001um that needs to be done on a monthly basis. Um that was also a finding in fiscal year 230. And then prior to this year, we had also taken an accounting deficiency finding for cash with trustee and the check clearing account with the trustes office not being reconciled. That was a finding in 23, 22, and 21. We didn't have that finding in 24 because um we felt it had there were improvements have been made and the errors have been identified even though the books had been adjusted for them. they had identified the errors, but I think that's an issue that that we're having again though is getting that cash reconciled and the bank account reconciled. And then there was a purchasing um deficiencies finding for some purchase orders not being issued properly. Um five instances
002where the documentation provided to support the purchase wasn't sufficient. And then there were some invoices paid that didn't have adequate documentation that goods were received or services rendered. And then lastly, there is um a law that says that accounting records have to be closed and available for audit inspection two months after the close of the fiscal year. So that's August 31st. And that's all accounting records, not just the books. That would be capital assets and a crew le. And so we had a finding um for that because the accounting records weren't closed until September 11th last year, which was an improvement of the previous two years where they weren't everything wasn't closed till January. Um so those were the findings that we reported this past year and some of them had been repeat findings that
003we've seen for several years in a row. Um Shelby has been here um and done quite a bit of work. We call it preliminary work, the work we do between February and June um before you close your fiscal year. And um there's still some issues um with cash not being reconciled um in the bank account. But now is the trustee working on the bank account? Is that No, she's not. >> She was. >> She's not. Is that >> okay? Um Shelby was able to help with the reconciliations on school federal projects and the central cafeteria >> through April. Um I don't think general purpose has been reconstu >> right. Um so that's that's where we've been most concerned. We would like for it may be um difficult to get all these findings corrected but I
004think you should zero in on let's say one or two and I would think get cash reconciled um work on the approvals at the end of the year to make sure we don't have to post material audit adjustments again because um that's a little bit more of a serious finding because it's considered a material weakness and not just a significant deficiency. Um, we had uh Shelby had talked you you had talked to Amy about um reaching out and getting some help. >> Um because you changed accounting systems which also I think complicates things a little bit the first year for Skyward. >> Yeah, it's six months. >> Okay. Just a few months. >> Okay. So changing accounting software makes it a little more difficult when you already had these um issues in the first place.
005And so then you're learning a new software, but you also have to stay on top of the reconciling. Um I know with local government data processing, you can call them and they'll help reconcile. I don't think you're getting the same response from Skyward. We have none. >> I think it's worth asking them about help reconciling because you're still learning their system. Um I don't know as much about Skyward. Most of our school systems are on local government, but we do have some on Skyward. Typ. um we had suggested um reaching out to maybe a CPA firm and seeing if they could come in and help identify um some of the errors with the reconciling because what happens is you should reconcile on a monthly basis. You should reconcile cash on a monthly basis. But if
006you get um sold out and you get stuck on something because that's not the only thing you're doing, you know, life goes on. you still got other things to do. You get months down the road, it becomes much more difficult to reconcile because you're building on errors. You don't have just one month of errors or one month of reconciling to do. You've got several and so it makes it more difficult. Um so we had suggested uh maybe reaching out and seeing if someone could come in and help with that. I think you know you talk to what ATA and they're not available. >> Unfortunately, it took four weeks for them to ultimately get to >> right. reason why I haven't come back to you all because I hadn't secured it. They didn't tell us until
007last week that was not something we're interested in helping us, but as of this afternoon, two hours ago, >> right? >> We do have someone that wants to >> Yes, it's a firm out of Dyresburg. Um, Coward Regent is a CPA firm. >> If you don't mind, correct me if I have this wrong. Shelby, and I think this is the way I understood it from you and I tried to describe this to the board, is there systematic problems because a lot of these problems go back many years. This isn't just a this year problem, >> right? >> It's gone. It's gone many years. So, it's systematic. >> U to go back in time requires a different level of expertise to be able to follow those breadcrumbs and be a like you said, the further you
008get out from it, the harder it is to do it. >> We still have relatively new people, right? So we're trying to go and fight in two different directions. One is to clean up mess and the other part is just sustaining the month to month of what finance looks like. And I think Sheldon when you finally got to that point and said you need help and I think Mallerie said the same thing. You need help to go back in time. That's where the struggle has been is finding someone who has that expertise and also willing to come in and help. ATA was ATA is the group out of D actually headquart Jackson and they're the ones that do our audits for the schools. They used to do our cafeterias and golly June is tough. There's
009a lot of vacation. So they said the person you need to talk to is on vacation back on Thursday and Thursday I call back and then they wouldn't call me back Monday. Well I'm not really the person you call back on. So anyway, it was four weeks of it. So today we finally reached an agreement in verbally then we will sign some documents to get them to come help to clean up the path and that way we can continue on. And also what we wanted was that support of listen this is what your processes need to look like so that you stay on track. So that's what we've asked for as well. >> I'll sum that up right. >> Yeah. >> And I think that's a good step. Um, >> so the cleanup means that
010we go back to 2020 212 and clean up all the way through so that we don't hear again that something got messed up five years ago. >> Right? >> Sometimes when these errors have built up and built up over time, it is very difficult to go back to 2020 and figure out like what that reconciling error was. So that you can get it down to an immaterial amount to something that's manageable and then you reconcile going forward and you're always hitting back to maybe that that one small amount that's still all then we can give you an honor adjustment and you can move forward. But but there needs to be documented proof that that is taking place and that the that that's being um that that task is being done currently going forward too because
011on the payroll we'reh holding you know that's very important to stay on top of but that's really really difficult to go back like I said what did I say how long that goes back >> couple of years it's not as fast as I thought um but if you get it if you get it down as as much as you can and it's it's not a huge amount and then you reconcile going forward and you're always coming back to well I'm still off let's just say $3,000 I'm just throwing that out there I don't know what it's off but it's it's off that consistently you know that's not a big amount when you look at the budget for the school department we could probably give you an adjustment or something like that and go forward but
012the the process still needs to be completed on a monthly basis and we need to feel good about the fact that you know it's being done and everybody has a handle on what needs to be done if that makes sense. >> Too late to ask if we can go back to local government. >> So I I'll explain the reason why we moved away from local government. So, local government and y'all jump in and y'all work with local government folks, but our experience with local government was is that it wasn't in real time that you're buying computer stations that people had to if you wanted to do a purchase request, it was it was at a station. Skyward is web based like most programs are now. Y'all jump in. However, if you do a PO, we've
013been doing them on paper, which local government has the ability to do, but we have been doing it on paper. So, Skyward, you do the PO and Skyward, it immediately encumbers the money. Don't stop me if I got this wrong. It encumbers the money from the line item through an approval process. So, in real time, this is what I told y'all when y'all approved it. Was it that way the person who is in charge of that line item knew how much money they had left, how much was in covered because we had so much money that was going to the fund balance unused. It was unintentional. So that money needs to be used for this school year and we were not able to capture that on top of the processes that she's describing at this
014point. And Amy, you're in it. You say however you want. anybody in here that deals with it. Skyward is not the issue. Skyward is a part of the complexities of what we're facing. It's not a scholar problem. This is about understanding finance processes, finance procedures, internal controls. Scholar is the place where the information is stored, how to get the report out. Local government has reports and they have a process you get. Scholar has the process to do it. They're just learning how to do it. That's not the issue. We call somebody and get, hey, how do I get this report? We're not doing reconciliation. We're not doing purchase requests the right way. It's not a scour problem. That's a internal controls problem. So, am I misspeaking or is that >> I mean, we audit local
015government. We audit Skyward. I mean, both both software. I'm not here to push certain software over another. We work with both of them. >> So, yes, he's right. But I mean there may be some training that needs to go on on Skyward's end though that helps with that reconciliation process. And >> yes, when you're doing training on Skyward but you don't know the ins and outs of the accounting processes, you're learning it while you're doing it. If somebody's been doing accounting for 10 years and had that background, then when you learn Skyward, you can apply it. So it wasn't a true application to the Master. So the person that has or the the firm that is committed to come and help us >> are they seasoned in dealing with Skyward? >> I don't know that
016she is seasoned dealing with Skyward. She is uh from my understanding. Now this was um a conversation I had less than an hour ago and it was a quick conversation. Um so once we are in agreement that we are willing for them to come help us um I will have a meeting with them. um that there's a person coming to help us and then there will be a person overseeing her uh from this company. But the way she explained it, they knew um what we were needing and and I explained thoroughly. I had a list from Shelby of the things we needed to hit at top notchotch and then you know once we get these things done, could we start on these? um she they knew what I needed help with and could could handle
017the task is what she explained to me. >> I think another thing to consider which I know Amy has already mentioned Tempton County is almost um Billy Gardy would be a good resource to reach out and he could probably over as well. Then um I talked to Mike Gayy today with CES and he mentioned she count both of them yesterday. Okay. >> I talked to Mr. Billy two different days last. >> Okay. >> And he's been very helpful >> because also hands-on experience from someone else in your position that is performing this task on a monthly basis is also very helpful. >> We also have two people that are going to CCFO training. So >> that's good. >> Right. So that helps firm up. >> Help me tell them what CCFO is. I want to
018use alphabet soup. That's county financial officer. >> So we have two people that are attending those trainings. So that helps shore up understanding accounting frames. >> So who's going to be attending those trainings? >> So that's Amy and Cassie. And then accounting 101 um we're going to do um with the trustee and we're going to start that the following week and it's um of course we'll take online and it's it's a selfdone >> um the accounting 101 we start the following week >> and that's Jordan's gonna >> unless I'm mistaken I don't know that we've had a CCFO Jordan finished it she graduated back in June. So that's that adds to the expertise. Now we'll have two more that will take you a year to finish. So it's an investment in building capacity. >> Um
019and just a little bit about the CCFO program. That's a program of a certification that's put on in conjunction with the controllers's office. CASS actually teaches the classes and um we send our new auditors through the CCFO program as part of their training. So it's a very good program. And then the controllers's office provides a $1,000 siphon to county employees who finish it successfully, all classes. And then we also provide you have to maintain the CCFO certification. You have to get 16 hours of continuing professional education each year. We provide that for free. So that would be additional training that would be available to your CCFOs for free that we put on each year. So it's a very good program. Does anybody else have any questions? >> How much over budget are we right now?
020Does anybody know? >> We won't know budget numbers until the year slows down and we get here the audit. So the number that you got which is a still a moving number like the fund balance was 1. So that's because federal hasn't paid back the GP so it's still in the throws of going back and forth and remind you all remember the board agreed to go in the fund house for remodeling for books. It was a series of events. So the when you say over budget, it's over budget because of purposeful things that the the board asked for. I don't know of things that are outside of what the the GP budget was other than what the board agreed to at this point. You know, that's what I'm hoping for. But when I saw the
021fund balance myself, I went, this is because we're in the throws of it's got to get transferred back, >> right? because we had to change in staff and I did not realize the amount of red tape you have to go through um to get into fippers so far to school as well as that digital skills. It's a process for me to get in there to even get the money reimbured to us. >> So the money was spent out of GP is going to get reimbursed out of the grants, >> right? And it will be put back and that's just one example. Um, but I did get um one I can't remember now. I was I was working but I wasn't working those few days. I can't remember those three days. But anyway, I got into
022um the program. So, it's just a matter of processing. >> All right. Well, thank y'all so much for coming out here. They've been an unbelievable support. Shelby has been ladies. >> All right. Next is to review and approve the school board meeting. >> So, I don't see it in your packet. email. I sent you the date. So, forgive me. I will send that to you all. It's still the second Monday except the fall break. >> Yes, ma'am. So, that would be the only difference, but I will send that to you directly and we can put it back on the agenda for It maint it stays with policy except >> okay >> so forgive me. >> Next is a policy review and approval. >> There's no so I extension policy for the threat assessment and it's
023not on the agenda. So to make sure we're doing it legitimately I've asked Brianna to put that also onto next month's agenda assessment. So you have in front of you the policies that I went through. Put the late county appropriate name and stuff in the policy for me to review. These are all aligned to what this is what TSBA sent as the recommendations. There's quite a few of them. The artificial intelligence was not in this packet but we are required to have an AI policy. So that's why I added it to your packet. >> Does anyone have any questions, comments or for the updated policies? Yeah, we can we can vote on all packet. Make a motion that we approve these as a whole. Motion made by Vivian, second paid by Diane. And let's do
024roll call. >> Cton, >> yes. >> Snder. >> Yes. >> All right. Next is the -ray category agreement approval. >> So board members Dr. Sedquist has the agreement with foray and just to explain the the actual cost of having internet access would be astronomical for school districts, public libraries. There was legislation that was passed in the early 90s to ensure that like schools and libraries had access to the internet at a reduced cost. So there was money that was applied and typically we're able to just piggyback off of school districts that do these negotiations and that's what we've done in the past. There was an issue out of Metro Nashville in which there was a provider that got the contract, but apparently they were unable to truly fulfill what the contract said. So there's litigation
025going on and so now we've had to piggy back off somebody else. Anyway, so Dr. Squist has a proposal. >> Well, I've got a couple of different things. What he was talking about was the um and we'll come back on on the one he was talking about, which is actually our internet. Um that one is um we we've actually piggybacked off of Anderson County and we've actually um signed a letter of intent with them that does not bind us by any means. But we're still watching for these litigations. But the the two main players are still kind of duking it out. But we've got all our funding in place for those. It's just a matter of waiting to see where the dice fall on that. Um what I was wanting to talk to you about
026today was the overage that goes with this. Every cycle, whether it's a 5year cycle or 10ear cycle, whatever is not used by what's done from the SEC, gets applied to what's called category 2. Category 2 is for like equipment, like our access points, our switches, things like that. A lot of our stuff is antiquated. A few years ago, my predecessor started looking into updating these things, but one thing led to another and she was unable to complete that um bidding process. Well, I've gone through and and piggy backed on her work and um been through and filed all the required paperwork and we have e-ate approval pending your approval for a contractor to replace a lot of our access points in the schools. What that does is allows our Wi-Fi to be used in the
027classrooms and it's going to give us um better connectivity and speed so that when we do improve things such as our switches and stuff um those will connect faster and better because of all the technology we're using for our curriculum. We need these improvements. Um most of our access points are close to 10 years old and that's considered quite old for um stuff. So what I've given you is a bid sheet. We only had two bids and what I did is I had them bid out all of our access points since I didn't know what the actual cost was going to be in today's dollars. Okay, we only had a certain amount of money. But the winning bid with Central Technologies, but you also have their current bid for the new thing. So you can
028see what the bid process is and how I actually went about doing it with the committee and things of that nature. Central Technologies, as you can see, was the lower bid process on there. So, they were approved for it and I have a letter of intent pending your approval for going ahead with the work. Um, because we only have approximately $73,000 that is excess funds, we pay 15% and I've asked for that money out of my budget to be added to my budget this year. So, pending budget approvals for the year, I would have that money to pay for these improvements. And so that's what this second item is is their actual bid for the items that we can afford to pay for based on the amount that um we have available through the ERA
029plan. And once you guys approve that, then I can go ahead and start the process of getting those things ordered and having those installed in the schools. And our total cost is showed on here. What they do is they bill rate and we only pay this amount. The total amount though is um almost $70,000 and we pay only 11,000 of it. Okay. So it's this goes back to that savings because of our category. Our internet is paid at 90% and any of our equipment is paid at 85% from from the rate funds. So any questions on that part? And while I have your attention, I also wanted to show you this contract which I also included which has to do with um some of the grants that I've applied for. This is the state cyber
030security grant that I was awarded. This is free services from the state of Tennessee and we've been awarded the um grants that this year. This is the agreement from the state. And if you look actually to the last page, this is our award letter what we received. of Crowd Strike is a software package that we're going to be applying to our switches, which is why we need to upgrade our stuff so that we have a little bit more stuff. I think I'd mentioned to you back about six months or so that I had also won the federal grant for the for the cyber security and I'm in the process of getting that out so we can get those additional new switches to make this all work together. And this also includes training from the state
031on cyber security for the entire district. Does anyone have any questions? >> Like I said, it's just it's a it's a process and it's something that's going to take time, but I want to get this district up on speed because even though we're small, we are prime target for cyber security problems. The district I came from across the river, they were the same size as us and they were hit about five years ago and it's not a fun process. So, I want to make sure that we're safe. >> Thank you. >> I'll make motion made by Jimmy D to approve the - category agreement. Second made by Jodyie. >> Judy sitting right beside each other. Um, all right. Let's do roll call. >> Yes. >> Homer, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Snider, >>
032yes. >> All right. All right. Next is the school student handbooks review and approval. >> So board members you you vote on review and vote on the handbooks. I want to say this we have a chance principal work really hard on revamping them. But I also want to give the opportunity to introduce Dr. Scott Crocker our principal. >> Glad to be here. Yeah, >> better than >> Pere. So, we're glad that he has joined us with Tara. Tara did a lot of that work. He's gone through his recommendations as well. So, anyway, you have the handbooks in front of you. We tried to create consistency throughout the three schools, but they are written differently. I think that the the Margaret Newton handbook has got a different tone, but I don't know. I think it's really
033family friendly. You know, at the high school it's, you know, it's a different population. It's spelled out very clearly about what expectations are. So, I think that they are framed up for age appropriate and for the families that are coming to the schools, but they put a lot of hard work into building a handbook that supports what they're trying to get done. >> Is there any major changes from last year to this year? few of them. Um, on page three, we changed our program transportation start at 7:30, but it will be at 7:15. And on page 19, we have for parents to refer to school closing and radio stations. We took the radio stations off so that they can focus on the call. So the 7:15 just to be clear when I I asked the
034question of what time can students be in the buildings I'm pretty sure I got three different answers. So in that moment in time and I were like be consistent with what time because we have siblings. So all three buildings students can enter and we will have coverage have supervision. Students can enter the building at 7. However they get to school at 7:15. And one more thing on page 23 are water bottles containers just to eliminate those. >> You say 7:15 it wouldn't be supervision. Now so we did say to the principles I did go back principles are in the building. Someone is there at 7:00. uh the to me because I'm very excited and every day is that kids be >> especially waiting on the >> that's tough. So I mean if I was there
035as the principal and you know it's 16 degrees outside but he comes with a liability I have to be able to watch the kid if I'm the only one that's there. So the policy is there so that we're not if if I'm a building principal kid gets dropped off at 6:45 6:45 6:45 that's a phone call that parents because they're on school property at that point that's a liability situation supervision starts at 7:15 try to adhere to well there has been changes with the high school uh you look on page Uh the regular bail schedule has been changed. Uh we do not want to have breakfast in the middle school. So we want them to have breakfast from 6 from 7:30 to 8:00. At that time school will start the instruction will start from 8
036until 3. But the students will need to be here at school by 7:50 when we will start. So the bell schedule will now change from 7:30 to 7:45 will be breakfast. And then of course instruction will begin at 8 o'clock. On page nine, we've also included an ESL students. We have seen a student who came um from non from Mexico who have come here in the middle of the school year. And so we have added an ESL section to it which is on page uh nine. And that's the procedures in which we will take in regards to ESL. Page 12. We've also included transfer students from homeschool that has been added. That is according to policy um that that was already for our district. We just went ahead and added to our handbook. But page
03714 through 16 is where we are going to also include bus infractions. They have been added with consequences. Our students are not going to be on that bus and act up on the bus without knowing their consequences. They need to also realize that riding the bus is a privilege not guaranteed. So if they cannot act right on that bus, it is an extension of our school is an extension of our instruction. So we have included and I'm thankful was able to work with L. Kendall to see if we can add consequences to those because we have seen an uptick or a rise in how they have been acting on those buses. So we have included the infractions bus 20 I mean bus 21 page 21 has the grading in structure has also been changed. We
038are going to include projects because we have CTE programs who are now going to be changed to where we will include a higher scale with projects because many of our CTE classes will have projects. So, it's only fair for the CTE classes to include 35% will go for projects. I mean, 30% will go to projects. 35% will go to exams. On page 22, uh, final exam exemptions have been changed. There were once two ways to be exempt from an exam the previous year. This year, we've added a third. and that is if a student can be exempt from a final exam if he has a C average with no absences. So, we're going to include that it'll be a way for a student who's making a C who has perfect attendance can also be exempt
039from the final exam. It can serve as a good deterrent for them to stay in school. Pages 24 through 27, we've included the behavior matrix that was added. I thank Miss Sunny very much for helping us make the the matrix. So we have included the matrix on there for any reading if the parent wants to read it what will take place and what the consequences thereof. Page 30 out of school suspension an alternative school placement will be provided as an alternative school. We do not want to have any students out of school on the streets. So we will supply them with an alternative school placement instead. And last but not least, we have on page 33 the cell phone policy which we have here. We will have uh green zones and we'll have red zones.
040Students are not to have those cell phones activated in the classrooms. They can have it in the halls. They may do it in the cafeteria. They not do it in the classrooms. Uh they will have pockets that will be in those classrooms in which they will put them in there the first time they walk into the first time or the first moment they walk into the classroom. They will put them in those pockets. It'll be a red zone. So that means even if I walk in and well such and such say we can have the cell phones. Well, they will not. They will have those cell phones still. Doesn't matter. it will have to go through certain channels in order for that classroom to turn into a green zone. So there are many other ways
041to do that and I think that is so the badges. >> Yes. So the badges were at homeland security recommend. >> Yes. >> So the equipment had been purchased several years ago that's my understanding but we never enacted badges for students. Yes. >> So as a part of your approval process I just wanted to let you know that that is in this handbook. It's on page 33. There's 43. I think it's the step in the right direction. It aligns to homeland security eventually. I believe it should also be at Lar. But before we go all the way across, I think learning how to do this at the high school is a great first step. Yes, sir. And Dr. process had questions about what that might look like. >> I I have a question. And I
042want to make sure the governor signed a bill restricting cell phones in Tennessee schools. And I want to make sure that we it's it's supposed to be during instruction time. So we >> in the classroom. >> So we're good. Our policy. >> Yes, ma'am. On the high school stand district. So the homeland security I don't know were you part of that conversation they recommend >> yeah the identification so if you don't have a badge and you're not identifiable and then it brings to light >> it's a safety a wearable badge we're talking about an ID carriage it's a wearable wearable It's a picture, right? It has a picture and an umbrella. >> Yes. >> Which will dy work for the cafeteria as well, but really the purpose was. >> All right. Lar Kendall's changes. All
043right. On page 24, we added that all backpacks must be clear. Students are allowed a small bag for personal use, but they must stay in their backpack or locker. So, we've added the backpacks and then no head coverings, caps, hats, bonnets, picss, combs, everything should be removed from their head upon entrance into the school building. This includes hoods. Then on page 22, that's where um Mr. or Dr. Elliot spoke about our bus discipline codes that we've added. >> Excuse me, I'm so sorry. Clear back. I want to tell y'all what I've been asked. I've been asked are mesh backpacks. My answer has been to me there's a discernable difference between mesh and clear. So I've been asked that's what I have said. So I hope I'm following the spirit of what this is what I
044envision when we're talking about mesh. So clear it creates barriers and you seeing what's inside. So it opens up. We already voted. >> You did? >> But later somebody asked me, "Hey, Walmart's selling mesh backpacks. Can they have those?" We've already had we have the clear backpacks to give out. So, I don't remember actually talking about mesh and so I just made it clear it's clear back. Sorry. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh page 22 is the bus discipline. We've added some offenses and some uh consequences to that as well. uh throwing objects within the bus, standing up while the bus is in motion, throwing objects out the window, all things that are safety. So, we've added those things to our handbook. Uh Dr. Elliot and I worked together on this and I also got feedback
045from the bus drivers before school was out, some of the major things that they were seeing a lot of. So, I added those to the handbook of consequences as well. I guess that is it. I kind of well I talked about the metal detector where they're located. We have two metal detectors at Lar Kindle. We have one for the bus um children that get off the bus. There we go. At the elementary end and then we have the car drop off that's down to New G. It's about it for Lar Kindle. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> What about attendance? Um how many excuses? Um oh parent not five parent notes >> five parents >> yes I should across the board >> I think from last year we changed it last year >> we had
046been at 10 two or three years ago before as we're battling >> any other questions I'll make a motion. >> Motion made by Jimmy Dell. >> Second by Jody Roller. >> Yes. >> Homer, >> yes. >> Snider, >> yes. Yes. >> All right. Next is a data overview. >> Board members. Gerald is going to take us through achievement data of the springtime testing that we've had. This is the first release of data. We still do not have growth and there is a difference between going to take you through great band data and Sunday's going to jump in to talk about the work. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. Just to add to that, I've been putting on monthly notes. I'm in several accountability right now actually. So today we're just scraicy data.
047This is going to be TKO is compared to similar students across the state by grade bands and so this is what we're doing today. the proficiency levels below approaching met and then the proficiency rate students restored and met expectations. That's the one we're going to focus on. So growth will come later like Dr. B said. All right. Under federal I'm starting with federal because that's what we get first this whole process. Federal accountability. We're going to focus on achievement. So, I highlighted that in yellow. It's 45 for Larry Kendall and LCHS at 30%. This will be later. I'm showing you what it's what's happening with federal accountability. The other indicators there we'll talk about when federal gets here. Um district the district accountability is a little bit more complicated. It's the better score between absolute
048performance and AMO targets average with the value added score for the indicator. So one of them took first two is going to get average with the value added score and then it's calculated for the all students group which is 60% and the historically underserved study groups is 40% on the right side. So on the left side that's highlighted this data is affect those scores that 35 69 12 success rate down to state letter grade achievement. Margaret Newton once again does not get a letter grade because they only serve kindergarten through second grade. And for this data that I'm gonna get into on the next slide, we're only talk about achievement. So for Larry Kle and the high school, it's 50%. All right. So second grade in LA is 62%. That is huge. And this son
049>> I asked her about that and I I started digging. >> So proud moment. Very proud moment. It has nearly doubled since last year at this time. Different kids but it is doubled. And when you look at the trend is coming up to so I really look at what changed this. I feel very strongly in saying that it's our foundational skills curriculum that we adopted and began implementing in October. Um it is much more systematic. It is grounded in the science of of um the science of reading and our teachers have worked tirelessly to do this and Penny has been in making sure that they're doing it appropriately. Bri has supported PLC's. This is our work at its finest right there. Now, um it like I said, it is a really good foundation and we've
050talked about the holes in the foundations. You think about these graders going into third grade and this process continuing on through the years. We're not going to change data at all at any one time. We have to start at the bottom. So, this is our group to watch. This is our this is our entry point right here. This is where our world changes. >> K through two is about learning how to read, which is what Sunny's talking about. Three through 12's emphasis is reading to learn. So, that third year is where we talked about students being retained and that's about comprehension, fluency. So, these skills are essential. is talking about. So it is a great foundation for that. >> And I I lift up in this world too. We're dealing with two curricula here. We're
051dealing with knowledge building and we're dealing with learning to read which is your foundational skills piece. And fortunately they had experience with the um the knowledge piece and so that was not as as hard and up to that. We we were able to come in and just refine some of the work that was going there and support new teachers in that. And then I really feel like that foundational statistics is really helpful this year. >> This really makes people shout, >> stand up and shout. >> So again, I know that too. This is where it starts. What we're going to look at past this is going to be things that we're trying to fill in holes. It's very difficult to fill in >> because if you don't have this foundation of how to read the
052next parts of this, it gets a lot more complex. So this is a great celebration moment but it has to continue on. >> Second grade math the proficiency rates 37%. >> Second year with the new curriculum I can live that they've not had the experience you know they had the knowledge piece and then we layered in and I could lift up through all of this you know I keep looking at our teachers and where they are. We have many permitted teachers which means they went to school to do something else. They are currently employed with us and we are teaching them to be teachers through the process of teaching and supporting them. Um we've got lots of teachers who are a job embedded who have not done a student teaching experience who have passed their
053practice but they're finishing up theirs with us. So keep in mind we're we're building capacity in our teachers and they're rising to the occasion. They really are. >> So now I'm going to grade bands. So third through fifth ELA proficiency rate is 21%. >> Third through fifth math is 7%. >> I'm going to lift up here. I suggested it's first supporting math last year because I was looking at the data and what was happening. So the good thing about this is we have supporting teachers in the 38 space with the work that needs to happen and my goal is to continue that work following through. Our federal funds are frozen. So that changes like my plan was August the 18th I was going to have boots on the ground. Same thing going on for a
05412week cycle. I don't have the money right now. So I don't know what that looks like. >> And so how much money are we talking about? How much money give you right now? I will be honest with you. If I had $200,000 to devote to the holes in AR, it would look different for us next year. We don't have that. So, my goal is to get anywhere from 100 to 150,000. You know, my first round and it's not everything I wanted. Right now, I'm looking at 70,000. Right at 70, right at 71,000 I think is what it was. Kids First allows for an exemplar teacher who's contracted to come in to not only coach but to stand up and teach to model. So when you're talking about a new curriculum that these teachers, this is
055this was their first year of getting a true implementation of of diving into the actual curriculum to unit prep to lesson prep. They've never seen it modeled. The kids first modeling allowed them, what was that lady's name? Amanda not only could coach it, but she could stand up and do it. And she also did the planning part with them. So, there was a lot of gains there. That's that's a missing piece that we have because, as she said, we have teachers that were not agreed in teaching. We're teaching them how to teach. We don't have just math experts and ELA experts just do that at any grade level. That contract allows them to come in and actually do it. >> Good. some one of the most powerful pieces of support I've ever seen for a
056teacher. It was really, really good. And just the short period of time that she worked with our teachers, >> I'm telling you, she was with them and by the end of the school year, small groups going on and we had small groups going on in how many years here, not since I've been we have that. So, it was good. I mean, you know, like I said, we're going to pray that we're going to get some different plans coming back. I do have another plan, too. But anyway, um >> well, when teachers see this kind of progress, that motivates them to do even more. >> And the thing about >> it's just a >> they appreciated the support like every one of the teachers who had the support. I was worried and I did ask for
057volunteers. I did not tell them they had to do this that this was their choice. And every single one of them were like, I'm so grateful for the time that we had to them. And it it was really really it's powerful and it's what we need. It really is. We don't need it forever. We just need a bre or so to get the capacity built in our teachers and then we don't have to have it. >> We're gonna breathe. We're gonna we're gonna we have to That's what I believe. I believe that there has to be a way that we're going to make this happen. >> We'll talk we get done with this. I'm gonna bring you up to date on what I'm >> 33 science. It's 18%. Then jump to middle school 6 through8
058is 16% proficiency. 6 through8 math is 12%. 6 through8 science is 19%. 6 through8 social studies is 34%. Then high school math through 12 ELA is 21%. I'm a lift up. That's an improvement. It really is. Um we were the previous year around 16%. Doesn't sound huge, but I've really we changed curriculum mid year and really supported teachers with that. And I really do think that that's a discerning factor there for that as well. >> 9 through 12 math is 3%. 9 through 12 science is 11% and 9 through 12 social studies 29% and after this I've got the I combined the district numbers to give the overall proficiency >> on social studies there was a good improvement on social studies as well it went from um it was almost double as well I want
059to say it was 14% 15% kind social studies was 15.4 last year. So we almost double that. We >> really was and I I go back to in the high school space we really had a really strong focus across the district of providing grade level instruction in the tier one space which had not been there previously. And I think that really speaks to I know what happened in those classrooms and I really think that's what it was. is expecting you to do high school work versus trying to support you at a lower grade level. assignment >> for the district overall. ELA it's 24%. Math 11% science 17%. Social studies 16%. >> Other than that, that's all I had. Thank you. >> Do you guys have any questions about anything? >> So from from last year
060to this year, you know, there is we are making >> we're making progress. We're doubling our percentages >> some places. So, as we keep moving forward, >> and I will say this, when you look at achievement in a in our economically disadvantaged area like we are not going to change our achievement scores significantly until we have a period of time, we need three years. Every year you're going to see it and then there's going to be a moment where we're going to see um our growth, which we'll get in October, that is where we we're going to shine. like we're going to see some really really good growth in certain places. Not in all places, y'all, because we are really we're we're patching some holes in some places, but we're going to see some growth.
061And with the model that we have moving forward with RTI and providing inclusive conversations with with all the people at the table talking about what students need individually, you're going to see an even bigger difference next year. And we're really focusing on data. Last year we didn't have all the things in place to make formative assessments and track those. We got our technology up to date. We have teachers trained on platforms. We got all the pieces in place. Just give us some time to get that that going at the end of the first nine weeks. I hope we keep them here. I hope they don't run off from because it's going to be different work for them, but we're going to support them and by Christmas it's going to feel like we've been doing it
062forever. It's not going to be I'm not nervous about that. I'm really not. I feel good about it. It's just going to take some time to get everybody adjusted to it because it's going to be very different from anything we've tried. Really different. But just imagine a world where every kid gets exactly what they need when they need it in response to their performance in the classroom. That's what we're leaning into this year. Yes. All kids. I don't I don't say and Janette. It's all kids. So, we're all going to be talking about all kids. So, it's going to be great stuff. >> Very good. All right. Uh, next is HR updates. >> Amy, where will you? >> Um, I do not have, unless something has changed today, I do not have any openings at
063um the high school or at Margaret Newton. Um, there are two um ELA positions, a seventh grade and an eighth grade at Lar Kendall, and then an educational assistant position. >> The two principles are knocking on wood, throwing a saw over their shoulder, pillow. >> She's praying hard which is unfortunate for those kids and those teachers. I talked to their director of schools. There were no teachers that were involved in that that were not going to be they were not beating. So all those teachers that became available to us in the pool they were going to come back and they were effective teachers in Oah County. it's just where they were going to have to go teach in some cases was across the county and so we benefited from that. So that where we were
064taking people who don't have an educational background to actually get people with experience that's exciting to get >> so just a couple more positions and I know they're working diligently to close those positions up. Uh, next is new teacher academy. >> Let's see. So, just going to kind of give you an um an update what we're going to be doing. Um, we're going to offer all of our new teachers to the county. We're going to do a fiveday academy. And basically what we're going to do is we're going to cover all of the information that was covered last year about the importance of high quality instructional materials, tier one instruction. We're going to provide some individual um unit and lesson prep, walk them through their curriculum. There's going to be supports. My instructional coaches are
065going to help. Principles are going to come in and assist. Um we're going to dive deep into the team model. All of the things that new teachers need, we're going to make sure we did in that first week so that we're not trying to keep their heads above water past that. That's one of the things that I feel like last year we kind of missed the boat on. I wasn't here early enough to think about what are the things we're going to do. And so we're going to try to make sure that they have everything they need for the very first day of the school. So we've got materials are in, technology is on go right now. We're struggling with clever a little bit, but we're gonna have to figure it out by Monday. I
066promise. Um it's going to be it's going to be great. So just that sustainability of kind of what our plan is and our model that we're moving forward. So I'm excited about it. Um >> that's part of the area. So this is an additional week that we are providing a pay for that they will get and it's only for new teachers. Um Jennifer Robertson is going to provide a day of comp support which is classroom management um support and she's going to be supporting teachers throughout the year. That's huge for us this year. It is much needed and I think that it's just going to it's going to change. It's really going to change that culture of what's happening in the classroom. So if we can support them in the beginning instead of coming back
067in and trying to change the behaviors that happen. It's gonna be >> any questions. >> Students are gonna be going into classrooms to observe. >> Yes, ma'am. >> She will do all of the initial trainings. We have what's called the new teacher academy throughout the rest of the year. Once a month, we'll come together. Um right now the plan is um we will do it at Lar Kindle from 2 to 4 every um I think it's the second Tuesday of the month. And if you are a new teacher who is a novice teacher, you will do the comp training. And then at 3:30 we will have a just touch base, new teacher support, whatever you need, any other things that we need to touch up. So we have support for them all year long. Jennifer
068will go in and monitor their work. And throughout the year, if there's an if there's a moment where we have a teacher that we see needs some support, who's not new to the district, but we feel like there maybe could be a refresher course for them, they will be invited to attend some of those sessions as needed by teacher by principal recommendation or instruction. That's good. Uh, next is Schneider Electric Update. >> This is a this has been an ongoing saga. So, you recall the remodeling project. Blair came on in the back was done past building inspection. So, Schneider had contracted with Holt Construction. Holt's the one that did the gutting, remodeling. When the roof issues were found out, there's one package fix. It got approved all the way up. Went over to the state.
069State approved it. Went back down. And then the local fire marshal inspected and said, "I'm not approving." I'm not going to put words in his mouth, but it's my understanding that he has concern about some of the construction. So, uh, I think he has the best of intentions of for safety, but it seems like it's out of his line, but at the same time, it's in his line, and that he will not approve it. So, Hulk Construction is coming back in two weeks, and my understanding is to come back for sure of everything that the fire marshall has had an issue with and fix it, be done. So, I am not blaming the fire marshall, per se. He has a best of intentions, but they're not on the same page that so I guess it's
070within his right to do what he's doing. He's doing it with the best of intentions, and I appreciate that. But that has been the hold up. Whole construction is going to come back and fix it. I just want to make sure you all were aware that we have not forgotten about it. This was not on a Schneider. This is a little bit different. Clint >> has been a really helpful person. >> Absolutely. Every time it's about >> I I appreciate we want to do what's right for kids to say. >> All right. Next is superintendent report. >> Sabri, you want to start up? Do you have anything that you want to add? >> Yes. Our open house is July 31st, 3:30 to 4:30. And as Miss Amy said, we are fully staff. Um, today all
071of our new teachers did come and receive their keys and tour the school. So, that is exciting. Um, we also will have a our care counselor, but we also have a therapist. So the therapist came in first place today. So lots of great things going on. >> So that's July 31st. July 31st on Thursday. >> So Terren Scott, are y'all tag teaming this or >> Terra's filling me in on that? be a collaborative. Apparently, we're doing ours on July 31st at 9:00. >> Yeah, I knew that. >> And I'll be honest, I've been in my office and I've been at the board office and I've been meeting new people and I'm at middle school football team just a while ago. That was really fun. Uh, and I'm just figuring it out. I'm gonna be honest
072with you. Terra's been helpful. Campbell's been helpful. Everybody's been helping me. And I know I've got a lot to learn because it's a new district for me. I've been through I've been in many public. But I'm really excited for the opportunity and I promise you I'm gonna give you everything I got and Terra's gonna help keep me in line and make sure I don't do anything crazy. And uh at the end of the day, it's been nice to meet the teachers as they come in. I'm I'm going to give them my time because that's how you build relationships and get to know people and and I'm all about that. I think that's very important. So just know that I've been in my office doing stuff because I also have to do it, you know, I
073have to do a team training for evaluating teachers and I watched all the modules in the last couple days and those were really fun and now I'm looking forward to taking the test. So just that it's it's going to be a really good year for L Kindle. I know I know they're leaving it in really good space for me and our intention is to just keep kind of like Sunny said, we're just going to keep building every year. So just know that I don't know everything but I'm learning a lot. July 31st at 5 o'clock. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Well, we do not know when our open house is because our leadership team has not met because one has been on vacation. But when we receive that time, we will inform you all. It
074will either be before July 31st or probably after July 31st, but it will be one of those days where we will let the whole board know. We want to at Lake County High School, we want to welcome Dr. Crockett Laura Kendall Middle School. I know he's gonna do a fabulous job. We've heard a lot of things about him. Uh he is a Kentucky fan. I am a Tennessee fan. So, we're going to have a great time together. >> All right. So, we have to talk about that. Pray about we talk about during football season. >> I'm not one. >> I want to welcome Miss Beley, particularly Miss Joy Crockett, who's going to be our ELA teacher. And I know that she comes with an extensive wealth of knowledge. She's an incredibly gifted lady and I
075look forward to working with her. And I think her his boys are also gonna be playing basketball. One >> those graduated one >> one would be playing basketball for Lake County High School. So he brings a lot of lot of talent to our school. Um the corn is ready. The corn is now ready to be distributed to the community. We will start on Saturday at 8 o'clock from 8 to 12. We will have people out there to distribute the corn freely to the people. So we would like to all of you all here to please make sure brother Jimmy Dell it is Saturday at 8 o' 8 till 3. We are going to have baskets of course for special guests of course school board members that we will honor you as well and especially uh
076the Lincoln alumni for giving us this wonderful opportunity. uh we are so grateful for them and a special thank you to Carson Hopper. This was his vision and this is one of his classroom projects. This is a project that he is building so that when he graduates it will continue to sustain itself. So that way in year three we can actually sell uh some of the crops that that grow from that from that acre. So we want to thank you all for that. We'll be out there once again Saturday from 8 to 3. Uh we do have an ACT teacher, Mr. Griffin Strobe. He is our new ACT teacher. Is it 8 to 3 or 8 to 12? >> 8 to 12. >> Okay. Tell them why 12. >> Yes. Because Mr. You said because
077the heat but Mr. Carson Hopper said is that's when it's the sweetest. That's when it sweetest from 8 until 12 and then past 12:00 it >> goes down. >> You bring your own bag. We will have bags there as well, but you can bring your own bag and make it. Help yourself. Help yourself. Hopefully with the board members, we'll have baskets for you all. So you all can just come and grab yours as well. So um the ARS Foundation is officially here at Lake County High School. We are excited about that. We will be meeting with them tomorrow at 8:30, but we are very excited to have Miss Wendy Mills who is not leaving us. She will actually be a representative from the AIS Foundation who will come and help us out. The AIRS Foundation,
078as you know, is a great commodity for our school and we're excited to have them as well. So I think that is it. Thank you. So many >> y'all talked about which you want to plant. >> Oh yes, thank you. Thank you very much. Sorry about that. It'll last a week, Mr. Jimmyell. So the corn will last from 8 to 12 on Saturday, but next Saturday, that's the deadline. So you're going to have a week. The corn will go from uh the 18 the 19th of July until the 25th of July. At that point, the corn will be cut down because we're putting in turn greens. So that will be an all crop that we get and we will freely once again give it to the people. Um it'll be an acre full of turkeys.
079That's a lot of turn. >> That's a lot of turns they want to use for decoration. >> Yes, sir. Better get in that way. Cut it themselves or >> I don't know what that process looks like. >> I think they're gonna cut the stalks. I think they're all going to be >> just go through there and get it out. >> Yes, sir. >> So, we will start the the the officially after the day when we cut the stocks, we're going to put those turn greens in immediately to beat it before the falls the whole acre of turn greens that we will again give freely to the people. >> It's an amazing project. >> Yes, security. >> I heard that. I heard There's already some corn up missing, I'm sure. >> But even though it was
080a wet year, Carson was really excited. It was a really wet year. And you see how the corn kind of it didn't grow real tall. But there's a most of the plants got three years per plant and some of them got four years per plant. >> So they did really well. >> Although this is going to be great for the community and living, this was a learning moment. Kids can go out there and look and go, "We got to fix the level of the land. We had a wash out here. We don't need to plant here." It was a hands-on experience. And I'm going to go on further. We hired kids to work out here in the venue. Had a kid that ran over some grapes for the zero turn. >> But I didn't think
081anything about it. What you learn, you can't go do that in somebody's yard. It cost you money. And with us, it's like a worksheet. You made a mistake. So, you learn from it. The kids never ran along. So working out there in that corn, it's the same idea. We need to move some dirt so that we don't have issues. So the learning is the best part of all of it. The other part is helping the community out. So it's a win. >> Uh all right. Next is other business. >> Two parts. First of that is the hold on federal funding. So that is coming from the series of presidential orders that were signed. The idea was is to examine if there was waste for federal funings. Is there a way of expediting how those funds
082get distributed the requirements of all of that? So it's not just little way county this is nationwide. hopefully that right now there are meetings that are going on in Washington DC to hammer out some way of agreeing to so those funds get released. So we were talking today so we have people that pay through out of federal funds. Well, so does everybody else. So what are we going to do? So I'm going to trust that our government is going to do what they need to do and release those funds. There may be some different criteria. There may be some other strings attached to it. I don't know. But it will have an impact not on us but everybody. So that's where we are. Everybody's just frozen. The next part had a great conversation with Judy
083on Friday. She brought something to light that I was like I caused me to reach out to two attorneys. One was Ben Torres, the other was Sam Jackson. And it was about contracts for teachers. So there's a state law that says teachers are supposed to have contracts. And I can understand why. It's about the benefits. It's the compensation to secure um their employment. And through talking to Judy, we talked about so how are they protected? Because contract there's two different pathways. One is do with tenure and the other one is there's due process for somebody who has not reached 10. I will say this to you. Every one of the principles is we met monthly about human capital. How are teachers doing? How are staff doing? We said we had conversations starting in December about
084hey we have some people that are not where we need them to be. Let's talk about the supports and we we did supports and then you know so that's how we part ways. So the contracts by law spell out that compensation and so what I explained was is we have been doing um continuing employment because when I reached out to Ben he said technically yes you're supposed to have a contract. However, the continuing employment law guarantees people still have jobs. So, let me give you an example. So, if you work at the gas station, employment market, you're not waiting year in and year out to say, "Am I going to have a job? Do I have to wait on the contract?" No, you just continue to work unless something happens. You work at Tyson, you
085don't wait for a contract. You just continually work. Well, that's the culture that we wanted here as part of retention and recruitment. Don't don't have anxiety about a contract. just keep working and you'll have a job. But absolutely want to take care of employees. What you have in front of you is policy. If you look at that last paragraph on the second page, it talks about extending the offer. And then behind that, you will see the contract. So Judy, you asked me about contracts. 45 of our teachers have contracts in their classes from I think the 22 23 is one we see and then there's 17 teachers who do not have contracts but what they do have so you see what the contract looks like and then you see what the compensation letter so one
086is very straightforward legal like and then you have the other one that explains the compensation the months how much you're going to get paid agreeing to the degree. So what you're doing in that compensation letter, the teacher is agreeing, yep, this is the degree I have. This is the years experience I have. This is where I fall in the pay matrix. This is how much I'm going to make. And this is what's going to look like a month. To me, fits the spirit of what we're trying to do. But I, you know, I support what you all want to do. Personally, I just did not want teachers to be worried about a contract. But if we're going to but we could do an initial contract just like what you see there that's very cut and
087dry and then we can do compensation letters. But you know I don't want to break a law but what Ben said was is the the continuing employment does fit. I sent that text message to Sam. I said do you agree with Ben's statement? He said I agree. So y'all tell me how you want to proceed. Do you want the contracts? Do you want contracts compensation? Do you want to do an initial contract and then do letters of compensation moving forward? What works best for you all? Judy had the other idea which is talk to some veteran teachers. >> How do they >> We got some hand. >> Yeah. >> What do y'all think? >> I personally don't see the need for contact. This compensation letter is the information I want to know here. They don't
088know if you got tenure, you got tenure, but they don't know. >> I have a suggestion. What we ran into last year, uh, one of the new teachers that had been a first year teacher, she tried to buy a car during the summer. she they wanted an intent for um employment because she didn't have, you know, whether she was going to have a job for her income. And that was kind of the things that these new teachers are running into. You know, they're buy trying to buy houses. They're trying to buy big purchase items and they don't have something in writing that says they have a job to pay for it. >> I have filled out several this summer u for individuals. So, all they have to do is ask and I'll be happy to
089fill them out with I just did that because I don't have a house. I don't have a car. I don't have anything. I need to buy furniture. So, I said, you know, may will you please write a letter with school letterhead that states I will be paid this this amount per year and that I am employed school and everybody I've gone to. I got a car now. I might have a house and I will have furniture. >> So, so the compensation letter is something that has gone out in August >> and and so it to me it suffices. Now for other folks who are new absolutely want to do it. I don't want to do anything that causes anxiety and I want to make sure we're supporting our employees that promotes that retention. So anybody
090else who has perspective >> I'm a little bit confused. Terara, you said the example that you just tal talked about. >> Yes, ma'am. >> At the end of each school year, is something signed by the employees? >> No. And that's what we were talking about in the past. A contract was offered for the following year. And that's what Ben is saying. You don't have to do that because unless you've gone through due process, you have a job going back. >> You don't have to course. You pointed here. We signed back in. I'm not saying it should be done, >> but you had that document to take and do whatever, you know. that >> y'all correct me when the law when it when it changed about the negotiations between associations and the LEA and that stopped
091we began to work at will ways when that ended that's when I stopped signing contracts as a teacher because it was it was just continued employment. We didn't have to negotiate a contract. >> We just continued to work unless there was a problem. I went to a different school district, did not sign a contract. I got a compensation letter that says this is how you're going to get paid and this is what the amount was. >> Well, maybe that serves as a contract. >> It does. And so, you know, and maybe it's a compromise of doing the compensation letter in in May. And I think I like that terminology better. Contract does not seem warm and fuzzy, >> right? I think that compensation we want to know, hey, welcome. I appreciate Judy bringing that to
092my attention. Talk about that. So maybe that is and then for our new teachers, do you need a letter? >> Can I have a suggestion? When I was across the river, we had an intent to return that was >> basically indicating we agreed that we were going to be coming back the following year. >> So, we do that >> and we can make that as you know saying this is and keep those kind of things on file to prove they're >> so process. >> As I say, we do an intent return. Why can't we use that as a way of proving that we're intending to employ them? Yeah, >> creditors and such. >> So the issue with say is like our county commission still does not approve the budget. So we would we would be
093guessing so it would have to be some uh money language but with the best of intentions this is what you would be. So that's >> and I did write that on the the view that I did. I said pending county commission's approval of our 2520 system. So, >> so we wouldn't want to send out a compensation letter until after the board has at least approved our budget and a pay matrix. Then we could so in that May time frame is when we want to do compensation. >> So we'll come back to you in August with any other business. >> May I May I say something? Um, I'm going to call someone out and Whitby, I hope you do not mind. I saw you slip in the door at the beginning of our meeting. You all,
094in case you don't know, this is Whitney White Almond. She is Mary White's daughter. And Larry White is one of our graduates from a bunch of years back, but I happen to know that on the Nburg City School Board, right? >> I am. And maybe that's why you're here to observe or whatever. For whatever reason, you are here. >> Welcome. >> Well, thank y'all. Thank you for having me and letting me slip in to join. >> I wanted to come here to observe. I think that was one of the things I needed to do, you know, and um fill out some forms and some stuff and observe another school board and I wanted to come see y'all. So, thank you very much for having me. >> Come back and see us again. >> Oh, I
095will. I'm down here often. Up here up here >> often. January. >> We have definitely had some let out talking about SC versus local government. So it always comes back to user error and we have people that are new to writing paychecks. The anxiety that has caused them has caused us and then to the poor people who have not been paid appropriately and we hate that. That's not something that we that's not a retention first practice. So we have talked about processes. I'm gonna say that partly it's because of the new but it's nothing that Skyward is doing or there's not a glitch in the system. This is a user error out >> right it's user um it's not all user error so I don't want to say it's all user error >> it's process
096>> it is it's a process of I have a very fresh team we're new um but they are such hard workers they're very hard workers um but it is a new just just like doing a double payroll and that that's where this error has occurred it's a double double payroll. >> Well, you assume when you hit double payroll, it's going to double do everything that it's supposed to do. Well, that is not the case. >> It does exactly what it said it, >> right? It doubled your payroll. It did not double all of everything that needed to come out of your check. Um, so it didn't didn't double all of your deductions. But you would assume that when the person tells you you can do a double payroll that this is how you do it
097that it works that way. Um and then when we were trying to learn how to do I was so proud of us because we were working on doing payroll liabilities and and learning did we get everything out of these checks we were supposed to. So we're trying to get our processes in place. um we learned it didn't it didn't do it and I'm like oh you know it's a lesson learned and and I promise we are trying we are not doing anything with ill intention at all >> we are trying very hard >> well we never anticipated that it was ill just know sometimes things happen and there's unintended consequences >> not just for or here in the district office because I know people feel awful when that happens, >> right? >> But well, the
098employee there can be >> paycheck to paycheck and they don't have paycheck. It's kind of hard. >> Well, and and I go with that personally, so I get it. And they thought it was all funny when I didn't get paid. My bag is slow. processes and we realize that they're putting a lot of pressure. So we have a new plan to make sure that people are getting paid appropriately by the supervisors. That's the other step. So we've been following same why are we doing it this way because we always have done it this way. >> I was I want to add to that about the payroll. I was also one of those who did not receive of my paycheck. But I just wanted to say kudos to them because once it was brought to their
099attention, it was fixed that day and it was in my account. So this isn't a lengthy correction. It's once it's made known, it's fixed. It's corrected and and they have the money because I was I was one of those. Is there I know every year they get three checks or one at the end of the last day of school and two at >> Is there a way that you can reach out to your staff and ask if we can do that monthly instead of >> I don't know they may not want to do that a May and a July payroll instead of doing >> instead of doing it like that because I know August >> some of them have to do by grants. So some grants have to be spent out by a certain date
100and so that's for some of them and not all of them is that the case but I know some that are paid according to that grant it has to be >> so we could talk to them about would you prefer to do I would say that I don't know many folks that do it that way but if that's what we want to do it's a possibility >> I know come August 1 some of them are >> yes it's We're going to have a meeting. >> We talked about it this morning in our meeting. I want to meet with a group of teachers who are seasoned teachers. I won't call them out, but we're going to meet with a group of seasons who are paid a certain way. Why is it done this way? Because I
101don't know. And and is is it done this way for a reason? I know way back when they got to pick and so you know that another >> and the law changed and they can't do >> right. So I would say you got Deborah right there handy. She was forever I went to I said hey so why was done like this? Because she is one of those seasoned teachers that's been here. Well, you know, back in the day, insurance come out 10 months ago, >> you know. So, >> which is another possibility. >> When I talked to Ben Torres about the pay, he said, "It's either or. You absolutely can do 12 months every month." The insurance part, he brought me up to speed. Said 2016, because you and I talked about that afterwards in
1022016, the law changed about insurance. Before 2016, it was on the districts to pay June and July for health insurance. The state did not pay. The law changed at 16. So now that the state pays 45%, the district pays 45% the employee pays 10. Ben said there are some districts that you have focused in on a particular pay insurance which is the standard. He said so you could incentivize that standard a little bit further and take care of the 10% in June and July so that the insurance is not coming out of those checks. He said and it doesn't impact their pay for long term. it changes with the insurance needs. It doesn't impact their like taxes, their taxable income. So in October when we have the new health benefits that those cost the premiums
103are going to be that is a consideration this board can take on in the standard what would 10% be for all of the employees of six standard for June and July that could be another retention for strategy just the bot. So Ben dropped that little nugget of forest. >> My last thing is um it was brought to my attention that we have some folks that have not been I'm not talking about teachers. I'm talking about vendors um that haven't been paid for a while. Is there a reason for that? >> I don't know which vendor has my opinion. >> I don't know. We don't I don't we have very few outstanding um balances and that's because a computers we can't pay it because the computers carts I believe it's the carts were messed up and
104they had to be have they come back. I don't >> Yeah, we've already we've already cleared that one. That's already >> So that was the only one I'm aware of. >> Yeah, that's already been taken care of. >> And there's a few work orders that hadn't been completed >> at all. Those are the only things I know that's not Do you know the name of what it is >> for? >> What is it? >> A local that is not been >> I don't know. >> Yeah, please do because I I do not know of someone locally. I mean, we have some some people that do work here and then when they send us an invoice, we pay the invoice. >> I'd like to know who it is. We don't have confidential. >> Maybe you can
105privately tell somebody whoever. All right. >> I will say this, it is brought to my attention. >> These folks want to make it right. So, errors happen. Okay. >> I don't know of anybody that we have not purposely paid. >> We want to make sure that we're doing good business, especially local vendors. So this is my word of if you know of something that's an issue out there in the world to attest like before but I do know when we did the audit and they were telling us all of the things the processes that were broken. Skyward fixes every one of those. Our problem has been getting the rollover. Next year is going to look different. I mean, I already know so much more about what's what needs to happen and what's going like I
106can access all of my stuff I need to. And we started learning that in January and by the end of March I knew what to do. I was here from August until January and didn't know processes. And so it really is it's streamlining it. Yeah. User learn. I mean they're learning it. >> She couldn't access local government. I couldn't do that. >> No one if there were only four users for local government. That's another thing. Local government only allows four users at a time. So if someone was in putting in a bill and someone is in um doing POS and that took away two spots right there. So then if Jamie need to come in and do a PO and so did Nikki, nobody else could do anything. With Skyward, as long as you're in
107your login access, you can access and do your work. But there was no way at any point in time, you had to be on a local government machine and only it was hard. >> Well, I'm glad you said that. >> I'm sitting here, but I have learned the benefits of it. And one one thing that the budget from local government was not uploaded in skyward completely. >> And the reason why it wasn't it wasn't because nobody made a misstep. It was just because when you reconcile budgets and you ask for money your funding because our whole budget is reimbursement. So we spend the money and then we reimburse it from other places. So that those things hadn't been reimbured. So it did go into Skyward, right? So then when we started spending out of Skyward,
108it didn't match the line item. So we had to physically write down on paper what that was. You know what I mean? We had we had to research what was encumbered in the old system that wasn't uploaded into the new system, which was really really hard. >> It's we're in 2025 now. It's so easy. I mean it really is. It's just we got to get our stuff in there. Just clean up all messed up right now. It is so much easier. So much easier. I don't spend a half day trying to do a video. It takes less than five minutes. So that's my shout out to >> And I know I know how much money is in there. I'm not saying how do I find out how much it's so easy. It's really is. It's
109not hard at all. I said I probably myself tomorrow. >> Nobody else. >> All right. Any other meeting? >> Enjoy your job.