001[laughter] The other >> [laughter] >> Good evening. The November 4th, 2025 meeting of the Hoover City Schools Board of Education is called to order. If you so choose, bow your heads. uh with me for the invocation. Gracious God, we're grateful for uh today. We're grateful for all the blessings that you bestow upon us. And we're grateful for the work that was done today in our school district. We ask your blessings upon our teachers and our administrators and staff as they continue every day to strive for excellence. Ask you to strengthen them and give them wisdom as they go through their day. Now, all the business we conduct tonight, I pray that we do it in a manner that honors you. Amen. >> If you don't mind, please stand for the pledge. >> Salute. Pledge to
002the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice [groaning] for all. Thank you. Seated. At this time, the recording secretary Netville will call the role to establish >> here. >> Blair, >> Shelley Shaw here, Jeremy >> here. Very good. Forum 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. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? The agenda is approved. We will now move to our recognitions portion of the meeting. Merrick Wilson, you're up. >> Thank you, board members. Dr. Maddox, we have [clears throat] some really special guests with us tonight. I'd like to start by asking Dr.
003Stocks and Mr. Irwin if they will please come forward while I brag about them. Um this year Greystone Elementary and Shakes Mountain Elementary have been recognized as 2025 I Ready Superstretch schools for their remarkable growth on the I Ready Diagnostics last year. Um the I Ready Stretch Growth Honor celebrates schools where students not only met their annual growth but also exceeded their expectations. Only five schools in the state received this and just 170 schools nationwide reached this distinction. So this is really amazing that we've had two if you only have seven in the state two of them come from university schools really amazing and this is the second year in a row that they have reached this goal. So we are so impressed with our two schools and the growth that they've done um building
004strong learning environments for our students and just such a great testament to them and to our faculty and staff. >> Excellent. Congratul [applause] One, two, three. One, two, three. [clears throat] >> Good job. >> So, our next guest that we have for recognitions is going to look a little bit different. I'd like to ask our five crew to come forward. So, I'll go ahead and introduce. We have Allison Dorland with Bluff Park Elementary with us. And we have some Photo board members. We have Judith Thomasson, Tracy Anderson, Kathy Cob, Connie Cushings, and Kelly Schaefer with us. And first, we want to start by thanking and this is Bravo. I'm sorry, not [laughter] first. We want to thank this is the month of Thanksgiving. We first want to say thank you to our board members for
005allowing school facility dogs in our school system. Bravo right here is our first facility dog in Hoover City Schools. He is going to be housed at Bluff Park Elementary School. Allison right here, the librarian, is the handler for Bravo. So once Bravo is fully with Cooper City Schools, he is actually an employee. Will be coming to work with Miss Dorland every day. But what he is here for, the reason why he's an employee for the school system, he's he's on contract. He's got to be here each day that the school doors are open. But Bravo is going through intense training, so he's able to provide emotional support, promote a sense of calm, and help students feel connected. There's research that shows that interacting with a facility dog can reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, increase
006focus, and even improve classroom performance. So, FOS is here, right here in our backyard in Hooper. And so, we're so thankful to have a partnership with them. Um, I've been able to see firsthand these dogs come into a classroom, a student who may be anxious about taking a test or just feel a little nervous about the first day of school. And these dogs are able to bring smile on everybody's face as you can see right now. So, Bravo is coming to Bluff Park once a week right now and we are really excited that next fall he'll be with us um all the time. So, he is a baby. So, just so everybody knows, [laughter] >> this is a 10 month old puppy. Yes, he is. He is still in >> a lot of training, >>
007but we are so thankful the board making this possible and opening this up to all of our schools within our system. Um, Crossroads will also be getting a school dog very soon. Um, so we are excited to see this partnership grow within our community. >> Okay. So, how how much larger will Bravo? >> He's going to fill out. He'll fill out in terms of his weight, but he's about he's probably about as tall as he's gonna get for he's a standard poodle. >> How old is he? >> He is 10 months. >> Yeah. >> And he's been coming to Bluff Park since he was about five and a half. >> And so can you can you mention how how the name? >> So the name of >> Yeah. You guys want to talk? >> Sure.
008Okay. So, it was voted on by So, F gave us some name choices and the students that was our first fundraiser. They put a dollar in each of their favorite >> [laughter] [laughter] >> So will be a reading buddy, a testing buddy, a buddy that will get to go and be around all of the students in the school. So he will be an employee that gets to interact and a resource that will be for all of our faculty and staff and students. So we are very excited and wanted to to get to introduce him to the board and also thank the board for this amazing partnership. >> If we could I know Bravo is used to taking so many pictures. [laughter] I know. >> You might have to make a little noise. [laughter] >> Everybody
009look at me. >> Robert. Bravo. [clears throat] >> We all know everybody loves puppies and children. Yep. >> So, for our last we really wanted to um talk about this month, it is the month of Thanksgiving where we spend a lot of time talking with our students and our faculty and staff about what we are thankful for. And we are so fortunate in the school system to have so much on our list of being thankful for this year. And so, we actually asked to have some students come up and share with each of you um what they're thankful for in Cub City School. So, if we can have our student guests to come forward and we're going to let them go one at a time. Students, if you will tell us your name, which school
010you attend, and your grade, and then you can tell us what you're thankful for, we'd love to hear it. Um, good evening. My name is Laura and I'm an eighth grader at Barry Middle School. I'm excited to share with you why my school holds such Barry Middle School is more than just a place for active learning. It's a vibrant community of learners. Here we grow, discover more about ourselves and receive support from caring individuals who share our values. The positive energy is palpable from the moment you step through the everyone is made to feel welcome, encouraged, and proud to be part of the community. One of the things I love most about Barry is the wealth of opportunities to get involved and try new things. In sixth grade, I took part in girls engaged in
011math and science or gym. That experience revealed how enjoyable learning can be when we explore and collaborate. I realized that true learning comes from curiosity and teamwork, not just from sitting in a classroom. In seventh grade, I joined the sparklers, the school of student part of the very sparklers have instilled in me a sense of confidence, school spirit, and an understanding of what it means to be part of something bigger than myself. Performing with my teammates and representing our school has been an amazing experience. I take great pride in all our hard work together. But what truly makes special though is the people. My friends, classmates, and the staff create an environment that feels like a second home. We celebrate each other's successes and help each other grow simply by being together. Barry is a
012place where everyone belongs. Kindness is valued, and we are encouraged to strive for our very best. I am immensely grateful for everything Barry has given me, the invaluable lessons, the friendships, and the Milwaukee. I will always be proud to say that I was part of the group. Thank you for letting me share why I love their middle school SO MUCH. >> [applause] >> HAVE A great place to every music library and drama. We also enjoy very much and of course we love having our principal and vice. We're thankful for our teachers and how much they us. [applause] I would like to tell you what I'm thankful for at Simmons Middle School. I am in seventh grade at Simmons Middle School. At Simmons Middle School, the teachers not only teach us academic skills, but also teach
013us life lessons. The teachers there are truly wonderful. >> Hi everybody, my name is Rebecca Fa and I am a fifth grader at Shades Elementary School. Let me tell you the top three reasons why I'm grateful for my school. Number one, we have an amazing principal, Mr. a fantastic assistant principal, Miss Miss Collie, and the most outstanding teachers and staff in the entire multiverse and beyond. [laughter] Number two, at James M Elementary School, we are taught to work super hard, but we sure know how to play hard, too. And finally, I'm really grateful for my school because we're family. We look out for each other and want the best for each other. Those are the top three reasons why I'm thankful for my school. THANKS FOR LISTENING. >> [applause] >> I AM thankful for my
014principal, my teacher, all the special teachers at my school. I am thankful for the lunch ladies and all [clears throat] the custodians at my school. And I am also thankful for the opportunity to be here. One, two, three. Good job, guys. stand up here at such a young age. So parents, thank you for sharing your children with us. Students, you did an amazing job and board members. I hope they gave you a little glimpse of what our students and our faculty. [clears throat] >> All right, a couple more recognitions before we move on. Um, I would like to recognize Robin Schultz who's with us tonight. Uh, Robin's a new city councilman. He also happens to be the leazison overseas school board of education. So, welcome Robin. And the guy who thought he snuck in in
015the back, our state representative Mike Shaw is sitting in the back. No, there's no rows behind you. Mike back to put you in the closet. Uh, thank you all for being with us tonight. All right, board members, including in your packet are the minutes for the regular board meeting held on October 7th, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes? >> Second. >> Any opposed? All in favor? Are we just second here? So, all right. Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Dr. Maddox. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to recommend approval of our consent agenda, which includes personnel actions, contracts, field trips, 2026 summer hours, obsolete items, capitalized assets, and surplus items non-c capitalized assets. Very good. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as recommended by
016the superintendent? >> Do I have a second? >> All right. Are there any questions about any of these items from the board? Seeing there are none, I have a motion, a second. All in favor? >> All right. The consent agenda is approved. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, board. All right. Our business action items are next on the agenda. I will ask our CSFO Melinda Buck who loves volunteers uh and people to volunteer their time to come to the podium. Thank you inside joke. Sorry [laughter] financial statements for the month ending September 30th 2025. For fiscal year 2025, Uber City Schools has received 105% of its budgeted revenue. The financial statement reflects 12 months of operational activity. Accordingly, we would anticipate having spent approximately 100% of the budget of reoccurring expenditures. At year end, general
017fund expenditures were 106% of the budget. The current revenue is of 6.93 months and we anticipate further growth as tax payments are due October one and become delinquent that come in January. In September, we process payments for Barry Middle School athletic field restrooms and storage building. The elevator modernization projects at Trace Crossing and Grayson Elementary School. Bumpus Middle School softball and track lighting project. Hoover City Hoover High School theater renovation. Spain Park High School locker room upgrade along with roofing projects at Simmons Middle and River Chase Elementary School. [clears throat] Special revenue fund expenditures for the fiscal year ended total at 28.4 million or 118% of the budget. Federal funds are primarily expensed during the school year with reimbursements occurring one month. >> Very good. Anybody have any questions for Miss B? You have more.
018>> I was just going to give the cash dispersement and payroll. So cash dispersement was 7,32,42425 and the payroll was $14,696,830 and I to be finished. >> [laughter] >> you remind us [snorts] so the pre last month we were at nine billion uh for our month's reserve and now we're at six the big drop you just >> so we paid a lot of our capital projects we had final payments that were paid on that our direct service we had to transfer those out of the um debt service funding source into general funding >> thank you >> yes sir >> any other questions from the board all right do I have A motion to approve the business actions. So move. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and second.
019All in favor? >> Business business action items are approved. Thank you, Miss B. Mr. President. Thank you, board. All right. Move on to the superintendent information report. All right. At this time, I would like to ask Wes Will Banks, our director of technology, to come forward to discuss the Children's Internet Protection Act. Remember tonight I want to briefly confirm that your city school remains in full competiant federal funds that help the district offset our internet access service provider as well as infrastructure for our network. Um there's three requirements inside of SIPA. The first one being block internet content that is photographic. All right. Um, second one is that we have a clarified internet safety policy in place and posted on our website and that all the students receive annual instruction on appropriate online behavior, privacy,
020cyber security, prevention um curriculum and they do that through common core media or common sense media. Every city school fully meets all the needs of one of these requirements. provide constant instruction for every student tools which cover digital citiz of privacy and online safety. Our filtering system meets and exceeds the SIP standards and our internet safety published on our website schools are both technically compliant and educationally proactive when it comes to appreciate it. All right. Um just want to take this opportunity to um thank our administrators. We we uh and principles, we had we've had visitors in our district all day today. So, we've been bouncing around from school to school and just want you to know that our folks did a phenomenal job um hosting our visitors and guests. Um I think I logged
021um 15,000 [clears throat] steps today. I needed them. It was good exercise. Um we started out Mr. Bariel bright and early at 7:30 this morning. >> Yes, sir. and uh end of the day with Miss Hatter at 3:30 or so. So, uh it was it was a great day. So, just want to uh commend you for all that you've done and and thank uh our district leadership for all that that you did to prepare for the visits and and uh to participate in those. Um also want to highlight our schools. We have, I believe board members, 14 of our 16 schools that are having some type of program to honor veterans next week. Um, and those programs begin, I believe, as early as tomorrow. Uh, I know some of you will be attending some of
022those. Just want to take this opportunity to recognize uh we have two board members u that are veterans of the military. Mr. Rex Blair, uh, who's a veteran of the the US Army, and Mr. Alan Pquette, US Air Force. The two of them debate which is the better of the two. That's for another day. Um, but we do want you to know we appreciate your service. My my father was a veteran of the of the US Navy. Do we have any other veterans out there in the audience? Um, and so I have deep respect for for veterans and u, I I'm just, you know, one of the things that we say is um, you you can't just tell students, you have to model for students. And we are modeling for students. So respect for our
023country uh, for our flag, for what it means to be free and all the sacrifices that were made um, so that we could ensure our freedom. And that's happening all across our district. And so I commend you for your service. Uh I want to thank our staff for all that you are doing um to more to uh com um to recognize our veterans and our community and to instill values in our students that are so critically important to maintaining our way of life in America. Um I also wanted to just touch on the fact that um as the as the government shutdown continues, we know that some of our families have been affected by this in a variety of different ways. Um you know, just know that we are aware, our our staff members are
024aware. Um Melinda Bonner was in my office last week. uh just wanting to provide reassurance that any of our students that that receive lunch assistance will continue to do so, that hasn't been impacted for this previous month. Uh while we don't know what the future holds with that, um just want you to know that we're going to respond to the needs of our kids, um that's why we're here and and we will do that as needed moving forward. So, um with that, Mr. President, I will yield back to you. Very good. We do not have any requests for public comment tonight. So, we'll just move ahead to board comments. Uh so, we'll just start on the edit. It's okay with you, Mr. Mr. Bes. We'll let you go first. >> No comment tonight. >> No,
025you're good. >> I [clears throat] just have to say um friends and family lunches that are about to start happening at the elementary schools. that is something that I treasure as a mom with former students and I just hats off to all of you for doing it and for making that so special. Um Veterans Day assemblies, playoffs, um there's so many things to be thankful for this month, but having those students here tonight was the highlight of probably my week. So it's very good to hear from you. Mr. Blair, [clears throat] um I was looking because I I remember want to bring this up and I feel bad. I should know this, but uh we were at an Auburn football game. We were picking up some hats and stuff like that. Uh polos and you
026know, as uh bunch of kids, I'm usually on mission. Get in, get out. We were there longer because we start looking other things. I get frustrated. I don't like all the people around me. That's an Iraqi thing. Uh being in Iraq, I should say. [clears throat and cough] Anyway, so I'm ready to leave. I lose my and all a sudden all my kids disappear and now I'm starting to get pissed in Texas where Georgia. Well, they're a math teacher from Spain Park and I was looking I I should remember his name. I can't blanket but I want to call him out and I'll shoot you a note because I think it's important. Everything stopped. Didn't care what was going on. Their favorite math teacher of all time was actually there buying something and every one
027of my kids went and took a picture with at Auburn University. >> Wow. >> So I love it now. I didn't love it then. like uh but um you know they were so excited uh really irritated I'm blanking on his name but I mean I got a picture that's what I was looking for they each took a picture with him my um I'm not sure even my oldest who's an Auburn senior at Auburn took a picture that's awesome >> because he had it when he was in park so why do I say all that you know teachers have a way of impacting kids in a way that I don't think we truly understand and then in that moment where it'd be so easy to pretend you didn't see that teacher or hey, I'm here. I'm
028talking to my family. No, we got ditched the curb and they wanted to go talk to the math teacher. Uh that says everything about uh the math teacher that I'm going to put the name out because I really wanted him to get some credit for check, but I don't want to miss the opportunity. So, I thank y'all for that. Uh that actually is a very big thing. For those of you with kids, you recognize kids go back and they make a point to go see someone that only supposed to exist in classrooms and they're so excit excited to see them in the real world. That's genuine engagement with our students. >> And uh I mean the rest of the day, I can't believe you saw him, man. He was so great at this and so
029great at that. I was like, "Oh, you know, that's right. You didn't ask for a lot of help that year, [laughter] you know." So, uh it really was. It was uh you know, it really was. It's just something that warms the heart. I mean, every one of my kids, I think the ones that were there, three out of the four that were there had they all over just It's neat. Thank you. We'll keep the theme of uh thankfulness going. I'm I'm thankful that y'all are here. Uh you've worked all day and I know like Brad, your day starts really early. Uh but you take the time to come to a board meeting. I don't want you ever feel obligated because I know you have families and you have other activities going on, but to make
030the effort to be here does mean a lot to us. I'm grateful that Mr. Schultz was able to come and Mr. Shaw as well. I know y'all work hard all day and you're ready to get home. You come over here and listen to us. Bumper comes a little bit. Thank you very much. I appreciate you doing that. So, no other business. All right. Next board meeting, we get back on our schedule. I think finally our next board meeting will be December 9th, 2025 at 5:30. This meeting is adjourned. [clears throat]