MSCS Board Meeting 10-28-25

001County Board of Education October 28th, 2025 board meeting, business meeting. Mr. Jenkins, will you please call the role? >> Board member McKisik >> here. >> Board member Garcia >> here. >> Board member Porter >> here. Board member Murphy >> here. >> Board member Love >> here. Board member Otay >> here. >> Board member Williams >> present. >> Board vice chair Coleman >> present. >> Board chair McKenna >> present. >> You have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. We have a quorum. Tonight's [music] posting of colors is presented by Kingsberry High School. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for a m a moment

002of silence. This evening's moment of silence is in memory of Ian Hudson, teacher of EE Jader. He passed away in a car accident in Alabama. Please pray for his wife and infant child who were injured in the um in the crash and his family during this tragic time. A moment of silence, please. >> Thank you. All right, our next item agenda is spotlight on the arts and that will be the MSCS fair arts contest winners and we're going to present our teachers. Mr. Jenkins, will you please recognize our teachers of the students who won the fair arts contest? We are pleased tonight to call to your attention to a wonderful achievement by our district's young artists and to the dedicated art teachers who guided them. Each year, our students participate in the city and county

003fairs. And this year, we Memphis Shelby County Schools had an increase in the number of students whose artwork was selected as winners. These recognitions do more than decorate a wall at the fair. They reflect creativity, courage to share as one vision and the support of talented educators who foster artistic expression. First, let me read the names of the teachers and their schools whose students had winning entries. Teachers, please come and stand as your name is called. Valerie Gun, AB Hill Elementary. Chelsea Morris, Berclair Elementary. Clint Over Street, Chimney Rock Elementary. Shannon Mura, Colonial Middle. Kia Woods, Cordova Elementary. Shemica Carter, Cordova Elementary. Alexis Scrugs, Dexter K8. Billy Flowers, East Tam High. Gwen Bruno, Germantown Elementary. Michael Smith, Germantown Elementary. Don Hawkins Weaver, Idaw Elementary. Kelly Lindseay, Idaho Elementary. Pauline Williams, John Freeman. Nancy Shepard, North

004Haven Elementary. Barbara Winton, Oak Forest Elementary. Taylor Martinez, Overton High. Jamie Hooper, Peabody Elementary. Heather Herren Kelsey, Richland Elementary. Marissa Brown, Riverwood Elementary. Nedra Hines, Riverwood Elementary. Melissa Best, Southwind Elementary. Cedric Granger, Southwind High. Katie Lipo, Valentine Elementary. Kim Shirley, White Station Elementary. Miranda Bavier, White Station Middle. James Andrew Dykis, White Station High School. Thank you. were um spotlighted. I don't have a teacher voice. Okay. Okay. The students I have a cheerleader voice. Okay. The students were spotlighted. If you get where is there is it on the website or something that we can see their art. It was phenomenal. Some of these you would see it in a museum or you would want to put it in your living room in your living room on the wall. So I just want to say these are

005their um their teachers, their support, their guiders, their directors and we just owe them a great great round of applause. Thank you. All right, we're gonna do special recognition. We have um three of our district um board members who want to recognize some pretty incredible people. So, Mr. Jenkins, will you please announce the recognitions and and talk about them and we will come down and so we can have photos. >> Thank you, Chair. Memphis Shelby County Schools proudly celebrates two outstanding students. Carlos Watkins, a junior at Memphis East High School, and Progneshiker, [music] a senior at White Station High School for being named 2025 Keepers of the Dream by the National Civil Rights Museum. The prestigious honor recognizes students who embody the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through leadership, community service, and a

006commitment to social justice. Carlos and Pragna are two of the three students chosen to receive this award to this award this year. Carlos Watkins has long been an advocate for his peers and his community. A Tennessee DECA state officer representing more than 8,500 students across the state, Carlos is the founder of Operation Purple House, a youthled initiative based in the Carpenter Art Garden in Bing Hampton that promotes mentorship, volunteerism, and neighborhood improvement. He hopes to pursue a career in law and public policy and one day serve his city in a public office. His leadership and service clearly made an impression. Carlos received more than 21 nominations for the award from people across the community, including members of his church, co-workers, and school staff. Carlos said, "The award is a reminder that we are leaders of

007today and tomorrow." Pragna Raja Shikar is equally committed to service and advocacy. She founded Caring Hands of Tennessee, a student-led organization that provides healthc care resources to rural communities. She also expanded the effort into an international student-run newspaper that amplifies youth voices and promotes civic engagement. In addition to her service work, Pragna has engaged [music] with state policy makers on issues such as gun violence prevention and youth empowerment. I am truly honored to receive this award as it represents the legacy Dr. King laid out for the younger generations to come. Progn said, "It is our duty as young citizens to lead with compassion and create positive change within our communities. I was inspired to to find out the caring hands of Tennessee after growing up watching my parents give back. Every year they would donate

008hundreds of sandwiches to those in need. I also want to recognize my co-president Delina for always encouraging me to expand our organization's impact. Okay, next we have board member Stephanie Lo's recognitions. Tamisha Effinger um will be recognized in recognition of Tamisha Effinger's resilience as a breast cancer warrior who has faced her journey with unwavering courage, faith, and determination. Despite the challenges of treatment, she continues to inspire others by turning her pain into purpose, advocating for women experiencing hair loss and creating empowering solutions through her business envy and company LLC. Her p her story is a powerful testament to strength, self-love, and the belief that beauty and confidence can thrive even in the midst of battle. Next we have Summer Owens um for breast cancer awareness. In recognition, Summer Owens is a an awardwinning author, speaker,

009and founder of the So What Foundation. She partners with schools to empower students through traumainformed programs promoting literacy, life skills, confidence, resilience, and character education. Now as she courageously fights breast cancer, Summer continues to live her so what message, proving every day that with strength, faith, and determination, we can rise above any challenge. We recognize Miss Owens during breast cancer awareness month. Thank you. [applause] Okay, next we have board member Michelle McKisik, principal Dr. Youette Williams Renfro, um, Caldwell Guthrie School. MSCS proudly recognizes Dr. Youette Williams Renfro of Caldwell Guthrie School for her unwavering commitment to students and the school community. Under her leadership, student enrollment has risen to 80%, reversing a significant decline following the school's transition from the state ASD district. Dr. Renfro's dedication to academic excellence, student engagement, and community partnership continues

010to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her students. Next, we have Principal Derek Macintosh, AB Hill Elementary School. Okay, I'm sorry, y'all. rest. Next, we have Principal Derek Macintosh at AB Hill Elementary School. MSES honors do m Mr. Derek Macintosh, principal of AB Hill Elementary, for his outstanding commitment to student engagement through afterchool programs. Under his leadership, these activities provide valuable opportunities for enrichment, learning, and community connections, supporting the growth and development of every student. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. Thank you. Okay. Is that be quiet? [laughter] All right. Here we go. Um, next we're going to have a video for cancer awareness. [music] As you all may know, October is breast cancer awareness month, a time to create awareness, honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer, and reaffirm our global commitment

011to equitable access to care and improve survival for all. This year, we highlighted the theme, every story is unique, every journey matters. Please play the video. >> This is school. [music] We believe in the power of candidate >> and this October we unite for a cause that touches so many of our lives is more than a [music] call to action and we're running >> the don to support the fighters and to honor the we show our commitment to awareness education and early detection because knowledge saves lives. We remember those who lost love and we stand by those who are still fighting. Whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher, a neighbor, your voice, your story and join us, think and help us build a future [music] where no one fights alone. >> [applause] >>

012Thank you, fellow board members. Next, we wanted um to celebrate we want to um remember the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. It was celebrated September 15th through October 15th. It's a celebration of culture and history. The month-long observance recognized the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Hispanic Americans. It's also an opportunity for education. It provided a chance for people to learn about the unique experiences and heritage of Hispanic Americans and to share their stories with others. A time to honor achievements as well. This month highlighted the achievements of Hispanic Americans who have inspired others and made marks across virtually every aspect of American life. I had an opportunity um and I'm sure others did too to visit some of the programs and they were phenomenal. They had not only the the students involved

013but they had some of the the faculty and parents and community involved and it was a wonderful wonderful thing to see and um I really really enjoyed it. So happy Hispan Hispanic Heritage Month. >> [applause] >> All right, we're moving right along. Approval of the agenda. The questions now on the approval of the agenda, are there any amendments? >> Yes, Madame Chair. Uh, I'd like to remove from the consent agenda item 1312, 1313, 1314, [music] and 1316. >> For clarity, are you removing it from the consent agenda or from the agenda completely? from the consent agenda. >> Okay. For discussion. >> No, >> From the agenda committee. >> All right. >> 1312, 1313, 1314, and 1316. >> Okay. >> Are there any other items? >> Board member Williams. Madame Chair, I would like to add

014a the a resolution to the agenda for the acceptance of the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Academy. Okay. Any other amendments to add? All right. I have a couple. I'd like to add a resolution MSCS resolution for expanded PRZ for attendance. And I'd also like to add the committee charters. All right. If there no further additions. All right. Board member Garcia, >> I was just seeking clarity about why we were removing the uh items 13 uh 12 through 16 and if just questioning if this is going to impact our prek services if if there's no vote. >> No, at this point uh board member Garcia will not uh impact our prek services. Our legal team is still in negotiations with uh first aid. >> So they're able to serve children right now and and

015are in compliance. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are there any other further questions? I have board member love. I had board member. >> I was going to say my sister is a bless cancer survivor. Yeah. Thank you. >> Many many moons ago. >> Light on for a long time. >> I'm sorry I didn't see it. Bear with me. All right. No other items for the agenda. Then it is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the agenda of the October 28th, 2025 business meeting. >> I move that we approve the agenda. >> Second. It's been moved by board member Murphy and seconded by board member Coleman. >> Please call the role. >> Board member McKis. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. Board member

016Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> I. [music] >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. I >> board vice chair Coleman >> I >> board chair McKinnon >> I >> you have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. We are now on that part of our agenda for public comments. In accordance with state statute, the board shall reserve a period for public comment during business and special called meetings. Only those members of the public who submit public comment cards to the board chairman prior to the commencement of this meeting shall be permitted to address the board. Public comments shall be taken in the order in which the public comment cards are received. A signup sheet for public comment is available 30 minutes prior to each applicable meeting and will be closed

017at the start of the meeting. This signup is located at the entryway table just past [music] the security checkpoint. Speakers must state their name, organization he or she is representing, if any, and sub subject of their comment before they are permitted to proceed. Speakers may offer objective comments about school operations and programs that concern them. Speakers are asked to refrain from using names of personnel or names of persons connected with the school system, particularly when lodging a complaint. Speakers will not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language. The chairperson shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive or does not adhere to board rules. Your time will be projected on the screen to your right and directly behind the board. When

018you hear a bell, your time has expired. We have community speakers. You will be allotted one minute each. Latasha Griggs, please. Sandra Peta, Iris Mardo, Ivan Horgees, I might not be pronouncing [music] that right. And Luis Morganfeld. In that order, please. Good evening. My name is Latasha Gre. My address is 1095 Bama. My question to this board is when are you all going to hold your board member accountable [snorts] for their actions? I'm not going to say no names. A couple of y'all where I was. So, y'all know exactly what I'm talking about. I say that to say that this been going on too long. When the other uh chair was up there, she never got censored and she's still not being censored. And all of this is official misconduct. So when are y'all going

019to do what y'all need to do about her instead of worried about us? It doesn't make sense. And then she played right into everybody hand. They played her like a funky piano and she danced to the tune. She's so smart. She don't. >> Next up, Miss Peta. >> Good afternoon. My name is Sandra Pitha and I live in 38122 um Kingsbury Road. I am here to um put a petition for you guys for transportation for to expand our transportation for kids. Right now um due to a lot of uh federal agencies in our in our streets, a lot of parents are scared to drive take their kids to school. Um others cannot afford tax insurance and without that kind of um you you can be target and stop. So, if you guys will um consider

020uh bringing out more transportation or making the uh roads roots longer, I would appreciate that. Thank you. Next, Miss Marcato. All right, I'll go to the next one. Um, Mr. Mores, Morgan Feld, and then Morgan Feld. My name is Lewis Morganfield. I am the building engineer at ODB Wells Academy. I live at 2823 Al Lane. Through education, IB Wells Academy is teaching the children to stand tall like David and defeat the defeat the Goliath of the world. These giant killers have closed the achievement gap over and over again to be a level five school. Just this morning, the school was recognized for having the highest writing scores for the eighth grade in the region. Greatness is growing at ID Wells Academy. Board members have been in the media stating that we are trying to rebuild

021the trust. That means that you recognize that you broke the public's trust. [music] rebuild that trust and prove to us that these kids are at the center of everything the district is doing. And I need five of you up there to be like David, stand tall and save this school from the giant that says it needs to be [music] closed. All right, I'm going to call the next three. Bishop Charles Lamin, Richard Massie, and Aman Arafat. Before you start, Mr. Lkin, could the others come stand in the queue so we can move get to everyone? I want to make sure if they're outside, they come in. Okay, Mr. Lamin. Charles Lamin, 3711 Austin P Highway, Memphis 38128. The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the

022Lord, so that your labor will not be in vain." This is an opportunity to bring it together before May. Demonstrate what the gentleman just said. If we're about the community and if this is truly about the children, then we will set our sights on demonstrating that repairing the breach between [music] the community, the board, the leadership. Right now, we're in a difficult spot and there's a huge chasm there and the children are in the middle. We owe it to ourselves individually and collectively to please put down our differences, come together, and let's work collectively to get the job done and secure it for our children. Uh, my name is Richard Massie. My address is 3615 Central Avenue. I'll be speaking on expanding transit services in the district. Parents have been fearful of their workplaces being

023raided by ICE. They've been afraid of going to the grocery store and now they must worry if they'll be detained in route to picking up their own children. Children now have to worry about not their studies or weekend plans of friends, but why mom or dad or grandma hasn't picked them up in 3 hours because their loved one has been detained by ICE. This doesn't foster a safer, more united MSCS community. It leaves us with lasting trauma and fear of mass agents and unmarked vehicles harassing good good hardworking honest people who happen to have kids enrolled in MS schools. [music] Expanding buses is the absolute bare minimum that we can do at this moment to protect our vulnerable children. What kind of standard does it set for education in Memphis when we're having to tell

024our kids the difference between ICE agents and homeland security agents who are at their schools for God's sake? Do the right thing. Lead with your conscience and put yourself in the shoes of those parents who had to worry about work already as is and now had to worry about if they'll be picked up and disappeared without a trace and route to picking up their own children. Thank you. My name is Aean Arafat. My address is 10271 Woodland Hills Drive, 38018. And what I'll be speaking about is children and the risk of being taken away by ICE. Yesterday I was in the car with my mother and as we were driving her purse spilled and revealed her American passport and this [music] confused me. I asked her why she even kept her passport with her and

025she said it was for safety in case ICE came at any time and questioned her. To clarify, my mom is visibly Muslim and Somalian. Having to keep your passport on you at all times in fear of being harassed or taken away from a city you already call home is horrifying. And this could happen to her or me at any time. In fact, this could happen to any children of [music] color and Muslim children here in Shelby County. As a child of color myself, being Somalian and Palestinian, I implore you to take care of these children and provide services such as buses, as these children and students here in Selby County are at risk of being harassed, racially profiled, detained, or taken away from these families. After all, all children have the right to feel safe

026at school. And I believe everyone in this room agrees with that notion. Thank you. The next three are Abby War, Lucero Amador, Davis Scarboro. Hi, my name is Abby War. My address is 475 [music] Garland Street, Memphis, Tennessee, and I'm here to advocate for the protection of local immigrant families um in pursuing a safe education for their students. [music] Um, I'm a lifelong Memphian and have worked in public schools here in Shelby County since 2021 as a speech therapist. Currently, um, in Parkway Village with children ages pre-K through third grade. Every day I see how much it takes for a child to show up ready to learn. And lately, I'm seeing fear get in the way more and more because of actions paid for with our tax dollars. Some of my seven and 8-year-olds tell

027me that they're afraid to play outside, attend soccer practice, or worry their parents might not be home when they get off the bus because someone they know has been apprehended. No child should have to carry that kind of fear. We all want safe neighborhoods. This isn't safety. Safety isn't built on fear, nor is it rooted in separation. These actions break down trust. >> [snorts] >> Um, I am here to formally request that the board uh protect the education of our city's children by facilitating buffer zones [music] around schools and expand bus routes in order protect to protect what we all value, family, education, and belonging. Every child deserves to be a kid in Memphis. Thank you. [clears throat] Good evening. My name is Lara Mador. My address is a thousand South Cooper Street. Education is

028a right that every student deserves, and they cannot access that right when them and their families are living in fear. Today I am asking the school board to expand the bus service so that my students can safely get to school and not contribute to the rising absency numbers. Within the past few weeks, there's been a lot of fear instilled into our communities which has affected our students education. A couple of families have withdrawn their students and claim back claimed that they're going back to their home countries. Absentees have increased as well and students are missing out on material and not receiving the free and quality education that they deserve. The students that do attend are living in fear, confiding to teachers about how they feel and what might happen to their families. Expanding the bus

029service will give families and students a piece of mind so they can continue receiving the education they deserve. Thank you. The next three are Carlos Watkins, Amal Alroa, I may be mispronouncing that. That's a t a l t a r e b. Jenna Williamson. My name is Carlos Watkins. I'm 2025 keeper of the dream 2025 good Samaritan award winner 2016 um outstanding contribution to community award [music] recipient um 2025 2026 SJ vice president and 2025 2026 creative right creative writing club president I am a product of public schools whether we like to admit it or not public schools are the basis of our society and it's it's It's it's a shame that I even have to to say that [music] as somebody who is 17 years old and a junior at a high school where

030there's so many amazing and intelligent um individuals that are bound to be neurosurgeons and attorneys and politicians and doctors and all these different things that we require in our society. Your next president is coming from Memphis's high school. It is important that we support public schools because I went to Magnolia Elementary. They said that we weren't doing good, but I graduated elementary school with a perfect score on the TCAP. I graduated Belleview Middle School with a perfect score. I went to Memphis East High School and I got a perfect score on TCAP. 9th grade, 10th grade, and now 11th grade. 32 on the ACT. Thank you. I just want to make that clear. He said 34 on the ACT. The perfect score is 36. So congratulations. [laughter] >> Hi everyone, my name is Amal Alterb

031and I am a product of my address is 6670E not Cove and I'm here to speak about protecting immigrant students and protecting public schools. I'm a product of MSCS. I went to Belleview Middle. >> Dr. alone. Um, I was an ESL student after coming from Yemen and the only phrase I could the only phrase I could say at the time was I can't speak English. But Belleview, then Central, then eventually graduating from Yale University with a degree in political science and human rights. Here I am standing in front of you. Thank you. So I want to say that public schools matter, immigrant students matter and we need to protect both. Um we need to provide them with all the resources and the long lifelong time mentors that I've been provided with Miss Marbel, Dr. Malone

032and many others here. Um, as our schools continue to face attacks from consistent defunding campaigns to attacks on immigrant students, I implore you to fight tooth and nail to protect our kids regardless of their color or faith or citizenship because every child has a right to education. So, expand bus services. Pass a resolution that makes a commitment to to access education for everyone. Fight for your seats because you're all up for reelection because you're going to fight for humanity. >> Thank you. Thank you. I think I have Jenna Williamson. All right, Nelly Jackson. The next three, Nelly Jackson, Carmen Spears, and Becky. Is that road a group? Hello. Uh, my name is Nelly Jackson and [music] I live at 1795 South Perkins Road. I am here to advocate for the deaf and heart of hearing

033program at Seile Elementary. Uh, I am a mother, a seile mother. I am now a Seile grandmother and my two my twin sons Randy and Bobby Jackson [music] um, graduated from Seile went on to White Station Middle to White Station. Then they went on to college. Both deaf. One graduated from RIT with highest honors. He's now a business owner. He owns his own runs his own business. Bobby is an advocate and he is a mentor and he also mediates. He found a position after he graduated from Memphis State in Boston. My daughter Carmen [music] is a great cook, a great chef, a mother of three whose daughter is Grace who attends White um Sea Isle Elementary. It's so important. My children are the better for it. See, heart of hearing program was a godsend for

034my family and I would hate to see it be dismantled. >> Thank you, Miss Jackson. Hi, my name is Carmen Spears. I live at 3942 Luther Road. I'm representing Sele and the failing deaf education program. Um, today my daughter's teacher was let go of, Miss G. Um, she was not only let go of, but she did not get to complete her certification, which does a complete disservice to her. When I asked uh the assistant principal of CILE what she's going to do with that certification, she said she can still complete it. Where's she going to go? What school is she going to go to? But my daughter, my daughter has gotten crammed into a classroom with other students and we have taken multiple steps backwards since I last appeared here at the board of education

035last spring. Nothing has been taken care of at C. The program has gotten worse and I'm tired of it. It does a complete disservice to Dr. Terry Evans who was the head of that program and the principal who handed it to our principal. Our principal who has enough time to write books, but she doesn't have enough time to work on our deaf education program at our school that used to be so successful and now it's not. So I I just I don't know where to go from here. It's no child left behind, but y'all are ignoring and y'all are leaving behind every single deaf child here. here. CI is the only one that has signing that's allowed in the classroom in the elementary school and we don't have that. >> Miss Spears, >> thank you.

036>> I'd like to remind everyone to refrain from calling employees names. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Jenna Williamson. I live at 824 South Cox Street. Um, first I want to stand in solidarity with the deaf community here. These parents know exactly what their children need in the classroom. I hope you'll listen to it and honor that. Secondly, I'm here in solidarity with the immigrant community. You know, earlier this year at the state of Tennessee, they tried to carve out undocumented students from public education. And Tennessans across the state really spoke out against that. I think we showed up for kids. And I hope that you see that same energy here tonight that we're showing up for kids. We want them to go to school. They're not making it to school because their parents

037are afraid. And that's something that you guys can do. You can expand bus services. um you can work with the city and the state to you know create safe zones around the school and I think you have an opportunity to be leaders in this arena when the childrens really need you. So thank you in advance for your effort. >> I have um is Becky R. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's correct. Okay. Becky RP. I'm at 5328 Airways Boulevard. Um I'm a friend of um students here and deaf in the community. And um you know I think we should I'm here to to advocate for the deaf program here. And um if we all just stop a minute and think about um our child. Most everybody probably here has a child or know or has

038a friend that has a child if you don't have a child of your own. And just think about sometimes we lack um empathy [music] in our world. And if you think about um how a deaf child would feel their classroom shutting down, possibly being bust, you know, far away from their home um pulled out of a safe environment where they feel safe in their classroom with teachers that they know. and now all of a sudden we don't have the time and the and the the the money maybe or the you know whatever the reason is that you're going to shut this [music] down is how that child would feel and how the parents would feel to send off maybe a 5-year-old feeling very lonely and scared. >> Thank you, Miss R. All right, the next

039three I believe this is Kira McGee Ross, Samuel Schaefer, [snorts] and Romeo Walker. My name is Kiara, last name McGee [music] Ross. My address is 1 N Codwell Cove. Now, why I have concerns, a lot of concerns. [music] There's no access. The ADA 504 rule. There's no full-time interpreters, no qualified educators for the deaf [music] students. They discriminate against the students. There's poor communication access. There's no facility equate for their needs. Also, there's no deaf role models. No, there's no one here that knows the culture for the students. There's no type of communication or anything for these students to understand like they're put in special education classes and they're not special students. They're deaf students and there's no program for that. And that's against the ADA. These students can't learn from a special education curriculum.

040That's not special education. They are deaf and you are leaving our children behind Samuel Samuel Schaefer 833 Mory Street uh Memphis Tennessee 38107. Um, I am not a lawyer, but I am a history teacher in Memphis Shelby County Schools. And right now, I see things happening in our country that rhyme with things that have happened in the past that are wrong, plain as day. Um, we are responsible. We have a responsibility to uphold laws, but laws can be complicated and contradictory, [music] and sometimes they're just wrong. We have a clear mission in our public schools to provide free and universal education to all children. This mission is impossible to fulfill when we have federal overreach terrorizing our immigrant families and students. Students are missing essential class time and being denied their right to education because

041of this terror. [snorts] Terror of having their parents, siblings, and community members or even themselves abducted for no good reason. For us to fulfill our responsibility to these children, to all our students, we need them to be protected. And we need their parents to be able to drop them off at school without fear. That means buffer zones around our schools where we know that they'll be safe and we need adequate transportation for all our students. Thank you. >> Greetings board members. My name is Romeo Walker. I live at 1693 Ullet Avenue. I'm here as an advocate for black children. Black children deserve a curriculum that puts Africa at the forefront. The Shelby County School Systems is in violation of the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause by providing a curriculum that is completely centered to the

042to the European experience. I'm urging the Shelby County School System to adopt an optional afroentric curriculum that black children can can opt into and that the white child can even opt into because that is the only way to be fair. Brown v. board of education did not mean that same educational facilities was the same thing as educational curriculums by by indoctrinating black children with eurosentric curriculums that is tantamount to involuntary servitude. In other words, it is a violation of the 13th amendment and our black children are being taught to serve white people by being taught European history and values from kindergarten to 12th grade. [music] So I urge you to adopt an afroentric curriculum for our black children. Thank you. >> I'm calling the next three. Martha and Derek Westbrook, Angeles Mendes, London Jordan. >>

043Good evening everybody. We are Martha and Derek Westbrook. Uh, our pastor is Dennis and Bonita Westbrook of the Greater Love Miracle Center Church. And I mentioned that because I guess about four or five years ago, we decided to adopt IB. Wells. And just from that day, we've always encountered good things when we entered the school. We do things like we supply school supplies. We uh we're getting ready to do the coat drive and [music] uh just whatever they ask us to do, you know, we just come on board. There is always good vibe when you enter the school. School is clean, safe and clean environment. It's always conducive to, you know, housing children. And so we just noticed that. We noticed that whenever we're there, there's never any disruption of any kind. no students out

044of order or [music] no fighting or and I've been to many schools. I worked for Shelby County Head Start. I also worked for Port and I know some of the things that can occur at [music] schools, but we just we we have never encountered that. We've always seen good vibes. Always had [music] my time. So, >> thank you. Good evening. I am Angelus Mendes. I'm here to talk about the resolution for transportation. I reside at 3652 Faxton Avenue. A minute is not enough amount of time for me to tell you in detail what I've experienced patrolling traffic stops. There's not enough time for me to fully express the fear I feel. I as a volunteer as I walk up to these traffic stops. Now imagine the fear of the parents of your students feel as

045they drop off their kids to school hoping that they make it home without being stopped. I was there at the council committee meeting and at city hall as they ignored my plea to prevent the federal agents and the national guard from coming to Memphis. I was at the town hall meeting where Mayor Paul Young told us he as mayor was powerless. Now I'm here to ask the school board to do what is right. I am here to ask that you show your students that you care about them, their families, and their education. Show us that you care about public education rights by expanding the bus routes. Show us that you care about equal access to education by helping us limit the activity of federal agents near school. If there is funding for federal agents to

046terrorize our city, then you cannot tell me that there is not enough funding for bus routes. Thank you for allowing me to represent my community. Good afternoon. My name is London Jordan and my address is 477 North Fifth Street. Today I wanted to mention about an update about our youth and adult equity equity pitch and the importance of this training in general. This training is building a connection between youth and adults to be able to work on these issues together in our MS education system. And the main problem we're having right now is we haven't been getting a lot of communication between us and the school [music] board. And also, only three people filled out the form we sent a couple weeks ago. And I want to continue this process. And I need your help

047on a few things we're trying to um do with our um pitch. So, we need help with like y'all filling out the form and choosing a date for the youth and adult equity training. Um it's we can have dates between November 11th to 13th. And we also need help contacting Stephanie Love. Thank you. >> Let's remember not to use names. Thank you. Um again, next I have Brenda Peta, Mariana Perez, and Alicia Mihi. May not be pronouncing that right. M E J I A. Good evening, board members. My name is Brenda Peta. I recite at 1219 Dogwood Drive. I'm here to plead for the resolution for transportation. I want to start off by saying no innocent child should carry fear. Children don't see race the way adults do. They see friends, classmates, and they share

048laughter. They deserve a world where the innocence is protected, not interrupted by fear or injustice. I'm here to speak on behalf of the families who love this community, but live every day with a quiet kind of fear. fear that that even something as simple as dropping off of the child at school could lead to being profiled, questioned, or treated differently because of the color of their skin. In our county, many families live miles away from school, bus routes, or face barriers that keep them from assessing transportation. In our county, language barriers, financial hardship due fear due to status or community tensions are obstacles that all communities face. Our schools are supposed to be a safe haven places where every child, regardless of their background, have the same chance to learn, to dream, and to belong.

049When a child can ride his bus safely to school, that's one less worry for a parent and one more step towards healing and you and unity in our community. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Mariana Perez and I am from 3969 South Kingsbury Road and I stand here as a product of MSES schools. I hope that all the stories you have heard today don't just go in through one ear and out of the other. I hope you take them carefully [music] into consideration and think about it as if it was your own family. I cannot believe that the fear that I felt as a little girl still exists today and is emphasized even more. So again, I just quickly want to say I hope that you take the take all the stories into consideration

050and make decisions wisely and rationally based off everything you hear. Thank you for your time. Good afternoon. Devon Dearmore, 1350 Concourse Avenue 38104. I teach preK at a school located on Summer Avenue, and I'm here speaking as a teacher in support of the resolutions to designate safe buffer zones and expand transportation services. As stated, this state violence is not new, not unfamiliar, but this escalation of violence has been felt every second since the National Guard stepped into our city. Unmarked vehicles wait like the predators that they are on Summer Avenue every day to conduct to conduct traffic stops and kidnap families. One of my families just withdrew my student from our program because they knew that if they stayed, they would be targeted, harassed, and maybe kidnapped. Last week, one of my students parents was

051pulled over, detained, and arrested just outside of my school on the way to pick up his child. And I had to console my four-year-old student in tears when his worst fear had just happened. This is happening every day. You have the power. Pass these resolutions. Don't fail your constituents again. Thank you. >> I have Melanie Perez. Angela Trio and Liz Marble. So I don't The other two aren't here. So I know. Okay. Liz. Oh. Hello. My name is Melanie Perez. I live at 3969 South Kingsbury Road and I'm here to speak about the immigrant community being afraid about speaking out and going outside of their homes to take their kids to school. like on behalf of the immigrant community that was speaking about bus routes and safety routes for their kids to take to school

052and everything. I feel the pain that they have because I don't think this is right that innocent Hispanic parents should have the fear about going outside of their houses just to take their kids to school and other things. I don't like what's happening currently. I feel like that you guys have the power to do something about it and that is all I had to speak about. >> All right. Good evening members of the school board, interim superintendent, fellow educators and community members. My name is Liz Marble. My address is 6263 Popular Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. I stand before you as president of the United Education Association, an affiliate of TEA and NEA, speaking on behalf of educators who show up every single day to teach, to mentor, and [music] to support our children. Despite the challenges

053stacked against public school teachers, our public schools are under threat. The Tennessee legislature continues to divert resources, giving public school dollars to private schools. We have been underfunded since 1990. Let that sink in. With proper funding, we could have smaller class sizes, better resources, and stronger outcomes for our students as well. Fair and adequate funding from the state of Tennessee also means fair pay and support for our teachers, teaching assistants, specialized education assistants, mental health clinicians, support staff, and central office. Tennessee currently ranks 47th 47th in the nation for public school funding. Every single day this inequity continues. Our children, our educators are being shortch changed. Public schools are not failing. They are starving. >> Thank you, Miss Mayor. >> Public schools are not failing. They are starving. Thank you. >> We stand in solidarity

054with immigrant children. >> Thank you. All right, that ends our um public comment section. We're moving on to the approval of minutes of the previous meeting. The question is now on the approval of the minutes for the following [music] meetings. Sub 8.1 approval of the minutes for September 23rd, 2025 work session meeting. The recommendation is It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approve the minutes of the September 23rd, 2025 work session meeting. >> Do I have a motion? >> I move that we approve the agenda for what is that September 2025 to September 23rd. 23rd, 2025. >> Yes. >> Okay. Second. It has been moved by board member Murphy and seconded by was that McKisik or Garcia? Garcia that we approve the minutes from the September 23rd, 2025 board work session meeting.

055Can I have a roll call vote, please? >> Board member McKisik, >> I. >> Board member Garcia, I. >> Board member Porter. Hi. >> Board member Murphy. Hi. Board member Love >> P. [laughter] >> Board member Otay. >> I >> board member Williams. >> I >> board vice chair Coleman. >> I >> board chair McKenna. >> I >> board member Love. >> I >> You have nine in the affirmative. that mo the minutes have been approved. Next, we have the approval of the minutes of the September 30th, 2025 business meeting. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the minutes of the September 30th, 2025 business meeting. Are there any corrections? Okay. Do I have a motion to accept these minutes, approve these minutes? I move that the motions that the minutes,

056excuse me, from the September 3rd to 2025 business meeting be approved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved by board member Coleman and seconded by board member Huitt Garcia that we approve the minutes from the September 30th, 2025 business meeting. May I get a roll call vote, please? >> Board member McKisik, >> I. >> Board member Garcia, >> I. Board member Porter. I >> board member Love. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> I. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. >> I. >> Board Chair McKenna. >> I. >> You have Aiden in the affirmative. >> We have approved the minutes from the September 30th, 2025 business meeting. Moving on. We are now on um superintendent's recognition of grants, gifts, and donations. Dr. Richmond. >>

057Yes, Madam Chair. I don't have anything tonight. >> All right. Then we are moving on to reports, committee reports. We have 10.1 board chairs report. First, I would like to do the fun stuff. Please join me in wishing Chief Justin Bailey a very happy birthday on October 5th and Dr. Richmond a very happy birthday on October 10th. So, we have we have a little something something for you. I hope you had fun. I'm sure. >> Happy birthday, General Council Bailey. I hope you had a wonderful day. You had to spend time on the bike with that beautiful family of yours. And no matter what, just got to celebrate it. Happy birthday. I ain't no trouble with this, but I just want to stop and say happy birthday. [laughter] Have a great birthday. Keep your shoes

058at home. Hallelujah. [music] Strong and happy. Happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful wonderful birthday. >> Thank you everybody. I just want to say that uh >> well I didn't get a chance to um submit a video. I guess I was studying contract law or something like you told me. But uh no, happy birthday, man. >> Thank Thank you. Thank you. Thank you [music] all. And uh vice chair, I can say that all my wishes have come true serving this wonderful board serving this district. So uh thank you all so much. [music] to you. Happy birthday, dear [singing and music] Justin. Happy birthday to you. [laughter] Happy birthday. [music] [music] [laughter] I hope you had a wonderful day and you get to spend time with some family and friends and found a joy. Please

059follow me. [laughter] [music] Happy birthday. Thank you for all that. But I want to tell you happy birthday. Happy birthday. Love you. University Dr. Richmond [laughter] [music] as Happy birthday. >> Happy birthday. [laughter] Wonderful birthday. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday. [laughter] >> Just want to say happy birthday, Doc. I I didn't submit the video cuz I couldn't find the right bow tie. So, but happy birthday. tomorrow today. >> Thank you all. Uh I want to thank you all for the uh birthday greeting, but I also want to thank uh the community who wished me a happy birthday as well as my wonderful uh staff who took time out to celebrate me as well. I want to thank all of you all uh for your support uh and again for your

060outpouring of love on my birthday and even beyond that for boss's day. [music] Thank you. >> All right. Well, um, it keeps pouring on because congratulations to Dr. Richmond. He has been selected to join the 2026 cohort of the Council of Great City Schools, Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendent. This prestigious national program identifies and develops senior education leaders who are prepared to serve as superintendent in large urban school districts across the country. Congratulations. [music] >> Thank you. >> All right, we are now on to um just real quick to give you all just an update in um the chair's report. I we did add on the committees um the committees that we have and all I want to just let you know real quickly I'm just asking that we extend the existing

061committees through January while we take time as I meet with you one-on-one to talk about the committees that you may think we may need or not need and that [music] we are starting for we're starting our council for great city schools um our um governance training and that may have some some impact on what we decide to do moving forward. So that's I just want to give you a little brief of what that [music] was. Um I also wanted to take the time I had the opportunity really quickly to um engage today in the um first mental health awareness um conference. It was all of the um school counselors, social workers. I think Dr. Broadway if I miss anybody um let me know. But the school counselors, the social workers um am I missing anybody

062else who was there? Okay. >> Yes. So, I want to say to you all um and for everyone in this room, if you did not know, we have had a mental health center for over 50 years since the 1960s. Char. Yes. Memphis. Yes. And something that I did not know, we have youth mental health counselors. at our high schools. And so um and I asked the youth today why they did this and it ranged from um we want to take the stigma out of it to we know what we want we can we can identify with our peers and we want to we basically care about our fellow students. So I want to let everyone know give kudos to your team. Um that was wonderful. I saw one of your counselors in line today and

063they said they really enjoyed it. So kudos to you all. Thank you. All right, moving on. We have committee reports. 10.2 academic performance committee report. Thank you, board chair. I it was brought to my attention that we didn't cover a couple things our last meeting uh concerning the academic report. I had a couple board members that wanted to [music] ask a couple questions. I think it was board member Murphy in love. >> So this is the report. So we would have to do that during committees if it's is this this reporting out on something? >> Yeah. Did you want to did you was there something you want to report out for the academic committee or you want to wait till >> All right. We'll wait till after the superintendent report. >> Okay. I want to

064make sure it's a report. And is it a report or is it questions? >> I think in this process we supposed to add it on but we did not. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we did not cover the academic committee um portion. I think we kind of nestled it in with the two meetings last meeting. >> So that's okay. So we can keep the meeting rolling. We'll just >> Yeah, we'll we'll we'll make sure that that gets on to um our next board committees board work session meeting which is on >> No, no, no. There's some questions they're going to ask during the meeting. We can do that. during what I'm trying to >> so uh what board member Otay is referring to is uh there were some questions about staffing and I think I shared

065with the board members that it would be part of our >> [music] >> uh business uh systems review. Okay. And it is on the agenda toward the end when Miss Oliver will uh present on the business systems review. So instead of me having a committee report or having a report tonight, I don't have a report. I was going to allow Miss Oliver my time toward the end of the agenda. >> All right. So thank you for that clarification. It's actually embedded in the business systems review. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> All right. Is there a a report for any addition? >> No, no report. Everything else will be included in uh Dr. Richard's report. >> Okay. Next is um 10.3 budget audit and finance committee report. >> Thank you. Um we reviewed

066our Q1 financials and are in good standing um having expended approximately 24% of the total budget through the first quarter. That is right on track. Business system reviews began this month and the human resources uh system review will be presented this evening. Uh additional departmental reviews will follow in the coming months. There's also a business systems review policy uh for those interested in what that process looks like. While policy 20001 has been suspended for this month, it remains important that we set clear priorities so we be so we can begin the budget development process. The budget team has distributed surveys to key constituents, including parents, school staff, and central office employees to gather input that will inform our planning. Uh, if you have any questions about the budget, please reach out to me or Chief

067Linkson. Thank you. That concludes the report. >> Thank you. The next report is charter schools committee report 10.4. >> No report. >> Thank you. Next report is 10.5 community outreach and engagement committee report. >> We discussed uh truency and attendance in our um committee meeting. Toana, do you want to add on to the listening sessions? >> Um I think during the listening session, we came up with some ideas and some suggestions that we made for um truency and for attendance. But I wanted Commissioner Love to piggyback on that for me. >> Not at this time. Um Joyce, do you want to add uh anything? >> Thank you, board member Love. We um a little earlier today, board member Love and I met with Miss Stevenson over [music] the face department to discuss the upcoming law

068that the president [music] has put in place concerning the SNAP benefits for some of our fam well for our families and [music] we've spoken with a couple of other board members. We are actively doing all we can to [music] take care of our families. We will have two food drives. One on the 17th will be at uh Raleigh Egypt High School and one on the 22nd [music] or the 23rd we going to get the date and it will be at Douglas High School. We are working with our community partners to have to see if they are able to help us with any food programs that they may have. Each day we've committed to going on our social media pages, announcing food giveaways throughout the district where anybody can go and and uh get the food

069from any of our school any location. Unfortunately, at this time, you know, we feed families, we feed our children [music] during the fall and during the spring uh breaks. Unfortunately, the way the government has it set up, we cannot if instruction is not going on inside of our schools, we can't use our schools to feed our children. That's that's from the government. That's not from us. And we So, we are looking for anybody, any outlet, anyone that wants to help, contact our face department, contact your school board member so we can make arrangements cuz we want to take care of our families during this difficult time. Thank you. Um, madam mad madam vice chair, I wanted to add to that. I sent an email out to uh Kroger's to the president of Kroger's to I'm

070waiting on a response now to see what he can do to partner up with us to feed the families um during this time of need. So, I'm waiting on a response for that. Also, I've been working with Roslin and we have been helping families that um still in need of housing. So, we're trying to work together to make sure that we house families that are not housed at this time and feed families that don't have food at this present time. So, I'm just waiting on a response to see how we can collaborate to make sure that no family goes goes this season, this holiday season without food or a place to stay. >> Thank you. Is there >> I have another announcement. Um the the dwelling place located at um 3035 Austin P um se

071November the 1st is doing a food drive at 8:00 in the morning. I recommend you get there an hour or two early. >> Thank you. Is there any further discussion on the report? >> No. All right, let's move on to 10.6 evaluation committee report. >> Yes, I just want to mention again what we shared in our last meeting that we will uh be engaging in a mid-year evaluation at the request of interim superintendent and I uh working with uh co-chair Coleman on this. My first meeting with uh Dr. Richmond is 2:00 tomorrow to discuss this this process and how we roll it out. and it's my check-in um the um to make sure that we are presenting all of that in the public um and discuss what elements that we want to bring to the

072board for to discussion. [music] Thank you. >> Thank you. And I really appreciate that um both board member Coleman and Huitt Garcia will be working collaboratively to work with Dr. Richmond. Thank you. Any other discussion on that report? Okay. Next is 10.7 policy, governance and legislation committee report. I will All right. We have proposed policies on second reading today and we have proposed policies on first reading including um two policies that we will be asked to suspend our rules to adopt on first reading and those are policies 0028 and 20001. One is um our um the I think it is the superintendent evaluation and the other is our um our annual budget [music] annual budget policy. Is there any discussion on that report? All right, moving to 10.8 procurement committee report. >> The items on

073the agenda for tonight. >> Any further discussion on that report? Next report is general counsel's report. >> Thank you, chair. Good evening, board interim superintendent. Uh earlier this year, the board unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by board members Otay and Porter and co-sponsored by the remaining seven members uh to protect immigrant students who attend Memphis Shelby County Schools. Uh since then, there have been no reports of any immigration enforcement action on any of our school campuses despite a visibly increased presence of federal law enforcement and National Guard personnel in our communities. Nevertheless, as a reminder, we are prepared to provide guidance and support through the office of the general counsel with any questions or issues that school staff and administration might have related to potential immigration enforcement actions on school campuses. The office of the

074general counsel has established a dedicated telephone line for school leaders to obtain guidance on these and other legal issues. As part of these guidance and supportive services, [music] school personnel are encouraged to contact the office of the general counsel immediately if someone is requested is someone someone is requesting personnel personal information about a student or parent. Additionally, [music] parents and students are not required to disclose origin, immigration status, or citizenship citizenship status to MSCS. However, the district may continue to administer the home language survey required by by the state. Guidance has been provided in the event that school administration [music] or staff are contacted by phone by, receive a written request from or are visited at their schools by law enforcement authorities. This guidance includes direct and immediate interaction and assistance from the office of

075general counsel staff. The office will work with school staff to ensure that the proper paperwork or information is collected and reviewed by legal to ensure compliance with all applicable laws before any information is shared or entry onto the premises is granted. As always, the office of the general counsel and MSCS administration stand ready to assist and support all of our students, their families, and our staff as much as legally possible. We also have information available on our website for families seeking additional [music] guidance and resources. Thank you. >> I have three lights in this order. Vice Chair Coleman, board member Murphy, and board member Ot. >> Corrections. Board member Love. >> Oh, that's okay. >> I'm not going to call my name. That's what it says. All right. Thank you. >> A parent asked me

076today, does this resolution apply to charter [music] schools because they are under our jurisdiction? You mean the the the bus the transportation resolution that uh board member McKenna is proposing? >> Um can they call you a charter school parent or a teacher? Can they call you? >> So I can't give legal advice to a parent or or [music] student. Um >> the teachers >> I can give the teachers can reach out to me with any questions they might have. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair. Question for you. If if ICE is on our property, and they not supposed to be, but the what they're what they're saying is what the parents are saying is um they are scared to bring their children to school due to ICE

077might try to take them. So, if they are on our property and ICE tries to take them, can our SRO stop them from doing that on our property? That's what they're asking. They're asking they're scared to drop their children off and bring them back. That's what that's the question they're asking. Will they be safe? Is that is the question I think we're missing the whole point here. So, what I can say, board member Murphy, is again, um, if if federal law enforcement um, and again, we haven't had any reports of any federal enforcement uh, presence on any of our campuses, but if that situation were to occur, uh, our principles of school staff have been given guidance to reach out to our office to assist them. [music] Now, if um you know there is a

078a proper properly executed warrant and law enforcement appears on our campus, um again, our office will be there to to [music] review um any such paperwork uh and to assist staff uh and help them work through that process with law enforcement. Um but uh you know that that that's what we've set up now and that's what's within our authority uh to do um as as an office of general counsel and as a school district. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Board member. >> Thank you. A couple of my questions were already answered. Um but the resolution that you're speaking of that um Commissioner Porter and our co-sponsor and the rest of the board members uh did sign on as well is the resolution to protect immigrant students. [music] I do want to thank Miss

079Liz Mirable and u Miss um Sarapita for leading the charge and ensuring that our students um have the services and support that they need. Thank you for doing the community work. [music] Um we're going to continue to push and support our students to make sure we're providing a safe environment and we're going to uh hopefully um agree to on this transportation resolution as well. [music] Thank you. >> All right, seeing no other lights, we'll move on to superintendent's report. Thank you, general counsel. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. No report tonight. >> All right, we're now on to unfinished business. 11.1 Proposed second reading of the policies. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the following revisions to policies 1000 1, School Superintendent 20004, Internal Accounting Manual. 2020, Travel Expense Policy 2021,

080Employee Additional Pay, and 627, Searches and In Interrogations. and to repeal policy 20002 bless you f fiscal year. Do we have a motion to adopt these policies? >> I move that we adopt the policies. >> Second. It has been moved by board member Coleman and seconded by board member Murphy that we adopt the policies that um one 20004 202 0 2021 627 and we repeal 202. Could we have a roll call vote please? >> Board member McKisik >> I. >> Board member Garcia >> I. Board member Porter. >> I board member Murphy. >> Vic, can I interrupt for a quick second? I'm sorry about that. I didn't see this slide. Is that >> Oh, I >> go ahead. I'm sorry. >> Board member Love. >> I board member OT. >> I board member Williams. Hi.

081>> Board vice chair Coleman. I >> board chair McKenna. I >> you have nine in the affirmative. >> Seeing that we have um all nine. Thank you. This motion passes. We are now on to new board business. It's the proposed policies first reading. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the following policies. Suspens suspension of policy. I'm going to move that. Revisions to policies 1015 board district general counsel 30007 student wellness 4003 employee conflict of interest 5014 grading system for grades prek through 55015 grading system for grades 6 through 12 and 60 51 intercolastic athletics. Is there any discussion on these? Okay. I have one and that is Coleman. This is love. Okay. Yes. >> Yeah. Go right ahead. I'mma move this right now. >> Um uh Mr. Superintendent, [music] you

082can answer this question for me. And if you uh don't know the answer, call on um Miss Green. What is the policy for social media uh involving our district staff, our employees? >> So, I'm going to hold up for for there. We're on >> um >> we're on the new board business. Yeah. Okay. So, >> the reason why I asked um it's the student code of conduct uh employees are talking negatively about the district and our students. A um the princip uh the teachers have the final say so in the student code of conduct dealing with their classrooms. I asked the question because what is the policy on this uh the student um the employees on Facebook talking negatively about the district and about our students. >> So I want to hold you right there.

083That's not on the table right now. So I student code of conduct. So, we would need to probably bring that to the to the [music] board work session, board committee meeting. We're on we're under new business and so I want to make sure that we stay on on track on the on the agenda. We're under new business. So, we have to keep our comments to these policies here, but let's bring it to the board. Let's bring it to the board meeting, board committees. Most definitely. >> Um, we're going to discuss administrative rules and regs today. >> No, not associated with Are you administrative rules and regs? Do you have something different that you're not? Oh, that's point of information. 00 that's just point of information. So it's not on here for us to discuss [music]

084it. So I would ask that we bring that during board committee. >> All right. Thank you board member. >> I have a light from board member Williams. there is that if you're talking about how we play sports or how the qualifications for certain things, those rules are consistent across the district, aren't they? For high school, middle school, whatever organizations or athletic programs that you have, >> Dr. Richmond, >> they should be, but I'll I'll defer to uh Miss Green. I don't have the policy in front of me, so I I don't want to try to quote it without having in front of me. I know that there are some that the state regulate to give you all of these edicts as who can play and who can't even the the basketball associations, the football teams

085and all of that. >> Those would be TWSAA bylaws. Yes, sir. >> by those as well. All schools do. >> Yes, sir. >> So, do we have any that are separate and apart from that? >> No. Most of our policies under intercolastic uh athletics should be aligned as a cross reference using TWWSA. >> Okay. >> Uh but again, Miss Green, if there's anything that deviates or anything where we go over and beyond um that you're aware of, please point that out. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. It's my understanding that our policies are aligned with uh TWSAA bylaws and we incorporate those bylaws in our policies. [music] Um different information is listed for our students as far as what the district would require and those items are also listed in the policy. >> So that would

086mean to me that they should be consistent. The cost for that should should be consistent across the district regardless of the school you're in. >> Yes. football, basketball, the if you're saying they're governed by the TSAA, there should not be a huge difference between what one school charges and another charges. >> I I think now you're talking about cost, you're talking about fees for sports. >> Yeah. For fees for sports that may differ from school to school. Again, I've uh we spent a lot of time uh sharing where from community to community, from school to school, parents may or may not demand certain experiences for [music] uh their children in regards to uh sports and athletic and other uh extracurricular activities. So, from school to school that may vary. >> All right. Thank you. Um

087I have a light from board member Murphy. Thank you, Madam Chair. I think mine's a different question. I'll ask Dr. Richmond offline. >> Thank you. All right. Are there any other questions concerning these particular policies? All right. Hearing no further, that's new business. It'll go on for second reading next month. We do have um two policies that we are being requested to suspend our rules for adopting in the first reading. Those policies are 0028 data dashboard. They are asking that we um suspend those policies from today through January 27th of 2026 and policy 20001 annual operating budget from today through January 27th, 2026. The first thing that we need to do is I need to have um a motion to suspend the rules. Can I get a motion to suspend the rules? >> I move

088to suspend the rules. >> I second. >> I have a motion. It's been moved by board member Murphy and seconded by board member Love that we suspend the rules. Please take a roll call vote. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. [music] >> Board member Williams. >> I. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. >> I. >> Board Chair McKenna. I >> you have none in the firm. >> Thank you. That motion passes. Now the next thing is that we are asking to um adopt [music] today by sus the suspension of policy 0028 data dashboard and the suspension of policy 20001 annual operating budget again from today through

089January 27th, 2026. I have May I have a motion? I move to adopt suspension of policy number 0028 uh data dashboard from October 28, 2025 to January 27, 2026 and policy number 20 is that 2021 annual operations budget um October 28, 2025 to January 27, 2026. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. It has been moved by board member Murphy and seconded by Vice Chair Coleman that we um adopt [music] today those two policies. Is there any are there any questions before I take roll call vote? Seeing no questions or comments, roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik, >> I. >> Board member Garcia, >> I. >> Board member Porter, >> I. Board member Murphy. Hi. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >>

090Hi. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. >> I. >> Board Chair McKenna. >> I. >> You have nine in the affirmative. >> That motion passes. And we have suspended those two policies through January 27th, 2026. All right. We're going to move now on to our consent agenda. Are there any items that need to be removed from the consent agenda? Okay. I need to make sure. All right. Right. All right. We'll begin with item 13.1 contract approval. Memphis Management Group dollar amount is $236,71750 $17.50. 50. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approve the Renaissance Convention Center contract in the amount of $236,717.50 to rent space for graduation ceremonies to be held at the Canon Center and Renaissance Convention Center doing business as Memphis Management Group. Subject 13.2 approval. Museums of Science and History,

091Pink Palace and Lerman Memorandum of Understanding. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the MOU valued at 189,000 with the Museums of Science and History, Pink Palace, and Lterman Nature Center. 13.3 Grant acceptance. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis for Barrett's Chapel School. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves a grant of $25,5054 from the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis awarded to Barrett's Chapel School to be used to support the instructional program enhancements to the playground and support the athletic department. 13.4 Grant acceptance. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis for Bolton High School. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves a grant of $21,268.72 from the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis awarded to Bolton High School to be used for the athletics program.

09213.5 Approval Microsoft Unified Support. [music] It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approve the contract with Microsoft Corporation in the amount of $494,6821 for the use of unified enterprise support services for 3 years. The annual cost for year 1 is $164,8947 year 2 $164,894.7. And year 31 $16484.7. [music] Next item, subject is 13.6. Approval, installation of walk-in freezers, coolers. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the contract for federal equipment in the amount of $415,976 for the purchase and installation of eight new walk-in freezers, coolers. This was based on IVB07152025me. Next item, approval. Methodist Employee Assistance Program is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the third year second renewal option contract to Methodist Labonor Healthcare in the amount not to exceed $27,000 from employee for

093employee assistance program services for Memphis Shelby County Public Schools employees and their eligible family members. 13.8 approval Clark Power Services. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education exercise the first renewal option of the contract to Clark Power Services in the amount of 228,613 for districtwide generator preventative maintenance services. Next item 13.9 approval United Elevator Services LLC. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education exercise the first annual renewal option of the contract to United Elevator Services LLC in the amount of $217,313 for district-wide elevator lift preventative maintenance services. Next item 13.10 approval Johnson Controls Inc. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education exercise the first renewal option of the contract with Johnson Controls Inc. in the amount of $443,843 for district-wide fire alarm inspection, testing, and monitoring

094services. Next item, 13.11, approval tissa accountability report. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the 202526 TISA accountability report. Item 13.12, 13.13, 13.14 have been removed. Moving on to item 13.15, approval. Porter leaf first 8 Memphis Head Start contract. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the ratification of agreements with Porter Leaf Head Start in the amount of $2,41,000 to continue managing preK services. wraparound support and instructional coaching. This contract supports 13 classrooms serving three and four year old children and their families at a rate of 157,000 per classroom. Item 13.16 has been removed. Item 13.17 approval state systems. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education execute the first annual renewal option of the contract with State Systems for Water Sprinkler Inspection and Repair

095Services for $261,450. Next item 13.18, approval, Todd Air Conditioning and Refrigeration LLC. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approve the contract for Todd Air Conditioning and Refrigeration LLC in the amount of $150,000 for the 2526 school year with the option of renewing two additional one-year terms. This was based on IFB071-62025me. [music] Next item is 13.19 approval nutrition services truck engines replacement. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approved the contract for Clark Power Services in the amount of 168,798.32 for the purchase and installation of four new truck engines. This was based on if05062025me. Next item 13.20 approval contracts to de demolish three former Head Start facilities. Deleno Head Start, Hanley Head Start, and Georgian Hills Head Start. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves

096a contract with APS facility maintenance for demolition of three former Head Start Center metal buildings for $160,59312. Next item is 13.21 BSN purchasing rebate program agreement. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the 5-year non-exclusive purchasing rebate agreement with BSN Sports. MSCS will receive a yearly percentage rebate credit on aggregate purchases. Annual spend amount, annual rebate credit amount 1,00 to199 999,000 is 7% of annual spend. 200,000 to 299,000 is 8% of annual spend. 300,000 to 499 9999,9% of annual spend and 500,000 plus is 10% of annual spend. It is recommended that the Shelby County Board of Education approves the October 28th, 2025 consent agenda. >> I move that we approve the consent agenda. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. We have a motion by board member McKisik and a

097second by board member Murphy. I saw a button on Was that Mr. Williams? You didn't. Did you have a question? Okay. All right. No, seeing no questions, may I please have a roll call vote? >> Board member McKisik. >> Hi. Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. >> I. >> Board Chair McKenna. >> Yes. >> We have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. That that um the consent agenda is approved. Next, we are on for requests for items. Item 14.1 resolution board chair U McKenna MSCS resolution for expanded PRZ for attendance. Could you please read that into the record, Mr. Jenkins? Whereas

098according to Tennessee code annotated 496301, all Tennessee children ages 6 through 17 are required to attend school. And whereas Memphis Shelby County schools have explicitly recognized attendance as one of the best predictors of student success. And even one absence [music] every two weeks adds up to nearly four weeks of missed instruction in a year. And whereas many students across the district are struggling to succeed because of chronic absenteeism. Whereas Tennessee state laws require districts to enforce u compulsory attendance laws using various methods up to and including referral to juvenile court where judges may also penalize parents based on their child's truency. And whereas arrests including immigration arrests, detentions, and deportations have a profound effect on families and the presence of the National Guard, ICE, along with a dozen other law enforcement agencies have resulted in

099a drastic increase of arrests, detentions, deportations, and have created a climate of heightened fear and anxiety for many students and their families leading to significant increases in absences [music] from school. And whereas the district has a responsibility to ensure that our safe our schools are safe and inviting for all students and their families by facilitating the physical safety and emotional well-being of all children which is paramount to students ability ability to achieve and whereas the stated mission of the Memphis Shelby County School Office of Transportation Transportation Services is to ensure all eligible students are provided safe, efficient and dependable transportation services to to and from school that support a positive learning experience. [music] And whereas the current Memphis Shelby County Schools uh transportation policy establishes a parent responsibility zone generally defined as 1.5 for elementary

100students and two point uh two two miles, excuse me, for middle and high school students within which students are not typically eligible for bus transportation. And whereas for [music] many families including immigrants communities and lowincome residents, utilizing personal vehicles for school transportation presents unique legal and financial risk, including [music] the threat of traffic stops, fines, and arrests leading to arrest, detentions, and/or deportations due to issues such as lack of lensure or license [music] suspension stemming from outstanding legal fees. And whereas these legal and economic risks function as acute [music] barrier to reliable transportation, compounding the difficulty for parents to meet the PRZ requirement and directly contributing to increased student absenteeism and increasing the risk of separation for many families. And whereas through its policies and practices, the district has made a commitment to a quality

101education for all students, which includes a safe and stable learning environment, means of transportation to and from school sites, and the requirement of school attendance. And whereas the Shelby County Board of Education has the moral and operational responsibility to seek all reasonable means to eliminate barriers to student attendance and ensure a safe passage [music] to and from school for every child. Now therefore, be it resolved that the district continues to be a place for students to learn, to thrive, and to seek support related to the impact of any arrest, immigration enforcement, [music] threat of immigration enforcement, or practices that may disrupt the students educational setting and emotional well-being that may interfere with the learn their learning experience. Be it therefore resolved that the Shelby County Board of Education hereby directs the superintendent to immediately develop

102an emergency plan that includes a budget for the expanded eligibility of school bus transportation for for students residing within the parent responsibility zone and that this plan shall be developed and implemented within the next 30 days for ensuring that students have access to transportation to travel safely to and from school including but not limited to expanding bus routes. Be it therefore resolved that the Shelby County Board of Education hereby directs the superintendent to conduct a long-term sustainability and fiscal impact study. This study will outline legal legal parameters under state law and MSES policy cost models for various expansion scenarios, potential sources of funding or partnerships, um grant city support, and lastly, safety and ridership impact projections. [music] Thank you. Thank you. Okay, I see lots of lights. I'm going to try to get them in

103order. I have I have board member Love, Murphy, Hu Garcia, McKisick, and Otay. So, Love, Murphy, Hu Garcia, McKisick, and Oay. I support the resolution because um attendance [music] matters, but I am concerned about the fiscal note [music] and if I have a child in Frraasier that wants to ride the bus outside uh inside the attendance zone. Can he and she ride the bus? >> Dr. Richmond. >> Um, currently the students who ride the bus are the students who are within um the PRZ. Um if we approve this resolution, can the students inside um let's just say 5 minutes from the school, can anybody ride the bus? >> As a part of our feasibility study, we'll probably have to look at various iterations. So currently, for example, if elementary is one and a half miles,

104we would probably look at iterations that would involve um half mile, seven, 3/4 of a mile and a mile up to a half mile so that we'll be able to bring you a fiscal note in regards to where students reside and if we want to reduce the PRZ. Right now it's a half a mile for elementary [music] students. So we would look at iterations below that 1 and a half mile and we would bring you all back a feasibility study that would look at the cost. Uh would also look at operational feasibility uh along with compliance with any federal [music] state laws. >> Yeah. Um next question. Um, I sympathize with anybody that is being targeted by the National Guard Army in ICE. Um, I had to explain to my boys years ago, don't wear

105a hoodie, don't put on shades, don't have a hat on, because black folks are being targeted, AfricanAmerican folks are being targeted by the police every day. not just ICE, by the National Guard, police every day. And I have a um I see stories on the news and on Facebook, black uh Africanameans being killed by police. I sympathize with anyone who is being affected by the ICE and the National Guard Army, and I don't agree with it. send money, send resources, not the National Guard Army, uh, and ICE because that ain't going to solve our problems. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Love. I think it's Murphy is next. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I think uh Commissioner Love just stated what I needed what I was going to state, but I want to um

106add to that that this I wanted to make sure that all of our kids are able to ride the bus because this is one of the biggest concerns that we are having within not just the black community, but the Latino Hispanic community as well. And more so them than us. And so I want to make sure that they are safe. So, I want to make sure that the parents are safe, the children are safe, and that they can learn and still be able to to go to school and come back and feel comfortable and feel safe with returning back home to their families and their families can come home and pick them up. That's one of my biggest concerns is that when they get out of school that their parents are not there and that

107is a concern to me and so I want to make sure that we can stop, we can do what we need to do to make sure that they are safe all the way around the board. That's the biggest concern. That's been my biggest concern since ICE got here, since the National Guard got here. So, I want to make sure that we keep them safe. So, whatever we have to do to to make sure that they are safe, I suggest that we do it. I like the resolution and I wanted to sign on and thank you so much. >> Thank you. I believe it. Board member Porter, did you have your light or did I? No. Okay. [music] Um, board member Garcia, I want to remember that. Are there any questions regarding the resolution? Not a

108question. Um, I appreciate this being put together. I appreciate the community's advocacy. Uh, I think more pointedly. Children and families are disappearing and I'm not okay with it and I am willing to put my name it on anything within our purview to protect children. this there are some things we we sit up here and have to muster political courage to say yes for and advocate for it. This is for me this is of course that's the least we could do. Um so I will happily sign my name to this. Thank you for member McKisik. >> Thank you chair. Just want to echo my colleagues and that as a board we have a fiduciary responsibility and this is something beyond [clears throat] the day-to-day business that we have to focus on to protect children who are

109in families that are in crisis right now. This is not just about expanding a bus route. This is about protecting lives and families. And um just want to sign on to it and just say that my heart breaks when I was dropping my daughter off to school just the other morning and saw a young man get out of the car and clearly was an immigrant and he did the sign of the cross and I literally just almost choked when I saw that as he was crossing the street. So yes, um thank you for bringing this resolution and um I want to make sure that we we do right by all families but ones that are especially in crisis right now. Thank you board member. >> Thank you. I'd like to sign on to this resolution

110as well. I did want to ask uh Dr. Richmond one question. Could I get uh the report on the success of the activity bus initiative? >> Yes, ma'am. We'll we'll work on getting that information to you. >> But can we get it by Friday? Was that two? So, >> uh, Mr. Langson, is that doable? Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, >> Board Member Coleman. >> Thank you, Chair. My question was along that of board member Otay. Can we include the cost to make sure that if these young people are participating [music] in after school activities, they don't have to stop. We want to make their life as easy as possible for them as we can right now. That if they're riding the bus and act after school activities, they're not able to. [music] Can we make

111sure that we include that for them? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. And I will sign on to the resolution. >> Port member Porter. >> Thank you. And I just want to say I just echo all my colleagues. Um but this um thank you for bringing this resolution forward because it does shows urgency, [music] responsibility and accountability. So again, thank you and um again uh myself and Commissioner OT brought not a similar resolution but just showing this same compassion and and willing willingness to work with all our communities throughout the city because we kind of knew this thing was coming down the pike. But again, thank you for bringing this resolution. I'm signing off as well. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Board member Murphy. I had one more thing to add and and I

112just and I talked to some lawyers about it and I just wanted to make sure that I reiterate that they are not allowed to come to your homes without a warrant. If they don't have an active warrant, you are not allowed to open your door. Call the police if they don't have an active warrant. They are not allowed to come to your doorstep. [music] Thank you. Seeing no more lights out board member love I would like to sign on to um as well. >> Thank you. Seeing no other lights. Do I have Okay. All right. Um, can I have a motion and a second? >> I move to approve this resolution. >> Second. >> Okay. It was um I have a motion by board member Murphy and a second by board member Porter. Can I

113take a roll call vote? >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> I. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. I >> board chair McKenna >> I >> you have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. And this this resolution passes. >> I will say I want to thank all of my fellow board members for joining in this. Um this has been as you've heard from the many people that came to talk to us. This is something we have not ever experienced. some some of us most of us have not experienced in our lifetime. And so I am very very um happy that we

114could do this for the community. And I want to thank the community advocates who came um to support this and to um work with us in helping to keep our children safe. Thank you. All right, moving on to the next thing. I have 14.2 to resolution entered by board member introduced. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm jumping the gun here. We've got the committee committee charters. Can we bring those up because I don't have them in front of me? No. So, I wanted to bring um as I announced this is just to extend the charters as is. >> [music] >> We have the academic ad hoc committee charters. All of these are being extended through January of um next year. They expire on the 30th of this month. So we need to go ahead and extend them.

115So we have the academic audit budget and finance charter schools ad hoc community engagement and outreach evaluation ad hoc facilities ad hoc policy governance and legislation procurement and that I believe that's it. May I get a motion and a second? >> A motion that we What are we doing? Extending the ad hoc committees until January 27th, 2026. [music] >> Do I have a second? >> Second. It has been moved by Vice Chair Coleman and seconded by board member Murphy to um extend the existing board committees to January 27th of 2026. Do I have any questions, discussion? Okay, seeing no lights, can we take a roll call vote? >> Board member Garcia, >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> Board member Murphy, >> hi. Board member Love. Hi. >> Board member Otay. >> Hi. >> Board

116member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board Vice Chair Coleman. >> I. >> Board Chair McKenna. >> I. >> You have Aiden in the affirmative. >> Thank you. We have um approved the extension of our board committees through January 27th, 2026. [music] Thank you. Now, next moving on to 14.2. The resolution introduced by board member Keith Williams. It's the acceptance of White Haven High School [music] Herbert STEM Center. Could you please read the resolution in, Mr. Jenkins? >> Whereas the Shelby County Board of Education, hereafter referred to as the board, is dedicated to fostering excellence in education by prioritizing innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to prepare students for success in learning, leadership, and life. [music] And whereas through a trans transformative private public partnership spearheaded by the White Haven STEM Building Incorporated, the vision for

117a state-of-the-art STEM facility on the campus of [clears throat] White Haven High School has been realized. And whereas the facility known as the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Center represents a landmark achievement in expanding access to highquality STEM education where students will be empowered to reimagine possibilities, push intellectual boundaries, and create solutions to real world challenges. And whereas White Haven STEM Building Incorporated seeks to transfer ownership of the facility to the Shelby County Board of Education. And whereas in accordance with policy 2019, grants, gifts, donations, and sponsorships, all gifts of real property to the district are subject to board approval. [music] And whereas upon acceptance by the board, the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Center will become a district asset, providing access to educational opportunities for current and future generations of students. Be

118it therefore resolved that the Shelby County Board of Education hereby expresses his profound gratitude to Mr. Richard Meyers for his visionary leadership and innovative plan to secure funding for the de uh development of the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Center. Be it further resolved that the board extends its heartfelt appreciation to all donors, community partners, and stakeholders whose generous contributions made the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Center possible, providing critical resources beyond the scope of the district's budget. Be it finally resolved that the Shelby County Board of Education officially accepts the White Haven High School Herbert STEM Center [music] from the White Haven STEM Building Incorporated as a fully operational facility under his jurisdiction. Thank you. May I get a May I get a motion and a second? >> I move to approve

119the resolution. >> It has been moved by board member Murphy and seconded by board member Williams. Do we have any I see two lights, Mr. Board member Williams and then board member Murphy. >> I do want to say that I [clears throat] had a very intricral part in this process. My wife and I gave a sum of money and my church gave $20,000 to this effort and we gave a thousand. But this committee in and of its own self raised nearly $300,000 that they gave to the school district to build our own building. So I think they deserve of an applause and an effort. It was a very giant effort and if everybody came with money, we wouldn't have to spend ours. So I think it's an example for other districts to follow. But the

120money was actually raised by the parents in that community. The churches gave and when we brought money to this this school system, it was almost a million dollars. But the district was able to do the rest. So it helps the district to do what we need to do. And I would hope that this would take root and fly all around all across this district because we cannot do all that we need to do and we need the help of all parents. But the White Haven community stepped up and they have what they have because they went and put their hearts in it. So, I thank you and I thank the service that I've given to them and I think thank them for what they've done and I hope that it is replicated across this district.

121When you come here begging, bring some money with you. >> Thank you, board member Murphy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank Thank you, Dr. Williams, [laughter] for that wonderful speech. Um, thank you to the White Haven community for all that you do. But I would like to sign on to this resolution. Thank you. Seeing um I will say this. I want to thank um everyone board member Williams um the White Haven community um the external partners and some of the visionaries that came up with this public private opportunity. You >> would not forgive me. Beverly Davis. She was the star of raising much of this money and so was uh the [clears throat] other guy who was name no on the county commission for so long >> Eddie Jones. Eddie Jones was also very intricate

122in this district in this uh gift because they actually went directly to the city and got money directly to the county and brought it to the school system. So, it was really a gallant effort, but the money was there and the churches gave I I pay tithes at my church. So, I was glad that they gave $20,000. >> Thank you. >> So, we all can do that. 20 20,000. Yes. [music] So, thank you. >> Thank you for your efforts and I thank them. I thank I thank them sincerely because they worked very hard and they have what they need for their communities and their children. >> Thank you. I see doc Dr. I see Dr. Coleman. I see board vice chair Coleman. >> Thank you, Chair. We want to recognize Mr. Richard Meyers. He's He's

123in the building tonight. If you'll stand up. Thank you. Thank you so much. [applause] >> Board member Love >> and School Seed for um galvanizing the community and their funding. Vince McCascal All right. I see no further um lights. >> Chair, let's not forget Mr. Vincent Hunter, the principal of the White Haven High School. >> I'm say my thank yous when y'all adopt us. [laughter] >> Vincent Hunter is the lifeblood of White Haven and he's doing your job. >> Thank you. Any further questions? >> No. >> Okay. [laughter] Thank you. I appreciate I appreciate that. Um, so I would like to add my name to this as well, please. All right, if we um ready for a roll. >> Ready for a roll call vote. >> Board member Garcia. >> I, >> Board Member Porter,

124>> I. >> Board member Murphy, >> I. >> Board member Love, >> I. >> Board member Otane, >> I. >> Board member Williams, >> I. board vice chair Coleman. >> I board chair McKenna. >> You have eight in the affirmative. >> Thank you. Um this has passed. This is the first of the kind in our district and I'm hoping that this is not the last. I want to thank um I want to thank all of the partners, Mr. Richard Meyers. Um especially because back in 2015, this was all started with a White Station High and a um White Haven High project. This is an example of the work that we're doing now board um chair Otay with the facilities ad hoc committee of thinking about how we do public private partnerships in building state-of-the-art facilities.

125So thank you Mr. Myers, um, Vince McKascal, Vincent Hunter, the White Haven community, um, all of the donors from $50 to [music] $2 million, and especially [clears throat] the Herbert, the Herberts for their generous donation of $2 million to get this done. So, thank you very much. So, again, I think um, let's give them a round of applause. Again, this is fantastic. All right. Next we are going to additional items. We have um 16.1 HR business systems review. Good evening board chair McKenna, board members and Dr. Richmond. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you this evening about the HR human resources business review. I'm going to do the review first and then I will cover the vacancies. All right. As you all aware, I took over this role July 1 of this year.

126So most of the things that I'm going to talk to you about are things that we have we've implemented some, but basically it's going to be more about the things that we're going to implement, the structure and the things that's going to come forward with HR. So our department and overview mission alignment is the human resources department is responsible for recruiting, hiring, onboarding employees. In addition to managing compensation, benefits, employee training and development, the department also plays a critical role in fostering positive employer employee relationships by balancing the interest of the employer and the employee, maintaining workplace safety, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and promoting a healthy and productive work environment. Because we are human resources, we are the focal point of all human capital management. Our objective is to create an environment that is

127productive, efficient, and safe where all employees feel valued and respected. Our key initiatives and strategies will be to execute with transparency and integrity. Uh we will have employee activities that promote engagement. We will ensure transparency and interactions to the level appropriate to build the trust needed. Communication with stakeholders [music] to gain buy in and we will implement reward and recognition programs for all of our employees. Our recruitment and training um talent acquisition department. Our objective is to utilize measures that are timely and coste effective to seek and hire the best qualified most suitable candidates for all open positions. The key initiatives and strategies here are to identify tactics that will build a strong employer brand. Complete the recruitment process in a timely and efficient manner. Find talent with the skills and expertise to contribute to

128the district's success. Reduce cost per hire. Develop opportunities for skill development and career advancement. Use analytics to drive decision making as it relates to talent acquisition and retention. [music] Improve candidate experience and educate end users. Our compensation department's objective is to design a compensation plans that include competitive based pay, benefits, and performance-based incentives while maintaining transparency. Our key initiatives and strategies will be to develop a mix of direct monetary pay, non-monetary benefits, and performance incentives to create a holistic and valuable compensation package. We will implement periodic salary reviews and adjustment protocols to keep pay current, competitive, and aligned with performance. Use compensation surveys to benchmark the organization's pay against industry standards, ensuring competitiveness. Communicate compensation policies and practices clearly to employees to foster understanding and trust. The benefits department objective is to ensure a benefits

129program that is managed through cost-effective lenses, maintains compliance and efficiency and effectively, I'm sorry, effectively communicate the value of the benefits to the employees and provide clear guidance on how to use them. Our initiatives and strategies will be surrounded by developing and offering competitive benefits to attract qualified candidates and rem retain existing employees. provide benefits that support employee health, work life balance, and personal development to foster a positive culture and enhance overall job satisfaction. Address diverse employee needs from standard health and retirement plans to emerging areas like mental health support and caregiving assistance. Ensure all benefits, plans, administration adhere to legal standards and government regulations such as ORISA to avoid potential liabilities to plan participants and maintain accurate records and provide timely and accurate information. Our employer dur relations department objective is to foster a

130positive and productive workplace by building trust, promoting engagement, resolving conflicts, and ensuring fair treatment. Our initiatives and strategies will be to create a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. Cultivate a strong relationship between employees and management to increase job satisfaction, loyalty, and commitment to the organization. create, communicate, and uphold company policies related to working conditions, compensation, benefits, employee conduct, ensuring fairness and consistency. Implement strategies and programs that promote employee well-being, such as work life balance, health and safety, and opportunities for growth. Optimize employee performance and contribution by fostering a supportive environment and aligning employee needs with organizational objectives. Act as a neutral mediator to resolve disputes, conduct investigation into into complaints and be and ensure fair treatment and adherence to policy. our our excuse me the org chart for

131the organization um reporting directly to me will be a business operations manager that will have and I won't go through all of these you can see those in your packets um but this is just a structure who and reported directly with me is a director of talent and uh that director of talent has three managers a senior adviser and a senior HR metrics but one of the things I want to point out here which is going to be a little different because we have regions down the HR management team will be divided and so we'll support each region which will allow us to streamline processes become subject matter experts on those particular areas where we'll be able to identify where needs are quicker do specialized uh job fairs all those things that we need to

132do to that will feed into being more cost effective reducing the time for hire so That's very important for this one. We can go to the next slide. And this is just I'll have directive compensation, directive benefits, and directive employee relations which all we have are people reporting up to them. And this structure will allow us to touch every element of every employee in the organization so that we can create this valued environment that I'm talking about where all of our employees will be happy about coming to work. they understand what is expected and they will feel appreciated [music] because we're going to be able to do all these things. Uh the system landscape and core functions. I won't go through all of these but it's listed in here all the areas that we use

133for Sigma. We have AFLAC American fidelity. So it's explaining our insurance and all those things. So I will let you go through those. I won't read each one of those unless you want me to. >> Okay. All right, performance and scorecard. These are my goals that I have implemented for the team because I don't have any scorecards of historical data. We will reduce turnover in academic positions by 20%. Improve retention in all positions by 25%. Reduce grievances by 25% and improve completion time of investigations by 15%. Implement a salary structure that is competitive and aligned appropriately for the job and the market. Initiate measure to implement and improve automation for all HR platforms. Uh the performance scorecard as it relates to Dr. Richmond's 100day plan um and it was the district retention rate of effective

134teachers will increase by 15%. So if you want it because I talked about 25% I was speaking as a whole this 15% is for teachers. our strategic plan outcomes and the initiatives to support these are strategic plans and I've talked about those hiring, compliance, employee relations, benefits, compensation, engagement, communication, professional development, leadership as it relates to audit reviews and compliance. Um reviewing the status and interpretation of the new rule from 2023. Although no internal and external audit findings have been presented, the goal is to institute adequate measures that will ensure audit readiness at all times. There is one question that's going on right now. Uh compliance with teachers limited license requirement. Um we're reviewing that and we did get an answer today. And what this means is teachers can get a permit for up to

135three years, but in your second year, you can request a limited license if you have the certain scores that you need on uh certain things. So, we've have some permit teachers that requested their license, their limited license in the second year with the thought that even with those two years, you would have the third year. However, that is not the case. general counsel's been talking to the state and we have not gotten basically we don't think we're going to be able to move past that. So what we've done, we do have opportunities for those people that are affected. We will have a role for them. So they will not although they won't be in the teaching role, they will have employment. So it will not be an issue that they will not [music] be able

136to work. Our major initiatives are to for me at this point the biggest one is staff and HR department uh plan review the following. We need to be fully staffed to adequately support the district in all people related aspects. Applicant tracking system automation and integration across HR systems. Um development of interactive dashboards for real time data which will allow benefits plans. The district is to be proactive and measure performance, timekeeping and a uh absence management systems, permit teacher tracking systems so that we will be able to enhance that and ensure that when we bring um permit teachers on that at the end of the three-year we definitely will have certified teachers. Our compensation plans ensure we have good compensation plans that are understood by everyone and um they're consistent with what the market relies on.

137security and integrity risk isms which is the system that we use for um applicant tracking. It lacks integration with downline systems which negatively impacts the time to hire and just to give you an example. Uh our ISM system is not integrated with uh methodist that does our physicals. So if we are integrated time the physicals are done a button can be hit. So that's one of the things that when I talk about systems not being integrated, Apex, which is the system that has all of our personnel data and that in it, it's not integrated or aligned with other pertinent systems, ISIMS and other systems that we deal with. Uh 10 compass is somewhat it's not integrated and it's somewhat manual. So that prolongs the process. Um it requires the manual updates and it it lacks

138interoperability. Again it goes back to integration. So these are some of the things that um we want to work on and make sure we get that in. So it just streamlines processes make us more accurate because it is automated. Uh employee records are not digitized which leads to audit issues delay and required verification and fragmented access. We do have a [music] plan to get these records digitized. strengths and tal challenges. The current systems we have, they do allow us to complete the required functions. However, they include many manual processes which [music] is inefficient. There are challenges with system integration, modernization and overall effectiveness for an organization of this size. Our recommendation next step is to stabilize HR organization um hire required staffing and align by region to enhance outcome. I talked about that a little

139bit earlier. Implement performance measures that align with the district goals. We've got to make sure that our goals in HR definitely align with what the district requires to be successful. Improve employee engagement through training, awareness, activities, and accountability. Utilize outside resources to assist with the needed culture change to ensure we create the best school district, which will be displayed [music] by student achievement, employee satisfaction, and community involvement. Review job descriptions and align appropriately. Modernization of current systems through upgrades and integration. Review and update the employee handbook to ensure it is inclusive of workplace issues, [music] concerns, is concise, and aligns appropriately with all the work that is required. Review and update the guidelines for progressive discipline. Review and update compensation guidelines to include the latest compensation review so salary ranges are aligned with the job

140and there's transparency for employees. Are there any questions? I have a few here. Um I have board member Love, then board member Williams, board member Murphy, and then board member Garcia. >> Um thank you for this presentation. I have been receiving um emails a lot from employees that come in um are hired in and the process is taking longer than normal. their onboarding process for them to get assigned to a school and begin working that process is taking longer. And I saw that you had security and integrity risk. Is this a part of it? It's it's a combination. It's um the proc the way that we were utilizing the process, how we were doing recommendations when they would come in that time frame. Uh and I will say we made a change with that process

141effective on the 27th I think which which was yesterday. My days are running together on the 22nd. So now uh previously the vetting for jobs was being done by the hiring manager then they would send them over. So there were extra steps in the process. Now the vetting is being done by HR. So we're not going to get into a situation where we have somebody that gets to a point and they actually don't have what they need for the job. And we'll also put in a time frame around the time if you are a hiring manager, we you're being asked to complete that interview within seven days of you getting the candidate so that we can because our goal is to get people on as quickly as possible. And once I get the historical data,

142the team will get goals for their hiring time based on the average of when how long it should take to hire that position. And the second question, where is our um teacher vacancies? >> Where are we? >> Yeah, [music] >> right now we have >> the number >> we right now we have 175 openings. >> I will get back in the queue. >> Huh? >> I will get back in the >> Okay. I can barely hear you. >> Dr. Oliver, are you familiar with the union that the teachers have in this district >> to a degree? I plan on spending more time to understand better. But >> and the reason I ask is because you've talked about things that are clear clearly under the PEKA law that they bargain for. You talked about benefits. You

143talked about salaries. But I don't know who comes up with that if you don't have a committee functioning to do that. That was has been elected by the teachers by the 7,000 teachers or so or more in this district. And certainly they're at the table when these things are being made because these are their benefits. >> Yeah. Absolutely. All these things that are being done, we'll have the required individuals at I'm not making these decisions unilaterally. Everybody that should be at the table will be at the table. So when I talked about the things that are being done, it's going to include everybody that needs to be at the table to do it. But from an HR perspective overall, this is what's needed and whoever needs to be, you know, a part of that decision

144making will be a part of it. [music] >> So in your your opinion about the grievance process, you you shadowed it some, but you didn't go very deep, but there's a diva defined process the way grievances are handled in this district that was on the record years ago. It's probably still there somewhere. And what is your take on the process for handling grievances? >> I don't plan on changing what the district has outlined as what we how we should follow the process for grievances. One of the things that I mentioned was reducing the time because one of the things that I've noticed is that some of the time some of them take a little bit longer than they should. some of the additional people that we have that we're going to bring on board and

145some of the processes. Also identifying issues that because a lot of them that come in that does tie up the work that the people are doing are not necessarily issues that should be grieved through labor relations or employee relations. >> Well, and and finally, the the salary schedule that the teachers work under in this district and always have in all of my years here was always bargained or agreed upon by the teachers who had to work with it. So, [music] I know that we will be getting one and developing it and going, but I am certain that you're going to do all that within you to have the committee there at the table to just because our benefits are all that we have. The district is self-insured and we had a voice in that for

146years. So, I'm just hopeful that you will maintain that process that is in place to maintain every process that is required to be maintained. And when I talk about some of the salary schedules because most of the teacher set salaries are dictated by the state but with there are some central office salaries that we really need to provide some attention for. So when I talk about those salary structure so I'm not going to change anything with the teachers and again everybody that should be at the table will be at the table. I will not pull any surprises. [music] >> Well let me clear up one factor. It the state does set the salary schedule but every district in this state has a different salary schedule. No, I understand that. And why >> so ours is

147not what we don't want the state's salary schedule because it is really pitiful and they have people who have that salary schedule who do not have bargaining power that kind of thing. But certainly we would not want our teacher salary schedule to drop >> and that would that would contribute to the non uh pool of teachers we have to hire. And I like what you're saying most much of what you're saying, but I'm just hopeful that you will include the unions we have in this district and the teachers can speak for themselves with >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, board member Williams, board member Murphy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I have a few questions. Um, I'm getting some complaints that there are some applications that's coming through and they're getting uh turned down within

14824 to 48 hours. Um, I've also gotten some complaints that if they filled out an application to be um on uh in the Let me see, prime example, I have someone that complained to me the other day. They put in an application to work for the cafeteria and they have experience, but they got turned down in 24 hours and said that they wasn't qualified. So, I don't know who's doing these applications, but it is coming back to me that they're not being um considered for those positions. Can you elaborate on that for me? >> Well, I I really can't, but I will be glad to if you can give me specifics because I will be answering very general. There are number of reasons. Some of the times we do get applications in and they're turned

149down right away because maybe they don't meet the requirements for that particular job and it's been vetted that day. So that's just a general answer, but if you have something specific that you want me to look into, I will be glad to so that we can make sure that everything is was done correctly with that. >> Yes, ma'am. I would I would like to look more into that. So maybe we can talk about that a little bit later. Um the next question, um my next complaint there are teachers that are putting in applications that are qualified and they're not even being considered. Uh is there an issue with that or we're not moving those applications in enough time? I think um no not I think I know I'm very comfortable that with the changes we

150made on the 27th we will get to those applications because the process before the recommendations would come in but the vetting that should have been done wasn't. So the application will come in and you get to the point that maybe that person didn't have it and if that application was before a teacher that had it you know had the licenses. So I'm pretty comfortable that that's going to go away because as we're vetting in HR we'll be able to get the principles will not even be able to interview a person that does not meet the requirements. So that will streamline the process. Okay. Thank you for that. And I got one more question and and I think I heard somebody say something um similar to that and with us consolidating the schools. I I I

151know I heard somebody say that the teachers that are already in those schools will have to reapply for other job positions. I heard somebody say that and and I just want clarity on that. >> Dr. Richmond, somebody clarity. >> Dr. Richmond, would you like to provide some clarity? >> I don't understand the question. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. uh board member Murphy. So if I'm at X school and my school is closing and merging into another school, ideally we would want that teacher to go to the school that it's merging into. However, we've tried to get away from doing what's called direct place. So, we will ask for those teachers to apply to those particular buildings uh and for that principal to have an opportunity to interview and for it to be what's called mutual

152consent [music] where the principal is interviewing and finds that individual to be a good fit for that school and that teacher who's applying wants to go to that school. the teacher who school is closing will have an opportunity to apply to any school in the district that they want to apply to. Being that we have right at 200 vacancies, uh, in my opinion, there are going to be some openings for any teacher that wants a school to go and teach at. [music] We will we'll take every teacher that we have if they're a highly effective teacher. So, I have I don't think that if we decide if this board decides to close a merger school, I don't think it's going to have an impact on any teacher finding a job if they want. >> That

153was my question. If they had a because if they have to reapply and they don't get the job that they want, um will they still have a job? Will they be just placed in another school versus you applied for this school, but you didn't get it, but they're qualified. So that that was it's kind of a pull with me with that one. >> If you're an effective teacher, you will find a job. >> Okay. Thank you. >> If you're an effective teacher, >> effective teacher, >> you will find a [music] job. >> Thank you, Dr. Richmond. I have no further questions. >> Thank you, board member Garcia. [music] >> Thank you. Um, you mentioned that HR team is now going to be doing all the vetting of candidates to streamline the process. who was previously

154doing it and was there a training of some sort for your staff for the vetting process? >> My team has been training. We're doing additional training this Thursday, but we started I would say about three or four weeks ago introducing the training and what needs to what needs to [music] be done in vetting how to compare what the job requires to what the person has on the resume. how to do equivalency to ensure that we are vetting the candidates and every candidate that should be considered is considered. Now your question as to who was doing it before the hiring manager whether that were a principal or a managing facilities or managing HR those managers were doing the vetting and then sending their recommendations to the staffing team to review. And as you go, as we

155were going through the process, in some of those situations, we'll get to a point that maybe the person didn't need it or whatever. So, we were stuck. So, when I talk about streamlining, it means it's going to start here. So, when applicants are sent to the hiring manager, they've already been vetted. They're only going to get the people that we know have the license. They meet everything that >> Yeah. I mean, why that we're making the change makes sense. I just want to make sure that it sounds like it is a process that we we have made errors in, right? So, I just want to make sure that your team has the training that it needs to correct what the challenge was. Um, I'm looking at the org chart. Um, and as we cascade down,

156uh, the top of this, the business operations manager, um, on the following page, manager of compensation, manager of employee relations, director of benefits, director of employee relations, who is currently doing that work and what is not getting done? >> Okay, the [music] D I just hired a director of compensation that started yesterday. >> Excellent. >> So, um, that work needs to be done. All the stuff we're talking about with the salary schedules utilize the information that's have been done by some salary studies that would be uh there um management compensation I that's open director of benefits I don't have one now but I need one um to because there are a number of things for a district this large and the people that we do serve and wanting to be as competitive as we need

157to be having the information that we need to make decisions about our employees. We need uh the structure. >> Oh, I I don't Let me >> No, I didn't mean to say like you didn't think I needed it. >> Uh I I guess somebody has to be doing this work. >> Some of it some of it is not being done. >> Okay. That and that's okay. I I think as long as you know what the most important work is done and I also know burnout happens too when we have probably people with expertise here, right? I think we should consider like some pay differential if we are taking on really important things. I like not having a director of benefits or a director of employee relations. I think we probably have to do most of

158the things that they're responsible for and certainly manage the outcomes of the people that they're over. So, whoever is doing that, thank you. Whoever's supporting you and I'm sure you're doing a lot of it yourself. Yes. [laughter] Uh I just want to make sure that that happens in school buildings too, right? If somebody leaves, the work does not evaporate. So I think both in in your specific team, >> but throughout the district, we need to we need to acknowledge we spread people thin when you see open open especially at the top of the chart. Yeah, agree. >> Board member Porter. Yes, I was I was thinking do we have a system in place where we're talking about teacher vacancies. Do we have a system in place where we can project out teachers that been teaching

159for 30 40 years? Um you know where we can project out before they may transition out and how we can project those numbers so we can [music] quickly fill those vacancies or yeah just give like a a projection on where we may look at so we can kind of you know stop the conversation about we're not being fully staffed. That's one of the goals of when I talked about us being by the regions and being able to use the data to tell us. I want us to get to a point that we are proactive. we know when people are retiring and we have somebody ready to go into that having the right number of people in the right places to look at this and some of the automation again real time ready reports that will

160be able to tell us to do that so we're on the same page because I I want the same thing so that we can and I I'm I do think we'll be able to get some of these teachers filled quicker by having the right number of people here being able to hold employees accountable for the work that they should be doing having the time to hire goals there and also when I talk about endusers and I talked about you know educating the end users because it's not just filling these jobs is not just an HR function we have to work together to get those filled and then once we get them filled we really have to talk about the retention and that is going to be a very critical part of the employee relations department

161when I talk about putting in things for employee awareness employee engagement what are we doing because I feel very passionate about this is HR's large responsibility to do this to build programs, build things so that we can engage our teachers, our other employees that are out there. So all of that is a part of HR. So back to your point, being proactive so that we can tell that I want to be able to say, okay, we've gotten these many retirements and be able to do some proactive hiring. So we don't have a classroom that goes open. We know that this teacher is leaving retired December one. when we come back to school in January, the goal is to already have somebody in there and also in enough time that we can bring that new the

162person that we're going to hire, maybe do some introduction, maybe come in and spend a couple of days to find out so we can make a transition plan to go from the teacher that's returning to the new teacher that's coming. >> Thank you for being proactive. >> Board member Otion. So, I know we're kind of we're going to kind of uh get the numbers for the vacancies and definitely I want to thank all our teachers and all the hard work that they're doing, but I know some of them are still working on getting certified and so um we're heavy into our second nine weeks now. Yes, >> I know the teacher vacancies. Um, certified teachers, we're still needing those teachers and uh we need to make sure our students have certified teachers in front of

163them whether it be vers virtual in person. So, I just want I did want to state that I think it's um it'll be a great service to our district and our students if we can get immediate uh synchronized virtual options to guarantee our uh teachers are uh certified teachers are in front of our students without delay. So, um, I just wanted to kind of say that if we have options, I want to make sure we're maximizing those options to get certified teachers in front of our in front of our our students. [music] >> Yeah, absolutely. And one of the things that I mentioned about being able to have something that we can track adequately track our people, our teachers that are in the permit status so that we are [music] ensuring that as they go

164along through the process that we know where they are and when they get to definitely we would like to get them, you know, certified before the end of the three-year permit time, but there's engagement between us and those teachers and that it's a mutual >> Gotcha. effort. >> Yeah. Yeah. I just I just was stating that I know we have current options that we can use. Yeah. And while those teachers are getting their certification, I want >> I think it's you know I think we could be probably maximizing that option that we currently have with their certified teachers. >> Okay. >> Board member um Love Murphy Garcia, this is your second set. Um, how much money is it going to cost for the security and risk section on here to get these systems talking to

165each other that I don't have right now because I need to explore and [music] get those people in to talk to some vendors and how much it is going to cost. As soon as I know those costs, I will be glad to share those. I don't have I have not the full transparency I have not done any I've talked to people but to get a to get the number of what it's going to be I'm not even sure what companies we will go with I know that there are several out there that can do some of the things that we need to do >> um next question compensation I'm still waiting [music] on that um uh book what I asked you for uh last week. Um I wanted >> Okay, I will make sure that

166you get that. >> Um I have a lot of emails this year and the previous years from employees who had their benefits uh salaries deducted. and you touched on it last week, but what specifically um is the HR department in Tito uh and business operations and the superintendent um to remedy those employees who have um their salaries cut for the past year or two years or five years because they're emailing me repeatedly [music] and I can't tell them nothing because I don't know nothing. Okay. Well, I'm going to defer to Tito on that, but I will say one [music] thing, my understanding of it of employees that are in in a different job that may not be making the same thing if if that's what I'm hearing you say. But I'm going to defer to

167Tito because I was not in the role at the time and I don't have that that knowledge of of those things that you're speaking of Miss L. That's a great question, but the answer is actually we we don't we don't have any employee. We've actually fixed all the employees that was in that status. So, if you remember, not this budget season, but last budget season, we went through the situation where um we had employees that were changing jobs and um we need and they were they took salary cuts and they were doing the same thing. That's the question that you asked last year. A couple positions that um come off the top of my head was we had behavior specialists, we had graduation coaches and things of that nature. Um what we did when Dr.

168Richmond took over is we started to remedy those positions right away. We've now put our graduation coaches on the teacher salary schedule. We revited our behavior specialists and moved them into uh roles now that they meet the qualifications. Um, and then any other employee. Now, our employees asking for additional pay, but there's nobody currently that's doing uh a role that um that's making more or making the same that's doing more of a role. We've kind of we've remedied all of that that happened. It was now two years ago. Um now we are doing the uh compensation study for the entire district. Um, which in my opinion, my professional opinion, believe it or not, I don't think we're far off from where the market say we are. It's difficult in a government or entity to do

169salaries because of it's uh a different market, if you will. But I believe strongly that we can do it. But to answer your question, I don't um I think employees may email you because they want to make more money, but I don't think we have anybody uh I think we remedied all of the situations that happened two years ago. [music] >> Everybody wants to make more money. I have a final question. Um, how many of teacher um the teachers that employed by the district, how many of those are on permit? Um, and they run out this year. >> I don't have that number right now. Do you have it? Why? If you don't, I can get it. It's it's normally somewhere between 900 and 1,200 permit teachers and normally about a third of those uh

170would be reaching the end of their permit status. [music] So if we have 1,200, there's going to be about 400, but I think there's about 900 or so. So, it'll be about 300 or so that unless they have an LOE of four or five, uh, they will no longer receive a a permit from the State Department next year. >> Um, can you send that to me in an email once you get the [music] actual numbers? >> Yes, ma'am. I see Miss Addison. Miss Addison, can you give me the specific number? Do you have the specific number? Um, send that to me in an email. Um, I don't want to bel labor the meeting. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, board member Murphy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, from what I heard, we are short

171a little bit under 200 teachers. Correct. >> Yeah. Yeah. 175. Yes. Now, we do have certified teachers in front of the screen using proximity, right? >> I'm quite long. >> Anybody want to ask a question? >> Yes. Thank you, board member Murphy. Uh to the superintendent, yes, our uh proximity teachers are certified. >> Now, how many schools are we currently using proximity in? >> Hold on one second. You don't have to give you you can email that to me because for the sake of time you can email to that that to me because I would like to know and and do we have teachers sit inside of those classes so or an assistant inside of those classes while they are being taught by uh teachers on the prox doing using proximity. [music] >> Yes, someone

172should be inside the classes while we do have um virtual instruction taking place. >> Thank you. And you can send me those you can email me those. Sure. I have no further questions. >> Okay. Thank you, board member Garcia. >> Yeah, I think I could ask a lot of questions about the recommendations and next step. I think what I would like to request and what would be helpful for me to thinking about getting the resources that you need >> is to have some sort of rank order of which of these are the most important and breaking them down just a little. I don't need the full project plan or full strategic plan, but what does it mean? um like what are the resources and approximate budget that you think is associated with that pulling that

173together. Um so when we come out of these the board has full recommendations of what is highest priority and what investments we can make to strengthen these systems because I think you're being very honest and we're all hearing a lot of the like these gaps ring true, right? Uh, but I think you're facing it head-on. But I do I do want to make sure that you you get what you need to the extent our budget allows it, but you also have what you need to implement that. So if for me, I would >> yeah, just having that as a followup as we we go into these departmental budget discussions, that would be very helpful. I appreciate all this work. >> I'd be glad to get that for you. >> Thank you. Mhm. >> Seeing no

174further question, this meeting is now adjourned.