Clarke County Public Schools School Board Meeting 02/23/2026

001We'll just get >> All right, gentlemen. Um, are we good to get started without Mr. Brimback? And he'll we'll just >> we're gonna have to start. >> Okay. >> I'll call I'll now call to order the February 23rd, 2026 regular school board meeting. Um, and I'd ask that everyone please rise and join us in the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the stands nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Review and approval of tonight's agenda. Is there a motion regarding tonight's agenda? I move to approve tonight's agenda as presented. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. All opposed. >> Consent agenda. Are there any questions or comments regarding tonight's consent agenda? Okay. If not, then is there a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda? >> Make a motion to approve tonight's

002consent agenda. Second. >> All in favor? I. All opposed. >> Presentations and recognition FY27 budget. So, Dr. Bowling >> and uh Renee, if you could go down, I believe it's down to the action item for the executive summary number four that we have on the budget. uh won't take a lot of time to go over this because we've already done the public hearing and we've done the workshop and the initial building of the budget meeting. And really the only thing that's changed since we presented this last is we now have our accurate um health insurance renewal rate. Just to go through some things, we did get a 19% of total premium um renewal rate for our local choice health insurance plan. The joint administrative services board met today to set the uh rates and what

003will be um expected by the employees and it was determined at the JAS board meeting that of the 19% of total premium that 7% of the total premium cost increase would be passed along to employees and 12% of the total premium cost increase would uh be taken on by the employer. So that's kind of the split there. We worked really hard and I think it's hard when you have a set amount of money and it's all you have. You have to do with what you can. So the uh distribution there and remember that JAS board sets the rate for the employee. So it's determined that the employee would cover 7% of the total increase of premium cost and the 12% of that in cost of premium would go to the employer. Um I know that's

004kind of a bitter pill to swallow. 19% increase in health insurance is substantial, but I do feel confident that the JAS board along with the board of supervisors and school board works really hard to do everything we can. So I I think at this point you know that is the best case scenario that we have. The other things that I would kind of bring to your attention is that the um proposed budget still includes a 5% increase in salary with no step. We didn't do a step because we've really not uh put out all of our salary scales yet until hopefully tonight. We can study those next year to see if we want to go in that direction in the future. But the uh recommendation for salary increase is a 5% flat with no step

005considered. We were able to preserve that. I think that's critically important to us remaining competitive especially in the Northern Virginia region as we try to go and recruit employees. Um one thing that we'll talk about later is the middle school scheduling model and it's not it can't be almost separated from the budget piece. So realize that if we do go in different directions there that we would have to increase the budget there. Um the most expensive scheduling model to run is the seven period day and that's because staff can only teach five sections per day. So you do end up with an increased cost there. Um the second most expensive scheduling model is the one that we didn't bring up for a high school recommendation uh because we don't have a lot of kids transfer

006out of it. Um, Winchester City and Warren are on it, which is the one I like, which is a 4x4 block. But for middle school, uh, to be transparent, it's also the second most expensive model to run because all the kids take English 90 minutes a day year long, and all the kids take math 90 minutes a day off year long, which increases cost to be the second most costly, the most efficient. as far as cost scheduling models to run are the um AB block and then the hybrid model that we designed and developed for the high school. That's because everybody all the teaching staff can teach um eight I mean six different sections of a class on those models. Um now we haven't really looked at the cost of a 4x4 exactly because we

007looked at the different plan at the high school. So there's really we felt like we didn't have enough transfers there. Even though I do think it's one of the better models academically, but I would tell you all this, there's a lot more important things in the scheduling model as far as what determines learning outcomes. So when you study which scheduling model leads to learning outcomes, you're probably we pulled the top districts, we'll look at later, it's random. It's more connected to teaching quality and alignment. I bring that So because the AB schedule would be equally as costefficient, but it was the lowest rated on both of our scales as the one that we had prior and it didn't seem like there was a lot of staff um that wanted to go that model and I

008think seeing kids every other day would give some concern to me. uh the uh seven period day. We are still continuing to build in the extra math position and the extra English position that we already had approved for Johnson Williams. So that's something we're investing technically on the seventh period day. That's not a have to have, but it allows us for us to double up some classes for kids who need additional instruction. Now, on the longer days, I would not double them up both in English or both in math because you wouldn't want a kid to sit through two long classes of math on a Wednesday or a Thursday. So, I think that that is really important. But, I I think that it's important that we keep that extra math and that extra English position

009that we're already built in there. So, they'll have time for algebra readiness and some intervention work in English. But when you think about the cost of the model differential, really, you have those salaries and benefits already at like 170,000 extra that we're investing. To go beyond that for the seven period day, you'd have to have an extra history and science teacher combined, which would be another 85,000. And you need about 20,000 for two extra blocks and about 20,000 for an algebra readiness position. So, you can see that you're already at about 125 on top of what we already are investing in the two extra positions and that's assuming that the two schools long term could share our choir and our um our choir and then also our French teacher and if they didn't ever get

010to the point that they could share that would add another 85 each. So you could easily you know get to about 300 about $295,000 aside from the already we put in. So there is potential for a lot of cost to be associated with that which we shouldn't make all decisions about cost but we are about stakeholders. There's a finite amount of money. So if we do do that it's going to have to come out of salary increases and you know health insurance and things like that which would have an effect on the budget. So we just have to be cognizant of that. The final thing that I would tell you to draw attention to because I think it's very important that we be transparent are the new position requests. Now, we have taken that down

011tremendously, but I'm sure one thing that would be brought up is the fact that um since the beginning of the school year, we're probably down 25, you know, or so kids. So, and we're predicted to go down almost every district in the Commonwealth. There may be one or two that's predicted to go up, but overall across the whole Commonwealth of Virginia, public school attendance is going down. A lot of it's due to birth rates in Commonwealth of Virginia and it's pretty consistent across the state. But one thing um to bring up is we do have about a 25 less students this year. We had even a little bit higher less last year and the prediction is to go down a little bit more next year. So one question may Why would you be asking for

012new positions if you have less kids? And the piece that I would say is, you know, you got to remember different kids are individual and they come with different needs and these are more entry level positions. But I do think it's important for me to be transparent with you as the board that we make this decision together. On that new positions request, they add up to $98,000. Two of them are math interventionists, which are just part-time positions at 10,7 65 each, one at Boyce and one at Kulie. Those are hourly positions and they currently do have people attached to them because we've been running these for three years with allin funds. So all-in grant funding is gone. So if we want to continue those and I'm sure that the kids benefit greatly from having tutoring

013by qualified people in mathematics, the grant funding is no longer there. That's why that position's there. The IIA at Kulie is um looked at to be used in the more lower primary grades and as kids come to us with more behavioral and social needs um to be able to address those more. The 10 month IIA at Johnson Williams Middle School would be to ensure that we preserve the advisory program there. So that's why that's an additional ask under um that category. And then at the high school, we have an extra month for the workbased learning coordinator, workbased learning and internships, apprenticeships, credential testing, and all that have become such an intricate part to the new accountability model that that position is becoming a thing that we can't get done in the 11 months that there's

014people who are asking for that type of stuff year round. So, those are why those are in there. the one that is the cheapest but certainly would have the least impact because it's something that would be an extra. But we have used grant funding to buy the Legos and the equipment in the past is to have Lego Lego League stipens for people to coach that or sponsor that after school at $750 each for four people for a total of 3230. But if that were to get cut, it wouldn't hurt anybody directly if that makes sense. But I wanted to share those there. As we go down to the action items, right now it's just me presenting it. But when you all get down to the action items, you'll be debating, you know, what positions do

015we carry them all? Do we cancel some and then be adopting the budget to be presented to the board of supervisors on March the second? Um, unless you all have any questions for me, I won't spend any more time on the budget because we Anyone have any questions? >> I don't want to I don't have any questions, but I do want to thank you for going through that because that would be a question we get asked, why student enrollment goes down and we're asking for more teachers, but you did a great job explaining it and making sure that the public understands the needs are still there regardless of student body count. So we need to to keep every student in mind, not just a few. And and there's certifications, there's requirements that go along with

016that. I know you know that that um addressing students needs is, you know, different. So thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah, each individual student who enrolls could come with a a situation that requires no additional funding or it be substantial. So every kid is unique. Um, and then one thing we could do it that we can't plan on tonight, but we could as retirements or resignations occur, we've already done this, but we could certainly study each position and say, do we absolutely have to have that going forward? Right now, we don't have any that we really consider in that way. So, it's not something you can plan around, but it could be a longterm strategy. have um the behaviors and um kind of issues that we've seen with early elementary grades um at Boyce and

017Kulie. Have they improved at all with having the preschool program in place now for a few years? >> We I've not heard as many related to the preschool. Um more related to probably kindergarters and a lot of times they're kindergarten kids did not go to preschool or they transfer in. >> So I do know that preschool and early childhood education is a great investment and the kids that go are much better prepared anyone else moving on to the HVAC update. So Mr. Kendrick will present information on the HVAC systems. Welcome back. >> And this came out because we did and it was a wonderful county and school meeting just to kind of see where we're at and to have an understanding and it brought some information to light for the HVAC systems and how we've

018got to where we're at that I didn't know about. So, I'd asked Andre to share that with you. >> Uh, good evening everyone. Um, what I have is is just some information for you guys, mainly to help understand uh the company we work with. And if you guys have any questions at the end, I do have some different answers, but I'll kind of be basic here. Um, we use Riddle Brothers, Inc. Um they have four offices. Winchester, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Harrisonenberg is their corporate office. Um Winchester is the office that serves us most, but we have had people come from Harrisonenberg. Um RBI was awarded the Clark County Public Schools preventative continuous maintenance contract um in 20 or 2008. Um that contract has gone out for bid four times in ' 08, 14, 19, and

01924. Um and Riddleberger has won it each time. Um just so you know about that contract, that contract is kind of set up as five one-year contracts. Um and that allows for potential cost changes, inflations, material costs, staffing costs, things like that. If their cost increased, of course, they have to pass it along to the consumer. Um, any cost that is greater than 3% uh causes that bid uh request for proposal RFP contract to go out again. Um, in those last four bids, what I found is we've had Riddleberger, Bowling Train, Service Works, and GW Mechanical all put in their bid for the RFP. Um, Riddleberger has won it each time. Um, and just so you guys know, we've had uh I wasn't never part of it, but we've had what was a Clark County

020evaluation team, uh, former maintenance director, former director of operations, uh, Mike Le, and I think one or two people from each building that has kind of rotated that have reviewed the contract. And each time uh Riddleberger has won the contract or been awarded the contract, um some of the things that they looked at were um response time, staff size, project management, and overall satisfaction um with RBI and the other companies that are involved. Um, one of the things that I found in doing some research myself since the last meeting, I believe, um, RBI is not the engineer or the installer of any of our major product uh, projects. Um, and what I mean by that is they did not engineer andor design the the high school or the upgrades. Um what they do honestly is

021they come in when called um and work to repair any issues we may have. Um the the big thing even though they have the preventative maintenance contract uh RBI doesn't activate just go say replace an HVAC ceiling unit because um if something happens uh they are going to either get a call which unless something happens while they're there and then of course what they would do is alert our maintenance department as to what's going on. Um, and usually when uh we've worked with them, I've been working with uh our new director Melvin Cowan recently. Um, they usually come with options, meaning, you know, they can start as small as replace a certain component or go all the way up to uh replacing a unit. Um, they give us options and we have to go usually

022based off budget. Um, RBF does RBI does not charge for travel even when somebody comes from a different branch of office. Um, the one thing I I kind of want to put out there, but I don't have a great great detail um of every single cost. um when the bids would come in for the RF uh P contracts, Rberger did, and it wasn't because of, let's say, the cheapest contract or the cheapest bid, but Riddleberger did beat the other companies. Um, what I've learned in talking with Joe uh Braweight, former maintenance director, um, was history, knowledge, and understanding of our buildings is one of the big reasons that we continue to use Riddleberger. Um, and I'll be honest with you. Um, when we kind of break down our big situation of the year, uh, Johnson

023Williams, when they came in, uh, we we asked for a meeting, they bought in all the big wigs. They have several different departments, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, um, other certain services. Um, they bought in all the big wigs from each company within I think Mike contacted them on a Monday and the only reason we didn't meet by Friday was because of something that we had going on. So, we met within a week and within a week they had began the process of fixing the situation. Um, at Johnson Williams, we had an operational issue, I'll call it. Um, and at first it was 10 units that kind of just went kaput. Um, and just started to malfunction. Our maintenance team working with Riddleberger got those kind of windowled down to eight units that needed to be replaced

024or fixed. What we did, we worked with Riddleberger. Um, we got the, uh, VRF units that go into the ceiling. Each room gets an individual one. Um, we got those installed over Christmas break. So, everybody at Johnson Williams is, I'm not going to say perfect, but doing a lot better. I know there's a lot of different things out there. Um, but Riddleberger did a great job honestly of working with us. Uh, their management came in, uh, they made certain guarantees and honestly went to work. >> Andre, the only reason I'd asked for you to do the update is some things I didn't realize. I didn't realize that they had a branch office in Winchester and our Hback was mainly coming from there >> that we're not paying, you know, for any travel time. >> And

025it was also good, I thought, to get clarity about, you know, in relation to design and installation of the original equipment. >> Yes. And you know, we we do we for those of you that are close to our buildings or come by our buildings a lot. Um and being a regular staff person, I I'll kind of say it like that. Um you know, staff members talk, they're here every day. What are they doing? There's this isn't right or whatever, whatever. Well, what they don't know is the preventative maintenance schedule. And in that preventative maintenance contract, I believe a couple of you guys have gotten, it's about replacing filters, checking belts, changing belts. Um, really much more than anything, much more than our preventative maintenance contract is to be activated by our maintenance department. Um, and

026that's really the key. >> I'll let you all have any questions for Andre, but I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about Hback. So, all I can say is that um I didn't know about where they were coming from and you know that there wasn't a travel cost and who did it. As far as quality of work and stuff, I would defer to Andre and the department on that. >> What I'll say about quality of work before any questions, um a lot of you here know Joe Bradley. um good guy and of course I was one of the staff members that every now and then would be like, "Hey, they're always here. What are they doing?" But in talking to Joe, what I found um and Joe's a great guy. Um he trusts

027them. He loves working with their uh administrative staff. When he calls or when they were called, they were responsive. Um, one of the things actually that was studied in the previous uh RFP contract bids was response time. Um, outstanding. Another thing was staff size. I didn't realize it uh but they have one of the better staff sizes of uh their service in industry in the area. Um and again we had a issue at the high school um athletic end. I know you guys know it. There was hot water issue. Well their uh plumbing supervisor uh when they were told the next day he was up here investigating the situation trying to help figure out what to do to remedy the situation. And uh not to anything or anybody. some of our issues like when it

028comes to plumbing or the D-wing at that needs a little love. Um it it it's an engineering design and some of it I hate to say we get to that section costs were cut um to meet budget or you know to finish a building or whatever costs were cut and Riddleberger according to Joe and another uh member of the team at the time came in they come in they give us any remedy that they can come up with. Um, and again, they they've never kind of broke out like, well, let's rip it all out and start again. They've tried to come in and find a remedy for our situations um to the best of their ability. And, you know, since I've been working in in this uh position, what I've realized and seen in working

029with them is they will they'll come in. I had an issue last week up at the maintenance shop. I made a call the next day. The dude was standing there at 8:00. What's going on? What do you need? What do we got to do? So, just to let you guys know, does anybody have any questions about River or working with I guess our maintenance or HBAC maintenance contract? You >> got me a little bit me a little curious. what constitutes an operational issue. Well, when you break down to me and and when you understand the situation as a whole, our maintenance department, nobody in our maintenance department has more than two years experience in Clark County Public Schools, which means if you know our buildings, even a little bit, um you'll realize like say at

030Johnson Williams, there's a light switch over here that works something way over in this hall. You know, different things like that. Little idiosyncrasies of each building. Um when we had an issue at Johnson Williams, a major leak was found under the building. What happened is at the time because the chiller was losing a lot of water and that thing takes I found out it takes almost three days to fill up. Um, it was decided quickly to shut it down because they didn't want to continue to leak to run under the building and potentially cause more damage. Not knowing that when you break it all down and you shut that chiller down, if if certain components are still running, they need that cool water. didn't those items didn't get shut down fast enough and that caused

031extremely hot water to run through the system which honestly caused our damage. And it's not I'm not here placing blame or I don't blame any specific person or anything like that. Uh it's just an experience. We we have a a team of guys learning that I'll be honest, I hope we can keep together because that group wants to learn. They they want to get experience. The worst thing about experience is you get an experienced electrician. Well, all of a sudden, here comes a electrician company talking about, "Hey, you got this, this, and this certification. Why don't you come work for us?" And it's hard. We've lost a couple of people like that in recent. >> Are we addressing these operational issues? Yes, sir. Training program. >> Yes, sir. We're working on it. >> We're working

032on it. >> Any other questions? >> You think I think I'd love to see the county um start reviewing this as a at a macro level. The reality is that HVAC systems break. >> They do. And when they're fixed properly, it's pretty reasonable amount of time before they break again. And we've been paying the same company for 17 years, institutional knowledge or not, to come in and and repair the issues. Um, and I think that needs to be looked at. I really do. And I know you're relatively new in your capacity, Mr. Kendrick. I don't say that um to be condescending or anything. I think it just needs to be we're these are sealed bids, right, through an RFP. It's LPTA, low price technically acceptable. We need to evaluate that as a best value award.

033Um, and I think there needs to be more than two people on the source selection committee. I think there needs to be somebody with institutional knowledge, has mechanical experience to to review it with the team. Um, and it's just my thoughts on the matter. Are you talking about bringing in an outside expert if you want? >> Not necessarily. If there's somebody in the community, possibly, but we just need somebody an independent voice >> and an independent view >> because there's more than >> than them out there. There's there's Acme. There's other companies that um weren't on the list that Mr. Le had provided whenever they went out for bid. Um haven't been on the list. So, I think we should really take a look at that. >> I totally understand. I I really do. I

034think >> and to your point, you are right. HVA systems break. Uh, talking to several people, I know that I've been told that they've opened new buildings and the HVAC is not done well. Um, the biggest concern honestly that I have and I I do I I like um your train of thought. My my biggest concern with our HVAC systems is a good HVA system is 15 to 20 years of life. Okay, you get lucky when you get past that. Well, of course, all of our buildings are older than that. And then here comes the high school right now at 13 years. So as we go over things like budget and things like that, HBAC makes me nervous. I I can't lie. >> It creates issues further issues down the road when humidification control and

035things like that aren't aren't managed properly and monitored. Um you're just going to have other issues that you you got to deal with as well. We we've had them. >> This may be beyond the scope scope of tonight's discussion, but how compatible are these older buildings with newer technologies that comes on the market? >> Is it are you trying to pound a square peg into a round hole uh with new and better technology? >> What I'll say is yes and no. And what I mean by that is if you look at the little building right next door, you'll see the little mini split exterior um piece of an interior unit. When you look and think about Clark County, you think a lot about history, aesthetics, things like that. All of a sudden, if we decided,

036and you'll see a couple because we had to go that route. if we decided to go with the VRF units at Johnson Williams, say replace some of the things and they work well except for in the larger areas, cafeterias, gyms, hallways if the building has it. Um, they're still a cost. They're they're not cheap. Nothing's getting cheaper. But then, you know, Clark County, you start looking at aesthetics. If we did every room at Johnson Williams, now almost every room has one of them little white boxes on the wall outside of it. Um, any thing like that, it it's you you're you're playing a fine line. I want to say it's we've looked into it. Yes. Um, things are being considered. Yes. Uh, the thing that just breaks down to the biggest cost. I mean, it

037it's it's not cheap at all. Um, one of those units just alone 30,000. >> I think I think what my question really is, we're talking about a 15 to 20 year life expectancy on the equipment and if we can stretch it out with love and care and all that, 25 or 30, but at some point this is going to have to be replaced. Can we plug in and are better systems? what you you know what you have coming out today is a lot better than it was when these things were built. But can you plug these newer systems into the uh existing infrastructure of the building? >> If you're looking at say replacing a rooftop unit >> and you want a newer one, an upgraded one, you know, better technology. Yes. Um, a lot of

038them might not be exactly just plug and play. Might need a little work, but yes, there are systems out there that could. They're just again, it's not cheap. And >> $72,000 since September for a maintenance contract isn't cheap either. So, >> Oh, I agree. I agree. >> Any other questions? Thank you. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Next agenda item, designation of property. So, Mr. Boyce, our county administrator, and Mr. David Weiss, chairman of the board of supervisors, will provide information on plans from the county board of supervisors regarding property held by Clark County Public Schools. Evening. Good evening. Good to see everyone. >> So, I think as the school board is aware, the board of supervisors has in their capital improvement plan a new building for social services

039and the health department. Uh, most of the surrounding localities in this area have those two functions together and we do not. Um, social services is in the old melting pot building on Main Street and uh the health department's on Buck Marsh in a building that is rented uh and just recently sold actually. So, our plan uh includes about a 15,000 square foot space for those two entities to be in a similar location. We've talked about uh the possibility of the property behind this building as a possible location for that building. If we did that, it would require a ground lease because we can't subdivide the property off because of subdivision rules within the town of Barryville and the back lot wouldn't have any road frontage on a public street. We've also had conversations in the

040last, you know, month or two with the superintendent about the upper Kulie building and the school board's plans for that building and whether that makes sense to surplus that building back to the county. Um, and I think based on those conversations, we wondered if we should look at putting the social services and health department building beside that building if that was something the school board would want us to look at. We certainly don't didn't want to do any studies on your property before we had a conversation with you. Um, we have a preliminary design of the building uh layout basically for this the property behind this building and we looked at storm water and um based on some comments from the school system looked at a segregated roadway into the property which would separate the

041traffic going to uh that building versus the traffic coming to this building. um just out of safety concerns that we heard. So, we're willing to have a conversation about both. Um certainly don't expect any kind of decision today. But if you you know, if you say no, Upper is not the place for that kind of building, we'd like to talk to you about this. We could come back with some type of agreement that or a framework for you to look at. Uh if you say no, we you know, we're not interested in using upper in, you know, anytime in the immediate future. We are interested in maybe surplusing that. We want you to look at that as a possible location. We'll do that also. Um, so we're here for that feedback tonight >> and um,

042we've had conversations about this and the way I look at it is I think we work hand in hand together, the board of supervisors and the school board. I'm open to either one. I'm really appreciative for the layout and design of the parking lot and stuff if it was back here because I was really concerned with us having some students in our building here, but they really did it over there such as to make two roadways in and make it just one into here and one that routes back to there. I thought it was a nice layout. But there, you know, is a little bit of a disadvantage which you mentioned about how that land is configured that it would be a long-term lease with their being built on it, which would be a little

043bit more complicated. As of that, I'm kind of interested in the upper campus because it's something that by the way it's configured, we could just give the property a surplus as a whole. And my general thoughts are the only way that we would ever need the upper building is if we had a huge increase in enrollment. It would have to be substantial to have a whole new school. The cost of our capital projects mainly center around that upper and right now other than parks and recreation using part of it which we partner with greatly and at least a head start it's largely vacant. So, I think that maybe the county could come up with a better use of it. And that's what we need to do is look what's best for the county and that

044could make some really good parks and recck space or potential other space. And then if the new building for social services and the health department also fit on that parcel, that would answer both of those questions. So, we're really not doing a vote. We're doing a conversation, but I would like to um grant, you know, permission for Chris along with um anybody from board of supervisors to do some surveying work to cool you up or to see if that new building could potentially fit on that site. I'm open to either one and we could surplus both. It'd be questionable whether we could surplus this back here. It might have to be a long-term lease. So I think the first step would be to see does the upper campus answer both questions. So many folks that

045social services Are we talking about utilizing the existing structure? I understand it's needs a lot of major work. >> It does need a lot of major work. going to mean we're going to find more once they start doing that. >> Correct. Um, and it would be probably if we were using it for an and they could speak more for parks and record, we probably wouldn't change any interior walls because it could be much more just keeping things the way it is and they're mainly concrete, but it could be, you know, renovated, not, you know, up to the level of being able to use it for parks and wreck, but it would actually be building a new building on that same grounds um for the Health and Human Services building if it could fit there. And

046just to mention, we had a a planned addition off of the back of our recreation center in the CIP also. Um, so if we were to um get upper from a surplus scenario, we would not have to do that addition to the rec center. They're kind of busting at the seams now, too. And it would allow some different programming that could happen. And as Dr. Bowling said, the the layout of Upper would work for a lot of those uses. I think that's a logical approach is to take a look at the upper coup. I mean, it's a being stewards of the taxpayers's money to to look at at least look at it, assess it if it makes sense whenever um you can eliminate the addition out of the budget and and potentially look at infrastructure

047upgrades to the, you know, to that building. I think it might make sense. I guess supervisor wants to make sure that ide I think we're in a point for right now for cooly lower where at most needing one or two extra rooms. You know, I think costwise as far as renovating that whole building, even if we had new housing or something, adding four or six rooms on down there would make more sense than renovating and opening a whole school and having to operate with the dean or a principal and all the different positions. I think the likelihood that we would need that entire building is very very slim and with what amount of needs it has in my personal opinion, but you all would have to agree with the board. I think surplusing that property

048is our best interest. I've never surplused a property, so I would have to research what we have to do on our end and with the board of supervisors, but um I know divisions have done it quite regularly, so we could find that out. But in my opinion, it's our best to do that. >> What is the the timeline proposed timeline as far as what the county needs and as far as what we need to do and officially to we need to take a bring something up and take a vote or >> it's just permission or >> I think today we're just looking for consensus to go forward with a study to look at the property. We certainly didn't want to study your property without having a conversation with you. Uh the timeline for the building,

049it was actually in the CIP to start last year. We put it off because of budget reasons. Um it seems like the health department is okay with their new um building owner at this point, but I think their lease is a monthto month. So that's a little concerning. Um but so that's we need to work through that. But yeah, I think the sooner the better, but we still have to find financing for the building and all of that too. So >> and right now we wouldn't. just um a presentation. So, we wouldn't take a vote. We don't need to have a vote to allow for a survey. I've given permission not here but in the places in the past. I just didn't want if there's any major objections to see survey work going on at

050Upper, but I'm in the position I think that we should grant them to be able to study the property. Um and then once we get that back is before we start doing the surplus and if we get it done by the next meeting, then maybe do the surplus work and I can talk with our council. If it takes us to April, then we could do it then. But I think right now we will just be seeing if there's any objections to doing the survey work. >> So if nobody has any objections and we'll go forward. >> I don't have any objections. I just wanted to say it's we I think started this conversation like probably when I first joined the school board. It was recommended that we because I guess we didn't have any students

051in Kulie upper at the time. It was recommended that social services go there or I think it was just a suggestion throughout the community and we were reluctant because we knew that there were new developments coming in that weren't here yet and that you know the Hermitage was going to be extended a little bit. Um and then COVID happened and we kind of needed the space because we had to space the students out and and that sort of thing. But then um it certainly has seemed from the entire time that I've been on the board that it doesn't seem to work well to have like a primary extension and have um a dean or a couple of classrooms in a separate building though they're still considered the same campus. I think it's it just seems

052really difficult to manage and to make it work and financially it's it doesn't make sense to run it as its own third school. Um, so I'm certainly in favor of um you all doing a study at at Kulie Upper because we don't really have students per I mean they're they're all of our children, our community's children, but it's not it's not we're not using it >> in a school system capacity right now. >> Who's this uh survey is going to be done by whom? this going to be a joint school board uh board of supervisors? Is this going to be an outside uh entity brought in? >> Well, we we have an architect that's been working with has a civil engineer who worked with the design behind this building >> where he did a kind

053of a space study of what do we need in the new building and then the civil engineer laid it out on the property. So, we would have those folks do that again and make sure that it would fit. We need to also talk to the town of Barville about the water and sewer there. So, be like a mini study to see if it's a viable site for the building, but it would be the the county doing the work and then coming back to the school board and saying, "Here's what we found out." And we'll certainly keep Dr. Bowling in the loop as we go through the process. And one other thought, um, keeping it close to the rec center where there's the senior center or, you know, even adding to that programming by expanding Kulie

054upper, whatever that looks like, that makes sense, too, because it does seem like it's a really active spot within Barville. >> Yeah. People forget the the tennis courts are actually on the park property. We come very close to that >> that building right now. >> Thank you. Does anybody have questions or comments? >> Appreciate. >> Thank you. >> Just make sure you clean up after we did. >> Remember last time you were here? >> Okay. Okay, our next presentation is the Johnson Williams scheduling model and Mr. White will provide an update on the proposed Johnson Williams scheduling model. >> And Mr. White will come up to the podium and share any comments that he'd like to share related to the scheduling model. The only thing I can say as I said earlier, I don't think

055that one scheduling model is going to be is an a wonderful thing that makes school learning take off or slows it back. I think that teacher quality of who we are able to hire and who we're able to recruit and alignment and engagement that those are important pieces. We did include up there the demographics of the top 10 performing 10% performing uh high school models didn't do it for middle because what you would find out there is most of them are 4x4 block and AB block but guess what that's the majority of the state too because about 80% of the state at the high school levels on a 4x4 So when you pull the top 10 performing school divisions, you're probably going to get similar demographics. Um, and only about 10% of the state was

056on a seven period. So you're not going to get a huge number represented in the top 10 there. Also did the region four um based on high schools. Most school divisions in Virginia because they share staff have the same model at the high school and at the middle because if you're going to share staff, it's really hard to share them and not be on the same, you know, scheduling model. Um, but I think there's pros or cons to every single model. Personally, I like the 4x4 block the best, but we've already voted on the hybrid model for the high school. The things that we'd have to remember are the shared staff and if we did anything different and any potential for cost. Um, but I'm not going to sit here and say that one model

057is best because every kid's different and Middle school kids are different than high school kids, but I have had middle school kids who did 4x4 block, which are all 90minute blocks, and they did great on it. The one thing that would be different here is having kids have three shorter period days and two longer period days for middle school, but I've seen kids in middle on a seven period. I've seen them on a 90minute period. And you know, there's pros and cons. >> Good evening. Good evening. >> Thank you for having me back. >> Uh myself and my leadership team uh took on the puzzle of the high school hybrid model with the Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8 period day and Thursday, Friday basically a 4x4 or an AV alternating block. Uh we were able to

058maintain our advisory program which was one of our primary goals as well. Um in a meeting with Mrs. Wearing last week, we have compared their inclusion of the eagle block on the Wednesday and Thursday uh and how that aligns with our schedule. And I think the only the major outcome of that meeting was that her and I and Mrs. McInley, their master scheduler, um M Miss Wearing and Mrs. McIlly sort of do the master at the same time. Mrs. Rivera and I do it over the summer. that's going to have to take a more manageable approach uh to ensure that our students have the accessibility to their classes and that the way in which our classes go off track for roughly 20 20 minutes or so on that Wednesday and Thursday is definitely a doable

059challenge. Uh we are very mindful about it in our current scheduling model. Um requires communication and collaboration throughout the build and throughout the assigning of student schedules. Um that's primarily our job in June and July as we get ready for the kids return. I think the one thing you'll see is that the way in which we maintain the advisory program was an extension of advisory to include resource as well as other options. Uh we see this as an opportunity to build out the advisory program. Uh right now Monday t Monday is a social emotional lesson. Tuesday through Friday are access to teachers remediation retach uh mentoring and with the longer class periods on Thursday and Friday it allow us to deepen that approach as well as provide some opportunities for students to get some activity

060with including recess and a built-in recess on those days. Uh, one thing we've learned about having kids in 100 minute classes this year throughout double periods is there's a need for have to have middle school kids move. Um, 100 minutes in a middle schooler's life is an eternity. Um, that has been one of our main reservations from the beginning and I'm not going to understate that tonight. I still want that to me be on the forefront in terms of our primary concern. on Thursday and Friday, our sit in four 100m minutee classes. Um, as well as the developmentally responsive approach to really ensuring our sixth graders have a smooth transition from going to two teachers who walk them back and forth to being able to manipulate this schedule. We we do it on a period

061day. I feel we can do it on a hybrid model day equally as well. Um, I think anybody can learn routine and this will be the essence of it is a student learning their routine Monday through Friday than just one day. periods replicating itself over and over again. Um, planning time worked out great, student instruction time worked out great. Um, but again, from the beginning, as I've been clear with you all and transparent is that my need to be developmentally responsive to our sixth graders and our younger seventh graders coming into a complex schedule with link length classes is going to be a change and there will be hurdles and hiccups. Um, but over time it'll be institutionalized much like many other things in Clark have been institutionalized. We went from an AB period or

062an AB alternating to an 8 period day when I wrote when I came on board here. Um, change is inevitable. This is part of it. This is a have to and we feel as if we built the best schedule for students within the parameters that we had to work with. I do want to note our advisory program and to be able to continue in the that it has is dependent on the instructional assistant is that's in the budget. That additional position um that allows us to staff the advisory rooms for five period, pardon me, five sections for all three grades, six sections for all three grades, pardon me, a total of 18 sections of advisory. That is essential, but I'm not going to stand up here and act like my ask or any better than

063the other three principles ask. Uh we all are aware of the challenge you all have with the budget with regards to the health insurance cost and we all know that some of the first things that are cut are the things that are asked for and if that is where it lands then that's where it lands and we will figure out how to problem solve from there. Any questions for uh you all have questions for Mr. White. First thing I'd like to say is thank you to Mr. White and the staff for studying and also thank you to Miss Wearing. I know that, you know, one thing that you don't want to do is go in and have to change a scheduling model, but unfortunately it is where we are. The um only thing that's not

064an option in my opinion is keeping the 8 period day. Um we got to make that situation correct. So we have to change the scheduling model and unfortunately what you have tonight are three choices to make that none of them are going to make everyone happy. One of them is this scheduling model. We have to make a change, but no matter whatever direction we go, it's not going to please everybody. And also, when you pick a school calendar, putting the days down, there's going to be none that's going to please everyone. And the same thing with this budget when you're trying to balance health insurance cost and salary increases and positions and all that. So, there are, you know, several hard choices to make tonight and there's no guarantee that this is the best answer

065on any of them. Does anyone else have any comments or questions for Mr. White before I say something? >> In your capacity as principal, can you not by executive fiat break up these 100 minute periods, get a recess break in the middle there for them? >> No. So the important part with the way in which we share staff and students between the high school >> um we provide French one and French two sections where Mrs. Wearing and I share our French teacher high school students come to the middle school for classes and we have to have that teacher departing the middle school to get to the high school to fulfill the rest of her day. >> Uh same thing with regards to course we have the high school ports teacher course teacher who comes to

066our building each morning. Um, and for the bell schedules line up when our students go over for eighth period, we have roughly five to a dozen students every year who join marching band. That's the last period a day. Those times have to be synchronous where they're at least leaving Johnson Williams able to enter that class on time without any educational impact just because we want to change our bell schedule. Don't if we were to do that what the the side effect would be we are going to put the c the put the burden onto students who are going to enter the high school either not on time for class or missing instructional time and I think the one thing that we can't do is deny students the the equity of instructional time for the students

067who are not moving from building to building as opposed to the students who are staying in the same building. >> Anybody else? I just wanted to say thank you to um Mr. White and Miss Rivera. I know that this is not this is not what you've picked or this is not um your top choice in scheduling for for the middle school. And I think that you both as well as your other administrators in the building um and your teachers have had found a formula that worked and we saw that with coming out of being a focus school um and that the students have have really increased um their test scores. Um, so I know I recognize that this has been infuriating. >> No, not at all. >> But it could be. >> And it's and

068it's okay to to it's okay to be like potential. >> It was a little bit infuriating at the very beginning that this is something that we that you had to change to because you've already experienced a couple of changes within a short amount of time from going to the AB schedule to the eight periods and then now this. But um I appreciate the time and the effort that you guys have spent on trying to do what's best, trying to make the best out of this unique scheduling model. um and advocating for the social emotional learning and then also recognizing that middle school students are are different and they need movement and they need recess and they need you know there's you know they're still practically fifth graders. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> There's a

069lot of facets there. I mean, there's a lot, but then but then there's also the facet of we're such a small community and it's something, you know, being able to participate in the marching band as an eighth grader is something that a lot of kids look forward to and it's, you know, kind of the things like that are what gets a what gets a lot of students to come to school or want to be at school. It's that, you know, the social social piece. So, um I just appreciate the effort that you guys have made and um dealing with with having to make this change. I know it it's not what you wanted to do. >> I will say that in retrospect um I'm surrounded by a good team at Johnson Williams and I brought

070people into the room who cared about kids. A number of our department chairs work with Mrs. Rare and I. Although she and I are here this evening, this is a team effort. This is not just two people's brains. This is four to five people sitting in a conference room and hashing out and trying to look at everything um to ensure that we can continue to provide the same level of opportunities for students. This was this is we we started with and and held true through the process in terms of what is best for students. Um the reservation is 100 minutes. We will get in and see. U we all know that life is not ideal. We've all made it this far without an ideal life and I think we're going to make it to the

071end without an ideal life. This is the best case scenario for what we have to work with. Um and so we're excited to see what the challenges lies ahead despite some of the hurdles we know we have to overcome. >> I like to hear you say you're excited. Are you happy with it? >> Happy happiness is relative, Mr. Brownback. that changes from day to day. >> Well, I think you certainly put a lot of effort into it and >> put the puzzle together and so I know that's a relief that you got something. >> We're we're on the right we are on the right trajectory >> and it's I mean it's been iterated here but it's not going unnoticed. >> I think your teachers also have had to make some if nothing else emotional sacrifices

072because anytime you get year to change your system. It's got to be difficult. We appreciate that, too. It's uh I think this has to go right down to the grassroots uh not just the upper echelons. So, please convey our appreciation to them. >> Well, I think our our staff has seen the rewards of what we have done since Mrs. Vera and I took the helmet at Johnson Wis School. We've decreased behaviors by 90%. um our academic progress with regards to where we're getting off account getting off the accreditation piece and reaching our level of accountability which we have and our test scores this year are holding the same trajectory as I presented you back when we were here in September talking about our academic performance from last year. Um when you have successes like that

073change isn't as hard but change is never easy for people to begin with. >> So it has it's been an interesting dynamic. We come out on the other side and we're ready again next year. Please tell them thanks anywhere for us. >> Without a doubt. >> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> The finance committee report. So Mr. Nucci will provide a report from the February 11th, 2026 finance committee meeting. >> Good afternoon everyone. So we'll go ahead and go over the memorandum that's on the screen. So the first we'll talk about is the fiscal year 27 budget discussion. So like uh like was said we met on February 11th and this was the second meeting with the board of supervisors finance committee members in attendance. The first thing we did there was

074review the fiscal year 27 budget request. Went over any applicable salary increases. Uh talked about the fisc 27 budget outlook in regards to the governor's budget. Reviewed fiscal year 26 and fc 27 capital expenditures. and then went into our normal routine of reviewing uh year-to- date expenditures and the invoice history for January. Next thing you see there is the fcary 26 supplemental appropriations. So, this is something that you'll vote on in new business in order for us to receive money and later expenses from these two supplemental appropriations needs to be voted on by both the school board and then later the board of supervisors. So the first thing you'll see there is the insurance claim for the voice elementary school roof replacement for about $44,000. Receiving that money will kind of bring that project to

075a close. And then next is the BOE mathematics innovation grant for 380,000. This will be used to purchase high quality instructional materials. This was huge uh in the sense that this is $380,000 that we don't have to spend out of our operating budget. And as tight as our budget is getting, it's just it really is a game changer. So again, hope that you guys able to vote on this new business and approve it so we can go to the school board or the board of supervisors with these two. And Mr. Nucci, I think what you just said there is incredibly important. $380,000 is close to the equivalent of the 2% salary increase. And that comes because our staff got a BDOE state grant for a math curriculum. And I cannot applaud our staff enough. I

076know Dr. Neil and Mr. Holloway worked really hard on that and you know a lot of news was made. There was a division that got only 200,000 and it made state news because they got 200,000 of this math grant. We got 380,000. As tight as it's getting, can you imagine if we had to find 380,000 more right now, which is where we would be right now if we didn't have this grant. So I think drawing some attention to that grant is incredibly important. It's probably along that and LCI have been our biggest successes of this budget process here. We would be in a really bad shape had those two pieces not come to be. Um some other things I want y'all to know for FY26. It's not done. It's a caboose bill. But I did

077want you all to know we've talked a lot about what was in the governor's budget. Governor Ynan before he left office had a 2% of salary bonus that had to be paid by June 1st, 2026 in there that we were going to have to deal with, you know. Um, and it was mentioned, I think I shared in budget meeting on the Senate floor that they had talked about maybe we should change that to a flat $1,500. That way in, you know, positions that didn't make as much would get as good a bonus. And could we doing that. Well, that actually they did crossover Sunday, yesterday, and that $1,500 bonus is what happened for SOP positions both in the House and Senate. It was a commonality. Um, not saying that it's a done deal yet, but

078we have a governor who exited office recommending a 2% bonus s 2% of salary. Now, we have a house and a senate that have recommended a $1,500 one. Um, to me it's looking more likely that there's a chance that that will happen, but it would have to be approved in the final budget that Governor Spanberger puts together. Having said that's something that we need to be thinking about, too, because caboose budgets are incredibly difficult. I'm always wanting to see our members get things and to get what they deserve. But when you plan for something after the budget's been established and you're almost at the finish line and it's you have to meet this match but you didn't think about it from the beginning becomes really difficult for localities. Um they if it passes the way

079the House and Senate put it in it says instead of a deadline in 26 to be payable in either FY26 or FY27. If we get in the situation of needing to pay this, I would think it's advantageous if we can find it in operating to pay it out in 26. That way it doesn't complicate 27. But this is one of those things we need to start having conversations and planning the amount and criteria, but there's nothing we can do really yet till the governor's budget passes in the end. Um, and it could be a quick turnaround like before. Like I said, I'm really thankful for the part of the money the state's putting into this, but when you get these caboose bills that pass so late to the end and you've not planned on it,

080coming up with the match is incredibly difficult on localities, I just don't want us to lose sight of that. Also, in the new um House budget and senate budget, there's extra at risk funding to provide additional funding for school divisions mentioned. And there's also additional special education money. There's no talk about how it'll be divided yet among what school divisions will get, how the formula will be balanced, things like that. Will it come with any additional, you know, mandates that you have to do. There is potential that that could be additional money that could help our budget out. We're far away from knowing exactly what that would be. And there's also a bill um and I know that when you at taxes and stuff like that. It's always a challenge because people have a hard

081time living on fixed incomes dayto day. But there is one that could potentially help our capital budget which is a bill that would say if localities to referendum uh pass with the majority that the majority feel like a 1% sales tax increase would be good that that would go 100% to school capital and would be put into a fund to renovate to maintain school buildings. So those are the things that are out there with the FY27 budget that are potentials at this time. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. Dr. Bowling will provide a superintendence update. >> And we have February's a month of much recognition. So before we go through that, which positive and this other thing I think is positive too but it's not as much I guess direct celebratory if we could

082go ahead and bring up our benchmark results that file I did want to share this with you this is something that we're doing to try to have um all of our divisions perform and do incredibly you know try to track how we're performing and you really don't know where you're going with academic learning unless you track it along the way Now, the one that opens when it opens with Excel as opposed to the uh Google Sheets has colors on it, which I think are really helpful, which shows where you're trending in the Commonwealth as far as green being really good compared to the two, you know, as far as where you're at percentile rank and yellow being in the middle and red being more concerning. But when we look at these um these are good

083because um about 80% about of the 131 divisions give these um benchmarks. So when you look at the percentile rank, which is what PR stands for, you're looking at how our students are performing compared to about 80 out of 131 school divisions, which is a big indicator of where we're going. And most places that have done these sh have shown tremendous increases in their academic learning of their kids. This is something that we undertook in um voluntarily at the two elementaryaries and at the high school. We are in the second year even though we came off of the federal identification for our subgroups Johnson Williams but we had to do the benchmarks for at least two years there some kind of comparative test. Um but I think it shows the results and I want to

084show you the Q1 means quarter one and Q2 means quarter two. If you look at Boyce Elementary, the pass rate on the science benchmarks there increased from 71.43 on the first quarter to 82.98 on the second quarter. And I think even more important than the pass rate is the percentile ranking because different tests have different rigor to them. But how you do compared to a huge group of students and 80 divisions is important. You can see that voice is at the 6 percentile among all that population which is a massive number on their second quarter benchmark. If you look at the other categories and I won't go into column directly the second column is for the students who are not in the special education population. The third column are students who are in special education

085and you can see that voice is in the 88th percentile of the consortium for science benchmarks in the um second quarter. And the third one there is our ELELLL population or English language learners. If you look at voice for reading, we went from a 50% pass rate down to a 48% pass rate on quarter two, which is interesting. But if you look, our percentile rank went from 27 to 40, which means the second quarter benchmark was more rigorous. Now 40 percentile ranking is still just about middle of the pack there. So, we definitely want to track that one. If you look at the math, we went from a pass rate of 54 um to a pass rate of about almost 54 the same and we stayed about neck and neck where we're at, but we're

086still outperforming about twothirds of the consortium on our benchmarks. So, we're making progress there. History, we got a new curriculum and we've been working to implement it and alignment. You can see on the first quarter they had a 19% pass rate which is at the 13th percentile in the consortium for the whole student body and we were able to increase that by quarter 2 to a pass rate of 71.74 which put us at the 77th percentile ranking within the consortium. The high school also showed you know improvement going from a 35.83% 3% pass rate of math to 48 and their percentile ranking among a really large group went from 31 to 53 which is tremendous progress. Now you got to remember at high school we are comparing apples to apples but at the same thing

087at a high school um kids don't take every assessment or every benchmark or so because once they've earned a verified credit then they don't continue to take them. So a little bit different. Now, when we look at Kulie Elementary on science, they went on the first quarter. And I'm only for time going to do the overall student body, but you all can look at the different subgroups, but we went from a pass rate of 45.68 to a pass rate of 71.60. And our percentile ranking there at Kulie um in science increased from the 27th percentile ranking to the 64th percentile ranking. is now outperforming roughly 2/3 of the consortium. When we look at reading at Culie, they went um from 59% pass rate on quarter one to about 51, but their percentile ranking stayed relatively

088the same, meaning that there probably was an increase in rigor of the assessment. Um, and then if you look at math, they went from 50% pass rate to about 58% pass rate. and their um percentile ranking from the consortium went from about 62 to 75 meaning they're now outperforming three4s of the students in the consortium and similarly that history is really showing an impact there at Kulie being from a 27.78% pass rate to a 75.28% 28% pass rate and our percentile ranking moving from uh 21, meaning that on the first quarter benchmarks, we were in the bottom fifth of the consortium to now being at the 82nd percentile ranking, meaning that we're in the top fifth of the consortium. Now, uh Johnson Williams, when you look at their reading, they went from on the first

089quarter about a 70 to about a 56, but you can that their um percentile rankings were 80 and 64 which are both very strong within the consortium and you can see that they made a tremendous amount of improvement in mathematics between quarter 1 and two going from 53 to about I mean 43 to about 53% pass rate and now their percentile ranking in the consortium is 66% which means they're outperforming twothirds of students. I think that this is really important because when you know we look at an era of accountability and when you it's important to remember that the new accountability models not just these assessments it's CTE credential testing CTE completers it's how our students are ready in military preparedness it's what dual enrollment courses they take what AB what IB but all this

090is puts a picture together overall of how our students are doing and this on one important component and this is also on the component that determines if we're federally identified or you know different tiers and stuff. So it is an important component. The tests are not perfect but they do include a lot of innovative item types and they continue to make them better. A lot of people could argue against standardized testing and I think that what hit Virginia hard is in 1998 when these tests were brought on board. We got to remember that 400 was designed as the minimum understanding of the course to move on and I think over 1998 to present for some reason because there was no difference in how they were treated for a school 400 became the target and actually

091getting a 500 or better is typically where you see kids who have you know greater success at the collegiate level later on and that's not you and you got to remember too that the four-year destination is also not the only destination that's important for students but um because you can be equally contributing to society in different things CT field or other ways too and in military but I think the big key is that the 400 should have never been the ultimate target but it was meant to be the minimum understanding and I read another state talking about talking about doing a statewide thing about removing the bottom grade threshold statewide saying that by saying a minimum grade and actually I think a minimum grade in some parts is good. So I'm not advocating for this

092but they were saying that our you know they wanted our parents to get a true rep representation of where kids were at for when they went to college that they were fully prepared for that that we were providing an appropriate amount of rigor. So I think that this shows increased rigor throughout our district and that we are improving and I'm proud of our schools and where they've come and I just want to all a brief data update um on one piece. >> So my question is um with all of these like quarter one, quarter two, is it all grade levels or is it only the grade levels that take an so? >> It's um more than the grade levels that have an so and more than the classes that have that but not everyone. There

093was thought that the um kids wouldn't be ready developmentally for at least second grade. Second's even harder, but the thought is if we don't start working with the kids in second, then we throw them into a large test. Are we really preparing them for that? So, they start one year early. Grades three through eight, it's reading and mathematics. In grade four, you pick up Virginia studies. In grade five, you pick up science five. In grade um the grade six there, you do have a science one, but only one at the middle of the year instead of all three quarters. So, it's not up there. At grade seven, you pick up a civics one and you have a science one, but only one at the middle of the year. Not every time because it's not. Um,

094but we do have to at least have one marker on science six and seven because when our science eight teacher takes those kids on, those kids are tested on the science from grades six, seven, and eight. It's a cumulative test. In grade eight, you pick up the uh science eight. And in high school, it's mainly the end of course, but there are options for environmental science in English 9 and 10. And the logic in English 9 and 10 having one test benchmark because you don't want to over test with the fact that English 11's also cumulative on grades 9, 10, and 11 English. So, we definitely um need to keep up the rigor. That's one thing that I've seen um may have a little bit different view of how we do it. But from both

095our previous governor's administration and our current governor that just took over and our old superintendent and our new one, increasing rigor and giving an accurate portrayal, making sure we're preparing for later life is a consistent piece. Um and also we got to remember that I think increasing rigor and targets is important. We need to take a moderate approach and we barely missed having that huge clip and cut scores this fall. Remember I believe the English 11 was supposed to go to 478 or 479 this spring which would been dramatic. Now, it's only going to be just for FYI purposes of where they would be. The 400 will be enough, but remember the DOE has not put out the incremental cuts for increases. They just said it would be incremental over the next four years. So,

096we definitely got to keep a pulse on this and know where we're at because next spring and fall, it won't be 400 again. It's going to be the new steps toward that count. Um, I've always kind of approached it this way. If you wait till the end and you see gosh we missed it. What did we do wrong? Then we've had an autopsy. If we do it along the way then we're using information to say are we on track. >> Um another question that I had from quarter one to quarter two do are there new there are new standards that are introduced and so does quarter two also include like things that were taught in quarter one? >> It does. But it's predominantly the new standards. >> And then the quarter two uh benchmarks were

097they done like right around the time period of snow and yes >> um some of them would have been some of them may have been done it's done in the consortium one week before the nine weeks ends and one week after. >> So you got a two week window. They're really flexible. They gave us an extra week because I can't remember one of said we're not quite done. We have another week >> and this is being done throughout the entire state. >> Um 80 some of the 13. >> So you could elect to do it. >> Um now Johnson means we had to have some kind of benchmark system. Um, also we got to remember that the Virginia growth assessments are still on the um, Virginia code which says you have to give the Virginia

098growth assessments for a BOE approved alternative which these are. So that's actually qualified it at three of our four schools because up to 8th grade you have to give some kind of benchmarking test. You either give the Virginia Growth Assessment or one that's different. the data you get out of the Virginia Growth Assessment very hard to use. It really doesn't inform anything you're doing that well. So, you know, right now we're not having to give the Virginia growth assessment for college and this is more useful to us. >> And so, the high school, did you guys do testing for I know like for your benchmarks, did you do benchmarks for for English and like other so Okay. >> Okay. >> That's watching the hospital's a lot different. >> Yeah. But I remember I mean just

099hearing about the benchmarks this year I was like oh that's that's new something that I haven't been familiar with or seen. One thing I am impressed with and I want to really thank our teachers and our administration in particular our students. I've not seen this much improvement this quickly from one quarter to another. So I think we're on a good track. So I did that more. I wanted to do some recognition of the hard work. Now the other thing of it's wonderful but this month is the month of appreciation which is good to have but Uh February 2nd through the 6th is National School Counseling Week and we're really thankful for everything that our school counselors do. Also to thank each of the five of you all. Um February is schoolboard appreciation month. So we

100have um some token gifts for you all. We thank everything you know thank you all for everything you do. Also along those lines uh Virginia celebrates kindness week throughout the Commonwealth February 9th through the 13th. Uh, February is Black History Month. >> Does that mean we get to be mean the rest? >> No. And the the Black History Month is incredibly important, but I guess you know the Virginia kindness, we have to be really good during February. >> Um, >> well, leading up to Valentine's Day. >> Yeah. After Valentine's Day, all bets are off. >> Maybe that's why they picked February. Um, >> and it is up to the day before. So maybe that's why they picked it to be really well behaved during February. Um, February is Black History Month and I think it's

101important that we recognize the celebrations and everything along the history there and we um celebrate that piece of history. And I didn't attach any files because then we'd have a long meeting. But I one thing I would encourage if you've not heard anybody in this audience is to Google the Rita Pearson TED talk. She's an educator and it really aligns with Black History Month. And I think if you've not heard it, that'll be about seven minutes of your life well spent. It's probably my favorite educational speech that's ever been given. Also, February is CTE or career and technical month. Um, and then we're going to skip the next one for a second, but February 15th is National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. And I think it's also important that we thank our school security officers

102because we have both and they don't have a specific day. and I'm thankful for both of what they do. You also see that we have the SHAB CTE and gifted committee minutes attached. And the other one is I don't think we um could ever say thank you enough to Miss Wear. She's the one that keeps us all organized and keeps us functioning and together and is one of the most essential members of our team. And um that February 16th through the 20th was school clerk appreciation week. So if you all to go into audience comments if you like. You know, I think we have her flowers there and we have a certificate and we have a card for her. Okay. So, if you want to say anything to Miss before we go on, I'd like

103for you to have that opportunity. >> Anybody? >> I don't know where the the card and the certificate. Okay, we there's somewhere >> amongst us, but thank you Renee. You're we are we couldn't do it without you. We really appreciate all the time that you spend keeping us in line. >> I we should not lose fact sight of the fact that in addition to what you do every day, you are the institutional memory of the system. So anybody wants to know what happened then you is It is >> audience comments. Do we have any? Okay. Um, so audience comments are limited to three minutes per person in order to allow ample time for all who wish to speak. Patrons speaking on behalf of a group are also allowed. Three minutes and should identify the group

104they are representing prior to speaking. Those wishing to speak should fill out a speaker card and present it to the clerk. All speakers should follow the rules of decorum and order and are asked to bring at least seven copies of any handouts they wish to share. Regulations related to decorum and order at schoolboard meetings and public participation as well as the citizen comment form are provided on board docs. The citizen comment card is also available at schoolboard meetings. Public comments related to the Okay, that's it. Thank you. >> Okay, >> let me first of all introduce who I am. My name is Henry. I'm Um, I'm also a semi retardific. So, I've worked for you right after I was one of the tutors. Last year I was respons so I was response to intervention teacher

105means I was pulling kids from their favorite elective. So they're in band on call and say come up it's time for your weekly math lesson that went over as well as you would expect it to this year we decided to do something quite different decided to do a double block and as he mentioned the double block idea was one good idea because a lot of students need more time but very Can you pull up the picture that you had about CI show? >> Yeah, we can. It's um under the superintendent update. >> Okay. So, while you're working on that, let's quickly take a look at my little sheet here. I was going to take more time on this, but let's real quickly go through it. The administrator Ed Johnson is this exercise. Coach, right? Coach

106because he's got a coach. He's got to make the team work. The team is number two. Age well age is important we see a big change in students between sixth grade and eighth grade they like PE and art teachers or coach white most important factor teachers number three you were back in sixth grade in sixth grade you get onestep equations 3x= 9 think about that a bit x should beal in seventh grade you're about 13 and you see equation 2x + 3 = 9 you get 9 x= 3 actually a lot more complicated but you're getting a distribution partheses after that comes algebra so we have the data sorry the data about the pass Williams 43 53 those are not good numbers are not good numbers we have teachers very good I applaud the teacher

107John Williams but it takes a lot of time block double block is not a good idea I'm not going to go through the rest of this number four is about kids in middle school are different kids in middle school I'm just going Yes, of course. On the back of this sheet, I did an AI search and AI and AI said which schedule is better, a seven period or a period schedule and they answer neither is objectively better. However, the choice instructional goals already understand. Even though there's back to the front side here when you're talking about They come in. How do you divide up that time? When I worked a lot there, they called it This is a picture from I like this sixth grade sixth grade, seventh grade and eighth grade trying to break

108things out and my proposal Mr. Schmick, um, you got to start wrapping it up for past three minutes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. I would really focus on sixth grade work. Flexibility more teaching assistants act as a teaching assistant each health insurance. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you. Moving on to new business. So, first item is consideration of the middle school scheduling model. So, is there a motion or well first is there any are is there any discussion or questions related to the middle school scheduling model that we haven't asked already? And before you vote, I think the one thing to remember um if it wasn't for the fact of Virginia Code, the easiest thing would be to leave it alone. But unfortunately, you know, Virginia code says that a teacher can't

109teach more than 25 class periods in a week. So the option of leaving it alone is not there. Um and I don't think that any model is going to be perfect. You're just going to have to think about, you know, if you know if whatever you pick, are we going to finance it? And then, you know, it will change things later on in the budget and about shared staff, but also what you think is best for the kids. Now, the reason I think we arrived at what we did at the high school is the eight class opportunity. And across the state, only about 10% of high schools only allow seven choices of opportunity. and we know that there was a lot of opportunity there. So that's how you all arrived at that decision. It's done.

110But um so they can move on with registration and scheduling. We're just going to have to come up with the scheduling model. >> Okay. Any questions, concerns, comments that we haven't shared already? Okay. Is there a motion um regarding the middle school scheduling model? >> I move to accept the proposed middle school scheduling model as presented. >> You're talking about because it was on the presentation. You're talking about the hybrid one. >> Yes. >> The scheduling model as presented. >> The hybrid model. >> Yes. Hybrid model. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Mr. Wilson, >> just that you seconded it. Seconded the motion. >> Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I >> All opposed. Motion passes. Um consideration of math textbooks. So, Dr. Neil will provide information on the HQIM math curriculum adoption process and recommendation.

111>> Good evening. First, I'd like to start by thanking Harry Holloway and the elementary and secondary teachers and administrators um who spent countless hours meeting with the companies and reviewing the materials for the math curriculum. And HQIM, just um as a reminder, is high quality instructional materials. Um, in June of 2025, there was a House bill that passed that said all divisions um must adopt HQIM in all subject areas um which was delayed um for full implementation um to July of 2026. A timeline should be coming out on expectations for divisions. Our school system had already been talking about adopting high quality instructional materials for math. So in August of this year, we started uh previewing highquality instructional materials and following a three-month review process um in which our committee conducted in-depth evaluation of three

112programs um for elementary KDOM, math expressions, and I Ready. Um we recommend I ready for elementary and in addition uh the secondary team recommends mass space um for 6 through 12. >> Does anyone have any questions or comments for Dr. Neil? >> They have been on public review here. It was open for public review um for the past two weeks. Yes, that's okay. I mean, if anyone wants to stop back, we still have the materials and they're available for review if you would like to. Um it was on review. We did not have any one come in to review either material. Oh, did we have Okay. The last I checked we didn't have any. How many do we have her name? >> One. Okay. Okay, >> perfect. Thank you. >> How many options did the

113faculty have? >> We had many options. We had a Yeah, we had a um textbook list, a HQIM list that was put out from the state of Virginia and we reviewed that list, narrowed it down to three choices and primarily Harry and I reviewed the entire list because it was quite a few um options to choose from. Um if they're happy with it and they've had options, we narrowed it down to three. We ended up reaching out to other divisions that had implemented some of the programming to get feedback. Um I think when the bill came out, a number of divisions for elementary quickly adopted one curriculum and upon implementation weren't as happy with it as they had thought they would be. Um and we kind of shifted away from that throughout the process. But

114our uh curriculum team used a state rubric to review the materials and get feedback. Um and both teams landed pretty unanimously on the choices that are presented today. >> And you can see the recommendation would be to approve um the HQIM curriculum of I Ready for elementary and math space for secondary. Um, we've already had it on review and you all are certainly welcome to come in and look at it and if you want to put it off a month, you could. But the only thing I would show concern is if we can go ahead and approve it. We do have a $380,000 state grant which would pay for every bit of this and we have till June to get it done. >> Yes. And I will say some of the highlights for the elementary

115and the um high school curriculum are the problem solving that it the curriculum brings for students, the differentiation for acceleration and um intervention and the quality materials for both the teachers and the students. So that those are some of the reasons why these pulled away from other options. Any other comments or questions? >> Thank you, Dr. N. >> Thank you. >> I guess I would be happy. >> Yeah. What we would need though is a motion if we're going to approve it tonight. >> All right. >> So, is there a motion there? >> Anybody wants to read it if they see it? >> You see it? I move to approve the HQIM math curriculum of I Ready for the elementary schools and math base for the secondary schools. >> I'll second again. >> All in

116favor? >> I all opposed. Motion passes. Consideration of 2026 and 2027 and 2027 2028 school calendars. So um the calendars for the school years 26 and 27 and 2728 were presented to a calendar committee that consisted of a representative from each school and in addition principles were provided an opportunity for feedback after which a survey went out to all staff for their input. 110 staff members responded and below are the results. So for the 2026 27 calendar year, draft 1 um had 39 in favor and then or 35% and then for draft two it was 71 in favor or 65%. for the 202728 calendar draft one um 40 of those who voted were in in favor or 36% for draft two 70 staff members were in favor or 64%. And before you vote, um, some

117things there that I think would be important. Really, to me, I think this is one of those other things like the scheduling model. It's not the most important decision you make. Um, really, it's about the same amount of days. It's just where you throw it down on the calendar, where you start, how many breaks you take, and where you end at. I think the big thing was a lot of our staff wanted to try to be out by Memorial Day and I think a couple of those calendars allowed that. But in doing that, the tradeoff is a few less teacher work days, which means, you know, we are giving them credit for more days at home that they're just getting credit, you know, autonomously, but there's going to be a couple of days less to

118work in the buildings on those. I don't know. I mean it's roughly a third and two/3 but what I thought was more important were the comments and I think on both sides of it our staff were really mature and had good you know questions that we all had as a committee while we were developing calendars about both options. So I thought that those were really good comments and a couple people said things like well I wish that we would not have the two days off in November but have a full week at Thanksgiving like divisions. That's becoming a popular trend that probably about half the divisions do that. But we did talk about that in the committee and the committee preferred the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and the two other days. So I think we discussed

119almost everything up there and this is another one of those that one calendar is not going to make everybody happy. Um but you can go with the majority of our people that responded or you can go with your own because really a calendar is a board decision. But I think a good thing is that we are approving it now for two years. So our plan, our families can plan not just for next year, but the year after. And when we do calendar committee next year, it's hard to believe, but we'll only be drafting 2829. That way we have two calendars available at the same time. So if y'all want to look at the comments said the calendar, what will you do? motion is you would say I make a motion to approve draft blank for

1202627 and draft blank for 2728 and it doesn't have to be one for both or two for both. If you there for there's some reason you wanted one and two or two and one you could do that as well. with being on the counter committee, Katie and I sit in that meeting. I think we addressed the issues that were at hand to make it more accommodating for our teachers and still accommodate what we need to do for our students. And uh that's why we came up with draft two. Correct me if I'm wrong, Katie. >> And it seems like we have an overwhelming overwhelmingly percentage and happy with draft two over draft one. Um, so therefore, I'm move to approve the schoolboard calendar draft number two for the 2026 27 school year and school calendar

121draft number two for 2728 school year. >> Second. >> Does anybody have any comments or questions? No. Okay. All right. Um, so all those in favor >> I all opposed. Motion passes. consideration of finance and policy committee meetings for 2026. So below is a proposed schedule for finance which is the second Wednesday of every month and then policy which is the second Friday of every month and these committee meetings would be through 2026. >> Okay. >> Oh, gotcha. >> Okay. Gotcha. Um, and both of these meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. in the school board administrative offices. So, is there a motion to approve these calendars? >> I move to approve the finance and policy committee meeting scheduled u with the noted change for policy scheduled for 2026. >> Second. >> All in favor? I

122all >> all oppose. Motion passes. Consideration of FY26 school operating fund VDOE mathematics innovation grant. So this is to approve the grant from the VDOE and the amount of $38,000 $380,000 to be used. >> Oh, sorry. Thank you. >> Okay. capital. >> That's liberal arithmetic. >> Okay. All right. Okay. So, we'll continue where I was going to be used for the HQIM materials related to math and approval is recommended. I move that the FY26 school operating fund budgeted expenditure and appropriation be increased $380,000 and the revenue budget and appropriation be increased by the same amount for the purpose of receiving state funds from the VDOE mathematics innovation grant to be used for the purchases purchase of highquality instructional materials related to math. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I all opposed. Motion passes.

123Consideration of FY26 school capital fund insurance claim for the voice roof replacement. So CCPS received $44,63746 from our insurance company regarding our claim on the roof at Voice Elementary. Approval is recommended. >> I move that the FY26 school fund budget expenditure and appropriation be increased 44,63746 and that revenue budget and appropriations be increased by the same amount for the purpose of receiving insurance funds to be used for Boyce Elementary's roof replacement. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. approval of salary scale pamphlet. >> And what this is, and we're actually approving what we're doing this year, which is unusual, but I've really wanted to put all of our salary scales in one centralized location and really organize them. We've worked on an organizational chart, job descriptions, consistency of our evaluation processes,

124and I think that this is the last step in us getting ready for a new strategic plan. um really you're not approving anything innovative or great because all it is is we worked hard to document our current practices. So we took our current employees and looked at their years of experience and what they were making to create these. That's why these scales, you know, a little bit unusual, but they all get unusual when school systems because if you start off with all the steps being $800, by the time you do 1% increase of like 4%, then 4% of different amounts So then they end up being a random amount al together. But all this does is document what we're doing currently. Uh we already had all the administrative scales passed and published last year. Um

125and we also have long time had the teacher one public. This right here just really I want us to be transparent look like other divisions but when you go to the website you know if you have relevant years of experience this is what you're going to make when you look at it. This includes every single position we have other than our administrative assistants. We are asking for another month to work on those because we wanted to kind of look a lot of places do like admin assistant one, admin assistant two, admin assistant three. When we tried to place those according to the current pay, it was really hard to come up with one unified scale. But this actually has everything in it except for our admin assistance. So, I would recommend that we just approve

126it. Now, I will say this is just a starting point and a building block because this puts everything out that we're doing consistently and this allows us next year to have a salary compensation, you know, committee that'll study these because some of these scales are a lot better than other ones. Um, I think overall we're really competitive, but there are some things that stick out to me as concerns, but it is exactly what we're doing currently. And I think as we progress next year, what we can do is um take a few of these each month as a committee and say how are we looking at compared to divisions around us and treating and taking care of our employees. And if you don't have it in one centralized location, you don't have the front of

127your mind of how that you're doing consistently compared to others. I think overall ours were really good. The part that concerned me the most were our um custodial scale and it's not so much necessarily where it starts and stops as there are probably about seven or eight years that are very compressed on it and guessing what may have happened. It may have been tight budget or you know ways of trying to do it. But once you document it and you look at everybody, but you can see there from like steps five through 13, you're only looking at a 52 to a $62 step. You know, a person could only be like $62 ahead and have one more year experience than the person behind them. That's why I recommended until we actually fleshed this out and

128had it very black and white that we did not consider a uniform step increase that we only did a percent. Um, the reason we can't change those is if we change any of this, this is current practice that's going to add more to your budget. So, I think next year we have to study and only take on maybe a few scales each year that are the ones that concern us the most. even them out, you know, to maybe $7, $800 steps or whatever and make them comparable to the districts around us. But I I think that this puts it out black and white. It's something then that we can decide these are the scales that concern us the most. Is that an absolutely bad scale? No. The only that concerns me is a little bit.

129It's a little bit low on the entry point, not on the upper end point. But the part of that one that actually concerns me the most is the compression that exist over probably seven or eight years. It's very similar on the IIA scale that there's a part that's very compressed. If I were to tell you which scales concern me the most once we put it down to paper would be the custodian and the IIA scale. But we can't, you know, study it and do better. We actually approve what we're doing and have it in one location. So what we'll do after we get this and we come back next month and do the admin assistant, we'll put it in one booklet and then we'll multiply it by whatever salary increase we have to change it

130for 26 uh 27 whether that be four or 5% 5% as we have it now and there is a Clark thing that where we've not done steps in the past you multiply by the salary increase which in this case we're proposing 5%. So we multiply every row in this Excel workbook by 5% but we actually move it forward a year and subtract the set amount to get a new step zero. That's because we've not been doing steps because that's our way that we've worked through that. But after we do that, then we'll have a 26 27 uniform salary scale across all positions. And then we can work next year after our strategic plan. One goal in it I think would be to study our um compensation closely and see which ones of these that we

131need to invest in making better. So I would just recommend to approve them as they are. Like I said, you're really not approving anything that you're not doing currently. It's just putting it paper. >> Thank you for doing that for us, Dr. Bowling. >> Oh, and I don't want to credit. I wanted us to do this. Um, but once we got past the admin, it was way too much of a job for one person. So, Lauren in JAS, Ben and Jas, Mr. Nucci helped us with this, Dr. Seal, um, Katie in the HR office, Katie Holmes. So, we've had many people having their hand in this because >> trust me, this was not something that happened overnight. This has been months of work to get to this point >> and I want to thank all

132of them because it couldn't have been done without them. But right now all we've got is we got overall some really good competitive but we've now made a document that shows that we do have some concerns that we need to address long term strategically. >> Okay. So is there a motion to approve the um salary scale pamphlet? So moved >> and all in favor. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Approval of FY27 budget. So at this time we're going to discuss the FY27 budget and take action on its approval. >> Before you all take approval, I've already spoken enough about the budget and executive summary. really right now we can't change you know the health insurance piece because JAS um you know ticks the amount that will be passed along to the employee you know and

133I think that the 5% raise is already there may have an increased health cost so I think that makes the 5% raise even more important the only thing would be on the positions there do we want to leave them in and present them as is or do we want to take any of them off or do we want and see, you know, wait and see if anybody, you know, how people retire and things like that. So, really the only thing that would be a discussion is leave all the positions on or take any of them off. Another thing though that I did want to point out, I know it's hard to see a 7% of total premium passed along to employees, but something I did find interesting since 2021 only 2% of the total premium

134has been passed on to employees over I believe six years. So 2% 2% of premium over six years. And during that time since 2021, 26% of total premium has been absorbed by the county and the school system. So I think everybody's working as hard as they can. I guess the first discussion is about the leave it as is with the positions and after if that becomes consensus then you can just approve or adopt. I guess the right word there would be adopt. That's what we're doing right now. It really probably should be I approve to adopt the proposed budget as presented instead of approved. >> So what are the thought what are your all's thoughts on um the positions? I suggest we leave positions as is. >> Agreed. >> Just to clarify, you did the

135county is picking up 12% or the seven. >> Uh the county is picking up 12% of the total cost of the premium and the employee would pick up 7% of the total cost of the premium. >> Increase, >> right? >> Well, it's actually Well, it's 7% the increase of the total premium. So, it's know That's not cheap. The total premium is like $2,700 and some dollars for a per month for a $250 deductible plan. So, it's not a small chunk of money, but the county is picking up 12% of the total cost of premium and the employees picking up 7% of the total cost of premium. It has been a while since our employees have had an increase like that. >> Excuse me. And this is statewide. No. Um, local choice is a plan that

136anybody in the state can choose to be a part of the pool which does try to bring down the cost a little bit, but each individual locality or school division or ours is joined local government school division gets their own renewal rate and it's largely influenced by how much your plan is used. Now, I will say from the trends that I've seen, most of the increases I've seen in local choice and even outside local choice have been larger this year. So, what I would say has been state or nationwide is larger increases in rates, but they do vary locality to locality. >> Okay. So, um, what are your thoughts on the positions? >> No, I I think that's the best thing for students. Um, we do need to make sure that when it's presented to

137the board of supervisors, especially with the uh with the increase in healthare, I certainly think they're justified and you know all we can do is ask >> if we don't >> and they're positions we've had they've just been >> well um some of them are like the math interventionist now the two IAS are new positions >> the Lego st not much is new and then the extra month for the workbased learning coordinators next month >> and I I think that you We could argue um for the math interventionists, you know, looking at the data this evening related to the benchmarks as well as, you know, Johnson Williams, the instructional assistant, um that all of those positions are are important and the the IIA at Kulie. Um and then also Dr. Bowling was talking about um

138how work the workbased learning CTE component is impacting will impact right under new standards um our >> accountability. >> Yeah. Yeah. Words have changed since I taught. So okay. Um well is there a motion then to approve the adopt sorry excuse me adopt the um proposed FY27 budget >> I move to adopt the proposed FY27 budget as presented >> second >> all in favor >> I all opposed motion passes all right school board member comments >> and before you all do comments I know that I keep adding things but I thought this could be really important and I forgot about it but this weird probably can help me remember I did hear last week that a dedicated educator that did over 50 years teaching in Clark County public schools passed away. I believe it was

139Mr. Ross. >> So I thought that deserve some recognition and thanks for his dedication. >> An elementary school teacher and a prior elementary school teacher, right? And and our crossing guard very sick. Thank you for reminding us of that. >> All right, Mr. Sych, do you have any comments? >> U just want to again like to thank Mr. White for his work on that. I know we gave him a difficult situation and uh from my perspective, it's nice to see that we have people going out and solving problems, but are trying to teach kids how to solve problems and you solve the problem. So that gives me faith that you can teach kids how to solve problems, too. I I I really appreciate that. That means a lot. >> Yeah, I'll just put an amen

140on that. Uh well done. That was not a not an easy issue and you seem to have worked your way through it quite well. Thank you. >> I'll echo those sentiments. I appreciate it all the hard work. Um, I still think want to keep the uh the capital assessments to the forefront. I'll keep saying that till we get something moving towards a in the in the right direction for that. I think it's important. Um, I think that the possibility of the county utilizing the upper campus would help mitigate some of that financial pressure that we have on that campus with it being underutilized. It's as dangerous as um as you know not paying attention to what the needs are of the facility. So um I I hope that works out. I look forward to seeing

141that and and how that might work as well. So um thank you Miss Weir for >> Yes. >> all you do. >> Yes. >> So that's all I have. I I'll just comment real quick. Um it's impressive to watch uh Dr. Bowen go through the budget process. It's interesting to watch our finance guys and the JS committee meeting and and the concern that the county uh as well as the the school board has for employees and has done as much as possible to to um mitigate some of this bad news with the with the cost that we have. Um I think the uh you know our constituents responsible to to take care of the kids first, but we're also fiduciary responsibility with taxpayers. And I I would certainly uh stand tall against anybody that says

142that we're not doing our due diligence to to do that. And um I I I know some things aren't going to be pleasant to hear and there's a hit, but we're all taking a hit, you know, some of this. out of everywhere. I'm just a poor old farmer. So, I gota, you know, I take hits all the time and uh um we all survive. But, uh I do think we're we're positioning ourselves to to certainly be stable and and to take care of things like capital, you know, in the future all our state. Anyway, just to add a boy to everybody that was involved and I I'm sorry that I didn't know about Mr. Ross. He was certainly one of my best and most impactful teachers as far as uh learning, as far as discipline

143and you know, I was taught to say yes sir anyway. and and and I guess that was a good thing because when we got into his class that was that was sure, >> you know, he was a tough guy, but I also remember that for exams he gave us lollipops and his only requirement was that everybody unwrap them at one time because he did not want to hear crinkling throughout the exam. >> So anyway, God bless you, Mr. Rob. Um, thank you all for uh your comments this evening. And just to piggyback on yours. Um, so I had Mr. Ross my the year that he switched from being a teacher to being a dean. And so then I was called into his office as an eighth grader. And I I didn't get sent to the

144office a lot, but I did that year because I was eating crackers on my bus. And this is Shephard. I don't know if you remember her, but she was a excellent bus driver and was very strict and I was caught eating. And then I think I also like had a walk man or something. So I Mr. Ross is just truly one of the best. Um seems kind of minor right now in comparison. I'm sure we all do. Anybody that's had him. Um >> he just straightened you out. >> He did. He did. Um, and I did want to comment too just kind of quickly. Um, I think part of being a Clark County is kind of being resistant to change and I certainly feel that way. And I think tonight um is a good example

145of being able to embrace change a little bit with the scheduling model and then also with the thought of upper becoming something else um that serves our community um or maybe the space behind us. But um I think that that both of those will hopefully be good changes. And I think that also the way that leaders embrace change rather than, you know, groan about the decision that the school board has made, which that and and please feel free to to complain about the school board's decision, but um it it is helpful to our students and our community to be able to say maybe this maybe there's some good that can come out of this. So anyway, thank you all and we'll now move into is there a motion to move to close session? >> I

146move to convene a close session to discuss personnel matters including appointments and resignations pursuant to code of Virginia 2.2-3711A1. The estimated time required for the close session is 15 minutes and action is expected. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> All oppose. Motion passes. Okay. Is there a motion to reconvene in open session? >> So move >> second. >> All in favor? >> All opposed. Okay. Motion passes and certification of close session. I >> I >> action based on close session. Is there a motion? >> I move to accept the committee's I move to accept the uh personnel matters as presented. That's second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All oppose. >> Motion passes. And with that, I will adjourn the meeting. >> Good plan. Good plan.