001for meeting of the Hoover City Schools Board of Education is called to session. If you so choose, bow your head for the invocation. Father, thank you for this day and the sunshine we got to see again today and for all the blessings that you've bestowed upon us. I pray that all that we would do tonight will be done in an orderly fashion and in a way that's pleasing unto you. Give us wisdom and courage to always do what is right. Amen. >> Amen. Please stand for the pledge. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Will you call the role to establish >> here? Shelley Shaw >> here. >> Jeremy Vice. >> All right.
002Quorum has been established. Board members, you have the agenda for this evening's meeting before you. Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda? >> Do I have a second? Second. [clears throat] >> All in favor? None opposed? The agenda is approved. We will now have our recognitions. Miss Mary Wilson. >> Thank you, board members. Dr. Maddox. We [snorts] have um some amazing students to recognize tonight. And to get started, I'd like to ask our Hoover High School boys cross country team to please come forward. So the group that is coming forward right now, our Hoover Bus Boys cross country team finished 7A state runner up this year. So let's give them a round of applause. their fair time. Tell us a little bit about their team and their team this year. >> All right.
003Well, uh they worked hard. Got up and had practice at six o'clock in the morning most days and came back at 3:00 for an afternoon session. And uh surprised a lot of the state. They weren't expected to finish in the top two. Uh the amazing thing about this group, they got secondia beat us. This is the second fastest time uh group of athletes Hoover has ever had. We had, I think, 14 cross country state championships. Only the 2014 was faster than this group. Even though they got second, they would have beat our other 13 state champions. So, uh, very fine. [applause] >> Ready? And one, two, three. One, two, three. Thank you guys. I know the two on the end look like students, but those are actually my assistant coaches. [laughter] >> We're going to
004have time forward and if I can have Gonzalez to please come up here. So, our next recognition is amazing student who had a phenomenal performance and finished in the top of the podium at the 7A girls state championship race. So Ruth is a 7A state champion. We are extremely proud of her, but want to brag on her. Even though she is a 7A state champion, she is also an eighth grader at Bumpus. >> Not only won the seven state championship, she had the fastest time by 13 seconds of any girl runner at the state championship. She is the second I was told she's the second fastest eighth grader in the history of Alabama and she set our school record and her mom Joy is one of our assistant coaches and this is Carrie one of
005our girls. >> So coach what what was the what was your time? >> 1757 >> and that's for what's the 5K [snorts] 3.1 miles. >> I'm not sure I can drive. With 300 meters to go, she was tied for for the lead and she won by 13 seconds. >> One, two, three, two, >> someone who someone enjoys to run. Those are extremely impressive like impressive times and um I now going to go home and start working on my own running skills to be able to compete with that. Oh my god. Congratulations. Next, I'd like to ask Uber High's cheerleading team to please come forward. Have our cheerleaders come up right here. We want to say congratulations to our Hoover High School cheer team for earning the title of the 7A state runner up. We've had
006a lot of maps um come home with us in the last few weeks, last few months. Um their spirit, teamwork, and energy continue to shine and we are so proud of how they represent our school community. They are coached by coach Bill Scruff, Coach Greer, Coach Gun, and Coach Huleston. And we are so proud of these group of girls for all of their hard work and representing us at the state level. So help me give them a round of applause. [applause] >> I'm expecting a lot. >> That's a pro. >> Hey, make sure you can see me. Okay, everybody look at me. Ready? In one, two, three. One, two, three. Cool. Thank you, GUYS. [applause] >> Thank you, ladies. And so to continue on with all of our state championships that we've been talking about,
007we're going to ask Bane Park High School swim and dive team to please come forward. [snorts] So I'm going to brag on them just a little bit as well. The women's 200yard freestyle relay team earned the state championship in the 6A 7A division. their time set a school record for Spain Park, but also the Jags earned several additional podium finishes, including the women's 400 yard freestyle relay, which placed third and was also a useful record for Spain Park. On top of that, they have an additional record that they sent that they set um at the state championship. I I couldn't even pronounce which one it was. So, that's three school records that this team right here provided for Spain Park. And we are so proud of them. Congratulations to our athlete and also to coach
008McDaniel on his outstanding performance. It is it is very impressive [applause] >> and board members. I know we just recognized some amazing athletes, but I also want to brag on a few of our other students as well because what they did made a huge impact on the lives of many families in our community. So, I'd like to ask the Spain Park Engineering Academy to come forward and engineering academy director Miss Brown. So this group right here partnered with handinhand early learning program with United Ability to design and build custom electric cars for children with disabilities. They had support from a Toshoba Toshoba grant and they worked alongside the United Ability Therapist to give students to give these children um ways that they could operate independently these electric cars. So, think about the electric cars that
009we had when we were kids. Like maybe a one of those little jeeps that you could get in as a three or four year old and ride around them. Well, these students with disabilities needed special accommodations to be able to independently operate those vehicles on their own. And this group of students worked to make sure that each one of the students at the United Ability had a vehicle that they could use and operate and they were able to go to the facility and present them to their families. Um, I'm sure there was not a dry eye in the room when they were able to see them. Not only were these bars customized for these kids and their abilities, but also had license plate with [clears throat] the children's name on them. That was something just
010special for them. So, sometimes we take for granted that we are able to just go out and get toys that work for us. That's something that those children are not able to do, but because of these remarkable students right here, they were able to have their own customized toys that they were able to to use. So we are so thankful for all of you and what you were able to do and we know those families were very thankful as well. >> Not you. >> Correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't Wasn't this this story one of our highest levels of social media engagement that we've had this year? >> It was it was pretty high. They're they're becoming pretty famous. They >> like more magazine cover it. >> Hey, look right here. Make sure you see
011me. Ready? And one, two, three. One, two, three. GOOD JOB. SOME OF our academic excellence. But I did want to brag on our elementary schools and our middle schools just a little bit. Um they were all of our elementary schools and our middle schools were ranked among the 2026 best schools in the country by the US News and World Report. And that is something that comes out each year that they look at a lot of different [laughter] We're ready. They look >> one of you in the back leaning against the wall. [laughter] [clears throat] Yes. [laughter] [laughter] >> But I want to brag on our elementary and our middle school administrators, our teachers, our faculty and staff, our amazing students for being named in the 2026 best schools in the country by US News and
012World Award. It really highlights the academic excellence that we have in our schools, the hard work of our teachers. They uh they go through each day to try to empower our kids. And so, we're just so proud of them. I know Dr. Robinson touched more on um our strong academics, but I just wanted to to make sure that we congratulated our elementary schools and middle schools for that great recognition. And then, of course, our high school recognition from US report come spring. >> Nice. Fantastic. >> Thank you guys. >> Well done. Great. Thank you. Before we go any further, I want to recognize city councilman Robin Schultz. He is the leazison to the board of education from the council. Thank you for being here tonight. I want to thank everyone else, the families and the
013students for coming. Uh recognitions are over and if you feel like you need to leave, that's fine. You can feel free to step out. [laughter] I'm sure they'll go back and watch it. It works. >> All right, board members. Included in your packet are the minutes for the November 4th, 2025 board meeting. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes from the November 4th meeting? I have a second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Minutes are approved. All right. Next item on the is the consent agenda. Dr. Maddox. Thank you, Mr. President. I recommend approval of our consent agenda, which includes personnel actions, contracts, field trips, and surplus items. capitalized assets. >> All right. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as recommended by the superintendent? >> Do I have a
014second? >> Second. >> All right. Do we have any questions from the board on any of these items? Okay. I have a motion, a second. All in favor? >> None opposed. The consent agenda is approved. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, board. All right. Our business action items are next on the agenda. I'll ask CSFO Melinda Buck to provide an overview. >> Good evening. Included in your packet is a summary and general purpose financial statements for the month ending October 31st, 2025 for the fiscal year 2026. 5.12% of budgeted revenue have been received as of October 31, 2025. While this percentage may seem low, please note the property tax collection for October will be recognized in November, aligning with our revenue reporting timeline. The results for operating revenue one month of activity. Based on on
015this, we would anticipate 8.3% of the budgeted reoccurring expenditures to have been spent. At this time, the general fund expenditures are slightly below this benchmark at 7.69% 69% of the for the one month of activity the general fund reserve is 7.05 months. This reserve will increase as a tax collections are received in the upcoming months. In October we observe the increase in the purchase of instructional material at the local schools. This was driven by the allocation of classroom instructional support funds from the state local principal discretionary funds and the payment of [clears throat] our property insurance premium. Special revenue fund expenditures total 2.1 million for October representing 9.28% of the budget. This reflects the typical expenditure pattern for federal programs. costs are largely incurred during the school year with reimbursement requests processing in one month
016of delay. Our total cash dispersements for October were 9,529,7363 while our November payroll was $15,1217 $121,7756. >> Very good. We paid for most of the capital stuff from the summer. We've caught out. Good to go. >> Very good. >> Thank you, Miss B. Any questions from the board? >> The current reserve then after you know all caught up, is that going to stay pretty steady? >> It will start to increase as revenue starts to come in as we start receive that property tax. We just started in October to receive a small portion of that, but we'll see. >> Any other questions? [clears throat] All right. Do I have a motion to approve the business actions? [clears throat] Do I have a second? >> All right. I have a motion and a second. All in favor?
017The business actions are approved. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, board. This time, I [clears throat] would like to ask Matt Wilson, director of operations, to come forward, address any bid related questions. Um our first uh bid is related to the Spain Park High School mechanical upgrade. Matt, would you [clears throat] mind walking through the scope of that project? Yes, sir. The SI project also upgrade the entire mechanical system about 25 years ago now replacing two two coolers drive pumps drive as well as the we originally budgeted this project. Of course we're anticipating the tariffs and social. So we budgeted at construction full cost $2.3 million budget project with an anticipated $2 million in in actual construction cost. We received a very pleasant surprise by the bids of a million1,565 systems for this product. So
018we're thrilled that we plan on doing probably the summer months and bing this soon allowing us to order. Now, if I recall correctly, Dr. Essel, you know, we had a we had an issue at at one point with some of the noise and neighbors and calling you over the holidays. Um, Matt, will this help resolve some of the noise issues? Would you speak to that? >> Yes, sir. They they called me, too. [laughter] >> That's because she gave him. You can hear the towers just past. Um we have some noise complaints regarding readings. This has these towers have suppression additional sound. So we know 100% we should not have near the [clears throat] address. [snorts] >> Mr. Mr. President, I recommend awarding the bid for the Spain Park High School mechanical upgrade to the lowest
019responsible bidder, Comfort Systems USA, Mids South, for a total bid award of 1,11,565, which thankfully is 1,134,565 under our original budget. All right. Do I have a motion to award the bid for the Spain Park High School mechanical upgrade to Comfort Systems USA as recommended by the superintendent? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? [clears throat] >> All right. This bid is awarded to Comfort Systems USA. >> Thank you. Our u our next bid um is on the renovations of the new operations building that we purchased. Uh Matt, do you mind going through the scope of that project? >> Absolutely. Scope of this project entails what prior to buying the building, we did build inspection identify work need. It involves HBAC related work. It also involves a lot of ADA
020modifications that were built just prea. It also does proof work as well as logistical work that make workbooks example we have to build today that would be part of discover as well and then per state guidelines we have fire time the entire building. So fairly extensive to make building work for us. This this is really just what we need. Um logistically for us as a department place for district problems. It's great. So I appreciate the renovation >> and you like the uh the layout plans the functionality everything is what you're looking for inside. A lot of it is modification related to cosmetic sprinklers. We're leaving a lot of the office the same modifications [cough and clears throat] not much in those areas really just making it work for us from a warehouse standpoint shop you
021know standpoint part of the wood shop and just the stuff that we need to operate >> and we'll bring the exterior landscaping hardcapes everything up to our standards. >> Yes sir. The landscape plans were done and they'll be submitted to the chase association for approval. All that in mind >> they're a tough way. >> Yeah, that's what I but um but all in all, yes, this building fits for us design. >> Is this one and done? So any more renovations you need? So [clears throat] they're the front section of the building that we have not identified as a need for us. Um we are making the required modification of those areas fl and then as we develop plans for future use we can modify those areas ourselves. So really it really just entails about 8,000
022ft what's going to be left really committed. When >> you say ourselves you mean internal resources. Okay. Any questions? [clears throat] >> Would you would you reference the warehouse? You're leaving the warehouse over. Would you explain what we do there? So, in the shop area, we of course that's going to be our operation. I'm also bringing the warehouse which is all your paper goods chemicals supply that'll be cosmetic but do all the laundry there for that as well. So it's really [clears throat] Dr. say it's not that he doesn't love being near Cooper [clears throat] High, loves the area, but you were mentioning how long it takes you guys sometimes to get out with traffic and get in with traffic and this morning from and Dr. S appreciate this. This morning when I left the
023shop, I left probably around peak time travel. It took me about 26 minutes to get to state from the shop just because it's so congest. We have the same difficulty in the afternoon. So this is really going to help us along with that. >> And you're going to keep a a skeleton crew [clears throat] equipment still back there because you have schools in that area. >> Yes, sir. Most of our landscape operations remain at the site because majority work high school. They'll remain there on that second building [clears throat] as will some of our heavy equip. Okay. Any other questions? [clears throat] Mr. Present. I recommend awarding the bid for the renovations at the new operations center to the lowest responsible bidder CT general Contractors LLC for the base bid and alternate number one with
024approval of value engineering to date in the amount of 2,653,218. The lowest bid exceeded the project budget by $289,979 and as a result is eligible for value engineering negotiations to lower the total cost and those will be ongoing. >> That's right. So we've identified immediately some things we can reduce by $7,000. That's what got us to this number. We are working with mechanical train carrier to see if we can make modification bring that cost that is ongoing. We'll have that hopefully finalized sometime this week. So it will not >> we're not going to swap lights and there's actually some $9,000 I have in place. So if I don't use those, you know, I can bring it down. Very good. Very good. All right. Any other questions from the board? All right. Do I have a
025motion to award the bid for the renovations at the new operations center, CT General Contractors LLT as recommended by the superintendent? So move. Do I have a second? >> Any questions? We've already gone over that. I have a motion second. All in favor? >> Opposed? All right. The bid is awarded to CI General Contractors LLC. Thank you. >> All right. Move on to superintendent information reports. Right. This time I would like to invite Dr. Chris Robbins, assistant superintendent for instruction to come forward and provide an update on student achievement and other related information. Guess I'm covering up our nice new [laughter] >> [clears throat] >> Thank you very much uh Dr. Madison board lights down. [laughter] you've been [laughter] trained. >> Sorry, Chris. Trying to solve that working. >> Now, I'd like to invite chief
026technology officer [laughter] and fix her computer. No, but as she does that, first of all, board, thank you very much for the opportunity to come share just a little bit of data, the great things that our students are doing in Uber City Schools. It's always a pleasure to have the opportunity to recognize the great things that they're doing. Um the data presentation today will involve three different um measures of data. One is the state report card. Um the second um is our fall ready scores, achievement scores for students grades kindergarten through 8th grade. And then the third is the education recovery score part which includes research out of Harvard and Stanford. >> [laughter] >> So, first I'd like to talk about the state report card. Um, the state does issue a report card for every
027school and every school district in the state of Alabama. It's a numerical grade 0 to 100 and it's also a letter grade. It includes these categories. achievement as measured by the APAC or ACT 11th grader growth, product absenteeism, also ELLL, college and career readiness, and also graduation rate. This started in 2017 and it continues and the data is all found on the state report card website. I'd like to go ahead and show you the state report cards for 2025 for schools in Hoover City Schools. Um, Bluff Park Elementary School 99A. Rocks Gap Intermediate School 100A. Deer Valley Elementary School 98A. Green Valley Elementary School 98A. Greystone 99A. Gwyn Elementary School 97A. Also, Riverchase Elementary School 96A. Rocky Ridge 95A. Shades Mountain 99A. South Shades Crest Elementary School 100A. Trace Crossings Elementary School 97A. Berry Middle
028School 95A. Bumpus Middle School 94A. Simmons Middle School 92A. Hoover High School 84B. Spain Park High School 90A. Hoover's overall district report card score was a 95A. A couple things worth noting. First of all, um 12 of our 16 schools have a 95 or higher. And so that puts 12 of our schools in the top 12% of of the state. So only 12% of schools statewide earned a 95 or higher. Also, six of the 16 schools of our 16 schools earned a 99 or a 100 perfect 100. We had that for the first time this year. That puts these schools in the top 4% of schools statewide. Only 59 schools statewide earned a 99 or 100. So of the 19 schools that earned a 100 statewide, we had two of them. And out of the
02940 schools that earned a 99 statewide, we had four of them. So 95A continues to be our district's highest state report card ever. And so we're very excited for what this means for our students, for our teachers, and for our leaders. Overall, only 12 school districts earned a higher school um a higher district report card than city schools. This puts us in right around between the seven and top 8% in the school in the state. Um also one thing to note is that when you look at other state report cards, um by far city schools is the largest and the most diverse school system on this list. How many other districts have as many? >> Uh none of those. So, um, the next thing I'd like to point out and like to talk about is
030our fall I Ready Diagnostic. The reason this is important, um, is because it helps us measure students reading and math growth on a smaller scale three times throughout the year. So, the data that I'm going to show you today is from the fall. This is what we took as a baseline in August. Currently, right now, they're taking the winter diagnostic and then the spring we'll take it one more time. The fall score will set that baseline and give us give the students and the school a goal for each you for each student in reading and in math. And of course, our goal is for every single student to reach their growth in reading and math every single year. So, it's exciting to compare fall to fall to fall. We want our students coming in stronger
031every single fall, right, than they did the previous fall. And so if you look, I've only got two years worth of data up there, but um what this data shows according to I Ready is our students are slightly stronger this fall than they were the previous fall. So in reading 67% which is up, in math 70% which is up. We also want the students who need intervention to be going down. So smaller numbers are better are going to be better here. In reading that's down to 13% in the fall. And then in math we stayed even at 13%. And then the achievement gap we know that the black white achievement gap we want that to be shrinking as well. And so that's what we see according to our falltofall measure using i is that both
032of the the achievement gap in reading and math has um shrunk as well. If I continued this data out since co five years what you would see is this exact pattern every year for the last five years. So, I'm really excited that what this shows is that our students are coming in slightly stronger than the fall previous. So, that's why this is important. What's going on right now is our midyear testing. And so, we're doing I Ready right now through all students kindergarten through 8th grade. Why do we do it? Well, we want to know how we can make adjustments throughout the year. One example of this is the board has graciously and generously provided part-time interventionists for our schools. So we have many many interventions. Why why is this important? Well, what we can
033do is take a student after this diagnostic maybe hasn't grown in reading or hasn't grown in math and we can get them the real time support and very strategic and targeted that they need in order to uh to continue growing. We don't have to wait till the end of the year when we get to we can go ahead and make those interventions right now. Also um we may identify teacher training needs or student grouping needs or maybe there are resources or supports. What we want to do is measure throughout the year in smaller increments to see exactly how our students are progressing throughout the year. The last [clears throat] thing that I'd like to present to you tonight is the is very interesting research out of Harvard and Stanford. And I've actually reported to the
034board before on this. They just recently in 2025 they updated their research. I wanted to provide an update to you here. First of all, it began in 2022. It was updated in 24 and then released in 25. The purpose of the research out of Harvard and Stanford is to give a complete and comprehensive picture of what the learning gains and losses were specifically related to CO. So using 2019 precoid as a baseline how is the nation fairing and gaining in terms of reading and math since co it didn't u it used existing data so it used existing national assessment of educational progress um data available through uh park and um also a things like that. So it used existing data that it pulled from in order to create these measures. And what it did was
035it compared learning levels from 2019 to 2024 in terms of months and years of learning. So in this example, 1.0 equals one year of learning in reading or one year of learning in math. And you'll see that just a second. It was a really comprehensive study. 89% of all students K12 in the nation were included. Now, some were um some were eliminated because data wasn't available or the district didn't meet certain criteria, but they started out with over 11,000 school districts in this study. So, this um was very comprehensive um and it is available at that website education recovery scorecard.org. So, across the nation, what did they find? First of all, they found out that um as of 2024, the average student is still about half a year, six months behind in reading and math.
036So this is across the nation. So the average student is approximately half a year's learning, still behind from that 2019 baseline. And also it showed that only 6% of students attend a school district where students have recovered in both reading and in math. So only 6% of students attend a school district where that's true, where they can say that yes, we we've reached the learning level we were at 2019. Well, I'm pleased to say that Hoover City School students are among those 6%. So, we're one of only 102 school districts nationally that has recovered in both reading and in math. There are some that have just done reading, some that have just done math, but even fewer that have recovered in both. So, Hoover City Schools among those 102 rank in the top third nationally.
037So, we rank 27 in reading proficiency of those 102 and 29 in math proficiency of those two. So, uh, from 2019 to 2024, what this tells us is that Hoover City Schools, um, have increasingly outpaced the nation in COVID recovery in ELA and in math and also in terms of [clears throat] >> and specifically we're in the top 1% of the nation. 102 out of 11,000 something just under >> correct. Yes, we're the top 1%. That's [clears throat] I like that. >> So, um, this is back to the um the the 1.0 0 equals one year of learning. Okay. Our baseline um in the spring of 2019 before COVID in ELA was 1.22 [clears throat] and in math was 1.18. What that means is that we were on average 1.22 grade levels or years of
038learning ahead of the nation in 2019 before well what we've seen since then is that we have increased that lead so to speak over the nation. uh we have gained um 59 in ELA and 68 um in math. So keep in mind there's only um 102 school districts where that far right hand column are pluses in both categories, right? So this is really exciting news. Um it's what's great is when yes, internally our data shows that our students are growing and our students are achieving, right? that they're making gains, but it's always great when Harvard and Stanford come and tell you through their research, right? Um that things are going well and that we're doing things right for our students in the school. So, just some key takeaways. First of all, of course, um we
039we uh have identified areas for growth. There are always going to be ways that we're going to continue and target our students for growth. Um for instance, u we want to target e growth using the access. We're looking closely at that um high school state report card um because of uh the way that it's calculated is really calculated um to where it does not favor large diverse high schools. And so we're looking at ways um that we can address that specifically in terms of chronic absenteeism um e and also ACT growth. And specifically the last two years we've been really focused on secondary math. So grades 6 through 12 mathematics ways that we can increase the achievement for those students. But then also what's exciting about the three points of research that I showed you
040the the data points is that we really have consistent evidence of success right between the AAP IR between the education recovery scorecard they all independently show some positive trends. So that higher consistency gives us higher, higher reliability [snorts] and confidence um that our students are growing and succeed. So we have a lot to celebrate. Um just like I said, we're not done yet. We won't be finished. We're continuing to push our students. We have fantastic students, fantastic teachers, and fantastic leaders in this school district. And so things are looking very positive. I look forward to um the next opportunity to share some data with you. and I'm happy to entertain any questions. >> Thank you. Any questions? That's the number. [clears throat] Um, board members, I'd like to take this opportunity just to thank Dr.
041Robbins and his team for the outstanding work that they do. And and one of the things we talk about all the time [clears throat] is we're never satisfied with where we are. Uh, this school district is fantastic. It's been that way for a while, but as you can see, we're incrementally trying to find ways to get a little bit better each year. And it doesn't happen haphazardly and by accident. It's very strategic. I've been a part of many data meetings, whether it be by individual school, by feeder pattern, reading and math coaches, and in all of those meetings, Dr. Robbins is leading conversations looking at recent relevant data. And that's really what should drive everything that we do. And it does and I'm thankful for it. So, congrats. Kudos to you and our administrators and
042our teachers and everyone that works behind the scenes to make these things happen. Thanks to the board for your continued support of our interventionists that we have in our schools that make such a big difference. Your support of special education uh and all that you do. Um really really pleased with where we are and where we're going. The only question I have is um can you score higher than 100? Because it looks like South Shades Crest and Brock's Gap topped out. So I don't know. We'll have to be creative there. I guess >> they have um they have increased sort of the competition within the school district with some other schools. They're saying, "Okay, well you can do it." >> I didn't know that that was possible. Awesome. Very exciting. >> Awesome. Now they got
043to maintain it. >> That's right. We're excited. Thank you. >> Um last I would just like to say um you know with the holiday season approaching, I just want to take this opportunity to commend uh everyone in this room for your hard work. Uh the students, the teachers, the staff members, the administrators, um board members. It takes it takes the collective uh to be able to to to continue to improve. And this has been a fantastic semester, one of the best I've ever been a part of. And we've al often talked in our group meetings about why. And I I don't know that we have an answer per se, but it's just a feeling. It's it's it's it's what we refer to as momentum. And we feel like we have it and we're moving in
044the right direction. We want to continue that momentum. But it goes back to people and um I know most recently two of our most uh recent administrative hires are sitting together back there. Um we we have we have fantastic principles and um Dr. E has established our own reputation but um Dr. neutral [laughter] term. >> Should I elaborate? >> But Dr. Ford, you know, we were looking for principal at Columbus and um you know, interviewed lots of really quality candidates and um and and I use we loosely because the two ladies sitting right there behind Mark uh uh really are responsible for it with Dr. Terry P. and not Smith, but pulling interviews together, really thoroughly vetting candidates, and really trying to find the right person for the job. And home run with Dr. Forum.
045I can't walk in that building without hearing it from everyone. And um if she's paying them to say good things, [laughter] she has no money remaining. And then of course um you know when um the opening came at Uber High and I began losing sleep um >> freaking out. >> Yes, freaking out [laughter] is a good word. Um I thought June was going to be a light month with a wedding and turned into a little more chaos. Dr. Sers just came riding in out of nowhere and um oh my gosh, what a blessing. And she has really uh brought stability to the campus. uh just uh a sense of hey, I've been there and done that. We're good. Um people people feel at ease with her and she's a she's a veteran. She's been doing
046it a while and that gives me peace. At night, I can sleep well knowing as long as she comes back to work the next day, uh I feel great about where we are. And again, it it's it's it's everyone doing the best they can do. And and I'm a firm believer in you got to hire the right people. And if you hire the right people, they will make a tremendous difference. And we have seen evidence of that over and over and over. That's why we will continue to hire the very best people that we can find just like those in this room today. So with that, Mr. President, I say thank you. I wish everyone a fantastic, restful holiday season. Um, want to thank our parents for trusting our school district and believing in us
047to educate their children. That that is a that is a big bonus for us as people move into our school district because they know and have confidence uh in our schools and and that means a lot to our people. So, just want to say thank you. And with that, Mr. President, I yield back to you. >> Very good. Thank you, Dr. Maddox. We don't have any public comments tonight, so we'll move right into board comments. And uh we got a little thin >> kind of like the hair in my head, but we'll let >> Well, and some of them got gone. So, we'll start with [laughter] >> we'll start with Shelly and Sh. >> Yeah. So, a week ago, this very night, we were at the Christmas tree lighting over at city hall and we
048had a senior from Riverchase Career Connection Center from RC3, Isaac Floyd. Well, he's a high school I'm sorry, he's a Hoover High senior, but he was also part of the the Fire Science Academy and he just um did a fantastic job talking to the group there. Um I will read because that's so that I get it correct um from from John's article. um he was actually going into kindergarten and he had thirdderee burns from um I believe it was a home fire accident that it was 30% of his body. >> So after being treated at Children's and going through 20 surgeries, countless hours of therapy, he is now a student at the fire science academy and plans to pursue a career as a firefighter within the fire department. So, it was a very it was
049just a wonderful thing to see him up there and giving um a story like that and pointing back to our our city to our educators and um and and saying this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. So, it was fun. And then we got to hear I think it was fourth grade third grade. It was trace crossings um students that were saying and they Oh, wow. Uh Miss Lean came up to me and she said, "Could you hear them?" And I said, "Oh, yeah." Yeah. They were loud. They were happy. I mean, it was a terrific time. And our school park jazz band was there. And there was a lot going on that night. Everybody had places to be, but I was grateful that I could be there and
050um see our students shine. So, >> awesome, >> Mr. Blair. Uh so, I [clears throat] was asked recently describe the school system in one word. It was kind of hard. I could think of a lot of words, but really just kept coming back. The word superior. Um, it's not usually the one you pick. You may say exceptional or outstanding, but I think superior is the right word. Everything we do feels like we do it superior to our peers, to other schools, to other states, whatever you want to do. I mean, this just highlights to me top 1% in the nation, all school districts. We're superior. And why are we superior? One you touched on uh is the leadership we have here. Starting with you, Dr. Maddox. I I joked you freaked out. You didn't. that
051that would have freaked me out principal. He's like, "Hey, we're gonna get figured out." And that's how he is. He takes on these challenges. He holds them tight and he owns them. And he's he charges ahead. And you got a team of leaders and there's a cohesiveness going on right now that it's the best I've ever seen. >> And I'm gonna just say that's all about you guys. Y'all are coming together as a team in a way that I haven't seen before. That's this energy maybe you're feeling. I'm seeing it as cohesiveness. It's a synergy. There's an excitement that I feel here in the building that I'm I honestly I'm not sure I can say I felt the first year I was here, but it's here now. So, the secret sauce is going. You guys
052are kicking it and you're going at it. That cohesiveness is powerful and I'm excited to see what next year brings. Next year brings we got the team now. We got our draft picks. We got the folks who are taking us and we're going to go win. So, let's It's already started. We're in the season. Let's go win it all. So proud of all of you what you do. Truly truly appreciate. This is uh year five and by far I don't believe in jinx by the way. I just don't I got time for that. Uh been the best semester in four and a half years as a board member. Some of them were easy to beat. Okay. [laughter] This one has been exceptional and it's for all the reasons that you've heard and and you all
053know I've told both of you that I've been in your schools and people have pulled me aside and said, you know, difference makers. Yeah. So glad to have you there. But couple things that have been on my mind. [clears throat] Um I know a lot of you in this room are carrying a heavy load of work. I know everybody in this room. I know what you're doing. I know what your responsibilities are. We've added to that, you know, with this study we're doing with HPM, the extra work we're doing now that we're kind of re-engaged again at a higher level with the DOJ and LDF and everybody's got more to do. And I just appreciate everybody's enthusiasm jumping in. I promise you this is going to this is going to reap some fruit and at
054some point this work with HPM and then it's all going to intersect and we're get we're going somewhere. We're going somewhere great. Uh so thank you for being willing to do the extra work. Um for a public [snorts] uh institution, Hoover City Schools, a lot of public institutions from my standpoint, you know, yeah, they just get the job done. This runs like a private enterprise where people are trying to better themselves. People are trying to make the team better. It's not just about me. Uh, everybody's about we I'm seeing that this it's it's contagious. We're getting things done. Uh, let's get through Christmas. Let's get through finals. Let's get through finals and be successful in in January. We'll come out of the locker room and play another hat. So, thank you everyone for all that
055you do. I hope you all have a great and blessed Christmas and a happy new year. And uh we might see you again before the end of the year, but we might not. So, thank you. All right, everybody. Good. All right, with that uh we will adjourn this meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2026. How many of y'all will write that down wrong for a long time right here?