001Please stand. We'll have a moment of silence. Yes. >> Well, according to our rules of procedure, we have a moment of silence and that has to go through the policy to need to be changed. So, until that's changed, we have to abide by the policy. So, we'll just have to go with the moment of silence right now. So, Thank you for that. >> The flag place your hand over your heart and begin. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Here comes Tommy right back in start on the recognition. All right. I believe Todd Ballard here. >> Come on up, Todd. >> Yeah. So, I am not Craig Day. We're similar but very
002different. Um, no, but uh, so I'm Todd Ballard, assistant principal at Jefferson Elementary School. On behalf of Mr. today in the Jefferson Elementary School family. Uh we wanted to thank and recognize Tony Walls and Providence Church uh for all the hard work and dedication that they've done for our school. Um Providence Church, they they've been faithfully serving the school and the community for the past almost 15 years now. Um Pastor Walls and his his team, they come in um they take care of all our landscaping. They trim the the shrubs, take care of our flowers. Uh this year they put mulch around the whole building. Um so very very thankful for all the work that you guys do for us. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] All right, then that brings us to public input. >>
003We have five tonight. The first one is Stephanie Bales from New Market and she's going to speak to you about parttime part time. >> All right. Remember to make sure you state your name and address and then your clock will start for you. >> Uh yes, my name is Sails. My address is in New Market. Um I am the part-time um assistant at New Market in the prek room. I was here earlier and spoke to the policy review committee uh regarding this topic. Um I thank them and I want to thank the rest of the board for everything that you all do uh for our students and staff um for the throughout the year. Um we want I want to thank you for the opportunity to come back and speak before you. Um this is
004not only for myself, but this is for all part-time classified staff in the county. Um, I'm here to address a concern about our accumulated time off. The subject uh was previously addressed in an email directed to all of the school uh school board members, Dr. Honor with Car Baker. I also sent uh a copy to my principal Angie Rogers. Um, in this email, I stated how our hours are accumulated and into what category those hours are labeled. uh our accumulated time is labeled as sick time and of course that means that work can only be missed if the employee is sick. Um unlike teachers or four full-time classified staff, there are no personal days earned. Uh some staff that I have spoken to try to get most of their appointments and personal business, everything that
005they need to do and take care of during fall break, spring break, Christmas breaks, whenever we have time off. and then after school hours. Um, however, that's not always an option. Uh, our work schedules do not always align with available appointment times and family issues requiring us to miss work do not always fall under the policy guidelines for sick time. Uh, I know everyone here understands that life doesn't stand still and things can change in an instant. So, I want to bring up to some situations that as I spoke to the re uh policy review committee um that led me to come here and speak. Um if an employee needs to take a day off for a child's wedding, uh they must take leave without pay as the reason does not align with sick leave
006guidance. This situation is one where we would lose pay if we had to take off. Um, as a part-time employee, I'm not allowed briement leave like full-time staff. Again, these days would be without pay. If I were to lose a parent, a loved one, spouse, or heaven forbid, a child, um, I would have to take those days off. Um, and then also fear that I wouldn't get paid for them. Um, with approval, full-time employees are allowed personal leave and bereavement leave, and we as part-time employees have that opportunity. Speaking for myself, I live on a farm and there may be animals um and needs that require me to get immediate attention. According to the current sick leave policy, this would also not align with the sick leave policy and I would have to take leave
007without pay. Given this situation, I also ask that consideration be made to the current sick leave policy 5302. The policy currently states, quote, "A signed statement listing the cause of the absence shall be provided to the supervisor." End quote. In say situations like these, I would not be in a position to obtain documentation for an absence. I propose that the benefits of part-time employees be brought to align with other classified employees. I'm asking that part-time employees be credited with a personal day as well as days. I'm also asking that consideration be given to policy 5.302 regarding documentation for the use of sick days. As I gave an example to the policy review committee, a lot of teachers uh if tummy bugs go throughout the school, that's not necessarily something that we would seek medical attention
008for. we would just take the time off and then go right back to school and get back into it. Um, so that's not not every medical situation requires a doctor's visit. Lastly, I want to thank you all again for your hard work uh for your babies and for us. So, thank you for your time and your consideration. >> Thank you. >> Who's next? >> Next is David at school. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. I'm David Seal, 7:30 San Martin Road in Danish speaking on the prayer school board meetings. One year ago, I appeared in front of this board and explained the new approach that our Supreme Court majority has taken on religious freedom, including prayer on school property and on public meetings. I believe it be clear to have a opening
009personal prayer to start your meetings. And I back this up with Supreme Court cases. I hope you read the ones that I sent you and they're cited as follows. Kennedy versus Bington, Town of Greece versus Galloway, Espinosa versus Montana, Carson versus Mason, Freedom from Religion versus Mack, Fton City versus Philadelphia, and Mars versus Chambers. this point I'm wondering what it's going to take to convince them. Liberal attorneys and pinkstriped progressives will say anything to keep prayer out of a school board meeting. Because of this confusion and misunderstanding of the free expression clause, a bill is going to be filed in the next legislative session to codify that you will you can open your meeting for the prayer. I know this because I wrote the legislative intent of the bill, obtained the sponsors, and I wrote
010the approved Jefferson County resolution to support it. I urge you to adopt the same resolution at your next meeting. I'm sending you a workable copy, a word file, and supporting documentation on everything I've just told you. Again, I'm willing to meet with any of you one on- one and explain these cases and the new court doctrines line by line and word by word if you so desire. And again, thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, >> next is Bo Christian from speaking on high school advisory and Good evening, Bo Christian, 2960 B Carter Road, Andre. Good evening, members of the board and community. My name is Dr. Bo Christian. My family is deeply rooted in this district. We currently have two students at the high school, one graduate from the class
011of 23, and my wife has just recently served on the district's high school science curriculum adoption committee. I want to begin with gratitude. This district has remarkable teachers who have made lasting impacts. educators like Dr. Alder, Mr. Weaver, Henderson, Miss Jerk, um, Miss Hajj, Mr. Price, Epan, Kyle, and Miss Ramona Pedigo. My son, a 2023 graduate and now a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, who was Jefferson's County top student who his graduation year, a National Merit finalist and the county's first and only seal of biiteracy recipient, told me just uh today that Miss Pedigo was the teacher who best prepared him for college. That kind of excellence deserves recognition. And that brings me to my request. I'd like to work with the district to better highlight areas of student achievement that often
012cost the district no money. Valadictorian and saludatoran recognition. Even if awarded privately, these titles matter. Universities and militarymies still consider a class rank and many colleges offer full tuition to these students. The National Merit Scholarship, it begins in the junior year PSAT. Universities in states like Texas, Alabama, Florida, and others offer full rides for finalists. Our district has produced at least two, my son and last year's Eli Jones. The seal of literacy uh awareness, which is a special thing in Tennessee. It's Tennessee's recognition um strengthens applications and opens pathways for advanced language learners. Advising also matters. Too often my two daughters had to push just to excess advanced courses. Students aiming for selective colleges or militarymies especially need early guidance on the value of honors and AP courses. Finally, extracurricular access should be flexible. My
013junior this year attended uh just after her eighth grade the Rosie girls camp for the high school and wanted to take an introductory welding class to fill an open period this year but couldn't because she wasn't part of that CTE pathway. That was a lost opportunity. Our district is already producing students who shine at the highest levels. Let's spotlight those achievements. give family the right information and ensure every student has the t the chance to reach their full potential. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Next is Charles Hicks from Jefferson City speaking on Hello everyone. Glad to see you again. Well, I'm going to have something to say to you. It's not >> Oh, Charles Hicks, 210 Span Drive, Jefferson City, Tennessee. Uh, I'm going to tell you a couple stories. Okay.
014I guess all of us familiar with the man in the Bible named Jeremiah. Haven't you? Everybody heard of him? No. Okay. Well, there's a man named Jeremiah in the Bible. God sent him out on a mission. He said, "I want you to go and I want you to tell my people that if they don't change their ways, I'm going to destroy their land." Jeremiah didn't want to do it, but he went ahead and done it anyway. And he warned them. And he warned them. He warned them. They just caught up in their own ways. Just going to do it their way or no way. They didn't care anything about God. Everything. And their eyes was good, just the way they wanted it. They done what they wanted to do, how they wanted to do it.
015And tell that story in the Bible, Jeremiah, because they wouldn't listen. God destroyed their land and all Israelites, they went into captivity as slaves. And you know, I I I don't understand why we want to look at this and look at this. The last schoolboard meeting, the hand of God was not in this schoolboard meeting. I've never seen God anywhere because he worked in a school board meeting last session we had and a man comes up and asks as a school board member if he could say an open prayer and cowardly cowardly that's not our agenda. We can't go without understand. But we will run and hide and be afraid when you all have a a position to hold and will not even take kids liberation. Let's put prayer back in school. Do we really
016want to see this nation be destroyed? Do we want to see a school end up being destroyed somewhere somehow, but somebody got some evil in their heart that they want to do wrong? And we can say, "Well, that's just something that someday happened." We kicked Jesus out of our schools. We did. Not the kids. Yes, it didn't have nothing to do with it. The kids has and I know with that that other people, the preachers, they tell me what they're doing, what they're doing behind those curtains and what they're doing when the kids are not there. Somebody told me the other day that they're allowed to go in school and they can pray, but they have to be out of the school before the kids gets there. What's that? What's that doing? We're only saying,
017yeah, we'll let you do that, but you know, we really don't believe in God and we're not going to let the kids experience this because we may get in some kind of trouble. But guess what? All over in the Bible, there's another story about a city named Nineveh. I'm sure all of us have heard that sometime or another, but there was a great revival in that town. And they were so evil that they were on their way to being destroyed. But one of the greatest revivals that ever took place in that city. There could have been 300,000 to 600,000 people in that town. But they believe in Jesus Christ and they stood up and they repented and they were forgiven of their sins and the city wasn't destroyed. What's it going to take? What's it
018going to take for us to realize? God's not going to keep playing with us. I'm telling you, he's not going to keep playing with us. We see more and more destruction every day that's happening. Somebody that has some kind of faith. So, does that just mean we still want to have a position like we have as a school board member? And the number one thing is is that we're going to keep prayer out of school. I just can't figure it out. Jefferson County has the greatest opportunity to set an example for the whole state of Tennessee. And it will go down in history as been a school, a system of a school board that's going to say, you know what, we're going to stand up and we're going to fight this and we're going to
019put prayer back in school one way or the other. And then you're going to come to find out if you ever do all these things that you say that can happen, you're going to find out that's never going to happen. Because when you once stand up for Jesus, he will be there to back us up. And I sure hope that one day you all will open your eyes and take a take that step and say, you know what, here at Jefferson County, we're going to make a difference because I love you guys. I'm not talking and talking anything bad about you. You got a job to do and I do love you and I love coming here and talking to you and I hope you'll always keep let me come back because I'm going to
020be here every school that you have. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> And the last one is Sharon from Hello. My elbow so I'm kind of clumsy. Uh, good evening members of the school board. Uh, my name is Sharon Ward. I live at 1906 Alcorn Drive in Jefferson City. And I want to thank you for the opportunity to come speak to y'all tonight on behalf of Jefferson County Fair, an institution that has stood as a symbol of tradition, togetherness, and the true spirit of our community. For generations, the Jefferson County Fair has been more than just a week long event. It's become a homecoming of sorts. A place where old friends re reunite, young people make lasting memories, and families come together to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of our beautiful county.
021From pying contests and livestock shows to gospel music, tractor pools and youth talent shows, airfare has always been rooted in community service and community fun. But like so many institutions that have weathered change and challenge, the fair has had to adapt. And in that adaptation, we lost something precious. The sense of performance, the sense of belonging, and the sense of tradition that only a long-term stable home can provide. That is why we are here tonight to humbly request your support in securing an annual lease for the fairgrounds. Not just for a single event, but for the continued growth of a year-round mission to serve Jefferson County. With a committed home base, the fair can expand far beyond one week a year. We can host festivals, educational events, youth programs, agricultural workshops, and communitywide celebrations throughout
022the calendar year. This is more than a lease. It's a partnership. A partnership that aligns with the values our schools hope. a community involvement, student engagement, leadership development, and a pride in our local history. Our 4 and FFA students already find a platform at the fair to showcase their hard work. Imagine the impact we can make on a ongoing programming that keeps our young people connected to to their roots and proud of where they come from. Let us return the Jefferson County Fair to what it was was always meant to be, a pillar of this community. Not only during the fair week, but all year long. With your support, we can plant our roots again, deep and strong, so that our children and their children will continue to experience the magic of the fair for
023generations to come. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your continued commitment to the heartbeat of Jefferson County. Um, I have handed out a couple of documents u the lease agreement that we kind of come up with that for y'all to look over as well as some of the events that we would like to do if you all decide to let us have the lease for like we used to have. And I will let you know that there are some things that we found at the end of fair this past year that are going to have to be redone. Um, some of the water lines are in bad shape. Some of the sewer lines are in bad shape. So, there is some some things that are going to have to be done at the
024fairgrounds. So, just to let you know all those things. Is there any questions? All right. Thank you very much everyone. That takes us down to the balance for information. Open to the director. >> Okay. Within your packets, um financial report, Jesse, anything you got on that with the financials? They approved all the budget amendments uh budget committee and county commission. So after your budget amendments that you all approved last month, your unassigned fund balance is around 10.1 million. Also in there items for information, we've got district enrollment, policy review, and um new requirement threat assessments is included in there. Let's just um Every quarter Jerry's here somewhere. No, every quarter we have updated um version for threat assessments. So basically you just get numbers. Um so that's an ongoing thing. We don't we've not had
025any what we consider credible uh threats. So um you'll see that listed in there. And then also I sent you an email today on Tabot Elementary School just talking a little bit about updates there of where we're at um with that project. So we've done some um minor work up there with site prep and um ran into a little issue Saturday during that rainstorm. Um, we had a gutter drain. So they, the construction company thought there was a foundation drain. They capped it off so nothing would get in there. Turned out to be a gutter drain. So whenever it rained, it backed up, came into the school. So we took care of that Saturday, Sunday, and into Monday morning. Um, getting that figured out and repaired. So, I'll start sending you I'll put those if
026you remember those roofing updates, Pete my elementary school updates where you get some pictures of progress, reports of of what's going on. So, I'll send those to you monthly at these work session meetings. Put them in there. >> Yeah. And Dr. I think if we could provide those to the joint uh committee meeting too, I think that would be an item that the joint committee would like to >> Sure. >> And I do plan to send those out once the board has those. I'll send them to commissioners also to forward those out. That's all the items for information, sir. >> All right. You got anything on the upcoming business session agenda? >> I do. Um so on the upcoming new business, we have um just a couple of things. First of all, I before we
027get to agenda items, I do have you all have approved that director evaluation and I will work Ron and I will send out some dates prior to maybe during fall break um and shortly after fall break for some dates that you all could schedule with me, sit down, go over any we've done that the previous couple of years. Um, so that's worked well. If you want to uh sit down and go over anything, you know, we'll schedule some time for that. And then also coming up, I wanted to put on your radar. It won't be on this month's agenda, but we are over the next month, we're getting the 2026 school calendar for you to see in November. Um, so normally what we do, we talk to election commission, see what elections we have coming
028up, we'll send that out for preview to um departments within the central office principles. Once we kind of get a a draft, we'll send that out to school personnel just to get a bunch of looks at it to make sure we're not missing something before we bring it to the board, a final draft for approval for you all to consider. Um, so that's coming up in November, but you may be hearing stuff about that over the next 30 days or so until we can get something in front of you. >> Mr. Chairman, may I >> Yes. Director, is there anything in our calendar that reflects Constitution Day? >> Uh, I don't I don't know that there's something in our calendar that's listed. It is a state require. It's a state law. So, we recognize Constitution
029Day um through TDOE send something out. We always send something out. Um, >> well, I say we take a nap, celebrate. >> I'm usually not against >> I took it out. I'm retired. >> I don't know why you brought that up. Yeah, we could always I I can't remember how that falls. Sometimes it falls on a weekend. It's not designated to an exact day during the week, but but we can look at that Friday or Monday or whichever week we celebrate. >> Uh you know, I'm bad to tell stories and take up time. Uh I share a quick story with everybody in July 13th, 196 century by the way. Uh I went to was raped the army went to the doctor center and >> hit that bug coach. >> Thank you Danny. Anyway, this is
030I don't know. I just thought about it this week. When you get old, you think of things you did long ago. And I was 19 years old, just turned 19. And got my diagnosed after one year of college. Found out I was too tall for the army. 66 limit. The beds only go to 66 and so on to close. But I got graded anyway. My mom took me to the bus station Newport went to induction center and knocked and she said, "Randy, you need some money to take with you." I said, "No way that fetus and I'll be back home. I'm too tall." I said, "Give me a dime and I'll call you when I get back to Newport. You can come pick me up." All right. Well, I went to the induction center. You
031do all that stuff. You know, one of the last things they do is they measure you. When you step up on this machine or scales, y'all been on the scales, right? They pull a thing up and put it right here. But then to me, there's a gap between the two poles. So the guy doing this, he's I looked at him. I wanted to get in the army really bad. I looked at him. And I said, "Have you met me quite there was a quarterback and go Vietnam?" You know, they they take about anything and I was about anything. And he said, "Now, well, I was good at math, I think." So, I knew I was 80 in. I said, "Will you write out write down 70 inches on that piece of paper and I won't
032say nothing if you want." And he did. and all. But here's the story. You know what happened next? At the end of the day, there's a whole room full of us that that had gotten to that point to being a better uh and this is a constitution thing. I don't have a copy of it. I wish I had to to read to you when we raised your hand uh and to uh support and defend the Constitution of the United States. I remember that. And once we got through, we took a step forward, okay? Symbolic step. And you know what I felt when I took that step? I felt the weight of that constitution come down on my shoulder and the responsibility as a 19year-old kid what I had to do what everybody in that room
033had to do and I took it seriously and the rest of us did too. Uh so if we can't do anything that's fine but just this week you know getting older I said you know you you know you see the world differently and you remember your past and I remember that day the responsibility that was given to me and everybody in that room to defend that constitution that keystone of this country that keystone freedom speech freedom of with it. You can't beat it. Real simple. >> No other country in the world has it but us. You can worship anywhere anytime you want to. And so with that said, I'm glad my wife's not here. She But anyway, I just want to share that story if we can. You know, probably I don't know. Kids learn
034about constitution school. I knew what it was. But until I was told I had to support and defend it, that took a whole another minute. Very sick for a time. But anyway, I feel dire. Sorry. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I'll go back. >> Can I turn my button off? Looking at a few things on the new business. We have the a building that was requested to be on the new business. It's also on the school commission items for discussion. So, I'll leave my remarks out and and let you all have that discussion. >> Yeah, I got a question. >> Yeah. Whenever we get to that discussion, it's all >> not We're not down there yet. >> Not down there yet. >> All right. And um also just a couple of things. So um on
035the fair lease I put on there at at the request um you know just glancing over some things. I know that um um whenever we we ended the fair um couple of things just as far as within the current contract. I know that as Miss Ward mentioned, there was some sort of of sewer problem up there, drainage. Uh somebody dug a hole to find the sewer line. Um, you know, we would just be asked to, you know, where somebody digs a hole or leaves a hole, you know, we we need to be aware of that. And then also before anything's constructed on the property or torn down on the property, we would need to be aware of that also as a board that you all have approval of that. um as a board and u
036you know I know there was a new building one torn down and one constructed priority affair uh without board approval so just to have that done in the future but I think we have fixed that um sewer line one of the sewer lines it was I think it was right there in the tractor pull area maybe just over time collapsed that that line So, we think we've got that fixed. And Schoolboard meeting schedule is >> packet. >> It's in your board packet >> to hand out. >> No, so we got a draft in front of you. Um, >> we've done the best we can looking at it. Uh it's always hard to miss, you know, look those holidays, look at time. So this will be on the agenda for approval. Just glance over that, look
037at that. We'll continue to look at it over the next week or so. U we've got a long time between this is one of those months where it just falls at the end of the month. We have about 10 days till our meeting. So, um, we'll continue to look at those dates and make sure that we're not missing something. Uh, Jesse probably will get, if you have a copy, we'll send you one. Rhonda got that today, so it's hot off the press, so we'll send that. We added in some dates on um approval of the budget and those type things, but you may have a more detailed >> that calendar will have to go before them as well. I guess normally in October, but I think they meet after budget committee and county commission meets
038in October. So, >> yeah, we've got those April dates to look at the initial budget for board approval. We've got the July date. >> So, whatever they go with, I'll just add to my budget calendar. >> Yeah. So, we've got some stuff on there if you look at and agenda items. I believe that's all I've got. All righty then. So then that brings us down to the items for discussion and building was on our person. I know Paul had asked it be put on >> work session. Do you want to go or do you want coach? >> We we let coach start. I think we both have the same kind of >> Well, I just got a couple question as we put on the voting session. >> Coach, could you turn on your >> mic?
039do your job. All righty. Well, I'm all talking about something. Anyway, just a couple questions. Has the number changed? You know, we were in that motion made. I think you told us we needed 430,000. >> So, that was a that was a bid item, >> right? Right. >> So, I've not touched that negotiate anything with that company. um until we accept that bid. >> So >> if you had a prize, let's say the board until the board I won't put anything until the board takes action then I'm not going to discuss anything of that kind. So we can stay with one question in a motion made that number will be the one to use to add to the money we already have and that's present being right >> $431,000 >> and other money that we
040have set aside for that. >> Yes. >> Okay. And then the other I guess is uh how far how long in development? Uh we've got plans, right? >> Yeah. So we have blueprint plans, architectural designs that would that are approved u that was speced and bid on so down to the type of metal type of joys type of everything that number. >> Yeah. I guess my question is is as soon as we can get we if we done this basically uh kind of a shortcut thing we can go ahead and start getting bids in now >> it's done the bid's done the contractor has >> it's all done I believe it was a 45 day >> 90day to start >> uh sorry 90day the responsive bit Yeah. >> 45. >> Are we still within that
041range? >> We are within that range of >> funds would have to go before budget committee and county commission to approve. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. >> So once it passes county commission, we start bidding. >> We could award the bid at that point. >> Right. Thank you. >> About to get up. I'm about to get up and running uh to start next year's school year. 26%. >> Yeah. I believe the the company that won the bid said that they would could start within a 45day window of being awarded the bid, start construction. Um, >> it's 180day contract >> for completion said that they could start it. Um, this was like 30 days after the bid opening. They could have started it. So, >> yeah, I'm done. I'm sorry. Hang on. I forgot >> you.
042You technically put it on. So >> I just want to make sure that we had time, you know, for anybody had questions about it. is the we have the egg teacher here. >> Mr. Mar. >> So, I actually saw the plans. You've seen the plans for this? >> I have. Yes. >> Is everybody I guess you know I'm not an person. I've looked at this thing. I understand the concept of what it does, but what I look at is just a four wall building, 40x40, and then a 40x 40 outside basically with a wall that separates them. >> Yes. >> And a lot of concrete and nothing else. I mean, is that what you need? I mean that like other than inside there was a I think it was a minor is what they referred
043to as or storage corner or something water heater things like that inside >> does that meet what you need >> as as far as the facility goes that's been proposed and bid on I mean I I honestly can't think of really anything else the original uh kind of proposal that we had written up and the request of the school board was very similar. We started off asking for a 40x 100 with a 40x40 enclosed 60x40 open. Uh what we're looking at is having some enclosed for storage and being able to lock things up if we have, you know, animals like our small animal grooming lab, possibility of moving it into that part of the building rather than having it in the part of the building where the students are at now. Um the open area
044obviously will have to have some work to be functional for what we want to use it, but that's a matter of potentially purchasing corral panels, um squeeze shoes, things like that to be able to handle large animals. say, you know, our original request of the board was for a facility and then from that point we would address coming up with everything else that we need to get it up and running and functional for the shoot so they can get that hands-on component with the uh large animal sign. So >> So I noticed in the drawings that they had there was two uh rowup doors. >> Yes. It looked like a tractor or whatever a truck or whatever vehicle needed to come through it. Is that needed like that? >> Well, we asked for that so
045that we have um one outside access door to the enclosed stories to be able to move things in and out. And then the other end that goes into the open area that's still under roof, you could move potentially move animals back and forth through there. Plus, you could get machinery through for cleaning up and, you know, moving things through. So, the original request was that way, two man doors and two garage doors across from each other, which the garage doors also would help with ventilation and that kind of thing, you know, when they're open. So, >> and the HBAC will definitely be a big help on the inside >> that keeps things cooler and warmer. So, it would make it more comfortable. Um, you know, and I know that was included as a part of
046the build the bed. It's not a, you know, from my perspective, it's not a deal breaker. If if we don't have it, I had uh, you know, mentioned to Dr. Arnold back earlier in the planning process of this, if we don't have air conditioned space, we need exhaust fans just to keep some air movement so people and animals don't overheat. >> And so, from my understanding, then the enclosed area will be basically kind of like a classroom area as well, right? where you can be used like that. Is that kind of what you're there'll be students in there? >> I know around schools you have to be careful with labeling things as a classroom. So, I wouldn't say it's a classroom, but it's it's lab space. Uh not where kids would be sitting and getting
047instruction, but where they could be hands-on applying their knowledge. >> I guess I understand what you're saying. Um but there will be kids there that may require time to be inside there or one point for some time more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. >> So the one thing I didn't not the one thing I noticed that was not in there was a bathroom. >> Would that be helpful? >> Right. And in some of the original plans uh this was discussed being placed up near the softball field and I think Dr. pointed that out the last meeting that you know that site was going to require a lot of site work and all and uh I think Dr. Johnston had kind of pushed for that. That was going to be far enough away
048from any facilities that yes, restrooms would be a necessity. Uh where we're at now, we're close to the other buildings. Um, you know, obviously there's a foot traffic concern of going from one building to the other and which doors are unlocked to be able to access and that kind of thing. So, uh, in this plan, a restroom facility was not included, but once again, from my perspective, that's not a make or make or break the deal. We're not going to be sitting in a classroom there for an hour and a and a half. We we will have the ability to move back and forth from the hold center to this facility and you know take care of the restroom necessities if needed. We had mentioned being able to host some events. This really took off
049back the time that there was the potential of losing the fairgrounds. And so we talked about hosting some of those events at our facility if this came uh into being. And in that case, you know, if you're ho hosting anything public, then you probably need more than one bathroom available. But uh for the school part, yeah, bathroom would be great inside. But once again, it's not going to make or break the deal from our perspective. >> Okay. What about like a washroom or sink or something? Would that be kind of needed though? >> We we've asked for drains throughout the facility, water access throughout the facility. We need to be able to wash down. Um we need to be able to, you know, in some cases wash the animals and that kind of thing. So,
050uh, you know, I think from a maintenance perspective, it would be pretty simple, even if it's not included in the construction phase of it, to come in and install us a a sink, you know, for the skin table washer. Obviously, you you're dealing with animals. >> That was in there. >> Hot water heater was in there. I'm not sure in small when I was looking at it. >> I'm getting old. pretty. Um but so everything u from what you saw look like everything would meet your requirements what you need and then sounds like even maybe seed a little bit because I you know I see pull barn by no means is this a pull barn that I thought of when I you know this is this is a wood this is a prefab you know
051almost customized steel structure and I don't have an issue with it To me, it's spinning around enough to know wood's eventually going to rot. When you start to have it put onto concrete, it's going to start over time versus the steel. You know, I do think that, you know, I think maybe as a board, well, I'll speak for myself when I see a price of $617,000 for a pool barn, you know, my eyes were probably bloodshot that night, thinking, how much wood is this? What kind of wood are we going to use for that? But um you know I I have a little questions on that has nothing to do with with you or the need but maybe you know on certain prices that was given but um I think you know when I look
052at a project like an auto getting built turnkey all the way to shows and sign and everything can be done for about 1.35 million We're getting I just think that might be a little bit over the top price wise. But with that being said, I think I spoke there's probably ways that we could if we felt the need to try to limit or cut costs in certain places we could. I mean, there's not much to really cut if we had to. discussion. One thing I would consider is Adam and I, we about the same. We're not going to be here too much longer. But our goal is for that egg building to be here whenever that school's 100 years old. So, you know, we're building something for the next 50 years. Um, and we're not
053going to put kids in it. We're not going to put um we're not going to leave animals in it without proper conditions. Um, you know, last thing we want to do is kill somebody's pet rabbit. Uh, so um, you know, we we're taking a lot of things in consideration. Uh, you know, if it was on my property and I was going to put cows in it, it'd cost $45,000. But u you know to put somebody's animals in it and to put our students in it, it's a little different uh scenario to be able to um it's also on on campus behind the green houses, every car rider that comes behind that building, every softball, every baseball, every football event, people are going to see it. So, u you know, we want something that is uh
054respectable and is is is you know, we put a major renovation into that high school campus um at a good time. To build a new high school of that size, you're looking at 140 thou $140 million with all the complexes, athletic events and and things there. So, uh, we need to that's our high school for the next 50 years. So, u, we just need to consider that whenever we do a project and and do it so that none of us have to deal with it again. >> Mr. Martin, are you going to have a show ring inside the building >> in the outside area? a show ring could be constructed if we plan on all of that being portable and changeable. So yes, we could construct a show ring whether it's for a hog show
055or cattle show or whatever with the size limitations that we have. So we have a building on the fire ground in Jersey City, an art ground that was built by Mr. Carl Bill, >> right? We donated that whole building and that's the most enjoyable thing that you do is take your kid over there and enjoy it deserve. I think our county deserves it and I support it 100%. It's just something that the kids will remember as long as they live. Yeah, a couple questions. First of all, who is the um construction company who's going to be doing this? Do we know? I know Lewis was the architect, but I don't know. >> So, the the low bid was mixed pad. >> Mix. >> Yeah. Was the low bid. >> Okay. And do we have any
056cost of the post construction needs like you mentioned the corral paneling and and all of that? How much after we you know, spend the money and construct a building. Do we have any idea how much it's going to cost to get it to where it's usable? A ballpark. >> We we calculated some of that several years ago when we first started this process. Just kind of looking at the options that were available and probably at that time, I want to say we estimated 20 to 30,000 potentially if we if we did everything. I was wondering before the school board meeting in about 10 days is could we get like some kind of an updated estimate, you know, because that's going to be part of the cost of this thing. It's not part of the building,
057but it's going to be part of the building after we get done. Um, and you I mean actually after chairman Cameron and I got elected, you were one of the first people we spoke to. And at that time, this was three years ago, you were waiting for the ad building to be brought up and to get done. Uh, I have no doubt that this is needed. I'm not an ad guy. I'm a corporate businessman. I don't know anything about horses or cows other than to get milk from cows and sit on horses. Uh so I honestly don't know what is needed and what's not needed. I I'm kind of like Mr. Hardy when I saw $615 for what I consider a glorified barn. That that seems like a lot of freaking money to me. But
058then again, I looked at the schematic drawing. There's nothing on there that I could see is you know, superfluous that is not needed. It just blows me away how much things cost these days, the concrete and everything else. And u so I don't I don't I certainly don't have a problem with it. Um I just wish we you know, and this is just me. I just we could do it for less, but I don't have any recommendations of what we could take away from what I from what the I saw on the bid. I just don't. It just seems like a lot of lot of money. Um, but I would like before actually voting on it to know what it would cost to outfited after is built. Thank you. >> I'll give an estimate on
059that. And if I may, I'd like to say what you just said is exactly why I want this building because the majority of my students now are like you, Doug. They're they're far removed from the farm. I've got a large animal science class that I asked the question, how many of you have actually interacted one-on-one with a live cow? And there's two hands, >> maybe three. So, when I was in school, when Josh was in school, if you were in animal science class, you probably came there with a little bit of evidence on your boots that you had been on the farm. So, it's not that way anymore. And I compared it with Tommy back before he was director of having a welding class with no welding shop. We can talk about them. We can
060write essays about it. We can do all this stuff, but until you go vaccinate a cow or, you know, do other management practices, you don't know how to handle a 12,600lb animal. So the hands-on component is what's missing from our animal science program right now and that's what we would like to achieve through this. I'm the same as you all. When I saw the numbers, you know, I was glad I was sitting down. Um, you know, if it was on the farm, that would be a big, you know, you close the door in their face and say, I'm calling somebody else. But I understand on a school campus, it's a whole different ball game. So, um, I don't know all the requirements. I know it addressed like 6 in concrete. I would have assumed four
061was sufficient. It had copper throughout. I would have assumed PEX would be okay. Those are the details that I don't know if we can work with McPadden and say, "Hey, can we shave a little here, if we shave a little there, but you know what I thought might be a $200,000 project, I don't think we can shave enough to get it from 600 to 200. So, it's just where we're at. So, I appreciate y'all considering it, putting the time into it and the effort to address this. >> The question I had pretty want to know roughly how much it would cost if we dress this completely out. We're going to build it. We might as well do it and do it all. You know, if it's $20,000 more, okay, 20,000 on top of what we
062got. Let's stretch it out. >> Have you bought a pound gate lately? It's been a year or so. How much you pay for it then? >> I got the cheap ones at $109.99. >> Go buy you one today. >> That one good ones. >> But I will I will work with the co-op on on quoting a package if that's okay with you all and I'll get that information to Tommy and Josh. >> There's lease, there's rental, there's options there for some stuff that we can get going to, >> right? We don't necessarily have to have I'm saying, you know, 20 to 30 to have everything up and running like we want it then. That's with scales and and everything, but we'll check on all that. >> Yeah. I'm not asking for an exact I don't
063need an item. I'm just looking for a ballpark. >> Yeah, that's me. Um, and I have Could I ask do we have any idea what the time frame for uh completion of construction is? So once we give them the go ahead, they have 45 days to start, >> right? >> And then once they start, they have 180 days to complete >> six months. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> I I got one. So I know y'all want this and I want this for that cuz I'm a proud alumni myself. Um are you Mr. Maples never going to retire? Because I think y'all need to be there to run this thing. Well, you know, we'll we'll have to talk to the finance community about that. >> I've still got a little time to put in
064ahead. >> You know, here we go. Uh, I grew up in college called My dad tried to farms. We still about 160 something acres up there. The only thing I can say about farmers, uh, they're born. You don't make somebody's farm. They're innate. They got they want to do it. This, it's unbelievable. Uh, that I was in agriculture for one one year. I found out I didn't want to be a farmer. I didn't want to be a farmer. I'd shovel out the PS and But anyway, talk about price. Uh it's under what what total number 600 >> $618,98. >> No paintings. >> They round it up. Uh I think it's a good price for for this segment of students that we have that want to be farmers. Now we in the past we I've said
065this last May we spent $3.5 million on performing arts center which is great wrong. We love it. We spent $2.4 $4 million to put turf down, new track and those things. I believe we can afford 600 something thousand dollars to build big for these kids that want to farm. That's one segment of our society in this country. We're beginning to ignore too much. They feed us. Everybody thinks they drive up steep into a box to get food. They don't know where it come from. 35 cents, they can superersize it. or I don't know, you know, I worked on a farm, you know, haircut, growing tobacco. I mean, I did it all in high school. The only job I could find. It's hard work. >> And so, I think this building will u will really benefit
066those kids that there's not many of them, you know, but we got to give I think we need support. And I will say if you allow me, the >> the students that we have, the majority of them may not come back to the farm to work, but they're going into agricultural fields. A lot of, >> you know, a lot into animal science. So, it's going to benefit them as they move into college pursuing a vet degree, Vette, whatever. They got that hands-on experience. Right. Um, so, uh, you know, do I think it's a lot of money? I do. Uh, could we start over because we don't like the architect? We could, um, I do think it's long overdue. I think sounds like the egg department's been waiting five years for this to get done. And
067and I have to agree with Dr. Arnold. You know, I don't want just couple wooden poles put up and some metal pieces put on the side and you know, I was questioning about the air conditioning. So, I thought I want to take it away. I said, "Well, we're going to put two fans in there." And by the time we do that, man, maybe down the line put air conditioning in. Why waste the money? It's just I I'm going to be for this as it's been brought to us. I think it's long overdue versus the time waiting to go back and try to get new numbers and the time that people I think enough time has gone by and um you know I I think it's it's time to get the uh the egg department they're
068building and these kids into a nice looking building. And you know I hope I hope we come together and uh and get this make assessment that this is I do have one question and I don't know if this is what he was asking included just the corral and the outside. Do you need anything inside or is that what you were asking as well? >> Anything to make it functional >> inside and and outside. >> Right. I I will meet with the other teachers and we will brainstorm that and and get a and we will divide it up when I present that to you. Like I say, I'll get that to Tommy and Josh. He can get they can get it out to you all ahead of the meeting, but we'll break it down what it
069is and where it's going to be used and how it will be utilized. So, we will look at all those components >> and and I'm kind of like I don't need a broken down detailed. If you think it's going to be around 25 or 30,000 for this part and the inside's 12 by whatever just >> we should get close. >> Hey, Mr. Martin, not on the building, but I saw where y'all the K Cabota stuff got underway. They got those. Could you tell them a little bit about that in case they don't know? This is another great aspect of our agriculture program. We provided some funding and we're now done. What is it? Kabota diesel or Kabota Tech is the name of the program and I want to thank you all and Miss Hayes for
070you helping get that started and the ball rolling on it. We did start it this August and yeah, there's the picture. So, the they're wearing work uniforms. Tri County Power Equipment got those donated to the kids. Um, Kabota does this program. I've been going through the training. I've got to go to one final training in October and I will be done as complete as an instructor. They earn eight certifications while they're in the program. And um, basically if they pass all those eight certifications, they will have the knowledge and the hands-on experience to graduate as a certified Kabota technician. So they could go to a Komoda dealer and walk into the shop, get hired as a level one technician, which basically means they already have their foundation training and they can start building from there.
071Komoda doesn't like for me to say this, but uh those tractors and pieces of equipment don't care what color they are. They all have the same systems. So they can go even though we're limited on Kabota dealers, they can go to any small diesel shops uh that's working on tractors, equipment, mowers. So we have a a diesel side by side zeroturn and the little tractor loader loader backhoe that they do all their activities on. So love the program. Kabota invited us up to Newport last Friday night for the uh American Rally Car Association race that was sponsored by Kabota and we got to meet their drivers and watch that and the kids had a great time. So we're really enjoying it. We thank y'all for your support. Come by and check it out. Come by
072see us. >> Thank you Mark. Appreciate that. Trevor on that picture. >> All right. Um any other items for discussion? >> Uh yeah, I I have a couple. First of all, um with the fair lease, uh what I did is I had some a meeting with u the fair grounds and kind of got an idea now that the uh existing fair lease was up. If they could have everything that they wanted, what would that be? All right. and I asked them to draw up the document. Not saying that we're going to adopt that, but just to give us an idea of what they're looking for. They did that. You have a copy of it. Uh hopefully you'll look over that um before the next meeting. Um based upon our existing contract, uh I submitted to
073the central office a modified version of our existing contract. Now, this was before the fair organ the um the fair organization gave me their you know wants and lists on this one what it does it extends the lease from a one-year lease to a three-year lease. All right. Um and it um let's see it also extends the uh time on a yearly basis that we could terminate the lease from 4 months to 6 months, you know, so from 120 days to 180 days. Um and uh there's a couple other small things about putting up signs and things like that. Um, one of the changes that I noticed in the fair ground, uh, you know, list of desires was the three-year lease with the option of extending it for another two years under the same terms
074as the the prior three years. and they're asking for an option at the end of that five years to enter into us into discussion with us as to whether we want to sell it to them outright. Now, that's not saying we have to do that. It's just saying that they have the option to ask us to enter into negotiations to to sell, you know, to sell the uh fairgrounds and we can say no. We can say what do you want to pay us? They tell us we say that's not enough. So or we can say that's that's great and do it. Um I believe in that scenario we have a lot of safeguards. First of all we have a yearly safeguard that at any time during this three at any during any year during this
075three or five year lease we can say well we're terminating it for whatever reason. That's a safeguard. We have a safeguard at the end of the three years to say we don't want to renew this for another years or to go ahead and do it. And we have a safeguard at the end of the five years to say, you know, well, you may want to buy it, but we don't want to sell. So, I think we're we're safeguarding it. Uh, so I I myself don't have any problem with that. Um, there's some other things. I haven't looked at it, but um this lease here that's got the yellow on it, that's the existing lease we have with the changes I suggested that we make for your consideration. The other lease is, you know, obviously the
076uh the list of wants and and needs from the fairgrounds. So, my thought would be if there's anything in that that we can blend into this that we agree to, that's fine. And I'll leave it at that. We can talk about it at the board meeting. The uh the other thing that I would like to do is to compliment the school district for the constit constitution day uh ceremony that we had and thank the daughters of the American Revolution who actually sponsored it. You know, kind of put it together with the district. I think it was great. They had about 60 people there. I was there. I felt very patriotic. I think the kids did a great job. And I just want to thank Tommy Arnold and the D for >> Yeah. Don't Amy Sharp
077right there. So, she's It wouldn't have went on without her. >> Well, thank you very much. You did a wonderful job. >> I just showed up. >> Any other commissioner? I actually have a question couple questions about the uh fairground lease. Um is this the same lease we've had like I know that there was two years I think two years that there wasn't a fair they've had it through this whole time and obviously prior to that. Was this the same that type of lease or like >> which one? The one that Doug here. >> Yeah. It's it's very similar. It extends some time. Um I mean I you know I never I'd have to really study it but yeah similar. I mean you can see it just changes lengthen some dates remove some stuff. Um
078>> just doesn't look like there's a lot of changes. If I could just speak to that, the chairman just pointed something out. I where it says to use the lease premises on on the yellowed out thing. There's a mispric there. >> It says November 1st, 2025 ending October 2026. That should be 2028. >> That's a significant change. >> That's that's one of the things I was looking at. So, we'll have to send through our board attorney to determine if we're allowed to enter into leases beyond one year. >> Okay. >> Um, so we cannot lease beyond one year ourselves. Uh, so can we enter into a lease with an entity beyond a single year because we only budget for one year and our budgets approved by the county commission. Um, so what happens whenever we
079enter beyond that year will have to be a question we have. >> Yeah. I think maybe we could do a one-year lease with an automatic option, you know, automatic extension, something of that nature. Yeah. So, what Yeah, that that's fine. My my thing is just to for their planning and for their ability to do things, uh, I think they need more time. I agree with them on that. uh whether we want to do an automatic extension for two years. It's all that legal stuff. I just think they need more time, more certainty to be able to book what they want to do and and do what they want to do. And that's what this is trying to do. So So I also didn't see anything when I kind of went through this um for any
080kind of maintenance as far as for the school like the school district. Do we help them with any maintenance or like >> at this point we don't. >> We didn't. >> That doesn't mean we can't. At this point, we do not. >> In the previous contract, it was stated we do not um general maintenance of the road was it. But as far as maintenance, um, we did not. We in the previous contract, it was stated that we do not. >> Do we use any of the facilities over there at all? Any of the buildings, the grounds for anything? >> We house some animals over there during that time. We allowed that to happen. Uh we um a day as far as Jefferson County schools to operate um we do not use the fairgrounds for operation
081of the school district. No. >> So fairground basically they monetarily they take care of everything. >> I mean the maintenance any kind of repairs >> they do during the fair. Um, so whenever we open it up, so we pay the bills except for whenever they host the fair of the month of July. Uh, whenever we have a day over there, we come in and and you know, do anything we have to do to keep it operational. Uh, so we control the property during the fair. All right. Anything else on that? Okay. So, one last thing. Um, if you were at the last joint committee meeting, there was a large amount of time spent talking about county garage and the addition that's getting made. What is it like two or three bay addition? I think at
082this last meeting they aren't aren't they getting another quote or something? >> So we bid it out twice. >> Yeah. >> And the second time the bids came in higher. So we're kind of at a standstill. They're trying to get quotes to try to piece it together. >> Yeah. >> But with the the funding set aside and we can't get quotes because they know we're going to have to bid it either way with our bid threshold. >> Yeah. So, we uh they work on our buses. Um I'm pretty sure from what I understand, there's no way our buses can come back to our old bus garage. It just the facility just is not up to snuff. I mean, what maybe put two in there if you're lucky and you might be able to work on
083one at a time, >> one at a time because, you know, they're from me to you apart. So, you know, how do you work on something here and something there? Uh we utilize it some to run through inspections, something of that nature, but not for uh you know to pull tires and engines and rear ends and those type of things. >> Yeah. So the thought being since they work on a lot of our stuff, we've got gas, diesel, and propane buses that they're now working on. maybe when there's some sort of whenever they get to the point where they can do, you know, put some money towards it, maybe assisting in helping. So, I'll turn it over to Tommy and let him sort of talk about this. >> I I cannot even imagine what it
084would cost for us to bring back the transportation maintenance um back to the school system itself. Um, I'm sure that in return, so the county provides transportation maintenance for school vehicles. In return, our technology department provides tech services for county offices with the exception of the jail. Um, so for the county to invest in a technology department would be expensive. Uh, for us to invest in a garage >> Yeah. would be expensive. I can't even imagine. Um, so right now the county is about, you know, somewhere around $450 to half a million dollars away from doing that project. Um, I'd say that's a third of the cost of what it would take us to build a garage and put our bring back our transportation department. Um, you know, I I think investing with the county
085in something that would allow because our buses is part of the problem. You know, it's bringing them over there is taking up a lot of space, more space. You know, one bus takes up three patrol cars or three ambulances. So, you know, I'm not I'm just telling you to consider the option of partnering with the county commission in getting this project funded, moving forward as an option. >> I think we've got a joint committee meeting on October 17th and that might be a time where we broach this situation with them. I mean, I'm I'm sort of like Tommy after sitting and listening to them talk about it for an hour. They they provide us a huge service. So, um I think it would be good if we could sort of assist in this since they're
086working on our stuff a majority of the time anyways. Doug, can you say anything? >> Uh I like the idea of partnering with them. Well, again, with me, it depends on how much u and it sounds like they haven't really decided how much it's going to cost. Um I I'd like to mention something if we're going to do the egg barn and I would like to revisit at least one of those HVAC projects that we didn't do last year. We can't do both of them. And that's probably going to be anywhere from three and a half to four and a half million. I think for either one that'll be just about the same. you know, uh, and then if we pitch in, as I think we should, to the garage, uh, we're, you know, I
087didn't mind going a little bit leaner on our general on our general fund because we were towards the end of the year last year, but, uh, I don't know how lean we want to run on our capital fund by doing, you know, we got what, let's say we Let's just say 400 for the egg barn. Let's say 300 for the to help kick in with this project. That's 700. And then we have let's say 4.5 for the HVAC unit. That's about a little bit more than half of our capital fund bills. And I don't have any problem with doing that. I'm just But that we're again at the beginning of the school year. We're not at the end. They helped us out with Jefferson Elementary. I think we should help them out, but I think
088we need to watch our dollars and cents as to how much we're willing to commit. But I'm not against the idea at all. Thank you. >> Anybody else got anything on that? >> Do remember October 17th, I believe it, is when that meeting is. >> October 14th. >> 14th 6:30 at Patriot. >> 17th my friend's birthday. I got that on my All right. So, um, anything else? >> All right. >> I know. >> If there's nothing else and we will be turned to our business meeting next Thursday.