White County School Board Meeting 3/19/2026

001Okay, we'll start here work session here in 2 minutes. All right, if we can have your attention, we're going to call the work session of Wake County Board of Education for March 19th, 2026 to order. Appreciate everyone being here. Um we got several things to cover during this work session, so we'll work through that. Primarily be looking at items on our consent agenda. We do have several policies that um that will be reviewing and will touch on those as we go go through. So as we always do, we'll first start and review our board meeting minutes from February 12th. Any questions, clarifications, or corrections that need to be made on the board meeting minutes from February 12th. Okay, if nothing on our minutes for the board meeting, do we have any uh additions, corrections for

002the work session minutes that were presented to you for February 12th? Okay, if not, we're going to go through our policy report and we're going to touch on I think it is actually five policies which includes the TSBA policy service renewal. One policy, I think it's uh item 4.51.16 that was placed in the on the agenda near. So we'll start with first policy 2802. So what on the highlighted item there on payroll procedures, first item, it's it's it's been suggested that we remove the administrative Excuse me, non-administrative certified personnel receive summer break pay at one time in June. >> I got this. These are on their maiden voyage, so we'll see. >> Number 68. It's it's okay. We'll we'll swap it out in just a little bit, but we might make a note 68 to

003be a little finicky. >> So, Mr. Chairman, if you don't mind, I'll be glad to go through those just to kind of clarify those. So, we've highlighted the part portions in the procedures before you tonight, board members, that have been changed. It used to be a practice that we paid the staff positions their summer checks all at one time. They would get three checks in June. We don't do that anymore, so this is just clerical to eliminate the way that's done. Most almost all of our employees spread their checks out over 12 months now, so we're just removing that that segment in that policy. In policy 2803, >> I do have one quick question on that one. Is that just So, you're saying clerical where now we're >> Yes, and we found most of our

004employees, even though they don't work in the summer, they like to receive payment in the summer, so they spread their checks out over really 24 pay periods cuz they get paid get paid twice a month. Uh so, they spread that out. So, we no longer offer that as a payment. We do have a you can't opt out. We have just a handful of employees that have to sign a form and and uh and opt out to get paid during the school year, but we don't do that anymore where you get three checks in the summer. Um policy 2803 uh so, that is taking out the language that says that um an an employee may change or terminate a salary deduction upon written notification to the director of schools by September 30th. So, uh we don't

005allow that change anymore at that point. So, if they have their deductions in place, those are the ones that approved deductions are the only ones that will be uh taken out and are set for the year. Also in policy 5110, um this is something that's based on the new uh uh a new law that was passed, but it allowed for a deceased teacher's uh uh beneficiary to receive any unused accumulated leave benefits. So, any any leftover benefits would be paid out in cash to the uh beneficiary uh as listed in the uh TCRS system. So, we've added that language. Um 5116 as we said, that was added in error. So, you can skip that one. And 5304, uh we just made a change from 10 to 15 days. Um that that we can grant someone.

006It says leave to visit a spouse, child, or parent deployed for military duty out of the country has been granted rest and recuperation leave shall be granted for no longer than 15 days. So, that's a change for uh from 10 to 15 days. And then finally in that category of policy, we have the TSBA policy service which if you know that TSBA provides us with model policies we add our White County isms or tweaks to those and then but they do a great job they also audit our entire policy handbook they look through that they look at they help with our procedure manual as well they make suggestions throughout the year as the law change so all these laws that are being passed right now by our wonderful legislators is going to be they're going

007to provide in June they're going to send me an update of all the policies that affect and so it's well worth in my opinion the service they provide and so this is the bill for that to provide that for the next upcoming school year. >> Is that bill normal is that a normal cost for that or has that increased over the years? >> In my time I think when I started it was more like $4,500 it's been increased in the past 10 years to now 6521 so obviously it's been increased but as you will have seen there's been a lot of laws passed in education in that time so more to do. I think that summarizes the policy portion Mr. Chairman. That's correct. >> So we have approved >> Yes sir we'll be doing budget

008talks at the end of this month first of April we've got those scheduled and then this will be included in that in that budget proposal. That's correct. >> Second reading next meeting. >> No, sir, Mr. Chairman. I think it'd be fine to wait for a second reading on those. And mainly these came as a review as Mr. Rigsby's been reviewing the handbook and getting prepared for next year. We found some errors or some adjustments need to be made. So I don't think there's any reason why it couldn't wait for a second reading. >> Mr. Ali, if you don't care, would you come to the podium? We want to test drive that microphone as well. If you just press it here. It'll help with sort of recording. I think if you just press the button one

009time, you should be green. You're ready to go. Yeah, thank you. >> Care of these things. Um, so the restrooms are about to be completed. We just lack some concrete, some things like that. And so they they've turned out real well. We tore or had all of the brick removed off of Career Academy that could possibly have fallen. So, in the process of getting bids for that to replace that with metal. Um and hopefully that goes really well. Other than that, it's it's been very quiet and we've been able to get a lot of little things done. So, it's a good thing. Um most of our schools are in pretty good shape at this point. Any questions for me? That was quick. >> So, Mr. Okay. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> Sorry about that.

010I just have one. So, are we going to close the restrooms like at dusk or something? How are we going to try to keep down vandalism? Are we going to check them every day? >> I I they are we are putting locks on the doors. Um how the high school decides to handle that would be up to the high school. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anything else? Yes. Yeah, um I again that was the company that we had picked up originally. So it turned out the way that we were hoping that it would. Chad said that you know with all of that RFQ's being done that we go now to the phase of whether we have to enter into a contract or if it's going to be a thumbs up that type stuff. I need

011to get back with the company and and see what our next step is as far if we have to enter in with a contract I probably need to bring it back to y'all and let y'all handle that and then if not I'll I'll let Mr. Drum Barger know exactly what that company is saying and and go from there but more than likely I'd say it's going to be a contract. Right. Okay. Yeah. Yeah um you know Right. Yeah they're doing the VCT tile flooring in in that section so the last I heard they had ordered it so they're waiting on it to come in. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> So, the following report is presented detailing the financial position of White County School System for the period ending February 28th, 2026.

012At the close of February, the cumulative revenues across all state school funds reached $31,045,839, while total expenditures and encumbrances amounted to $29,701,979. Consequently, the estimated overall fund balance has grown to $21,799,024, compared to the initial July 1st starting balance. This upward trend highlights the positive impact of our peak property tax and local option sales tax collection seasons. Within the general purpose school fund, representing an increase of 1.16% from the same period of last year, expenditures and encumbrances also had an increase of 6.98%, but the expenditure increase continued to be driven largely by salaries and wages for regular instruction, as well as the necessary transportation capital outlays for equipment and buses, which is now utilized 100% of their annual budget. TISA funds are representing an increase over the previous year to the receipt of the high

013performance bonus in February, yay, yes. Receipts are right in line with budget expectations at 72% of the annual projection. For the school federal projects fund, revenues are 35.81% lower than the prior year, while expenditures are 5.5 lower, largely due to the shifts in the federal funding, the program funding and timing. Expenditures are currently outpacing revenues, which is typical of this fund, because it operates on a reimbursement basis where the funds are requested after the obligations are met. Central Cafeteria Fund revenue show a decrease of 2.96% over the prior year with significant improvement from the prior month's report is more in line with these expectations. Expenditures for this have also increased, but only by 1%, driven by the rising cost of food and supplies. Overall, the school system remains in stable financial position with property tax

014collections reaching 94% of the budget. Revenues and expenditures are tracking consistently with historical mid-year trends and departmental expectations. >> All right. Thank you, Ms. Officer. Appreciate that that summary. Ms. Markham also appreciates you for uh compiling this data for us. So, uh I think in short, we'd say that uh uh the monies that we expect to receive this year are we're getting pretty close to having all those monies in. So, we kind of know what our revenue numbers is looking like by now. Um so, everyone uh uh working within that within that uh that number. Um any questions for uh for regarding our budget report? Okay, then uh moving on, we'll look at our uh Excuse me, back up here a second. Along with that, we have uh budget amendments. We got a few of

015those that we need to uh uh address this evening. So, Mr. Drawbaugh, I'd let you give you opportunity to speak to um our budget report, I excuse me, our budget amendments. >> Sure, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh five budget amendments before you this evening. Uh the first of which is a federal fund uh budget amendment. Uh the $90,000 grant we received, literacy grant, and we're partnering again with uh NIET. That's National Institute for Education in Education in Teaching Excellence in Teaching, I'm sorry. And uh they'll be working with our 6th through 12th grade uh teachers in literacy. Uh so, that's an in uh income of 90,000 and it'll be credited to uh support services. Next is a federal funds project uh 142. This is eight CTE Perkins grant. Uh we're just moving money uh we

016added actually got an initial $3,566.35 from from this grant. Uh and then we shuffled some money to get it spent by the end of the year. So, it's about a total of $4,600 that we're shuffling into instructional supplies and materials and in-service so it can be spent by the end of the school year. Next is a federal funds project 142. Uh this is the Access and Access for All Learning Network uh subfund 897. Uh there's amount of $44,464.07. Uh it's reallocated surplus funds again moving it to supply instructional supplies and materials so that uh we can get the money spent by the end of the school year. Also, uh spending money by the end of the year. This is uh subfund 705 federal projects funds. Uh this is McKinney-Vento. Uh moving it from uh other

017salaries and wages and uh to uh credit medical medical insurance supplies and materials. Again, just clerical moving this from one unused category to another where it can be utilized by the end of the school year. And then finally, uh this is McKinney Vento, also sub fund 705, uh $4,000 that we're moving to from medical insurance. Uh oh, this might be a clerical one. I think Ms. Genie mentioned that this was coded incorrectly, so they're just moving it to the correct uh line item. So, it's a $4,000 credit to the correct medical insurance line, and you can see those account numbers there. Uh and that is all the budget amendments for this evening. >> Okay, thank you, Mr. Lambert. Um so, regarding these budget amendments, um the first one that you mentioned uh for the uh

018literacy um the first one 954, that's the uh federal funds for uh 95 that 90,000 dollars. Sorry, let me just pull this up where I can see it. Um so, this is new money, correct? >> Yes, this is new money. We received a grant, uh and we're working with our middle and high school teachers, a a literacy grant, and we were able to partner with uh different vendors across the state, and we chose to vendor with NIET, a partner that we have worked with quite a bit in the past. >> What's the time limit of the spend of that money? Is that this year or 2 years? >> Is it 2 years or 3? >> That's great. That's fantastic. You're talking about $400,000 there, if my math is correct. That's fantastic. Uh new monies to

019help with our our our students. Um one other question I had on sub fund eight 897. Um did you say that was $40,000? >> No, 4,000 $464. >> Okay, just thought I heard $40,000. I just want to make sure that we're correct on that. All right, board members any questions, comments on regarding the budget amendments before us tonight? >> Good job, Bruce. I appreciate you doing that. They also did that for our budget um for the next several years. >> I I would echo that. Thank you, Mr. McDonald, for bringing that to attention. Uh uh I know that Miss Miss Butcher, you get credit for for this one, but I know that there's a lot of people that are working hard on grant monies, and it just for the taxpayers to know that that is

020significantly significantly helps our ability to provide quality education to the district. And so, thank you. I know it's not easy not an easy process. And I guess those are competitive grants, too, correct? So. Well, Wyatt County's not afraid of competition. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, Mr. Smith. >> Why don't we search the capital budget that the funding that we'll receive from the awesome grades that we When will that come, and how do we allocate that to this month's budget? >> Are you speaking about the outcomes funding that we talked about the 607,000? Yeah, we haven't uh allocated that just yet. That's that'll go into our um I guess go into fund balance and GP and we will we'll decide that. I mean, we'll discuss that here and may come as a recommendation to the board

021at a later date about what we might be able to do with that money. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. Any other questions? Okay, then if not, then we'll move on to next item. All members here given uh uh February 2026 personnel changes in our personnel report regarding new hires, terminations, and transfers. Along with that, you're provided the data with applicants, interviews, and hires. Any questions regarding our personnel reports? Okay, if not, move on to the next item and that is our threat assessment report. Uh Glad to see that we're there's only one item on the threat assessment report and that was not considered a threat and that item has been closed. So, uh glad that uh don't have any more incidents on this report. And then that'll take us down to next item is TLN

022report. So, Mr. Smith, I give guess you can take up the rest of the 33 minutes we have. >> So, we currently do that within the county. We have a out of zone. Uh we have to post those seats. And so, I can't imagine we would have a lot more seats open in regards to that. But, I mean, it's in theory, yes. So, you could, if you would allow that, uh if they were allowed to come in from out of county, then they could get those open seats. But, uh we didn't have a tremendous number of seats at our at our schools that were open. I would have to look at the numbers. They may still be posted from last year. But, usually, I think it's towards the end of May that we post that.

023It's basically the month of June that they have to to to acquire those seats, and then it's closed by July 1. Uh we have that process in place. We don't have the numbers currently for what we have coming next year, but we have that process in place. >> We do. This really has to do with municipalities and folks that are wanting to walk to school and that whether or not required with you when you live within 1.5 miles of the school to provide transportation and this would force them to provide that transportation. So I really we shouldn't affect us any actually had a request to someone to walk from school or to and from school. We don't generally allow that because we don't have good sidewalk facilities infrastructure at this time. So So that this

024is really addressing those municipalities like a Lebanon special or Franklin special that would have to provide transportation services that haven't in the past. >> Mr. Young, could I ask a question? >> Yes, ma'am. >> I wasn't really clear. Okay, so in May or whatever they post open seats. Is that for like say you have a child that's zoned for Woodland Park and there's a open seat at Finley they could try to get it? I wasn't sure how that worked. Thank you. >> Okay, any other questions regarding our TLN report from from Mr. Smith. Okay, then we'll move to the last item on our consent agenda. We have a field trip request from the White White County High School and that's TISA going to state conference in Chattanooga in April and it'll be over a weekend.

025It will be chaperoned. It has gone through the through the proper approval process through the sponsor the principal and signed by our directors, so it came to us for recommended for approval. Any questions on that request for uh TCEA? >> I just want to make a point of clarification, Mr. Chairman. >> I'm sorry. I you know, I apologize, Miss Miss McDonald. I think it's the I think it's the beautiful spring weather that has my Yes. Ladies, this is not the way to conduct a proper work session. Make sure you have your acronyms right. Um any other questions regarding the uh the filter request. Okay, so if not, then we just board members just for for clarity, the items that we covered in our workshop will be part of our consent agenda. Um the only change

026we have is that policy there is no change to policy 5116 that was in in our folder in error, and so we had uh minutes approval, our policy report, our maintenance report, and we will be adding the uh uh the RFP will be reviewing those in old business, so that will uh Mr. John Barger will add that to to our electronic copy, and so we can approve that. Uh That is correct, Mr. McDonald. Will you handle that task for me? Thank you. Um and then um then we'll say budget report, uh minutes transfer, personnel, so that cover that covers it. Um Is there anything else we need to take uh Is there anything else uh Mr. John Barger that you want to touch on during this work session time? >> I don't believe so. >>

027Okay, just want to give you the opportunity. Any other board members? Student representatives? No. Y'all are prepared. Awesome. Thank you. All righty. Wait, hey, you have a you have a lot of people in the audience that I'm sure they're counting on you. All right. Well, if if nothing else, then we'll conclude our work session and we'll rejoin for our regular meeting at 6:00. >> Testing, testing. >> That's loud. >> Check, check. Check, check, check, one, two. Are you seeing that now? Okay, are you seeing where it can show it? Okay, she's going to check it. Okay, I've got it set up and I've got it coming out. No, there was nothing dropping. I think it was not getting signal to begin with. Check, check, check, one, two. Okay, yeah, she said it's working. >> Check,

028check, check. Are you You're not on it anymore? Check, check, check. Test 1 2. Okay. Check, check, check. Test 1 2, check, check, check. Testing 1 2, check. Yeah, it did. It did. Yeah, well, yeah, whatever they should be fine. All of them should Yeah, cuz Yeah, the problem is they were >> Uh-oh. What's that? >> I know. But, I'm not So, I met her And I went up and told her Make sure you And they're not Hopefully local scholarship is my favorite. I mean, I was I have I'm a Christian school, so I have y'all see They didn't know nobody They don't know they're just deciding I need to go to that school. Oh, yeah. Yeah. No. Yeah. You what? Okay, that's why Oh, he is. I would wait, I can't I know. Huh?

029Yes, how was that? Oh my goodness. You didn't like it? Cuz it was when we had our last meeting, you were going to go and Oh, she's so cute. >> It's my nephew. >> I've seen that. >> Yes. I don't know. >> You got your birthday coming up. >> This is a good feature. >> On TV? Okay. >> you made it. >> Romans 12:6. >> Yeah. >> about Monday. >> Yes. >> You got that? >> No. >> Oh, yeah. >> That's fine. >> Thank you. >> Uh-huh. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> This is a 1-minute warning before the meeting starts. >> All right, at this time I'd like to call the March 19th meeting of the White County Board of Education to order. At this time I'm going to let Miss Addison Dodgen, senior, White

030County High School member of our state runner-up White County Warriorettes to lead us lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you Miss Dodgen. And appreciate you doing that. Also appreciate all of the guests here tonight. We appreciate your being a part of our our meeting tonight. We've got some good going to be a good night. We've got a lot of recognition that we want to spread around. And so we appreciate you being here. Appreciate the fact we can celebrate White County and our education system. So with that before we get into our meeting and before we consider approving the

031agenda for tonight, I'd just like to make you aware that Tennessee statute and board policy 1400 state that every meeting of the board shall be open to the public except where law allows for a closed session. The agenda for the board meetings tonight are posted on the district's website at www.whitecoschools.net. And the agendas are posted at least 3 days prior to each meeting. Public The Public Acts of 2023 chapter 300 and board policy 1404 state that each board meeting shall include an agenda item reserved for public comment. As well as the conditions under which those wishing to comment will be recognized. A sign-up sheet is made available prior to the beginning of each regular meeting for those wishing to speak. And individuals who have signed up prior to the start of our regular meeting and

032who wish to speak during that portion of the agenda will be recognized in the order listed on the sign-up sheet at the designated time for public comment. Our board meetings are streamed with the help of our central office technology staff for live or recorded viewing. The links are provided on the district's website. Attending and or speaking during tonight's meeting implies consent for the comments and appearances to be used. So before we consider tonight's agenda, board members, does anyone on the on the board have a conflict on any of the agenda items that are being considered tonight? >> Mr. Chair, as I do each month, just no conflict of interest for me on the agenda tonight, but just to uh make everybody aware my wife is an educator in the system and the comments that you

033hear from me tonight are mine and mine alone and for the betterment of the school district and the students and staff that you see before you. >> Thank you, Mr. McDonald. >> Mr. Chairman, I do not have a conflict, but my husband is employed by the district. So, my thoughts are mine and mine alone. >> All right, thank you, Ms. Officer. >> Much like my my colleagues, my wife is the bookkeeper at the high school. Nothing on the agenda causes a conflict of interest, and my comments and opinions are mine. >> All right, thank you, Mr. Smith. So, Ms. Sims, please let the minutes reflect that Mr. McDonald, Ms. Officer, and Mr. Smith all indicated they have spouses that work within the district, but none of the items on tonight's agenda would con- con- constitute

034a conflict for them. So, with that, board members, we'll move on to the next item, and that is approval of the agenda for tonight's meeting. Um board members, just make you aware there are there is two items that have been added on new business that were not part of the original packet that was sent out, and also think that there's a couple items in the consent agenda that we need to need to address. So, coming out of our work session. So, uh this time, like to uh any changes to our agenda, we we'd consider those at this time. >> Yeah, Mr. Mr. Chair, I would I would make a motion we approve this, but with the understanding that policy 5116 was no update that was on our policy report, and also in our minutes report,

035we had a RFQ um that we need to pull out to have some discussion on to put down into the old business section. So, that would be my stipulations to the motion. >> Okay, thank you, Mr. McDonald. So, board members, have a motion on the floor to approve the agenda for tonight's meeting with uh with two items. One item of clarity and we'll Mr. McDonald will address that then in the consent agenda when we consider that, but one item coming from the maintenance report of our work session that was it was a tabulation of the RFQ for the tabulation of the RFQs for our facility assessments. That was covered in the maintenance report and I think it was recommended Mr. McDonald correct me if this if this is wrong regarding your motion, but it was

036requested that we pull that out and that is a item number D under old business. >> That is correct. >> Okay, so I have a motion motion to approve the the agenda with that correction. Do I have a second? >> Seconded by Ms. Bauer. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none all those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion passes. All right, the next time on our agenda is our consent agenda and consent agenda items were covered during our work session that settled at 5:00 on today on March 19th. Those items that were covered in the work session was a review of the roof review of the board meeting minutes from February 12th, 2026 along with the minutes taken from our work session. We also had a policy report which which included review

037for of and changes to policy 2802 50 5110 excuse me 5110 and 5304 along with our TSP policy service renewal recommendation for that. As Mr. McDonald stated in our on our agenda policy 5116 I was included, but there was no action to be taken on that. That was included by mistake. We also had uh a maintenance report by Mr. Ali uh and we discussed uh the tabulations for RFQ facility assessments, which will be addressed in old business. Uh budget report was given by Miss Officer in the uh district and is uh is in financially uh sound position along with uh budget amendments and transfers, uh which it was mentioned in budget amendments that uh we did receive new money from a federal grant and uh thank our our central office staff for applying for that.

038That uh puts new money of total of $90,000 into uh our district for uh for educational purposes. Uh we had a personnel report, threat assessment report, uh TLN report by Mr. Mr. Smith and then the request for uh TSA to attend the uh their annual conference in Chattanooga on April 9th through the 12th. So, those are the items on our consent agenda. Um we already addressed the uh the items of uh from our maintenance report adding that to our to our old business. So, um board members, again you have the opportunity to uh to remove any items for further discussion, but uh that would consist of our consent agenda. So, board members, is there any items that you wish to remove for for separate discussion? Again, any items wish to move for separate discussion. Okay,

039if there's no objection, then the consent agenda will be adopted by unanimous vote as presented. That leads us on to the next item on our agenda. We have a special recognition tonight that we'd like to uh like to make. Um as a lot of things going on in White County, but uh Saturday was a special day and uh we are very fortunate as a uh as a as a school district and uh and and a community to have wonderful students that are willing to go out and represent our our county and our school well. So, we tonight we want to recognize Coach Michael Dodgen and the 2025-2026 White County Warriorettes in this year's this year's runner-up in the TSSAA Girls State Basketball Tournament. And Coach Dodgen and ladies, we want to congratulate you on a

040successful season. And of all the teams across the state, you were among the last to have the privilege to play on Saturday the last Saturday of the season. And it's a tremendous accomplishment. And you your style of play is exciting to watch and something that don't opposing teams have a difficulty dealing with. And so, at this time I'd like to recognize Coach Dodgen to the microphone and give you the opportunity to speak about your your team and this experience. >> Yeah. Yeah. At this time I'd like to thank the board for allowing us to come in today and to recognize our players and for their accomplishments this year. It's a good group of kids that put a lot of time and work in and representing not only White County High School but White County as

041a as a county and as a coach, I'm proud of them for everything that they do not only in the basketball floor but our six seniors this year that are all going to the next level whether to play or to go to school. All six of them are graduating with honors this year from the high school. So, it's not only accomplishments on the basketball court but also accomplishments in the classroom. And it takes a lot of time and effort to play basketball and and also be a a top-level student. And really proud of them and proud of our community and proud of the support that we had from our community this year. Um I know we played a lot of road games, but they felt like home games. And that says a lot about the

042community of White County and not only the people that are here, but also our faculty members at the high school supporting these kids every day and our administration supporting them every day and really proud of them and proud of the achievements that they had. >> Thank you to Coach Dodgen and um I I would give you the opportunity if you'd like if there was any young ladies that you'd like to come up and speak on the team's behalf. Um they're more than welcome to uh to come to the microphone. >> Everybody come up here and >> Listen, the microphone can't be any scarier than being on TV. >> Well, we won't let Bella because it's a one-word answer. Uh any of you guys want to come speak? Addison. You can come up. I know you're

043not shy. I know you're not shy. >> Um hi everyone. Uh I just want to say thank you for having us tonight. It's a really big honor to be here and thank you to the community of Sparta who's always backed us at every single game and my teammates, I love you all and thank you. >> Thank you. Board members, any uh anybody like to uh share some comments? >> I I do want to I I do want to say something and and ladies I I I want to tell you I probably let you down this year. So uh the last 4 years. So um I haven't been to many of your ball games, but I've watched every one of them on TV. Uh I've watched every game that you've played whether it be on on

044Facebook streamed by any media access across the state. Um watched all your games that I could get or had updates. Um, I just want to let you know I'm super proud of you guys. Um, you're fun to watch like like Chairman Young said you're fun to watch. Your style of play was unreal. Um, lots of accomplishments in this room. Uh, just the two that I can think of right off the top of my head is when Bella and and Gracie scored their 1500 point on the same game. Um, that's that's pretty awesome. Uh, lots of other accomplishments down the line and I don't want to cut anybody short, but uh, just the fact that you guys are going out on top as the winningest program um, for your four years in high school. Uh, what

045I think 119 victories. Uh, would have loved to have had that 120th, but you know what? I after talking to Coach Dodgen Saturday night and and and this week, um, I feel confident that he said you left everything you had on the floor uh, in the Murphy Center. And uh, for me being a uh, a White County alum, um, that's impressive. And to see uh, the game you played on Friday. I was there for the game on Friday and to see the heart and soul that everybody put into that game, uh, led me to know that our county and our school district and and and our country is in good hands with folks like you that will give everything you got for um, the cause that you're in at that time. So, uh, congratulations. It's

046not much from me, but it's it's congratulations and very well done. >> Thank you, Mr. McDonald. Anybody else? Board members? >> I'd like to say something. >> Yes, Ms. Davis. >> Um, I just wanted to say I was able to be at your games on Friday and Saturday. And the class that you exhibited, your attitude, it was amazing. Um, I think it reached a lot of people because I had big group from Cookeville behind me cheering you on and so that made a that made a big difference you know that that they were there for you so thank you so much for your attitude and how you all exhibited very well done. >> Thank you Miss Douglas. Mr. Stronberger You know the wise philosopher Terry Crane once said that our goal is to win state

047championships but our purpose is to raise good good people and we I think we've done that you know I believe done both of that of those things you know you all have won gold balls silver balls you've won a trophies you've got lots of accolades but one of the first things that coach Dodgen said to me after the game we we spoke briefly via text was how proud of he he was of you in the in the classroom and in the hallways let alone what you do on the basketball court as a director of schools that that gives me kind of nerdy but that gives me chills just to know that you know that that we're turning out really good people not only excellent basketball players but just quality people and so I'm really I'm

048really most proud of that not just what you did on the basketball court but what you did just in your daily lives and it means a lot I was in at that time that you were playing basketball I was with a bunch of smelly soccer players in Gatlinburg playing some games but we were all huddled around our phones listening to the game listening to every shot and cheering you on so and that says a lot to you all about you all that your your peers in school are are that vested in what's going on and in your and your accomplishments that they're listening every minute even when they can't be there so congratulations thanks for representing our school system well and just thanks for being great people. >> Thank you, Mr. Dronebarger. Coach Dodgen, appreciate

049the fact your assistant coaches are here as well. You want to give them the opportunity to speak? No? >> You'd have to lower the mic, Daniel. >> Well, listen, you know, it's it's you can't get where you are without a good support staff and it seems like you guys have a very cohesive team. Um What? Um so, we have one more another guest here tonight that I'd like to recognize, so Mr. Greg Wilson, principal of Fauquier High School. Mr. Wilson, I'd love to give you the opportunity to come to the microphone and share a few words. >> It's short. But, thank you uh to the board and everything for all your support for our our students and thank you, Mr. Dronebarger, for his support as well. Uh it's been hit on a little bit, but

050the point that I want to make about these young ladies is they're student athletes and the student is the big part. I would put their GPAs up against any team across the state cuz they're great young ladies. Uh they're wonderful representatives of our community and our school. And I'm proud of each and every one of them. And again, um the community, the way they came out and supported us on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, it was great. But, I'm just proud of of them and everything they do every day in the hallways, in the school, and on the court. And again, thank you for all your support from the board and from Mr. Dronebarger for everything you do for us every day. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Appreciate that very very much. Um so

051um I'm going to call a recess because what we would like to do is like for if ladies don't mind, like to come up and have a picture with uh the board and the players, coaches. Mr. Wilson, you can jump in. Uh we can take a picture of that. This isn't for y'all. This is really for all of us up here on the board just say that we got to we were there when that happened. So uh coach Dodging, if you don't mind, we'll we'll do that. I'll call recess and then we'll reconvene here shortly. >> So, ladies before you before you go before you all Mr. Dodgen just one second I'm going to call reconvene our meeting. But yeah, of course you may have somebody else that wants to recognize you tonight. I just

052want to echo what what's already been said. We want to thank you for representing White County well on and off the court and in the classroom and just really appreciate you for what you do for our for our county. So, board members what I'd like to do is entertain a motion to designate Friday, March 27th, 2026 as Warrior Athletes Day across the district and encourage all students and staff to wear maroon and gray and blue jeans in honor of this team. So, I entertain a motion. Do I have a motion? So moved. Motion by Mr. McDonald. I have a second by Miss Fowler. Any any discussion? All right, all in favor say I. Opposed? Motion passes. Thank you all very much. All right. And we're not done. We're not done about recognizing We're not done

053about recognizing people in our our district. Uh next time we're going to do it is school spotlight and uh we're uh honored to have Miss uh Miss Beth P, principal of Northfield Elementary, and she is going to recognize artist of the year awards for uh Northfield. So, Miss P, thank you for being here. >> Thank you for having us here. Um this year we decided that we would honor the students based on your criteria, but add both music and art to that. So, um I'm excited to I see First, we have Emery Rakes. She is a second grader. And come on up here, Emery Emery. Um Mr. Carr said that Emery has an amazing voice and always does a great job with any song that we sing. So, Emery, we are grateful that you take

054part and you are an artist at our school. We have up next Gemma Randolph. Gemma is also a second grader at Northfield, and uh Gemma loves to draw and is happy to learn and develop new techniques. She is helpful in the art room if anyone ever needs assistance. Gemma loves to draw, and we can't wait to see what she does in the future. Good job. Next we have Sarah Gray. And I call Sarah Gray sunshine. Sarah is a fourth grader and she is a great singer and has such a great attitude in music class. And Mr. Carr just says that she is an A+ student. Congratulations, Sarah. And our last student is Brody Hitchcock. Brody is a fourth grader and Miss Hakkinen said that Brody is a pleasure to have in art class, that he

055listens and is open to suggestions regarding his drawings. He is helpful and always volunteers to help any way that he can. Congratulations. Do you want me to And we have one more special award today. And it is Mr. Carr. Can you come on up here, Carr? We could not recognize people in our building for fine arts without recognizing Mr. Carr. His peers said that he is an amazing teacher. He brings music to life each and every day. He brings instruments into his classroom and he allows the students to touch, play, and experience the sound they make firsthand. It will be amazing to see the number of students who further their love for music all because of this man, Mr. Carr. Thank you, Ms. Peak. And congratulations students and and Mr. Carr. We uh Again, I

056don't know if this has happened before, we're going to take a second recess. If there's any parents or family members that want to come up and take a picture with uh with the students being recognized tonight, uh we'll take a recess and allow you to do that at this time. Congratulations to you. Ms. Peak, thank you for uh for joining us. All those that uh that nominated these students. And uh you're welcome to stay with us for the rest of the meeting, but if uh if you need to leave, we understand. You can dismiss yourself at this time. No. All right. So, uh this time we will reconvene our meeting. Uh next item on our agenda is a memorandum of understanding with Reach University. I'm asking Mr. uh John Barker to speak to that. Uh

057but memo was placed in uh your packet for review. Let's say this is something that will uh give an opportunity for us to to benefit those working within our district for continued education. So, Mr. John Barker, let you recognize you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um we've participated in what they call grow your own opportunities. So, it's an opportunity to try and raise teachers from within. And there's been we've done that with some varied success. There've been some other programs that were not as just palatable to some of our working families to for them to uh attain a a college degree or a teaching degree. So, uh what's Reach University has reached out to us. Several districts in Tennessee are using Reach and long story short, it provides a very affordable and fast track to

058a bachelor's degree. It's not teacher certification, but it will give them a bachelor of liberal arts, which will allow them to start teaching in what we call a job embedded program. So, they could start teaching for us at full salary, full teaching credentials while they work on their credentialing or the certification through a master's program such as that maybe at Tennessee Tech. We've had many many teachers that work for us that are working for us right now that have worked through that job embedded process. But, this would allow some of our educational assistants. They uh what's unique about this program is that it gives them credit for the job they're doing each and every day. Our educational assistants work really really hard. They do quite a bit of work in the schools with students. They

059they do kind of the glue that holds everything together and they get credit for that work through this program. Uh and that flat rate of $75 a month is all that it costs. It's no cost to the district even though there is an opportunity for the district to pay some of that cost if they chose to at some point. Uh but, we don't plan to do that initially. This would be the cost would be on the candidates themselves. Uh we just have to have an agreement with Reach in order for these for this to be an opportunity for our educational assistants. So, as teachers are getting harder and harder to find, we're looking at creative ways of getting teachers in our classrooms and what better people have in our classrooms than people that are already

060there, that are already White County citizens, that are already contributing to our school district. This is an affordable option. It's doable for working families, for working moms and dads that are in our school system working in these capacities. And so that's why I bring it before the board for approval this evening. >> Okay, thank you Mr. Trumbauer. So board members we're being asked to consider entering into a memorandum of understanding with Reese University to allow the those employed in our district who are not credentialed to to work towards those credentials with no cost to to the district. It's only something that would be a voluntary opportunity voluntary they would participate on this in a voluntary basis but it would be an opportunity for our staff to work towards a accredited teaching position. So one of

061the way one of the benefits that we could we could offer in our district as we try to make sure we maintain a good healthy pipeline of teachers. So that's what's being considered here tonight. We're being asked to approve this memorandum of understanding as that was presented to us. So this time I'd entertain a motion to approve the MOU. >> I have a question, please. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Is there a certain amount a certain number that has to participate in this program? >> No, I'm not not that I'm aware of. We just have to have the agreement before anyone can start through our district. >> It's a good question because again clarify it's totally voluntary totally volunteer. Um if you want to participate. >> Mr. Young, how long does this program take? >> It

062depends on what credits they may already have. If they already have an associate's degree, obviously shorter. If they already have several college credits that they can transfer, it's it depends. So there it varies in the number of months that it may take based on their experience. >> And it would recognize um credits that say somebody took at Tennessee Tech for a period of time. >> Yes, it could. They they go through an interview process. So, they all they'll have just any as any other college process. They'll have a an advisor that'll look at all those things. So, it's different for every candidate. >> So, I guess my question on that was um the $75 is that for clerical fees for this this organization um to administer um this program? >> Yes, all that funding goes

063straight to Reach. That's what they charge for these folks to be a part of this program, which if you've looked at the cost of higher education these days, that is an extreme bargain. So, yeah, that's that's their that's their cost. >> And I guess second thing is um and I heard you say this earlier about um their time in the classroom, that's going to go towards part of their credits for um reaching that higher higher degree. >> Yes, that's part of the the real attractive part of this program is that they're getting credit for the work experience that they're already doing. I think it if you look at I think it's up to 15 hours a week that they get college credit for. They're doing that work and so they're getting credit for that. So,

064a lot of the other programs we've been a part of is they did their work all day long and then had to come home and take online courses till midnight, you know, to get credit for that. So, they're giving they're still they're still coursework that has to happen outside of of the school day, but they certainly get a a lot of job hands-on job experience accredited for the job that they do already. >> Mr. Chair, I would make a motion that we enter into this MOU with Reach University. >> Thank you, Mr. McDonald. So, have a motion on forward to for approval of the MOU with Reach University. Do I have a second? >> Seconded Miss Fowler. Any discussion? >> What one question. Once a an >> employee reaches the or attains the the BA

065degree, um do we know for certain that schools like Tech would would take that and allow them to move into a master's program? >> I don't know particularly about Tennessee Tech, but I know other schools in the state have because there are several other districts that are already partnering with REACH and had success with this program. So, it can be done and certainly with online programs they can be done um you know even with out-of-state groups that can give them uh Tennessee certification. >> Very good. Thank you. >> I did have a comment about that. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And though it does say on their website just the same as it does other places that it's always up to the receiving school. So, if someone is thinking about going on, they need to talk

066to that receiving school cuz it is possibility that they will not accept it. That's standard across the board. So, but my question was this is mostly elementary level that we're talking about here. >> Good questions. Any more discussion regarding the the motion? Okay, I have a motion and a second on the floor. No further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is our student representative report. Uh I'd like to recognize uh Ms. Callie Odell and Ms. Isabella Sackett for our report. >> You missed one. You missed one. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Mark that Mark that off. Ladies, you would you hold hold that uh for a second? Let's back back up one. Uh so, board members uh in your packet was a

067proposed fiscal year 2027 pay scale for White County Schools. In that uh information, it covered all of our uh all of our staff as far as credentialed, credit, credentialed and non-credentialed employees as long as they're new nutrition program. So, those pay scales were presented to you. If you have any questions regarding those, you can ask our director, but these are being presented to us for consideration for approval. Would you like to speak to anything on that, Mr. Drummer? >> So, yes, Mr. Chairman. So, these pay scales were really put together in framework in the last couple of years, but as we looked through bookkeeping and just through the auditing purposes, we just found some some discrepancies, some things that weren't uniform. Basically, essentially, the steps were not uniform and we were we worked really hard

068to make sure that from year 20 to 21 to 22 that we equalize that step. So, we we saw a lot of variants in some of these scales that we didn't catch before. So, we've gone back and just cleaned that up so that those steps are uniform. So, everyone's salary according to these steps will still increase next year. We are adding we're planning to add I said we we're planning to add in next year's budget $1,625 to all certified positions. That will get us to that base salary of 50 that we have to by the governor's decree next year. So, we're adding that as we have over the past several years to all sort of certified positions. So, um we just went to the top top number in that scale and make sure that it

069was a 2% raise in the staff positions all the way across. And then that 1625 we added it to each line and then made sure that each step was uniform. And so, those uniform steps will be seven $720 for certified positions year in and year out. It's not that it it's set in stone forever, but this has been the plan all along was to get the the salary scale intact that we could use it that it could it could function. Um and so uh we just noticed some of those step discrepancies that we didn't want to clean up and those are the changes that are are presented to you this evening. >> Okay, board members, any uh question for information we have before us? Quick question on the steps, do those equate to years of

070service? And on uh I guess page two of it, maybe page three, it only goes to 20 years, but >> So Yes and no. So we started in the steps on the years, we started with that, but we're trying moving away from that and the reason being was you have people come in um that may be from a different county, maybe from a different system or they have different experience and you're able to look at a step and maybe even negotiate into that uh the nowadays to say, well, we're going to we're going to recognize experience in that particular area. We can say you had three years, you would just maybe be on three years, but you have vast experience, we might be able to get you to four or five as a negotiating tool

071to get some people in. So we're we're moving away as most people have from years to steps and that that's the same basis on our on our staff scale as well. Um So what I'm sorry, oh and then on the second part of your question, the 20 years, most of those are supervisor and principal roles. So you normally you're in a teaching role of some sort before that. We usually don't have people that do 30 years as a principal um and and that sort of thing. So normally those don't those supervisory roles don't roll out as high. They're usually uh they're not in there that long. So that's not something we could look at rolling out, but that's why they're capped at 20 because they don't the longevity issue is just not there. >> Thank

072you, Mr. Smith. Any other questions for Mis- Mr. Shonkwiler on what we're uh what we're considering tonight. This item. >> Just just one more. I'm sorry. The The last page in that that item it only goes to step 20 as well. But I guess same concept, it's not That's not a year's correlation, correct? >> The last item in that certified >> The hourly classified staff, the last page in that that packet of pay scale. It only goes to 20 years. >> Oh, yes. It's our staff. Our staff page only goes to 20. Yes. >> Same concept. >> Yeah, same concept. Yeah. Yeah, it's it's conceivable that we would have people that have stayed longer than that, and that's usually not the case, but uh but but that's uh that's normally not our case that we

073have people in that role for that long. >> So, Mr. John Bargeron, just for for clarity um the basis of this Well, of the pay scale, the steps, that's something that we've considered and has been in place for a period of time now. And what we're doing is going in and looking at that and making corrections in some areas where the formulas from year to year were not uh were out of proportion if you would from say year three to year five. You wouldn't expect for the increase to jump from 2% a year to 8%. So, it gives opportunity to filter that. Nobody's getting penalized for on the on this scale. But this is what's will go in fact going forward um to balance that out, but it also it reflects that our compliance with

074the the mandate for uh base pay for teachers starting out in our district. >> Yes, that's exactly right. For example, I think in the certified scale, there were step raises of you would get say $350 for two or three years in a row, and then you would get a thousand, and then the next year it would be 650. And it it was just things like that that we found that were kind of all over the place, and it did make sense that you know, if somebody was getting maybe a thousand-dollar raise in year four, and then a year 10 teacher was getting 350 that year. There just there wasn't any uniformity to that. So, and shame on me for not catching that when we first proposed this and put that out, but really that's what

075we've gone out and and fixed was some of those that jumping around amongst those scales and made it uniform across the board. So, it's something you can follow, it's something you can expect, and something that's easy for us to change moving forward if the board, you know, chose to give raises, or you know, if we had extra million dollars floating in here that we wanted to add to the pay scales, it makes it very easy to add it uniform across the board, and it makes sense, and and it's fair across the board to all of our employees. >> All right, thank you. So, board members, that's the uh uh pay scale for our district to go into effect for fiscal year 2027. Any other questions? If not, I would entertain a motion for approval for

076the uh fiscal year 2027 pay scale for White County Schools as presented. >> I make a motion. >> Motion by Ms. Douglas. Do I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Smith. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed? Motion passes. Now we get to go to our move on to our student representative report. Sorry about that, ladies. So, Ms. Odell, Ms. Sackett, floor's yours. >> Thank >> you. This week has been full of exciting opportunities and accomplishments for all of our students. Our seniors have been busy preparing for their futures and approaching graduation very quickly, participating in FAFSA celebrations from our Ayers Foundation and continuing to plan for upcoming trips, including our highly anticipated senior visit to Dollywood. Spring sports are officially underway and there's

077a lot of excitement across our campus. Soccer has kicked off their season and we're also seeing great energy from baseball, softball, and our track teams as they begin competing. We look forward to supporting all of our athletes as they represent our school with pride. We would also like to again recognize our girls basketball team for their incredible season. Their hard work, dedication, and teamwork led them all the way to the state championship round and we are so proud of everything they accomplished and the way they represented our school at such a high level. Warrior Media recently traveled to Lipscomb University where they were recognized at the THSBA Awards banquet for their outstanding work, bringing home a first place, second place, and third place award. Isabella Carmichael earned a first place award, Isabella Sackett and William

078Walker received a second place award, and Carter Rich earned a third place award for their media projects. We are incredibly proud of their creativity and success. In addition, our FFA members are preparing to leave for state convention. This is an exciting opportunity for students. Students are receiving 17 state degrees, five Middle Tennessee proficiency winners competing at three agriscience fair projects, and many competitions. And I would be doing her a dishonor if I didn't mention my friend Addie King who is running for state office. Uh, that's a really big and very challenging endeavor and I sat on the other side and watched the candidates from last year and you couldn't pay me to do that. It's a grueling process and so we are definitely wishing her luck and hoping that she is elected as the next

079Tennessee FFA state officer. Clubs across campus continue to stay active and I'm proud to say as the vice president that Beta Club has been taking on lots of service projects and bouncing back and forth from number two and number three in the entire state for um the most community service hours. Club days provide great opportunities for students can to connect, grow, and to be involved in community within the school. And overall, we are excited to be back from spring break and happy to have a minute to highlight all the good going on in White County schools. >> Thank you, ladies. Appreciate that uh report and that update. For members, any questions, comments for our student representatives? Okay. If not, tell everyone uh that's uh >> Mr. Chairman, >> Yes, ma'am. >> I have a question.

080Is there any way that we can go back to uh number nine, agenda item number nine? I just had a text um that someone asked if we could if I could ask the question. Um if it isn't years, how does one move up in steps? >> So, um >> Um I don't know. Is it >> That would be That would be a question that I would ask the director to speak to cuz that was That would be uh procedural thing. Um and I'm not sure if you want to address that here or if you want to address that >> No, that's fine. No, it'll still be credited as years as far years of service to move to that next step. Um and that's because and that's how we base that. Really, that's based on off

081of TCRS as far as they're credited for years of services for teachers. So, they have to accrue, I think, 10 months to get a full year's credit. So, I'm just saying we can use that as a as a bargaining tool to if if someone's coming in. I'm not saying we will, but it just gives us the option to say you don't have to be 6 years, you could be at year seven. Um it just gives us that option. But but there's still going to be credited the same way. So, if they're on the year six right now, they'll be on step seven next year. >> Great, thank you. And I'm sorry I had to back up to that. Thank you. >> That That's all right. Let's go back to Adam that's that's on the table,

082our student representative report. Any other questions or comments for students representatives? Okay. Um if not, then we'll go to next agenda item, and that's district update, Mr. Stromberger. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Personnel reports in your packets. Um we are interviewing talented teachers this week. We started interviewing folks this week. I'm maybe Yeah, earlier this week. We had some in here today. So, excited about that. Um we used stock built snow days on Monday and Tuesday to extend our spring break. Not a single thank you. Um we still Sorry, did I say that out loud? Uh we still have days in reserve, and we can utilize uh virtual days if needed. Hopefully, all the snow is behind us, but there are still certainly inclement weather days possible. And so, uh thankful to be in a

083good place as far as our uh stock built snow days are concerned. Financially, uh I'll be conducting budget meetings with my supervisors and principals on March 30th and April 1st uh with principals as well in preparation for the fiscal year 27 budget. Uh the main focus of these meetings are personnel changes, uh building and maintenance needs, and furniture requests. Uh board members, if you'd like to be a part of that, just let me know. Of course, we'll be discussing those in earnest as a school board. You'll be discussing those later in April. Athletics, again, congratulations to Coach Dodgen and the Warrior at basketball team for the runner-up finish in the Tennessee State Basketball Championships. Our district's proud of their efforts on and off the court. Uh spring sports seasons are have begun and are full

084swing. And I we had a successful soccer weekend in Gatlinburg over the break. So, excited about athletics in our district. Building projects, we continue to work closely with our insurance company and contractors to address the brick issues at the Career Academy at White County High School. Uh the entire brick wall has been removed and we're negotiating with contractors to reconstruct the wall. The insurance company will cover the cost of the roof repair and at Doyle Elementary School the project has slowed recently. Um the delay in materials has caused a little slow progress as of late. Um academically, ACT is scheduled for high school juniors next week and the first round of TCAP test will be here in about 3 weeks. So, it's coming fast. Uh I want to note I got a note today from

085Mr. Ward at the high school. We now have 911 simulators in our criminal justice department. Students can play the part of a 911 dispatcher in a computer-based life-like scenario as part of their training. So, pretty neat addition. Uh lots of great things happening in White County schools, but I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. >> All right, thank you Mr. Dronebarger. Board members have any questions, comments over our district update? Okay. Thank you Mr. Dronebarger for covering that. So, next item on our agenda is public comment per board policy 1404. We always allow an agenda item set aside for public comment. A sign-up sheet was provided prior to our meeting and tonight we do not have anybody wishing to be recognized for public comment. So, with that we'll move on to the next

086item on our agenda and that's new business. Board members added to the agenda was request for a fundraiser swap for Bonnie Croft. Uh swapping from cookie dough sale to spring flower sale. Uh and then the White County Beta Club has a field trip request to the national convention in Nashville June 16th through 20th. That's an overnight trip that we would have to approve and they want to do that so now so they can go on and get their rooms reserved. So those are our new business items so we'll take the first one Bonnie Crop fundraiser swap request. This was this does replace a one a fundraiser fundraiser that was already approved by this board so entertain a motion to approve the the swap. >> Mr. Chair just a quick question. Can we group those together

087and and do them all under one motion or do we >> Let's do them separate because one's fundraiser and one's out of overnight. >> I'll make a motion to approve item number eight for Bonnie Crop. >> All right, a motion to approve Bonnie Bonnie Crop Bonnie Crop fundraiser swap. Have a motion do I have a second? >> Seconded by Miss Douglas. Any discussion? Okay, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Pose? Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is the Beta Club field trip request as as mentioned board members so I would entertain a motion to approve that field trip field trip. >> I'll make that one as well. >> Mr. McDonald makes a motion have a second by Miss Stone. Any discussion? Miss Odell are you going on that trip?

088>> I am not sure if I'm going yet because I may have Young Life work crew so I may be in Missouri but if I'm not I will be going. >> Okay, well you'll have to abstain you'll have to abstain that'll be a conflict of interest for you. >> Okay. >> All right, if no further discussion all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Pose? Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is old business. We have four old old business items to consider tonight. First is snow day pay for staff. This was a request by uh um This was a request that was put on there some a few few weeks ago, months ago, excuse me, that we consider what we do now that we're at the point we kind of understand

089where we are as far as snow day snow days used and how much time our non-certified employees were missing for for because of snow. So, this item's on on the agenda for discussion. So, anybody like to start? >> I I guess I'll start. I I'd like Mr. D, can you just give us another rundown just so we can get up to speed on where where we are snow day wise, how many we have to start the year, how many we've used, um the the process that was changed with adding 15 minutes to each each day for them to build up time and and it kind of explain that so we understand what's going on. >> So, students put in time each year that it equates about 13 equates to 13 days of school each year

090that that can be used for stockpile snow days or for teacher in-service where teacher where students would stay at home. So, we had all 13 at our disposal this year. We're down we have about four left at this point and then we have virtual days we can use as well. And that that time I don't want to belabor this point but that time comes from state law so they have to be in school for six and a half hours each day. We go for seven. So, from 2:30 to 3:00 I hate to break it spoiler alert students but that you don't have to be there. But but by adding that 30 minutes every day it equals 13 days of of school. So, that's where those 13 days come from. So, I just want to make

091that clear. Students earn that time. Employees did not. Okay? So, employees are paid whether we came to school that day or not. So, So, I'm a I'm a teacher but teachers don't earn snow days, students did. But nevertheless, um so that's where that 13 comes from, and um we have several left at this point. So, the question tonight, and I I don't have anything for you in your folder tonight, but I I want to break this down for you, and I'll do it quickly as possible. We have um no We have employees, notably educational assistants, who don't have the opportunity to work when it snows. Our custodians still have the opportunity to come in work. Our maintenance still have an obligation to come in and work. So, the problem has been that we don't pay

092our educational assistants because they're they don't have the opportunity to work. So, in talking with uh Ms. Rigsby in HR, we we discussed a situation, and I think we've come up with an idea that I think is palatable in in that we could recognize um we talked about workman's comp. So, if our employees if our aides were out of work for 10 consecutive days, they could they could file for workman's comp, and they would they would get it. Um now, there would there would be a 5-day waiting period, which they probably would not get. Um but but they're getting double jeopardized in the fact that not only are they not being able to work when it snows, but then they also can't claim workman's comp cuz it doesn't happen consecutively. It happens intermittently. So, that

093made me think, well, what if we came up with something that we called for this group of people alone that they had a special benefit, an inclement weather benefit. Um the first 5 days would not be paid because they wouldn't get those with workman's comp, but the following days, whether it's five, six, seven, or up to eight days, we could pay them what they would have received in their workman's comp benefit, which we said is about $65 a day. Um and that way we could recognize them, or not double penalize them for it snowing, but also not disrespect the people that are having to come in and work on those days that it does snow. So, that's that's where I am as a proposal. I just can't get to the point where I'm paying people

094to stay home when I have to pay other people that have to come in at work. >> Mr. Just for clarity, Mr. Wakesbe, I'll call you. We're talking about short-term disability. We're not talking about workman's comp. >> Unemployment. Unemployment benefit. >> All right, so not workers comp, not short-term disability. We're talking about unemployment >> Yeah, I got Yeah, if I said workman's comp, yeah, I'm sorry. >> So you you you're basing this concept on state law of how that would that would work. Okay. So that's unique and out-of-box thinking. >> Well, we felt like if if we had 13 snow days in a row, they would be eligible for eight of those days. They The first five would be the waiting period, which they wouldn't get credit for. And then they would get paid those

095eight days. So what we're what I'm asking the board to consider is that Okay, those first five days, that's a waiting period, they don't get it. But they But anything above that, so at this point we would owe them three days of time. So um and then we could pay that at the end. So they wouldn't take such a hit because without this that group of people are going to miss you know, an entire paycheck or more if we if we uh leave it as it is right now. >> Okay, my my question is is the 15 minutes that's been added to their days over the year over the school year, they're making up five days. >> It's almost six. >> Okay. >> So we've accounted for that. That's where we've accounted for that waiting

096week that it that they would have in in um in workman's Not we're not workman's comp. In unemployment in unemployment, excuse me. Yeah, that that wait waiting week. So we've accounted for that in that 15 minutes. So we needed them work in it for before that time anyway. So they're already being paid for that. But it So in a way we've accounted for that time there. So what we're what we haven't accounted for is anything additional. Uh but at this point, if it if we're out eight days, they're going to get docked right now for eight days. Um but if we if right now they would at least get paid for those three above the five waiting. >> Okay. Um this is budgeted money as well. It's money that we you know, we've budgeted for

097every one of these employees to work 200 days. So, it's money that's there. It's just money we wouldn't save if we if we paid it all out. >> And I mean, I'm going to Well, I'm going to speak for myself. I don't think it's our intention to budget money and then hope that we save it on the backs of our employees. That's I don't That's not the intent. Um it is, you know, common practice that we pay for for services performed, aka work. Um and it's hard to pay not for people when they don't work. And especially the point when you say other people's are are having having to work and but we're saying we're talking about here's the opportunity they don't have the opportunity to work. So, I I like this train of thought.

098And if there's a way that we might could alleviate that that issue and support our our aides. Now, I guess the question I would have and board members, um this is the first time I've heard of that. So, I'd probably want to see something a a bit more in detail. Um that I think we would as a board would have to approve. Uh, so I don't think we there's nothing that would compel me to take any action on that what you just shared with us tonight. However, board we could approve fact that they pursue this and bring something back to us in the next meeting. So, if there any motions coming up, it would be it would be along that line, but I don't think we have enough information. I think it's conceptually makes sense,

099but we would need to wait before we took action. >> Would we need a motion on the floor to for them to pursue that or is that something that we can direct our director to do with the HR department? >> I think we could I don't think we have to take a a motion on it per se unless the board wanted to. Um, but I think we could if there was agreement that said we would ex- we want to see this to take action on it next month. Um, I personally would like >> to see some information, some hard numbers in in our packet next month so that we can make an uh, an informed decision. I mean, I'm I'm with you, Mr. Young, that this is new information that I don't think we can

100we can make a decision on tonight without having some hard numbers in front of us to see what the cost is um, for our school district. >> Okay, I I appreciate that, Mr. McDonald. Um, so I think what members would like to do in this may just maybe just formality, but um, I'd like to entertain a motion that our director and and HR department come back with a proposal for us to address these uh, um, uh, these snow days for our employees next month. So, uh, that way we can we can and see this uh, see this plan and and potentially take action on that. So, I'd entertain a motion for to for that direction. >> So moved. >> Motion by Mr. Smith. Have a second? >> Can I ask one question real quick? >>

101Second by Miss Miss Fowler. Questions, Miss Douglas. >> staff included in this as well? >> They they're not. We did we talked about that it I think Miss Savage, that's a separate budget, so they're not they weren't in this discussion, but she felt like that she could handle that from her standpoint as well. Is that is that correct? So >> Mr. Mr. Young, would that include the nurses also? Are they on the teachers? >> Are they on that scale? It would include them then. Yeah. So >> Yeah, there's there's some a few ancillary positions like that that are fall outside of that that we would have to look at, but that's something that we can definitely have in the in a packet for you to list out who those people are. >> And if I'm

102not mistaken, bus drivers are being paid for every day, every snow day, no matter what, whether we go to school or not. >> Yes. Yes, and that's a good point, Mr. McConnell, is that's one of those um job specific uh incentives that they have. It's a hiring incentive in order to get and keep bus drivers is that that's one of those things. So, this is not I say that cuz that's not unique that we would come up with a specific incentive for this group of people to address a particular need. >> And they get no other benefits like vacation or anything like that. So, that that was one of the few benefits they would get. So, let's let's get back to um the the order of business on on hand. So, we're considering uh we're

103the motion was directing our um our direct motion was for to request our director and HR to uh bring back proposal for their uh recommendation for addressing the uh uh the hourly wage staff loss of days due to due to snow and then we can consider that um next meeting. So, I have a motion for that direction. I have a second. Any other discussion? >> One One question. What if we have 14 days of snow? We only have 13 built in, right? So, we would be at a a place where they wouldn't be paid for that 14th day. >> We would have to make that up, wouldn't we? >> Well, we wouldn't have to make that up. It's It's likely we would use virtual days at that point. Um and again, we're paid We have

104the money budgeted for every one of those school days. So, it's not money that would you go in the hole for. It's just money that you wouldn't have paid out. You know, before I came director of schools, I I said, "If I ever get over there, we're just going to pay aides for for snow days." And then I got over here and looked at it and it's just not that simple. As much as my heart wants to do that, I have custodians that have to show up to earn their money that day. And I have I have maintenance workers that have to come in and work that day. And I just can't have people staying home getting paid when other people have to come in to earn that paycheck. So, I feel like this is

105a way to kind of meet compromise and meet in the middle. It's not even a full paycheck, but it's going to get them something that we're not just docking them and saying that hey, we're penalizing you and keeping your money because it snowed. And so, we're just trying to find a way to give them some incentive to show them that we value them, that we care about them and um but do it in a way that doesn't budget more money than we already are planning to spend. >> Okay. So, good questions, discussions. Right now, we're uh on the motion to uh have them bring us back a proposal for our April meeting. Um so, motion and second. Any other discussion? Okay, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes.

106Next item on our agenda is a memorandum of understanding between White County School District and the White County Sheriff's Department. And so, this is old business item. Mr. Jailer, you want to give us some update on that? >> Yes, basically this is the MOU I shared with you a few months ago. Really the only sticking point with Sheriff's Department is they want 2 years to vacate the premises should the school board want it back. Their plan is to invest money and time and sweat equity into the facility to make it usable for their purposes and they just want the opportunity to have the time to change and adjust and get to to get out should the school board need it for a school building at later on. If there if there was going to be

107a school building, there would be considerable time involved. You know, I've never really heard of MOU that had a 2-year exit clause. But at the same time, if we decided today that we were going to move back into that building, it would take considerable amount of time. There would be a whole RFP or RFQ process. We would have to go through architects and engineers. And so, there would be a year of planning and and preparation involved anyway. So, you know, 2 years is still a lot in my mind, but it's not out of the question that it would take us that long to to get mobilized and and start working on a project of that of that scale. But anyway, that's the main point that the Sheriff's Department had and that's the really only change

108that to bring forward to you tonight. >> With that being said, Mr. D, I I just don't know that I could vote for a 2-year exit clause from the Sheriff's Department. I think you know, I've been in that community several times lately and and it's growing and and there may be a time that we're going to have to have that facility. And even if it does come into fruition that we have to have that. I mean, it may not take us 2 years to get through that. But then we're going to be 2 years behind on everything as far as getting out of the, you know, the sheriff's department getting out of there. So, I I'm with I'm with you. I don't understand why they want 2 years to be able to get out. Uh

109looks like to me they could load everything up that they've got in there and probably 2 hours and get out of the, you know, I I don't I just I just don't know that I can uh go with a 2-year exit exit clause. >> I agree with Mr. McDonald. Is there a way to meet in the middle and do a year? >> I agree with Mr. McDonald. I think uh that we had said 90 days and I would think if we went to 6 months, that would be ample enough time in 6 months that they should be able to move what equipment they've moved in. And I think 6 months is a much more doable number. >> S- Any other questions, comments? >> Um I can appreciate what they're requesting because if if they do,

110for example, they spend 5 years down there and create a nice training facility for them to that they've invested in to uh to conduct their business, their training. And then all of a sudden come up and say that, "Hey, you know, 90 days we want you out." Well, um I understand the challenges that having to relocate bring. And it's not something that a 90-day a 90-day exit could could could be done. Um I think um I think if you read through the terminations um termination may be determined by written mutual written consent by both parties at any time. So, we're not locked in. Um and uh but then it goes back to the service building and reclaim reclamation clause. Um we're bound by the reclamation clause the sheriff's department can terminate the MOU by um

111uh by by giving us 90-day written notice. Which that doesn't affect us. Because if they're in the facility, I mean this is we're we're providing them at at no cost. So, we're we're not this is not a cost to us. So, I don't see a problem with the 90-day written notice of us you know for the sheriff's department provide us 90-days written notice. Um but I do appreciate the fact of what they're saying that they they need time. And if they did if we allowed them to use that and they took the facility as their own and they continued to to build it out in way that would be hard to replace. That would be hard to replace in a year. Just as we talk about building a new school would be you know you

112you just that just it just doesn't happen that quick. Um >> Mr. Chairman I I I want to back up and and maybe say something that I I hope somebody didn't know any none of nobody is watching and and maybe nobody that's friends of the of the sheriff's department I I I want to make sure that I state that I'm for our sheriff's department. I want them to be the best trained because we all here are going to have to have their services at some point in our life. And I want them to be at their best when they're doing that. I'm not against them using this this facility, but I I just think that the 2 years on my part is a little much. I I can agree with what you were saying there

113as far as finding a another place for them to go. That's that would be tough. But I want to make sure that it's stated on record that I'm not against our Sheriff's Department. I want to make sure that they are the best trained in and if that's the best facility for them to do that in, I can get behind that. I just think the exit clause of 2 years is is just way too much. >> And Mr. Mr. Young, I also want to say that I live in the area and I I welcome the the Sheriff's Department to be on in that area and I think it's great that they can use it instead of it sitting empty. But the way the housing is going up in our area uh at some point uh if

114we uh remodel that back area that's old and built on to the new part of the school, it could be uh reestablished as a fine school and hopefully at that point maybe there could the Sheriff's office could find another facility closer to town that they could get behind. But I I'm thinking that right now we're not charging them anything and if they spend money on it and if they get the benefit of it and we give them 6 months to vacate, in 6 months they could probably find another facility. And I could be behind 6 months, but I could not be behind 2 years. >> I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. A second. >> So if if you guys decided to meet in the middle at a year and Mr. D you talked about

115some of the things that the board would have to do to reestablish that as a school, could take up to a year, could we not start doing and taking action during the year of time that it would take them to move out? >> Yes, and in that situation we probably would. That would That's exactly That's what I'd I'm not speaking for the Sheriff's Department. I'm just presenting what they said shared with me. I don't think Sergeant Parmelee wants to speak for the Sheriff's Department tonight on this subject. I don't think he's been involved in those situations. Uh but I appreciate you being here. Um so I'm just relaying what they presented to me. But yeah, absolutely yes, absolutely we could do that and we would do that in that case. So even though we hadn't

116take acquired the building back, we would already start the the process of finding architects and engineers and doing that work ahead of time. So yeah, that seems like reasonable timeline for for me. >> So if we put this on us, what would indicate that we would need to open the school back up? I guess I'm thinking of when we built Northfield. That was before my time on the board. How long before we open Northfield did we know we needed to build a new school and the level of planning that went through? Did it take 2 years? >> Yeah, it's usually at least a 2-year process. I mean the whole planning the process of getting our RFPs and RFQs and you know, getting your architects and getting your drawings and all those things. I mean that's

117you'll spend a year prepping that before they ever touch ground and then it's always longer in construction than you think it's going to be. So you know, this you know, we're we're at Doyle we did a very simple project but we'll we'll it'll be pushing a full year and by the time that's done and >> This is less about the Sheriff's Department more about us. >> Yes, and I think we would know at that point. I mean we'd have time to see growth trends and things like that. But we I think we're set up for that right now. I mean as we said our enrollment is down in my tenure it's down close to 500 students. And so you know, we would have to see us well beyond that. And in certain areas it's not

118that it it grows you know, systematically. It can grow in one particular area. We could need it there. But we've we have just added to Doyle and we had added to Cassell recently and we took some students away from William Park and moved them to Finley. So we've addressed the issues that that school was helping it at one time. And so I can't see that that's going to be a quick need. I don't know that we're going to rebound quickly for that need, but we would see that coming. I think we could plan for it. >> Mr. Chairman, I do want to say that uh our area of students in the Central View area has a high number of homeschooling because it is so far away from the other schools. And that has maybe affected

119the number as well as the homeschooling and other things. But in our area um I'm thinking that it wouldn't be like building a whole new facility like Northfield. It would be more like the Doyle project because half the school is new. And it would just be like building on the part of the school that was old after taking that down. And I'm thinking that we're look not looking to apples to apples. I'm thinking we need to be looking at it more like from the Doyle point of view. Thank you. >> So I appreciate that. Let's let's get back to the the the business on the table and that is this memo of understanding and appreciate the comments about I think the the question is what point would we would we initiate a reclamation this a

120reclamation clause. And I think the time you you you you that you exercise that would be at a time where you started discussion before you ever went out to hire an architect. I think if you were going to study that, you should give them give them notice. If for example that you got into it, you know, 6 months or year and uh um you know, you said, "No, we're not going forward." Well, it doesn't mean that they you couldn't come back and revisit that with the uh the sheriff's department at that time. Um but just I I look at it from the standpoint just out of respect. If they go go down there and they invest money and set up set up uh you know, uh a 3D uh training range for uh for for

121pistol training um that could get into a situation where, you know, they put some put some resources into that and then having to find another location suitable for that um in today's climate might be a little bit tough. And so, I you know, I for me, the the the 2 years is not unreasonable just to understand the timeline of what it would take for us to move and what would trigger us to move into exercising that clause. >> Mr. Young, there's also uh looking at it, we're providing this facility for them for free for this period of time. That's money they're saving on getting another building and having to purchase it and all that. Uh so, I think they ought to show the school district the respect of allowing the 6 months considering they're getting

122this facility for free just for uh the use of it until they can do a few renovations. >> It could also >> Valid point, Miss Sackett. >> I think it could also just be a good idea to show them respect and them show us respect and meet in the middle. Give them that year of time to find somewhere else, but also give us that year to start planning and to start doing the things that we need to do. And I think that that would probably make both sides pretty happy. That's just student standpoint. I don't get to vote or anything, but >> no, that's it. That makes a lot of sense. So, all right. So, um what we could do, board members, we could table this and ask Mr. Johnbarger to go back and have

123some based on our discussion, looking at this document, ask him to go to back and meet with Sheriff Page, and we could talk this through and see if we could change the language the language on the the reclamation clause. >> That would be an option. >> Otherwise, otherwise, what's in front of us is we're either going to approve we're going to vote to approve or this this MOU or or it's going to fail. >> I would move that that we table this until we can get some uh you know, take this discussion Mr. Dean can take this discussion back to the Sheriff and and work on getting closer to where I think we can agree all all agree on it. >> Okay, I have a motion to table. Have a second. Second. Miss Stone, any

124further discussion? Mr. Johnbarger, are you clear on what we're asking you to do? >> I I somewhat. Do you Am I going back and asking them to switch it to a year or 6 months or what is the board's prerogative? >> All right. Well, I so um So, let's uh amend the motion and and um well, you'd have to take your motion to to table off uh you'd have to withdraw your motion to table. >> No, he could just amend it. >> Your motion table means that it's going going back. >> Well, I would rescind my motion so that we can set a timeline on this. >> Okay. Miss Stone, are you in agreement? Tourist Tourism? All right. So, Mr. McDonald's motion to table has been rescinded. Um so, now um, we need a motion

125on the table to to go back to to come we need a motion on the on the on the floor to what timeline on this agreement we would agree to. For our director to go back and negotiate with the sheriff's department. >> Mr. Chairman, I I would move that we accept the MOU as is with the two years. I'm I'm convinced based on Mr. Markham's um, what head nodding I'll say and just the timeline it would take for the board and for Mr. Dramberger and his team to research and to know we need to either open the school up or renovate the school. It it's going to take two years I think to do that. So, I have no issue with the MOU as it stands. >> All right, I have a motion on the

126table to approve the MOU as presented. Do I have a second? >> Second by Miss Officer. Any discussion on the uh, on on the motion? Okay, all in favor of approval the approving the the MOU for with the White County Sheriff's Department for Central View property signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> Uh, get a roll call, please, cuz I'm not sure who voted no. Um, roll call vote, uh, Miss Sams? >> Mr. Smith? >> I. >> Miss Douglas? >> No. >> Mr. McDonald? >> No. >> Um, Miss Fowler? >> Yes. >> Miss Stone? >> No. >> Um, Miss Officer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gill? >> I would vote yes. >> Powers, yes. Powers, yes. Okay, so motion passes 4 to 3. So, we adopt the this MOU for Sheriff's Department.

127All right. Moving on the next item is board members, I am going to recommend that on discussion with our our our county county executive uh Robinson, that that we deed the properties at Bonnie Croft, Central View, and Casto that is that is holding our volunteer fire departments. That we deed a deed those portions back to the to the county. That would give the county control over those over those facilities and they could work negotiate with volunteer fire departments to to do whatever renovations improvements that they need to do over the course of the time and it provides clarity as far and delineation as far as uh who's responsible for that those properties because we do not have that now and the education department is not in the business of being landlords for other entities. So,

128I'm proposing that we consider deeding those properties that those facilities are over to the to the county. So, that's that's what that that item's about. So, ask questions and we can we can have a little discussion on that. >> I don't necessarily I'm going to trace it back. >> I just got a question cuz at Bonnie Croft when we had the papers so what from the school was on their property and they had septic on theirs? >> Yeah, there there would be I guess the from the board's standpoint if similar to this the snow day pay you're you're going to need something before you to vote on. We're we're going to have to look at how much land and you know, how much does that encompass? What where's the where are the septic lines? Where's

129you know, we're going to have to draw up some there's going to be considerable you know, a little bit of of uh we'll have surveying land work that needs to be done to determine where the utilities are and that sort of thing. You know, I'm hoping not to give up you know, more than we need to but we're going to have to all three of those properties are very different so we're going to have to determine what those are and what that entails. So, I guess tonight would be if that's the board's prerogative then I get the blessing from the board to pursue that and work with the surveyors to come up with something that I can bring before you that would show where the lines are and where the utilities are. >> That would

130be that would be my expectation coming from this. I think from the the act the the action that this board we need to consider is whether we want to continue to be have house those entities on our property which limits them and does not define clearly who's responsible for what but deeding this back to the county it would because the county is more responsible for volunteer and have opportunity have the ability to support the volunteer fire departments more than we do as a district. So, what that would include would be as Mr. Drawbaugh said, going and drafting up a plat that would address all the utilities because there probably would have to be some easements in the deed going both ways. Um and but try to work that out. So, when we come out come

131back, that property could then uh be uh go to the county and they could service them better than than us. But, we would need take action if we wanted to move in that direction. So, that's what I'm proposing tonight. Other questions? >> I I do have a question, Mr. Drawbaugh. This may be for you. Um would this fix the problem that Bonnie Croft had as far as getting grants, being able to apply for those grants? Uh would that fix their their need as far as being able to be a an entity um separate from the schools with the the property still there? Um I mean, would this would this work for them or or I mean, I I hate that we're going to be giving up property as a school district. I I don't like

132that fact. Um but I also like the fact that we have a uh three volunteer fire departments that are on our properties that in a time of an emergency we have them there and they're they're very very accessible. So, I guess my question is is within doing this does that fix the problem that they have with not being able to get funds to upgrade their facilities? >> Uh it's a good question, Mr. McDonald. Just to be quite honest, I'm not 100% sure what the issue was. Uh I never got full clarification on that um from the grant um that or even the exact grant that they were looking at for that. Um but I can't tell you that uh in most cases this would in fact clean clean it up significantly because the county is

133ultimately responsible for for those entities if they do cease to exist as an as an entity. Um and it would be in in in my opinion quite different for the county government to own the property versus uh from the school board stance versus um a nonprofit organization. So, I think you're kind of looking at a completely different uh scenario of transferring the property there if you do decide to do this. But as far as whether that fixes the problem or not, I I can't really speak to that. >> I guess in the ultimate we are all one entity anyway because the school system falls under the county but except for our budgeting process. So, it's I mean, we're all members of the county. I would I guess would be and just the the transfer of

134land from the school system, the Wake County Board of Education to the Wake County government would be the big thing that that's going on here. If I'm under If I'm understanding you correctly. >> Uh board members, I have had a conversation with uh County Executive Robinson and um one thing he expressed is he has a desire to uh really establish a county-wide fire department. Um but when these fire departments are not on land that's owned by the the county, he can't do that. And so, this would allow him to uh to do some things that he's not able to do at this point for the whole uh system in that regard. Um I I too don't like the idea of giving up land, so to speak, but I like the idea of giving it to

135our county more than I like giving it to a private organization or a 501c3 that might do anything any number of things with it. So, I feel like it's still staying in our house and staying on this side of the line where we could work with our our colleagues at the city at the county government. But it just cleans it up and from his my understanding and talking with county executive, it makes it an opportunity for them to have a county-wide fire department that they can support holistically and moving forward. >> So, if I just comment on on this, um I don't want I appreciate not giving up land, but the thing about it is the land's not doing us the district any good now anyway. We're not using it. And I mean, what are

136we going to do? Expand something and ask them pick up and and go somewhere else? We're probably not going to do that. So, um to your point, it still stays within the county. If we went to try to do that to to an outside entity, we'd run into uh an issue with how that would have That would have to go out for for a for bid. I mean, we couldn't just pick who we sold that to. What this does in my opinion, it gets us it gets gets us out of the out of the picture. We're not holding up anybody for whatever they want to do, the county or the volunteer fire departments. It kind of gets us out of the picture. Don't think it's going to have a negative impact on the education system

137in White County. >> Just one more more one more comment. Um since we can't um foretell the future, should we deed the property over to the county and 25 years later county doesn't want it to be a volunteer fire department or a or a fire department, is there any way that we can have first right for that to come back to us and and do with what we want at that time? >> Yes, shaking his head, yes. Yeah. >> Yep. >> So, I'm not for sure how we need to move forward, Mr. Young, but I I would look for some language to to put this in a form of motion to um have our director of schools and our finance department um start the process of seeing the plots, seeing what we you know, all

138the easements, everything that has and and then including that information that was just shared about if in 25 years this property goes um defunct on the fire department side, that it come back to the uh school system. All right. >> Um okay. So, >> You can word that however you want to word it. >> Mr. Mr. McDonald, can I can I make the motion? >> I got I got a question really quick. >> Okay, yes. Question, Ms. Fowler. >> Quebec, was it >> That that that's interesting. We're still trying to trying to get to the bottom of that. Uh I un- from from my from my opinion, my personal opinion, I think there's probably some some uh the school board probably has some ownership in that still, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So,

139we'll have to get some expert opinions on that. >> I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what, Mr. Young, I'll pull back what I said, you make the motion however you want to make it. >> How about that? >> I'm not ta- trying to take the motion. Okay. I will make a motion that uh that the uh our director along with our uh with um finance director of the county proceed with uh working with the the county uh executive to come up with a uh plot to deed the property volunteer fire department's back over to the county. So, that's the motion to have a second. Seconded by Mr. Smith. Any further discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. Next item on our old business,

140the last item on our old business is consideration of the RFQ tabulation regarding the facilities assessment. There was an RFQ sent out by our director of finance. It was RFQ number 2026-0306-01-002. That was opened in February of 20 February 20th, 2026 and it the actual bids, it was published on 20 February 20th and the bids were opened on March 6th. From that tabulation, CMTA was the high score of that of that RFQ and they were awarded that RFQ basis on the most points achieved in the scoring process. So, with that being said, board members, to proceed, we would need to approve the the RFQ CMTA being awarded the this RFQ and then at that point we proceed to contract negotiations for the services. So, I'd entertain a motion for approval of uh of this RFQ.

141>> Motion to approve what Bob just said. >> Motion to approve Mr. McDonald. Have a second? >> Seconded by Ms. Power. Any other discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. That brings us to item number 15, chairman's comments. Next school board meeting will be April 9th, 2026 here at the Board of Education. We'll have a work session at 5:00 and our regular board meeting at 6:00. Our spotlight will be on Woodland Park. And so, that's all the comments the chairman has. So, at this time I'd entertain a motion for adjournment. Motion by Mr. McDonald, second by Mr. Mr. Smith. All in favor, signify by saying I. Opposed? Thank you very much. Appreciate your indulgence.