to collaborate with those individuals to say,
202"Okay, maybe transition back into public school. This is what we can offer when they get to a certain age and maybe the parents are less comfortable teaching at the higher higher grade." So just being able to to voice that out and work with with parents in our community. What we can offer can do to support remind whatever I think is is um I think we're we're uh ahead of the ball game in my in my opinion. I I um had mentioned to Dr. sex earlier that well when I thought we might not be able to fill that one position that I was kind of looking forward to that occurring because some of these kids are getting lost in the cracks and we don't know where some of them are. So, it would be a help,
203very much of a helping to alleviate some of that, plus help parents in the long run that have uh school school choice questions or anything like that. So, I think it's a good idea. I think my only the only issue I have with it is I think it should be a state tradition. I agree. I do you see that happening? No. So, so it's almost like it's one of the little unfunded mandate things. Yeah. You you do all the work for us and we your It's always been that way. And and to be totally honest with you, Mr. Wright, it's always been that way. Dr. Vanier has been the one that has had to do it um and his team. And I think I this goes back to something that I've been arguing for years.
204Why are you mandating the public school system to do something that you've said is okay from for from code, but we have to oversee. We don't have any control, but we're supposed to oversee it. Like, it doesn't it doesn't make sense. So, I echo that. But at the same time, we've got to figure out a way to help our families. Even if it was a state position, it would we couldn't fill it in. We couldn't we would have to pay for it out of because we're over four so much. I'm saying I'm saying it wouldn't be at all. They could put something right here in Japan or you know regional people and you don't know. I totally agree. But yeah, I think you are right. I see at the Jefferson County Fair even though they're
205not within the 32 schools of our county or anything. I I think this board has a responsibility. Even people who have forced themselves from the public school system through choice, we need to make sure that they're being educated. Yeah, because in 10 or 15 years some some people are getting the 409 to 44 might be under the state is subsidizing their education. um if if the children are not and young adults are not being educated and we're aware of it or suspicious of it u we have to and I agree with Mr. right that you know this is an impended mandate but it's it's a it's a responsibility this board to make sure that all the children those under our roof as well as those who've chosen and believe it are being educated and being
206prepared because if we don't check on uh these these people are going to be running around and we're going to be back to the days where we had I dropped out rates of there and we had uh people who eventually like one of you just mentioned uh we're going to we're trying to improve the academics and those parents who are upset or disappointed in our academic performance. I hope they come back but I look at Mr. Marquez reports and people would not want to go through the transition school and they just home school. We're not going to we're not going to go through the process for our child's behavior. We're going to remove them and they they're doing it. I've had people talk to me about their neighbors children or just on the trampoline ladder
207and um we're we just we we have a responsibility to try to look and see that all the children birth are receiving an education. The manner in which it's done is the parents choice but it needs to be done and we have the responsibility as board of education to to examine that. Well, that's why needed. Yeah, that positional maybe helps get slip through the cracks. Having said all that time. Oh, I'm sorry. I I do have I do have a legal update that I need to make sure that I present to you all. Yeah, I don't there is no voting afterwards. So, if you want to do that, but I apologize. Yeah. At tail end. Sorry. So move all in favored it at um comments. Oh, sorry. Okay. Did you want to make a statement?
208Yeah. Um we we will not be um voting on anything. Um, so anything that has to leave and leave and we will uh let you know what time we can get a second.