001Call G County Board of Education regular meeting to order on the 10:21 of 2025, the year of our Lord at 1800 at the Wallace Central Office Building. I'd like to welcome everyone, all board members, our presence. Stand for the pledge, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Step my game up. >> I need a motion to approve the agenda with the approval on the of signing the two field trips. They've already did that email was sent out that nobody didn't respond back to. And then also the uh bus grants to through the uh WH Crusade for children's fund for the two buses or two vans, whatever they're calling them. >>
002Make a motion that we approve the agenda. >> Is that in our field trip request? >> No, >> that's a grant for two buses that we could >> we just add the consent agenda. >> Yes. Okay, >> John. So moved. >> I'll second. Miss Becky seconds hearing. No further discussion. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Post carries. 50. Any public comments? >> Hearing no public comments. Moving on to board member comments. Miss Becky. >> Um I don't think I have anything. >> I know. >> Wow. >> Amanda. >> Hey, I just want to say how nice the sidewalk is. It's really, really good to see the kids having a place to walk. looks great. And also, I noticed as I was dropping his off at the ball game, the the moms around the
003F FRC, that really looks nice. Our campus is really looking nice. Just want to give a kudos to everyone on that. >> Miss Ashley, >> Mr. Jones, >> uh would agree with Amanda on the outside of the campus, uh inside the campus, I don't know what route we would go through, but custodially, we're hosting a district tournament. my opinion, gym's a mess. Just could use some sweeping out and some things of that nature that maybe a little TLC when we invite everybody in. It would be nice if it was at its best. And when I have to get a broom, that's not speaking too highly. >> My wife can speak on that. >> Is that something we can I know we talked about before, like there were some people that wanted um to during the
004winter, remember we talked about instructional aids and things like that. They said that they could pick up the overtime. Well, I guess it's not overtime, but is that something we can pay additional staff to do? >> I don't know. I would say the locker room probably hadn't been swept out in months >> would be my bet. Just just a decent cleaning. And they may come back and tell you that the coaches need to have everybody clean everything out so they can clean it. That would probably be appropriate as well. But when we're inviting people in, we want we want to make it look as good as we can make it look. And I don't know that we've done that. Did >> you catch the first part of that conversation, Mr. Jones, the custodial? just a
005little encouragement that when we're having tournaments or district tournaments or inviting FFA teams in or something of that nature just to shine it up a little bit more than what maybe it's been shined up. >> It's on the radar. >> Okay. >> And when is that, John? >> It's taking place now. >> Oh, now. >> Yeah. So, we're >> Oh, I probably missed the boat on that one, but I think it's set up where almost every district tournament we're hosting this time. That's the way that's set up. So everything that comes up, we're probably have a chance to shine or not. >> Yeah, >> it's all I got. >> I got a couple quick things here. At the last board meeting, I know some people kind of got upset with me, which is okay. I
006I I just want to explain something. I want to explain things to people in the public here. I've always said, be respectful to the board. The board will be respectful back. And and I I've done pretty good at that over the past couple years. I feel in closed sessions, parents can say whatever they want. We're not supposed to respond to them. They can call us everything but a white man. We're not supposed to respond. It's no different than a judge sitting on a bench or anything else. I know people out here is putting pose saying we're power hungry. No. If somebody's child does something wrong, they're going to get punished for it. But then, you know, I don't believe in punishing a child because of a parent. And I everybody knows situation I'm talking about
007and things. Some people try to get their child in more trouble than what the board's planning on giving them, I think, part of the time. And just to try to make a point. But I will say this, if somebody comes in here during public comments and they have something to say, be prepared what's coming back at them. I will not let nobody in public comments disrespect this board and the I can been accused of being vicious with my words and stuff sometimes but some people deserve it and I I just wanted the board to understand my thinking in the closed session of why I didn't say nothing that night. Legally, we're not supposed to. Is it hard to sit there for me? Yes, it is. But the I had talked with Jake about it and
008things and he he knew I understood and he was happy I didn't say nothing to get us sued. But I I just wanted the board to know that that will not happen to you all in in public comments. I I will speak up before anything like that happens in a public setting, but in a closed session setting, we have to take it. That's all I had. Moving on to school staff reports, principal reports. >> Anyone? Anybody? How's your all schools looking? >> I thought they were pretty good. >> How's your How's your communication? You thought they were clean, huh? >> You probably don't go in the locker room on a daily basis. That's >> You even know where the locker room's at. >> Yeah. >> Moving on to 6B, uh, student school board member, Miss
009Brianna Griffin. How you tonight, ma'am? >> I'm doing well. Um, I spoke with some FBA members. They went to their I'm not sure the exact name of the conference, but it was like a leadership conference where they learned different leadership skills and things like that, and they said that that went really well. And then this past Saturday, um the FFA, we took some freshmen to the freshman leadership conference at Owen County High School. Um as a regional officer there, I had a workshop that I ran. Mine was over communication. Some of them was over different time management and just different things like that. We had nine kids go. They all said that they had a really good time. Um, there wasn't really much other feedback I really got from that, but so FBA and FFA
010is looking pretty well from my perspective. I'm trying to My goal for next meeting is to have some sports involvement. So, >> good job. >> Y'all got a uh thing coming up what, Thursday for Indianapolis, I believe. >> Oh, yes. Next week. And we're going to national convention. It's open to anybody in the FFA that it's willing to go. There's applications. We've been telling everyone about it. So, just waiting on more people to turn their forms in. That's it. Okay. >> What date them got to be in by tomorrow, I believe? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Got anything else? >> Nope. >> Thank you. There. No more comments. Moving on. Mr. Eddie Bush, >> you have a copy of the attendance report in front of you. Uh, couple good things on it. Enrollment is up a
011little bit or continues to be up even from last month. Did add a column down here at the bottom right just to compare this year's attendance percentages at this time to last year's attendance percentages at this time. And you can see that generally across the board every school is up a little bit. I think a couple reasons for that. The schools are doing a really good job with some proactive communication and encouraging good attendance. Um in addition to that, I think when we do start to see some attendance problems creeping creeping up, schools are doing a good job of reaching out intervening in some of those situations in order to get kids back in school. Additionally, I I really believe kids like being at school when they feel safe and it's my own personal opinion
012that things like no cell phones, getting other stuff out of the school help create a safe environment. So, I think that has a that's a that's my opinion. I don't have any data to support that although the data is looking favorably there. So I think all those things adding up in addition to when folks are truent they're being held account uh accountable. You know we are doing our required duty of filing on them with the county attorney. County attorney follows through with that. So I think a combination of accountability with some proactive work by our schools and creating a a good safe environment for the kids has has led to an increased attendance percentage. I'm hoping as we get into the the colder winter months that we'll be able to maintain or or even do
013better there with that percentage. Um you asked me a couple months ago to keep you updated on truency numbers. We we have had one that or we have two that have gone into truency, one of which I have already had a file with the county attorney on. So, it's a little bit sooner than last year that we got our first one, but hopefully they they aren't as fast this year as they were last year. Um, other than that, any questions on the attendance report there? >> Your prek, how's our numbers still holding there? >> They're similar to where we are this year. Um, you know, they're down from last year, but uh, pretty consistent so far in the three months this year. >> And do you look at it picking up after Christmas break with
014kids and stuff or >> I didn't see any big changes last year. Um then again, you know, a lot of districts see have seen a drop in overall enrollment, not just pre-K, but overall enrollment, and we're kind of one of the oddities where we've seen a little bit of an increase in overall enrollment. So, it's been honestly this year's been really unique. It's been kind of hard to get a good read on it. So, >> and what's our uh just rough number? I'm not going to Oh, I didn't uh enrollment for prek. >> For prek, >> we have 72 students. >> Yeah, it's in the low 70. >> 72. >> Okay. >> And um because of eligibilities and how preschool funding works, we have six more kids that will have to test that will probably
015qualify to come. And >> does anybody know the actual cost to run a prek program? >> I can get you that. >> I'd appreciate it. sitting down there like, "Oh man, he's fishing." No, I'm uh reason I'm ask I was wanting the numbers for something that being worked on. The uh we're one of the very few districts across the state that has a prek program like we do and there's a lot of other districts. I've had some contact me and ask me if I know the total cost of it and things and how as a small district we're doing it. And to me and the board said it before, it it's more of an investment into our children than it is more of a daycare setting like some of the districts thinks that it would
016be. And uh so if you could get me those numbers, I'd appreciate it. I can get you those by the end of um I can tell you what the state gives us for per preschool kid who's 166 160% below the poverty line or who have a disability the state funds us $5,000 per student. >> So 160% below >> 160 cent below which is a stricter contingency than what free and reduced lunch is. And then of course anybody with a disability. >> And did you say that's 5,000 a student? >> 5,000 per pupil. >> Uh in those numbers if you don't mind also just a number of how many of those pupils we're receiving that money from. >> Just a quick followup if I could. So how do we handle sickness? U because I know we
017want kids to at school but when they're just chronically sick we don't have sick kids going to truency court do we? or how do we verify sickness or >> you get in in a sick you know if they're sick that's an excused absence. >> Okay. >> So truency is only for unexcused. >> Okay. Got it. All right. >> So in addition to that you get five parent notes that just kind of cover anything and anything you want. So >> Okay. It really I mean if you're legitimately sick to provide those doctor's notes it's really hard to be true it >> okay >> because you don't want sick kids at school obviously >> right okay >> and even when a nurse school nurse will send a kid home because they are obviously sick it's excused per
018school nurse >> okay thank you >> thank you CAO report item 6 Mr. Tony Jury, >> happy birthday, by the way. >> Oh, thanks. I don't know where you heard that. >> That was a big That was a big one. >> Yeah. Half century mark. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah. If you ever think people don't love you, just turn 50. You'll find out. >> Yeah. >> How much they do with all the >> signs and balloons and >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> Really? Yeah. So, >> he seems excited about it. >> Yeah. I still don't know how to feel. Um >> Oh, wait. We should show him a picture. >> No, it's okay. Um lot going on right now. Um Thursday is what's called quality control day. That's when we get a first look
019at um what our district accountability will be um for this year. Um, and then that will be publicly released and there'll be an embargo period. I think it's November 17th, 16th or 17th, and then it could be publicly released on November 18th. Um, just our preliminary looking at it because we get our scores back from Pearson. That's the the the platform where the students take the test. We get those individual scores back. you know, we've we've arranged those and um analyzed those and um you know, we're we're kind of excited um cautiously excited, optimistic. I think it'll be better than we've seen it in a long time. At the same time with our federal classifications uh at the the elementaryaries with being TSI, that's targeted support and intervention. Um, we're just not sure yet because
020there's there's a formula that Kentucky uses and then there's a formula that the federal government uses to determine TSI. And so I don't want to put any predictions out there and be wrong. I've done that before and it's not fun. So I'll just wait until we can release that publicly. Um, with that, teachers are working hard across the district. Principles are working hard. Uh we've done a lot of training. Um I read an article about Mississippi in 2009. They were about the fifth from the bottom and their legislature invested in training for all teachers and legislated that uh teachers go to the the letters training. That's the science of reading and um we're doing that now. Uh it's not been legislated, but that's what we've been doing the last two years. And the the Mississippi
021is among the top top 10 now. And uh um I hope I wish that our legislature they're trying to legislate learning with a couple of the bills that's come out u the hold back bill and a couple others. Uh I think it'd be better if they legislated training, required training because when we get teachers coming out of these teacher prep programs, they really don't know how to teach. We have to train them after we hire them to teach. And so Mississippi seemed to figure that out. So, I just if you all want to look that up and just see that that's kind of the model we're following as a district bringing in a lot of training. Um, and it's not comfortable for teachers to to have to go through training and change their practice while
022they're teaching. It's it's difficult. It's really difficult. But, um, I'm pleased to say that every teacher in the district that I know of is working hard to do that. They really are. And we're seeing results that's going to be evident, I think, soon. Uh our big focus was novice reduction. Um I think you're going to see the most novice reduction we've ever had. Um traditionally our our scores are flat or plateaued uh because we have a lot of novice, but we really are going to see some novice reduction and um that's just the start. I think that's just the start. We're going to keep that going. We're going the right direction. Um, we have implemented our our district benchmark assessments that uh were self-created according to the standards that the teachers said they had taught
023based on their pacing guide and we're getting those results back and that's interesting. Um, it it looks pretty good. Um, we we're also looking at the November 4th event. Uh later on in the the agenda, we have a planning committee. That's that's just an annual thing to approve a district planning committee that's appointed by the superintendent. Um so we're in that process of improvement planning. That's where we look at all the things that we're doing like the training and the improvements that we want to make and we we review last year's plan and the and the activities that we did and we make a determination. Are they working? you know, is it worth doing this again or do we want to tweak that or uh revise that any at all? So, that's the process again.
024But on November 4th, we did this last year. Uh I sent out an invite invite last week. I've had 13 responses with about 27 people so far that's planning to come. So, um if we get those 27, that'll be good. I'm going to send that out again before this week is over and probably probably well I think the 27th we'll have to close it down. So that >> could you say what date did you say was >> November 4th. >> Third I'm sorry >> fourth is a board meeting. >> What time? >> Uh 5:00 5 to 800. >> I'm sorry. It's November 3rd. >> Um some data was released today and I've been staring at computers all day so I'm kind of slow thinking at this moment. Sorry about that. Um, but that's what I've
025been looking at. Um, the other thing I want to mention is, uh, 8, House Bill 190 says that, uh, every board of education has to have a a plan for advanced coursework by December 1st. So, uh, we'll be bringing that to you at the November meeting uh, for your approval. And each school sitebased council, it's four, grades four through 12. So each school sitebased council is looking at that. The state released some sample policies, sitebased policies this week and we're looking at those. So we'll be glad to get that to you to have a look. Uh other than that >> those and those were just KDE recommendations, wouldn't they? >> Yes. That uh just example policies. >> Okay. >> Would that be for this year or for next year? >> Yeah, it's for this year
026starting in January. >> January. All right. Um can't think is there any other things that you guys want to know about have it included when uh when we get the data this year? Um how do you guys want to see that? How how do you want us to prepare that for you? Um, do you want the big packet 100 page or do you want us to condense that down to show where we were last year versus this year and how we rank? >> I like the second option. Yeah, for sure. >> We'll work on that. Uh, and you'll have it as soon as the embargo period's over. I'll have that prepared. I'll I'll send it to Mr. Arvin and he can send it to you guys. We want you to see it before the media
027sees it, of course, and all that. that or just sign your non-disclosure agreement. >> True. Yeah, you can do that. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> No other questions? >> Nope. >> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you, Tony. >> Mr. Chair, I did have a comment I should have added in my board member comments. You can give me 10 seconds. I want to give a shout out to Mr. Levelvel for writing that grant that we got. >> Good job. >> A thousand. What was it? 100,000 >> $32,0003 >> 4323 >> Oh wow. Okay. I remember it was a big number. >> Miss Berget, I totally agree with that sentiment, but that 25% I'm still trying to swallow the fact that the matching 25% of it. >> Okay. >> 140. >> All right. >>
028But good job, Matt. >> Yeah. But we appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> I will say we've been getting some good grants lately. The uh >> we spent 25 and got the what almost 500 back. A little over 500 back. >> And Matt Matt spent 145 got us 400 and something. And then the I keep forgetting your name. You need to do something. Make me mad. So I remember your name was sitting over thereish. Yeah, Miss Miss Bishop. She got us looks like she got us the buses. >> Yeah, >> we got the the invitation to apply which not every nonprofit or school system gets an invitation to apply. So and that will be no match. I just want to point that out. >> Well, it's a testament to our people. So that's awesome. >>
029So I agree with Miss B. Excellent job. Everybody get a chance to look over SPDM agendas. >> Oh, we have superintendent report, don't we? >> I was going to get to that next. >> Uh, HR actions, >> Mr. David Arbin. Item 6E. >> So, uh, quite a few things and some of this I've shared with you guys, but I just want to run down, uh, because we've had a lot go on in the last month. Um we've been able um our middle school has added an algebra one class. I know we talk about that advanced coursework bill. So that's something through meetings with the middle school uh we talked about and were able to get put in place this year for a group of students. Uh so I believe it was this past Monday or
030Monday coming up, one of the two. >> Uh the course currently has 19 students enrolled. that they earn a B or better, they will receive high school credit at the end of the year. So, that's one step in uh you know, building this uh the way it should be. Next year, as we get going, we will look to kind of move that down to create some advanced math course work at a minimum uh all the way down to at least the fourth grade level. So, uh school newsletters, all schools are now sending out either a weekly or monthly newsletter. I shared these with everybody a few weeks ago in an email, and I hope you've had time to look at them. They're also linked on each school's website. And again, I said this to the
031principles in our principal meeting, but I truly appreciate their efforts uh to improve communication with families this school year. Uh the sidewalk project has been mentioned. Those do look fantastic. That's not done. They still got some more things they're going to be doing over around the lower elementary, but like to give a big shout out to Sher Brick for writing the grant that made that project possible. Uh Mr. Wusk, our instructional coach at the high school. Uh I've never heard of this uh but found out that this week in one of our meetings, uh that he has developed some micro credentials for our high school teachers and these are training modules that range anywhere from four to six hours. Uh they were created in response to teacher requests for some additional professional learning opportunities. So
032just wanted to give a shout out to Mr. Lusk and the high school team and the staff for their initiative and commitment to professional growth. Uh we've got a KET visit this week. They will be on site with the film crew to highlight our district and the outstanding work taking place through the arts for all program and our elementary schools. And the big thank you for this goes to Miss Bishop and Miss Morris and Miss Ersing for coordinating this effort uh and represented representing Gallatin County so well. So, we're going to be on TV for something good. Um, so on Monday morning, uh, myself, Mr. Jury, Mr. Butler, and Miss Thompson attended an event at Gateway Community College and are working on a plan to share the great opportunities available to our students. We've talked
033about that before, but now that we've had the meeting, you know, now we're getting some planning uh in place for both students and families to be able to explore these programs firsthand and just expand opportunities to that are available to our students. Um, today I was able to attend the Carol County Community Development Corporation meeting uh to connect with some local business partners. I had productive conversations with a representative from NAS about bringing a group to tour our schools and I'm looking to build relationships with KU and DAO who are also participating in these meetings. And then later on this week on Friday I'll be attending the I71 Economic Development Alliance fall forum in Owen County. Uh and the goal remains the same to promote the great things happening in Gallatton County schools and to
034strengthen our partnerships with local and regional businesses. Uh, I'd also am proud to share that upper elementary principal Melinda Ersen was accepted today uh to participate in the Kentucky Women and Education Leadership Program called Quell. She will be officially inducted on January 28th as part of the program's ninth cohort. She was one of 33 women who were selected statewide for this honor this year. So, congratulations to her on this welldeserved recognition. And then uh you all have a copy. Uh this was very well received last year, the holiday dinner uh that took place uh between the upper and the middle school. So you've got the flyer uh for this that will be going out soon, but this is uh hot off the press. So I wanted to give that to you guys so you can
035put that on your calendar. You also have a copy of my professional growth plan and speaking with Mr. perot and getting this put together. Uh that is there for your review. If you have any suggestions or anything you would like me to add to that, uh please do not hesitate to let me know. Uh and then as Mr. Bushelman gave kudos to everybody for the student attendance. One thing that uh was asked about a lot last year uh that uh I work, you know, with Miss Riddle uh to be able to track uh in in a reportable fashion is staff attendance. Uh and so far this year, our staff attendance across the district is at 97%. So kudos to all our teachers. Again, um I think and you create positive work environments uh throughout the
036district, people want to show up. So, we've got 97% teacher attendance through the end of September. So, just a reminder, the professional growth plan is a part of the superintendent evaluation and we'll revisit it just briefly in December, January. And >> that's all I got. Moving on. Need a motion to approve the consent agenda with the additions add item K field trip request we received through the email and item L signed for the WHS crusade for children's grant. >> I move to approve with the additions. >> Miss Amanda so moves. >> No second. >> Miss Ashley seconds. All in favor signify saying I. >> I. All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. 50. Recommended action new business item 88 formation of the district planning committee. >> How so? Move. >> Move. What? >> For the approved
037formation of the planning committee. >> Don't you have to designate somebody? Aren't you done for designate a board member? >> Yeah, we need volunteer. >> Volunteered last year. >> Yeah. I thought he was doing it again this year. That's why I went ahead with the motion. >> That was assumed in the motion. >> Well, I would hate to mess up anybody's assumptions. >> Just like Amanda volunteered for the calendar. >> I'll be glad to do that. >> Mr. Jones second it with him as the representative. >> Hearing no further discussion. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Item 8B. Uh, approve formation of districtwide accountant committee for school year 2026 2027 with Amanda's board. >> Representative I so move. John secondbody's all over that
038every further discussion. All in favor signify saying I. I. >> All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Item 8 C. Review approve. One to one reading program. Also move >> second. >> Mr. Jones seconds. All in favor signify by saying I. No further discussion. >> I I >> Yeah. >> 5. Motion carries. Review approved snap mobile agreement. >> I will so move. >> Miss Becky moves. I I I would ask I just got a copy of that confotion, sir. >> Please hold. We got a motion on the floor. >> Second. I'll second. Now floor is open. >> I was wanting to make the motion. Now you got a second, but I was want to make a motion contingent on um my tweaking and and approving that contract, getting them to approve it. I didn't get a
039copy of that till today. There is a slight two slight changes I think need to be made to it. Um, and so if you can just make that approval on my getting that tweaked. >> That's part of my motion. Yes. >> Thank you. >> See how easy it was. >> Is that part of your second? That was part of my second just held on there. >> I think it'll be so easy to work with. >> All in favor signify. Say I. >> I. >> Same sign. >> Review approved first reading of policy prohibiting critical race theory. I so move. >> Second. >> Miss Ashley seconds. Hearing no further discussion. signify by saying I >> I >> oppos same sign. >> Item 8F reve approve first reading of policy prohibiting instructional sexual orientation or gender identity
040in grades K through eight. I so move. >> I do have a question on that one. >> One second. >> Second. >> Miss Amanda seconds. I miss Ashley. >> Um how come can we go to 12th grade on that? the uh when we originally put that in and everybody thought it was put back in policy a couple years ago, it was discussed among the board K through eight. >> Mhm. >> And that was kind of what was agreed upon with the board at the time K through eight because we felt when a child got into ninth grade then they had the ability to distinguish what they wanted to read and what was right and wrong. They can't be forced to read nothing. they can't it it's on them. But then two in that discussion we
041put on what was appropriate nonappropriate in our libraries and things. I would rather it not be in it period >> and >> in >> and this I'd rather it not even be a part of >> after it's approved or well way you can do that you can add amendment to the motion if you would like to under parliamentary rules you can amend the motion since there's a first and second on it and then add your amendment. I'll do a call on that amendment >> to see if it passes and then >> you have to get a second on the motion to amend. Okay. >> So, so, so if you wanted to say I want to change 8th grade to 12th grade, you can make a motion to amend his motion. Say if there's a second
042to change 8 to 12, everybody vote on that. See if they're in favor of changing 8 to 12. See what I'm saying? Then you would have a second vote to see if we're even passing them, you know, this policy, which is just the first reading, by the way. Yeah, just >> that. Yeah, that's why I didn't know. >> Yeah, I mean, you can wait, you know. >> Yeah, you could you could think about it. >> Yeah, you can think about it >> because you're going to have to have two readings, you know, before this is going to be recorded in your master policies. >> I mean, I'd like everybody to think about it and then we can, >> you know, look at it in the second one. But >> I'll make a note there, Miss
043Ashley. But >> I would ask a question on that of what prohibiting instruction means. I'm not in favor of teaching people that they need to open up their sexual orientation. Um I'm a little bit worried about are we going to be banning books that happen to have reference to a gay person in it? >> No sir. And that's what I mean >> not what it was when it was originally discussed. the board was under the assumption that this was already done when we done it couple years ago and the uh I found out it was a district contacted me think about getting our policy and using it for their district since we didn't get kickback and stuff on it. Well, when I went to look our policy up, it wasn't wasn't found nowhere. And then
044when Jake and uh Mr. Orbin started looking for it. It was all in the minutes, but it was never put into a policy. >> Yeah. So, so two. Yeah. I mean, it was just a motion in the minutes at the time. Somebody at the at a meeting made the motion. So, I never said like, "Hey, let's go have a second reading making a policy on the minute. I think the purpose was accomplished by making the motion in the minute." So, we knew it wasn't an actual in in your written policy, you know, but you made a motion. But but it it now that we've, you know, administered, hey, we want to have this as a policy so that it can be looked up more easily, show people. Okay. But I I I don't I mean
045to your point, John, the policy that we've got here says that it would prohibit materials addressing gender identity in grades kindergarten through 8. Um so, you know, if you applied it through 12, would that address a you know, would that prohibit a book that addresses gender identity and 12th grade? Maybe. I mean, you know, it says addressing >> we made it broad. >> Addressing is a very open. >> Yeah. And I it was it was intentionally made broad because, >> you know, we thought the the intention was, >> you know, at the time the motion was made, the intention was ban, you know, prohibit anything that addresses gender identity that's appropriate through K through 12. So, I mean, that was what the board at the time wanted. I I'm not saying that's what you got
046to do now, but But it is broad. It's broad. >> That So >> that's my argument was >> actually that's what I was wondering because I I read it as in >> um it could be talked about if it wasn't prohibited within the school systems. >> No, the uh what was >> So what keeps that from happening though? >> Well, I mean they could do it now. ers right now the way it is they could do it and they we still couldn't that's why it was put on I had it put on the agenda to make it into a policy and the uh what was discussed back then I've heard it used before and I thought well that's pretty good rule they call uh one board member I was talking with them down in their
047district and they said they call it the FCC rule if it can't be spoken on there can't be said on there can't be shown on air or talked about on air on TV or radio then it shouldn't be talked about to school. If it can't be read in a public >> a lot of stuff on TV radio >> depends on what channel you're on. >> That's kind of the rule that they use and they're talking about over there like local. >> Yeah, there's a cable TV. It's got a lot of stuff on it. >> But I want to make sure I understand your question. What? Wait a second. Was your question? I thought you started to ask something after John did. >> No. So my the way I understood it was um you know you're
048prohibiting these things that can be taught or spoken about in these grades K through L K through eight but then grades 9 to 12 it's open >> right now >> and you can Yeah. >> Yeah. The original motion was was K through eight, >> right? >> Yeah. Right. Right. So, so, so a a 12th grader could I mean could there be a book in the high school library that you know addresses gender identity which again that's a broad term because at that you know we used a broad term it was used in a motion trying to make it to apply to everything for K through eight. I mean could you know there be a book in the high school library that you references gender identity? Yeah, I think there could there couldn't be in the
049middle school >> but could there could that be influence? >> Well, that that's what I'm asking. Could it be could it could a teacher be speaking about it? That's what I'm asking. >> I would say in the high school they shouldn't be because there's no curriculum from the state of Kentucky that that deals with that. >> But what's prohibiting them from doing it though? >> Well, they're supposed to be teaching curriculum. So, if they're not teaching curriculum, then that's something that we're going to make sure we're addressing with them because that's not their purpose of being here. We're here to teach curriculum. That's what we'd like to think. >> Yeah, that's what we'd like to think. But to bluntly answer your question, is there a clear black and white prohibition like there is on K
050through 8, which you've had prior, now you're memorializing in a policy. The answer is no. I mean, you won't have that sharp, clear of a line. It's going to be a grayer area for your high school. This is just going to be black and white, clear for K through8. So, answer your question, no big one. Well, we'll have a second reading and everybody can >> Yes, >> it's just first reading. >> Think about it and >> yeah, >> make changes on that one if needed. >> I don't follow how we can do a reading that can be clear what our objective is. >> Say it again now. Do I? I don't know how we can put this in a proposal that is clear of what our objective is. When you use open words, open-ended words,
051those are used so that there is no clarity. Well, now I mean this in this policy we used broad words so it would try to apply to everything because because the purpose of this original motion was to ban was to prohibit it. So it's broad to try to ban you know as much as we could. You know I I took your question to be kind of the reverse is is you know does a book that mentions sexual identity is that covered by addressing in the high school you know I don't know in K through8 clearly any material that addresses gender identity is going to be barred by this thing. I mean I think it's this we wrote this thing to be broad. Well, I mean, I'm 100% with what I think the objective of this
052board is, that they don't want teachers or organizations teaching kids to open up windows of >> you ought to explore being transgender or you ought to explore being gay. I don't think that's the purpose of education. I don't think that's what we're want to support. So, I support the board on that. But then there's taking things to the nth degree of we do have when I was principal we had probably three transgender kids in our building. We had multiple people that expressed that they were gay there. I'm certain several books that have gay people in the books. I'm not real interested in being in a witch hunt of going through with a highlighter and having a big book burning over everything that exposes what is out in society. >> Our kids have a responsibility to
053know what the world is. >> And John, that's why, and I don't mean to interrupt you, but that at the time that was part of the discussion and stuff and Miss Becky and I had discussed this. Uh, Mr. Amanda and I had discussed it and that was part of the discussion and that's why we said K through 8. It goes 9 through 12. We're not here and I'm not if a child feels that way and support that child. That child should not be demonized. That child should not be bullied. Nothing. We're here to support those children. We're not here to teach it, >> but we're here and that's where the K through eight come in. And we said, "Fine, we're banning everything K through eight." That's right at broad, so it covers everything. But once
054they get into ninth grade, then that child is old enough to make his decisions and stuff on, hey, this is how I truly feel. It ain't being told how they feel >> and and that's why it was written. Which when you get down to all those things, if our teachers are doing properly, our teachers aren't they're teaching a political system, but they're not teaching you to be a Republican or a Democrat. >> Correct. >> They're hopefully teaching you how to be an informed student to make a determination of what you want to be and what suits you and your your family. So, I'm all about educating and making our students aware of things. I am not about in any form of life us as a school institution telling people how they need to be >>
055exactly. >> So I don't know how you put that in writing. But if you can figure out a way to put it in writing, I'll support it. But >> I don't I don't want to be somebody who's voting no on something when I'm really for what you're saying, >> but it's so loose out there that I don't feel comfortable being for that makes any sense. >> I don't want us to have a big book burning, >> right? I think the K through 8th was because they're easily influenced, right? These these are children that that's why there was no talk about the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th. I understand what Ashley is saying. She doesn't want a teacher to come in and start influencing them. >> But like Mr. Arvin said, that's where they fall responsible and
056and people will say something. And I think if we if we hear of that or if we have parents coming and saying they're they're trying to teach that you ought to be open to doing this this and this >> that's when I think that's your domain that you need to be saying we need to be teaching the curriculum. >> We have a curriculum that is not our state curriculum. >> But I mean I don't know how we put that in policy. >> Could I mean could we not just literally say that that it's not to be taught in from K to 12? >> Yes. I that's that's what this this is prohibits classroom instruction, programming or materials addressing sexual orientation or gender identity. I mean it would prohibit curriculum. It would prohibit programming. It prohibit
057books in the libraries that address sexual orientation or gender identity. >> That's a pretty complete ban. So I mean would would this prohibit a book that talked about gender identity from the eighth grade? Yeah. Yeah, I would say it would. I mean, do you want to apply that to 12? I don't know. I mean, I think you know the board at the time didn't want to. Do you want to think about that some more for next? That's on you all. But >> if a 12th grader could do it, a ninth grader can do it because we're not we can't segregate your library. I mean, >> it's all high school. Whole high school. That's why this stops at 8. >> And John, that's kind of why the time >> it's things to think about. Things to
058think about. So, >> all right. I've got a a motion Amanda second it for the first reading and then >> the uh any questions any suggestions anybody's got shoot them to Jake he can that's what we pay him for all in favor saying I >> I all oppose same sign >> item G approved cops grant. >> Make a motion when we approve that. >> Mr. Jones moves. I'll second. >> All in favor? Second. Five saying I. >> I. >> All oppose. Same sign. And I've got that paper here to sign. Uh we moved 145,000 that was tucked away in the bus to cover the 25%. Was it >> 25%. I just want to say that that won't get moved. after I talked to Katie E about how to handle that money. It's federal money, so
059they'll I got to figure out all those guidelines. They normally give me a code and everything on what to >> it's all it's all in the coding. >> I know it is. I'm going to leave it sitting where it's at until I find out where it's supposed to go. >> I'm uh I'll make the motion to enter into executive session regarding KS61.81 paragraph 1 subsection F for discussion for hearing which might lead to discipline, dismissal or expulsion of a gout county students. I so move >> second Mr. Okay, >> Jones seconds, sir. Whoever that was. >> All in favor say five saying I >> oppose saying sign. We are now in executive session.