001We're going to go ahead and call our meeting to order and we would like that everyone please stand for Mr. Prayer. Uh will be by Mr. Pastor Trent Finley, college pastor of GSU. Thank you, sir, for coming. >> Absolutely. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father God, Lord, we come to you, Father, knowing that you are the author of just all good gifts, Father, and the one from whom blessings flow. And so, Father, we thank you for the gifts and the blessings that you give us in our lives. Father, I come tonight just praying over this board meeting. Father, I pray for the members as they are making decisions that affect not just the education but the lives of so many students, God, that you would give them wisdom and discernment, Father, as
002they make those decisions. Father, I pray for the teachers and the faculty and staff within our school, within these schools, Father, and that you would just bless them, give them the grace and the patience as they deal with students, Father, and help them just love them and just show them your love. Father, I pray for the students within this school district, Father, that you would just be with them. Bless them, Father. And Father, I pray for just this meeting tonight that you would just bless this time and that we may just bring you honor and glory through it all. It's in Christ's name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. To the flag of the United States of America [clears throat] and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with all. >> Thank
003you. You may have your seat. At this time we're going to call the meeting the meeting to order. Roll call. Miss Hall >> Here. Mr. Candy >> present. >> Mr. D >> here. Miss Watson >> yes here. >> Approval of the agenda. >> So move. >> Second. >> It has been approved. It has been motioned and properly seconded that we approve the agenda as printed. All in favor? Let it be known by uh yay. Yay. I >> no nays. The agenda is approved as printed. At this time recognition >> we have very special group of students with us today and of course we have several months of sore meetings. So being with us our principal stone sl good evening. I hope you guys all are doing great. Uh first I just want to thank you
004uh the board for this opportunity to celebrate our students. The soaring eagles award honors those who display hard work, leadership and positive impact. They have a positive impact each day. Tonight we are excited to recognize our outstanding students for August, September, and October. I will now call each student's name along with the comments from the nominating teacher. Start with August. Our senior August senior eagle is Cooper Haynes. If you would come up, we want to line them up in the front here. >> Sounds great. >> Not here. Okay, that's okay. Um, Cooper was nominated by Hillary Howard, um, teacher and church member, and this is what she has to say about Cooper. I believe Cooper Haynes exemplifies what a soaring eagle is because he has a true servant's heart. For the past two summers, Cooper
005has gone on a mission trip to Honduras where he shared Bible lessons, music selections, and led various games, activities, and worship services. Cooper also worked with other missions volunteers assembling and distributing water filters so the natives would have access to clean water at his church Mount Zion. He does he serves in various areas of ministry and has even preached a message. This summer Cooper was selected as an FCA summer ambassador where he helped with various FCA sponsored sports camps. At school last year, Cooper began a student-led Bible study at JHS that has continued into this year. He has he has organized the group in a way that allows other students to lead Bible study and prayer each week. What a leader. His school activities include FCA, FFA, president of the student lighthouse leadership team, and
006varsity baseball team member. Academically, Cooper maintains a 3.8 8 GPA or above, is in the National Honors Society, and as a junior is on track for an honors diploma. Finally, Cooper manages all of his success while working part-time at Chick-fil-A. CONGRATULATIONS. Our junior Eagle goes to Raven Willingham. Is Raven with us? Raven was nominated by Mr. David Stanley, a health education teacher. And this is what he said has to say about Raven. Ninth grader Well, Raven Willingham is a kind, compassionate, and thoughtful student who not only looks after others, but proactively observes and assists classmates with assignments and time management strategies. She is highly respectful and mannerable and is diligent in completing coursework. Raven is a varsity cheerleader and maintains all A's while taking all honors classes. She is a member of the National Junior
007Honor Society and has been an academic award recipient every year. Congratulations. >> Do you want to stay up? >> Yes. Yes. Stay up. Come back >> because we want to get a picture with everyone. >> You can stand right here. >> Right here. There you go. Turn around and face that way. There you go. [snorts] >> September's senior eagle goes to Kasia Williams. Asia was nominated by John Van Cleave, her former math teacher. 12th grader Kasia Williams has a wonderful attitude and an extremely sweet personality. She is a member of the varsity competition cheer team, varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. Kia is also a member of FBLA, Key Club, HOSA, Peer Helpers, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, the Senior High Book Club, and MOU Alphatheta. Outside
008of school, KA works part-time at Baja California Grill and for Sedexo at JSU catering football games. Additionally, she is an active member of her church's praise and worship ministry and dance ministry. With all of this, Kasia still maintains a 4.0 GPA. While taking three AP classes, she is a perfect representation of what a soaring eagle should be. Our junior eagle for September is Jack Stikney. He was nominated by Mr. Taylor Hayes, his science teacher. And Mr. Hayes says, is an eighth grader. Jack Stney is respectful to teachers and students alike, and is always stepping up to help others. He runs errands for teachers and helps classmates when needed. As a neighbor, he graciously steps up to help take care of one of his teachers animals when they are out of town. He also keeps the
009teacher's daughter called up when she's not at school by bringing her missed work to her. He's responsible and that he always cleans up after himself, which is rare for kids these days. He stays on task at all times and puts his best foot forward each day. He is also super smart. Good job, On to October. Our October senior eagle is 12th grader Sam Parker Wagner. Sam Parker was nominated by Sharon Dearman, English teacher. 12th grader Sam Parker Wagner is kind to everyone. he comes in contact with. He goes out of his way to help others and is always encouraging to his classmates. He is respectful to his teachers, never complains, and always does whatever is asked of him. He always has a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Sam Parker is on the
010varsity baseball team and is a member of FCA, the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, and maintains a 3.8 GPA. in the community. He is active in a church youth group and plays travel baseball with Top Gun. He plans to play baseball for Sneeed State Community College after high school. Good job, Stan Parker. Okay, our October Junior Eagle goes to Jackson Green. Jackson was nominated by coach Brian Williams, his geography teacher, and he says, "Jackson Green keeps a positive attitude towards learning as well as being corrected. When a student needs help with an assignment, he gladly assists. Jackson is a member of the junior high basketball and baseball teams and is on the student lighthouse team for JHS. Jackson has also been playing travel baseball for several years. He is an A honor
011role student and takes advanced English and advanced math. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church at Eagle Point youth group. Good job, JACKSON. >> And congratulations to all of our soaring eagles. One more time. >> Oh yeah. Didn't you have >> [clears throat] [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> You can take her [clears throat] out of the classroom. >> Hey We're so proud of all guys. Thank God for being here because we want to recognize our kids doing wonderful things and you know the partnership with home and school and our community. Congratulations. Uh you should >> extremely [clears throat] extremely proud of you. Miss Clark had an engagement now with her daughter. Um they have a cheer uh competition going on or ball game I should say. And uh so we
012welcome you to stay um for the rest of the meeting. But this is the time that we do give you that uh opportunity [laughter] to stay or to put you sleep. >> But anyway, thank you all and we appreciate you very very much. Thank you to our students as well as our parents. You're doing a great job. >> Thank you guys very, very much. >> Thank you, sir. >> Bye, neighbor. [laughter] >> And great jacket. That's it. >> Yeah, it is. And >> I want to know where that jacket came from. [clears throat and laughter] That's nice. That's nice. Jacket clean. >> Mhm. >> Wow. At this time, we're going to go ahead back to our meeting. Are there any public? No. Let's move back. I'm moving too fast. We need to approve the minutes
013of the October 29th, 2025 Jacksonville City Board meeting. >> Second. >> It has been moved. Has been motioned and properly second. Are there any discussion? If not, the minutes stand as moved. All in favor, let it be known by saying yay. >> I. >> Thank you. Motion stands that the we approve the board meeting minutes from October of 20 29th, 2025. Public comments, finance report. >> Yes, I have that and you have it in your packets as well. Um but you should have the monthly financial statements exhibits F1A uh through F3C for September 2025. Um the uh combined bank reconciliation at September 30th uh 2025 was 7,37,88416. And then the accounts payable and check register accountability report for September 2025. The total for that is1,543,53143. Okay. [clears throat] Uh include your state funds, your federal
014funds, and your local fund sources. >> Okay. Dr. Barbara, you want to make a motion? >> I'm so sorry. Yes, ma'am. I'm I'm doing this uh kind of pinch hidden, so you're exactly right. Um, I recommend the board approve um, uh, the, uh, Jacksonville City Schools accounts payable and payroll for September 2025 and accept the September 2025 financial statements. >> Okay. >> So move second. [clears throat] It has been motioned and properly seconded that we accept the financial report accountability report financial statement combined bank reconciliation for the October 29th through 25th I mean 20 25th I'm sorry are there any discussion >> I just wanted to make one comment and that is the fact that Miss Blunt did a phenomenal job in calculating first of all the amount that she projected that we would spend
015and then the actual amount that was spent and um you know as we look at those numbers we see that we're like 99% 99% 92% I mean a few 1.1 but one is even 89% but um you know she did a great job in calculating >> she did she did an excellent job >> how much she projected that budget would be and pretty much on the money >> almost like she's done that before. >> I think [laughter] I think she's done that before. >> Twice once maybe a couple as always. She did a great job. >> Are there any more discussion? >> If there's no other discussion, if all in favor, let it be known by I. >> I. >> Motion stand and approve. Okay. Now recommendation to approve JCS account Pelba. We did that.
016I'm sorry you all. I'm not reading. >> All right. >> Superintendent's report and new business. >> Yes. On 9A, I recommend the board approve the new Jacksonville City School Board policy 5.85, vaping awareness, education, and prevention. Um, and that policy has been before you for the month. And so, um, now it is time to approve it. So, move. >> Second. >> It has been motioned. motion and second that we approve the report. Vaping is this the vaping awareness education and prevention. Okay. All in favor let it be known by saying I >> I so move. Are there any nazs? Motion stand approve as stated. >> Next item is personnel. >> Recommend the board approve personnel items uh 10 A through C. Move second. >> Second. >> It has been motioned and properly second that we
017approve the recommendation by the superintendent item 10 ABC. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. >> I. >> Motion [clears throat] stand approved. >> Go ahead. >> Question on item C. And this is just my gear. What? Didn't we have an employee that passed away that was doing that raising? Wasn't there an employee that was No, I'm sorry. That was a special needs bus. That was it. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes. Okay. >> Um and so that concludes my action items. If I could share just a little bit of information of what is going on. We uh hosted the town and gown uh meeting last week. And and let me just say uh it was a great success. Um we had representation from of course the university and the city and uh
018the school system here was very beneficial. But our choir came over and sang and they were just wonderful. And uh just want to stop and brag on them. Uh they are just doing well in their competitions. Of course, our choir and our theater group. Some of those students are the same. And our theater group did take uh the Midsummer Nights Dream to competition and they are moving on to the state. And so I just want to thank them for coming out and singing to us and hosting. And it, you know, it paid off benefits because now we have dirt down at Kitty. And so let me just tie those two things to together. When you have Town and Gown, it gives us an opportunity to brag on our system, but also talk to those around
019the table about our needs. And so in that discussion, it came up that we were looking at uh conducting a project of really making some improvements on Kitty Stone's playground. Uh but we were in need of dirt. And in that conversation, having the president of the university and the mayor and and council there, um they began to talk and so received a call and you may have noticed some beautiful dirt that was alongside the new fire station um across from Mel Hall. And so they called Tuesday and said, "Hey, you know, um if you are wanting some dirt, still wanting some dirt, um you're more than welcome to some of this." And so, uh, they delivered some of that out at Kittystone yesterday. And so, uh, we are starting dirt piles and [laughter] but we
020just appreciate our community, our community. And again, um, that's why those meetings are so important, just to to get together and talk a little bit. And so, great things are going on. Uh, town and gown, again, our theater group, uh, moving on to state and, uh, as individuals, but also as a group, uh, to that competition. Cheer competition, uh, went really well. Uh again, very very proud of them. Uh the band uh their competition, our bass team is uh just doing wonderful things and so I going to have them at one of our meetings as well. They can explain a little bit more about where they're fishing and and what all they're doing. But um they are really being successful and so I'm excited about that. Of course, you may have heard uh after I
021sent you so many photos of Friday night. I don't know for myself or Miss Morrison. Uh Miss Morrison did the video of around the square though and I love that. >> There's nothing like going and winning a football game and then coming back and just on charter buses going around the square a couple times. So thank you for sending that. That was a very very special night that probably I will remember for a very long time. Um, so because our kids were successful Friday night, we will be hosting the second round. Um, and so we're excited about that. And so >> who would they play? >> I knew you were going to ask that. Um, >> that's up around Coleman Gunnersville. >> Coleman. Yeah. So, [clears throat] um, but, uh, we're looking forward to to
022that game and, uh, >> and when will that be when? >> That'll be tomorrow night at 7 o'clock. >> Okay. >> In our stadium. And so, um, we will, if [clears throat] you're not able to be there, and I understand that, we will send more pictures and I'll rant you all night with that. Um, even my wife said, "You think that?" I said, "No, they want to see every one of these." Yes, we did. >> And, uh, but it was just a fun night. And again, uh, we're very, very proud of them. So, I want to brag on the entire system, uh, for a second and then I'm going to send something out to our teachers and support staff tomorrow. um report cards, uh system report cards came out today. The information's been embargoed and
023um it's not that I haven't wanted to share more, but again, when they say embargo, you just really can't go right out there and tell people all about that. >> Um for the second year in a row, um we are ranked as an A school system. >> And I'm thrilled with that. And >> very proud of our teachers, students, our parents. >> Um you don't just accomplish that. That takes a great deal of work, dedication. Again, >> I just want to take a moment and just brag on everyone that works in this school system. >> It takes everyone and bragging on our parents, our community, and the community support that we have. Jacksonville was a very, very special place. And that's an elite group and that's an elite place to be. And so I am
024proud of that. And uh we were kind of holding our breath. Um and so we had wonderful data meetings today. We had math data meetings today. um focusing on seventh grade, eighth grade math, junior high math and um but how to read data. We had uh and Miss Wilson did a wonderful job bringing people out and bringing people together from the state and from our staff. >> And so we know that there's always room for improvement. We know even after our retreat, this is the area that we have to just be so conscious of and working on. But again, it's okay to take a moment and just brag and celebrate and we'll do more of that. Um, but again, we know that there is work to be done. We also had a very special event
025um hosted by Miss Bale at the high school um on financial awareness with our students and that was a lot of fun because I heard comments when our kids got a job, they got an assignment, a life assignment, this is what I do for a living. And I heard a few of them say, "Oh, I have several thousand dollar that I'm rich." Um, but by the time that they learned what rent costs, insurance, child care, and everything else, um, it was eye opening and, uh, we appreciate the community coming out and supporting that and, uh, playing a part in that. And our students definitely benefited from that and Miss Bell did a wonderful job hosting that. Um, financial literacy is something that we all need and again, just very proud of those opportunities for our
026kids. So, Madam President, I could go on and on, but great things uh are happening in Jacksonville and uh go Golden Eagles. Uh I'm excited about tomorrow night and uh we'll keep everyone posted maybe every quarter that we keep you posted. I know I was doing a little bit more of that than probably what I should now, but it was a lot. >> No, we enjoyed it. Thank you. >> Appreciate that. to confirm our board our next board meeting date. We will meet on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. >> 13th. >> January 13th. 13th. >> What time? >> 13th >> at 5:00 p.m. Is that a good time for you, Dr. Barbara? >> Yes, Mrs. Curls. >> Is that good? That would be our next meeting at 5:00. [clears throat] >> Is that
027okay? Everybody agree? >> 5 p.m. >> Okay. Now, board members comments. I would just like to say congratulations to our faculty, staff, and students for receiving a A uh for the second year on the [clears throat] report card. That is commendable. That is dedication on the teachers parts, the parents as well as his students. So it just shows us that the children are showing what they know because they're able to take it back to that AAP to that ACT whatever other additional testing that they're doing. So we say congratulation and keep the great work going here. >> Anybody else? If not, can I entertain a motion to join? >> It has been [laughter] it has been moved and properly second that we are join our meeting. All in favor, let it be known by saying
028I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Thank you. Good night. >> Go Eagles.