001I aliance 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. >> Thank you. And >> Dr. Weekes, would you please read our mission and vision statements? >> Our mission is to ensure that each student is prepared to succeed in life. And our vision is that all students will be enabled to reach and exceed high academic standards and technologically advanced and a culturally diverse society. >> Thank you. Uh board members, you have before you a consent agenda. What I would like to ask you to do first is move item H under the consent agenda, the approval of theou between RCS and Robertson County Education [clears throat] Association. If you would move that down to 6C, now having
002made that move, >> could I could also mention that there is a replacement to item 3D beside your desk. So, if you would replace uh item 3D in your packets with item 3D that's beside your desk, please. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Motion to approve as corrected. >> Okay. Motion by Mr. White. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Ays. All those in favor of approval, make it known by saying I. >> Oppos? No. Motion passes 6. Terrific missions. >> None this evening. >> All right, we'll move right on to personnel reports. >> Well, members, as you would expect, we uh are as we preparing to start the new school year, you'll see a rather lengthy personnel report. Uh item 5A in your packets, page 55, uh you will see several resignations and
003uh resignations uh from central office, resignations from our school level. uh you see a list of transfers of people that have moved from one position to another leaves of absence, a couple of those. On page 55, carrying over to 56. On page 56, you will see uh the comprehensive list of new hires for the new school year. You'll see their assignments on the right side of that page, and that carries over to page 57. If you follow one meeting from from our last meeting, uh you'll see several of those names are rehires that maybe have taken and corrected some licensing issues, maybe been on temporary licenses or something like that, and those have been corrected. Um and those staff have met those requirements on page 56 and 57. Starting on page 58 and 59, you'll
004see the same report for classified employees. Uh we do have two dismissals. um a reassignment, four resignations, leaves of absence, transfers, and new hires continued over to the next page. Uh so those are on page 58 and 59. Uh we do still have several positions open. [clears throat] Um we have um couple of math teachers, few special education teachers, and uh just some other general educators here and there. Uh but overall, we're in pretty good shape. I would attribute that to um our our human resources office, our principles working hard. Uh we started advertising quite a bit earlier this year for positions and we started signing contracts earlier. Uh we attended several job fairs and got some people in that way. And so we've been uh a little more aggressive at hiring and a little
005more um a little earlier start to some of that than we have been. So, um, very pleased with where we are right now, but there is still a lot of work to do. And of course, it's difficult finding staff as always. >> Okay, any questions, Dr. Weeks? Okay, we'll move on to expense comparison report. Page number 60, item 6A, in your packet, you'll see the expenditure comparison report from uh May of 24 to May of 25. Uh you'll see our revenues at that point in time, $126.1 million. Expenditures at $120.3 million. Revenues at that point in time, $19.1 million in property tax and 17 million in sales tax. And you'll see both of those exceeded uh our projected budgets. and we uh will continue to expect that to happen. Uh as the close of school,
006you'll see we spent $2.2 million in electricity, 400,000 in diesel, 120,000 gasoline. Uh salaries and benefits, you see slightly over um 75 to 80,000 80 million at did I say thousand? Millions in each one of those cases, sorry. uh in in those categories. Uh we do understand that county finance will be closing books next week and so we should get our final fund balance. While we're talking about budgets and things of that nature, uh we anticipate uh there is a rescheduled budget committee meeting tomorrow at 4. And so we've u we've had very few questions about the school budget for the upcoming year through the county finance or the county budget committee. So, we feel very good about that and uh I know they'll be voting very soon and hopefully that'll take place as we
007you know we're operating on a continuation budget from the previous year and we're operating at that same level. Be glad to answer any questions on the comparison report. Your detailed reports are in your consent packet. >> Okay. Any questions? >> So, we're not asking for any more money. I mean >> that that's correct. We are we're depending upon uh fund balance to take care of that and that's that's where we would anticipate that would come from. >> Any other questions? >> Okay, we'll move on to item 6B, guaranteed maximum price. >> For members, in item 6B and page 61, if you would strike the top item, the Joe Burns High School project, uh we're going to pull that at this point in time. there's a a little glitch in that guaranteed maximum price. So, if
008you would pull the Joe Burns project out and so tonight we'll be voting or we'll be asking you to vote on the East Robertson High School, you'll see this is a guaranteed maximum price for an agricultural building, a barn at uh East Robertson High School. Uh Mr. Gregory and his department have worked on that. Would remind you this is ISM grant money. So this is the grant money that the governor had allocated for our CTE programming. And so uh the request tonight is to use $239,62653 is guaranteed maximum price on that project at the East Robertson High School campus. Uh Jamie Spencer is here tonight with Hullet Spencer and he could answer any questions if you had questions about that project. Again, we do anticipate following through with the Joe Burns High School um project.
009It'll be a similar project. Uh that we've uh just need to pull that from tonight's agenda, please. >> Okay. So, we need just a motion on East Robertson High School. >> I make a motion we approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss White, second by Mr. Joshua White. Any questions or discussion? >> So the funds are coming from where? >> The ISM grant. That's a state grant through CTE programming. >> So it'll cover all the cost on Joe Burns for this project. And I'm assuming we're I see we're using Summertown Metals and Deon. I'm assuming you guys took bids. >> Has anybody you've seen the bids? when when they when they when when Huelet Spencer does a guaranteed maximum price for us, they bring that to us as a total package. So rather than having
010to individually bid that, they do that under our agreement that we approved because it was last November, December. >> Yeah. I mean, I understand that, but I'm assuming they share their process with somebody on the board or somebody in central office to say, >> "Yes, sir. Here's here's who we receive bids from and we vetted these out and Clint has looked at them and I mean guarantee maximum price are not process should be the same. They're just doing the process for us, >> right? >> They they do not have to hard bid under title 49 as we would have to do if we were doing it ourselves. That's part of our agreement with them. But yes, sir, it has been bid and has been vetted. Okay. [snorts] Just ask. >> Do we have a projected
011start date? >> M. So, could I ask Jamie to address that question? >> Sure. >> What's the question? >> Projected start date and timeline for the East Robertson High School project. >> We're going to be starting East Robertson tomorrow morning if it's approved tonight. >> Wow. >> Yes, ma'am. Well, get in the way of a projection when Joe will be ready to vote on >> uh we they got to do a little site work or more investigation of site work. Um think we're going to do that the remainder of the week and we'll certainly bring that back at our next meeting. >> Okay. Any other questions or discussion? >> Okay. All those in favor of approval make it known by saying I >> I opposed. No. Motion passes 6. Uh our next item will be
012now what we move down from our consent agenda. The approval of between Robertson County Schools and Robertson County Education Association. Um board members. You'll find that on page 22 of your packets and you'll see that carries uh through page 48. So 22 through 48 uh page 48 there is a summary from Mr. Walling who is our uh lead on that project and he's here if we have questions for that. Okay. >> Would you like a motion and where we can at least discuss? >> Well, I just >> motion to approve the the motion. >> If you want to make that motion, you can make that [snorts] motion. Okay. >> Motion to approve. Is there a second? >> Second, Mr. Okay. Now, questions or discussion? >> Could uh could I get a refresher on who was
013on the committee for this? The listing's on page 22 said. >> Yes. >> But there was a was there a separate board committee like u I remember I might be thinking about under the whole process. I'm not sure. I've only been through two. >> See I thought we always had approved the team but I don't remember this coming up in front of us. But the board team is always made up of one school board member. As far as I know it's just one. and then people from central office and and it's called the board team. >> Okay. I thought I was under impression there was like a smaller group besides this group but it was so this is the >> Oh no. That's it. >> Okay. Um I don't know. I guess one of my
014concerns was you know here we are with our budget that you've already talked to the budget committee about. Does this fall in line with our budget? Are we going to be okay? Are we going to need to come back and look at the budget again before? >> I I don't anticipate any budget changes. I know when when our team met and again, Mr. Wong's here and and [clears throat] as he um as he meets with our team who eventually meets with the larger team. I I know he was here and we we [clears throat] had expressed and I think you had asked us to uh look $1,200 increase for all employees. And so I think I hate to speak for you, but uh I think we took that number and knew what dollar amount that
015was. >> Okay. for the number of employees we had at that point in time and then I know that goes uh to the table through the through the collaborative conferencing process. If you have specific questions, Mr. Roy could answer those, but I think that's >> include we based our budget on those >> on everything that was in there. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> This isn't a question. Uh, but on page 30, the very last paragraph, not that it matters, but it says 27 and then it says 29. This is talking about the different sports bills. I don't know if that matters. It's two different numbers that don't match, but I don't know if that matters or not. >> Maybe >> right there. >> Okay. >> The following 27 or 29. It should say
01629. >> Okay. [clears throat] [snorts] >> Any other questions? >> I was trying to find the page. So, I see the stipens changed and we added several. Um, and I was trying to find the language. So, not to mention anybody's name, but if a coach is no longer an official employee, I know there was some discussion that they should also receive the stipen. So, if you're responsible for an athletic or dance team or whatever, we automatically be an employee. qualifier of the stipen because in the language it sounds like you have to be an employee to receive the stipen to respond to that. Um because of the collaborative conferencing process, we can only speak to the employees if the board outside this process chooses to contract with volunteers to pay them whatever certainly I do
017that we just can't do this. >> So do we have a process in place because I think you know who I'm talking about. Um >> we we currently do not have a process in place. We would like to explore that because we do have several coaching vacancies, everything from football coaches down to cheerleading coaches that that are very difficult to find people to fill those positions. Uh that's not addressed in theou. Uh there are several districts who who compensate people on a contracted basis. So if Mr. Ays [clears throat] wanted to coach girls softball and no one we post all jobs so regardless if if that's an internal position but if a principal says there's no one on my staff that would be qualified or certified to coach that position and a lot of times
018right now we have volunteer coaches serving in some of those roles at at current practice and process we have no way to compensate them. Sometimes we pay them some expense money if they're um using their vehicles to transport students and things like that. Um we have explored the idea, but we've not moved forward with actually funding those positions. We if we have that availability um we got a lot of people volunteering for for things. I don't think the idea is to get that down to every position, but I think I think looking for something to help compensate some of those people who are devoting countless hours to that process would be good. >> Yeah. I mean, I think if it's a stipen that's listed and the only thing that keeps them from getting paid is
019quote unquote being an employee. >> Yes. >> I'm assuming we have a process. We hold them accountable for the kids just as an employee. So, they do everything just as an employee other than we don't pay them based on this. If we could use the word contractor, that's what I'd like to move to. >> So that 1099 employee, >> they'd be a 1099 contractor so that we would again meet with them, give them a coaching handbook, talk to them about our expectations of doing that, what to do, what not to do as best we can. >> I'm assuming we do that. I mean, I'm assuming we vet somebody before we let our kids be, >> you know, in the presence and travel with them. >> We do vet them. We do not compensate them in
020any way. >> Yeah. Yeah, they got to do the background check and all that, >> right? >> But I know we have retired teachers that are >> coaching no longer employed and they don't get a sip and I think that's an issue that needs to be fixed. >> Yeah, >> I know it came up several months ago and I thought we were going to figure out how to fix it. So, >> and and and if if the board authorizes us to do so, we can do that outside of theou, but I I agree with you. I think we've got a lot I say a lot. We it's getting tougher to find um you know lifelong coaches that that come in and devote their careers to to teaching in the classroom which is our first expectation
021is teaching and then coming back to coach. And again it's it's getting more difficult. Uh we're finding a lot of people, particularly at middle school, that like to come in and coach while their children are there. And then once their children move into high school, they they often abandon those positions. And um and you know, sometimes we have experts in the community that that may have you pick any one of these topics, golf or tennis or something like that that may be an expert at doing that. uh they may be retired educators as you mentioned and it might be a good thing for us to to be able to compensate them and again you know we'd like to explore that. We'd like to implement that if this board would allow us to do that but
022again that's since they're not our employees this would not cover that. So, you would have to authorize us to do that outside of the MOU. >> Can we I know we're we've got a standing motion, but once we make decision on it, can we could somebody bring something up to authorize y'all to put something together to say this is what it would maybe look like and we can >> I think that'd be a great item for new business. >> Theoretically, it's budgeted because it's in theou and if a staff member took that position, it's in the budget. >> Yes, sir. And let me let me go ahead and mention that while we are while we're on that topic. Um we we are changing the way those stipens have been distributed. Uh because typically uh those
023have been based upon your teaching experience and your degree and so it's it has typically been a percentage of where you are on the salary scale. And so, um, I believe our philosophy is there's a clear difference in what type of job I do in the classroom and what type of job that I might do on the athletic field. [clears throat] And so, rather than um I'm just going to throw out some numbers. They're not actual numbers, but if I if I were to receive 5% of my salary to be the cheerleading coach, 5% of my salary would be quite different than 5% of a brand new teacher coming in, even though we're doing the same job. And so we have gone to dollar amounts, flat dollar amounts for the number of years experience that
024you hold that position. So again, if I if I'm a career basketball coach, the longer I coach in in that sport, the the more my salary would increase. And you see those on page 46 is an example of that. But Mr. Rice, the best part about that is that helps us budget and know to the dollar. We know how many head basketball coaches we have in the county. We can take that number and we can calculate [clears throat] what to budget. Whereas in the past, including this year, um you know, six different coaches, all coaching head basketball coaches, u their experience would based be based on where they are on the sour scale. So teacher at the end of their career might be making a lot differently than they would be um someone new to
025our school. >> I like how that schedule is. I read through that. I think that's >> Thank you. >> Good idea. Um, and I see that we've added a statement for people that maintain fields. >> I think that's new. Um, did I read? >> That's very new. >> It's been in there. >> It's a supplement. >> Field maintenance has always been a certain percent. >> There's always been a supplement in there for maintaining the fields. I just saw it listed. >> Not not always. We actually added that. Yeah, it it hadn't always been there, but it has been added. >> Was there was there anything that was added to [clears throat] this this year, Mr. Wallley? >> As far as >> Yes, sir. There were just a handful. We added assistant for both cheerleading and
026competitive dance for strength coach and then we returned to the high school. >> Just those four. [clears throat] I guess my only question on the the strength coach. What if you have a basketball strength coach and a football strength coach and a softball strength coach? >> We have supplement school. >> So you just third that out, let her roll. >> Okay. >> Prorated in some way. >> Is does your book do they do after school work? I >> think it depends on the school. Well, that should depend on who gets the siphon. I mean, if it's not it's not extra stuff going on. I I think that's been part of our discussion with with the management team that is carrying on these negotiations because they're u I know we picked that one out, but they're
027[clears throat] I'm going to use the same thing for for chorus, >> same thing for theater. Yes, some of our some of our programs do multiple multiple plays, multiple performances throughout the year and some of them do none outside of what they do in their classroom. So, that's been part of our discussion in terms of how we distribute those and what the expectations are in order to earn that supplement. >> You could do the same thing with football. Not everybody does junior varsity football. >> Exactly. >> So, all right. Any other questions or discussion? >> Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve theou. All those in favor of approval, make it known by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? No. Motion passes 6. Okay, we'll move on to item 7A, board policy
028revisions. Board members, on page 62 of your packet, you see a summary of the items that um TSBA has recommended for uh change for new policies. Uh Mr. Dickerson prepared those. We reviewed those here in this office. I guess you've had those hopefully two weeks and u we'd ask that you review through that packet of information rather than asking Miss Dickerson to uh read and present each one of those policies. But you see the list of policies there. there a couple dozen there and um if you'd like to pull out any we'd be glad to discuss and Mr. Dixon's prepared to do that. Uh but um I would ask the board to approve those policies less any that you choose to pull out and set aside. >> Thank you, Dr. Weeks. The only other thing
029I'd like to mention is that policy school n school nutrition program charges of meals. We'd like to delete that particular policy. The language in it is pretty redundant and most of that is included in policy 350. So that would be a part of the request. Are there questions about any of the specific policies you'd like to discuss? >> Thank you for sending them out to reserve. >> Yeah, absolutely. [laughter] >> Because if you got to read them all, I'll let you have this water here before we get going. >> And um we have about five maybe six more policies we'll be bringing next month. Those are mostly around human resources and I want to have some time to work with Miss Spencer on that. Any other questions from Miss Dickerson? >> Do we have a
030motion to approve presented policies? >> Uh oh. Help me. >> Who? Who won that? [laughter] >> I'm going to say Mr. Josh White won that one. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, Mr. Ayes. Any questions or discussion? >> All those in favor of approval, make it known by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? No. Motion passes 6. I just want to say thank you, Miss Dickerson. I I I read every one of them and I thought, bless her heart, I you know. >> So, thank you. Uh our next item is calendar revision for the 202526 school year. >> For members, I know we uh every year we approve the calendar two years out and sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances. I I'm not one that likes to change the calendar once something has been
031placed on there. However, uh we were notified recently that uh on March the 3rd, 2026, March the 3, um there will be an election held on May the 5th. And so, originally on March 3rd, we were going to use that as a professional development day. Uh but now because of the state law that says we cannot be in school on a day when there is an election uh we're proposing a change from what you see on your calendar that we would return March 3rd as a regular school day and on March 5th we would close schools for election day and so um that's the easy part. would like to with your approval, Miss Hogan, would like to ask for approval on that, but I do have more information that we've received even later. Um, if
032you want me to throw that out there, it would just confuse everybody. >> Okay, [snorts] go ahead. uh because of um uh Congressman Green's announcement, uh there will be a primary election and another election uh this coming year to fill his vacated seat. Um they have not finalized those dates. I know at one time they had had some discussion of a uh we anticipate an October date and a early December dates. Um the first changes that we are already aware of uh we've taken care of those real easily and I think those can be I [clears throat] think that's not going to be confusing. It's not going to mess up our day count or anything like that. The ones that are in your packet on page um until the election commission gets everything uh cleared.
033And I think part of the problem it's not just our county because it's the the the congressional district election. So that involves um part of Dixon County, part of Chetum County, part of Clarksville, McGomery County. So I think they're all trying to get their dates associated. I have some dates, but I hesitate to put those out there right now because they've not been finalized. But again, an October date um and a early December date. And so we will we will try as once those dates are finalized, we will try to um come up with a change in calendar that's not confusing to families and not um maybe doesn't restructure our whole calendar in any way and doesn't affect work schedules as much. I think the the spring dates uh I would just ask for that
034modification now so that we can get that out there with the understanding that there will probably be another uh in October and December. Again, that's we we have no choice. We cannot uh under state law be in school while uh an election is going on on our campuses. >> Okay. So, do we have a motion? >> Motion that we change our calendar to reflect in school on March the 3rd and election on May the 5th. >> Okay. Second by well motion by Mr. Jeff White, second by Miss Demetri White. Any questions or discussion? >> All those in favor of approval, make it known by saying I. >> I. Oppos? No. Motion passes 6. Next item is adult high school report. >> Item 7C on page 64 is just a summary from Dr. Winners [clears throat]
035and his staff of the number of adults that are enrolled in our adult high school program. Again, you see the total enrollment across the top. How many completed? How many are continuing to participate in that program? And uh how many have uh for some reason fallen away from there? Uh you see a breakdown of them demographically on that page. Again, that requires no action. That's just for your information. >> Okay. Any questions on that report? >> Next item is attendance. Uh board members, last month or two we had some discussion about uh the number of absentee students that uh that were reported and we've had some conversations about uh I think this board had asked us to uh invite representatives from the juvenile court to uh meet with us and share some of the items
036that they are working on and how they uh uh are dealing with students that are referred to the court system. uh through u through our school principles and school attendance officers. Uh you've all received an email from uh from Magistant Stark. She uh she thought it better rather than coming to a board planning session that she wanted to invite you to a meeting. I think you've all received that invitation. It is for uh the 31st of this month. I think it was 1:30 and she requested our attendance at that rather than coming here. Uh I and some of my staff have accepted that and we plan on being there. Uh I noticed a couple of you had done the same and if you if you plan on attending uh you can either reply to her
037email uh or her invitation there or I'll send that in for you if you'd like. Uh but I think there was some some discussion too that might have [snorts] implied that I had not given the correct information to you at the previous board meeting about uh absenteeism and chronic absenteeism. So I wanted to make sure uh the document that you had in last packet was the number of students and the number of total absences that those students had. And that is accurate. we double and triple verify that. So that is the number of absences that students have. Uh to to help clarify any misunderstandings that may have been communicated, uh placed item 7D in your packets on page 65. Uh this has the total number of unexcused absences that uh our students have. And so,
038uh, with your permission, I would, uh, take a look at, let's just, uh, start at the bottom of the page if you would. We have 1,145 students. 1,145 students uh, that have missed 10 or more unexcused days. And I would remind you, according to our policy, those people receive a letter. uh they receive a follow-up letter, they receive an invitation to our schools to meet with someone an attendance committee at those schools. And then if they're unresponsive or uh not responding to that, they are referred to the court system. And so that's 1,145. You see the school breakdown. Uh, Bransford 28, Cresby 55, Tetum Park 28, Coopertown Elementary 28, Coopertown Middle 91, East Elementary 13, East High 88, Greenber Elementary 3, uh, Greenberg Middle 80, Greenber High 132, Joe Burns High 62, Joe Burns Elementary
03912, Chrysler 39, Woodall 39, Springfield High 139, IA 92, 44 at Wataga, Westside 32, White House Elementary 15, White House High 109, and Phoenix Academy 16. So those are the number of students that have 10 or more absences that are unexcused. You'll move across that column, you'll see students that have 20 or more unexcused absences. You'll see 215 of those students. All the way over to students. Uh you will see some students. Um for instance, I see a column on the far left. Uh there's one student that missed 150 more unexcused days of school. We'll continue to say it's difficult to teach students when students are not in school. And we are utilizing every resource that we can to our advantage to help students uh realize the importance of being at school, whether they're elementary
040students or whether they're high school seniors. Our principles, our attendance clerks work very hard on doing that. They're very creative in the ways that they're seeking to uh solve that problem. But again, I will say I believe that is a community problem. I don't believe that is solely a school problem. >> That's just a question, Miss Hogan. I'd be glad to answer any questions about that. >> Questions? >> So, at the meeting, is this just an exchange of information like uh them telling us how they approach these or us making a request? What's the >> I think the request that that that you presented me was to have a planning session where we could have some dialogue and and and interchange what how we can partner together with court system to solve the attendance problem.
041Um you've read the response that we received. >> So I think I've seen this number just help me. So Robertson County, we're running about a 17%. Use the word truency rate and the average is 15. I don't remember those numbers specifically, but I know at one time they were on a handout and we were higher than average in Robertson County. Um, >> we we will receive some of that data from last year's from from the previous year's reports as the state continues processing those and we'll be able to compare that to other counties. Um, I'm going to go back to Precoid, we were probably at 92% in our high schools and maybe 95 or 96% attendance uh at our elementary schools. And um, CO did change a lot of things. Uh and some of that
042is changing attitudes. You know the again I said this last meeting uh the COVID attitude was stay home, stay home, stay home, stay home. If you're sick or you know stay quarantined as many I remember one time it was 21 days stay home. Uh our message has got to be be in school when you are able to be in school now. >> We only have so much authority. >> We cannot teach students that are not in school. >> Right. We can only do so much. >> Yes, sir. >> Sent letters >> and but at the end of the day, it takes the court system. >> It it takes a joint effort between court system, our social workers, our staff, teachers to have exciting lessons that are motivating the [clears throat] students and engaging with students.
043It it is a joint project. So hopefully we can all work together in this meeting coming up to solve never solve 100% but >> right >> a few points make a big difference. >> I was looking to see if Brooke was here. She's doing wonderful. [clears throat] >> Three Green B Elementary. That's pretty good. [laughter] >> Yeah. [snorts] Any other comments? Okay. We'll move on to school capacity. >> Uh board members on page 66, item 7E. I I know we spent a lot of time with this chart last year looking at capacities and what capacities um our buildings were, whether we looked at that at uh again whether we we looked from the previous study that was done uh to current enrollments to current capacities. And so what I've done is I've I've taken the
044numbers that we are projecting for fall enrollment in a couple of weeks and just uh as shown in the far right column uh what has happened since we have uh since the board is reszoned. Uh so in order to read that chart again it's no action needed at all but uh at Bransford uh we have increased capacity at that building by enrollment 5%. At Chetm Park Elementary because of our reszoning we've decreased capacity at that building uh by 4%. So that gives us more room to put more students in that building. Uh you see at Crest View uh we made zoning made a significant decrease in our uh it helped us free up some seats there. Uh same thing at Springfield High School. And uh you'll see for instance down at Joe Burns High School
045and Joe Burns Elementary, uh several of our students got reszone to that cluster and then the White House Heritage cluster. Uh we freed up some space down there, but you will still still see uh East Robertson High East Robertson High still at capacity. White House Heritage Elementary is still at capacity, but those those are based on projections at this point in time. Um, again, I think that's uh just some information to help you as as we continue to plan and talk about facilities. Any comments on? Okay, we'll move on to exam exemption pilot. >> Also beside your desks, board members, you had asked for item 7F. And um at our last conversation uh there was discussion on what um students um that might have chronic health issues and might u not um might be in
046that position where they would have those at a at a different point in time. Um and so um one two three four five lines from the bottom uh if we tried to capture the language that that you had expressed uh at your last meeting uh to highlighted in yellow. Students who have a chronic illness uh form must be compliant with the terms spelled out in that form and a student in compliance must then have the minimum grade of B to be exempt. Um, we we've talked about that and we've explored that in several different areas. Um, and I think really what that does is that breaks that down to a student on a case-byase basis. Um, we have some students that, you know, have have many reasons and many excuses by a doctor to be
047out of school. Um, some two days a week for instance. And so if a student were to get the chronic absentee form and they're compliant with that um you know in a semester they could miss as many as 20 days. So again I think that's uh it's up to this board of of whether we think that's or whether you think that's appropriate. Um if they have a chronic absentee form on file. Again, that's going to require those principles to know what those forms say individually and uh to work on that. So, I think that's what you'd ask us to do based on our understanding. Okay. Any comments or discussion? I'm assuming this does need a vote. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. I think as far as the chronic illness part, it is good for a
048pilot. I'd like to hear from our administrators next year how they, you know, any changes they'd recommend or if they recommend going forward with it at all. But I know we did have some straight A students that had chronic illnesses [snorts] that were kind of left out of it, you know. Um, so I do think this is a good step toward at least trying to include them, but it's not a permanent change. >> Yeah. The only thing that really caught me was is and I guess I just didn't really think about it but so you can make a B you can be a B student and be exempt. Um I don't know that just kind of there's something there that kind of makes me think is that correct? You can be an 80 make an
04980 and be exempt. I I just are we're rewarding that and should we be? I'm just asking the question. I understand the A student now. We got a B student and so the C and B is the only one taking the exam. I'm thinking I I don't know. I just there's part of me that would like to look at that more to say is there a benefit there? Yeah, I understand what you're saying, but did we go to B because it would involve more kids >> trying to get their attendance? I mean, is that is that what the goal of going >> and that may be the reasoning is so you know a a C student with perfect attendance, what about him or her? Yeah, but I'm just I'm just asking the question. Where do
050you draw the line on exempt? >> I think it's B, but I mean I've celebrated a lot of beans with my kids. We've gone out to eat for >> Yeah. [laughter] uh you know so but yeah like that's you know I mean I just think that for a lot of kids that are trying and are be students it it has I know I've seen with uh my high schooler and his friends they you know they're counting these days see because I don't want to take this exam so it's it's having its intended function right now but >> I do think it definitely that's where the line is just asking I know had a lot of bees I took a lot of exams >> [laughter] >> We can't go retro on this. That's right. >> This
051is not for you, Scott. We're sorry. But >> motion to approve pilot for 2526 on the hard >> final exam exemption. >> Okay. Motion made by Mr. Jeff White. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Josh White. I think we've had questions and discussion. Anything else? Okay. All those in favor of approval make it known by saying I. [clears throat] >> I oppose. No. >> Motion passes 6. >> Okay. Next item is potential dates for architect presentations. board members, as we discussed at our last meeting, um [clears throat] in order for us to be on track to open uh a new facility, and I know we've not identified which facility, I think we've in essence talked about a potential middle school at White House Heritage. Uh we've also had some conversation about a potential
052middle school uh in the Springfield City proper. Uh but I know I know uh Hillet Spencer shared with us that in order to be able to open a facility in fall of 27 uh that we would need to have an architect selected by the end of August. And so I've provided four I'm sorry I provided five dates for you on page uh 67 in your book. Um, I think we had talked about uh having a a limited selection of architects that have done work with our system or that have been in constant contact with our system to uh express that interest that we would invite them for I think we discussed it 25 30 minute presentation uh where they did a presentation based upon some standard questions that we sent to all of them and
053then you had an an you had an opportunity to ask questions of that that group uh they would make individual presentations I think it's what we've discussed and HIT Spencer uh would be here to uh help us not to vet them but to ensure that they could work compatibly with the with that process. So, um, I I received responses from most of the board that these dates were good. Uh, but I wanted to see if it was still your desire to move forward with that process and go through an architect selection process. Uh, you see the dates August 19, August 21, August 25, August 26, or August 28. Uh, I think if we had uh four or five architects that we could bring those in, get that knocked out in nice little break between each
054of them. Probably knock it out between 5:30 and maybe three hours. I'd prefer doing it one night. That way our minds are all fresh. We all hear the same thing and uh it's not broken down into different days or something like that. So, I'd prefer doing it that way if that suits the board. >> Do they do them all same same day? >> Yeah. >> I think 10 or 15 minute I mean everybody's fee is going to be the same because they they charge the maximum by the state allows and so then it's just going to be the pro projects they've worked on, who they worked with. I don't see a need for somebody to give me a 30 minute history on architects. And we do have some standard questions that I think would be
055important that the board to look at. So >> I'm assuming everybody's going to charge the state fee, which is I think 6%. Nobody's going to cut it. So it ain't about money. It it's who we feel comfortable with and they feel comfortable with. At the end of the day, I don't need to hear a 30 minute >> references. >> I don't need to hear a 30-minute conversation on five different architects. is the questionnaire you're talking about of the questions that you have. Is that something that that you could go ahead and present to them and then present a package? >> Absolutely. I I don't think it I think it's we send that you have been invited to come share this information with us and >> that way you know if they're efficient in their presentation
056they'll know to include all of those topics in there and you know have digital presentations and hard copy presentations for you. Uh, so if you know if we said we'll schedule 30 minutes and then they'll do a 15-minute presentation, we could have up to 15 minutes for questions for that group. >> And I guess it's like the last time we did this, they all sit and listen to each other throughout all of it. >> Or are you going >> I'd prefer they not, but that's up to this point. >> It's been done. it it is a public meeting and so I think we can respectfully ask them to to wait outside until it's their turn and just let them know that I don't think we can stop them from coming in but I think we
057can respectfully ask them to and I think >> I think people that are accustomed to working with us would respect that of of their peers. >> I will say I I originally said I think that I was good with any of these dates. I do have a conflict on the 25th if that doesn't mess anybody else up. >> I'm good for any any of the dates. So >> So are you you want us right now to pick a date? >> I I'd like to because I think I think if I were in their shoes, I'd be wanting to start my presentation and my modeling and my discussion and [clears throat] whoever I needed to. And >> our calendars are busy. I'm sure you know getting together that group would be as well. 19th think. >>
058So only the question I had is so school starts early August. You think by the 19th we'll have pretty good idea on enrollment by then? >> I hope so. >> U by the 19th >> probably. So, I mean it it will still change up until Labor Day, but we'll have we'll have >> I'm just saying if if enrollment significantly changes, this conversation may be may change a whole lot. >> That's true. >> And there's a real possibility with what's going on that enrollment could be affected. >> That's just my opinion. >> It's a very good point. It doesn't matter to me. I don't >> So I don't know there's much difference in 19th and 28 whether the numbers will change. I mean I think we'll have a pretty good idea by either one of them
059dates. >> So I'm good. >> I mean it's safe to say you got you've got 90% of your enrollment on the first day of school, right? Or more. >> Is that fair? >> Yeah, I would think so. >> Okay. Y'all want to go with the 19th everybody? Okay. >> Okay. We'll do that. >> Let's do the 19 >> 19th. >> Okay. 19. What time? At 5:30. >> Let's Let's say 5:30 and then we'll adjust as necessary. [laughter] >> Is that not going to be distracted? >> Usually. [laughter] All right. Let's see. >> The 19th. Okay. We're down to communications. >> Uh, none. >> Okay. director of schools report. >> Uh board members, I I did want to uh we we do have I'm not going to share names because of privacy concerns they might have,
060but I know we shared a uh a health concern with one of our principles and their family with you over the weekend. I don't think it's any secret, but we'd ask that you still keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we do that. Um I am pleased to announce that as we have received some preliminary data um that we have seen increases in grades three through eight at each grade level at each subject level. So we are seeing some slow but steady process progress and so u we're thankful to those teachers are working hard administrators are doing that and uh students that are that are learning more and our scores are increasing we had positive numbers at the high school level uh maybe not every subject level but we did have some positive numbers
061there so we're proud of those numbers uh I do want to report uh just that uh we are currently under a funding freeze uh from the federal government, not just us and everyone. Um and there have u there have been some freezes in titles two, three, and four. And so um as as supervisors of federal programs, I know Dr. Hollingsworth and her staff are looking at that very closely. Uh we as directors of schools are looking at that intently as well. Um we are developing a plan should we have to make any changes in programming or staffing. Uh but we'll be uh we'll be communicating more about that as it comes about. Um would just uh say as we are preparing for school um we do have a we've made significant progress in construction at
062IA. Uh we've also done a lot of work at uh Woodall Primary this summer in terms of HVAC programming uh west side. We're we're really pushing that group to to continue to get ready for school to start there. Uh, as we talk about school getting ready to start, you do have a list of open houses that we shared with you and we encourage and invite you to participate in as many of those as you can. And then finally, uh, we had our first back to school supervisors meeting this morning and so we had a couple hours there we spent together uh, talking about um, things that still need to be taken care of before we start the new year. And uh principles will be back uh for training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of next week and
063they'll be back in their building. So it's getting close to time and I think that's all. >> Okay. I just have a question about cleaning. >> Cleaning. We have uh we felt good about our new vendor. They have come in and uh um they really attacked several of our schools. uh their their main project right now has been getting school floors waxed and cleaned. Uh I hope if you have a chance to just look around the lobby of this building even, we've we've noticed a great improvement and very happy with those so far. Um there are some staff that have been hired back based upon recommendations of their administrators uh both mornings and afternoon crews. Uh there have been changes in products. There have been changes in lots of processes and things there and uh
064uh the training process has been very good. Um certainly that's a difficult position to find people to work in. We know that uh but we are very pleased from our preliminary conversations with principles and um look forward to that moving forward as well. >> Thanks. Okay. Do we have any old business that we need to discuss tonight? Anybody may have any new business? >> Uh, I do. I guess I'll uh I'd like to make a motion that we direct administration to uh put together a compensation plan for non-employee coaches and sponsors of extracurriculars uh for us to review at our next meeting. >> Second. >> I'm sorry. Second was >> Yeah, I second. >> Oh, Mr. Rice second. Okay. Any [snorts] questions or discussion? >> I'm assuming in that, you know, looking at that tiers
065in a situation like that, you'd be in the first tier as far as the conversation goes. I think that would be a natural progression that you would do that. Yes. >> But I'm moving, you know, I think there's some discussion there. If somebody's retired teacher, been doing it for 40 years and they want to keep then maybe prior experience. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Any other discussion? All those in favor of approval, make it known by saying I. >> Opposed? No. Motion passes 6. Any other new business? >> Uh just a question. Do we need to vote on the Joe Burns baseball building tonight or are we holding that off? >> Uh I still need to hold that out for a little bit if that's okay. I think we have given them some initial permission
066to do some preliminary work on the ground there. I know it's our policy and practice that if anybody's doing uh renovations to campuses, what those look like uh that they bring those before this board for final approval that it goes through a a multi-step process before it gets to you. uh everything from where where the funding is, who's doing the work, what's an anticipated timeline, how they're raising funds for that. Um down to making sure there are no conflicts with other projects that are going on, making sure there are no conflicts with u utility lines and things like that and all that. So, it goes through that vetting process, but we have um we've given them some permissions because we are comfortable with what that looks like. We I don't think they're going to, you
067know, you they may be moving some dirt around. They may be delivering some supplies and things like that. I don't think we're going to see anything going up in the next day or two, but um we're okay doing that if if you are. It would not be anything atypical that we wouldn't improve on on another campus. >> So, they can start, but we'll approve it next month. >> That would be my anticipation if that's okay. >> Okay. I think Miss Hogan and I could look at that as executive committee if we need to if there's anything unusual about that. >> Okay. Anything else? [snorts] Okay. Let's go to comments by board members. Mr. Rice, it's nice to have you back. Would you like to start that tonight? >> Well, thank you. I I appreciate the
068calls and the cards, especially the prayers um during my little bit of a health scare there. And so, uh, things are going well and glad to be here. So, enjoy the next few weeks because school is, uh, fast approaching. I was looking at the calendar the other day and it's just, it seems to be on the fast pace. So, but thank you all for the prayers and I can always use those in anytime. [laughter] >> Mr. Edgars, >> um, we've still got two weeks, so I don't want to even bring it up. So, but I appreciate all the work that's already started for a great school year. Um, so everybody just enjoy these last few weeks. I know it was welld deserved and looking forward to another great year. >> I don't have a whole
069lot. Welcome back, Scott. You know, glad to glad to see you. You look good all things considered, especially. So, glad to have you back. Um, I don't really have anything else than that. I can't believe summer's almost over. My kids really can't. They're like, "It just started. Here we are." So, but looking forward to another great year. Hey, I'm anxious to see inside the schools. If you want to see a nice looking floor and uh where somebody's really worked hard, Mr. Ron at Green Bear High School, I know they're doing summer school up there, but the areas they're not using, he's been working. Even when he was with the other company, he's worked all summer long. He's he's really worked hard. I know. I went up to the elementary school the other day and good
070luck because they got a lot of work to do. There's only one person there. >> School starts in just a few weeks. >> Well, I this past week I heard some good things with the cleaning that's going on at Chrysle and some some happy people. So, that's that's always good. But I really don't have much. I'm just It's hard to believe it's almost here again. And Scott, it sure is good to see you. >> Stephen, we missed you, too. >> Glad to be back. >> Good to see you both. >> Yeah, it is. Good to have everybody back. Yeah. Yeah. >> Well, I don't think I have anything other than I I really can't believe that it's almost here. You know, I think back to all those years that I taught and and it went
071by fast, but I think this is just going to say I'm getting old, right? Because I think time goes by so much faster now than it did. But anyway, I hope everybody does enjoy the rest of the summer, what's left of it, and uh be ready to go on that first day. And I know you will, and I appreciate everything that everybody does. So, meeting is adjourned.