001We'd like to welcome everyone to the May Elizabethton Board of Education meeting. Uh we appreciate you being here. Just to kind of let you know um what we'll do after recognitions in just a little while. We generally give people that need to leave a chance to leave before the more formal part of the meeting. So, I'll let you know when that time uh comes. At this time, I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Van Huss for a moment of silence and pledge the flag. >> Please stand. Please pause for a moment of silence. Thank you. Attention, salute, pledge. I pledge >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Time to approve
002the consent agenda and regular agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion, and I'll take Jamie Jamie as the second. Um any items need any discussion or need to move anything to the regular at this time? Okay. Again, seeing none, the item is to approve consent agenda and regular agenda. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? And there are none. Um it's now time for citizens to speak. We didn't have anyone request to speak before the board. So, we will move on to special recognition. And again, we're we have a lot of neat groups here tonight. Thank you for all your efforts and and I'll turn it over again to Mr. Van Hest to begin that. Thank you, sir. At this time, if Mr. Colbert
003would come forward, he will help us get started on these and just reiterate again what Mr. Place said this is the best part of the meeting each month we have the opportunity to do this. So, thank you. And it's our favorite month cuz usually CTE usually goes in May. During the year, we have a hard time getting everybody here. So, sometimes we do it earlier in the year, but traditionally we we've always tried to hold some of our stuff to the end cuz we have a lot of meetings and different competitions in the spring. Speaking of which, that's what's listed first. So, for SkillsUSA, obviously again, the less I talk, the better we all are. And so, Ms. Wilbur, Ms. Dugger, and Ms. Myer I think are going to come up and explain all the
004cool stuff they did in SkillsUSA. The competition was in Chattanooga. Oh goodness, I don't remember when. Sometime March-ish. Come on up, guys. I'm stalling for time. Give me my time. >> [laughter] >> Okay. We won CTE events, not necessarily the track events. They'll come at a later month. Actually, I think Ms. Dugger has a lot to do with some of that track. Her dad showed us. >> Yeah, yeah, I think so. >> So, I will recognize our students who placed in the top three in health science events at our state leadership conference. So, first up we had a group of four for the health knowledge bowl and they placed first place in the state. And so, as I call your name, feel free to come up, please. Gracie Estep, Cara Carr, Mallory Odom, and Taylor
005Whitson. Taylor. is not here. And then we had Princess Russell who placed first place in the health occupations professional portfolio. And then Sarah McCoy placed first place in first aid CPR. So we're very proud of these young ladies. Um and to win first place they like won the bid to represent Tennessee at the national SkillsUSA conference. Um but a few of them because of scheduling issues um decided not to go. And then one special young lady um got to participate last year at the national level and decided to give another student from another school um the opportunity to go compete since she got to last year. So that just shows how wonderful these students are. >> [applause] >> In addition, we also had a business group that competed for entrepreneurship where they wrote a business
006plan and presented it before the judges. They placed third third in the state and they are moving on to nationals. So they'll be competing in Atlanta, Georgia in about 2 weeks. Uh that group consisted of June Bailey, Isaac Fletcher, and Owen Yang. So Owen, can you come forward? He's here tonight. >> [applause] >> Okay. Um, and then I have two other groups of students that I would like to recognize. Um, both groups of these students successfully obtained their CNA certification this school year. Um, this first group was my fall class and they did our traditional nursing ed CNA program. Um, and to successfully complete this, they have to get at least 60 hours in the classroom and lab and at least 16 clinical hours in long-term care facility. Um, so our students have always done
007this clinical hours at Ivy Hall Nursing Home, so we so appreciate their partnership. Um, and then once those hours are met, they take a certification exam, a written exam and a skill exam, um, in order to become certified. So, as I call your name, if you'll please come forward and get your certificate. We've got Piper Kate Bennett. Cara Carr. Alexis Clayman. Gracie E Step. Abigail Gwinn. Shaylee Mathis. Reagan May. Riley May. Sarah McCoy. Mallory Odom. Sophie Peterson Lilly Parvu Malaya Rollins Cora Stevens Cadence Vanoy and Tristan Wilson. So, we had a total of 16 in this group that became CNAs. So, wonderful accomplishment. >> [applause] >> If If I can while they're getting the next group ready, um on the other side of the central office, there's a driveway and I think there's someone in
008a white Nissan Rogue that's blocking the neighbor's driveway. The tag number is BMDV. So, if that's your vehicle, if you wouldn't care to move, that's on the other side of the building on the far side. So, thank you. Sorry. >> And then this um other group that I would like to recognize, um so, they also obtained their CNAs, but this is our first group of students um who have been dual enrollment in Ballard Health Academy. Um so, in addition to meeting all the requirements to become CNAs, these students are also earning credits at the post-secondary level um that they can use to go on. So, they're on track by the end of senior year, they would have finished their first trimester of the LPN program with TCAT. Um so, this has been a new program,
009lots of learning that we've all had to do, um but they have persevered and I just cannot be more proud of these students. So, the first one is Addison Campbell, Reese Campbell, Tristan Eggers Shyanne Everett Ella Gardner Ryan Joe Gross Brooklyn Hurley Asyusena Mendez Maldonado Allie Morton and Asmara Perry >> [applause] >> Okay, and the next set of students that we want to recognize are students that have successfully completed their EKG certification. Uh so, similar to the nursing one, um they have to um take a certification exam. Um I think it's over 2 hours, 120 questions. Um and then they have to, of course, pass that. I think the pass rate is 75%. Um so, it's it's a pretty It's a pretty rigorous test. Um we spend, you know, months preparing for it. Um and
010I am proud to say that we had a 100% pass rate. Yes. Um so, they had a lot of doubts, I think, at times. Uh definitely a lot of frustrations. Um but, my favorite part was when they finished their exam and they came into the commons and their faces were lit up. You know, they You know, they had achieved something pretty significant. Um and so, to be able to see that on their faces was definitely a a high point for me. Um so, at this time, um I'd like to recognize Riley Jones. And Breanna Miller. And Ella Gardner. And Tristan Eggers. And Ismara Perry. And then we also had Davian Simerly, but he couldn't be here tonight. And some of these faces are familiar. They were just up here. Um and so, three of them
011took their CNA certification um and then had one day off to prep for this one uh and then take this one. So, passing both of those exams back-to-back, I think, is a true testament to their hard work. So, good job. >> [applause] >> Uh and next we have more alphabet soup. Uh we went from CNAs to EKGs to MAT ROV. I think I know what EKG and CNA stands for, but never did get MAT ROV correctly. I know ROV is remote operated vehicle. The MAT thing, I'm going to have to let Mr. Lee uh expand upon. Huh? You say late? Uh, when I left the high school at 5:05, yes, you all were still in the room. Okay, moving on. Uh Now, I'll explain just that they want it. He gets here in the next
012couple minutes, I'd much rather him talk. In the meantime, yeah, sure. Got a volunteer in the back. Uh, so you don't have to explain what MATE is. You can if you want, but yeah. I mean, these [laughter] guys These guys are terrific. >> Move aside. >> Well, uh MATE is a robotics competition that we do, which is, I believe, Marine Advanced Technology and Exploration. Um, and essentially, it's just a competition between high schools, colleges, even down to the elementary school level, where we get together, we build a little robot to do a course to simulate an environment, and sometimes they'll take those designs and use them in actual marine exploration. Um it's really fun. You get to experience a lot of stuff, and we really get to go around and meet new people, make connections.
013Um, and it advances our understanding of robotics as well as some of the other stuff we do. Uh, and we also do like RDL. Uh, that's great. We're actually getting bigger with that, so it's wonderful. We had a team from Germany come in from somewhere to do that, and where we're going to worlds, and MATE's big enough, we should have people from China, Japan, and places in Europe come and do it with us. So, >> It's pretty cool. >> It's a wonderful accomplishment that I think that we've made it there through the hard work of our team as well as Mr. Lee helping us make these connections. >> Okay. Well, thank you. >> So, tell tell us again what you just won. >> Uh, we just won the mate regionals here at ETSU in East
014Tennessee. Uh, that includes schools from Virginia, schools from Tennessee, and schools from North Carolina. >> Awesome. That's great. And you said mate, it's not mad, but it's mate. Just I just want to make sure Mr. Cole educates >> sure at least I've heard Mr. Lee pronounce it like that. >> We We trust you. Okay? Just Just for the record. So, thank you. Okay. And then >> Uh, so, uh, Canada specifically for mate worlds. Um, it's a really special event because this is actually one of the closest areas that they'll host it to that isn't here in the US. And it's going to be a big thing for all of us to go and explore outside of America as well as meet new people that aren't from here and get to venture out and see things.
015So, and we're also doing a very special thing and using the Marine Institute and University there in St. John's, Canada to do this competition. Is there anything else you'd like me to explain or >> [laughter] >> Just If we were smart enough to ask a question, we probably would. Yeah. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Okay. So, when is the next event though that you're you're preparing to go to? >> Mate worlds. >> Yes. >> Uh, well, that will be June 23rd to the 28th. We'll be flying up on the 23rd and checking in, making sure that everybody's there on the 23rd. >> Okay. >> And then the 28th will be the day that we leave. Uh, and that should be when they finish up giving out awards. >> Okay. And I know you all are in
016a campaign to try to raise some funds to help. That is an expensive trip. So, if anybody knows anyone who'd like to support, this is a great um, program and uh, yeah. So, yes. >> All right. >> It's not very often you get to participate in a world competition. So. >> Okay. All right. >> [applause] >> Great job. >> Good job. >> [applause] >> And not that Mr. Lee needs me to defend him, but he is working very hard. He explained that to me the other day because when they went to eat his shoe, they put the robot or I guess we can call it robot in the water and it's in the ET issue's pool. I don't know. I'm thinking about 15 16 ft deep. Uh, cuz they have scuba divers down there watching
017it and so forth. But in the world competition coming up in Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada, there's three different pools you're going to have to put the robot in. One is they have ice on top. So, when you drop it in, it's going to You can't see what's underneath. It's going to be like grumpy old men, just a little hole in the top, drop it in, hope something good happens. Uh, so that's part of it. The other ones have a wave pool. So, it's going to have to simulate waves. Ms. Walker, we're going to so glad that you >> [laughter] >> Sorry you're gone, but yeah, thank you for laughing at me. But yeah, one one includes a wave pool as well as the one in the water. And I've stalled perfectly long enough for Mr. Lee
018to come up and explain the rest. >> Yeah, we may have to take another picture, too. So. >> Why don't I save you and come in on two wheels real fast? >> Uh, and literally we have been working to the minute on preparing for the world competition. So, the two young ladies that walked in with me right now, we were just updating some of our documentation because there were some things that we found that we didn't feel were world class at the last second and we want to be world class in everything that we do. So, um I'm sure you've already gone through we won the region. Okay, so won the region, they did a great job. We've taken a picture and all that stuff. I'm here to ask you to give us permission to
019go to Newfound Canada. Is what I'm here to do. Okay, >> [laughter] >> uh I I That's my whole point being here. Hey, we want you to allow us to go to Newfound Canada. I feel like I've got the best students in the world in robotics. I feel like we proved that in the nation last year with what we did last year in the nation this year with what we did this year. And now we're going to go and try to win a world championship. And I apologize for my late arrival. Uh that's not like me, but uh like I said, we want to make sure that we're doing the best that we can possibly do. I am beyond proud of them. Uh I can't say enough about them. I'm not going to stand up
020here and cry this time because they've had me on TV and radio [laughter] and everything else. And I have cried everywhere that I went. So, uh including for the XQ video that they were shooting the other day. So, they kept asking me about the seniors. I'm like, "You got to stop." >> [laughter] >> Uh but other than that, um they did a great job, won the region. Uh we believe with that we have a a real opportunity to go and bring uh a world title back. You know how proud I am of the fact that I can stand up and say and every time somebody comes through my classroom, I'm like, "We won the only national title and the first national title that Elizabeth has ever won." I want to do the same thing with
021the world this year. That's what I've got for you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Do we do we need to do another picture since we had some that missed? What Yeah, whatever y'all want to do. >> Yeah. Yeah, let's do that. And while they come back up, I will try to make Ms. Walker laugh again. Uh you'll be missed, by the way. Uh But in what Mr. Lee mentioned, they had did so well last year that they had the best robot in the water last year, but they didn't win all the other categories. This year they dominated every category. And Mr. Lee and I sit outside where they did the interviews of this method had 13 kids do interviews where all the other schools in North Carolina etc. had smaller groups than us, but in
022this group, everybody participated and it was wonderful. Okay. >> [applause] >> And again, good news for CTE, we still got more stuff to go. So, uh speaking of school board meetings, thank you again for letting us come and do all this stuff. And Mr. Dan Mills, if he will start making his way up here, he's been recognized by the board I think before. And keep in mind, give or take sometime this either last May, June, July, I remember some point in time we announced that he was up for Tennessee Aviator's Hall of Fame, which he went to in September. Well, again, as a heads up, I have to read this uh the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year. Okay, if you don't know who that is, I'm not sure I do either, but
023I do know it's a national award. So, not he's already been recognized on their local level, state level, and now we're up to the national level uh for Mr. Mills, so we want to make sure you all are aware of this, the community's aware of this. He's not this special on a small level, he's special on a large level. So, I'll let him come up and and again, he's behind me, so more he talks, the better off we all are. >> [laughter] >> Well, I apologize I was late. I was uh I got home at 6:00 uh 5:15 and my watch says, "Oh, you got a school board meeting in 15 minutes." [laughter] And I was working at my son's house and we were out in the rain all day digging mulch, so you could
024tell how it was. So, I did take a shower, okay. >> [laughter] >> It was a quick one, but uh yeah, it's I mean it uh Mr. Lee didn't get emotional, but I will about Elizabethton. I mean um our soccer team going down there and and winning the first round and I think they were just wiped out after that 80 minutes or whatever they had to play for that first round and but uh and these young men and women, I mean just so amazed. Uh And like I said at the uh at the um Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame when I spoke, I just of everything I've had the privilege of doing, uh the most impactful ministry I feel like I've had uh and the most enjoyable time I've had in my life is with
025these kids at Elizabethton. >> Aw. >> And uh yeah, they're just amazing throughout the whole rank and it's just been a privilege to work at Elizabethton High School uh for 11 years and now about 6 years, I guess, part-time. I don't know what's going to happen next, but uh yeah, thanks so much for supporting all of our young men and women and our teachers and uh holding the standard uh up there of excellence. Uh I think that and integrity and all the other things that we have we list out there. Um I think you don't find that very often in uh particularly local high schools. And it starts from the top and you folks all the way down. And uh we just really appreciate the privilege of of working here and being part of a
026great uh body of students and uh that's it. All right, thanks. >> All right. >> [applause] [snorts] [laughter] >> And sticking with aviation, Mr. Edmonds is going to come up and explain some of the cool things our students have been doing. >> I tell people all the time that I I got to jump into something that was well-established and awesome. And it's my job not to ruin it. So, no pressure. Following behind Mr. Mills is is intimidating, daunting, and sometimes shady. And not in the bad way. Shady as he casts a a big long shadow. What we try to do is continue to live up to the same standards of integrity and doing things the right way. Sometimes there are no shortcuts when you can when you have to live up to that. So, the
027students are typically the ones that pay that price. We've worked really hard the last couple of years just to try and get flights in. And you know, while we we focus on that it takes a community. You know, it always takes a community to get everything accomplished, but a community of people that are that are dedicated and dedicated with their with their pocketbooks. You know, aviation is is never been and never will be cheap. Affordable is not it. Um Before I get into what the kids have accomplished, last year we had to replace an engine twice essentially on an aircraft. And that's not like going to the dealership and it stays there for a week or two. There's a lot more to it than that. Than that. In fact, I I thinking while I was
028sitting there a good comparison. Anybody that's been to the dealership with their car to have it fixed or serviced, that's like going to the dollar store. Um what the Brometts have put into uh we have Steve here with us tonight. What the Brometts have put into making this uh first-class, top-notch aircraft that we get to use um is it's astounding. Uh it really is and there was no hes- hesitation when it needs anything. Um which ought to make parents feel really, really comfortable about sending their teenagers up with us to go flying. Um but uh we're happy that we have that. Without that, it's it's going to be a lot more challenging to do any kind of flying without an airplane. We have great simulators. We got the the full motion simulator and the uh
029the updated three-screen simulators in the in the classroom. All that is fantastic, but nothing beats the real thing. Um we've got students. I had one text me this afternoon that graduated from MTSU uh Trenton Taylor and we've got students that are replicating what we're doing. We are now self-sustaining. We got students that are working on the aircrafts. Um Russell Carter is is doing our maintenance now. Um been through hi- uh this high school. We've got instructors that are helping us. We flew 36 eighth graders. Is that Monday? Monday. We do We flew 36 eighth graders in a day and it's a two two aircraft and three pilots uh plus all the support staff behind that. So, that's the the and that was all Elizabethton's people to maintain the aircraft, that flew the aircraft, that flew
030the students. Um that's it it's just a it's a testament to what it takes to make this happen. Just to give somebody a piece of paper. Um what our kids have accomplished so far. We've got four that took their FAA private pilot written test. Um that means that's the the first official step towards becoming a private pilot. Uh we have so far one this year that is soloed and because of maintenance and timing we got two more they're trying. Possibly one in the morning if the weather works out and it rarely does. Uh, then another one is uh hoping to Monday morning also. Um, we got another one that's probably going to have to wait until August to finish that up before he heads to UT. Uh, at least that's the the hope and the
031goal. But, we'll recognize one of our soccer stars who barely made it back. Uh, Connor Blevins is our senior that is soloed so far this year. And while you're there, took and passed his FAA private pilot written exam. Uh, I've got Jackson Miller's here also, but he's not here tonight. Uh, we'll save that until he gets his his solo done as well. We had two others that are juniors. Uh, and one other senior that's working on soloing. Um, what these guys have done in addition to, you know, soccer and and and academics and everything else, it's above and beyond. Um, I don't want to embarrass you too much, but I'm going to. >> [laughter] >> Uh, to come in and do the work and get hundreds is is amazing. Um, to do the extra work
032outside of class, to do what they did as athletes is amazing. And to come into class and do it again. This is the second time they took the class. Do it again, um, and while they're working on AP, dual enrollment, dual credit, what like always working. This is this is a great standard for for anybody to try and live up to. And we have other students in class that are watching this happen. It's not it's not me that makes it happen. It's not Mr. Colbert that makes it happen. It's not any one person. It takes all of us, but it takes students as dedicated as this. So, a good example, not the only one, but a really really good example. >> [applause] >> I would like to make one comment. I would like to have
033a big thank you to the Brummett family. Uh Steve back here is a a classmate and an old friend of mine. I've known Steve a long time. We really appreciate what your family did, but I I really had the privilege of knowing his father, Ken, who was a very wonderful, generous man, and we had a little scout troop. We were all a bunch of little heathens, but his dad was one of our leaders. And he really helped us kind of get on the straight path. But big thank you to the Brummett family. Thank you, Steve. >> [applause] >> Yes, I would amen all that uh cuz it does take all of us. It takes good teachers, which we have. Good students. Thank you, board, for supporting this. Thank you for the Brummetts, cuz without that
034plane, yeah we got nothing to do. Uh so, we we can't do this without all parties working together on all this stuff, so that is really cool. Uh next up it says again, looks like a long alphabet soup thing, but uh Tennessee ACTE Secondary Student of the Year. And I'll let her go ahead and walk on up, Ms. Piper Kate Bennett, if you'll come here. Here is both the good and the bad. The good news is she is wonderful. The bad news is at least at this moment I have nothing necessarily to hand her because she'll be recognized later this summer in July when all the CTE directors come together in Lebanon, Tennessee. It's the event where people get recognized, but they did at least call me to give me a heads up. I wish
035they had done that for her and her family maybe, but you get the idea. They I I can't really complain cuz that group obviously recognizes talent when they see it because they're recognizing her as the Tennessee Student of the Year for CTE. And all I can do is tell you that now, but you'll actually get something come July. So, sorry about the oddness of this, Piper Kate, but congratulations. >> [laughter] [applause] >> If you want to say anything, you want to say anything? You want to say anything? I think you need to give me that chance. Come here. >> [laughter] >> I'm too short. Okay, well, I would just like to say thank you to Miss Dugger and Miss Myer for just constantly pushing us to be the best versions of ourselves and I wouldn't
036get this award without them especially and Mr. Colbert. But yeah, I don't have much else to say but just thank you. >> [applause] >> Uh also when that when that day comes in July, I'm sorry I don't know the exact date. I do know it will be in Lebanon. I don't have the location. So for the program of study of the year, and again, goes back to what Miss Myer was Miss Myer and Mr. Dugger were talking about earlier and all the good things we're doing in health science. And for all the CNA kids you saw, again, one group of those CNA kids are the kids who are getting or they started the track to become LPNs. Whether they get there or not, that's okay with they do or don't. Everybody has different branches they
037go different ways different pathways for careers. But at least the current freshman have enough time left in their high school career to be able to get that LPN if they want it in high school. So even though we don't have one student yet who has gotten their LPN before they graduate, just the concept of doing all this work behind the scenes, the state has already recognized this program of study is the program of study for the year. So again, we don't have anything now, maybe they'll give us something later. But in all fairness, it should also be pointed out it's not just Elizabeth because there's seven high schools and six other school systems doing this. So I don't want to steal their thunder. They're working just as hard doing the remarkable things as well. But
038that is coming down the pike. We've already gotten the phone call and we're going to be receiving that. We just obviously we have it yet. And while I'm here tonight at this board meeting, I at least wanted to give you all a heads-up that something good is coming. So, again, thank you, uh board, for letting us acknowledge all the good things going on in CTE. Thanks. >> [applause] >> And at this time, those are all the awards. If you're welcome to stay, we would love for you to stay. Um but if you need to go, we'll give a couple of minutes for people to exit, and then we'll pick back up with the program. >> Okay, we'll come back uh to order, and it is now time for reports, and I'll turn it over to
039Mr. Van Huss for the director's update. >> Okay, thank you again, and again, thank the board for allowing us this opportunity to highlight the incredible things that going on again in our schools uh the last 2 months there's been a pretty long list and I can't think of any better way for us to spend our time together than focusing on what makes all of us do what we do and certainly you uh it's certainly not for the pay that you do this and we but we appreciate your dedication again as Mr. Colbert said it it takes all of us to do this and we appreciate your part in that and again giving us opportunity to highlight these incredible students. Uh also want to congratulate uh Helen Hackett. This is uh she's wrapping up her tenure
040as a student liaison on the board. Uh she's just been an incredible liaison for the students of this uh you know, not just the high school but the the school system in general and uh if you weren't there yesterday she received the Medal of Honor uh 2 days ago. No no no yes yes yesterday. That's right. Yeah, I'm sorry. I I went to soccer last night and in Murfreesboro and I'm still trying to get my sleep back. Yeah. Yeah, but uh but again that's the highest honor at the high school and so very well uh deserved on your part so congratulations to you for that but again we thank you for your service in this role [clears throat] and we have a little card here for you uh to to wish you well and we
041certainly want you to make sure you come back and see us and again keep us posted on on your summer and and what goes on next so anyone have anything you want to share about Helen or >> Well, I had little Helen at Harold McCormick. She was my perfect attendance. All her yeah I always said perfect attendance. And I'll never forget rain, sleet, snow, heat wave, these babies walked to and from school but always had a smile on their face and always pleasant to be around and smart and sweet. So I'm glad I've got to know you and I just know you're going to make a difference in this world. I know you are. >> Yeah. you. >> You may remember uh Josh Smith invited us all to a a recital last board meeting and
042so two or three of us were fortunate enough to get there. Mercy. I just obviously we know she's talented but that's just another thing but when she led with Chopin and then went to Beethoven and then Mozart was that the order? I don't know. Anyway and then somebody modern that nobody will ever remember but it was still it was unbelievable to hear and not a sheet of music there just all by memorization. Um so my chopsticks would not stand up to >> [laughter] >> to her her so but it was it was beautiful. It was an honor to be able to come to that and we do thank you and wish you the best. >> Thank you for coming. We feel old. I can't go to the kitchen and remember where I went and she
043did a whole concert with no music. >> [laughter] >> So if we could it would be if if you wouldn't mind if we could all come down front here and we'll give get a picture with Helen and Miss Shaff giving her her card so. >> [applause] >> Okay a couple other things here in my update. Um it's hard to believe we're at this point but we're already gearing up not only to close out the school year but looking towards summer school. Um plans are already in well in the works there. We have over 300 students are currently enrolled in summer school programs that will take place at Westside and T.A. Dugger as well and the high school, all three locations in the month of June. We also are having summer ESP that will be at
044Harmon McCormick. So when you think about that, four of the five schools will be fairly busy just about all summer. So again, just lots of great things going on. It doesn't stop once the last school day of the year comes. We're also excited here in the later on in the the meeting to talk about the therapy dog program that we would like for the board to consider allowing us to do. Really think that that's going to be a positive for our students across the district. Miss Boatman's done a lot of work. Uh visited multiple places looking at different programs and so I'm anxious for you to hear what she has to share with you on that. Obviously, another big item on the agenda tonight is approval of the school system budget for 26-27. We'll talk
045about that as well. Um last but certainly not least, we want to recognize Miss Cindy Walker. Again, as as you've heard, she is retiring. This is her last month, so we had she attended her last principals meeting today and she was so excited. >> [laughter] >> And and so this will obviously be her last school board meeting. So again, just can't say enough about Miss Walker and what she's meant to the school system all these years. Just a great friend, an incredible employee. Like I said in the principals meeting, she's carried me a lot. Her back's very sore because [laughter] she's carried me a lot. Help me, you know, I was like, "Oh, I think I forgot this." Nope. I did forget it, but she took care of it because she knew I would forget
046it. So again, we're certainly going to miss her, but the real benefactor is going to be her grandkids that she's going to get to hang out with more. So again, we >> [laughter] >> Yeah, talk to her now. You might change your mind. >> No. No, I'm just kidding. But But again, we thank you so much and appreciate your many years of service. So, we have a plaque as well as a card for you. So, you're going to have to get up and we're all going to go down here and take a picture again. So. >> [applause] >> So, last thing on my list, obviously, since Ms. Walker's retiring, we had to find someone to replace. And obviously, big shoes to fill, but we want to welcome Emily Warsburn. She's very excited about the position
047and everyone's excited about it but maybe one person in this room. Uh Mr. Hurley is not excited about that because he lost Ms. Warsburn at at East Side to us, but again, we're very excited about her being in this role. And the good thing is, Ms. Walker's not going too far away, so she'll she'll be there to to help if you have a question. She's a phone call away. So, uh so, we welcome you and excited about your tenure as well. So. That's all I have. >> All right. Okay, now time for board member reports. I know there's not been tons of activity. Anybody have anything? We do appreciate you, Ms. Walker, getting us scheduled for the things that are coming, always taking care of us. Um and we really appreciate that. But any anything
048at all? >> I'd like to say Cindy and I have been through I mean, a lot, a lot. When my little girl was nine, she had open heart surgery. And when they rolled around to the operating room, she was holding her hands up and here comes Cindy being her surgical nurse and I thought what a godsend Cindy to be in there with my little girl, but we've gone to church together for years and we went to school together at Happy Valley. I mean, we've been through it. So call me, I'll tell you about what's coming with your knees. >> [laughter] >> He may have. Okay. Now, Mr. Mike, our city council liaison report. >> What a great meeting. You guys like to have a lot of fun. You come to city council meeting and kind
049of poke us and kind of you know, >> [laughter] >> have some of that fun. Uh just good news, we had our in our May meeting for our 2026-27 budget, we did pass our budget or you know, first reading on our budget and of course your school budget was part of it. So that's good news. We'll have our second reading which I you know, be no problem. Usually first reading is always been there's questions or shouldn't be. But again, we're good on that so we'll let you know. That's good news. Our budget, we balanced our budget, no tax increases so >> Thank you. It's good. We appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. And last but certainly not least, Ms. Helen, student liaison report. >> So my favorite part of this month was
050not AP exams, but getting to go with a team of students and teachers to leadership conference at ETSU for Appalachia. And we went with students from around the region and attended events and our students more than attended, they ran the show. They were in charge of leadership groups, we helped present, Mr. Hensley helped present and it was a wonderful event and I really got to see our next liaison Phoebe Holly step into the role she's going to take next year and I'm really proud of her and what she's going to do. Something also interesting we did was a few weeks ago I met with Phoebe and the administration and some other teachers that are connected to the liaison role and we were able to formulate a document that details the exact roles and some opportunities
051liaisons will have in the future just so we have it in stone. And so I'll send you guys a copy of this after tonight. So that was cool and this week XQ came in with a documentary team similar to the one that did murder 101 and they want just want to document what makes our school unique. They videoed our robotics team, we're really proud of them and just students who have who demonstrate that our school changes people and that we're adapting with the times and we're still sending wonderful people into the world. And I want to close today with a huge thank you to the school system and everything that you guys have done for me cuz I walked into EHS unsure of myself, unsure of my future and I I took classes, I built
052relationships with teachers and students and that turned me into who I was today. And because I had the opportunity to serve in this role, I've had opportunities and done things I've never dreamed I could. And even though I picked my college major like last week actually, I've always had the confidence that I can do whatever I want to. I can go to Japan, speak a foreign language, I can change the world and I want to thank EHS for that and I'm proud to always be a Cyclone. >> [applause] >> Thank you. You certainly will be missed. >> She will. >> All right. Now for time for the regular agenda. First item on the agenda, discussion of the creation of a therapy dog program for Elizabethton City Schools. >> Okay, do we need a motion to
053discuss? >> Uh no. >> So at this point, if Ms. Bachmann will come up and share some information with you. Thank you all again be really impressed with all the work [snorts] that's gone into this thus far and we're really really excited about the potential of getting this off the ground. So. >> Yes, so those that you do not know me, I don't know if I think that's going to stay there. Um My name is Chelsea Bachmann. So I oversee the Family Resource Center and Coordinated School Health and earlier this spring, um we formed a committee with the hope of starting to try to get a therapy dog program off the ground. Um so this is some rough information of what we've been going over. Um there's a lot that goes into the therapy dog
054program. There's a lot of options out there. It's kind of seems that all every school district um adopts their program differently. So we're trying to weigh out our options, but before we dive any deeper into this process, we kind of wanted to see where your guys' heads were at and kind of get some approval before moving forward um in that process. Okay. So first I kind of just want to dive into like the science behind therapy dogs. A lot of the information I'm going to be pulling is from um a report that recently just came out with the Tennessee Department of Education. Um So just it highlights how um therapy dogs in an educational setting does reduce stress and anxiety. Um it increases oxytocin um or increases oxytocin and decreases cortisol, the stress hormone. Um
055and it helps set students up to be ready to learn. Um they see improvement in academic engagement. Um a lot of schools have been like implementing them within reading programs and things and seeing how it helps kids accelerate at self-confidence. Um, support social and emotional growth. A lot of schools are reporting that they have saw all across the board how it helps kids develop more empathy. Uh, they're better engaging with each other in the classroom. And it also enhances behavior in in classroom climate just because when you have emotionally regulated students, they're ready to learn. It gets them in that headspace and teachers are able to accomplish a lot more. It just overall promotes the overall well-being of students. Um, so I kind of just wanted to dive into some of the statistics that I
056pulled from that report, which I should have given you guys a copy of that report in your um beforehand, but I did print them if anybody wants that report just to see. So, it was five school districts that um the state picked and they piloted um with those five schools. So, this is some of the statistics that they pulled from last year. So, um one of the pilot schools, they implemented a um faculty and staff survey and 100% of the staff that was working within that school said that they saw the success and um the overall well-being of the program. Um One school saw a 7% decrease in chronic absenteeism compared to the previous year. One saw a 64% decrease in disciplinary referrals and some even saw a decrease in faculty absences. And all five
057of those pilot schools have confirmed that they're going to continue um continue their programs as well as trying to grow them. Um one school started with one dog and they've already increased to four. So, um I thought I can't do a a presentation without showing some dogs. So, here Here's some of the four dogs that are from those five districts. Um like I said, every school's kind of implementing it differently. Um some schools have dogs that staff members already owned. And they signed an MOU with the district to use their personal dog. Um majority of the districts are buying the dog for the district and then the district is financially responsible for that dog as far as like vet care, food, everything like that, insurance. And then there was two um of those pilot districts
058that adopted a dog from the local animal shelter. Um so to just kind of highlight some like testimonies of what they're seeing in those schools, um it's this dog, Barkley. I think he's in an elementary school. Um he's with a second grade teacher and she um in that report details about how she had a 10-day period where she did not have a kid miss a single day at school. Like her attendance in her classroom has like shot through the roof. >> Wow. >> A lot of teachers are saying like if they have a kid that does have a lot of attendance issues, like assigning that kid a role like, oh, he keeps the water ball water ball full for the dog or he gets to help with bathroom breaks. And they're seeing that those attendance
059kids are actually improving their attendance because it motivates them. They want to come to school. It's fun. Um Another teacher talking about just how much that they've been able to complete more in the classroom just because their students they're engaged, they're ready to go. And then this was actually out of Bristol. They had a foster student that their foster parent died and part of their process of bringing that student back, they were able to incorporate that therapy dog to help that student >> Mhm. >> um coming back into the school. Um There's also one I wanted to mention. Oh, when I was I went to Franklin Special School District. Um and they're kind of like the the star of therapy dog programs. You know, they're kind of one of the first schools to do it
060and they've done it really well. Um they talked about a specific student that they had. Um, it was a girl that was in first grade. And they were having a lot of issues with, um, getting her to get to school. So, she would arrive to school, get really nervous, and she would freeze. And they couldn't get her to go in the classroom. So, they started every morning the dog, her name was Star, she would help the handler walk in with the dog, and it went from an hour-long process to get this child in the classroom to like it was just normal. Every day she'd walk in with the dog and it really alleviated a lot of the stress on that child. So, I kind of just wanted to talk about some of the ways that,
061um, these schools are using their dog in in daily educational settings. So, a lot of them, you know, are using it kind of like as the greeting committee, you know, let's start a positive note at the first of the day. Um, there are classes that have perfect attendance, the dog gets to visit that day, you know, making a big deal out of attendance. As like a little special treat. Um, sitting with students who are um having counseling sessions, if there's something specific going on with that child. Um, utilizing the dog if DCFS comes to speak with a child, or they've had, um, they handle with care, and they've had police involvement there not before. Utilizing that dog to help that kid throughout the day. Um, teachers are able to schedule class visits for goal settings,
062special events, just for motivating the students in different things. Um, and then using it as some rewards for behavior plans as well. Okay, this is where we're getting into like we're still figuring things out, okay? So, we tried to pinpoint kind of what we're looking about as far as finances. And anybody that in the room that's been on the committee, please feel free to speak up and correct me, >> [laughter] >> okay? Especially Mr. Venegas. So, in us talking, I think that we feel the most comfortable with, um, the district owning the dog. Um, so I have it separated here. We like our annual operating cost and then our one-time startup cost. On our one-time startup cost, we've not listed the price of a dog just because we really aren't sure where we're at there
063yet. So, we haven't put that price on there. We we have floated the idea of could we maybe adopt a dog? Is that way a way that we could cut some like some cost? Um and the the trainers that we have hypothetically talked with, um they had no issue with that, but we're just not completely sold on on where we're going to get the dog yet. So, I did not include that price. Um but over here on this side, so there is a um a liability insurance that a lot of school systems pay for. It's like a secondary. It's the Better Business of the Carolinas or something like that. It's $350 a year. Most people are certifying their dogs through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Um that just kind of gives your dog the recognition, the
064the credit that like it's not just a regular dog. This is a dog that has sat through a a certification process. That does come with a little bit of extra liability insurance, as well. Um it is $35 a handler, which we could certify multiple handlers per dog. That's just however we would see fit, but that's $35 a year. But you'll see over here on the one-time startup, um you have to pay for a background check as well as a membership fee. We called a few vet offices to kind of get like the range of what we were thinking for vet costs. So, this is kind of like for preventative medication, routine care stuff. That's kind of what we're looking at. We also looked at some pet insurance that we would pay just just to be
065safe. If anybody owns a dog, you know, crazy stuff can happen. So, that would be a great way to maybe help us cover some of that cost. And then the food, I did go on the more expensive range of Knox food just just so that we covered kind of that cost if that's the desired direction we decided to go. But um the CTE department did confirm that they would be willing to cover all grooming costs. So that is like a huge expense that I know a lot of schools are um having to pay. Then on the other side, the dog training, it probably would cost just around $2,000 factoring in like spaying, neutering. And then the Canine Good Citizen, that's just another training and certification that um a lot of districts are are keeping on
066your your insurance as usually probably required as well. So that is something that we would have to do. So we're looking for our first year total investment would be right at about $6,000 is what we're looking at. Give or take. Then we kind of we have something similar like this for Back to School Bash. It's just a kind of like a donation model is kind of what we had in mind. A lot of school districts are implementing something like this and using their community to sustain these programs. Um there's not I don't think that the state will be doing another below grant, unfortunately. Um they awarded that like 2 years ago and they have not rolled out to um do that again anytime soon. So we're kind of trying to see, you know, gauge if
067if we could start to fundraise for that, if that's something that we would feel comfortable moving forward with. Um obviously our committee would have to like go over this and um really confirm how we wanted to set that up. But this is kind of just a model of an idea of something that we were thinking of. >> Most of the other districts that are doing this, they have something similar to this and they're obviously people in the community that would really get behind this. We believe that and some of them have um like I think Bristol, can you tell them that's the sponsorship they have? Like there's a lifetime >> They've done a really cute one. They've got like their forever friend and that's someone that like it would kind of be like the level
068one they pay so much and then um that's like a yearly kind of like almost like a subscription that they that they donate and then they get different I think that they do like a they get like a 30-second football >> mention >> Yeah like a advertisement at each football game on the jumbo jumbotron and then you get so many businesses to your visits to your business and different things like that different recognitions that you would get in the community and it's different with each tier. >> And then typically the dog the dogs have like some type of jacket on there and we would recognize the donors on that >> Some of them do like trading cards that they pass out everywhere and so they put the business logos on that and it's like almost
069like a playing card for the dog. Different things people get very creative with it. There's a lot of cute ideas >> Yeah. Yes. >> We were hoping that maybe that that we thought that >> [laughter] >> Well our hope is is that we would want to pilot it one school first and see how it goes and then have the hopes that you know it goes wonderful and then it would be something that we could expand to others. >> Mhm. >> Um >> That's kind of been our We didn't want to come out and say that yet but now we've said it. The hope was if there was some way how neat would that be if we were able to get a dog you know from the shelter and and see it progress and and provide
070this benefit for the community. So we would love to explore that. Yeah. >> Yeah we were speaking with the trainers um they totally were not against I saw dog. They were like you know that's totally bomb, but they were like, a younger dog might be better just because you can kind of >> Mhm. >> set that temperament in place. Um, but we liked the back story. We thought we thought that that would be a good fit. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, we'll talk, Mr. Simerly. Our other systems did are they did they basically start like with a dog and then transition? I mean, if they have one, are they doing it at every school in their system once they get it up and going? So, that's the goal. >> Yes, so I will say like, um,
071Bristol City Schools, they were one that received, um, the below grant and they they started out with one dog and it was going so well that they actually just bought their fourth dog. So, they've done it one school at a time. Um, which and it is a process because the dog has to be at least 1 year's old to get certified and you've had to have the dog for 6 months before you can certify and it can start working. So, it is a long process. >> Does does a member of faculty member or someone like that are they the responsible party for the dog during that time? >> So, what a lot of school systems are doing that they decided that they want to own the dog, um, they would sign an MOU with, um,
072that handler. They usually have like a primary, secondary, and sometimes even a third and that just gives the that person, usually the secondary, if that person goes out of town or whatever, if that employee was to leave the school system, you then have a fall back plan of where the dog would go. >> So, there would be a handler at a particular school and then that person would take that dog home at night? >> Every day. >> Okay. >> We would like to be able to >> a staff member, would volunteer to be the handler and then take that dog home with them at night or on winter breaks and stuff. >> We would have like a it would be in the MOU and kind of like in the dog's retirement plan. It is the
073school district's dog. The school district is accepting financial responsibility of that dog. But when that dog goes to retire, that primary handler would have the first dibs of the dog retiring with that family. But that also just gives us the protection that we haven't put a bunch of money into a dog and then we lose the dog. If somebody leaves. >> We've talked a lot about that. Would we would we rather own the dog again or have the you know, an employee potentially own the dog. We just felt like it was better for at this point our thought is it would be better for the district to own the dog. That way if anything happens and a lot of places like Franklin, it's it's basically in some ways the dog is just like an employee.
074If there's school in session, that dog is going to be there. So if the primary handler is sick, the secondary handler's job will be to go to pick that dog up and bring it to school. So there's lots of things there. We just felt like it would be better for us. Again, like Miss Boffman said, what if the employee decides to leave, decides to move or whatever and then the dog's gone and we're starting all over from scratch. So I will tell you that our liability insurance for the school system with Tennessee Risk Management, we have verified if something happened with the dog and someone, it would cover just like it quite frankly does, you know, with any other student injury or anything else like that. So that insurance is separate from the insurance we're
075talking here. Health insurance on the dog and things like that. >> And I will say that with meeting with Franklin Special Schools, one of our first questions that we had was how do you handle kids that are allergic to dogs or scared of dogs? So they do it's part of like their Skyward paperwork that you know, yes, my child can interact with the dog or no, my child cannot. The principal said that she probably only gets like a handful of people that actually say no and she says majority of the time it's people that they just don't they didn't fully understand. And so she's able to explain the dog's certifications, and then you know, like this isn't just a common dog, and a lot of parents change their mind. But that they do have, you
076know, some of the students that are allergic. And so the ways that they've kind of tried to make that fair is like when they're making their class list for the next year, they try to alternate kids that are allergic so that they're someone that's not allergic to dogs is not always in the same class as a kid that is allergic to dogs. So everybody that can interact with the dog gets to have a chance, and they can still keep that kid that's allergic safe. >> And you you may not know this, there we've had um I'm thinking I think we have one now, and we had one maybe the students already graduated from the high school, but we've had um you know, some medical dogs that have accompanied students to school now. So we've kind
077of gone through that process of notifying parents and and students that hey, this is coming. This is a appropriate ways to approach the dog, you know, stay away from these type things. So we've done a really good job of uh basically we've had some experience in that and done a good job of of sharing that information. And if we move forward this program, we'll do the same thing same type things with notification and things like that. >> A lot of the school districts have implemented kind of like a faculty and staff training that they do like at the beginning of the school year just like hey, this is how we interact with the therapy dog, things like that. So that is absolutely something that we do. >> Generally an elementary school that you start out
078with or high school? >> They're in all schools. Yeah, it it I think that we would just have to come up with like our own process of deciding who who we're going to select whether we wanted to look at I don't know, attendance, discipline however we see or if we just have a best fit. >> I think you've gotten different feedback from different systems like well, started in middle school or we started in high school and then others started in elementary. >> doing it with older kids first. Some have preferred to do elementary age. They think that that's easier. But, some have done middle school and high school and have had great programs. >> We'll learn a lot. >> school be the home base and then it would visit other schools possibly or would it
079just be at that one school? You don't know yet or >> I mean, our intentions is they I think that it would have a home school. Um now, I don't know if while we're developing the program if we would want to branch out. I think that that's something that >> There might be some some special events where they would attend other schools, but I think primarily each day it would be at at a particular school because that staff member you know, they're going to have other duties that day as well. But, but we'll certainly, wherever we start, assuming we start, wherever we start, we'll look for opportunities to get that dog in other schools to again for that same thing to see, "Hey, this is something that may be coming to your school as well."
080>> Let's see if >> So, couple of next steps. What we hope to have for you in June is an actual board policy. We have um kind of the skeleton of that right now. We've communicated with TSBA and they've given us a model policy. So, we're trying to shore up some things in that. So, what our intention would be to bring that in June for you to consider passing and then if if that does happen, then we'll start the process of doing some things like looking at some fundraising opportunities and and what those next steps would be. And we'll continue to, if we get that far, we'll continue to update you throughout the the the process and keep you updated on the um how things are going. >> Time-wise, but not this fall, but the
081next fall probably be the earliest that we would hopefully have it in the school. >> Yeah, I think a lot of that depends on how quick we can get the dog trained and that's based on the age. >> Like I said, the dog has to be 1 year of age to be certified and it also has to be with the handler for 6 months. Or have a meaningful relationship with the handler for 6 months. >> So, you know, best case scenario, we get a dog that's, you know, at least 6 months old, we get him with a handler, they stay with him for 6 months and then get them trained. You're probably looking at 27, 28. Yeah. Or or at the best, late spring, you know, maybe next year, but I think that's probably a
082little ambitious. >> Now, I will say that Bristol City Schools, they somehow worked it out with their insurance that once the dog had the good citizenship certification, their insurance did allow the dog to do school visits, um but it did not officially start working until it had the Alliance of Therapy Dogs certification. >> Any other questions? Thank you so much. Appreciate all that information. All right. >> [applause] >> Next item to approve the 2026-2027 budget for Elizabethton City Schools. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion and I'll take that as a second. All right. Um I assume you don't have any questions. >> [laughter] >> If If you'll allow me just a couple minutes here. Um so, as you've seen in the news across the state, frankly, you've noticed some school systems that
083are have really, really had a challenging budget development cycle. Um several districts losing millions and millions of dollars. As we talked in our first our budget workshop, you know, we're we're in the same situation to the extent of we've we've seen uh seen some cuts as well. Uh if you remember that first budget workshop, I mentioned the fact that our intention was to try to put a budget together that did not eliminate any staff positions. We looked at other places that we could potentially cut and lower the the you know, some of our expenditures to get with get us get us to the point where we had a balanced budget. And thanks to uh Tyler Williams and the finance group as well as Miss Wilson before she left and retired on us, but all of
084them worked uh tirelessly trying to to do that with that goal in mind. We want to try to avoid having to cut any positions. And the good news is again, we were able to do that. The only position we have eliminated and that's basically just due to attrition is a 100-day contract that was uh here at the central office. That's the only position that was eliminated. We're able to keep every other position as well as we've built in a 1.5% raise for all employees, not just teachers, but every single employee. 1.5 is not much and if there is any way we could give any more, we would certainly do that. Fortunately, the last several years we've had some fairly substantial raises uh over over that time period. Unfortunately, we're just not to that point. Again,
085we've not had to cut any positions and we're able to give a little bit a little bit of a raise. So, we have some ideas on some things uh moving forward uh with the TISA formula and things that we think may put us in a better position for 27-28. Uh so, that's why we wanted to avoid doing any staff cuts. So, I'm going to hit a few highlights and things for you to know. Uh obviously, in your package you have a copy of the uh the budget uh documents, but I'll point out a couple things on page two. It's kind of the budget at a glance. Uh again, I just mentioned about the 1.5% raise for all personnel. Um we will continue to pay 100% of individual dental and life insurance premium for full-time employees.
086We will continue to pay 100% of the individual medical insurance premiums for full-time employees uh based on the standard plan. And you know, that's that's kind of the basic plan. You know, staff members have the opportunity to choose a larger ones, but we pay at that standard rate. And then anything they choose above, they they pay the difference on that. Um, I mentioned at the first budget workshop that medical insurance premiums, they told us to be ready for a double-digit increase. So, this budget has a 6% increase that went into place uh in January of '26. January of '27, they told us again to be ready for a double-digit increase. Since then, Mr. Williams has gotten some information. Maybe that's going to be 8 or 9%. This particular budget has an increase of 12%. So,
087we've over-projected that just to try to be on the safe side to make sure that we had enough. So, we're hoping for a little savings there uh in reality based on what this budget is projected for. Uh dental insurance premiums are also budgeted for an 8% increase in January '26 and '27. So, I talked about the cuts. We basically take the maintenance department budget. We've cut that by 20%. That's a substantial amount. We've talked with staff members, especially principals uh and supervisors about the fact again it's going to be a lean year. There's things that we've been fortunate and been able to do in past years that we're probably not going to be able to do this year. So, everyone's on board with that. Uh again, the conversations were no one wanted to lose any
088staff. This may be a sacrifice to not lose staff. And there was wasn't a person uh in our group that felt like "Well, no, I want to I want to keep, you know, some of my staff money and eliminate positions." That was not the case at all. So, we're 100% behind this plan as well on in that respect. We also cut the supply department's budget. It's that's down 10%. We're also going to ask the city to consider allowing us to pull $150,000 out of the half-cent sales tax excess that we have there. We would pull some of that out to help offset some of these major things that we may have pop up as far as maintenance issues as they arise. So, that will help that would help us offset some of that 20% loss
089in the maintenance budget. Um Tho- those are the big highlights that I wanted to share with you. Um again, no staff positions, a little bit of a raise, not what like what we'd like to give, but again, just um thanks to Mr. Williams. He hit the ground running and has worked again very, very hard to get to where we are right now on the budget. So, what about questions for me on that? As you do know, enrollment is down some, and again, that's been the trend across the state. Um again, we have some ideas, some things that we're doing. I can tell you that so far uh through Cyclone Connection, our two tuition I would call it application request is a is a better word for that. We have around 100 students that are requesting
090enrollment in the school system next year, so we'll continue to work through that process. That's about typically where we are uh at this particular time, and we've done several things again, just trying to promote what went on tonight is a big thing. We want people in the community to know all the great things that are going on in the school system, and we want their children to be a part of it. So, we're we're not just sitting back looking at well, we're losing students or whatever else. Uh we really think there's some things that we can do to try to stem that tide. Any questions? >> I just appreciate that I know it's been lot of work. and Tyler and you stepping in. I know it's your first round with the budget. We appreciate you
091helping us put all this together. You all have done a lot of hard work and done a good job. >> Yeah. >> I agree. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? All right. The items to approve the 2026-2027 budget for Elizabethton City Schools. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? And there are none. Motion carries. Next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th at 5:30 here in the Mack Pierce Board Room. Can I get a motion [clears throat] to adjourn? >> Motion. Have a good