Board of Education Meeting 6/2/25

001Nice to have everyone here this evening for great event on our retirees. So we would like now to call our board of education meeting to order and can I have a motion to approve the agenda? So move. All in favor? I um I'd also like to have somebody do a Dr. Sav. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. meeting. Good evening everyone. Welcome to Mimma High School and thank you for joining us for the annual Brookley County Schools retirement celebration. This evening we're honored to recognize and celebrate the dedicated employees who are retiring from our school system. We are truly grateful for your service, your commitment, and your contributions to the

002students and staff of Berkeley County Schools. Congratulations on reaching this milestone as we celebrate you this evening. Let me share a little bit about this group. There are 72 retirees this year. Together, they have a combined total of 1,916 years of service to Berkeley County Schools and the children we serve. Among that group are 35 service personnel and 33 professional staff members. They represent um oh actually three of our retirees are over the 40ear mark. So not I think they're either all right at 40 or 41 and 42. We had three of those. But the group represents 22 schools as well as our central office staff special education and transportation. Each of you has shown an unwavering passion for education and supporting the children of our community. Thank you for the time, the heart, and

003the effort that you have given to Berkeley County Schools. At this time, we're going to invite our retirees who are here with us this evening to come forward as your name is announced. Make your way to a stage on the right side over here. Your principal or supervisor will accompany you and share a brief bio that highlights your career with virtually county schools. Afterward, we'd invite you to just cross the stage. You'll meet our board of directors and get um and get a small gift there and then you can exit the stage on that side and then we'd like you to go into the lobby for a group photo um afterwards. So at this time if our board would stand and they're burn and we'll first forward and that muscle he is retiring after 38

004and a half years in reprehend education, including an impressive 70 37 years at Muslim. Through his throughout his tenure, Pete has been a leader both in and out of the classroom. He served as the adviser for the fellowship of Christian athletes and led the school's quiz bowl team with passion and Pete's love of Marshall University is unmatched, and he has spent a year the last month moving his Marshall shrine out of the classroom. Pete's impact on students and staff alike has been profound and his sense of humor and school spirit will be greatly missed. In retirement, he plans to travel and spend quality time with his grandchild. Next is here. I want to make sure I did the have to sign that again. Um, so next we have Tracy Bower. Oh, next is Tracy B.

005Sorry. From our transportation department. And um, no, you don't. Okay. Next, we have Peggy from us in the middle. Peggy is retiring after an incredible 43y year teaching career. 37 of those years were dedicated to the students of Muscleman Middle School. Over the decades, Peg Peggy has made a lasting impact not only in the classroom, but also through her support of athletes and athletics as a games manager and a member of the Muslim High School basketball boosters. Her commitment to her students and the Muslim community has been unwavering. Known for her warm spirited presence, Peggy will be deeply missed, especially in the Candy Coliseum, where her dedication was felt daily. In retirement, Peggy plans to relax, maybe substitute teach from time to time, dive into crocheting projects, and enjoy making memories for their grandchildren. Next

006retiree is Rebecca Fowler. Rebecca is retiring after 41 remarkable years in education. 24 of those years were spent at Berkeley County and the past 20 at Muscleman Middle School. During her time at Muscleman, Rebecca has served her students with compassion, dedication, and professionalism. She has been a steady presence in the classroom, committed to helping students succeed. Her caring nature and willingness to go above and beyond will be remembered fondly by colleagues and students alike. As she enters retirement, Rebecca looks forward to relaxing and enjoying well-earned time with her family. Here are some questions. Uh, okay. Patricia Good evening. I have the great honor and pleasure of introducing Mrs. Patricia Jackson as 2025 retirey from Berkeley County Schools. Pat began her career in Berkeley County as in 1985 as a chapter 1A at Bington Elementary where

007she was able to provide students with extra help in math and reading. During the past 40 years, she has touched countless lives of students and families as a chapter 1 aid self-contained aid for special education, kindergarten aid, and finally as a wellloved school secretary. She has worked at Bettington Marlo Peken Eagle School and Orchard Youth and finally as a financial secretary in the office of federal programs. She still shares stories of love and laughter from her days in kindergarten and still giggles from long ago those stories of all the babies she has helped along the way and the families that she has touched as a school secretary. I have been blessed to have Pat as an administrative citizen for the last six years to our office. She has brought her expertise as a veteran secretary

008along with her infectious laugh, witty sense of humor that is sprinkled alongside a healthy dose of realistic advice and at times can even be heard singing good old R&B and soul music while doing her work. She's been a great team player and has given us so much more than what was in her job description. While the office of federal programs department warmly congratulates her on this milestone and wishes her all the best in the years ahead, we will surely feel her absence and miss her David. Congratulations, Miss Pat. And one last time, where are my partner? Next we have Beth Lions from Elementary School. [Music] Good evening. I'm Jackie Warts and I'm with Edgesville Elementary School and I'm here to to speak about Beth Lions. Beth Lions is a devoted educator who has inspired generations

009of students over an extraordinary 35 year career 20 years of which have been educating 32 years in first grade. National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy, reading language arts for early and middle childhood. Beth is celebrated for her passion for learning, dedication to reading instruction, and undoing support for her students. Throughout her career, she has made a profound imp impact on Berkeley County school community, earning recognition as a 21-22 Berkeley County Teacher of the Year and being named the 2022 Champion for Education for her leadership in advancing the science of reading. As she steps into retire retirement, Beth leaves behind a legacy of innovation, compassion, and transformative teaching. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by students, colleagues, and families alike. We have a teacher who we're bringing on board to replace Beth. And it's

010interesting because I brought her in and I said, "This is Kristen, Miss Lions." And so I kind of stood and Beth, you know, they're talking and then Beth just kind of wrapped her arms around her and I said, "Okay, I don't have to do anything more. I just kind of left the room and a great to see you." She looks forward to enjoying spending time with her husband Ron at the lake as well as her children adult children Zachary and his wife Victoria, Andrew and his wife Taylor, James and Thomas. In addition, she looks forward to donating on her granddaughter who is two and grandson who is coming soon. Thank you, Beth. Next we have some high I'm Angie Mill and I'm the current principal of Heville High School and this is going to be

011really hard for me to get through because my entire career at Hedgeville High School has been with this man. Rob Lion's journey in Berkeley County Schools began at Muslim Middle School in 1994. Ironically, he's there as a substitute now to book ended where he poured passion into shaping a young student's mind. I've heard about the young man that he taught for many, many years, and the care and kindness and love he had for him is evident in the stories he continues to tell to this day about that student. His journey then continued at Hedgesville High School, where he taught social, inspiring students with genuine care, relentless enthusiasm, and intense questioning as long as they didn't have a nail file to take their test. Then as an assistant principal, Ron was critical in developing me in

012my own teaching career and then he served as principal for the last 13 years. His leadership has been a beacon of hope and motivation and he has impacted countless lives. In 2014, he was honored as the West Virginia High School Principal of the Year, an accolade that was truly deserved and reflected all of his hard work. Beyond these titles and years, he's so much more than an educator. He's been a mentor whose guidance has lit the way not just for me, but for everyone in that building. He's been a cheerleader. and no matter what happens, he's always the first person to point out the positives and to make sure you have what you need. And is a dearly cherished friend whose kindness has touched every heart he's encountered. His legacy is woven in with passion,

013compassion, and everlasting dedication. And he has made a tremendous difference. Thank you so much. Is Vicky Mlean here? Just wanted to make sure she didn't start. Okay, our next retiree will be Mullen from Tusora Elementary. So before we talk about Lori Mullen, I wanted to touch briefly on Pat Jackson. She was my kindergarten aid when I was in the men's arts. So doesn't like when I remind her of that but I remember back kindergarten really good. So I'm here to talk about the word mama who is not only an exceptional teacher but an exception. Um we have spent many years as well together both in the trenches as teachers. In fact my classroom my classroom on some occasions with no story. Um, but it's been a blessing for them to be there as I've been

014the principal. After 35 years of dedicated service to the students and staff and families of Tuscalooa, Mrs. Lori Min is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, commitment, and ailments of education. She's a proud graduate of Shepard College, graduating in 1989. Lori began her teaching career that same fall at Tuscanora where she would spend her entire professional career. Her passion for teaching and helping young minds grow was evident from day one in her third grade classroom, which is up. That's where I want to be. Always striving to enhance her skills and understanding of student needs, Lori earned her master's degree in communication studies with a focus on communication in the classroom from WPU in 1992. For 15 years, Gloria guided and inspired third graders for growth, creativity, and affirm belief in the potential of every

015child. Then in 2004, I remember this road, she transitioned from third to kindergarten. where her nurturing spirit truly flourished. Over the next 20 years, Lori became a cornerstone and estate plusoria, helping generations of young learners take their first steps in the school with both confidence, joy, and joy. Beyond her classroom, Lori has been a very active and a valued member of the faculty at Tuscanora, serving as a member of our faculty senate, the PTA, and the BC EA. Her leadership and advocacy have helped shape school policies and strengthen educational experiences for students and staff alike. Lor's retirement and the retirement of Kathy truly ends an era at Tuscora Elementary School. She leaves behind not only countless lesson plans and classroom memories and a lot of stuff she has a lot of but also the hearts

016of many colleagues, parents and students whose lives she has touched. I want to thank Lori for her tireless devotion and I wish her and he wish her a fantastic retirement and she's just had her first grand baby so she is thrilled and I know that she'll be back in Tuscala helping out from time to time and I know where she's going to be. So everyone wishes on it. The next retired is Ruth Murray Elementary. Good evening. I'm Barbara Ferguson. I'm the principal elementary school. Thank you so much for coming to celebrate Ruth. Um she has been a wonderful wonderful person to get to know to work with our students. Um so sad to see her leave, but I'm so very excited for her in this next chapter of her life. I'd like to share a

017little bit of information about Mrs. Marie. Ruth began her education at the Marlo Elementary School where she attended first through sixth grade and then 7th through 12th grade at Hedgesville High School where she graduated in 1978 in the top of her class. I expect no less. She went on to pursue her undergraduate degree initially from the University of Valley Forge in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. transferred to Southeastern University for her junior and senior year. Her senior year, 1982, was a very busy interventional year. She married her husband, Dr. Philip Murray, whom she met at Southwestern, and graduated with her bachelor's degree in elementary education, K through 8. In the fall of that same year, she began her teaching career in Tampa, Florida. And over the next 14 years, she taught in Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and South

018Carolina before returning to her home of Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she has taught for 29 years. While teaching in the Berkeley County School System, she earned her master's degree in reading from WVU and her specialty specialty degree endorsement in English as second language from Marshall University. For 20 years, she has served as the title one reading specialist, 17 of which have been at Juristown Elementary School. When Jurtown lost title one funding, she transitioned to library media specialist for her last two years. Prior to becoming a reader, she was a classroom teacher. While teaching has been an important part of her life, family is the more important to her. Ruth is married to her husband of 43 years. this June the 12th um Dr. Bill Murray that's out there. Hi. Um he's out the clinical

019psychologist and an oraged minister. Together they have a son Joshua and a daughter-in-law Amy along with two grandchildren Joanna who just completed her kindergarten year at Rosemont and will be entering first grade in the fall and Ay who will begin prek in the spring. Ruth is incredibly proud of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, and is grateful for a loving and supportive husband in everything she has done. And I cannot wait for you to get to enjoy all of that time together with them that I'm too grateful for. Next retiree is Kather Schwarz from Tusa Elementary. As I said earlier with Mrs. Mullen, I'm not only losing a faculty member, but I'm losing a great friend. This lady has been at Tuscalora since I started at Tus2 years ago. After 37 years of education, including 35

020remarkable years with BCS, Captain Schwarz is retirement. leaving behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and excellence in teaching. She began her journey by earning a bachelor of science and elementary education from Lock Haven University in December of 1987. She began teaching in central PA in 1988 and went on to earn her master's degree in elementary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1990. That is the same year that she joined BCS. Throughout her ECS career, Kathy was taught across multiple grade levels in schools. She taught fourth grade at Berkeley Heights Elementary School for nine years, kindergarten at Hedesville Elementary School for three years. And first grade at Tuscador for nine years before finally settling on Tesor for 14 years. Her calm presence, patient spirit, and dedication to her students made her a beloved educator and

021a valued colleague and a great friend. Kathy's classrooms were nurturing environments where young learners thrived academically and emotionally. She inspired not only students but also fellow educators, serving as a mentor and a steady presence in every school community that she touched. As she enters retirement, she leaves behind countless lives that she has shaped by her care and commitment. I want to thank her for all her extraordinary service and wish her all the best of luck in the next chapter. However, I do know that you have already told me seven times that she will be back volunteering with those shippers. Happy for that. And also in add Cece is a first grade teacher there. So Kathy, congratulations on your role in retirement. You deserve it. Our next retirey is Gary Sensizer in the transportation. Thank you.

022Good evening. I am Eric Keyer, director of transportation. Uh I am honored to be here tonight um representing Mr. Gary Simpson diver. Um I spent a lot of time with him when I was the special ed director and um he was a valued member of our advisory group at the transportation department that um Gary Sinson Censberendiver otherwise known to his colleagues and friends as Chip. I never called him Gary. His name was Chip was a professional school bus operator known for consistent positivity and professionalism that began over 22 years ago with Berkeley County Schools. Chip consistently exhibited a cheerful demeanor and an optimistic outlook which extended to his professional responsibility. Even when challenges arose with his bus route, he maintained professionalism and proactively addressed issues before seeking additional assistance. Later, Chip transitioned to operating a

023special needs bus where I got to doing really well. Uh, continuing to demonstrate the same unwavering commitment and positive attitude. Chen, not only do we want to thank you for your 22 plus years experience with Berkeley County Schools, we'd also like to thank you for your military experience and your service to our country as well. We will certainly miss his military stories and smiling face. Chip, we hope you enjoy traveling the country in your camper and hope you stopped in and say um hi once a while. I did just learn from a conversation that he recently just got back from a trip around the country and now he's an avid fan of Cajun food. So, thank you for being a great contributor to Berkeley County Schools and the people you impacted positively along the way

024are better because of Thank you. Our final retiree that's here with us this evening is Brenda Waterwork from High School. Not a coincidence class. If you spend even a single day in Miss Water's classroom or anywhere with an earshot, you know she is no ordinary teacher. She's a scientific phenomenon. In biology, in all terms, she's not just part of the ecosystem. She defines the ecosystem. For 33 years, she's been at the heart of Muslim and science department, serving as both a tireless educator and a fearless leader. Her concept math, those vibrant, dynamic webs of interconnected ideas have be became before our classroom the powerhouse of learning. and they always get mentioned in every graduation speech. Students didn't just memorize the facts in her class. They made connections. They built knowledge structures and they understood science

025as a living breathing subject. As department chair, Miss Water played the role of both the central nervous system and immune system, keeping the department running smoothly with her signature honesty and sharp wit. She made sure things were and that everyone had what they needed to thrive at Musman. And let's not forget her spunk. Miss Waterwork brought more energy than photos synthesizing chloroplast on a sunny day untangling student logic for delivering a perfectly timed oneliner understanding hit it all with fire flare and her unforgettable laugh that we will never forget. Her human is legendary. Her standards are non-negotiable and her love for her ste students priceless and unmistakable. And every year when the school year came to a close, it was no different this year, she wrapped it all up with her trademark tradition, the cafeteria

026staff. This year we actually halls and all cheered for Mrs. Worth as she made her way through our halls. Only she could convince our kitchen crew to wheel her through the halls like the queen of science, blazing and cheering on the students and staff. It was the ultimate victory lab and so perfectly her the queen in the great ecosystem of muslin high school. Miss Water has been a keystone and species a presence so vital that everything around her has grown stronger because of it. Miss Waterworth, as you retire, know that your legacy is coded deep within our DNA. You have taught us more than just science. You've taught us how to lead, definitely how to laugh, and how to lead a lasting impact. Thank you for your 33 years of brilliance. Major David had been

027capable of traveling. You just got home Thursday, took her victory lap, and made it to graduation. jewel and maybe just a few concept mats for all time sake. Congratulations and don't forget once an apple always an apple know Dr. Sax wants to say a few words but um I will just go ahead and say we would like to thank the high school um for hosting us this evening. Miss Nomance Cafe and Bakery students for preparing um cookies um that you enjoyed in the reception. They did those um early before the kids were out of school. So, we appreciate that. And um Mr. Neer's advanced jazz band um from High School for performing members are welcome to take a seat and superintendent Well, thank you. Before we end this celebration of our retirees, I'd like to

028take just a moment once again to honor express our deepest gratitude to the retirees of Berkeley County Schools. Tonight, we have celebrated not just years of service, but decades of impact. Each of our retirees has left just a a remarkable uh mark on the hearts of our students, families, and our colleagues. And I must say, uh, being superintendent for the last almost 12 months, uh, I wish that some of our retirees and I had a chance to met before this evening, but I I want to give you just one example of the impact that one of our retirees has made. I had the privilege of meeting Chip out in the hallway and he told he told me a story. Chip, I hope you don't mind. And he said that some years ago as he was

029driving his school bus, he had a a young man on his bus and it was snowing. And Chip asked him and said, "Why don't you make me a snow maker?" And the child said, "Well, I would, but I don't have any gloves." What did Chip do? Chip went and bought a dozen gloves and gave a set to the young man. Said, "Here you go." The next day as the bus rolled up, there was a little snow maker for show. And I think that that it just exemplifies the care and the love that our Berkeley County Schools employees do every single day in making sure that our children and our students have exceptional opportunities. that there should be no barrier to a student learning in our school system because we have the adults, we have the

030employees that go the extra mile. We have employees and staff that that love our students relentlessly to make sure that they have the resources they need in order to be successful. And whether that's a pair of gloves or the content that will carry them well beyond into their adult life, each of you has made a huge impact on our students. And so I'll say it again, whether it's in the classroom, the cafeteria, the office, or the school bus, you've been a part of the fabric that holds this school district together. And I thank you. Your dedication and compassion, your hard work have shaped generations of learners and laid a foundation of excellence that will echo for years to come. As you turn this page to that new chapter in life, know that your legacy continues

031in the lives that you touched and the futures that you have helped build. On behalf of the entire board of education and our community, I want to thank you. We wish you joy, health, and a well-earned rest in your retirement. You will always be part of our Berkeley County Seniors family. Thank you all so much. And on behalf of the board, myself and I again reiterate what Go back said. Thank you all from the bottom of our heart. you gave everything you had to the school system and it's very much appreciated. Now what would I know without you? There's a lot of sub jobs out there. So this concludes the recognition ceremony for retirees. If there are any um retirees still in this room that haven't joined the group photo. If you would please go

032do that out in the hallway in the or out in the cafeteria. We'd like to do a group photo. And also all the retirees were listed in the program. So, if you didn't grab a program, you can see um we had quite a few that weren't able to be with us tonight, but they are all listed there with their years of service. Um I will turn the meeting back over to board president Long and when we get into the rest of the recognitions u for this evening, if you would out to the cafeteria um after those recognitions as well, um we'll do those then. Thank you. Thank you. Next on the agenda is recognitions for the boys club youth of the year. Uh, assistant principal L Simpson from Spring Hills will honor Sydney Boston High

033School. [Music] Good evening. It is my privilege to introduce Sydney Both to get the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. At this time, I would like to um ask Stacy Brown, excuse me, to come up to the podium and say a few words about sending this prestigious group. Okay. So, I would be remiss if I didn't talk a little bit about Sydney's journey and how she found the Boys and Girls Club. So, extraordinary opportunities happen in the Boys and Girls Club and it happens through wonderful mentors who make an extraordinary impact woven through our community fabric of great leaders who invest in our young people. And while I'm here to share about Sydney's accolades, I think it's important to share how she came to join the Boys and Girls Club. So, as an

034eight-year-old, Sydney wanted to learn how to take the photographs like the ones that line the hallways in our Boys and Girls Club. And the only thing standing in her way was convincing one, Mr. Pat Murphy, that she was mature enough to win class that was typically reserved for 10 and up or ages 10 and up. So convinced she did, Sydney went on to win local, regional, and also national awards in our photography program. So that was just the start of her experience in the clubs. And then through the years, she participated in STEM programs with community partners, maybe not necessarily in the club, but the one thing that she did is she brought those programs back to Club Kids and shared it along. So you know, a leader in the making. So, in 2022, when

035the West Virginia Statewide After School Network called and said, "Stacy, we would love a Boys and Girls Club representative to join the Million Girl Shop program." Sydney was my first choice. And boy, did she go on and become a leader in that as well. Um, Sydney became one of three young people from the United States who was chosen to give a keynote address to that group of young ladies, uh, which is is just the highest honor. Um, her accolades span I I could be here all night to tell you all the wonderful things that she does. And probably the most noted of recent days is she was a semi-finalist for the United States Presidential Scholars Award, which is the highest honor presented to two students from each state where the winner was at the White

036House in Bernetta. I'm not sure if we know the results on that yet. I think we're still waiting. But if that comes to fruition, that is yet another amazing accolade from the student in Berkeley County schools. And we have um we have a wonderful community of people who rally around our children. And um I'm just grateful that Sydney found her way to the Boys and Girls Club. And Mr. Murphy said yes. Just one thing to add to the uh presidential scholar semi finalist here. Um just to give some perspective, there are over 4,000 candidates who put in applications for this particular award. Uh they span across the United States, District of Columbia, uh the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and families of US citizens living abroad. Um the state of West Virginia submitted 98 candidates, of

037which six became finance, including this. It's very aggressive. [Music] you don't get to leave that superintendent for you want to make sure you go on board. Thank you so much. Thank you. And just just a quick word. She was a great inquisitive young lady. I didn't I never regretted having an 8-year-old in the class because she was so mature. But she did wonderful photographs of the gigantic ice and she did the she did that's that's the thing I remember most Mr. Simpson, don't go too far. You're on on standby. Uh, next, uh, the US presidential scholarship recognition assistance. He didn't put it out. They they kind of got mushed together there. Pushed them together. Yes. Well, they didn't miss my mind because I'm ready to give them more accolades. I totally understand. I totally understand.

038Um the the But we are next, you sure are next on YouTube. Yes. Yes. Science teacher of the year, West Virginia Academy of Science recognition. Well, uh Miss Jana Walter is headed down here. She had been selectable by the West Academy of Science. science teacher of the year. It is uh no surprise I get to see on a daily basis the wonderful work she does with our students at Spring Mills High School. It is truly an honor and pleasure and pleasure to recognize her here before this board. Congratulations. Wait, I have I have something for you. This is This is the superintendent's point of excellence. Thank you for your dedication and for this well achieved honor. Thank you so much. Where's Virginia? while he's coming up. The former board members president, Mr. Doris, could you

039stay after all those other I'm sorry if I missed you. I didn't so much. Thank you, President Long, Dr. Sats, and members of the board for the opportunity tonight to recognize some some exceptional eighth grade students in attendance for their exemplary performance on this year's Golden Horseshoe test. The gold worship program began in 1929 when noted historian Phil Conway proposed the creation of the West Virginia clones designed to promote appreciation of the mountain state. At the time, state school superintendent William should learn more about the state since they are future citizens and they should be fully prepared for citizensship. They should have a knowledge of the past and present status of the state in order to estimate its future possibilities. Two years later, the first golden horseshoe test was given and resulted in awarding of

040pens to 87 students from 46 counts. These scholars were dull the knights and ladies of the golden horseshoe and this marked the beginning of the Golden Horseshoe program which is the longest running of its time in the United States. President form all eighth grade students in the state are required to take a Golden Horseshoe test and the top scoring eighth graders from each county in the state receive this prestigious award. Berkeley County Schools is lucky enough to have 10 students who will be among the 226 across the state who will be inducted as knights and ladies of the Golden Horseshoe Society during a ceremony at the state capital in Charleston during Golden Horseshoe Day on June 10. At this time, I'm going to begin calling up names. If I could have Dr. Sax come up

041here, that's okay. And I'm going to have you give the certificates and and your your challenge as well if that's okay. So, when I call your names, if you could just come on up here and and uh receive your award and your challenge point. Zoe Sadley Willie Hudson. Every time Jonah Lopez, Emily Reeds Willow Smith. Noah Le Exior. advisory council. Wolf and Brooklyn Woods. Let's give one more round of applause for behalf of our board. Congratulations to all those recognized tonight. It's such an honor for when our students achieve above and beyond and we appreciate you so much. Thank you all. Bear with us. Next. So, next on the agenda is our um announcement for the distinguished service award for this month. This was kind of a twofer. Um, but this evening I have the

042pleasure of introducing someone whose bes behind the scenes excellence has made a lasting impact on our school district. Jennifer Mason began her career her journey with Berkeley County Schools in 1995, volunteering as a translator at a Tekken Elementary was where she started. She continued giving her time at the resource center during her senior year of high school before becoming a substitute aid in 1997. In a full circle moment, she later stepped into the role of print shop supervisor, following in the footsteps of her stepfather, who retired after 12 years of service. Since officially kicking on that role in 2020, Jennifer has become an invaluable part of the communications department. She oversees the daily operations of the DCS print shop, managing requests for all 32 schools in the district along with a new with numerous departments

043and administrative offices. With just one staff member beside her, Jennifer centrally runs a small business within our school system, serving more than 50 internal clients. Jennifer is known for her resourcefulness, attention to detail, and commitment to fiscal responsibility. She maximizes the use of equipment and supplies, prioritizes jobs based on instructional needs, and ensures every project is completed to the highest standard, all while staying mindful of our district resources. Over the past year, Jennifer has navigated several transitions, including the integration of new print equipment and ongoing maintenance challenges. Her adaptability, organizational skills, and ability to remain calm under pressure, have kept the print shop running smoothly. She continues to meet tight deadlines and has embraced new tools to improve workflow and communication. But Jennifer's contributions go beyond logistics. She is a creator in every sense of

044the word. Whether it's drawing, painting, cutting hair, or baking wedding caves, her creativity is apparent in everything she does. And artistic talents are backed by formal training in both cosmetology and informal arts. Jennifer is a problem solver, a collaborator, and a quiet leader whose work supports the entire BCS community. She is truly deserving of this distinguished service award. So please have celebrated Jennifer Mason who is here to also celebrate her mother being um starting her retirement. Jennifer, on behalf of the board, I want to congratulate you knowing your mother for many, many years and your stepfather for many, many, many, many years. Uh, you're just a chip off the old block. So, we're very proud that the roles that you've been in and the roles that you assume now. So, I tried very hard not

045to ruin this because I'm sure I'm gonna say something I wasn't supposed to because it's a surprise, right? Thank you for your dedication and service to our system. Congratulations and thank you for what you do. [Laughter] Next on the agenda is citizens and we have one individual on the list Amy Olac. Is Amy here? Uh Amy, you'll have three minutes and and if you have a lot to say, I'll let you at least finish your last sentence. Thank you. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay, great. Oh, no. It's not. We can hear you. I just don't know if the audience can Yeah, we we can hear them. Okay, very good. Okay. As a proud graduate of Martinsburg High School and a parent of a 2025 senior, I'm compelled to speak against the poor decisions regarding

046the class of 25's graduation ceremony. What should have been a once-in-a-lifetime celebration was instead marred by avoidable and irresponsible leadership. Hosting this event outside in dangerous rainy conditions was not the best interest of student safety or public welfare. It was not a football game. It was a milestone achievement. The choice to proceed without adequate weather contingency planning demonstrated a complete disregard for the students, their families, and it's a significant moment in their lives. Martinsburg High School has the highest poverty rate and also the most diverse school in our county. What message do you think it sent those students? Were they less of a priority? was their school graduation somehow less than or not worthy of the same quality venue and planning that the other county high schools were given. No other county high school had

047to graduate in a downpour. The seniors did not even deserve a large tent to stand under as many of you stood under a tent. Leadership comments such as kids look like they had fun were dismissive and toned up. These children had no choice. They deserve dignity and not damage control. Other surrounding counties in Washington County, Maryland, rescheduled their ceremonies up to five minutes before with foresight and respect. Berkeley County schools had the same options but failed to act. Families missed the event due to weather and the Berkeley County notice that went out promising the TV broadcast never occurred. There was no live stream or backup process. Students were soaked, diplomas were damaged, and medical issues followed, including my daughter, who required treatment the very next day. No other high school in this county forced their

048students to graduate in a downpour or charged $5 for parking in a muddy field just to be a few steps closer. Concession stands were opened for a profit and no accommodations were made for disabled, elderly, or families with small children who were forced to endure the weather after the stadium opened at 5:30 for an event that started at 7. For nearly two hours, they sat cold, soaked, and uncomfortable. Students were left to sit on flooded chairs that were rented while the faculty sat dry. Leadership remained under tents while graduates and guests were drenched. And yes, my daughter was under attent. I'm not here advocating for my daughter. I'm advocating for every senior that graduated. It wasn't make the best of the situation. It was a blatant disregard for decency, equity, and basic human consideration and

049was absolutely unacceptable. A personal written apology should be issued to each of those Martinsburg High School graduates at a minimum. A bulk apology or PR statement is insufficient. And these students deserve to be recognized for their perseverance and not remembered as an afterthought. Rescheduling events for safety is not an inconvenience. It's a responsibility. Those in positions of authority who failed to intervene share in the accountability for these conditions. And let me be clear, these students were failed. They will remember how they were treated long after they leave this school. And the incident has damaged trust and le a lasting negative impression not just for students and families but for our broader community. It's how you're treated. That's the thing that you remember the most. And to the elected officials, this won't be forgotten. These are

050the leaders of tomorrow that will replace every single one of you. They will be our educators, our professionals, our caregivers, and yes, elected leaders. and they will remember exactly how each of us made them feel. They deserve something better and I hope that you will step up to make that happen. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the instructional update. Um Louis brought an overview of the language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling training. Good evening. Um, good evening, President Wong, board members, and Dr. Status. I'd like to first begin by sharing the reason this powerful training or opportunity that exists here in our state. The letters training was introduced as a result of House Bill 3035, which of course we know is a third great success act. This requires that the state provide

051the science of uh science of reading training to all educators working with young children. The goal is also to ensure that every child in West Virginia receives a highquality evidence-based reading instruction from the very start. Initially, the state offered several versions of the training and it was more of a train the trainer model. While this was well-intentioned, this approach didn't create a widespread growth or momentum that we needed. In fact, in Berkeley County, we didn't grow at all even after implementing the the staff development. But educators didn't um internalize some of this material deeply enough to change our practice. It wasn't until we adopted or we actually had the participation in letters. Letters is language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling in which we began a meaningful impact of engagement. When Dr. Sax approached

052me and said that I would need to take the letters training. My first reaction was another training. But it was actually very it was very soon it realized from me that this one was different and it was exactly what I personally needed. In fact, I learned more about teaching reading and this training than I did in my entire college experience. Letters doesn't just tell you how to teach reading. It helps you to understand what to teach, why it matters, and when to teach. The training is no small commitment. I spent several Saturdays doing a six-hour session. In fact, I was on with um Miss Props back here and um we were on a Saturday and my friends were at Deep Creek and I was at Deep Creek upstairs taking the letters training. So, that's part

053of the reason why it was snowing and I didn't enjoy the first one. But at the I spent the whole day there and um at the end of the day I I wanted more. It involves reading online coursework and also assignments. But but the time and the investment is so worth it. The um the learning is so deep and I can tell you it's lasting. For most of my career, I used approaches like whole language or balance literacy. And I'm sure you've heard of those. In fact, the reading adoption that we have right now is balance literacy. These methods rely on strategies like three the three queuing system which letters help me understand are actually just coping strategies um and ways that teachers or students guess at words using pictures and context clues instead of

054actually doing the reading or decoding. These strategies use creative the they use the creative side of the brain um not the opposite side that is actually built for reading and letter the letters training is scientifically researchbased and shows that if you're going to actually teach a kid to read that again we're taught there's lots of different ways to read but that's not true. There's only one way to learn how to read and there's a brain science that goes behind it and that happens on the opposite side of the brain than the three queuing system um actually allows. So what happens in one side of the brain it you you have phmic awareness which develop it should develop into later vocabulary which that's what we want our kids to develop which is that vocabulary and the

055only connection there is phonics um so whenever you're thinking about the different components of reading phmic awareness phonics vocabulary fluency and comprehension with looking at this brain research one thing that I learned very quickly is it it is strategies that we're teaching our kids to cope um and to develop how to One thing that they pointed out was only actually 5% of our students will come into kindergarten being exposed to reading and a lot of them will know how to read and that's about normal when I taught kindergarten. 30 to 35% of our students they will learn how to read with the the queueing system and based on what we're going to put in front of them. But what about the other 60% of our students? If you're actually scientifically researchbased using strategies from the

056science of reading, you will become that reading instructor and you will teach that other 60%. Well, that made me take a look at Berkeley County and where is Berkeley County falling? We're following right about 40% of our kids being proficient. Well, that's right in tune with what Letters is teaching. We're teaching we're we're hitting our moderate kids which are going to learn how to read. Those kids that already know how to read. We're not hitting the kids that actually need that explicit instruction. So currently in Berkeley County, uh looking at the data recently, 34% of our third graders, now think about that. 34% of our third graders right now with I already data shows us they don't have a solid phonics instruction background. So here we are in third grade. They don't have the phonics

057background. And guess what we do in third grade up? We don't teach it. It should have been mastered at the at the grades previously. We have nothing in place to I don't want to say save those children but again let's save them from a life of not knowing how to read but what strategies do we continue to teach the killing system. Oh, skip it. Go back. Look at this. Trying to get coping strategies into the our kids uh minds they come they can at least do something in in the near future. But letters it lit a fire in me and I finally understand how the brain works and learns how to read. Again, I've never exper experienced anything like that in college. This this training though, it it reignited my passion for teaching our students

058to read. And I I say I I'm thinking of the my Angela thing. Once you know better, you do better. We have to do better. We have to look at some of the products and things that we're using and we have to make a change. So, to me personally, I saw the relevance and the reason why Dr. Saxs asked me to take the letters training. It is something that they had started in Cabell County and a couple other counties in um the state of West Virginia. And now West Virginia offers that for all of our teachers. You just have to sign up and take it. And one of the teachers I was talking to the other day, she said, "I never took the training because it was over $2,000 a teacher. That's an investment." And

059that, you know, again, if you're going to take a staff development, I'm hoping that the county makes it free. Well, the state of West Virginia, they made it free for us. And so signing up to take it, that that's a wonderful, wonderful thing. So tonight, I thought, hey, Louis, I I think it's important I apologize uh Mr. Mr. Mullen, I think it's important to also point out that while the training is expensive because of how much is involved, we're talking is it eight modules that the teachers have to go through? It's a it's a commitment basically of two years. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, to get through all eight modules and so not only is there, you know, an investment from the school district, but there's an investment from the pro from our our educators.

060And so I think it's very important just from a transparency standpoint to also point out that we committed because of how important we think this training is for our teachers is to to compensate them um for every is it I want to make sure I get this right. For every four modules they get $500. Is that correct? So, if you think about us the semester, if we think about college, for every semester, we get $500, which is a total of $2,000 over the the um the um you know, course. Yeah. And and this is not something that it's like, you know, you read it and then you take a a selfassessed exam at the end. This is labor intensive artifacts of work, too. So, it um it it's it's quite in-depth, but I felt strongly

061that if we're going to encourage our our educators to do this and really become a standard for what we expect our educators to know how to do as it relates to um the science of reading, then we needed to compensate them for their the time that they're putting into this as well. And so, that is part of what we've been doing. So, I just wanted to share that. Yeah. And if you think about our current reading adoption that we have, um, our teachers learned long before we had the letters training here in this county, they realized something's wrong with our reading adoption. So what did they put in place? Hagerty phenemic awareness. Our our our teachers in this county ground up decided we need something for phenemic awareness. So again, we got that right and

062with, you know, people that are out there in the field like Christina Trudeau was one of that was very um adamant about getting something at because at the time she was at a Pekkin. In addition to that um you you had some teachers there at Jaredtown that were also talking this language. What happened next? They needed phonics instruction. We introduced Youth Fly. We used some of our ESORC money and bought those. The teachers now truly understand the effects of it. They see it and even looking forward looking at a maybe a current adoption here in the future they're we have knowledge now of exactly what we need and why we need it and you know people you're not going to take away from my you fly are you you're not going to take they because

063they understand the value in it and we will see results we've only had it for two years right now those two pieces in place but one thing that letters also pointed out to me that was driving home for me and the position that I'm in is it was talking about a a solid tier one for instruction. You have to have all the components in there. You got to be able to see them, know where they're at, and why you're teaching what you're teaching. So, with me today, I brought Miss Erica Props, the principal of Rosemont Elementary, and two of her teachers, um, who they are also completing the letters coursework right now. So, they're in the middle of it. And I know I don't want to steal their thunder, but Berkeley County has great representation.

064administrators and teachers. We have 62 in the first group, the first go round, and then we will have 63 people that are signed up to take it. Um, that'll start at at the end of December and then we'll go from there. I'll let Mrs. Pops. Good evening, President Long board members, and Dr. Saxs. Thank you for allowing me to have a chance to share some of what I am learning from the letters training for administrators and some information that I'm hearing from teachers currently going through the letters training and you will hear from them in just a moment. I have two of my nine staff members here with me tonight who are currently enrolled. I have 10 additional staff members signed up for session two or three which will begin in August and then in

065the winter um respectively. Those 10 teachers, those 10 additional teachers signed up because their colleagues who are currently enrolled see the value of this training and share that information with them. It is exciting to have this opportunity for professional development to available to all of us and in my opinion I think this will completely transform literacy instruction and as a result then positively and directly impact. our student progress and success. Along those lines, I wanted to share a handout with you and Mr. Malik just passed those out that I created and it highlights a little bit about what letters is and also why it is so important. I've included a component adapted from an activity that we did um during one of the online courses. It was taken from some material that was used in

066Mississippi during their educators training. And Mississippi, I'm sure you've heard, had a lot of success, going from 49th in the nation to 20th. So that is quite an achievement and they truly accredit the letters training for much of their success. So if you'll just take a minute and read the passage that you see there on the first page, just kind of glance at that. Um, gives you a little feel as you look through that first passage. And unfortunately, that passage reflects what students who read with an 80% accuracy rate experience every day. So, you know, that's kind of heavy to let that sink in. That's what 80% accuracy looks like. And I know we can do better than this. And I just think to myself, how successful would we be if we could only read

067with an 80% accuracy rate? So we don't want our students to have that deficit as we do not want that deficit. We don't want them to have their food. And I get kind of passionate about it because I feel like if you can learn to read, you can learn to do anything because everything requires reading in life. And until you are a strong reader, you really don't stand a chance at having all the opportunities that could be. Um, so I think we can all see the urgency right now that we need to completely transform our literacy instruction. I know letters for us has provided us with a professional development to deepen our understanding of the science of reading because as Dr. Moes reminds us in an article she writes, teaching reading is rocket science. So

068much research is being poured into how children learn to read and it's just so important. Unfortunately, you know, we've seen that research has shown that science of reading is essential for effective literacy instruction, but many of us did not have the specialized training in our undergraduate studies. I'd hate to say tell you how long I've been out of school, but I did graduate in 1998. Um, and you know, our teacher prep programs were so different. You didn't hear about everything that you do now and the components and the things necessary. So, as Mr. Mullenex, you know, he referred to that, but letters bridges this gap by providing educators with the deep knowledge of how students learn to read. So, we need to create systems that thrive and endure the test of time. Teaching practices need

069to be refined to match the science of reading. We do desperately need a strong core reading program that we are currently lacking that will align with what we're learning in letters. like that is desperately we're looking through, you know, we're learning through the letters training to take a critical look at our current reading practices and determine a plan to best move forward. So, I'm going to have my two teachers come forward. I have Mrs. Summer Files and Mrs. Kimber Scaggs and they began this professional development journey in January and I'm going to let them share a little bit of what they're finding out. Hello everyone. Hi there. So, um I tell everyone that reading is just my jam. It is my favorite thing to teach. I love it. Um, if you come in my room,

070you're gonna see my kids having fun. Um, but the thing that I love about letters has not only empowered me as a teacher, but my students. If they make a mistake, I'm able to explain to them how to fix it. I'm able to tell them what they need to do with their math. I'm able to understand why they're making that error and then help them fix it so that it won't happen again. Um, a lot of times with teaching, we kind of feel helpless with reading when uh we just don't understand the why. But now we're learning it. And um I'm early in the program, but I have learned so much and um with some of my struggling readers, I've seen a difference in. And then also some of my higher level students, I'm able

071to push them as well. So I'm very pleased with it. So, I've taught kindergarten for 10 years. I've been through many, many PDs and book studies and all kinds of stuff. Um, I did Orton Gillingham twice. Um, and just so far, and we're early in the training. We're only completed two units. Um, I heard the first one's a bear. Yeah. But all that to say that this just goes back. It goes back to the brain and it it brings it's it really bridges the gap through science of reading where everyone is like science of reading it's so great but it bridges the gap between the science of reading and how to actually implement that in your classroom and what it means when you're actually sitting in front of students. Um so it's been really powerful

072so far. Um, yeah. I'm just glad that that first unit didn't uh has strayed you from moving forward. It really just like Louis said, it just really kind of lit a fire under you and it just really, you know, makes you want to keep going in the in the in the program and learn more. Thank you. Thank you both so much for sharing. And, you know, I was a kindergartener teacher. That's what I did before I became an administrator. And it just makes me think, "Oh my goodness, I could have helped those little ones even so much more than I did it." So it is very powerful. So as I close my portion of the presentation, please turn to the final page of your handout. When educators are given the proper training to help all

073students learn to read and align with thoughtful and meaningful and school level instructional practices and a strong core reading program, children will be more successful readers. This is what we all want. Please now read the passage below. That is actually what was on the first page. Wow. And this represents what reading with 95 to 98% accuracy looks like. And we envision letters being a professional developmental tool that will help us transform literacy and help our students be able to read with that 95 to 98% accuracy. and letters tells you that 95% of all children can learn to read with the 95% accuracy grains. We just need the proper tools. And now let's turn it back to everyone. Just on a personal note myself again, um I did not realize how I learned to read until

074I taught kindergarten. And when I taught kindergarten, one of the kids self- selected a book and brought it up and I was going to read to the class and it was a Dr. Seuss book. I couldn't read it. I that's when I first came across like I I can't read because they're nonsense words. So things that you have to be able to know phonetically how to sound out. I was one of those readers where yeah I was I went into kindergarten reading because I went to Sunday school and they they it was site word for me. So I learned to read site word. I'm one of the products of learning to read in that way. So again I lacked a lot of skills myself and realized very quickly those Dr. sue books came off the

075shelf because I thought I can't go there until I learned how to read myself. So again, that brought back some of those emotions. And if you look at these paragraphs that Miss Props showed you, they were part of our presentation. And we of course imagine but we kept laughing back and forth because they would give us time to talk in groups and we would kept we kept talking about when we do interventions we sens we s we send kids back when they have 70 to 80% accuracy. Now wait a second here that's what our system is set up for right now. You talking an education that I'm getting? I'm getting an education. So we're saying go back go back to your tier one instruction with again look you're seeing 80. We had kids that we're

076saying, "Hey, they're in the 70s. We've done a great job. Now go back." They're missing bits and pieces out of that. And then we teach them things like, "Okay, skip over the word and come back. What do you think goes in there?" Wrong, raw, raw. I mean, my eyes have been opened. We need the science of reading. Every teacher needs to have this training. Every teacher needs to be a part of it. And we need to the people that are educated need to be the ones selecting what we do and how we do it. So again, I'm so glad Berkeley County I they are thrilled with us to have now soon we'll have 120 people in this county that are saying reading is so important. I want to make sure that we're doing the right

077thing for our students. So I would just end we have a rare opportunity to reshape reading instruction in Berkeley County. Letters is driven by House Bill 3035 and it's not just another training. It's a really a call to action. So with your continued support, we can give every child access to the most powerful tool that we have, the ability to read. Uh so I want to thank you again for your support and Dr. Sats and making sure that we had the funding that that was put forth around our teachers because again, this is all on their own time. Um but I do want to point out that 60 some of our teachers in that first cohort, they did this before they even knew they were going to get a stip. So that's the dedication of

078Berkeley County Schools. they were like they didn't know. So, Dr. Sax put together something because it is all outside of their their regular time and it's on their Saturdays and their evenings. So, again, I I support that and I just hope that this grows exponentially across the county and that we make great things happen. So, thank you, Mr. Mullenax, and thank you, Mrs. Uh, props to I I I want to say though um our our principal leader here um said something that I think is very very important that I want to touch on. Uh but before I do, I want to congratulate Miss Prost because um her school uh reached their targets in ELA and math set by the state department in both reading and math this year. So, congratulations to you and your staff

079and your exceptional leadership. So, thank you. But you you said something and I want to make sure I've I've quoted you correctly. And that is is that um when we think about letters, we're talking about instructional practice. It is not a curriculum. It's this the means in which we provide instruction that is centered around how the brain works. that is in essence the science of reading. Um but you you made a very powerful statement that is is that when you have the proper training in a in conjunction with a strong core curriculum, we do not have in Berkeley County schools and I don't think this is a shock to the board. We do not feel that we have a strong core curriculum for reading at the intermediate and primary level. And as such, um, you

080know, the plan has been is that we would pilot a few reading programs in awaiting for the adoption. I'm going to have Dr. Woods come up because, um, I want him to be a part of this conversation, but Dr. Woods um, learned that uh, where we thought that the in ELA adoption, the ELA and reading adoption was going to be at on the schedule next year, meaning that we go through the adoption. So that we would have not just one year but so we would have to get we sort of have to like you know hurdle through a year and then go through the adoption and then have the adoptions for the 27 school year. We have learned that I'm sorry for the 26th school year. We have learned that the department of education has

081chosen to delay the reading adoption for a year. So that that will cause us to have to wait two years before we actually go into implementation of a new a new curriculum. And that means that you're starting from scratch with training and all that sort of stuff. So you know originally we had planned to do um two different pilots. Uh there was the uh curriculum associates which is I Ready. Um in in in Berkeley County, we use I Ready at the elementary and middle school level for diagnostics, um which are researchbased, uh is actually very closely lined to the GSA, uh but also the supplemental instruction, uh which is the 45 minutes per week of the personalized learning paths in ELA and math. And in fact, we're moving that to that model for middle school

082instead of uh um we're we're doing the same thing. But in the past, Curriculum Associates has also had um core mathematics programs as well as uh reading programs. Berkeley County Schools uh a year and a half ago adopted the I Ready Math, which is our core math program. and where I'll be honest with you, we have seen significant improvement across the district in this past year. Nowhere where we need to be, but we're definitely moving in the right direction um of a significant math increase district-wide as well as at many of our schools. And one of the problems that the ready reading program had is it had I would say major gaps as it related to phenemic awareness. Um there there were a couple other a couple other areas and that's where you fly and

083those other curriculums were so important because it it it plugged in those gaps. Um Curriculum Associates is uh in December is going to have a new curriculum that supplements the the it actually enhances the the ready reading program. It's called um magnetic reading which is magnetic literacy and that is the program in which our our schools are are looking to pilot. Um there's another product out there that's called CKLA which I'm very familiar with but both CKLA and magnetic reading magnetic literacy um are both in the research clearing house fairly very highly rated to the science of reading. Now why am I saying all that? I'm saying that because based upon our assessment of our reading scores, which I will be sharing with you shortly, um in conjunction with our um uh curriculum reading audit

084from the u uh children's literacy initiative. Thank you. Um I think and and and fundamentally believe we have a sense of urgency to fix this problem rather than waiting two years. Thank you. Um and you know actually as late as today I had a conversation with M Dr. Woods and Mr. Buts because I think that there's a sense of urgency to make sure that if we're going to you know for example if we were going to pilot uh ready reading uh uh magnetic reading I'm sorry and uh CKLA in several schools. Well, the rest of the schools we would still have a responsibility to support with Scholastic and that means training expectations monitoring and you you're doing it for what a year, two years that's subpar. There is a lack of buyin from our staff

085with the product, with the resource, the curriculum. It is not heavily aligned to the science of reading. Um, and so, you know, I I sort of took a step back and Dr. Woods and I have been discussing it. Um, obviously we would want to meet with our principles, but I wanted to talk with the board, but I I actually think that we should probably look at making a commitment for a two-year pilot, if you will, I would say, districtwide until the reading adoption occurs, um, and and get in our schools hands with strong support for ELA and reading um, at our intermediate and primary level. Um and it would require a significant investment for the next you know uh two years uh at least for the initial purchase but the good thing is is that

086there would be an offset year where there's no adoption at all. So it's almost like saying well we're going to invest in it now because we're going to save it in that in that one year. Um and and so I think that that's food for thought for you all because when we come back together on the 10th uh for our our literacy workshop with the board um I think we have a real opportunity to make some decisions. Do we want to move in this direction and then I think we would be prepared if if we want to move in that direction to put it on the board meeting on the 15th for an um actual you know board approval. Um, so I just want to share that with you all and we'll be sharing more

087details with you all, but we're going to be engaging with our our principles to make sure that they feel like this is the right direction because it is a little bit outside of the normal adoption process because normally that's a three or four month process. Um, but I want to make sure we have key stakeholders and and we can make sure we have uh the the right people uh you know going through that and bringing that information to you so that we can have something that fills the gap between now and when the the actual adoption is which is in two years. Well, I have some I'm glad we're going to discuss that in 10. Yes. So I have because I have some questions. Absolutely. which fuel I've probably already discussed. We'll be happy to

088we'll be flushing it out. So, just wanted to bring it to you. I will say it's encouraging to hear that we're not waiting Yeah. to look at this. I you know, one of the things I remember um from our CLI update um just a couple of months ago was maybe was it two months ago? I feel like it's been just last week, but yet so so long ago. Um, we still had teachers with the curriculum in their package on the shelf. And that's that says that that's volume that says volumes for um you don't need to increase my the volume on my mic. Um, that that says volumes about the buyin from our staff and the success that we're going to have with the with the kids. So, I think that I think this is

089a good route to hear that we're not waiting. I had a question. Go ahead. Um, no, Dr. Saxs, did you say that um it's going to be $500 per four every four modules and it's approximately eight modules. I think I said it was it's actually is Louis it's it's every it's every semester. Think of it. It's four semester, right? uh that they have to complete and it's over a two-year period. So for every semester they get $500 off. Okay. I just want to It'll be a total 2,000 in two years. So a thousand. That's what I thought. Like you said 2,000, but yeah, that didn't add up, did it? Something's missing. Well, those are the some of the questions I had and other things about when they would we can share with you all the

090um the o the module overview. So you see you can see it. And um I'll show you and I'll also make sure we highlight the breakdown of when folks get paid for when they complete them. Another question um are the plans um I can't say to acquire but are principles going to be strongly encouraged to also take this? Oh yes. Yes. And in fact and we're compensating the principles for the training as well. We have a lot that are taking it right now. And actually the last um the last cohort is open right now in the state. So if you think about across the state we had 60ome positions each time. They have a limited amount that they're allowing each cohort. So we are actually in the first cohort. The second one will start in

091a start August. It will start in August and it's already it's already filled up. So again that's where we have 63 people. And then right now there's a third cohort that people can sign up for principles or teachers. Um and then they will start in January and that's the last one that the state's going to offer. So absolutely we're going to encourage everybody to jump in there because again the state is paying for all this training. The only thing we're providing you're providing is that stipen and it's much appreciated. Mr. Um for the training on the training our teachers in our system have to work at the evenings in order to smile financial but u the teachers will be required to do cohort are they just the elementary teachers or old teachers? you. Um, change.

092It's optional, but it is for elementary right now. And truly, it could start at prek and I think it would be a very good idea to do the prek component. I'm hoping that the state does that and then opens it to our prek teachers throughout the state because truly that's where it starts and early intervention is the key and I think pre-k to fifth grade uh would will very much benefit. to to that point. What about the um ECATs and our other support personnel? How does that work? I at my school, I plan to educate my ECAD assistants on that. I know my teachers are excited. Of course, their classroom assistants with them. So, their classroom assistant is learning as they're learning, which is a great thing. And I just want to point out we

093we are going to be hiring an academic specialist for ECATs. So that person would have the training or if they have not complete the training for letters so that they can become a train of like in essence a a trainer of it's like a train the train train the trainer model so they can actually provide the support and the training to our ECATs. Great and for that classwork like what you said like when people are working um that classwork is offered at different times. So, you had the option as a as individual like I took mine on the six hours. I wanted to get it out of the way multiple times, but I wanted to get that out on a Saturday. Um, but I in we have one in November. I took that in two

094chunks. And you could pick different times. So, if you're working on this day, they might offer it another time. You just have to get the the actual coursework in or that you have with the instructors. You get to pick when whenever you want to have it done. It's offered multiple times. Is it six hours for cohort? six hours. How many times? Part of it is self-paced. Um, so it's you do the coursework and all the things that you're required to do, but the classes are, you know, you have to log in during those classes. You have to leave your camera on, you know, the criteria for a college class and you're instructed throughout the time and and you're participating. you're put in breakout groups with people throughout the state and so you get to talk

095about things and you know they pose different questions for you to reflect and it's really been a great learning experience and sometimes if there are people within your district participating in that course they put you in the same breakout room so that you can make plans and start like that prepared. Okay. Okay. Um, another question. You you referred to Mississippi and success there. Um, have have there been any discussion of how many states are using this and where are they in the placing? Now, NAPE is our benchmark. NAPE's only given to eighth graders and fourth graders. Okay. Let me point out one thing that Mississippi did and they pointed out this in our in our letters training um not not to be a negative toward West Virginia but one of the things that Mississippi did

096is they realized the need for this and they started with the training first. Think about West Virginia. We did we tried something else and it didn't work and now here we are in the middle of what we're at. So I don't fault teachers for picking scholastic in the very beginning. That was back here, right? So when you you know better you do better. So now we're looking at what we have and the more we've become educated, we realize what we have's not working. So again, we've brought these things, but Mississippi put the the the staff development first and then they went through adopting and that's where they've ended up where they're at where right now we're in the middle of the staff development. So I I if we stay this the course, we're going to

097have to do changes later on. My question, most of the high rankings uh states are in New England. U are these states using this program there. I I can have I'd have to look that up to see who's using what, but I I know that a majority I know they they reference Alabama in our training that they have jumped on board and of course what's happening to their test scores that they're they're shooting up. Um they have a a graphic. Yeah, they have a graphic that has the states on it. I we'll make sure I make sure everybody gets that one. Dr. Um, Sax talks about Senate information. Maybe you could give us a a sheet with the states that are using it. Not that that would um influence our decision, but just curious and

098I know that you guys are serious about changing reading instruction and I and I I actually couple a little bit of the news here today was news to me, but at the same time, it's very difficult to pick pilots over some schools because there are so many. I mean that's that's like I'll just say this principle here since she's standing here I'll talk about her she's been like we like to pilot we'd like to do something different well I don't know whether that's possible so I'm glad to hear some talk because maybe we will be able to appease everyone because there's so much that there's no way we can do that many pilots. So I have a question, not to interrupt you, but more comment regarding the ECADs because we get into this situation regarding

099fund uh stipens for ECADs or aids. Um I want to make sure that they're able to participate in this, but they get paid properly like they're supposed to. That's always been a issue. Yeah. And so currently the state I don't believe the state has the opportunity for uh ECATs to be a part of what the state is participating in their prioritizing teachers. However, when we implement the training here in as in you know sort of homegrown, right, we will make sure that we take in every consideration. I will also say at some point it may be where um our own teachers don't have the ability to get compensated and it becomes part of an annual you know training program that they're expected to participate in where you know um perhaps it's during their workday or

100or or what have you because we don't know what resources we're always going to have available. But what I can say is is that it is very important to me um and to our administration to make sure that our service folks um especially those that are in the classroom ECATs that they when they're given this the opportunity that first they're given the same opportunities for in district training is what our our teachers are that they're working along side by side and that when those teachers are compensated we compensate our ECAP as well. Well, that's important to me because that hasn't always happened. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. I'm sorry. You're fine. I was just going to just piggy back off of um what Mr. Murphy was hitting that and I think those conversation conversations, excuse me,

101are so much needed because I think we're at a crux right now. There's two different things going on. It's one going deeper in how we teach reading but then it's another thing to also recognize even in our instruction how we can still be hitting a mark but we can go deeper with our kids. So for example I had the same conversation I hope my wife isn't listening about my son last night we got his final report card he is you know for comprehension understanding everything he was pretty much exemplar but when it came to uh phmic awareness he was struggling and my wife couldn't understand so I used the example with her of um I said dog and I said duh duh and you know so my son spelled it out do so then I

102said add, can you spell it back? And he had to hesitate for a second. So then I said, you know, add a d or it can be a add in a paper. A d. But do you see how when I use that sound, how it can be written two different ways. He got it for a lot of us and even myself when we came through school, we weren't taught that explicitly. So, kind of going to what uh Lewis had hinted at earlier, you can actually pick up and learn to breathe by sight words and other things, but when you start breaking down those sounds and then you actually have to start spelling them out, that takes it to a whole another level. And I'm excited about the work, like I said, the vision of Dr.

103Saxs has um that the team is already doing that some of the schools are doing because that's where we're trying to take it to our kids for the next level. The one thing that good in this instance that we're seeing the legislature get more involved and u as I was listening to you this is not something new in a state letter and I'm I'm just worried that of course the state department is also centralized and and but Not to be serious here, but I can remember the enthusiasm when we adopted the math series years ago. And it was at the end of that mass series, everybody said, "We got to get rid of this mass series because the reality of what happened didn't live up to the enthusiasm when it was sold to the board

104at that time. I just heard it on the Scholastic reading system." So sometimes your employees become skeptical what you're doing because they say here we are doing something. Now we're going to switch and point to the east. We were pointing to the west last time and they just they get tired of being yanked around and um and we don't have that consistency uh in what we're doing. I don't have an answer for it. Sometimes when a board member is being who's been on here too long perhaps, you start getting these questions and you say, "Now wait a minute here. We're we're going to invest two years of work, four semesters, uh, whatever you call cohorts, and people will have a lot of time on their evenings away from their families. They have to grade their

105papers, do their lesson plans and be doing all of this and then then you have to you have to be cognizant of that. Now this is a state mandate as I understand. Okay. Sorry. I thought it was part of the No, this is all voluntary. Now, I will say I think that the science of reading and making sure that um we are shifting how we understand how to teach reading, you're going to see that you're going to definitely see that in the standards adoption they're going to have in two years. Um but how you get there is not a mandate and that's why the letters training even though the state is paying for it, it's it is voluntary. Well, I've I'm I'm riding the surf with you here. Um, I I appreciate the improvement of

106what seven points in the math scores and you're living up to what we asked you to do, but I'm also throwing out that that resistance that you will encounter because of other changes in direction in the workforce having to sacrifice the family time or personal time in order to benefit what's being offered. Absolutely. And I I think Mr. Murphy, you made a a a good point that I think is important that I clarify. Scholastic is a program that is a it's it's a it's one of what I call the the big curriculum companies uh uh curriculum. And you know it doesn't matter if you're using Orton Gilliam, you're using UFly, you're using Star, you're using Ren, you know, um uh accelerated reader um or Scholastic uh the implementation, the monitoring, the expectation, the professional development

107behind it makes all the difference in in how well it is uh implemented and there are districts out there I promise you that have used Scholastic and their proficiency is far more exceeding what we have. Um the problem I think that that in our district we have with Scholastic is that when it was adopted it was not well well rolled out. And I'm not trying to be I'm I'm well I am being critical u you know I am being critical of I think of of how it was done. Not that it there was you know ill intent but it was not well supported from a professional development standpoint. It was probably a you know sit and get you know here's the new curriculum adoption. They paid for the PD at the beginning and then what

108happened is is you've had a shift of staff over the last four or five years, but then there's been never been, you know, you've never gone back and said, "Okay, to the new staff, here's how you deliver this curriculum. Here are the resources you have. Here's how you you you use this in alignment with the pacing guides and the map and so on and so forth." And so the the roll out and the implementation and the accountability behind um the expectation behind this is what we have purchased. This is what we shall use. Um doesn't mean you can't add your own flavor of what you think is important from your it doesn't take away teacher autonomy, but the district has invested in it and so therefore this is what we're going to continue to support

109as an expectation. And I just don't think that ever happened. Um, and I think that that is why Scholastic has been underutilized. I And you're going to find some classrooms that use it, but not it's not widespread. Um, and it I think that it has been it's was destined to fail from lack of uh uh of appropriate planning in my opinion. And so um but it also has identified huge gaps in what we need to be able to teach students. Um and so because of those gaps I think now is um presenting itself whether it be now or next year or in two years. The time is to I think make that shift. But equally as important to making the decision is making sure that the prior planning, the expectation and the execution and the

110sustained support over the next five or six years of how long ever we have a curriculum is is sustained. So very well very you may have be you may be a long-erving board member but you have been here long enough to see what has worked and what hasn't and perhaps the proverbial excuses that have been made and and um we don't want to do that the retreat that we're going to have I I just ask that we have prep material before we walk in Yes sir. Well, my suggestion is first I want to thank everyone that presented, but my suggestion is for us to have the prep material and then the board members get your questions and concerns together so that we can discuss thoroughly our concerns for the 10th. And did it do the

111teachers adise did I see that in the presentation correctly that the teachers can earn credit um towards graduate degrees and stuff. So when we have teachers that are pursuing that graduate degree, they are able to to earn some of that. Well, I don't know. I don't know that I don't know that it goes toward it's it's more of like it's not graduate. It's not um degree seeking credit. It's but it will count toward their continuing edertification and for their pay increase. So like if they have a So there's an incentive the other side of it. Okay. Yeah. Am I correct? Yeah, you're right. They are working on that right now. You can get grad graduate credit hours and there is and there is one um one university that's thinking about like making sure that it

112would be maybe considered tour reading masters. Oh. So they're still working that out. Like I said, we're growing right along with the state. So I I think it's it's great things, but it does count for renewal. We need that to happen. So thank you all. Appreciate it. Any other questions before? Okay. Next, Mr. Tyson, a bond and construction update. Is Mr. Tyson with us? Right here, please. Oh, we're Ohio. Uh, good evening. So, I do have your bond and construction project updates, but I think Do we have a video first? Yeah, our communications department made a u a video with the drone. Show you that first. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] All right. Hey, thank you to our communications team for putting that together. And then I have the uh the typical PowerPoint

113that I'd like to share with you. Uh the first you'll see is the Hedgesville Early Learning Academy. And of course, you saw a glimpse of it on the the fly through, but um the black walls are still continuing. And they're starting to set the uh the steel roof structure. Um all that is in progress and everything is, you know, still being able to move forward despite uh the slight setback on that corner. Um we're still waiting for the final approval from First Energy. so that we can actually proceed with construction on that one corner that was impacted and of course as I know more I'll keep you updated but so far all the construction is able to proceed toward that corner basically um the next project is the Tomahawk intermediate edition and as you can

114see they are moving along very nicely uh right now all trades are working simultaneously drywall work is being finished they're setting doors and they're real close to uh starting to do some of the finish work and this project will complete uh on schedule. Um July 30th, I believe, is uh the completion date for this one. Uh the next one is the Martinsburg band room edition. Uh the all the drywall work is complete in the band room that that is in the finishing stages and a lot of the the trades have transitioned over to the auditorium space doing some wiring and also all of the just starting over the weekend. As soon as soon as students moved out, the team moved into the band room and the choir room. They've knocked down the walls already and

115they're starting to rebuild the rec configuration of those spaces and the um I I sent an image up there for you to see of the uh band room lockers we're going to put on the three exterior uh perimeter walls of the band room. Those have been ordered and the furniture that is needed for that space also has been ordered. Question. Yes. Do this. I don't see a place to do this, but I was talking to Miss Adams graduation whenever and she's growing and the fire marshal. How many people are You want to know the capacity? Is that what's their capacity? I think it's I think it's approximately 120. I mean, I have to double check on that for sure, but it's approximately 120 for that room. I thought she told us Dr. sucks not 130

116but yeah I think it's how many students she has yeah I'm just I think it's how many students she has there's not a wall knocked out to make it even bigger than no but one of the things that we have been talking with her about is um and I I worked with Mr. Camlowski, who I think is over here somewhere, um that um because of their growth, uh we really need to look at perhaps a more than just a supplemental assistant band director, especially for her fifth period. And so we're trying to work out a solution on that and hope to have a resolution, but on that by Wednesday. Um but that way if there's a certain group of students they need to pull out or whatever, they have an assistant director that can help

117with that. Um I'm not Yeah. I I can't I can't speak as to why the it was capped at at that at that when it was designed, but um it would it would it would cost millions in order to change. Yeah, I was just I thought well just looking at there you have storage areas and I mean her success and attracting and recruiting students very positive. It is. Yeah, it's very good. They do have a breakout space. Um the bottom left picture is out in the hallway area and you can see it's kind of like a a mini stage or stair type of system. Uh so that's a large space where she can also accommodate the you know like a breakout space for certain students. I I'm just I thought well if there's any hope

118of finding more space uh do it now before you do it then have to re take it out. Okay. All right. Uh the next slide is the Mountain Ridge Primary. You saw a an aerial shot of that. A lot of the groundwork is taking place. Uh and uh you know they're moving a lot of dirt at this time. Will the school face the sawmill road? No, it'll it it'll somewhat face toward the uh the middle school. Yeah, the front of it. It might be slightly tilted. It's going to be slightly tilted the new road. It's kind of miss. Okay. Um the next is the summer HVAC renovations. All of that work actually started over the weekend. And of course, Burk Street and Tom Hawk are major renovations. Special thank you to the teachers and the

119staff in their schools. They did a tremendous job of just moving their um classrooms off to one side so we could get everything covered uh before the construction began. And um so there's a lot happening as far as HVAC upgrades. All of those are underway as we speak. The next one is uh I just gave you a summary that is going to help us finish out all the bond projects. Those are all of the athletic projects that were left to be completed and all of those on that list will be finished up throughout the summer. And then the last is just a summary of where we are as of right now on the bond. There were 112 projects and we have 25 to complete. And of course the biggest ones are of that 25 left

120to do. So approximately a 78% of those projects are complete. And that's it. Questions? Questions? Well, I was going to save it for later. Canvas system that we're going to be voting on. Why don't you save that for later? I'll save it. Okay, we'll save that for later. Thank you. Next on the agenda, consent agenda. Can I have a motion to accept this consent agenda as presented? Second. Second. All in favor? Action items. Um discussion of possible action on the workers comp. Mr. Bucks. Thank you, President Long and Superintendent Sachs. Before you tonight is the fiscal year 26 workers comp bid. Uh we had four companies bid. The recommendation is to continue to stay with area insurance. Their bid was 415,217 for the year and it's actually cheaper than this current year that we're in

121and the next posted bid is $67,000. So the recommendation is to continue to stick with insurance. Questions for Mr. Boltz regarding the workers comp rating or I said the rating I don't remember. Yeah. So the rating our uh experience rating is 0.91. If anything below one is positive, it means you know we're doing a good job with the first comp claims and keeping them down. Question if there are no questions. Can I have a motion we accept as the work provider for the workers comp? So move second. Second. All in favor? I motion carries. uh possible uh discussion and action on the mountain ridge playground bid, Mr. Bison. All right. So, um in order to make sure we're ready for when this school is complete, we have reached out to Bluegrass Recreation to design the

122uh playground for Mountain Ridge Primary. This is the same company that is doing the Hedgesville Early Learning Academy playground. This is through a cooperative purchasing and you can see um I think I have some images for you that I probably shared so you can kind of see the design of that and of course it goes along with the theme of the monarchs. And so the total cost for the playground system installed is $320,6963. And so they're seeking approval tonight uh for the playground. Uh budgeted amount for this project was 350,000 and that was in the bond. This is part of the bond. Yes. Questions for Mr. Tyson. I just wanted to share that board members that um I thought you know one of the things that we had asked uh the playground company to do

123was to be able to capture you know the essence of the school in the in the playground concept. And so that's what they came up with. You'll see they even have the it looks like it's you know grass blades and cattails and then you have the actually butterfly that the kids can climb on and that sort of thing as well. So there it is. So it's a it'll be a special space. Now this will not have the pour and play surface. This will just have rubber mulch. So how much of space does this take up? Um, I don't think I have the exact square footage handy on the exact space, but it's the actual system itself is designed for 165 students and that does not include the free space area. Uh, but it's designed to

124accommodate 165 and the school part of the base bid was the walking track. So, it'll have a walking track with the school. Yes. Like a a soccer field area, that sort of thing as well. Nice. Any other questions for Mr. Tyson, this I mean I know we we allocate as much as we can um for an idea of what the bid might might look like. Is this how does this bid come in as far as what we were thinking it might be? I don't know what we were thinking it might be. We we set aside 350,000 budgeted for this. That that's that's what we might were hoping to max. We were Yeah. We didn't want We said don't go over this. Okay. And so this is they came in well under 320. Nice. other questions

125and I will say the part of the I'm sorry this is not Yeah, never mind. I apologize. I'm getting I'm getting project mixed up. That happens. Yeah. If there are no other questions, can I have a motion to accept the bid for um Woodgrass Recreation for the U playground equipment and construction at $320,6963? So move. Second. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Now, do you have the also a mowing contract next? Uh, yeah. So, the next one is the mowing contract. Uh, we advertised this um few weeks ago and I think it went out to Oh, yeah. It's on here. 38 companies viewed uh this project to bid on this. And the quadifad bidder is made in the shade who is doing our current mowing contract. And of course, I listed

126out the prices for you. The cost of milling per service of all our all of our facilities a little over 12,000. The cost of milling per service on the athletic grounds uh is the 3,800. And one time per season we have the the storm drainage ponds brush and that's 14,750. That's for the entire county, all of the storm uh pond areas. Um the I did an estimate for you just to kind of give you a reference. uh if if we do the mowing from July 1 to November 1st, it's approximately 270,000 that we will spend on this mowing contract. And so we're seeking approval tonight to essentially uh prove made in the shade as our mowing contractor. They, like I said, they're currently doing it and they're approved up through June 30th. So this would

127pick it up from July one to November one. And they'll stop maybe before that. They'll possibly stop before that. kind of depends on the weather and the need that as we you know get into the fall. Questions? Well, we have these droughts for they don't grow just Yeah. If there's if there's no need then we cut back on that. Well, but how do we know that because I have seen them mow and this isn't against the shade but all those companies do it. If they're scheduled to do it on July 10th and it's July 10th they mow. So, I mean, how do we know? It's a communication between the the our maintenance department and the contractor. Okay, great. And um this was previously on another agenda. Doesn't anybody know why it was moved to today?

128Yes, it was previously on another agenda because another company seemed to have the apparent low bid, but they had some uh different things that disqualified them so that the next bidder was made in the shape. Yeah. I had some concerns but I expressed them to you privately. So I think that you discussed that's been addressed. Yes. No other questions. Can I have a motion to accept that made in the shade as the uh successful bidder for the morning contract July 1st through November 1st at approximately $270,000. So move second. Sir. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Um discussion and possible action on change orders for Martinssworth High School auditorium intercom security system. Okay. So with the contract that uh currently is uh you know under W. Harley Miller to build the addition and and

129all the renovation of Artsburg High School. the contract did not include uh the security cameras and the intercom system which of course we need to have. And so in 2023, Atlantic Security was approved to do the security camera systems throughout our entire district as part of the bond project. And Telus was approved at that same time to do the intercom systems at several of our schools. I think at least four of our schools, one of which was Martinsburg High School. So, in order to finish out the these needs and the current addition at Martinsburg, what we are proposing tonight is a change over to those original contracts. Um they recently just finished installing at Martinsburg the security the new security cameras that was at NX security and the new intercoms that was telepathus. So we're

130asking to have that extend through the addition. So um to do all the security cameras needed for the addition that would be $16,350 and to complete the intercom system which also includes the call switches to the office. uh to complete that system throughout the addition. That would be TEL plus at $55,67152. So, we're seeking approval for those two items tonight. Questions? Yes, this is beyond these projects here, but I was just looking on the the page the last page on this and lasting. Well, under the warranty and all that, but it don't worry about that. What I saw was a number that said we had 3.4 million airborne for this category. I don't know you're on the same page for the Are you talking about the um systems? Oh, yes. In the B. Okay. and

131and they said 21 projects came in at 1.3 million. So whatever this is added, what I was wondering is we've had we've had these uh projects going on. I just wondered do we have a total number of amount of money we've saved that has that you know the the and where is it targeted for Marlo or what? That's that's my question. You mean following orders? Well, following orders. Yeah. The the short answer is yes. Is that if if projects come in under budget and from what would have been, you know, assumed through the budget of what they would cost if we had cost savings, then that money would would go to any of the future bond projects that have yet to be completed. And obviously the last one will probably be the falling waters which

132there will not be enough bond dollars to cover but that's where they would that's where they would be. I think um with with Mr. Murphy's question there I I know throughout our entire process of the bond we've had various questions of that nature. Is there a way that we can as a as a board be provided with a breakdown of where we've, you know, maybe gone over, where we've been under, where we've been spot on? Is there a way that we can have a breakdown of that by bond project just to give us a little bit of awareness of of what we did well, what we did not so well, and and what can we improve on for next time? The short answer is yes. I I believe that the bond tracker has that information.

133I think it does on our website. So, it'll say this project um and the total amount that was expended on it. Um I don't I'd have to look to see if it if it also has what was allocated. Um but I I can absolutely do that. Okay. Thank you. I'll double check that. Tracker has that. I'm just looking at it from a I'd like it in paper. Paper. Oh, we can we can get that. The bond track the bond tracker is online, not they print it off for all of us. We've had it before. mandatory. We'll be I can actually do that. Yeah, I could be. So, if we have to pay for that, that's a right. But it's changed since then, Miss Not online. Any other questions? Um, see, I guess my question is,

134is there where did we drop the ball when we knew there there was going to be these additions where this wasn't included in in terms of the cameras and intercoms? This was that is a great question. All I know is in the contract it said that the security system cameras and intercoms um responsibility of the owner. Yeah. So, I don't know where that came from. Well, I think if you look at Tomahawk for example, there were things that our our staff had to do at at Tom I'm sorry. Yes, at Tomahawk. Is that correct? So, I think it was actually by nature of there were I think there were I'm I should not say I'm assuming but I am making the assumption that it was not an over it was not a an oversight. It

135was part of the conversation that we have the capacity within our own IT to take care of the camera systems and those sort of things because we have a preferred vendor and and those types of things. And so um putting that in the base bid, we wanted to have more we would have wanted to have more control over that. And I and I'm just speaking um from the frame of reference of doing this when I was in my other county that there were certain things that we wanted to have control over like our access points and those sort of things. I will tell you that there is the ability to specify in the bid documents the what it is that you want specifically. Um except with SBA projects. SBA projects will not allow you to

136specify vendors. Um, but with this one where it's not, I I can't tell you what they were advised, but my guess is is that they wanted to stick with the companies that we already have relationships with. And I think it also could have been that we knew at Martinsburg High School that we were going to be upgrading the security camera system and the intercom system. So maybe this was the plan all along to extend it once we got to that point. I'm not real sure though, but kind of made sense to me. And not to make light of what Mr. Power asked for, Mr. Murphy, they're exactly right. I mean, it's it's good for us to see that in writing, what we actually are saving. Yes. If we are and what what we have saved

137so we know where it's going. Absolutely. And I want to go back to Mr. Wright's questions. I will tell you though that in Mountain Ridge, for example, the intercom system is part of the base bit. Is that correct? and the in the camera system and everything because I think because this was an addition that it was constantly considered a part of the extension of the the other projects, but I'm not sure. Other questions? Uh if not, if there are no other questions, could I have a motion to accept the change order for Atlantic security install cameras for the addition high school at $16,350 and intercom systems uh to change order to telet plus for $55,67152. So move second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, uh 2526 school year meeting dates. Superintendent,

138are you going now? Sure. Um I actually it says that will, doesn't it? Um yes, I um am you'll you'll see here in the attachment that I'm proposing the 2526 meeting dates. Uh the regular meetings u again this is just a recommendation would be the first and third Mondays of each month starting at 6 pm unless otherwise noted. Uh and regularly scheduled special meetings which are basically our workshops uh would be at 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday between regular meetings um once a month. Um irregular dates noted with the proposed calendar are September meetings moved to the second and fourth Mondays due to Labor Day. Um there's five Mondays in that month. And the second meeting of January 2026 moved to Tuesday, January 20th due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The second regular meeting

139of April was moved to April 21st due to the state requiring the annual levy rates to be set on the third Tuesday of April. Um so unless there's any modifications or or needs for change, um these this is uh the body of my recommendation. And I do know that I think in the first part of the year there may be what maybe two meetings I believe that might have to start at uh the 7:00 hour. Is that right? August 4th, October 6, and December 1st. I would like for them to be started at seven. But can you send those to me fix it? I didn't. So she said if you can just send those dates to her, she'll fix it. So I would say my recommendation would be for those dates of August 4th, October

1406th, December 1st to actually start at 7 and then the rest of the meeting dates and times to remain the same unless it doesn't work for you all. I I do have a question. This is more for the for the other board members. Um, in in the last couple of years, I I've noticed that usually around that September time frame, the first meeting there, we usually have our schoolboard association um fall conference. And while we absolutely um love you guys, it is very very hard for us to go attend the school conference and then also be prepped and prepared for the meeting a day and a half later. So, I was wondering if there was an option of changing that September 8th date in some capacity. I don't know the the dates for us to

141be in Charleston for our um um fall conference is the 5th and the 6th, which is the Friday and the Saturday. So, I didn't know what other board members were, you know, what their thoughts were, but wanted to throw that out there as conversation start. Well, the only thing we could do would be make it earlier, and I think that would be harder because we have a meeting on the 17th and a meeting on the 22nd. When you say earlier, are you saying earlier in the month, like September 1st through the 37th type of thing, or are you talking about daywise? Day wise. Yeah. I don't know about looking at my phone. What earlier is because of the holiday you're getting? And that's why it's on the 8th because of the holiday. So we could

142do it on the 2nd. That would be the Tuesday after Labor Day. Is there a week in between there and the 18th of August? There is. Yeah, that would be a good suggestion. And then we would have it would depend on what you guys want as far as moving the if you want to do the workshop and the second meeting, adjust those or if you want that extra week in between. The second is a Tuesday. Yeah, we've done that before. Not this board, but I think other boards miss, haven't you? Yes. Yes. And I think I think it's a good point because Yeah, she's right. Yeah. Take some time to preview your packet to begin. And we're exhausted. I'll be honest. We're exhausted. Five hours down, it's backtoback uh meetings and conversations and then five

143hours back up here. It's It's hard. So, would you guys want to keep the workshop on the 17th? Then that would give you a little more time between your conference. Yeah. And that and then I think on the Yeah, it would give us more time. Okay. Unless something comes up. Does that work for everybody else? Damon, are we moving them the workshop? Yeah. I think they're saying we keep the work. We're keeping the workshop the second meeting as proposed so they have the extra time for the conference and those meetings. It would be on the second. The first meeting would be the second so with those changes um Miss Manuel has those dates and I think we I'll send them to her again and I'm sure Dr. Sack I know can accept those. Are we

144going to vote on this? Uh yes, please. Can we accept the have a motion for the meeting dates for the 25 year with those changes? Second. Second. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Next on the agenda is um personnel. Rosski, you guys hear me? Okay. Yes, I'm good. Uh, good evening members of the board at Superintendent Sax. The personal actions dates for Monday, June 2nd, 2025 are as follows. Uh, we have three coaching appointments and four coaching resignations. We have one extra duty appointment of a coach and six extra duty contract resignations. Uh, we do have one correction on those on line 13. That should be Kevin Frankhouser. Um, honest mistake on that one. Those two names were pretty close um in the directory. Uh, two additional healthcare appointments. Those are backdated to November

145as the employees hadn't been doing the healthcare duty since then. Uh, for professional personnel, we have 14 professional appointments including one who has gone through an alternative certification program. Uh, we have one change of assignment for next school year and two mutual agreements. We have five policy 5000 hires for the 2526 school year. On line 40, we rescended the riff of one employee as they will remain in their position for next school year. We have 16 professional resignations and two retirements. We have eight transfers for the 2526 school year. Beginning on line 67, we have 26 professional staff who have been removed from the transfer list and assigned to a position for the 2526 school year. Uh as part of that, on line 84, we have a correction. And that employee is being assigned as

146a third grade interventionist at PTOIC, not a third grade teacher at OPEC. Beginning on line 93, we have 23 employees who have been removed from the transfer list and will remain in their position for the 2526 school year. On line 116, we have one employee who are we are rescending their transfer and placing them back in their position. Uh for service actions, we have one new service personnel appointment and one change of assignment of service personnel. On line 119, we have one deceased uh service personnel employee. On line 120, we have the ratification of an unpaid suspension. That employee is Philip RWS. We have nine service resignations. On line 130, we have one correction of a transfer of service personnel. We have two service employees who have been removed from the transfer list and will

147remain in their position for next school year. We have one new appointment of a substitute nurse and two contract renewals of substitute nurses. We have one new appointment of substitute service personnel. We have removed 54 service personnel substitutes from the sublist and renewed one contract of substitute service personnel. For professional substitute teachers, we have three appointments of professional day-to-day substitutes and 10 renewals of substitute contracts. Uh tonight we also have 156 summer school appointments, two summer school leaves of absence, and 11 service employee summer school resignations. We also issued two professional probationary contracts for the 2526 school year for a total of 374 professional service and substitute personnel actions for tonight. Your consideration was superintendent Sax's recommendation. Questions for Mr. Kamoski. This question to Dr. Sax. I didn't get a chance to look at the

148updates to say looked at the other packet in front and u in the transportation study they're talking [Music] is that reflect this list of what's your friend uh there is reflected a router yeah yes sir and um why is that well it's not on it's just this was just this was just a transportation study but to answer your question um Mr. Mr. Dr. Skoolie. Um actually Dr. Skoolie if you'd want to come up and and speak to that. Um I met with Dr. Skoolie and Mr. Kecker on um really the organization of their staff and um I've given approval for them to create job descriptions uh to address that. But now would be a good time I think for you to talk about those positions that we hope to post. So looking at it and

149really determining that routing and the amount of time and making sure the bus ridership was where it needed to be. Uh we started almost at the top and looked at the organization structure with uh the executive director and the two directors and had a hard conversation. Is that providing us with special ed and general ed the routing that they need? And those individuals came back and they looked at it and said for them to understand it as well. Uh we're going to try to put forward a mo a model in which uh one director will have two high school and their feeder patterns and the other director will take the other two high school feeder patterns and do general ed and special ed transportation within that routing. And from there they would have one general

150routing coordinator uh within the department that focuses uh in building the routes, getting the edgelog system updated with the new developments as well as be responsible for routing of all special ed routes throughout the county. So that way they can see where the overlaps are and be able to work from that. Uh under that router, they would take the current uh bus supervisor to be one router specifically for two school patterns. We would request a new um router for the other two high schools and they would focus just on the general ed population and monitor that routing and the wrership of those routes and that gives them somewhere between 75 and 85 routes per person to monitor during this time. By moving that bus transportation um supervisor down into routing and knowing routes and the

151buses more, that created a need for someone more in the secretarial line uh to be able to work with the invoices that were coming in to be able to work with substitutes uh and getting those type of activities that more reflects that. So they've requested a secretary account too to assist them in those type of line duties. And then that just left us the question what do we do about our trips? How do we handle that? What do we look for? Uh and Mr. Ksacker with reflecting on that thought really as we did here in the county with the instructional side and an operational side. If they have the employee side, the route side, they really need an operational side person to be able to work with the routes to work with maintenance of the

152buses uh mechanics and added some more duties and responsibility to that side. So they looking at a coordinator more for operational side of the house uh to be able to handle the inventory and the parts and uh the mechanics as well as our trips on that end. So it's a creating uh three service positions uh and then bringing back two coordinator positions uh within the professional side. So we have about 242 routes now bus routes and we're saying that we're looking at our60 in the future. Oh, I don't know that we've identified I don't know that we've identified what we're going to get to. We I think they just ran some potential scenarios and you know when you run a scenario and what actually happens in real life can be can be a little bit

153different. I think the goal is for us to be able to consolidate and reduce routes as we can um and to take a critical look at where we can create some more efficiencies in routing that um and this is a really important concept here because I I want to make sure if there's any bus drivers that are currently working for us that that they hear this loud and clear. The consolidation of routes does not mean we reduce the number of bus drivers employed by Berkeley County Schools. What it means is that we reduce the number of routes so that that everything can get covered including midday trips um uh uh um uh the special transportation that we have for special education for McKenna Vento where we are having to outsource those. we want to be

154able to put those students on yellow buses. And so that means we have to have drivers to do that. So um through this consolidation of of routes as needed, everybody will have a job. Um everybody will continue to maintain their employment. Um and what we hope is is that we have some drivers that are willing to volunteer when we identify a route that could be consolidated that they say, you know what, I would be willing to do that. I'll be willing to to allow this, you know, at this point of the year so that I can pick up some additional students that perhaps we're subcontracting out that will actually save the district money. Um and so, you know, every employee within our transportation department is absolutely essential and is absolutely needed. We felt like, you

155know, um the study yielded two things. One is there's efficiency to be had as it relates to the routing and there is a um efficiency that is needed in the operational and managerial side of the system itself and I think that this reorganization of that staff better positions for efficiency and for communication but as well as to be able to make administrative decisions on routing because now we're going to be able to um ensure redundancy in staff knowledge around um getting getting students in in routes and on the the software that we have. And we'll also be able to bring more of the transportation costs under the umbrella that the state renumerates for expenditures. Exactly right. Yep. Other questions? If there are none, can I have a motion to accept the I I just I

156I would like Mr. Kimowski. I know he didn't The question wasn't asked, but there I think all the are all the TSS's on this. Yes. All the TSS. Yes, ma'am. I wanted I wanted to make sure that brought that up. We we do have the the the all the new TSS positions. I don't know if we have academic specialists, but the TSS's we definitely do. And could you just share um what line did they start on? Oh, they're mixed up. I mean, I saw a couple of them, but I didn't think they But I know that you sort of did an analysis to be able to share how many of the TIS positions are able to have been hired through the TSS positions if approved tonight. Anyway, uh 10 TIS's um I'm sorry, 11 TIS's

157are going to be hired see as TSS's. Are they all as TSS's? Yes. Okay. Some of some people were sold 240 day. Yes. Are these the TS? Those are the TSS. Yes. And what were they before? It was 240. The TSS position was a 210. And there there's a couple different TSS positions. We do have one tonight that is a 261. That's replacing and another position that resigned. So that's that was a 261 day job. We did have um county based TSS positions last year. We had four of those that were 210 day contracts. So they have 210 day employees going to 240. Yes sir. And u how many people on the transfer list that we created in April the 1st that have now been placed and how many more are to be placed on

158on the professional side? We probably are somewhere around 90% being placed. Um there's only a handful that are left and I feel pretty good that we're we're going to have something for them in the very near future, probably the next board actions to be honest with you. um talking to principles, they were interviewing people. We just weren't able to get them on because of the tight turnaround when some of the jobs came down that were some of the newer positions. Um but but I feel pretty confident that they're they're all going to be in positions soon. On the service side, Karen just posted everything um probably about two weeks ago. Uh but I think everybody on the service side should be taken care of um in the next couple weeks as well. Uh I don't

159want to get down into the weeds here, but this create it and this creates a lot of anxiety for the employees when when they have to go through this process. Well, this is very early for them to have that many positions placed. I'm just wondering next April 1st. I hope not. I hope I hope not, too. Well, the employees. Yeah. I I mean I don't see an I don't see a a reorganization um of any you know huge magnitude. every every now and then you'll have something that it's like there's probably a better way to structure this part, but I don't I mean you're not going to see anything. Listen, we're getting without getting too um without getting too uh much of being a pontificating uh but you know I every every decision that we

160try to make is very very thoughtful but I on a personal side as superintendent you know um there's a common prayer that uh that I keep um that whenever I can whenever I can reflect and think and and pray is that um that the right person is placed in the right place at the right time. And I will tell you that um he has answered many many prayers and I have seen it over the course of the last month or two um that I I absolutely believe that we have the right people being placed in the right positions. Um, our team at the district office I think is closer um than it has ever been uh at least since I've been here. You can see it. And they're they're really they're really jing um and

161they're all working in concert um to make sure that every opportunity to support our teachers um and our staff is in place because we know that when we do that that it will make a difference in the classroom. And so I say all that, I know I'm getting on a wall of soap box, but I say all that is is that I'm very proud of the team that we're creating here. And even even when you think about transportation, I know there was some turmoil there. Um, you know, with with uh some of that restructuring there, but um I think it's going to make us stronger in the long run. And again, I think it's about we're getting the right people in the right position. So I had a question regarding the the positions from 210

162to 240. what those extra 30 days, what will they what do they do? So that those are going to be a flex 240. So they may not follow the traditional 240day calendar, but a lot of what they're going to do are things that they are handling in the buildings right now. So if you would just walk through the hallways here, they have all those new line boards like that are that are ready for install. Those people will help in the summertime to to do that because right now they're I mean essentially running a skeleton crew to do those things. So what they can do with these people is they can they can really go out to more buildings and get more done really in a more efficient way. But then during the school year they

163can go to specific areas and say okay I'm here to help you on this day. I'm here to help you on this day. But the summertime will really be a huge help for that technology group because it I mean they really are stretched in sometime. So and just to answer your question if you start on like 68 of the personnel actions a lot of those removals for the TSS to start right there. Yeah. Any other questions? Hearing none, uh, can I have a motion the superintendent's recommendation to accept the personnel actions for June 2nd? So move. Second. Second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Next on the agenda, um, board announcements. George Carris mayor and uh I remember him coming and said he'd rather be mayor than be on the board of education.

164I could understand that. Yeah, but he was a I think he was a basketball player as short as he was. Yes, that's what they said this morning when I and his time. He he played for John Coin and he was just a heck of a nice guy. Yeah, even though he barely get into to fix, he was a great guy. Everybody liked George. My uh my stepfather had two stepfathers. Uh mom married two city council and they both are always praise parents. Who they miss? Um I have uh two things. Um Papa's Chicken and Ribs, which I think it's on 45. They're having a back to school scholarship. Um well, not really scholarship. It's really um gift cards and things to like Old Navy famous footwear, things like that where students in Burken County high

165school, middle school students, uh you can go to their website, have to write a short essay on your favorite African-American hero uh to be entered to to win. Totally. Uh also, uh this Sunday is uh the June Jubilee at the at the park. This is one more park. Um I think think parks and recreation is putting that on. Believe that's from 11 to 11 to 5. Uh I want to say one thing. Uh this concerns graduations. The board of ed and superintendent has nothing to do with graduations but I think in the future that that definitely should occur. I think there needs to be some level of conversation around it at the very least. So that's just why and I don't make an excuse. Uh but um you know that's not in our belly really

166to make decisions on school high school graduations, but I think in the future we need to at least know u a week or so two ahead of time what the plans are. We can do that. Absolutely. And so should the superintendent know that instead of finding out the hard way? Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Superintendent's announcements. Take my own passive. Um, thank you board members. Um, well, the end of the school year um has come and now it's gone and we are um on our first official day of summer break for majority of the students, but that doesn't mean that the work stops. However, I wanted to first share with you all um the updated 2025 GSA um SAT ELA performance. However, before I do that, um I wanted to provide a an update on our math

167scores. I shared with you what was in about 90% earlier. Um um and I know that I had reported that we had almost a 7% gain. um because there were some other math scores that came in. The actual gain um that we believe is finalized is actually 5.32%. So still still you know u an admirable gain but um I wanted to make sure I correctly reported that to you. As you see the report that I've given you, you'll see I've actually broken that down by grade level for the district. You'll see that our strongest grade level is obviously um well the the strongest gain was in a fourth grade with an 8.8 eight and a half% gain. Uh but the strongest grade level that we have of math proficiency starts right there at third grade

168at 47.7%. And then each grade level has gotten a little bit, you know, it's gone down. So we again, this is part of our focus in the year ahead, not just literacy, but with EL with math is strengthening those math concepts all throughout the the grade level. So, the more complex the math gets, we want to make sure that our teachers have the the skill and the training in order to teach those more um more uh advanced math concepts to our students um that and where they're tested. I know you didn't I apologize. I know you didn't say this out loud, but the eighth grade I know that that from year to year 2021 21 22 22 23 um into the 23 24 school year, there wasn't a lot of gains there. Yeah. Yeah. And

169then all of a sudden for 24 25 it's jumped almost 12 points. While that might not have been a um you know at the end of the day the percentage isn't the best I think that gain is huge our eighth grade team. Yeah. And and those are the things you know we want to celebrate. We want to celebrate those gains. You know almost doubling their proficiency. Um, I actually shared a message with principles this this morning, um, sharing with them the updated math scores, and LA scores. And, you know, I think that we have to be able to acknowledge, hey, we're we're headed in the right direction. We're still nowhere where we need to be because quite frankly, we're still right under the cusp of what the state average was last year. And so, a

170lot of work yet to be done. Um, but math is is definitely moving in the right direction. You also see there's the updated um math performance. I think it might be separated on another sheet there, but um actually there's two I think I'm going to have to get you the updated math one. I see that we did two reading reading u printouts. uh but we that you will see that the reading scores are also in and and I would say that while the reading scores you know we had a a gain of 2.77% uh percentage points in proficiency uh leaving the district average at 41.86%. Um again this is not where we need to be. Um the gains across the board are are I would say um you know they're they're there was a gain

171everywhere um at each grade level, but some were not really all that significant. And so I think that this goes back to where um I think that probably part of what I would attribute some of the gains are is is the the increased focus on the supplement the supplemental instructional resource uh specifically I Ready. But one of the things that we we can't make up for is a lack of highquality core instruction. And that's something that we've continued to I think talk about over the last several months. Um and it's really why you're seeing uh Dr. Woods and I focus so much on literacy and the work of involving the board in a strategic manner of saying we've got to do something different than what we've been doing. Um and I think it's really important

172that we involve the board in those conversations. Um, I do want to give a special shout out though to um some of our schools who met their reading and math targets. Um, the um Oh, I'm sorry. I provided you reading in both uh middle school and elementary. I apologize, but um Rosemont Elementary met their reading and math targets as well as Mil Creek Intermediate um and Tomahawk. Um so want to congratulate those schools. um for um really just a a phenomenal job um in again meeting their their targets. But I wanted to share that with you all. We'll be having more and more conversation over the next month about this data um because as we dig into it with our schools, we want to dig into it with you all as well so that you

173know exactly where we're where we're headed and where we're coming from. Dr. Sax, just one thing. Yeah. I don't want anyone out there that even see this immigration to get confused because I know we talk about the jumps like for example uh third grade going from 31 to 40 and fourth I'm sorry third grade going from 42 to 47 but are you on are you on math or reading math third grade math we don't want to get confused because we should actually look at third grade to fourth to fourth is the same basically the same students. Um if we compare Yeah. year to year on the same cohort, it's completely different. That is correct. Yeah. Seeing those jumps is actually the most impressive to me is when we see that same third grade, then they

174go to fourth grade and fifth grade and you see it still climbing. Yeah, that's a that's big. That's really huge. That's really big, too. Absolutely. Good point. So, we don't have any high school schools. Um high schools, they were in the previous report that I gave you. I just didn't put it in this one. But I had ELA and math because they were SAT. So, but I can I'll get that free again, though. Um, moving on. Uh, we have our Oh, I'm sorry. I want to go back. I apologize. So, um, so you know what's next is, um, uh, an ELA curriculum adoption is on the horizon like I mentioned and the state has postponed that an additional year. Um but we want to be proactive and so we'll be talking about this during our

175um board workshop and and in the a month ahead. Also I want to um congratulate Dr. Darren Gilpin um who has agreed to continue um his um am I on the right thing here? Yes. Well, I'm sorry. Hang on. Ah, there we go. Uh for his continued service to Berkeley County Schools, Dr. Gilpin has elected to continue serving on the parks and recck board as our representative for another term. So we want to thank u Dr. Gilpin. Okay. So are other positions on there have or still have time on their terms? Yes ma'am. Jennifer Smith, Vic Lupus and Jen I think we did two years ago. Vic we did last year and Darren was this year and we'll restart the process I believe next year. Okay. Thank you. Um so the also we're really excited.

176There's been a lot of work put into this. um um the the um skills u which is uh coming up next week um which is skills university for our teachers as well as our ecats they'll be able to participate and we are uh paying them their daily rate to participate in professional development because quite frankly I have the philosophy that if it's important enough that we want them to hear it should be important enough that we pay them their full daily rate in order to to um sharpen their their proverbial um saw So this dynamic conference offers a variety of sessions each hour allowing our participants to choose topics that they believe fit their interests and where they have reflected upon where they need help. Um and it's mostly being led by Berkeley County teachers

177that have shown success or Berkeley County educators that have shown success in ELA, math, science, social studies, whatever it may be. Um and so we want to invite the board to uh participate with us. Um, it is on June 9th and 10th, which is next Monday and Tuesday starting at 8 am at Hedgesville High School. Um, I know that I'll be kicking it off and we have a keynote speaker u that morning, which is a Berkeley County parent. So, they're a parent that's going to talk about um um the importance of parent teacher relationships um and why that's so important. We also have um breakout sessions being led by um none other than our Dr. Woods and his team, uh, Mr. Lewis Mullenax, Holly Klepner, of course, we have some of our other specialists that

178are also doing work. But I'm really proud of the fact that our district leadership is going to be boots on the ground providing training as well um and providing the um um expectations of what we're seeing needing to see in our classrooms. Uh, we also have a keynote on the last day. Am I correct, Dr. Woods? Right. Um would you mind coming up and just telling the board a little bit about that presenter and um how exciting it is that we've been able to attract him to Berkeley County Schools. We have a national presenter coming to speak. Apologize I didn't prep you for this. Uh yes sir. Uh we have Mr. Chase Milki. He'll be with us uh that last day. Um actually I think the both the days if I remember correctly because he's

179also doing some breakout sessions as well. We're excited to have him. He uh speaks uh across the country on a variety of topics from teacher burnout to high quality instruction. So I know that our staff is excited to to have him here in person. And I know he's excited to work with our folks. He's going to rev him up ready to get him ready so that they're so eager that even though the school year just ended, they're going to be eager for the school year to start because he's going to be so excited. Right. Yes, sir. There we go. Um but retrieve is on the 10th, right? Yes. Yes, sir. probably the ninth. Yeah, only the 9th. Yes. Yeah. And and so, um I I would ask that if you plan on coming on the

1809th, if you could let um Jess know, we want to make sure we have some reserved seating for you for um the kickoff. Okay. At 8 o'clock. At 8 a.m. Yes, ma'am. Oh, and we are really excited because breakfast You're good, Dr. Woods. He's like, uh, but breakfast um and and snacks have all been provided by sponsors for our staff. And then even lunch one day is being provided, I think, by I know it's Curriculum Associates is providing the lunch, but I'm not sure if it's is it Jersey Mike's. It's either Jersey Mike or Chick-fil-A. I'm not sure which, but it's one of those two. So, uh we're excited to be able to serve lunch for our our employees uh on on that one day. And again, it's all uh being sponsored. Um, yes. What

181is it? Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A. All right. Um, then we have, um, also this week we have, um, free WBSSAC physicals. Um, that's June 3rd through the 5th at WV Medicine, Martinsburg. Um, and it's uh, the free physicals and healthfest. Athletics and fine arts students can receive free physical exams. Registration begins at 500 a.m. I have notes here that I'm not reading. Um 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. June 3rd tomorrow at Muscleman and Spring Mills. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. June 3rd, Muscleman and Spring Mills attend. And then on June 4th, Martinsburg and Hedgesville on June 5th, middle schools and high school makeups for those who missed their night. Physicals are from 5:30 to 8:00 with registration starting at 5:00 p.m. And then, um I apologize, I'm out of out of out of whack there. Uh finally uh again

182we have our uh board workshop uh on literacy on June 10th. We will send you the start times for that. Um there'll be a work session in the morning where you all will have some breakouts and then we'll come together um as a group which will be the um internet stream portion in the afternoon, but we'll send you the times on that. Um our next regularly scheduled board meeting will be June 16th, 2025 at the central office on Winchester Avenue. look forward to seeing you all there. And Madame President, board members, that concludes my updates and I'd be happy to answer any questions you all may have. If there's no questions, um, and I have we we want to have a legal update. Yes, ma'am. Can I have a motion to go in executive session?

183President, you can do it for both that and evacuation. Okay. I was just getting ready to do that. We're going to have a legal update and a superintendent's evaluation. So, can I have a motion to an executive session to discuss both of those issues? So, move we will not be making any decisions and we come out. So, um we will just adjourn at that time and just let you know. So, move second. Second. All in favor? I we are allowing executive sess at looks like date 20 Nothing.