Coffee County School Board Work Session

001over here. So, so here we go. We're going to We got some additional things to put on the agenda. We're waiting for I don't know where Beth went. She was here, but um but uh if possible, because Mr. Morris is here to talk about the bus stuff, uh it would be nice to move the uh item uh item two and six to the top of the agenda if that's okay. Mr. Hard group. I know you got the complaint form number one, but >> Yes, sir. >> But then we can um then we can u you know make the best use of Mr. Morris's time. >> So, >> I understand you're uh that's not a hit on the importance of my time, right? [laughter] >> You're here for the duration. >> Correct. That's right. [laughter] >>

002But we can shuffle things around and you're going to be here anyway. So, so I guess the first item then would be the bus conduct. >> And I don't know who >> Oh my gosh. >> I'm I'm not sure who added that to the uh the agenda. Um and as we figure that out, um I do want to bring up please keep the folks that are closest to us that are not here in your thoughts and prayers. that are not here with us. Um, >> I already have. >> Thank you. >> That was not our addition to the [clears throat] agenda. I'm not sure who contacted Miss Melissa to add that one. >> I'm I'm not sure either. So that's a >> I thought this went back to maybe the November board meeting. Wasn't this

003something Robert that you was working on? >> Not that I'm aware of. Oh, well I mean I don't >> I mean we were we were at that time we talked about policy committee looking at the uh >> policy in which the school bus garage would have more say as far as >> weren't you proposing that Mr. Morris be the one that reviewed things instead of the uh schools? Well, he had an ultimate say if he felt like it got to the point of a potential distraction and safety issue for the buses that a bus driver could finally stay up, stand up and say, "We're done. We can't do this. We can't keep it." >> U Mr. Morris is since that time of the year, you're more than welcome to come up here and grab a

004m sit over there by Miss Holly. >> Sounds like you're on the agenda anyways for a while here. >> [laughter] >> Um, >> yeah, get Tim on >> as we and we provide this monthly. Our monthly conduct report in in my mind as I have reviewed it has improved. Do you have any >> Oh, yes. It's It's improved very much so, and I'm pleased where we're at. Uh we're we're sending more videos now writing on writeups. The number of writeups that that student has incurred uh in our discipline seems to be more uh equaled out >> consistent. >> Yes. Yes. >> Consistent across the board and following the policy. >> Yeah. I think I think at that time the only discussion we had if that's what this agenda item is on today was the ability

005because policy basically says that the principal will make the final decision if the child continues to ride the bus or not >> and I think me and you had talked about that a little bit but that's kind of backwards because if it gets to the point that it could cause an issue on the bus it could be potentially dangerous that's where they they need the authority to we just it was one of it was something of putting some kind of line into the policy committee. >> Okay. >> But I think that's that's where I understood it was going >> to the policy committee. >> Yeah. We just haven't had [clears throat] policy committee yet. But I mean, >> we're talking about it and have something before we go to policy committee. >> Yeah. if anybody

006wants to talk about it now since we brought it up. >> Since it's just discussion, maybe it should be a consensus between you and the principal because I mean I think >> Yes, ma'am. It usually is. I usually call and tell them I had one yesterday that this was their sixth write up and it got it did not get put in the system that their fifth one had been done and it was supposed to be six weeks and I just carried the paperwork to that that principal and made sure that they had heads up on that on their own. But I'm usually talking to them. and we're sending videos of them now. And when that paperwork goes through, if it's their fifth offense, we write that on there. That way the principal knows. Uh they

007should know with the computer anyway, it's all logged in. But that way we've given them a heads up that Tim Morris just got his fifth ride up. >> And that's that's good. Maybe if it was just in policy to back that up. Ultimately, there's needs to be a consensus. And I guess if y'all don't agree on a consensus then >> because you certainly need to be involved at something that's there in the middle >> and not try to be uh I even we had a thing the other day with a substitute teacher or substitute driver and uh sister got mad and instead of her being off the bus I went to the high school to just speak with her and talk to her about you know your behavior wasn't really good technically I could write

008you up and put you off the bus that I'm trying to work with you. And she was very receptive of that. And that's what my job needs to be, too. Not just to put you off the bus. My job is to get you there back home safely. And if I can work with those kids that way, it shows that we have compassion. And we should. Uh the ones that need to be off the bus are the ones that were like me on there and I need to be off the bus and and mom and dad need to know that. And there are some of those. I mean, they're not millions of them, but there are some students that they don't have the support at home. They act out on the bus. It it continues. [clears

009throat] And working with the school bus driver to where that doesn't escalate back and forth where it comes for a tit or tap thing is where we need to, you know, try to make that work too. >> And it gets to be perpetual where it's not any >> Yeah. >> You look at one or two >> when they get six or seven, then it becomes a habitual thing and it gets sort of frustrating for the driver, >> right? Uh, and I also understand I had a grandmother the other day that she has no car. Granddaughter is sixth rider up. She's off the bus for three weeks. And I understand it's a hardship, but it's also a hardship for the driver and and maybe the teachers. So, it it comes down to we're trying to teach

010you how to behave. If you don't get there by the time you're 18, you wind up in our jail out here. So, we need to work hard on that. But u >> it was almost a reward. You're home for three weeks. [laughter] >> I mean if it been my daddy it would not have been a reward. [laughter] >> Most most of our daddy ride up. >> The first ride up would not been a thing for me. So >> but you see what I'm saying? Get to be a perpetual thing where >> Well, they have to do their I don't know about the attendance and stuff. They have to come to school. So if you miss three weeks straight, Keith's going to have you in court. So it it puts a lot of pressure on the

011parents and stuff >> so that they >> direct your child. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Now um Mr. Morris is our sup transfer uh transportation supervisor but he's a teacher at heart and he works with his bus driver. The video is very very very valuable because he's coaching his folks our our bus drivers through situations and working with them with the use of those videos. So, it's a people business and from 5-year-old to the adults that are driving, we're not perfect, but he does a good job of uh of coaching uh coaching our drivers. So, we are as consistent as we can be in uh administering discipline >> on our buses. Well, you know, by looking at those reports and things, as a principal or as a teacher, is is that child doing

012the same thing in the school classroom? I mean, are they are they acting out like that all day and then getting on the bus or are they not, you know, >> see, I'm I'm not privy to what happens. >> But see, that's important because that would that could solve some of the situations if this child say a child's not doing anything in during the school day to get on the bus and start doing all this stuff. something's I mean to me there needs to be another intervention in there somewhere maybe with a counselor or something when they get to a certain point because something's creating that mischief >> and uh or that problem and you know I to me once a child gets to the is it seven offenses or whatever or six right before

013they get to that a counselor somebody needs to be looking at that working with that child in my opinion >> because that's that's throwing up a red flag to everybody. >> The one I mentioned, she I I since I've mentioned them names, she is in counseling and she's in outside counseling also because I went that far with the guardian. >> She is being that, but it just >> well what and and I I'm not sure what all we can say in public, but uh is that due to the bus or due to something happening in the school? See, that's >> her home environment. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And a lot of times that's what it goes back to anyway. [cough] >> But I'm happier. We're I'm very pleased of how far we've come in in

014the six statements. >> I'm wondering in the policy if we could put something in there so that's in everybody's mind once a child reaches this point that there has to be documentation that they've had a counseling session or something where somebody in the school system is actually talking to that child and trying to figure out what's making them act that way. even though may be done it may be done rant you know it's not required I guess that's what I'm saying and maybe it ought to be required >> that's just my thinking >> the severity of what it is it might be the SRO it's getting [clears throat] >> but [laughter] but if they've got but if they've got six >> it doesn't matter if it's severe or what something's causing the child get you

015know >> yeah somebody needs to talk to >> I would want it if it were my child or my grandchild >> I think Miss Fred is right what whatever it is and and working towards that, like you say, through policy. I just I feel like everything we discuss and we come up with a plan and we see how you're working with them already and talking with them already that if we back that up in on paper, >> We have a plan that we can stick to. >> And that takes some of it off of you and the bus driver because Yes, ma'am. >> I don't know. I don't know how they do it. >> It just gives you a little more say on paper. Yeah. you y'all are talking about it, working things out and

016taking care trying to take care of it and tackle it yourself. Get it on paper where you know book I I can ultimately not agree with you. >> Okay, >> Tim, could you could you look at our bus policies and write out what would help you if if we added those to the policies? >> Yeah. >> And just give them to us some ideas. We, like I said, we have come so far since the beginning of the school year that everybody's being consistent with with what it says. This is what I'm going to do on day one. My drivers are too. Uh, when I get my second ride up, they know that we're going to get this and day three, the third ride up. So, it it has come far. >> Oh, >> everybody's coming

017together as a team and it and it's following suit to where one school's not doing one thing and another's doing this. It's uniform across the board right now. And remember Tim was part of one of our principles meeting. I can't remember what month it was today. Yeah. Okay. So >> I mean we're trying to get everybody on the same sheet of music with the same expectations with the same sounds like it would tickle me to death. >> Well I think y'all y'all need combat paid from what I saw. [laughter] >> Yeah. They love their kids. They've got they love their kids and that's that's when you watch them and get on board a bus and they want to know where their drivers at. >> Those kids love them and they make it. They you know

018>> and there's always going to be somebody on there like I used to be. Mom Marilyn Morris was my mom first female principal in Oklahoma City School. She had three of us. Help Garner probably kicked on us a little bit because she was a female principal. We got in trouble. We got paddled. You can't do that now. But if you can reach one of those kids and win and never know it, it's worth the fight. It just is. >> We keep them out of jail and they become productive for our society. So it's all this is worth it. Teaching all worth it. Sitting here today is worth it for for that one kid that we don't know. Bus drivers have a big influence on kids because I I mean I I look back to my

019school days and I remember my bus driver and two of them and they were a big part of the day and they they influence you and it's in a good way. >> Yeah. Well, that's what I tell them. You teach them how to behave. You teach them how to act act like a young man or a young lady. You teach them courtesy. uh you teach them about love because it's just I have one that's uh if it hadn't been for the love of that little boy, he would have stepped off the bus and a man went down the right side of the bus and would have killed him. >> And that that lady and that friendship between that young man and that saved that kid's life. You never know where it's going to come from

020and you never know who you're going to touch and what difference you make. It's always my dream. So, >> and I think it's to be commended that that Mr. Carro and and the group here is is providing us with this information and and addressing this. >> I mean, it's just problems, but it's just >> the spreadsheet you see uh some of them, you know, I'm trying to knock the frivolous ones out. >> Tim Morse is always going to have his feet. Is that a safety issue? Yes, it is. But is it worth putting a ride up in? Probably not. Those are the ones that need to disappear. Tim Morris throwing the sundrop bottle needs to be addressed and it needs to be done. So we're trying to our side too to not have frivolous rideups

021that they're dangerous things that Tim's doing on the bus >> and he's getting the rest of that. >> Some of some of the stuff too, Tim, is being addressed more correctly now than it was before as we went. >> Yes. Yes, on our Christmas explore or uh our breakfast that we had the other morning, >> one of the teachers told us or one of the principles told us that they was reporting the stuff incorrectly and it was she apologized for that. >> Okay. Every It's a big learning curve. >> Yeah, >> it is. Uh it's just a huge learning curve and we come together and the safety of those kids. That's the most important part. >> Yeah. So basically you'll you'll write something up and get it to Melissa then we can get on the

022policy committee. So >> see that >> does that work for you? >> I think that's perfect idea if it's especially if it's working. If everything we've been doing since first of this year is showing results and working it is >> let's back it up with policy that way >> we can keep it trusted. >> All right. Next agenda item is the uh bus driver compensation and I think that was that was brought up >> be you too. I go nowhere about correct >> going anywhere. >> Thank you. >> This is uh my understanding is this is for field trip. >> Yes sir. >> I put a packet together and I'm going to read through my packet. The first page is who I have right now that will do field trips. If you notice in the

023circles, I only have four people that will go out of town. Used to, when I first started this job, I had two to three pages of people who wanted to take field trips. And [clears throat] now I'm down to just what you see. I have four people who will do out of town field trips. Uh I have the ladies that won't do night trips because they're not comfortable driving at night, and I'm very appreciative of them coming. I have a couple that I have to watch for overtime because they do other jobs inside the system or they get midday on special ed. So when they're getting 28 to 32 hours from me, they can't take an eight hour field trip. If they do, they go over and I get in trouble for that. So just

024trying to do that. Technically, I'm down to about nine drivers. we're used to. I had a whole group that would do that [cough and clears throat] down in the three down at the bottom. They had put yes. I go beg when I run out of drivers. I will call people. I have a couple who will do it maybe once every two months, but they really don't want to. If they know when I call and I'm begging that I'm in trouble, I'm over booked or and I don't want to tell any school that I can't. I want them to go anywhere I want to. that Cumberland Caverns when I was teaching in third grade is probably the best trip I've ever been with my kids. But you can teach mathematics, you can teach geology and taking

025that away from the teacher seems to me like I'm taking away. They go to the river boat, they study the water, they go to the Chattanooga aquarium, they learn all kinds of things that >> some kids don't ever get to see. So to me, anytime I can get them where they want to So that's on that one. Uh the next page is I printed this off. Sorry. The next pages I printed this off and this is their pay scale under bus driver. uh where they would start at 8760 an hour which is right at $22 an hour and they finish up at 1605 for 4 hours and that winds up being 2901 an hour. So that's the difference in the pay from where they start [snorts] at as a firstear person to where some of

026my senior drivers are making the $116. That also includes sick days, snow days, uh, and their insurance. So, that's their compensation for that. Any questions on those? >> M, did you say that's based on a six? >> It's a 4 hour day. >> Four hour day and they get they also get their choice. >> 20 hours a week. Yeah. >> Yeah. 20 hours a week. Uh now some of my ladies and gentlemen, I have I have a couple that do special during the middle of the day, midday trips. Uh Melissa does an hour and a half every day. So she picks up another seven and a half hours that way. That's why she's pushing 28 hours and I have three or four of those and they go up or down every year. This year I've

027just been inundated with a whole lot more special ed and a whole lot more time on the special ed side because we're going everywhere with those kids. But wherever they want them is where we're putting them, where they're assigned to. The next page is the trip sheet that I think was done in 2013. I can't put my finger on the last time they had a pay raise, but this is the 2000 I think 2013. It may be 2012. I started in the year 2011 down there. And they say that we they we've raised the pay one time. the dollar per mile goes back into the general fund and that's to pay for the bus because if we're not then we're really subsidizing and really and truthfully a dollar a mile is not paying for that

028bus. Our new buses that we just ordered are $170,000 a piece. They're are very expensive machines. Uh they're just going to keep going up. And that was that was the low bid. Uh the low bid difference of $70,000 [clears throat] and those are Thomas buses and I'm happy with that. >> Mr. Morris, does that include fuel for on that trip as well? >> It includes the fuel and the wear and tear on the bus. So that's the dollar the dollar a mile on that. And then the next page over is where everybody's been throwing numbers around. I've thrown numbers around. Up here's thrown numbers around. So I just put out a little sheet uh up on top in the yellow. I did $25 versus 2145. And I don't know where that popped in my head,

029but I'd heard that number rattled around. So, and if you want to pull that uh third sheet out where the trip sheet was and lay [clears throat] it side by side, you can you just pull that out and laid it down. I I've got all these numbers run. I didn't run all of them. Can >> would this help? Yeah. >> Would that help them? And in you mind if I this year's >> that's from third. It's the last one. Great. >> Well, it it will help you explain. And the numbers on these sheets, the ones in the the blue bluish purple are what are organizations or or schools or SSOs or or booster clubs. And that's kind of what he's >> That's what we're paying right now. >> And the and the yellow Well, I'm

030gonna let Tim do this part. The yellow on that is what their gross pay is. Somehow I don't understand all this. I've been told four or five times and I sit and I think I agree and understand their trips are taxed before they go into their check. That's right. So technically to them they think they're getting double tax. I can sit understand the math of it when she's telling me but I can't go back and tell it to somebody else. So, it's just that's what they get per hour if you were doing that or or per trip. Then you would have to divide that out. But I on on my sheet that's like this, I did 25 versus 21.45. And what I did was from 0 to three hours at $25 it would cost you

031$75 for that trip. Excuse. Yeah. $75. If you put it at the 2145 uh cost, it would be 6435. which there's a difference of $10.65 65 students and I divided it by 60 which is a small class size for any elementary school but I picked 60. We've got some kindergarten classes that are pushing 80. And for that first time on that difference right there it's 17 cents per kid. >> All right. If you go to the $25 and go to the $16 sheet and I don't have this on there for y'all. I just did this real quick. [clears throat and cough] I had done that right. I took the $25 and uh or the $75 and I subtracted away the 49 and it's $2510. So if you raise them to the $25 an hour, it

032would cost them 41 cents a cube. I'm just throwing this out there. This is for y'all to decide. All right. At four hours, the $25 line is $100. The $2145 line is $85 for the difference of $14.20 divided by 60. It winds up being 23 or really 24 cents per kid. Round it up and on down it goes. If anybody needs any more read or explain that I'm just looking to get a way to get more people to come drive school buses on trips and not have to tell somebody that >> just just a quick reference. I went ahead and pulled up our numbers just it's not a big difference but a lot of our classes we're looking at unless you're looking at North Coffee or Hillsboro you're looking about between about 40 kids per

033class per grade level not per class per grade level. Just just want to make a reference to it. Uh North Coffee you're looking at 55 58 69. So there there's a couple that do get up to 60, but most of them are around 40 or less. So just just FYI, >> that's small in >> in grade level. >> Well, there are there is a cohort that's a little bulier than that, but most of them are. >> Okay. >> We're very blessed. >> So you could take that and divide that. You could add about 10% to the one of my things. I I'm just looking for help to where I don't have to tell somebody now. anything we would be looking at which very rarely going to be over eight hours. >> Oh yeah. And none

034of your trips right now. >> Very rarely. >> Right now with everything going up [clears throat] >> because of the overtime thing, I don't have anybody that wants to start before 8:00 >> because if I'm making $29 an hour and I have to drop down at 7:30 to 16, I'm not going to do it. Or most of them are not. >> Some of them will. you know, you're looking and when you change the the math on the basis of the kids, I mean, nothing's still going to cost over 50 cents a kid, but we're in in my eyes, we're talking about one half of the picture affecting the bus driver because we have a ton of athletic programs relying on bus transportation and everything else. And nobody likes it. That's a big no-go. We keep

035talking about athletics and helping athletics, but that's a big part of it. And that's probably even more so harder to get someone to >> Oh, yes. >> Yes. >> I've There's many a time. >> That's why I've showed you the ones that don't want to drive at night. At night time, I only have four gentlemen. >> Yeah. >> And that's it right now is four guys who will drive at night. Uh >> so this is not just about field trips. >> Yeah. >> It's about our athletics as well. and night shift, per se. >> And another thing, when I first started down there, I had enough extra people to where I called it a half day off. >> Yeah. >> You took off and did not get paid for your afternoon. And if they wanted

036to leave at 1:00, we left at 1:00. If you wanted to leave at 12, we left at 12. I took you anywhere you wanted to. Now, today, for me to stand here in front of you, I got a mechanic driving my route. >> Yeah. >> I don't have that luxury anymore. or the the earliest I can get to you is 4:15 or 4:30. Uh I wish I had that many more people, but I just can't. Every time I get one, I lose one. >> And and it all that's where a lot of discussion doesn't take place that should when we're running off halfway across the state, lay people and not standing up for ourselves and really pushing going, >> we can't get there >> compete there economically. Is there any way of getting someone else

037that has a CDL to drive the bus, you know, like to the trips because I remember Bobby used to drive for >> I have no coaches. You have no coaches that have done that other >> but it's it's >> not you don't just go you don't just go to the DMV. >> No, no, ma'am. It's a >> you don't go to DMV, take a test drive. >> It is it is not getting your chauffeer's license anymore. It's you start off with 40 hours from the federal motor carrier on the computer. Then it's then you're able to go once you get all that done and you do our background drug and everything else. You can go take your CDL test. After you take your CDL test, you get the passenger endorsement. That means you can drive

038a school bus empty. You have to be able to do the pre-trip, post-trip, and drive that bus for probably four weeks before you can get it all down pat. Once you go down there and you take the test, if you miss one thing, they send you home and you don't get to come back for >> two right now that they're in their eight months. >> Yeah. Oh, for you. >> Eight month training. >> Yeah. >> I can see why the coaches didn't want to keep that because you know you you drive the you drive the team to the game and then you got to get off them. >> I had them back. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. And I had >> the medical's not easy everybody. Oh, you go up there and give them 50 bucks.

039You get your health card for two years. It's just a >> I can go in there one eye twitch and a half of a blood pressure too high and I won't get mine. >> I cannot have And [clears throat] years. Ours is only a year. >> Yeah, >> we do it every year. We're expecting >> Well, most of the time it is a year. >> Depends on how nice you are and if you're calm and your blood pressure is low, [laughter] you get a two year. Well, I I usually help myself be calm. [laughter] But and and like I said, it is up to y'all. I just want to get I don't want to be I pulled into the high school back in October, I guess, and there was a group going to the state

040capital and those young men and women were dressed up and they're our future. I'm going to have to tell them no, I can't do it. And you can't put that many in the suburbans. Then you're going to have to start picking and choosing who you get to take. But I was so impressed with them that day is I thought there's got to be a better way to fix this. I don't know if I'll ever get a fleet of people enough to be able to do the half days anymore. Everybody's struggling with bus drivers. Uh from discipline to pay to part-time work. Uh I just don't know how you fix the problem. And it's a huge problem all the way across the state of Tennessee. It's not just here. So it's not just us. It's just

041everybody trying to find somebody and like you said, Miss Freda, it is a hard job and Tim Morris is back there praying on you wondering what he can do to you and it makes it a hard job. So that's just But they do love their kids. Deep down in my soul, I know they love their kids. >> I want to ask you a question and I don't know the answer. Don't know if there's a benefit or not a benefit. Why do why is some of our surrounding counties subbing their transportation out those type people? What is pros and cons? >> Pros. >> I can't tell you one pro. >> It's a little cheaper. >> I can tell you >> it it's cheaper. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> But there there are some cons to it. I

042mean, uh, when honestly, if I'm straight up with you, Tim, >> yeah, they're double buses in know what the pros and cons are. >> They're double riding up there. I'm having them come to me want to come. If they all live down here, they'd come to work for us cuz we treat them. We pay so much better >> because the way I understand it, the driver owns their bus. >> No, no, no. Not for Durham. >> No, >> Durham owns that bus. >> Even in Rutherford County, >> brother, they do Rutherford County, they own the buses. And I had a lady >> and they contract to Durham. No, they contract to Rutherford County. >> Well, they contract to Durham that has the contract with Rutherford County. >> They lease that bus. >> No, they're all

043independents. Durham is in Warren County. >> Yeah. >> When Durham comes in, they bring it all. >> I thought they was in Rutherford. >> They'll bring when they come in, they bring it all. They take your buses >> and you're done. And that means that you'll they'll never buy back in. It would cost seven. Well, it cost close to $10 million to get back in the bus business for one county. Now, they had to replace they let them sell their buses off. >> Yeah, >> they bring in their buses. Then they're my buses now. I tell you when your school is open. >> I get you home late. I'm sorry. Uh I can get I don't think they can get to sports until about 4:30, 4:45. >> Yeah. I was just all I know all

044I was saying options out there. Well, but all I was saying a while ago is I literally talked to a few drivers at a ball game in Rutherford County and they said, "No, we own our bus, >> but we lease our bus to Durham." That in return keeps us busy in Rutherford County >> under their umbrella. >> We sold her bus and she came to me. >> Yeah. >> Is that because [clears throat] of the discipline? Is that bad down there? >> And I was because I was after the fact. Well, what's the benefit for you doing that? Well, I just I bought this bus and they paid me per mile. every mile I put on the >> It's a business. It's their office, their bus. So, it's turned into a business. >> If if

045a company may call Director Jones and say, "We're not running route three. >> We think it's too slick." You've got some conflict there. Whereas now, >> liability, I figured liability was going to be a big part of why Rutherford County, why Warren County, and some of these others. >> Well, it's cheaper, but there are some rubs. There there are some definite rubs that go with that. You lose control. >> Well, and also too, it looks like the school wouldn't have as much communication connection with those driver. >> Now, by state law, you still have to have a liaison between Durham and the school system and that has to be a school employee. So, you still have to keep somebody that's the transportation director, whatever. [clears throat] But as far as Durham coming in, they would

046come in and they would take over the buses, they would take over the maintenance, they would take over all of it, and then you're out. >> Well, there have to be money in here. They wouldn't be Oh, yes. And how in the world somebody could buy $150,000 bus? >> Well, they they rotate buses around. Our state inspector was [clears throat] here this week and they rotate some stuff that we just don't allow. They just pay they pay enough on a per mile, >> but their buses are still required to be in the same. >> That's why they sit 20 of them down in Chattanooga last week. >> Yeah, >> they grounded 20 buses last week. We've made it through our state inspection with none. >> So, it's we keep ours up. We drive ours 18

047years or longer. Like I was telling them, I'm I'm in a bus that's sitting out here right now. It's 19 years old. It can be driven probably for the next five years. >> And I don't see that there should be anything that there should be money making off of public schools. >> No. >> Well, I look at it. Um, >> that was another point I made. When are you going to go back to teaching math? [laughter] You were a really good math teacher. >> Well, you you hired me. You interviewed me right up here in this office a [laughter] long time ago. I appreciate And I just [clears throat] remember when you quit when [cough] you left the class, I thought, "Oh, we're losing a such a good teacher." >> It was a hard move.

048>> Where you are? I know it was. >> It was I left at Christmas time and it was hard for me to leave my kids. It but it it hurt and they're still my kids. >> But now you got a bunch. >> Now I have young men [clears throat] and women who call me Mr. Mo and it's it's worth it. It It's just God put me in the right spot at the right place. No, >> but thank you for sharing and I'm kind of going to piggy back on you hang around that way if I mess something up. >> Excuse me. [laughter] >> Yes, sir. >> Didn't you say we had about 50 55 buses? >> Mhm. >> Yep. And you're going to get me five new ones? >> Yes, sir. >> So, >> well,

049it depends on what the county budget and finance department does. [laughter] >> That covered right now. >> Thank you for your service. Yes, sir. >> So, maybe you need to come back up here and let's talk some more. [laughter] So on the sheet that I handed out to uh assist Mr. Morris, you have a column that column in blue and that's the amount paid by the school organization whether it's an elementary SSO or a booster club or whatnot. Okay, that amount is larger than the drivers pay. Okay, well there's a reason for that. that blue group, that blue number is also paying that driver's benefits and things like that. It's about 16% on top of whatever their hourly wage is. Now, the yellow column is what the bus driver is taking home. And you can

050look at for zero to three hours, that's $42.96. Well, that means they're making $14.32 an hour. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. But [clears throat] he brought this up, the T-word. We got to give Uncle Sam his part. We all do. I remember my children their first job, they got a check and thought they were going to come home with $100 and I'll be done. It was only60s something dollars. Well, that's welcome to adulthood in taxes. So, that's why that number varies. Any questions about that? the uh this is not just what school sport organizations and stuff of that nature pay your actual athletic departments and >> yes >> your departments >> booster clubs whatnot that's >> everybody you use a bus that's what you're paying no matter if it is athletics >> right >>

051Mr. Harrow this was over 10 years ago and Mr. GEO wants to take a trip, they've got to pay. >> We haven't changed that scale. >> Thank you, sir. >> You're very welcome. >> In that length of time. >> We had a discussion. I want to think it was in January's meeting >> for the longest. I was >> about school bus garage charging money. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> We're just circling money, swapping wallets. The one thing that the blue column does not add that we spoke a little bit about was the $1 per mile. And we gasp at that a little bit. [cough] But if Miss Peacock Hodgej is a uh employee here and we send her to Murphy'sboro to a conference, the state's mileage is as well as ours, but we follow the state.

052She's going to make 72.5 cents a mile. >> Well, our transport for our but she's driving her car, her Maserati. She's not driving one of our buses. And as we get into our our board meeting on Monday, Mr. Shores will show you the prices of the buses. So, that extra quarter kind of goes towards the maintenance and the upkeep of those buses. Okay. Enter the next sheet. I did some comparisons. The top the top yellow line is you can see the hourly wage there for our drivers, which is 1432. We don't pay our drivers for mileage. Um, and I did odd. I'm really an even person, but I did odd. I only picked the odd hours for a 5-hour trip, which is on this sheet that I first gave you. for a seven-hour trip, a

053nine hour trip, and rarely 11 hour trip. Okay, so that yellow line shows you what our driver's gross pay is for those amount of hours. Underneath those, you can see other school systems, and I'm not sure who Franklin County uses >> the their contractors. Okay. >> Yeah. So you can kind of compare all of the school systems but one pay benefits. Um the school to the south of Crompton Creek is the only school system that has one employee that is an eight-hour employee that receives benefits. Okay. Other than that, none of the rest of their bus drivers. And believe it or not, they do have buses that run daily or their benefits are not paid. >> What school system was that again? >> The one south of the creek. >> What's the name of that?

054>> I I can't remember. Got a bunch of consonants and a bunch of vowels in it. Okay, moving on. All right. uh we had a uh board member that suggested a number and that number if you look in the gray you can see that as far as the hourly wage [clears throat] and then as I looked at our numbers my recommendation was 20 but my 20 came from the group number from the gross pay. Okay, from the group number from the gross pay. If we increase our bus drivers pay on these trips, trying to encourage and uh reward them, it moves our the hourly wage from 1432 to 1715. And that 5h hour trip trip went from 7160 to $85. I'm not going to insult you. That's almost a 20% increase. Below that, you can

055see where the $26 that was proposed and kind of how that affects. Now, I I'm not pointing things out to shame or point out. My thing is, my recommendation, we're going to vote on what we what we think and [laughter] what you think and that's what we're going to do. Please hear me say that. But I did want to point out some of the the differences. Um, but in the bottom that uh blue and that green, that kind of gives you an idea on what our organizations are going to end up paying for that field trip. And I spent an exorbitant amount of time in my short tenure here on trying to figure out how to lower fundraising and and delete some some things so we're not out in our community asking for monies. But

056it it ups even a $3 even a $3 increase. But look at the difference in in in the prices. I mean, you take a 5 hour trip has gone from $71 to $100 or $151, depends on where y'all land on that. So, that kind of gives you some numbers to mull around and and think about it. We want more bus drivers. Mr. Morris and I um we actually talked about this way back in uh at the end of July, but the world spun up on us a little bit. And um remember none of these uh numbers that you're looking at talk about the $1 per mile, which the gas price and our our buses, you know, the value of those are pretty important. Do anybody have any questions about this sheet? Our bus drivers, they

057get benefits as well. Opportunity. >> Yes, sir. >> They get benefits as well. >> Yes, sir. >> What does that benefit price? >> Just I know it's hard to I actually look at that today. Somebody might ask it. Um, last year, last school year with retirement and insurance and life insurance and medical and all that, we paid $679,000 for >> How does that break down on the hour? Like, is that >> is that value worth? >> I think most of the time, how many drivers? >> $6 an hour. Um >> because what I'm getting at, while she's getting that number, what I'm getting at is 10 years ago, I couldn't hire nobody that could pass a growth test, but they had a CPL and didn't have a DUI for $17.15 10 years ago. >> Right.

058I understand. But our goal, and Tim, Mr. Morris and I have had this conversation, is the lure at least get her where we're not, you know? I mean, obviously >> the happy medium and all of this is a is a balance. >> Obviously, the benefit package helps. >> Yes. >> But we're still not there yet. But if you had a dollar value to what the benefits are worth, then you can kind of look at it as a total picture of what they are actually. >> Sure. >> Just rough rough [clears throat] calculation around $14.65 an hour. I feel like a lot of the bus drivers are choosing to do that because of those benefits. You know, that's a pretty big incentive. >> That's a huge lower. >> I I don't see how Marshall County >>

059and Mr. Harp, did you say some of the counties, excuse me, are not >> pay? No, sir. All of the counties do. Well, other than I can't speak for Warren and Franklin, everybody, all those others do provide benefits except for that place to South that and they only provide uh benefits for one driver. The other drivers have no benefits. That one driver is their transportation head. He's there eight hours. It's >> so the bene the benefit package currently is close to about 29 a little over $29 an hour and you take $14 of benefits and add it to $14.32 pay for four hours. Right. >> Don't don't forget you're this is this is trips. This is not >> this is not not routes. These are are trips, >> field trips, ball games. >> Well, I

060thought that's where we [clears throat] were coming up with our hourly wage that we even consider. >> They get their benefits for the four hours they work during the day. >> Completely separate than >> Okay. So, the benefits and >> for the four hours you [clears throat] come to work for me for four hours, two in the morning. >> You get those benefits the 14 and then they get paid how much for those four hours? for a 4hour trip salary schedule that y'all you have. >> So that the salary schedule is the daily rate >> that one. >> Okay. That's the 21 >> the 21. >> Okay. You don't have any troubles with that. Correct. I would like for it to go up, but I know that we're we're, you know, >> and please hear

061me say our trip, >> you can't separate me from everybody else because then it's going to start a cascade of dominoes falling is you did it for him, then you need to do it for me. Everybody needs to be if we do raises, I still feel like everybody needs to be treated equally. So they're around a 21109 to 2966 plus the 14 for a 4 hour deals >> depending on your years. >> But our conversation here today >> our trip >> field trip field trips basketball games whatever. >> Yes sir. And my recommendation is we improve it and maybe it will lure more drivers or have more drivers interested. It'll be worth more worth their bang. But there is a delicate balance because those cost it doesn't we could pay them a $100 an hour.

062It affects district salary zero. I mean >> well I'm just trying to figure out how overtime don't come into play. >> Call it over overtime. >> Call it figure them on a time and a half basis of what their scale is in our system. you jump into see right now they're they're working they're based on four hours per day but you to be full-time as you know you have to have 40 hours but they're only getting 20 hours in in a week so they have another 20 hours they can actually before they start hitting overtime >> well that's if you do I mean I I pay my men and I charge on crank jobs every day anything over eight is overtime I pay my men anything over eight is overtime but I'm talking about trying

063to keep a crane operator on retention. I'm not talking. You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> So, you can you can do that however you wish to do that. >> You just can't go over 40 hours without mandatorily paying them overtime. >> And that's where I've gotten in trouble for a couple times is I had nobody that would take the trips. And I had Melissa who would who would take that trip and it wound up putting her over 40 hours. >> Yeah. I know work session is for people to bounce off ideas. Why what would be wrong with having a position that is just for uh trips uh a couple where there may be people that don't want to drive a daily school bus route but they would be willing to drive the school

064bus for for athletic programs and things like that because I go back to Bobby. He drove for what's the other school? Not Riverdale but >> Oakland. He wasn't their regular bus driver. [clears throat] He he he went through the, you know, the same uh u screening and everything and he just drove their buses for for the I think it was the basketball program. But I mean because I can see why a bus driver, you know, they're working all week and they're driving these kids and and they have no incentive. I mean, there might be people out there that possibly would just want to to do that and then you'd have somebody dedicated just to after school tower. >> That's just a thought. >> Good idea. >> And that's our comments on luring. We You want

065it, [cough] you don't want our SSOs to get hit in the, you know, or fund raise, but you want it good enough to where it's, hey, I that's worth it to me. And that's what you all are going to have to figure out where that number is. >> And it and it may not be worth anybody to do that. But I mean it's something ones that I have off, >> right? I mean maybe give them >> Yeah. [clears throat] I just don't want to, >> you know, you don't get into over, you know, like you wouldn't be getting into overtime and all that sort of thing. And you know, just like you did with the conduct, a little discussion here with everybody and this and that and talking with these coaches on these athletic programs,

066>> really kind of pushing them to manning that or pay, >> you might get some of them to start really focusing on trying to retain and get their CDLs back and things of that nature so that their football team ain't having to pay for buses because they got a couple coaches that are cleared and good to go, >> for example. All they have to do is pay for mileage. >> Well, you know, I I think there might have been a little misconception between when this was discussed in January and the uh the $26 an hour that were was proposed was basically [snorts] to take the place of the $1665 per hour that's being charged now. So, you know, ultimately, you know, it wouldn't be costing $30.33 an hour for that driver. I mean, it would

067be the the 26, you know, that you have in the gray. >> Yeah. >> Should be the same thing down here in the green. the $26 an hour instead of the 1665 which is the current would be for a threeh hour or I think what it is per hour now that the considered driver's pay >> right well you're talking about the on the yellow side right now this yellow side is is like is 1432 a group >> but the 49.90 though right >> that is >> the group pay how it's headed yes >> so really what you're doing is you're talking about moving the gray down to the >> where the green is. >> He's He's on this. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. We're on the same We're on We're on the same page. >> Yeah.

068I mean, the the the you know, 30, >> you know, 3033, you know, that's a, >> you know, that wasn't, >> you know, when I proposed the 26, it was to take the place of the 1665 per hour, which was the 490. I understand. you know, so you know, I I I realize that with the, you know, you go back and you start adding taxes and retirement and everything else, it's, you know, it blows the number plum out of water. I mean, just getting um, you know, just trying to get, you know, >> but that's not what he just said, not considered in what we're talking about right now, this field trip stuff, because if they're a driver, they're already covered with all that 14. Well, this is >> right. But what I'm saying though,

069but in the group >> they take out for the for the taxes then, you know, and then your drivers pay. I mean, they'll still have to pay taxes, but what I'm saying is that $26, you don't go back and add the taxes, you know, which puts it back up to $30.33 an hour. >> Yeah. So, this group pay is a good point. >> Yeah. Group pay is the number we want >> paying for the insurance. >> Yeah. Is the number we want to be working with >> and our insurance thing too is is all of our employees. Everybody in the school system gets paid insurance. >> They don't. >> All full-time employees do though. Correct. >> All fulltime >> All full-time employees gets paid. >> Do you have other part-time that do not get insurance?

070>> Right. But we're all paying that's full-time. They all pay the same insurance >> whether it's bus driver, teachers, everybody pays the same price. >> If they're parttime, unless they're a bus driver, they do not. >> But we're talking about bus drivers here though. [snorts] Well, there >> as y'all think about it and we discuss this further, there's a a number and it's got to be a number that is not hurting our fundraising. In my humble opinion, it's got to be a number that's rewarding our bus drivers to a point. And to speak to Miss Frereda, we're luring people from other places to come want to come drive for us because it's it's lucrative. I mean, they don't don't do it for the excitement of the drive. It's it's it's got to make make an

071discussion. Let me let me >> What do you think, Tim? On on the hourly, >> I would like to know if you gave the pay raises percentage-wise from 2012 to these numbers. I'd like to know where it comes up because, you know, we haven't raised it since 2012 and I don't know what I have no idea what the percentage of increase was each year. It would be interesting, >> right? Our our bus pay, our bus drivers since 2016 and 17 have had a 38% increase. And I'm going to tell you something, this is something we can all be proud of. Is it where it needs to be? No. But our bus drivers have had a 38% increase. Uh our custodians have had a 40% increase. Maintenance 38%. Clerical clerical workers 38%. Teacher assistants 41%. Cafeteria

072workers 38%. In 10 years their pay has gone up roughly an average of 39 point whatever percent in 10 years. >> We're talking about field trips. >> That is correct. >> We're not talking about >> Well, that got brought up. I just >> Well, I I was I'm sorry, but I was bouncing back. >> Stay in focus. What are we talking about here? >> I [snorts] tell you what I've [laughter] done, Mr. Andrew. If you take the high If you take the high pay and the low pay and average them together, it winds up being at 25 something >> 25461 [clears throat] $22 and something for the low end and get the average out of that. It's right at $25. >> Okay. Yeah, that's that's that's what I was trying to get. >> That's the

073one that I gave you here on this sheet right here. I started with the 25 and also dropped down to the $21. >> Yes, sir. I will work with whatever y'all pull out >> and I will be appreciative of anything that you do give them. >> Yes, sir. >> I don't want to and I go back to again. I just don't want to be the guy that has to call a week ahead of time and tell you that I'm gonna have to cancel your field trip. >> Yes, sir. >> I've never done that before in my whole time down there. I've never canled a field trip. Uh >> but but you're the one that's hiring them, Mr. Moore. Right. And so when you go to hire a man or a bus driver or woman, whenever

074you tell them that this is what this is what it's going to take to persuade you to come to work for G County Schools and drive a school bus, that's what you feel like would be a better >> We I will tell you this. We pay them $25 an hour for summer school. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I'm getting confused here. You talking about the $25 for the >> trips, not their base salary? >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Y >> we do we're on field trips to make sure they get 25. But like I said, whatever you the nine come up with, I'll work with >> I will do the best. >> And I echo that sentiment. I mean that [clears throat] y'all, you got to figure it out. But for every

075action there's an O and I don't want to play EV devil's advocate cuz it sounds like I'm against and I'm not. I want to lure more bus drivers. We've had Yeah, we've had this conversation. We started it in July, but it comes at a cost and that costs are passed down to our organization and our parents because those are the ones that are going to pay for >> Yeah. >> the blue. These groups are paying for the insurance. >> That is correct. They're paying. I mean, we're we're hoping these groups have to have us and pay these numbers because our groups are turning around reimbursing us back for their insurance and everything else with a $49 and $66. >> Correct. >> No group number. >> Okay. Well, then explain this stupid ass thing and quit

076laughing. >> The group number is what the board pays for their social security, Medicare, and retirement. Does it include any of their medical, dental, vision, life insurance? >> In in this number proposed, we charge these groups >> for field trips. >> Per field trip. >> Correct. It's not in that. >> It's not in that. Okay. Still just going to cost $49.90 minimum. >> Yes, sir. >> Per per per hour, right? >> But you go back to this. It's going to cost the parents. They're having to transport them. You know, I think parents would appreciate having uh clubs and organizations and athletic programs that would have the opportunity for their kids to be transported >> uh >> we >> on a bus. We do miss freedom. Hold on. We do have organizations that they don't and

077and and this is not an an an attack on our bus >> uh fleet and our transportation, but we do have organizations right now that hey, we're we'll meet you in McMill. You need to be there at 4:00 because >> they just the money's not >> just not there and fundraising might not be good for even though we haven't addressed or attacked fundraising, >> right? some groups and some teams and stuff just don't climb really a lot. >> And Miss Jones, most of our problem with the the athletics is because we don't have enough drivers. It's what I'm saying. >> It's not that we don't have the buses. It's not the cost. It's not any of that. It just comes down we don't have the drivers for them to drive because I know some baseball

078games they have to leave at se at sorry 2 o'clock. Uh that's during a route and you can't lose a driver during a route. >> That's what I'm saying. Yeah, it needs a position that a full-time position for somebody that's after hours and during the middle of the day. >> And that's an idea. That's that's a thought. >> Just don't take one of mine. [laughter] >> And Miss Jones, >> I have nobody in mind. But I'm thinking if you look at Marshall County, if you look at Lincoln County, I don't see how in the world they get anybody to drive a bus for $7.25 an hour. >> There you go. >> I mean, they just driving for insurance. Yeah, >> it is difficult. It is difficult. And and the [clears throat] conundrum I'm I'm putting

079you in a round room and asking you to kneel in the corner. The conundrum is we got to reward our bus drivers and make it lucrative, but we can't price ourselves out of >> the other because there is an there's a balance. But it's got to be lucrative enough to where we want people driving for us and it's worth the rub. But then I mean we can pay them a you know but >> so if we pay the $25 per hour that you're you know that you think is a good price to pay compared to what we're paying now at 16. What's the what's the price per student difference? Is that >> Well, like I showed you on this sheet that I had yellow on it. >> Yes. Yes, sir. >> Uh from from 1665

080from 1665 to $25. Okay. And I did this by 60 kids. I thought that was a load. >> Yes, sir. That's what I thought. >> Zero to three hours, it's 41 cents. >> So, we're looking at 41 cents per student. >> Yes. For four hours, it's 56 cents. Now, this is 60 kids. Now, >> and the other is don't forget what Mr. Gilly said, and that is correct. You have your athletics that are taking it could be football might be one one uh trip a week, but you might get into basketball might have three or four trips a week or baseball or now baseball's not been able to because of the timing. Uh but but you do run into that and that's going to come from their boosters [snorts] normally >> or inside of the

081athletic account at the school, >> right? However you want to say it's the athletic group, >> however they can figure out how to pay it, >> right? >> I believe it's an 80% increase. Is that right, Miss Milson? >> So we're we're talking about $2460. >> Yes. I can go back tomorrow and and put all this back into a spreadsheet for the 1665 minus the 25 and divide it by 40 if you want me to and send it to all y'all the same sheet. >> I I think the cost is plain to plain to see and all of us can agree that the cost is just going to have to be something we're going to have to figure out how to do. >> I think what everybody's concerned here and tensions is about is the

082state we're in with it. how much it does cost and and and how much we are putting on people to have to pay and come up with I I don't think the actual cost to make this continue and keep happening >> is going to be that I mean it is going to be a hit obviously with a system this size but you got to do something where the where are the most trips because I don't see buses carrying uh maybe the football team but they they don't carry the basketball team so is I can't. >> Is it field trips that do that? >> Anything until 4:30, I cannot get to you. >> Right. So, that's what I'm saying. There's nothing after school. >> I can't I can't service you, >> right? At all. And that's

083sad. >> I just don't have I just don't have enough people though. I mean, I'm sitting in the seat every day. [clears throat] So, we're not late. That way, we're not like Warren County. I of having to double up route. >> If I need to drive, I'm going to drive. I will not have a doubled up route. Your kid needs to at school just like mine does. My kid needs to eat breakfast like yours does. I shouldn't be late and that's why I do do what I do. >> So, what we're talking about here is the TW $25 for field trips. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Basically, because it's not it's not doesn't have anything to do with >> basketball. Okay. >> Well, it's any part of that. But >> I mean, it would see any

084school buses pulling up >> in there. I would love to carry the basketball team again because a Coffee County school bus should be sitting outside somebody's high school. It should be a good >> I agree >> and it ought to be >> we might even paint it red. Might we put Raiders on it? Have that one guy because I really like Freda's idea if we had just a couple of people that took care of our athletics that were afternoon shift and it it ain't necessarily athletics >> FFA going to competition >> with 15 or 20 people because you can't carry them in an SUV. 40. >> There you go. See what I'm saying? I mean, so >> these guys are kind of dedicated to our extracurricular activities [clears throat] that we >> it might be

085>> and and the fees may need we they need to pay a little more fees, but they'll have a cough county bus and the ability to have >> well at at the $25 an hour the 40 if you're carrying 40 students that um you're looking at 74 cents a kid additional cost >> for the school bus for the >> field for for the trip. Yeah. >> Yeah. That it's 74 cents a kid. That's based on 40 kids taking a bus. You know, that's the $25 and $25 an hour. >> And a lot of those kids would would uh >> would love to pay 74 >> would qualify for fee waivers. So, we could use some of that fee waver money to pay. And I was gonna ask, do free and reduced lunch students um do

086they pay for field trips? >> No. So their parents aren't going to be affected by >> Well, that cost is passed on. >> Yes. >> Somebody's paying us. >> But but it would be us. Well, that that's where the fee waiver money. >> Right. But it wouldn't be the parents. It would be us. >> Right. >> The other thing is do the math. On a 14 team, you got 12 on your basketball team. That price goes up quite a bit. It's not 40. That's if with groups of 40 buses for smaller. We have smaller groups that do that. And that cost is much going to bus them. >> Exactly. But we want them on a bus cuz we want them on a Coffee County bus that represents us. >> We need a small bus and

087a big bus for all athletics. Just run them around. Keep them busy. >> Cover middle school games. Cover high school games. Cover this. Cover that. [laughter] >> Mr. Dr. Tim, I have a question for you. >> All right. We we've approached the idea of hiring after school drivers, but if we made their pay $25 an hour, is there a chance that your regular drivers are going to want your lower pay regular drivers are going to want to leave the regular job and come over and take that position? Is that >> No, because I won't let them do that. >> Okay. Well, they won't be getting they wouldn't be getting benefits. >> You wouldn't Yeah. And you you can't leave me to go do that. >> Okay. [laughter] >> I'm not I'm not up here discussing

088that at all. That will not be at all. >> I just didn't want to create more problems for you. [laughter] >> Okay. I have a question for you. Um, what would be in your opinion, just your opinion, because I feel like you have a better grasp on on this than probably anybody in here, but will our field trips at what point what is the breaking point in pay where our field trips are jeopardized in your opinion? We've talked about anywhere from what $16 an hour to $26 an hour. I think all of us want our schools to be able to take their field trips like usual. And so I'm just asking in your opinion, >> what is that that that sweet spot >> to get everybody to come to to get to have enough people

089to do it? >> Yes. And and with confidence that you're going to have people in your opinion? That's a hard question. >> At least $23. >> Okay. >> Minimum. Minimum. [clears throat] Okay. Well, the thing about it, you're a new driver, first year driver, zero experience. You know, they're they're making 21.90 an hour. You know, at the bare minimum, you know, that's $22 an hour. You know, a driver that's got 25 years of experience is making $29 an hour. you're going to ask your experienced drivers to give up money to go take a trip, you know? I mean, my thing is it needs to be a amount that is, you know, no, the your experienced drivers, you know, a 25 year driver, you're not going to pay them $29, you know, go take that trip.

090But it needs to be something that's somewhere more reasonable. And it don't it does not need to be below the basically the $22 an hour because that's what you're paying a first year driver to to drive. >> You're talking about a percentage on your normal look at it as a percentage on your normal pay you receive. >> No, I'm just saying select the number somewhere between the 2190 and the 2901 is what they what they're normally making an hour. you know, so whether it's $22 an hour, $23 an hour, $25 an hour, you know, whatever. But, you know, they should not be making less than what they will make driving, you know, a a a new driver with zero experience, what they make an hour driving a a bus. and and he's brought up a

091great point and but I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but it's different driving 2 hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon because you're running routes during that making that hourly pay. When you drive on a 4-hour field trip, you're not driving 4 hours. No, but the thing that you got to remember though is you're, you know, when you're running a route, most of the time, unless you're you're transporting from from your last pickup and you're running down the highway to the school, you know, you're running at a slow speed. When you take field trips, you're jumping out here on the interstate with 100,000 idiot drivers out here and you're running 65 to 70 miles an hour with a bus full of kids. you know, the safety factor that the the

092the liability that's put on that driver at that point trying to watch everything around them, >> you know, >> it does while they're driving, but the other time if [clears throat] they go to a ball game, they're watching a a JV game, a varsity game, two varsity. >> That's >> yeah, they're sitting. But I mean, you know, thing is you got to pay you got to pay people to get them to do. And another small benefit, whenever you're doing a trip, >> normally there is a teacher or coach in the back watching the kids, whereas whenever you're on a route, you're you're having to take care of those kids as well as drive. So that that's that's a little difference, too. Just want to bring that up. >> So a good happy point, medium point

093would be the $25 an hour. >> That that's the average between the two. On the sheet that I gave you of people I have that drive for me, none of them are senior. None none of them are seniors. Nobody's topped out. Nobody at $29 an hour is on my trip sheet right now, period. Uh, and here's the thing. Ronnie Mer works on small engines. >> He's leaving probably a $50 an hour job to drive school bus for us. >> Jim Medler builds houses. He's leaving that. Randy Clark does some things, too, and he fishes. I don't know how much money you put on fishing, but that would be high to make they leave to do these things for the kids and stuff. So, it's just But like I said, whatever y'all do, I will support.

094I will work with you. I'll do the best I can. Uh, >> you handled that very well, Tim. I appreciate you. Hey, and we appreciate what the bus drivers do. Please hear my responses or No. >> Can I ask one more thing? >> Yeah. >> Just tear this band-aid right off. >> Can you at some point or maybe Melson if we know What does groups and athletics and things of that nature what the annual average income from those groups and things are comes back into the they're charged? How much are they charged current >> like what they send up here like what we get? >> Well, what what what what money is generated by? >> So we get so like if it's a field trip it will come to central office. >> Okay. If it's

095related to a a sporting team that has a balance at the school, it stays at the school. So like they get they get the I'm sorry, all of it really. All it comes back up. Excuse me. I was thinking the school pays out of their athletic fund to up here. So all of it goes into a um revenue account which is >> averages a year. What does that account >> look? I don't I want to say last year was around 60,000. >> That's that's all. >> But I I don't quote me on that because that's what's it's either 40 or 60. I can't remember. But it's somewhere in that range. Look at that. >> I look it up. I just don't know. >> I have one question too. The dollar per mile >> comes back

096to you to the general fund, >> not to transportation. >> That's correct. >> Comes back. So I >> That's fine. No matter where it goes. >> Yeah. How much revenue is generated from >> Sports teams, field trips, DECA, FFA, whoever uses our buses outside of morning pickup and evening pickup. >> I'm recording. >> That's fine. And I don't have to have it right now. >> Just out just out of curiosity. Out of our 58 drivers, how many of them are at the or below the $25 an hour rate? >> That I'd have to get back to you on that. >> I have another thought, too. We're supposed to be paying the fee waver for parents in our elementary for sure. Isn't that included in that? or I mean we're parents should be happy that they're

097not having to pay all this other >> well to speak to Miss Holly made a great comment while ago about free and reduced. Free and reduced is gone. Um and there are TISA dollars tied to how we figure it now. And I'm I'm kind of ashamed to tell you that our state is the hardest state in our country right now to get economically disadvantaged label which is which also is accompanied by dollars. >> Right. Mhm. >> Your your question about fee waiver if for the amount of fee waiver money. Now this is whenever I was at East Coffee and I'm going off the back when in that information. If we used fee waver to pay for field trips and paid for everybody that was on fee waver they would and that's all we used to

098pay for the field trip. We wouldn't be going on field trips. There wasn't enough money in fee waver to take care of the field trip for everybody that was on fee waiver. So we have to put it out there to ask those parents to pay for that field trip for their child to go. And those that can will and those that can't let us would always let us know and we would figure out some way fee waiver or a a PTO or the school fund some way to get that child to go. But but if we use the fee waiver for all the fee waver students we wouldn't have been going on field trips. >> No, you're conf I wasn't talking about the the fee waiver that's provided by the state or the government. >>

099Okay. >> I was talking about us as a body. We voted to not have fees >> and we're eating them up. We're eating them ourselves. You know, they're not any out there anymore where every year there was a fee that was charged to every child. You know, we get we would get the list of each school of what their fees are. >> So, what mine's saying is is that we're not, >> you know, as opposed to [clears throat] fee wavers. One of them is is the local, you might say, fee wavers because they're the parents aren't having to pay those fees now. And we've forgotten that that we're we're you know the school system is paying for that, not the parents. >> Right. Right. >> So when you come back to this, >> this is

100kind of minor. It's not a lot of money to be put on. >> That's what I was saying, too. You're paying $24 for a whole trip. >> Yeah. It's there's no other fees. You know, there's no other fees being charged. >> We spent more money on other stuff. My point is, >> you know, we spent more money on other stuff to get other stuff bailed out of stuff. >> That's not >> Well, I I understand what you're saying, but that's just for that trip. >> I mean, if it's any longer. >> Well, how many trips do we take a year, would you say? >> 25 for the driver. >> But how many did you say we take? >> We we we're transporting kids all over this Grand State and beyond. I would say as far

101as like your elementary maybe each grade level one to two per year. >> Then you have all of your athletics and then your your DECAS and your all those. But as far as your elementary probably one to two [cough] per year >> over 100. Okay. >> How much money do we all lot for taking care of all the fees in the in the schools? It's a dollar amount >> a scoop the student >> and that keeps the that keeps the parents from having to pay that out of their >> pocket [clears throat] >> I think. No what? No. What I'm talking about is the general school. Have I lost my mind? >> Y'all know what I'm talking about? We voted. >> We voted not to charge fees to parents. Yeah. >> And I think some

102of the fees had to be charged at the high school because it wasn't. >> So, how much money are we how much money are we using for that? You see what I'm saying? The parents aren't paying that. >> We've been going after this. >> Yes, sir. U Mr. uh Ballard, I make a recommendation and and please hear me say this. Wherever the middle is, and y'all are going to be the ones that decide it. Wherever the middle is because there is give and take. I I hope that and we want our bus drivers happy. We also want our community members happy and we're not fundraising. It's a delicate balance and that numbers what's right and what feels right. Y'all are going to be the ones that decide that. Okay. But I I recommend that we

103take about a 10-minute break. >> Develop a transportation committee. >> [laughter] >> I would re recommend that. Morris, don't leave without any pizza. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> that sounds like a good idea. >> Thanks, >> thank you very much for your time. There's probably a lot [laughter] Wow, it's That's a All right, we are back. [cough] So, [clears throat] uh, next item on the agenda is Mr. Hardrove, uh, the complaint form. >> Um, early in the meeting or prior to the meeting, I handed out a copy of a proposed complaint form. Um this does not pertain to our employees. Our employees have a um well-defined grievance procedure uh in our policy. These are for parents. I think um this document could help us uh it helps ensure the on some legal compliance things as far

104as IDA or special ed and civil rights. I think it helps us show our due diligence with our investigation of things. It provides structure and a written record of things. And also I think it holds us accountable and ensures the following of the chain of command we have in place. Um, it just gives us a a track record and and [clears throat] we can document things and and try to and show where we've uh either resolved the problem or what we've done and and improve outcomes. It's just a lot better communication. Um, we have a lot of coaches that have something called a 24-hour rule. And if um, Mr. [clears throat] Hansard is upset with me at the end of a ball game. Well, [snorts] he's got to wait 24 hours to come see me.

105Sometimes our our heads get away from us. This is the same thing. Uh for someone to make a formal complaint, they're going to have to get in their car. Hopefully, time, well thought out. They get here, they have to request it, and it's just a complaint form. And you're more than welcome to take two or three minutes or four or five or whatever you need to peruse through this. Um, not this document can change. Recommendations are welcome. >> I like it because it's also accountability for the person that receives the complaints. >> Yes, ma'am. It holds us accountable. >> Yes, exactly. Where would a parent or student or community member get one of these? >> Central office. >> So, they have to come up here. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. They couldn't get it online.

106>> No, ma'am. There's your cool off, Tom. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, only a hard copy. >> There's a only a hard copy. >> Hard copy. >> Okay. >> A lot of people that [snorts] [clears throat] >> would do better not coming up here angry to pick this up when they would download it themselves. Maybe they have to turn it in in physical form, >> but could download. >> May maybe they >> that way they don't storm. >> Yeah, that's what I was going to say. Might be better. [laughter] >> I mean, I get it. >> That way you can take your time and write it neatly and you have to turn it in. >> Is this something we would need to approve at a at a board meeting? >> I'm not exactly

107sure where we stand, Dutton. I just wanted you to be aware that we're looking at implementing it and I think putting up um some time barriers for folks to be able to for calmer minds >> provides us that. And >> I like it though. It's really >> I like that you got the right to remain silent, not necessarily the ability. >> Right. I got you. Also, a lot of times when you feel like something has gone wrong within a 24-hour or even 48 hour peri period, more facts come to light >> and it's better to have all of the facts before you >> and then you might decide you don't even need to make a complaint. >> That's a great point. >> And it's very detailed. Sometimes when we're angry, we just run [clears throat]

108our mouths. This will give us a chance to be more thought out about it. >> Yep. >> Or it could escalate. It >> could just build. I don't know. [laughter] >> We might need more lines on here. >> I gota you have to they they had to write concisely. >> It's a good idea though. >> What What if I'm just throwing out a scenario. What if a parent or community member or somebody came up here wanting to complain to you? Are you going to Are you going to say you got to fill this out before I'm going to talk to you? I'm I'm just >> Okay. So they would have to sit in the in the foyer and fill this out before you would talk to them. >> Well, I mean I I read through

109it. I mean we'll set up an appointment and and I'll meet with them. >> Okay. >> And also all of that doc it will be documented on this >> when I met with them what I did, what we did, when was that. >> And I see this is a good thing. But what I'm thinking is are say someone came in and they thought it was an emergency that they talked with you. this is going to be the step they can't you in other words you're gonna say no I'm gonna talk to you tonight for today I'm just >> No no no no ma'am and and those are great things we can discuss I I just think and and there are a ton of variables on emergency and what is an emergency to Mr. Coons may

110be a different emergency to >> well maybe you could just use your discretion and say you know look this is something that that really needs to be put down where I can understand it better if it's somebody in there saying well so and so's >> so and so's brought something to school and [clears throat] I need to talk to you about it and I've heard this >> you know you would use your discretion to say well I don't think we need to fill one of these out I need to talk to you right now we can fill it out while we're sitting here or something >> a lot of my experience with this and another school district. Uh, cooler heads prevail once they start riding and they get into it. >> Right. Right. But I

111just >> I've seen people come in and get them and toss them out in the trash as they're agree. >> I [clears throat] mean, I can see somebody coming in saying >> daily. >> Yes. >> People just coming in and >> hey, I want to talk to you a minute. >> Uh, there's not a lot of appointment setting. It's mostly rules. >> How many have you had this week? That's been >> I had two phone calls today. >> Okay. So, are you going to have them fill out a complaint [snorts] before you talk to them? >> Uh, for one of the calls, I I'm not sure um if it's that, but I'd say it's probably a have them fill out a sheet if and the other one's not. It was resolved just >> Well, it's

112actually not resolved, but we're in the process of resolving it. >> And in that aspect, it's we have documentation, >> right? and and I I I think this is good, but I just think we we need to make sure that that you you've got the right to use your discretion because I know you >> you're you've got enough skills about you that you know >> people that you need to bring on into your office and talk with. I just don't want us to get the get the >> uh the looking like that we're not going to be talking to anybody or listening to anybody until they formally fill out something. I'm not a very good hider, Miss Fina. I haven't hid well. >> Do you have many visitors a week? >> Most some. Yes, sir.

113>> Few, sometimes not, sometimes two. You know, it just >> Are people usually do they feel comfortable sharing like their name and all that? Is that going to be an issue? Like, do they want to have a private I'm going to tell you my name, but I want to tell you this, >> right? I I struggle with the anonymous. >> Yeah. >> If if you got something that's bothering you and wearing on your heart that much, >> I'll listen to y'all. Sit down and we'll go through this together. I mean, it's we're we're a people business. >> Yeah. >> And I think Miss Freda brought up a great point. It doesn't insulate it. But it does provide >> an insulation if need be. >> And sometimes folks just need to cool off >> and then

114it's [clears throat] awesome to talk with them. They just want to be heard and that's okay. >> Do we need to somehow get this in policy >> on how this is handled? >> Um, I'll look I'll look and see if uh there are other school systems that incorporate this portion [clears throat] into their policy, the complaint form. But I mean on the grievance end, our policy, our employee grievance procedure is well outlined in policy. Maybe I look at that. That's a great point, Miss Beth. >> I believe this would just be considered a a procedure. >> Yes, sir. >> More than something to be in policy, but um on that, what what's the procedure once a parent turns this in, fills this out? What does it come directly to you? Does it I mean that's

115[clears throat] >> if if if and we haven't done a drill a dry drill on this but I believe the young lady sits on in that front desk >> it'll go straight from her hands to my hands. >> Okay. >> And also I like it. It gives me a reference. It gives me something to >> put another basket on your desk. >> It does. He gives another [laughter and clears throat] starts another stack. But it just gives me some reference points and you know there's a a conclusion and that's a hard question sometimes. I mean uh Miss Jones, what are you wanting out of this conversation? What is your goal? Well, they have to write that down and it it helps guide how we deal with with people, you know. I I just think it's

116a a good practice. And um >> are these >> I just wanted y'all to be aware, >> right? >> Are these I'm sorry. >> Didn't mean to interrupt. >> I was just going to ask are these kept private or cuz you know if you've got somebody list out a complaint or an issue in detail, you know, they might want to be reassured that this would not be shared or you know is is it entered in into any software anywhere or just >> piece of paper? >> That's right. Okay. >> And a file. >> Okay. >> What if this was someone that wasn't efficient in filling out forms and writing down their thoughts? You can some Could you do it? I mean, could somebody do that? I mean, I'm help them if they were in able

117of writing. >> I'd look at them with or file 13, [laughter] >> but you I mean, we've got to use judgment. Good judgment. It's I I I don't I'm not building a barrier, right? >> I mean, I just think I just think that that's what we're doing, you know, because one thing that we got complaints about was that >> no, it wasn't open, you know, and you can't just be wide open. Everybody walked in the door. >> And you know something, uh, Mr. Smith comes to you and, uh, I've got a problem and, uh, you've listened to Mr. Smith and we're on the second time and now the third time. Mr. Smith, if you go to the central office and fill out one of those complaint forms, I bet you the [clears throat] director will

118call you back. >> Supposed to be a tool for like if somebody came to you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Someone that's a good point because there is a lot of grandparents raising kids now, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So true. And so you crafted this. Thank you. >> Looks good. And Holly just brought a point, missed a point. Uh, should we get a copy of this in Spanish or >> Yeah, that's a great idea. >> Be a language barrier. >> Yep. And and Mr. Cordell, I'd be lying if I said I created this. I gave a template or an outline of what I wanted in it >> and we have a nice lady by the name of Melissa West Morland that came up with this. [laughter] So, all the kudos go to She created it.

119I just kind of told her what I'd like to see in it and she took it and ran with it. >> Wow. Well, that's great. Thank you. I got a question. The I notice on here, you know, the relationship underneath there, you got employee. If an employes got a complaint, don't they have a different >> They do >> course of action that they can go so they don't have to go through. This is more or less for parents than it is. >> Well, that that's part we get that removed. But the other thing is it lets me know that Miss Matthews that teaches over there at the elementary entry school came in with a complaint. Hey, >> this is a we have a formal grie, you know, or through her chain of command. I can

120direct her like I need to if she's one of our employees, >> right? >> We have agreement policy, >> right? I know we do. I mean, but that's what I'm I'm saying is this is more >> this is more for parents and guardians and students. >> Yes, sir. than it is for employees or >> it could be a community member. [clears throat] It doesn't matter. >> Yeah. >> Well, I think it would be good for an employee because a lot of times somebody might fill out a complaint on paper and turn it in and and might not feel comfortable going to complaining somebody. >> We do have one for employees. >> Well, the only thing about the employee is a lot of employees will be afraid of retribution. So, they're not going to put their

121name up there. >> Right. >> Well, you already have this for employees. Everything for employees is already here. Employees have a form they can fill out and they do have agreement process. Y'all have any suggestions? Don't hesitate to e uh email me and I love to listen. Y'all have already given me some rewriting me in some ways. You just don't know it yet. >> Mr. Ballard. >> All right. >> Give me two thumbs up. >> On to uh policy 6.708, awards and scholarships. And I don't remember who put this on. >> Okay. Uh this was a conversation that we had a couple of months ago and [clears throat] um a lot most districts have just dropped qu stopped carrying the this policy. It just talks about and and you all uh you [laughter] all were

122present last spring and I want to thank I was kind of up here a time or two in May and the three-hour event at our high school where we do our scholarship recognition. I mean you can look at the policy we're going to be us and we celebrate our academics. We celebrate those in our elementary schools, in our middle schools, and our high schools. That's the business of celebrating what our kids do. Um, a lot of school systems don't have this policy, and we don't do it because it's impolicy. We do it because that's our business. So, I think the just dropping the policy. So your your recommendation is adopt this policy and that's what we're discussing here. >> Yes sir. >> You okay? >> If I remember correctly, I apologize, Mr. Gilly, but I

123want to thank uh Mr. Parsley and Miss [snorts] Freda had this conversation the last time it came up, >> but go ahead, sir. >> Uh I'm going I don't I don't think we need to drop this policy. Okay, >> there's a couple [snorts] good points in there. One of them being number two, item number two on line six. Uh, you drop that right there. We could be giving awards away for ideological things that we don't necessarily agree with. And I don't think where there, you know, I think that we definitely need a policy that says we can't do that. >> Gives us some protection. we stay out of that that you've got some protective measures to keep this clean and keep it right. >> So duly noted. >> You know, we we just got a

124little bit of criteria here that you must meet to do this. And if we have it in policy, we protect all of our schools, elementary through high school. >> Well enough. with great point >> with a protective cloak that we as a board can come in [snorts] at any point any time if there's something even in this bring it to policy committee but you know like I say it sounds like this will have to go to policy committee anyways to decide or not [clears throat] >> and that's just you know there's still another committee then ultimately the full board will yeah we're going to do that or not and that's Monday. >> So, is there any advantage to just drop the policy? >> You don't have to go to the policy committee and it's one

125less policy. >> And oh, by the way, I mean, I owe you all apology. Apology. We're behind on policy. And um the >> Been waiting on you. Tell me when you want to meet. >> The absence of uh of people has has kind of created, but they're [cough and clears throat] exactly where they need to be. But it it's >> it ain't nothing but one day. You see what we can do around? >> Yes, sir. [laughter] >> All right. Well, discussion there. Um, we did have one thing that Holly wanted to add. Um, policy 4.302 and we don't have a copy of it in the packet, but um >> I think there is. Is it in here? >> I didn't think there was, but yep. Chris pointed out to me that it was in there.

126I was scrambling. >> Oh, okay. There it is. Got it. Okay. Well, >> you have the floor. >> Okay. So, uh recently this policy came into question um regarding overnight field trips. >> Mhm. >> And um I feel like that we all kind of interpreted it the same way, but maybe not. So [clears throat] I thought we could get some clarity on and the wording and if we need to change the wording to make it more clear or if we need to leave it alone and just >> you know decide upon how we interpret it. But overnight field trips have to be approved by the board I learned soon after getting on the board they we approve them every board meeting in general consent. I've not been a part of a meeting yet that any

127one of them have even been in question >> at all. So, um, but it does we we can see the approval form that the sponsor of the field trip filled out and got it approved. It shows you uh where the students are staying, how they're uh I believe like how their lodging is, chaperones that are going, how they're getting transportation, >> [clears throat] >> uh financial probably feasibility, all that kind of stuff. So, um I do think that it is important that we we keep it like it is, but um [clears throat] there there was an incident where there was there was a overnight field trip that was not approved >> and that's where the wording came into question. And so I just want to clarify in [snorts] my mind when I read this policy

128and I feel like most everybody sees it this way, although I could be wrong. The reason I say that is because teachers and coaches and club sponsors keep submitting them [laughter] >> right >> to to approve for us and and thank you, you know, because that's what we want. Um but um it says any request that requires students to or stay overnight requires prior board approval. That's odd wording in my opinion. I don't know if we could make that more clear or what, but just when I when I read it, and maybe it's because we just approve them all the time. I'm making assumptions I could make. The way I see it is if you have an overnight field trip and you're taking a group of students and you're going to spend the night, you're

129not coming home, um whether it's in state or out of state, if you're spending the night, because I don't think that's even specified, um it needs board approval, period. um for lots of different reasons, but I'll open the floor for discussion if I'm wrong about that or if I've interpreted wrong. [clears throat] >> Yes, ma'am. Are you making reference to the middle school cheerleading trip? Okay. It's it's my understanding that the coach um the coach's only request or competition starts at whatever time in the morning. Mhm. >> Some of our students left with their family and turned it into a long weekend and went up and stayed Friday night. Took Friday. Uh it's my understanding that some uh children went to school, some did not made the journey. It's my understanding that there were even

130cheerleaders that went on Saturday morning. >> Wow. So they must have left about 2 a.m. There you go. >> This was at Yeah, that's cuz some of them were at my house. They didn't even go to the competition because it wasn't a mandatory competition. >> Okay. >> But >> that's irrelevant. >> I mean, whether they win or didn't go, there's >> not really because it wasn't a scheduled school event because when a parent picks their kid up at 3:30, >> I have no business telling that parent what they could do with their kid after they pick them up and take them into their care, custody, and control. >> Well, >> I don't I don't have that ability. Now, >> if our coach, you got a gray gray area there. or coach had an event that

131they were required to be at even though their parents had to carry them there. Yes, that needs to be just like it says any request that requires students to stay overnight requires prior board approval. Yes, >> most definitely. >> But the way I understood that >> there say some of them spent the night with my daughter at my house and didn't go. Well, whether it's required or not, if you're taking students to spend the night, whether you >> if it's required, yes, they it needs to be bored. >> But I mean, even if it's not required, if you're taking a group of kids on behalf of Coffee County Schools to represent Coffee County Schools and they did, they represented Coffee County Schools and they spent the night and did not return back, it should be

132approved by the board. Correct. Am I wrong? >> If [clears throat] what am I missing? Any request that requires students to to or stay overnight requires prior board approval. What am I missing? >> That's what I'm asking. What am I missing? >> Well, if it require if if it requires them to stay overnight, that requires board approval. >> To me, that the word the word or >> has a very powerful meaning. Yeah. Because if the students, you know, are required to or if they stay overnight because of that event, that should >> that's even more that's even more controlling. And when I say when I take that as being even more controlling, that means that the coach said, "We're going to have this event. You better be here. You either go with us and stay

133overnight or you're going to show up tomorrow out of town or whatever because out of town is still part of our reasoning for having to have the >> the approval or Mhm. >> that word. >> So, in my in my eyes, this sentence right here. >> Yeah. >> To me, it doesn't mean or because [clears throat] doesn't seem to fit there to me. >> We don't really care. >> Yeah. Or probably >> if they've been required or not. If you're taking a group of students, >> required is required. >> We need a board approved. >> Well, the other thing is when you I I just from my mind when you say they the coach didn't take anybody. These children left at whatever time with their parents on their own. Some didn't leave, some did leave.

134>> Student to stay. >> I mean, I've been on this definitely and I drove my my kid, >> your child, >> but to add it and then you can take the plane off again to land it on my end. My conversation with the building leader and another administrator on that. uh either one, we don't if it's not required, they don't need to receive a day off as a school event. >> Okay? Or two, we need to get it approved by the board. One of the two. So that's their understanding moving forward. >> Either way, I feel like the trip should have been approved. It was approved the year prior. >> If it was just an oversight and they forgot, then let's just call it what it is, >> right? you know, instead of trying to

135manipulate words around in a policy to cover, let's just call it what it is. It was >> well, moving forward, they're going to it'll be you'll see it again. >> Now, there's >> Well, there's nothing wrong with your policy. Your policy here said they were supposed to have prior board of approval. If it was a scheduled event that I was made aware that it wasn't because if it was a scheduled and mandatory event, then why were some kids spending night with my daughter in Manchester, Tennessee? I think the word [laughter] I think the word required is the big focus >> if it's required. >> Yes, it it's to me whether it's required said we're going to go do this better fill that form out and they better get approval from the board. >> Yeah. Whether

136you required them to or not, that's it doesn't matter. But if you're just taking >> Oh, yeah. That does matter because if I didn't require them to and parents along with maybe the participation of the coach decided to take and go to Gatlinburg for the weekend and whoever went and whoever decided they wanted to go just decided to enter into an event that didn't have nothing really to do with the school, just a cheer competition. [clears throat] >> That's their prerogative. Who am I, you or anybody else in this room to tell them what they can do on the weekend with their kids? I mean, who paid the entry fee into the competition? [clears throat] Probably Coffee County Schools and Coffee County Schools. >> That's a big assumption right there because if some of the

137kids was over at my house and didn't go to this competition, >> then that's even that I mean that's that's a criminal matter. That's a criminal matter of some misappropriation of funds. If somebody did that and then it wasn't this orchestrated event. Well, then then I mean I guess maybe we need to define what is an overnight field trip and what is not considered a field trip because uh that was not considered a field trip. >> Moving forward, they'll there's an expectation to fill out the >> 10 I'm going to use football for an example. 10 football players wanted to go to a camp like I have done and loaded up 10 other kids and carried them to a football camp and didn't ask permission to take those kids on a Saturday because their parents

138said, "Are you going to that camp? I'd love if you if he could ride with you. Can he ride with you?" What's the difference? >> What's the difference? >> Well, I mean, >> coach didn't organize it. School system didn't organize it. >> Right. Right. But the schools, >> I called 10 other parents that I'm friend with and said, "Hey, you want your kids to ride with me? That's my liability." >> Well, they were there representing Coffee County Schools cheer team. And Coffee County Schools, I can guarantee you, most likely [clears throat] paid the entry fee because I've been on the trip and I know that I didn't pay the entry fee. Um, and I just think that we need some clarity um, and expectation set that if it needs to be approved, if you're taking

139kids to spend the night and it needs to be approved, board needs to approve it. We don't need to try to talk about wording manipul playing word [clears throat] games on policy because everybody else is following this standard and they're [snorts] going out of their way, coaches, teachers, club sponsors are going out of their way to make sure they get those approval forms in well in advance because usually we get them the month before the trip even happens. And if we start, you know, wavering back and forth, then >> nobody has to do it anymore. >> We've had some that that have, you know, come [clears throat] in at the last minute. And that's a problem because then the executive because they >> and that happened on this trip the year before, right? At the

140last minute. >> Two incidents relatively recently where that's happened where the executive committee has to approve it. And I'm not really comfortable doing that without the full board doing it. >> Exactly. So yeah, that that would be a big exception that >> Yeah, it it shouldn't always be an emergency. So I I agree with you on that. So they need to get them in advance. Yeah. >> I mean, Holly, I don't want to create war over this. I'm just saying because I I literally knew about this because I was contacted the very next week going, [clears throat] >> these these children here that was on this team, >> their parents contacted and said, >> "What do we do about this? Because our principal's got in trouble, our coaches got in trouble, everybody's getting chewed out.

141What do we do about this? But our kid was over at your house >> and they didn't even go to Gavinburg. >> Well, if they didn't elect to go, then they elect to go. I mean, >> so but the kids that did go, their parents made that decision to take them. Who are we or you to tell that parent, >> no, you're not going to do that unless I approve you to do that. >> If you're going to represent the Cal County schools, that changes the difference required when it wasn't. >> But you're representing the Coffee County schools. If you're representing Coffee County Schools, it doesn't matter whether you're required or not. Your insurance if you and break your leg or something. The insurance for coffee double cheerleader whatever event. >> I'm I'm not sure

142about that. >> I mean, was it a sponsored TWS double cheerleader or whatever they're in event like a competition that we get points and >> Yeah, it's a >> like football does to get their trophies or whatever. But liability is big. >> If a girl had a fail and broke her leg up there, who would have paid for it? >> And who would be responsible? >> Golf County schools. >> And if somebody would have come back and say >> cuz they would have called me and said, "Well, wait a minute. It wasn't a mandatory event. Some of the kids was even over at your house, Mr. Board Member Gilly. It wasn't even a mandatory event. >> Those kids went on behalf of Coffee County Schools. So if we are liable for their safety, what if

143a kid had gotten lost? What if a kid had gotten hurt? You think those and those families want to sue us? They're going to say, "Where was this? Where was this trip board approved?" We're we're looking at all to see if all the check boxes are checked. And it is a liability issue. Doesn't matter if some kids opted out of the trip or not. If our teachers, coaches, sponsors took a group of kids out of town or wherever to spend the night on Coffee County Schools behalf with Coffee County Schools money. It needs to be board approved. That's what the policy says. >> I think to settle that issue and because it could potentially be a standing issue that's almost a criminal matter if funds was used and this is being portrayed as it wasn't

144a se scheduled sanctioned whatever kind of event. Well, I'm not questioning the >> and it's it's this and it was mandatory and it was representing of Coffee County and strategically Coffee County kids. We're >> and I think >> coffee County cheer squad competed today in New York City. >> It's that they use the Coffee County name. If they had called themselves the Unicorns or whatever, >> if you want to go on your I don't think anybody cares about >> I don't know. I mean, do we know for a fact they did? Is that was that something? >> Yes, they absolutely did. >> They did. Okay. in your assumption or when you got involved >> and and moving forward next year when it comes around there'll be an expectation uh filling out the overnight form. >>

145So basically they just need to follow policy. >> Follow policy. That's all we're asking. >> Okay. Exactly. Follow policy that making sure people are aware >> in that if we have coaches or teachers that maybe don't know or you know or they you forget we're human. Okay. then maybe just bring, you know, bring this up. [snorts] Just make sure you're aware. We got a lot of people that do it. I mean, we see it on the agenda every week. We approve them every week. I've never seen us not approve one. Um, so it's a very common thing that we do and it, you know, oversightes do happen. I get that. But maybe, maybe we just need to make sure that everyone is aware of what the policy says and what is required for overnight field

146trips. Well, I think it would be easily just go through and change some of the wording on this clear. Take that or out. That doesn't make sense. >> It's [clears throat] pretty clear. I think the issue here is just somebody didn't get reprimanded to the level that >> all it needed to be. >> Well, the the or is weird. Students too >> get reprimanded to the level >> reprimanded. I don't know. I mean, I that's not my fault. >> Is that the Well, but well, but that's the concern here and that's the issue here. Somebody got through without a >> Yeah. >> supposed overnight form. >> Yeah. >> Did they get enough punishment? >> I have no idea. You'd have to ask Mr. Char. I don't know. >> There's an expectation. >> Policyy's policy. Policy

147was here before. Policy's here now. Policy will be here tomorrow. [clears throat] >> I guess that's what we're talking about. >> If I were a betting man, and I'm not, I bet it doesn't happen again. >> Pretty well say so. I guess what I'm hearing is we need to follow policy. >> Bingo. >> No, no, no. [laughter] >> Well, no, no, no, no, no. We need to kick this to the policy committee to at least take the verbage take the ore out. Yes. >> And put in another required any required event by the teacher. >> It says that any request that requires students >> two requires in that one sentence. So [clears throat] I think to stay overnight, but it doesn't say [snorts] the event itself is required. Anything that doesn't make sense leaves room

148for interpretation. Yes, it does. So, it needs to be absolutely be susceptible. >> Most of these policies could be interpreted multip if there was a request to stay overnight. >> Well, >> take your out and [laughter] we put the >> All right. >> Well, I think it could be made clearer. >> Let's move on. >> I think it could be made clear. >> All right. >> Go back down. Next item up is uh school financing. Um and we did our our little um for the renovation financing for Hickerson and East Coffee. We did our presentation to the commissioners. >> Yes, sir. >> There's some push back and on on how much it costs. I think there's, you know, from what what I've heard and and other I know other board members have heard, there's a

149little misunderstanding. They took the 67 million and they don't understand what an architect's estimate is as opposed so they said, "Why don't you have three bids?" And and so there's some some confusion there. So, we need to do some clarity on that. But basically, you know, from from what I've heard is they're saying, well, [clears throat] you said, you know, you came in, you did this presentation, nice presentation, and you know, you told us what you want to do. You said you want 67 million, and basically you're telling us to go out and find you 67 million and give it to you. And >> and what I hear out of that, Mr. Ballard is probably another visit to our [clears throat] finance and county commission finance and budget. >> Another [snorts] with because the devil's

150in the details. >> Uh and hopefully we can discuss opportunities outside of raising taxes and kind of develop a little more of a plan on on attack on how to fund this, right? um have wolves come back in. Um Mr. Shores was kind of left in alerts there and the gentleman's um >> spouse is is better. Hayes actually came by yesterday and visited with us, didn't he, Mr. Shores? >> Yeah. >> And um so we're kind of working together to have the second set and the [clears throat] details and that's what that's that's what they're they're going to want to know. I know they're suffering from sticker shock. >> Well, they are. >> We got to provide some different options with different >> I guess personally what I think what we need to do is

151go back and tell them provide them some case studies on how this has been done recently, >> what the options are. Make it, you know, as easy as possible for them to say, "Okay, these are our options." Instead of just dumping it all in their lap. is just kind of what they were hearing is and and I you know I totally get that you know and uh but if we go back and we we look at put together a little packet on here's how these things get forecasted [clears throat] here's some case studies on how it's been done in other areas in Tennessee recently >> then you can get that dialogue going it's still going to be expensive how we're going to save money and an understanding of what what the process is [clears throat]

152um because they were totally confused on on the difference between an architect's estimate as opposed to three bids. I mean, I heard a lot of confusion on that. >> And and so >> the bid process needs to be part of that. We just need to walk them through it in a little bit more in a much more detailed manner. When when I went to budget and finance as well as the county commission, I had a task that was put on to me by this board. This board voted the direction that you felt like we needed to go for the building of um Hickerson and uh East Coffee with the addition and renovation. And that's what I took to the county commission. Now, it's not my place to go against what this board stated, and the

153board voted to go with a full new building at Hickerson with four sections and renovation at East Coffee with three sections. And that's what I did take to the county commission. I can't I didn't feel like it was my place to say, okay, my board said this is what we're gonna we want to do and this is our our decision. I can't go back. I can't come up with well this is an option and this is an option and this is option because that [clears throat] wasn't what the board tked me to do with what I took. So, so >> I think what the the problem was, Mr. shores was is the we didn't have any idea of what how you were the presentation was going to go and we didn't know that whenever you

154made the presentation that [clears throat] it was like one of one of the commissioners that text me in the middle of the meeting was well are y'all not going to be putting anything toward this or what are y'all going to be doing to help this situation out what kind of money are y'all going to be putting forward and whenever you said that well we're just going we want it all and that's not we didn't even know that you were going to say that. None of the board knew that you were going to say that. So whenever we're going like were y'all are y'all not going to try to put any money toward this at all. >> I was asked the question >> I understand but >> and and I I gave the answer of y'all

155didn't send me down there to say I'm going to we can give money to towards this. No, it's mine. >> You gave me to go down for the money to fund what I put out. Uh >> I mean, if you wanted me to, I absolutely could, but and I think uh Mr. Harrove actually stood up and and spoke >> in the behalf of the the board, but I didn't feel like I could do that on that part for the >> Why ain't Tim still here listening to me? I >> I could [laughter] I couldn't I couldn't do that. That that's not my place. [clears throat] So, when they asked me questions, I answered to the best of my ability. >> That's what we're saying. We didn't know what you were going to say and we

156didn't have any type of presentation that that was going to be made and that's I'm just telling you what what I in what I got in in the middle of the the meeting. We didn't have any. They wanted to know. One of the commissioners text me and said, "Where are y'all not getting any other bids?" And like, "Well, this is just a, you know, uh, architect that's that's come up with this price right now." And so, we would have to go, we were having to go and kind of backtrack and explain what we knew, but we had no worthy out. And I'm not saying it's your fault, Mr. Shores. I'm just saying what what questions that we were asked for us that was at the meeting. We didn't even get out of the building before

157we were kind of bombarded with questions. >> That makes me feel good that they started asking you questions. That means they heard and they listened and was on top of it. >> I don't think we want to change what we want to do. It's just exactly we got to work with them on on what the >> We do and that's the next step. >> The financing end of it. >> We were in a pinch. I thought he did a great job. He that wasn't his job. That should have been a wolves. We pay that farm and but the gentleman couldn't have h have it >> can't help that >> but >> that that was the best we could offer for that time. Okay. And I thought he did a great job with on the short

158leash. >> Was it perfect? Well, none of our talks are ever perfect. Good lord. I've got in my mouth half the time. But [laughter] I guess my [clears throat] point is um I understand where we're and I I I get that we need to have much it needs to be a much more detailed with options [clears throat] with funding with uh um options. >> We're going to have to add that one. >> Oh, without a doubt. >> And I felt very good the other day, Mr. Harrove came back from uh being around with some a commissioner and he asked said, "I'd like for us to have a sit down and talk." >> I was the one he asked that to. >> Well, that's nice. Uh so ultimately, >> I appreciate that. >> Good. Uh but

159ultimately, I thought that that was a good thing that if he wants to sit down and they want to talk, that opens up the door for you. If you want to say you're going to pay fund the whole thing, that's up to you. That's not up for me. Uh that's this board's decision, but but ultimately a discussion is is good and I think we need to include Wald with that and and I did talk to to Von Dirks today which is the the lead on it and and he he he agreed we we need to have those talks. Uh we're plan on having tours. uh the plans for the tours. I think it's the 17th and the 24th and uh the 17th is in the I'm going to have to look. >> Well, it's the

16017th and the 24th of this month. I've got to confirm this with the commission. That's one of my goals in the morning. And one of them will be a midday or morning meeting from 9 to 12. And then the other one will be the next Tuesday will be for folks that that work during the day. Will be more of an afternoon 4:30 to probably 7. We'll meet out here. Our transportation supervisor hopefully will [clears throat] drive us and uh in both sets of trips and um and we'll visit three schools. We'll visit both schools in question which are Hickerson and East Coffee and we'll also visit New Union. I think it's important that they [clears throat] see what we're talking about and it won't take long but >> well they can compare it cost 40

161if it takes over three hours it's going to cost more than405 an hour. [laughter] Okay. But that's our goal also. Um just spending, you know, spending time with our commissioners and having those good conversations and >> hopefully >> Yeah. And I'm I'm not being critical of things because we needed to do that, [clears throat] >> but I'm saying that that hindsight being 2020 as it always is is, >> you know, >> I hope that they're asking. I hope they're thinking. I hope those things are coming to their mind and they're asking you and coming to you. It it's it's means they're thinking about it. You know the situation. Please. Yes, Mr. Hanser. Talk to them. Explain. Uh can I expect everybody whenever anybody tells a whole group that they're going to get the full understanding?

162No, they're they're not. It didn't matter if it was W or if it was me or or who it was. So, if they have questions, I'm glad they're coming to you and asking, but we we need we need to be prepared to have that that meeting with them and and continue because we we we need something done for these schools and and they're the ones that we go to for that. So, uh and if you've got questions or if you've got concerns or ways, yeah, bring them to us cuz we want to build together. And I I think that's what what we're doing here is it's a discussion we got to have and it's going to be a long discussion because it's a lot of money. Absolutely it is. You know, part of the discussion

163needs to be okay. >> You know, they they don't understand the difference between an architect's estimate and three bids, you know. So, that's something that they need to be clear on. They need to be clear on what exactly our fund balance is and what it represents. So, we need to have that discussion with them. And we also need to look at, you know, what how do these things get financed? Because I don't know right now, you know, does anybody >> No, I'm glad they didn't ask me because I wouldn't have known the answer either. So >> there's a lot of be in the same spot. county has 100% funded like we did the amount of money is not the same but with the union renovations they 100% funded it through a bond >> right >>

164and so that I guess that's why I mean when answered it that's going off well >> and you got to also look at their how they're going to find it in what area they're going to use real depth or whatever because ADM >> Right. Exactly. Exactly. So, >> so there's many there's many different tactics and ways this is going to have to be discussed. It's going to be a process. >> Why would we offer to pay for it? You know, if there's a chance that it could be fully funded by the county, >> it would be silly of us to be like, I would love for us to pay 75% of this straight up. That's not how that works. So, the county must do that. But, but they need to, you know, but that's part

165of the dialogue they need to understand is is that >> we don't have [clears throat] $20 million we can just throw at this and you know, but they don't understand how our fund >> I'm not allowed to go get any bonds. That all has to come to the county, >> right? Right. The county has to fund it. Yeah. I'm basically waiting on the county to whatever work out financial part of this with the county. I can't go get >> Well, is it even possible for us to throw a fund balance any you know any part of our fund balance at it? >> If you do if you do that with fund balance then you'll have to ADM with the other systems. Correct. not necess what are we doing funded fund balance or uh real depth

166then so >> yeah that's what that's what it be looked at would be rule >> I don't know if we can do that because once a transaction goes from us to that can you answer that misspel >> so they would still fund it I think even balance but are there longterm things that we need to think about when we talk about Right. >> But we don't know what federal dollars are going to do next year. There's a lot of things like that, but we may get in a situation where we will have to renovations that we're doing that will see on agenda next week and upcoming meeting. Those things are coming from balance, >> right? [clears throat] >> If we want to continue to get our future, compete with other counties, but some of that

167may have come from balance, >> right? And I don't think they understand the difference between our restricted fund balance and our unrestricted fund, you know. So some of these things we we're going to have to educate them on is [clears throat] >> we do have a good majority but about half of our assignments are restricted and those are things we use for like 2028 when all the Chromebooks have to be replaced and I'm just I don't know >> but we'll have to pay about four to five million books and so we're reserving money to be able to pay for those and not have to out of the budget. >> Also, the new textbook adoption, English adoption, >> I think. >> You're looking at a million dollar. >> I will be I will understand that, but

168but >> I understand. And and and one of the things that we've talked about and I talked about with um Mr. Morris as well as Mayor Hunt is having April come down and talk about because school budgets aren't anything close to what they were three years ago. We're in a Tissa formula. We're utilizing that. And we have April go down and share how we build our budget. We have Dr. Cornelius go down and share what Tissa means and what it means to us. Dollars. We want to build our partnership. And hopefully you'll get last Friday's email tomorrow and it'll have some other things on our finances that I'd really like to share with you all. But I I hear you loud and clear, Mr. Ballard. The devil's in the details, but we need to start

169providing >> uh more detailed information and kind of get along with the planning and what our next steps are. >> Now, my objective is not to be crit critical of those or anything. >> We're on the exact same page. Yes, sir. >> I'm basically saying we're going to have to roll up our sleeves and >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. We're ready to move to the next step. >> Yes, sir. >> What's that? >> We're ready to move to the next step. Yeah. >> True. >> That's where we are. >> Yeah. All right. >> I had a a commissioner today to ask me about the the bid for the football stadium. >> And that's something else that guys we're going to have to show, you know, in my opinion, in his, you know, is what are

170we going to do? You know, are we going to build a remodel the football stadium or are we going to build a school? >> Which one are y'all wanting to do? And I go, maybe both. I I don't know. But we just I don't you know those are questions that that's getting that I've heard you know and uh that's something that you know we're going to have to show them that we're doing our due diligence down here to >> Well, sure. But by no means talking with my mouth full. Sorry. >> We won't. >> I didn't get to finish my second piece. >> What's up? >> I'm not ashamed we have a fund balance. >> No, not at all. >> not at all. We I'm I'm proud that we try to do things conservatively [clears

171throat] with and spend our dollars wisely. >> And I'm not and that's not an indictment on our commission. >> No. >> That that's just our business. I'm proud that [clears throat] we are fixing up football stadium. We are going to LED lights everywhere in the system. We are putting up canopies at schools. We are spending every dollar that we have in our fund balance rather than having an issue of worrying if the county knows. The county just needs to know we're doing everything we can appropriate to do safely that we feel advised safely enough to get rid of to work on the same capital and infrastructure that we're still going to have to have including these schools. and they are they are good enough that they're willing to come to the table and okay well

172we'll talk about schools here but >> Mhm. You know, we >> we've not made we've not made bad decisions as a board. This board has not made bad decisions. >> Yeah. >> On money appropriation, >> right? >> Do doing the things at the football stadium, stuff of that nature. That's that's still our center stone. >> Yeah. >> That's our look as a school system. I think it's, you know, increased communication with the commissioners >> and I think they right >> that they understand that we're >> I think they well they understand because you see half threequarters of them at either a track event, soccer event or football event or youth football or something at the stadium and in our theater at the high school. They see we're spending the money on our free >> on

173our stuff, [laughter] right? >> And we've been able to do those things and we haven't had to go down >> down the hall and money. >> Right. Right. >> Right. >> We're able to do it with the money they've already >> Yeah. That needs to be communicated back to them and and you know, >> I think Mr. Hardrove is is working on that because we have not had that communication. >> So, it's it's something somewhere we need to go. So, >> should make Tim sit here and listen to this. [laughter] >> Got two ways to make him sit here and listen to it. [laughter] Take a pick. All right. >> Well, with that, I think we can move on. And um Holly and Chris had a policy proposal discuss and I'm going to let you

174dive into that. So, because you know, you texted me about it, but I think you probably need to explain. [laughter] >> Okay. So, uh, recently it has come to my attention that our school district doesn't have a local policy, um, that either of us could find, um, regarding retaliation in the workplace. >> And so, I feel like that we need to probably look into doing that just to offer a layer of protection for our employees. Um, I don't think anybody wants to um for Coffee County Schools to be a workplace where in Yes. Yes. Okay. So, [laughter] >> let me back up just a little bit. Uh, Chris is, do you care to hand them out? Okay. Okay. He's going to hand out this. Okay. [laughter] >> Um, this is a a policy that >>

175you do the clerical work. >> I have to say I can't really take the credit. Chris worked very very hard on putting this together. Um tried to cover as much as as he could. Um but something that we really need to consider I believe to um >> to get in our policy manual. >> Um we [clears throat] um we don't want a workplace environment where there's intimidation, harassment, uh where we're instilling fear in employees. um HR, you understand that completely? Um where uh employees are discouraged from voicing concerns or threatened with their employment if they do. Um we just don't I mean I know there's state laws in place for uh workplace laws, but we didn't have anything when we look through all the policy. We didn't have anything here and if I'm wrong, correct

176me. um locally where where we could say, you know, retaliate. This this was a form of retaliation against this employee for voicing a concern or reporting misconduct. And I think you know in here it's even got first offense, second offense, a layer of protection for our employees. >> So what what is the origin of the the text here? Is that Did you pull this from somewhere? >> Uh the the origin is loosely based on uh Union County's >> um >> provided by TSBA. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. Being with TSBA provided a >> their policy on it. >> Okay. I was just curious. >> Yeah. We just I mean I feel like that if we could get this in place and then our staff members made aware of it reminded whatever >> cleans things up

177keep gives clear expectations >> it's expectation and then you know >> accountability god forbid something happened where you have to go down to the bottom of this >> but it would give you a leg to stand on >> to where like you said it cleans things up. So, um, we want our Coffee County Schools, I think we would all agree, wants to be free of intimidation, free free of threats or, uh, you know, things that instill fear in employees, um, or threatening employment if they talk to the director. I think Mr. Harrove is very approachable. He, uh, even with a complaint form, that's okay. But that's that's not employees. So that doesn't apply here. But >> um I think that he is our employees feel comfortable coming to him and we want them to continue

178>> to feel comfortable coming to them and not have fear if they do or coming to board members. when it is discouraged uh for employees going to board members talking about sharing ideas or even voicing concerns you know I mean they shouldn't be threatened when doing that they are board members are elected officials elected to serve all citizens of this county and um to to threaten employees and say if you go talk to a board member or your employment is in question. I'll bring you a resignation letter. That's trying to silence them. That is taking away their first amendment right. You can't do that. Um so they should never be threatened in that way. And I just want to be able to know that we did everything we could in our power to make sure

179that our workplace environment is remains an approachable open [snorts] environment, open door. Um, if if you want to call a board member, text a board member, whatever, we want everyone to feel comfortable doing that. If you want to talk to the director, if you, you know, or your principal, but nobody should feel fear if they do, we should be encouraging that. So, that's what I have to say about it. I'll open it up for any >> I'm all about anything that makes it clean. >> Okay. >> It's a clean and clear. >> Yes. I think those are all things that we can all live by >> when we just I mean, you know, you can box yourself into policies to the point that it's not good. Um, but in this scenario right here, I think

180this is a layer of protection for our employees from the top down anybody. >> Have you looked at policy or griev complaints and grievances? I think we did pull that up when we >> lines nine where nothing can be used against you on the personnel and you are protected by state federal rights as mandated by law that you're protected from. >> Right. >> Meaning you can't be retaliated against >> right >> without >> right >> having good grounds to come back on whoever that was that retaliated. >> Yeah. >> And that's by law. So, >> not saying this policy fully meets kind of what you're thinking, >> but we do have those protections stated in policy. >> It is touched on. Yeah. >> I just felt like >> that if it got to that point,

181I feel like anyone who felt retaliated, they're going to that's the first thing they're >> union person's going to tell them. >> Did it >> miss this and that? They're fixing to come at the school system like crazy if they're retaliated again. I mean I don't you know I don't know for sure but I made this for a reason I'm assume >> right I mean yeah uh I mean you know their their employment was threatened >> you do what now but you have >> you have if if there was complaints complaints and or grievances this whole policy there's a whole process to that once it goes through your your grievance committee I I guess that's what I call it. >> Once it goes through the grievance committee, then the director issues a report of what

182the grie then it goes to the ethics committee. >> And and the ethics committee of course is made up of board members. >> But going back to what you were saying about board members receiving calls and wanting people to tell board members about this stuff. Once again, I want to go back to we only have power as a group. >> Yes. This board only has power of a group. Not any one individual has the power to act or do anything else. Now, that's not to say we're not going to be human, >> right? >> And we're not going to say so and so called me. This is an issue. >> Just letting you know, chief. >> Right. Exactly. Just want you. >> Just letting you know, chief. You know what I'm saying? Anybody that's human

183is going to do that to protect another human. >> Right. Uh, I don't have a problem in the world agreeing that we take our policy 5.501, if that's what it is. I'm having to read it on the phone. 5501. Taking what Mr. has here and having a comparison session and come to a determination. >> I don't have that policy in front of me. the one you're talking about. I think >> it's our policy five, >> but this it won't zoom anymore. It's so small. 5501. >> Thank you. >> It's a lot more detail. Well, it's straightforward to it's straightforward to >> it's a lot more words that is exactly exactly what is noted in here that we are afforded by law. These are the This is more the the law spelt out >> where this

184one over here and I'm not saying I'm not trying to argue that this says enough. >> Yeah. >> I kind of feel it does because by law it's easy to anyone to pull the law and know that you've done it. I dare somebody to do it. They ought to know better than to do it. >> Mhm. >> Because the moment they do, there's a case coming this way. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. And if you said somebody has had that happen and they can prove they retal retaliated against >> it is what it is, >> right? >> Somebody better somebody better get to negotiating and settling. Well, we well and if we can protect ourselves by having this in place also, not just the employees but ourselves as Coffee County Schools to say, you know, if

185this if it is found if an investigation is conducted and it is found that you know, you know, retaliation did occur that you retaliated against an employee or you threatened an employee because of them voicing concerns or reporting misconduct. Uh then it lays out uh first offense, second offense, third offense, and it would give Mr. Hargrove the power to take action if needed. Hopefully, that's never going to be needed. [laughter] But what you're reading out of that other policy is kind of vague and it doesn't specify first offense, second offense. No, it just says a review of the case. The director of schools shall take action as he or she deems appropriate and within a prompt and reasonable amount of time. >> Yeah, this is a little more detailed. >> I think he wants to

186keep his job. I don't think he's going to allow anybody to retaliate against anybody or we're not going to shut up as board members either, >> right? >> If that were to happen, I just not saying we don't need to compare these two, >> right? But I I don't think we make a mountain out of a molehill because we're all going to take anybody that retaliates against anybody in this system. >> We're going to take them to the state. >> We all will in here. >> Or we better. >> Yeah. I think but we just want everybody to look over this. If you know if it's something if there the wording needs to change, if it's some stuff needs to be taken out, >> if any kind of revisions, it's just a draft. We better

187get that policy committee committee. There you go. >> Fired up. You better go ahead and grease them irons. >> Well, I think Bill did a great job. >> Well, one thing on this right here is it it also gets into the threat of retaliation. >> Yes. >> And that's a big thing. >> Threat is still retaliation. >> Yes, it is. >> In any code, any definition, you don't have to compare threat to retaliation. Even a threat is retaliation. just the just the matter that your life >> and and trust me cuz we've had to have some discussions >> that >> just the thought anything that changes the normal course of daily operation for that employee is considered can be considered retaliation >> right >> anything that changes their normal daily >> right >> routine. So

188if they just feel like the air temperature got cut down in their room because they towed on something, that can be considered retaliation. >> Yes. That's why that's why we did all this right here. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> So we don't want employees feeling that way. We want employees to feel comfortable. >> Sharing ideas, sharing concerns, it doesn't matter. >> Nothing is going to be held against you. Because to tack on to this, we also have obligations as board members to follow up with proper procedures >> with ethics committee violations. >> Okay. >> No matter who or what. >> Well, then that might be something that we need to think about. >> And >> yeah, >> attorneys and if attorneys won't speak up and step up, >> Yeah. >> we need to start taking into

189account our annual consideration of who our board attorney is. Yeah. >> So that things just don't get sitting over here waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. >> You know, staff members should never be discouraged from talking to their elected officials. Um we have a really strong group of administrators I feel like in the system. We've got lots of principles with over 30 years and I feel like we're really strong in administration that we're really robust and and I feel like we have a strong board too and I it shouldn't be administrators against board or board against it should we should be one team one team working together and employees should not be discouraged from sharing their feelings with the director or with board members. >> No, for sure not. That's why all

190I said a while ago was us board members better be real careful though >> how we take that information and what we do with it >> right I mean if it needs to be >> it's not our purview until it makes that circle yeah >> and follows the correct process >> and if you are informed of something like that perhaps it needs to >> find we know we know who the right person to go to is >> the only one right >> that's the only person we can talk to >> right >> oh buddy [laughter] I think what a lot of what of what I've heard too from one principle and and is that you know our administrators wants to follow the the chain of command or whatever but whenever you lose the ship they

191feel like the board members is all that they can come to. So if they don't feel comfortable in coming to you then they're not going to come to you. that are going to come to us and then that's whenever it becomes our position is is is what's happened in this situation that we're talking about. >> Our position can be no more than reported. >> Yep. >> That's all our position can be. >> That's right. >> It can only be reported to one person >> or law enforcement. If we're like, man, that's I can't believe they done that. They touched you like that. I go down here and talk to the sheriff. Mhm. >> Well, I think that's why >> I go to here and talk to chair. >> This whole thing that's proposed runs to

192the director of school. >> We're aware of things. We report to Mr. Hardro policy for his contract. And >> well, that's state law. We have no authority to approach anyone in the daily life of the school system other than the director of schools who is our one employee. Period. >> Well, we interact with people when we're out of school. You can you can interact, >> but you're talking about getting into business when we're inserting oursel into criminal aspect. Maybe >> I think what Holly's talking about is if you you know >> personeling staff issues something to a board member and they get retaliated against because of that. That's >> you've got your you've got your process. We've got our complaint and grievances process that they're afforded by any state, federal law, >> whatever they're entitled

193to a protection of doing that. Whistleblower statutes, if anybody's ever heard of that. >> Yep. >> Anyway, I just I I won't take up any more time, but I just want everybody to take a look at it, see what you think. If we don't like it, we can scrap it or we can change it, throw it out, whatever. >> It's definitely going to the policy committee to both both sheets. I think I think most important that we protect. >> I'm going to make sure it's on the >> agenda that both of us yours and this and we sit there and we try to >> find a little com. >> We've got to do something. >> Yeah. >> So that's all I have. Thank you all for listening. >> Thank you for taking the time both

194of you to to write that up. It it's very professional and >> have discussion together. Well, thank Union County for giving the basis of it. >> Yes, sir. [laughter] >> Good job. >> The SBA was instrumental in helping. >> Just a couple more things and uh one is probably just really quick, but you know, speaking of fund balance, um we did talk Tuesday at the innovation committee meeting about the afterchool program and they are applying for a new grant. >> LEAP grants. >> Yeah. and leak grant. >> But, you know, I'm bringing up the possibility that we may want to take some of our fund balance and maybe look at two years of the afterchool program, which might be like 1.2 million, and restrict that. If we don't need it, we don't need it. But

195that would provide some back stop in case that this fund does not come through. So that, you know, I just throw that out to everybody, you know, I it would restrict like $1.2 million, but um and make that available for and if we want to unrestrict it, we can do that down the road. That is correct. April, if we restrict something and then we find we don't need it, then we can we can unrestrict it. >> Mr. Har would have to it and then I would have to bring it to use it for something else, >> right? Okay. Yeah. So, so we could do that. So, I'm just looking at keeping that thing going. You know, I mean that, you know, if they can get that grant, it's it's a great grant and stuff like

196that and it would probably fully fund the program. It would change the program a little bit. It would, but I don't I'm not sure it'll alter it to a point where it just looks that vastly different. I'm not commenting because I don't want to jinx it, but >> but she was she was saying, you know, 50% chance maybe, you know, >> she told us not to even talk about it. That's what she said. [laughter] >> I should have brought it up. Okay. >> She said less than 50. >> So I I throw that out there, you know, for for discussion. we can you know so it's so do we would we have have to pass a motion to do that or would that just be Mr. to restrict some funds for so because we don't

197currently have a restricted fund for that. We would have to do a budget to move some funding into >> okay >> in the budget for that. >> Okay. >> That well that will happen as we build next year's budget. >> Yeah. Is that the timing? >> I need to know that pretty quickly. >> When you mean this year, are you speaking 26? Are you speaking 26 27? >> What are y'all? I mean, what's the >> Well, it might be needed for this coming year. So, it would have to be this year >> it was restricted. >> So, I would have to do I would have to do amendment to probably unfance. and put it in an area budget restricted and then once I close 256 it would roll into that restricted fund and then next

198year if we need to pull it out I would do a budget amendment to pull it out and use it to where money my concern is that you know like we did a couple years ago where we had to have you know emergency you know to pull the funds because we didn't get the grant and we had to do some last minute maneuvering. So, >> and we ended up not using it and you can either vote back or use it for something else. >> Okay. All right. All right. So, that's that proposal. And then the last thing I had on the agenda was and I I think I sent it in a text to everybody is, you know, I just want to throw this out here is what is the one thing we can do

199as a board over the next 9 to 12 months to positively affect educational outcomes for our students. one thing we can do as a board and just throw that out for for discussion, you know, to positively affect [clears throat] the educational outcomes. So, we've we've done, you know, I think over the last couple years, we've really done a lot of good stuff, but you know, is there something else we can do? So, any any thoughts on that? >> Push it alone to build one school and one remodel. [laughter] That's a good a good goal. >> What do we have time? >> Win the state championship football. >> Well, [laughter] that's going to >> it's going to bring those reading scores up there. >> Every sport a state championship. >> Oh, [laughter] right. >> What do

200we have? I I'm not clear yet. What do we have in I know we have um where we do the program for the those rising first graders that need help, but what do we have as a general program for our kids during the summer to kind of keep keep them on board with their reading skills, their math skills? Do we have anything like that? [clears throat] We get funding for summer school >> from the state, >> but but that's not a I mean that's more on a needs, >> right? >> I don't think we turn >> we don't turn them away. But I think primarily it's designed for >> hey you failed summer school you ain't going with your buddies next year. just kind of u those gaps, >> closing gaps. >> I would say

201anything we can do and any kind of program we can set up to keep them doing >> in a fun way their math skills and their reading skills through the summer. I know that when Kelvin was principal, when my granddaughter Tia was >> in school, >> they had a summer reading program and they had >> prize. Well, I don't know if they were prizes, but they were awards for how much they could read during the summer and there are competitive kids who go for that sort of thing. But >> I won't see that sign of cheat. >> She did great. I thought I mean >> I think she got the award several years in a row. >> I love I Yeah, I don't think there's nobody in this room that wouldn't think that. Man, that'd

202be killer. I just I'd want to see the signup sheet of how many actually participate. >> But if we have I mean if we have a summer school program and they want to come out, I don't guess nobody turns anybody away, do they? Usually the ones [clears throat] that we really need to come >> we have difficult time >> getting getting them to the shore. Yes. >> So I I've been studying what they call the Mississippi miracle down there where Yes, sir. >> and you and I have talked about that a little bit where Mississippi >> has been at the bottom of the educational ladder forever and now they have moved to the top 10. And so I've kind of been studying, you know, went looked at that. And one of the things they do,

203I mean, and I know it's controversial here, but third grade retention has been a big part of that, but the other thing they do is and and I don't know if we do that here, but they do continual coaching on their they have coach for the teachers. Do we do that here? >> Well, I mean, we have Miss Seismore, >> and then you have our other coaches. You've got Miss Gatis, you've got Janice. Oh, yes, sir. >> And there's some other angles on that that that I think is just kind of fascinating. I mean, they've [clears throat] really focused a lot on phonics, you know, >> and we we use Hagerty as our phonics program here. So, we have a unified >> Yeah. >> phonics program. >> So, >> um >> I think some of

204the nuances that are different, they don't have much of a say. So, if I read correctly, and that same delving into the Mississippi miracle, the autonomy that if you're a teacher, you appreciate they they're they're all and told this is our curriculum and >> yeah, >> but it it's it's worked. It's worked. And uh some of the things uh that that differ that I question are how our state tests are testing versus how what test are they using. So >> yeah, you'd have to look at what you could adapt and what you know. >> Yes, sir. But I'm not taking anything away. >> That state has done remarkably and I think our state has come a pretty long way. I've just um I don't wake up in the middle of the night, but we have

205another transition coming and we don't know what those changes and challenges provide and what our folks have to go through to >> meet because remarkable top, you know, >> in math and reading. >> Yeah. And it's just absolutely amazing what what they've done down there. So, >> yes, sir. Um, fine arts night is coming up. >> Yay. >> This month >> and I'm excited. Our our folks are excited. Our kids are excited. And it will be an elementary through our high school. It will be a prek through a 12th grade event >> and it it's at the middle school. So, um, >> what date is that? >> The 19th, I think. >> 19th. Gemma got picked and it has been like the biggest honor for her. She's I got chosen. So, >> it's a neat

206event. It's a neat It's a good neat and it's our first one. >> We'll learn how to get better from it, but I appreciate um Chrissy Led Singer is one of our heads of it out at East Coffee. I appreciate her leading the charge and um they picked up the the ball and running with it. But I'm excited. Those kids are pumped about it. Even the ones that aren't going to be in it are super excited. >> It is board appreciation month was in January. Did we get snowed out? We did get snowed out. >> We need some more snow. >> We're just going to do it February, too. >> Let's do it. Uh the [laughter] gifts that were the gifts that were provided for you all were provided by the the students and the

207teachers and staff and faculty at Hickerson. Our friends at New Union also left. >> I got a brick of coal for [laughter] >> everybody else had good. You got the brick. Okay. I did. >> I swapped out with you. >> Got a great >> And the other boxes are from the district. We thank you all. Um we appreciate what you do and your service to our community and our teachers and staff and most of all our students and families. Thank you all. >> Thank you. It is an honor. >> Well, with that I think we have a wrap and uh so thank you very much. >> Thank you.