001All right. Good evening everybody. My name is Lori Cobb. Welcome to the Madison County School Board meeting for February the 12th. Thank you all for being here. We appreciate it. Um Mrs. Bford, would you read our vision for us, please? Sure. Madison County Schools in partnership with the community strives to equip educators and students with the skills to lead by example, develop and speak with a unique voice, and explore their academic curiosity to make a positive impact on our community and world. >> All right. Thank you very much. Next on our agenda is our showcase. And I believe we have some Blue Jays in the house, Mr. Neely. Okay, tonight we're fortunate to hear from Kirksville Elementary's STLP team. This group of fourth and fifth grade students collaborate to create a variety of digital content
002and to learn through the use of technology. These Blue Jays do a monthly news program, podcasting, create book trailers in infographics, and public service announcements each year. They also have the opportunity to compete in a variety of categories at the STLP state championships each year. Here tonight are Jos Nellies Ortiz, Kaden Garver, Addie Mallister, Lucas Elum, Madison Fernandez, Alexis Nuland, Lauri Zincich, Bray Snell, Porter Gruin, Lincoln Sheffield, and Vivic Muggaly, along with their teacher, Miss Brianna Adams. We can't wait to hear about your experiences so far this year. Well, thank you so much for the opportunity to share just a little bit about um what our STLP does at Kirksville Elementary. Um so our team is made up of 14 fourth and fifth grade students that meet twice a month after school to work on
003various projects. Um, our STLP is a student technology leadership program unlike any other program in the United States led by the Kentucky Department of Education and has been empowering students through technology leadership for over 30 years. The first project that we would like to show you all is our KVE news. This project is something that we do monthly. Our students share news events happening around Madison County, current events, world events, fun facts, a joke of the day, a kindness word of the month, a digital citizenship tip of the month, the monthly weather report, as well as a special teacher spotlight and student spotlight. So, we're going to show you just a really short like 10 second um snippet of what our news program looks like. >> [snorts] >> Hello, Blue Jays, >> and welcome back
004to another edition of Kirksville Blue Jay News, where we keep you informed, involved, and inspired. >> I'm Bray, >> and I'm Vivic. We are so glad you're here. >> Let's get started. >> Let's check out our web. It's still winter, so we can expect chilly mornings, coat afternoons, and maybe even some snow or ice. Don't forget those coats, hats, and gloves. And remember, safe steps on icy sidewalks. Blue Jays, >> there's a lot happening right here at Kurtsville. Mark your calendars. Kindness is coming up on February 12th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Come out for a fun evening all about spreading kindness. >> And don't forget Blue J on February 13th. Show your Blue Jay pride and wear your blue and wear your blue in school spirit gear. We hope to see a lot of
005blue blue jays. >> Last month we celebrated being green and second in the >> Okay, so that's our um news program that we do once a month. Um another project that we do um is podcasting. Um this is something that we created and we're going to be sharing um during read across America week. Um so our students are creating podcasts about Dr. Seuss books and um they read the books and then they are creating podcasts about the books and we're going to share a website with all of the students at Kirksville about different books. So then um the students can see different books that we've read and then they can go to the library and check those books out. Um and then because of the podcast that they created, they decided that they wanted to
006write some of their own podcasts. And so this is a podcast that um the students wrote because of that about a topic about some um different television shows that they were interested in. So just a really short snippet of a podcast that they wrote. Welcome to the top three TV shows. I'm Brace now. >> I'm Lauraai. >> And I'm Lucas. Today we will be talking about some awesome TV shows that you should watch. >> Have you ever watched a show and it just got to the good part and then it says to be continued. >> Today we will be talking about some of our favorite shows. >> My personal favorite funny show is Octonauts. And my favorite episode is Giant Whale Shark. The best scene would have to be the scene where Pezo tries to
007use the Guppos control panel to contact the others, but ends up accidentally triggering the air bag and get all right. The next project is our book trailer. So along with the podcast for ReadAcross America Week, students also are creating book trailers. And so this will also go on our school website for ReadAcross America Week. So they also read Dr. Seuss books and they could create book trailers to do the same thing. And so, um, this was a book trailer that they created for a Dr. Seuss book to go along with ReadAcross America Week. Everyone, check out The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. What would you do if a princy cat in a big striped hat showed up at your house on a rainy day? Meet the cat in the hat. He's super silly
008and loves to play tricks. And meet Sally and her brother. They just want to have a quick quiet day, but that doesn't happen. The cat starts playing wild. >> Um, so our next project is an infographic. Um this was something that we did during Veterans Day. So the students um researched what Veterans Day was um the significance of Veterans Day and then they created an infographic um to go along um to show what they had learned about um Veterans Day um with a program called uh Canva with AI and different things like that. So this is just an example of one of the um things that they did. [snorts] Um so our next um project is um a public service announcement. So these are things that um our students um saw a need for in
009our school. Uh we talked about um why that um students like new students to Kirksville, things that they might need to know. And so we created public service announcements um and we used them like in our newscast like in our February newscast we used it kind of as a commercial um and so one of the things is our um blue J motto that we say every day and so they created a public service announcement to explain what the blue jay motto was. And so this is an example of a public service announcement that they created to tell what our blue j motto was. So, [snorts] >> hey Jays, did you know every day is a chance to lead? That's right. L E A D is our Blue Jay motto and it shows everyone what it
010means to be the best that we can be. >> L is for love learning. Blue Jays stay curious. We ask questions, try new things, and do efforts even when it's challenging. Um so those are just a few of the projects that our students have been um creating since uh we started staying after school in October. Um so they love to do the projects. They're very excited about those. Um so in April uh we get the opportunity to attend STLP State. So last year um our students traveled to Reparina um with uh over 60,000 other students all across the state of Kentucky and they got the opportunity to um participate in flying drones and um coding robots and participating in tech technology challenges. Um and so these are just a few of the pictures of things
011that they did. Um, one of the things that we do um, in the classroom is watch KET news quiz, which is a current events news uh, cast that they watch. And so they actually got to participate in a live taping of that. And so that was something that they really enjoyed doing. Um, and so this is just a a few of the pictures of them participating in some of the different activities at STLP State. And [snorts] so they really um, are looking forward to getting to do that again this year um, at the end of April. So, um, in conclusion, um, we we think that STLP is, um, a very vital part of our, um, school at Kirksville. We, um, we think that it's something that, um, really is a benefit to our school. um
012our students um our STLP students really appreciate it and um we have a lot of feedback from the teachers and uh the other students that really enjoy our newscast. Um they like to be a part of it. They like to see their pictures on the news. We try to incorporate as many activities as we can um into the news. So um they really enjoy that. So, I'm gonna um ask the students to come and tell you what their favorite part of STLP is. So, come on up. Hi, my name's Jos Nelly's and my favorite part my favorite thing about STOP is learning how to do the news because you know what is happening going to happen. Hi, my name is Hi, my name is Kayen. My favorite thing about STLP is hanging out with my
013friends and doing podcasts in KVE news with other people so that the rest of the school gets to see them. Hi, my name is Addie. My favorite thing about STLP is I love the KVE news because I love to talk. Hi, my name is Madison and my favorite part of SDLP is that I get to be on the news because I like to keep everybody updated. Hi, my name is Alexis. My and my favorite part about STLP is podcasting because it is fun and you get to do it with friends. Hello, my name is Laura Zenoitz and my favorite part about STLP is being able to write podcasts and socializing because I'm really fond of writing and meeting more people like me. Hi, my name is Bray and my favorite thing about STLP is being
014an anchor on the news because I like to talk. >> Hi, my name is Porn. My favorite thing about the SDLP is the reparina trip at the end because it's a fun trip and a nice break. Hi, my name is Lincoln and my favorite part about STLP is being with friends, doing the news, and creating book trailers. >> Hi. Hi. My name is Vivic and my favorite thing about STLP is that we get to do a lot of activities like podcast, book trailer, and the KVE Blue J news. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Miss Adams and Mr. Bustel and all of you guys. What that is just wonderful. Thank you for your time >> after school and and teaching these kids. And they they obviously love it. I think it's so cool. They're
015in the fourth and fifth grade and they're working on Canva. [laughter] >> Nice job, guys. Thank you. >> All right. Anybody have any questions or anything for >> All right. >> Oh, Becktail Parsons. All right. Next on our agenda is um some recipients from Becktail Parsons, Mr. Neely. >> All right. Beck Parsons Bluegrass has been a great I mean a great community sp uh partner um in their time with their community. Again this year they have donated $10,000 for STEM innovation grants for teachers to use in their classrooms. This year 10 teachers from across the district were selected to receive $1,000 each for their innovative grant ideas. And we've got a big check here for for you. How are you, sir? Go ahead. >> Good. How are you? My name is uh Joe Curtio. I'm
016the Beech Parsons project manager. Uh it's a pleasure to be with you and share this donation to the district. Uh just to give you some context, Beckal Parson's Bluegrass Joint Venture is a contractor selected by the Department of Defense to design, build, operate, and close the facilities which safely destroyed the chemical weapons stockpile at the Bluegrass Army Depot. Uh the final phases of our activities are underway and we anticipate our workforce will be complete with our mission in 12 to 18 months. Uh if you recall in 2024 we announced a donation to support the welding technology and robotics program at the Ignite Academy campuses, Ignite North here in Richmond and Ignite South in Berea. Uh our relationship with the district extends more than 18 years since 2008. Our joint venture has donated more than $200,000
017in the to the district for teacher grants. These grants assist teachers in implementing innovative programs in the classroom focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Um these donations provide scholarships for graduating students from Madison Central and Madison Southern uh who want to continue their educational journey. Uh supporting teachers as they implement the STEM activities in their classrooms is a wonderful way for us to continue our engagement with the Madison County School District. These learning opportunities will no doubt interest students and possibly lead into them into STEM related fields later in life. So congratulations to the teachers who applied for the classroom grants. >> All right, we'll soon as I announce your name, come up and we'll get a picture uh with all of us, please. Thank you, sir, for this. Um, you know, like I
018said, it's Bectal Parsons has been a phenomenal community partner with us for several years and I'm sure that we don't take it for granted and it goes right back to kids and we we really appreciate it. Um, so when I say your name in school, come on up, please. Miss Brianna Adams, Kirkso Elementary. Got a feeling this might be some STLP stuff. I don't know, but uh Aaron Coffee, Ferristown Middle School. Kimberly Evans, Waco Elementary. Angie Hatter, Clark Morris Middle School. Tyler Keith, Foley Middle School. Emily Morett, Codle Middle School. Ben Nichols, Madison Central High School. Bobby Pereira, Ferristown Middle School. Skyler Sparks, Ferristown Middle School, and Deian York, Glenn Marshall Elementary. Again, we can't thank Metro Parsons Bluegrass enough for their long-standing commitment with us in Madison County Schools, and we are so grateful
019uh for all that you've done and continue to do for our community. >> Yeah. Thank you to you teachers for applying. >> Yeah. Thank you for doing that. >> Fill in the gap. >> What are we doing? Sorry. I was trying. [laughter] >> My camera does not make noise, so I'm already shooting pictures. [laughter] >> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you all very much. >> Congratulations. >> We also have some memory books that Oh wow. >> All the way up through the completion. >> Nice. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> That's fantastic. That >> is so cool. >> Thank you so much. >> That is neat. >> All the way back. >> Cool. >> That is very cool. That's funny. >> Yep. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> All right, Miss Tammy, do
020we have any audience comments? >> All right, moving right along to our next agenda item. We have our consent agenda. Uh the consent agenda is basically made up of these recurring items that we see primarily from month to month. Um we're all familiar with them and we've had opportunities to ask questions if there's anything in there that um we needed help with or had some concerns with. Um, so our items in our consent agenda are the minutes of the January 22nd, 2026 meeting, claims, superintendent personnel actions, leaves of absence, technology surplus, and then the following outofstate field trips, Madison Central Winter Guard Trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, March the 7th through the 8th of 2026. uh Madison Central Winter Guard Trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, February 21st through 22nd. That one's coming up. Uh the uh B
021Michael Codddle and Madison Middle School trip to Washington DC on March the 19th through the 22nd and the Foley Middle School 7th and 8th grade band trip to Pigeon Forge on May 2nd, 2026. And then we have acknowledge the review of our section 504 procedures for our student services, approve eight shortened school day applications, accept the SFCC offer of assistance for our facilities, and review the school activity fund reports. Does anyone have any questions on any of those items? All right. May I get a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, please? Some move. >> Okay. Motion by Miss Brock. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> And a second by Miss Coyle. All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you all. >> Next up, we have our monthly reports. And our
022first report is our instruction report. And we have the pleasure of having with us tonight uh Miss Angie Alexander, who is our principal at Ferristown, and Miss Amy Gallion, who is our principal at Madison Middle. >> Hi ladies. >> Thank you all for coming. >> Oh, we're glad to be here. Um so we wanted to talk tonight about our uh work toward achievement in our buildings. Um so for uh Fairtown specifically, we are working um on student engagement. It's been a focus for a while and um I have our staff has read um part of this book so far. It's called the new classroom instruction that works. There's a lot of research in the book and the key focus is that uh for middle school um creating curiosity uh in lessons is the biggest engagement
023uh tool that we can have. So that's what we have worked on this year in PLC's is trying to find ways uh to create curiosity in students um as we try to get them to you know solve algebraic equations and all that kind of thing. So sometimes the content is very easy to create some curiosity about um especially when you're getting ready to read a mystery in language arts. Uh sometimes it's it's a little more difficult. So that's what we've worked on this year at PLC's. Um we've spent a lot of time trying to find ways to build curiosity. We've had some people who have um tried a lot of new uh strategies which is what we want. a lot of sharing of strategies between teachers. Um, and as the year has progressed, we have
024seen fewer and fewer students who seem to be tuned out or disengaged when the teacher is trying to um, go over a new topic and that kind of thing. So, that's been our focus this year. I uh, feel strongly with the way we're working in PLC that that'll continue to be our focus next year. Uh we'll work on um more of this engagement um building kind of a toolbox for each teacher to use um the strategies they feel most comfortable with uh and continue to build curiosity so that uh kids are more engaged um and keep moving them from point A to point B which is always our goal. >> Okay. Thank you. So principal >> they talked to us about engagement too >> about engagement and different types of engagement and a lot of
025schools a lot of our middle schools are working on engagement that be kind of a buzz word I guess you know sometimes engagement's hard to see because you know I can sit. I'm the kind of person I can sit and I can really be processing and hearing what people are saying but I might be you know doodling in my notes or whatever. I may look disengaged. So sometimes engagement's hard to see. So one of the things that we've really focused on at Madison Middle, we've also worked in this book. This is a great resource that the district provided to us. Um, but we've been really focusing on cognitive engagement and how you can know or see evidence of that brain really working and being engaged. Um, so building classrooms where kids feel safe because there's
026kind of four types of engagement basically a behavioral piece where kids are compliant. You can, you know, their behavior. They're sitting there, they're looking at the teacher, might be zoned out, but we look at them, we think they're engaged, right? you have that social engagement where they're talking to people, working with their partner groups, that kind of thing. And middle school kids are really good at that one. Um, you might have the engagement that is um that emotional engagement where they feel a personal connection with their teacher. Um, so you know, they feel safe in that room, that kind of thing. And then that cognitive engagement is really where we want all classrooms to get with all kids, right? because if they're not cognitively engaged with that content, the other p that that learning piece
027doesn't always happen as deeply as we want to. So, these are just some examples from at Madison Middle. This year, we do have in math and language arts new um highly high quality instructional resources from that KDE site. And so [clears throat] you can see from the resources that the expectations around what kids are doing is more cognitive in focus, asking why questions, making sure, like I said, they feel safe in that environment to make a mistake because we all know that's kind of where we learn. And then making sure that we're activating background knowledge. Kids come to us with already knowing a lot of things. Um, and sometimes as teachers we're like, "Oh, well, they can't do fractions all of a sudden." Well, that's not that may not be your standard that, but it
028might be a gap. So, making sure that we help them activate that prior knowledge because they know something to help spark that curiosity and get them moving in the classroom. So, and and like Miss Alexander said, our PLC's, our teachers have been really focused on strategies to improve that in the classroom so that we can get that better engagement with students, not just behaviorally that you can see, but that cognitive engagement where they're curious and they're excited about what they're learning, even if it might not be their favorite thing. You know, like my favorite thing might not be reading. I might be wanting to solve an equation. >> Yeah. >> Sounds awesome. [laughter] >> Okay. So, since you guys have implemented and I realize some of this stuff may be hard to measure, are you
029are you seeing improvements? >> I I think that measurement is we can measure it because it you measure it with student achievement. I know at the mid break with our um kind of universal screener that we use already, you know, we did see improvements in our students math and reading already scores diff, you know, improved this midyear check as opposed to the three years prior like we saw some some good growth. So >> that's good. >> There's there Yeah, there are ways to measure it, you know. And then I think Angie with her you were doing she does her walkthroughs I think showed um >> yes >> we do we try we try to build um a system to collect data and walkthroughs it's not a perfect system but um we do calculate some things
030from all and we have seen >> we are trying to track you know the number of kids per class when we go in that are that seem to be checked out um and that does seem seem to be less of a problem um as we progress through the year. So >> that's good. >> And I already um diagnostic uh our actually our sixth grade um at their midyear diagnostic is is probably if I'm not mistaken I think it's the highest group that we've tested. >> Great. >> Yeah. For us that was like this mid check was the highest our in math that we had been at Madison Middle since before co. So, it's really exciting to see that those academic gains are happening, especially in an, you know, we've we've all heard that negative stuff
031about kids and their achievement over the last few years and oh co, but our kids are smart and good even in the middle school. >> We love them. Yes, >> they're digging out. >> They are. >> Yeah. It's great. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Thank you, ladies. >> Appreciate it. That middle school age is tough. >> Those ladies have their work cut out for them, but they're they're making it look easy. [laughter] >> You've been around in a while. Yeah, >> there's something about it. >> All right. Next, we have our construction report. I am looking for Mr. Jonathan Smith. Oh, there you are, John. I'm sorry. >> These readers I can't I can't really see past the first row. I have to take like this. [laughter] >> He's
032usually on this side. >> Yeah, you're usually over here. You You got on the wrong side this time. That's why I didn't see you. Anyway, go ahead. >> We'll give you all update. Start. Uh Madison metal, of course, we're pretty much done there. The I think reported last time I was here, there was a few heaters we're waiting on backward. They're actually coming in tomorrow. They're going to install those on Monday. So, uh, the building, I think Chris, our superintendent, talked to Tony. He's just kind of waiting to get in to do the punch. So, that's ready to be punched. The sports fields building. Uh, got a little bit stuff outside. Now, the snow and ice is gone. We got to get tidied up. But the fields themselves, like I reported last time, they'll be
033turned over to y'all in March, ready to use. So, pretty much ready with the the sports field area down there at Madison Middle. So, any questions on Madison Middle? Uh, give you a report on Waco. Um, got some pictures at Waco. We've started setting steel at Waco. Uh, you can see that's the big girder truss and columns in the gym. That's looking right at the front of the building. Gym to the right. Uh, that steel got set in the last few weeks. Uh, there you see that is the front storm shelter. Uh, that slab was poured a week or so ago. So, the only slab we like left to pour is in the kitchen area. Of course, that's where all the plumbing, everything is. And that's going to start next week to rough in on
034that. Uh we got a progress meeting on site this Wednesday. And there will be getting that underway. And that last slab will be poured here in just a few weeks once that plumbing is roughed in. So, uh this is the masonary going up on the media center. You can see a little bit of the steel to the right has been set, but that's that media center. Masonary, of course, those walls are fairly tall. They're going up with that block uh in the media center. Uh that's just another shot of the gym there on the side. Uh that steel going up. Uh you can see this look in the gym. You can see the steel that's out in that's that main corridor looking back towards the gym. You see they're starting to set the joist across
035to that big girder truss that sets in the gym. So that's progressing really well. This is inside the media center. You can see they're laying block up on all those sides inside the media center. Even with the weather we've had, the days we gotten some warm days, they're able to get out there and get block laid. So, they're they're coming right along. Uh this is that uh storm shelter wing I was telling you about. That slab's been poured. Uh it's it's been completed. So, that's what's going on at Waco. >> Do you feel like we're still on time? >> I mean, as best we can. >> We lost some days here and there, but we always try to overlap the schedule when we get good weather and get stuff done. Luckily, all the geothermal wells
036are done. >> They're getting all those tied in. So, that part is over with. Luckily, we got that in for a lot of the bad weather got there. So, we're we're still plugging along on Waco. >> Awesome. Great. Okay. >> Uh the Madison, this is kind of the geothermal project. This is at Folian Southern. Uh I know that looks messy, but they're drilling wells and it is a messy job, but they actually only like 40 wells to complete there. uh since the last time they've drilled several wells, they've had four rigs running there pretty much every day that they've been able to work. A lot of the whale loops, you can see those have been tied in. Uh they're being completed. The first section of whales that will run part of Folian Southern phase one
037that we are to complete. Those will come online at the end of February. So it's progressing well and they will get the rest of those right after that first phase of whales come online be able to send heat over to Foley and Southern phase one that we're getting done brings you right into Foley Middle uh a lot of duck work going in a lot of the new piping see going into those classrooms where this job there's not a lot of pretty pictures of inside stuff it's all mechanical and HVAC but that's what's needed there so you can see a lot of that geothermal pipe is being hung a lot of the new duct work is going in. Uh they're of course they're inside so that work's being progressing about every day. Uh you can see
038the some of the main lines going down the hallway. Those are being installed. Actually stopped there before I came over. So progress is going along really good there at Foing Southern. Of course, that project is phased. So we're in that first phase of that project over at Foing Southern right now. You can see there a big room, another room that's got a lot of the duck work being going in. And just for our friends at home, this is all part of the geothermal, new HVAC systems we're putting in all these LG schools. >> This will be all you'll have new ceilings, all new HVAC, geothermal, and foliage. So, >> new heat, >> which is needed. Um, a new one to report, Whiteall. Um, give you an update on Whiteall. There's actually a pre- bid for
039that job. Tuesday the 17th. It will be at the White Hall uh library site and the bid date is Thursday, March the 5th. So, we've got those plans. It's out. Biders already picking up had several biders pick up plans and that pre- bids next Tuesday and then we'll have bids coming back March 5th. >> And this is the same project at Whiteall that we're doing at Foley and Southern. >> Yes. >> Just so people know what we're doing. >> Any questions on any of the projects? All right. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Thomas, do you have anything to add? >> Mr. Tony Thomas from Clfelter and Samar. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah, there's one project uh Mr. Smith's not working on. [laughter] >> Oh, gotcha. >> Uh it was
040a smaller one, so there was really no need, I guess, for construction management. And that is the uh day treatment center of the Foreman Madison Middle School uh renovation. Of course, the two projects here are the a little bit going on in the cafeteria building on the right and then the uh tech band building, which is now going to be pretty much the classroom building. Um, of course, at the last board meeting, you all approved and awarded the bid, and I think subsequently it snowed and iced and we were going to have a pre-construction meeting. Um, not most of it's inside work, but nobody could get to the site and they couldn't put dumpsters out. So anyway, uh once some of that cleared up, they got in there and they've got dumpsters and they're working
041fast. So we had our pre-construction meeting this morning, uh which turned into a progress meeting because they've already made good progress. But you can see here, that's the first floor of what was the tech building. Uh now the classroom building, they've already got a lot of demolition done, studs in place. Uh that'll be a classroom and some offices. Uh you jump up to the second floor, they're starting the layout. Um so progress is good there. The pre-construction meeting went fine. Um, and of course all that's going on in the other cafeteria building is fire alarm. So really no pictures there. Uh, I know the district of course has come in and you all know that district's done some work in this building and the cafeteria building as well in addition to what you have under
042contract. So off to a good start. Nobody seemed to think that the uh late May, early June deadline was was going to be issue any issue at all. Had a good turnout today at the meeting. Whiteall uh Jonathan already talked on that a little bit. the pre uh uh pre- bid meeting and the bid date uh coming up. So, I'll jump through that. Waco, we pretty much shared some of the same pictures there. The temporary electric got it put in today that's going over to the building. Uh and I had a prettier sky in my picture. So, [laughter] I mean, isn't that incredible? Uh but the construction is what's important. But good pro, you know, once they thought out, you know, they're finally able to get back on the it was just getting to the
043site was was tough for them over the past couple of weeks. Um, and the water just started running once it's but fortunately we're on the rock and coming out of the ground. Uh, >> similar to what he talked a lot of duct work going on in Foley and Southern that was that's the the southern space phase one that we're doing work in. You can see by the colors there that we're back over at Foley now. Lots of good progress there. Um, and I I brought up the middle school as well because uh I don't know that you've seen this before, but this is the windcreen on the uh the grand stand there between the soccer and football field. Um the bleachers are in at the baseball and softball field now. So that's something new. I
044was hoping Miss Gallian would stick around so she well she's probably seen them but um and the softball field, you know, and the fields are just now that the ice is melting off of them. I just it looks really good and that spring is going to you know you can see that grass trying to come out there in the outfield so it's just going to look great and that is the construction report unless there's any questions on >> any questions. >> All right. Well, thank you very much. >> We're rolling right along with construction. Next we have Mr. Woods to present our monthly financial reports. >> Hello. All right, we'll get started here. We'll take a look at our monthly uh reconciliation. So, as of January 31st, district ended with reconciled balance of 132,847,6824. Um
045you can see there how it tracks. Um really we're up in construction funds as compared to prior years. you just seen all the pretty pictures of all the projects we're in the middle of. Uh so when you sell your bonds and everything, we get all that money up front and we spend it out as we build. So um that accounts for the difference there [snorts] of the reconciled balance district has $45,500,000 in investments. Those rates range from 3.228 to 4%. um those are in local CDs and we also have some T bills that we have purchased uh for those you also had the balance sheet and the revenue and expense report for January. Uh those are the mun reports that we pull for you guys every time. Uh no surprises there. It tracks we just
046did a budget revision for the working budget. So everything tracks with all those changes that you all approved last month and uh everything seems to be on track. Perfect. >> Any questions for Mr. Woods? >> No. >> Looks good as always. >> Yeah, as always. >> We know there's so many districts financials that have been in the papers and you all do such a good job about being transparent. We actually get a report from the accounting software. There's no hidden numbers. We see the actual numbers and we're very appreciative of that. >> You're welcome. >> Mark is a genius. Thank you. [laughter] I don't know about that. >> I can count on my fingers and toes. >> Yeah, we appreciate it. All right. Anything else? >> All right. Can I get a motion to approve
047the monthly financial reports as presented? >> So move. >> Motion by Mr. Rutherford. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Miss Bford. All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. Thank you. All right. Next, we have to approve our revised BG1, which is our our construction for the renovation of the old Madison Middle Track project. >> What's that? >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. This is just after we did the bid. Uh, so we're just revising it to to reflect the bid numbers. >> Anybody have any questions? No. All right. All right. May I have a motion to approve the revised BG1 for the renovation of old Madison Middle as presented? >> So move. >> Motion by Miss Brog. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> And a second by
048Miss Coyle. All those in favor? >> I. Motion carries. >> Next we have our um approval for bus purchases. And we I think we have Mr. Mr. Ston with us >> And Miss Hoskins. I'm >> I'm I'm going to go off track. >> I'm a former bus driver, but that's all. >> Yeah, I'm I'm gonna >> I'm gonna go off track right here for just a minute. And Mr. Ston and Mr. Neely, Mr. Ray, Mr. Clark, Mr. Cash, all of you guys. Wow is all I have to say. the these last few weeks have been uh challenging to no end and uh there is always going to be somebody complaining. There's no way to make everybody happy. Uh but you guys did the absolute best for the majority of this district and that is all
049we can ask. And I think your plan was beautifully orchestrated and I don't listen to the naysayers but >> well and most importantly you always prioritize and they number one goal is to keep the kids safe and that's what consistently and very very appreciative >> and and we just I cannot thank you enough for I know how difficult those last few these last few weeks. We can't control the weather >> right >> and um you guys did just a phenomenal job. >> But thank you very much. I know there has definitely be been some interesting conversations at about a quarter after 5 in the morning. >> I told Eddie after about nine days in a row. I said, "Now I like you and we're good friends, but I'm tired talking to you." [laughter] We have
050had a lot of very I feel like unusual weather uh this winter and it has been challenging at very very very challenging to say the least but uh >> well but you know you you have done the best you can do with >> with what you have to work with. I mean >> I really a lot being a new director of transportation. So, uh, I've been in Miss Pier a lot and she has given a lot of that advice that she has. Well, this is what I probably do. So, Randy, this is what we need to do. [laughter] >> Well, and and and I want to say something, too, that maybe most people don't realize. You know, when you guys were coming together last week trying to figure out how you were going to get
051us back to school, you guys didn't just do that all on your own. You talked to your bus drivers and you guys drove, I think, every road in this county. And I don't know that everybody Yeah. >> realizes what all went in to what you guys did. And and I want to make sure people people know and and you know, you included the the people who have to be behind the wheel >> um that have to keep these kids safe and I don't know that every district can say that they do that. So I appreciate it so much. >> Thank you all very much for the for the praise. Thank you so much. Uh Miss I know Miss Patton, I would like to start out with uh praise for you all. We really appreciate the
052support uh this fall uh with the lights down in the bus parking lot. It has really lit up that space for our drivers. I know the first morning they were turned on our drivers. That's all they talk about. Wow. Boy, we we can see down on that left side now. It makes it so much easier to do their pre pre-trip inspection. And a lot of people don't realize that in the morning, you know, quarter after 5, 5:30 when a lot of our drivers are getting ready to leave out. They're out there in the dark with a little flashlight doing their pre-trip inspection around the bus. Those lights has really helped them pay attention to detail on the bus and do their pre-trip inspection. Uh the security cameras are coming. Uh so thankful for that. that
053just provides a very safe atmosphere down there uh for our drivers and uh to protect our investment because when you talk about buses and you all have a couple quotes right there, they are not cheap to say the least, but having those security cameras down there that definitely makes our drivers feel safe and also protect our investment in our buses down there. So, uh thank you all very much uh for that support this fall. U just a little bit about our fleet. I just blows my mind to think about the mileage that our buses travel each and every day. And Pat and I looked at the numbers on that. It was almost 10,000 miles our buses travel every day transporting students to school and back home throughout Madison County. Uh this past uh fall, I
054had to turn in our mileage from last year. Uh it was over 1.5 million miles we transported students last year as a county uh in Madison County. That was including our trips, our ignite shuttles, uh all of our midday routes, uh one over 1.5 million miles we transport students. Uh we run 180 routes every day and we do that uh with 160 drivers. We run 180 routes. Our early schools like Daniel Boone and Silver Creek, those drivers run a full route, then they go back out and they run a middle school, high school route. Uh, >> Miss B, would you like to talk about our our fleet a little more? >> I would. Uh, we really appreciate all the drivers that stepped up and done what they do. And if it wasn't for our drivers,
055we couldn't have got this children's school this week because we were down some drivers and we've had some that couldn't come back. and they've stepped up and done besides doing a double route, a lot of the others have done the third route or they have done a double route and we've run a few late but we've got them to school every day and we've got them home every day. >> So for people who are complaining about I keep getting these text messages about buses late. This is why and we're doing everything we can to get these kids to school and we've got some drivers that just haven't been able to to get back into to their bus for whatever reason. And um you know, I appreciate the notice, >> right? >> You know, >> we
056had one driver that fell on the ice just before we came back the Monday of first week of snow and he broke his arm. So, he's going to be out and so that driver wasn't able to come back. So, another driver had to step in and we are down drivers. Yeah. So, they're doubling up and we're rallying and whatever. Students are on the bus a little longer than what we'd like them to be, but we are getting them to school and we are getting them home safely. as I get a message right as you're speaking. >> We are our uh as far as the facing the driver shortage uh we are 20 drivers short right now to be able to consistently cover our routes uh that we have that are running late. So we are
057very fortunate uh to have a wonderful group of drivers that are running those double routes and some of them triple routes because like I said with 180 routes we're doing it with 160 drivers. without them, we would have 10 and probably 10 and 15 routes laid each and every day. Uh so we've got a lot of men and women uh wanting to go ahead and help get our kids to school and run those extra routes. We're very fortunate for that. Uh so if you know of anybody that would like to be [laughter] bus driver, we have a a banner up. We've been moving it from school to school, uh advertising a little bit. Uh if Miss Pat and I could get Mr. Mr. cash to finish up his CDL certification. [laughter] We would we would
058get him on a route in the morning. >> Little does he know what's happening. So, just go ahead. >> He needs three more hours and then we'll have three routes waiting for him. >> I'm sure he's got time tomorrow. >> That's right. [laughter] >> but every phone call that I get that comes in, I had a guy the other day that called and we cleaned his turn around. The gravel was kind of piled up. He called very nicely was talking about it, but I think I might have got a drive around to come back. He's retired teacher has time on his hand and he's gonna give me a call back so it doesn't fail to write. >> Just keep just keep selling that. >> I keep doing you let Pat do the [laughter] >> state
059audit. They came in. They do every year. And they came in and checked their records. All of our paperwork was in really good shape. Our driver records was in topnotch. Our mechanics outside had their mechanic paper all and good. They inspected some buses. We had a little problem there. We had four buses that didn't pass the inspection. They deadlined them. They were some of the older buses that need some more repair or whatever. The mechanics jumped right on them. A couple of them got out that afternoon. Couple the next day got out. But we had, you know, a little problem there, but our state auditor was very pleased with us and and we've done okay on it and we'll continue to improve again next year. >> Miss Pat, what is our total number of buses
060that we have running right now? >> Uh, right now we have about 200 on the road with the spares and all. And if we could get those >> I think we got 22 spares running and then we've got uh we've got the you know the 160 every day and then a few other spares and and whatevers. >> How many buses are we still waiting on that we have kind of ordered and just been in that queue three. Okay. >> So see if we had those three we could take care of those four that didn't pass inspection. But we do uh we we do try to keep the buses going as much as we can and we might have one down for a motor overhaul or or whatever it may be inside the shop for a
061week at a time. But uh >> we have a good group of mechanics too, don't we? >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> So this year, like I said, we are still waiting on three buses u from a company and we're we're 15 months in waiting on those three buses. Uh so this uh this year we decided to shop around a little bit. We've been doing business with the same company for I think 10 years. More than that started in 2000. >> 2000 with that same company >> with time. >> Okay. >> So uh so we shopped around and we checked out prices from we call Bluegrass International. Uh they brought us a bus down to the shop and let our mechanics and our drivers come in and inspect that bus and ask questions about the bus
062and some of its features. They were very pleased with it. Uh we also called Bluebird. Uh they brought down a bus. Miss Kpin did from Lexon brought it down. Same thing. Our drivers and mechanics had an opportunity to go out and inspect that bus. Uh they really liked uh the bus and what they saw and some of the features on it. Um, we have a quote I think that you may have in front of you for uh 11 Bluegrass International. Well, 11 buses total. Nine conventional uh buses from Bluegrass International and two handicap buses from Bluebird. Uh those uh buses, those conventional 72 passenger buses from Bluegrass. Uh the quote that we got from Mr. King was $152,89. Um, we're asking for nine of those. Put that cost up to $1,368,81. And we uh purchased
063two two handicap buses. We went with Bluebird on the handicap buses. Uh they are a little more expensive at $174,3001. Uh the state requires that our handicap buses have air conditioned in the front and the back. That's about $12,000. Also tinted windows. Miss Pad, any other special ed recommendation? >> They have two handles on it instead of one to hand rail to go up and down the steps to help special needs up and down because they don't uh maneuver the steps as well. Uh they have a PA system in them AM and FM radio. So does their other nine bus that we're asking for. Uh they have a lift on them and that lift cost about 20,000 on that bus. So that make that price that special ed bus go up a little bit. >>
064Uh we did put extra seats in our special needs bus both of this year because we are running less wheelchair students and more handicap children on the buses that have other things besides a physical handicap. And so that's filling our buses up. We've got 22 routes that are special needs but every bus has got eight or more special needs children on them. One bus has 18. That's quite a few special needs children on a bus for a driver and a a so that's why we put the extra seats in there to accommodate for the more students that we're carrying now. >> That's good. >> And those special ed buses from like I said from Blue Earth, they were $174,311 each. uh combined total for the 11 buses is1,717,423 uh is what we were you know
065asking for approval for bus purchase for next year. Um Mr. Gary King, he is the sales rep for uh Bluegrass International. Uh he was kind enough to u attend the board meeting this evening. If you all have any questions for Miss Pat or myself or for Mr. King. [clears throat] >> Mr. King, I thank you for being here. Absolutely. I appreciate it. >> We're actually really nice. We >> We really are. I I think probably the question we all want to know because we've had so many issues in the past. Um if we approve this this evening and Mr. Sexton says get these buses ordered, what are we looking at, do you think, in in a reasonable time frame of how long it would take to get these buses? >> I'm an old country boy
066from Knox County. Not a salesman. I'm first of all mechanic. So I cannot lie to you and say you appreciate that state. >> Uh one thing that I didn't have with Mr. Son and Mr. Cash is I can give you an estimate. >> That's all we're asking for. >> If you turn in a order, and I don't mean one or 100 buses, I'll treat all of you the same. Uh the slots are for June to be built during the month of June. So you can go from there. Um, normally it takes about a month to get them from Tulsa International Airport is to either London or Georgetown. And uh, from there, you know, even if we take two months, we're still looking a lot better than 12 months. >> I was going to say we're
067not talking 15 months doing buzz, are we? Okay. Thank you. >> And I thank you all for the opportunity. >> Yeah. What about um and I'm from Bel County so we can talk the same. [laughter] What about support for these buses? So will we get parts and any type of guarantee? I know we've had some buses that have come in and the quality hasn't been up to snuff and where do you stand on that? Do y'all support your product? Can we get parts availability for repair? What kind of program do you offer? >> And can our mechanics work on it? >> Exactly. [laughter] >> Well, it's a lot of money that we're spending. So, I' I'd love to hear. >> Okay. >> U blueg grass. Uh the buses that you're used to, the older internationals
068are not, of course, by the picture. Uh this is a completely redesigned bus. Call it the next year. >> And bluegrass international. You have one at exit 129 and one at exit 41. I'm actually out on one in London. We have parts deliveries that come by one day a week at least. >> Okay. >> But they are on call if there are parts needs. Uh over the last year, I have a close personal friend of mine named Jerry Barnes who is a mobile mechanic who has been doing warranty uh warranty repairs and recalls. I believe he has actually been up to the uh >> the garage at exit 90 and may have even been at the one at the 77 exit. Uh I'm not your normal salesman. I come from a truck driving background. I'm
069also an outside mechanic and uh if one of us can't come, the other one will. I obviously don't have the $100,000 tool truck that he has. Uh something else that I can speak of that I know is that we believe that we can do something about the driver retention. I had heard that spoken of. Everyone that gets in our buses, they have nothing but praise for the ergonomics and the driver experience, the convenience and safety. Uh something else that would be a benefit to you all would be something called oncomain connection >> and that is in the teleatics. Uh it is a suite that is available on computer and in a mobile app and it's free for 5 years. It will show instant location off the bus. It will show all uh if it has
070trouble codes or anything like that. >> Okay. >> It can be set to where anyone that has access and like I say it's free for five years can see the codes. I get calls all the time. There's something wrong with our bus. I can tell where it's at. Uh what is wrong with it? One of the problems that you have. I'm sure this pack will tell you. They'll call in. Something's wrong with my bus. And you can look like the eye in the sky and see what is wrong with the bus. I can just run and watch it or hey, we need to send you another one. U I go as far away as Albany and I go as far away as Louisa. We actually arrange transportation if if a repair is such that we
071can't repair it on your side. We're committed to bringing it to our shops and arranging. >> I know mechanics time is very valuable. We're not far away, but you're takes two mechanics to >> bring a bus to our location back. We have been real. >> And I'm not just saying this to get a one time sale. I want to get you guys. [laughter] Uh, >> you want to get that 25 years of figure? >> I I will just say this. I'm not a commission employee. I'm I'm uh I'm on a salary. That's how much I believe in this. Uh I came out of the shop working on the buses. Uh, as far as speaking to quality, I will never bash another product or another brand, but before a bus leaves London, I go over it
072myself personally. I drive the bus myself personally. And if there is something wrong with the fit, finish running, anything like that, I stop it. I have the authority to stop the delivery of that vehicle. Uh, if you're going to pay 150,000 for a pickup, would you want it to look like it was out of privacy standards? [laughter] >> I think you ought to get what you pay for and uh we like we like the idea. We've already been bringing parts and uh I know you all have been trying to implement a new dispatch and uh software. I believe on command connection and being free for 5 years on those nine buses. Uh I have people call me from different districts all over central and eastern Kentucky that I actually see problems that the shop doesn't
073because I'll be going through just as I normally would. I'll call and say, "Do you know the ABS light is on that?" I don't know how familiar you are with that. That's a problem with sensors or something. if they hit the brakes, it could cause a slide or collision. They said, "We had no idea." And it's because the drivers love the bus so much. >> They don't want to bring it in and have it >> and take a spare bus. And I'm actually proactive before the drivers come in. >> Okay. >> And uh >> that's great. >> Like I say, I cannot give you a guaranteed date. >> Mr. Mr. KY, so I I think these buses may be a little bit different than what our drivers have had in the past. Do you come
074and work with with Mr. Ston and Miss Pat to kind of train these drivers and make sure they know >> know how the how the buses work? >> We have a demo bus and I I enjoy doing it. I really do. I come up and we had drivers. We had one that I could not please. Bless her heart. She is 4 foot tall, maybe shorter. She said, "I cannot one size fits most. I can't accommodate an 8 foot tall and I cannot." [laughter] But uh the training of all of that, I would enjoy I would actually even volunteer my time to come up to your driver updates uh on innovations in the uh collision mitigation and things like that. Um, I'm not here to try and get a one-time sale. I really think that I
075can help the district be safer, uh, retain drivers. I know, uh, I want to see Chuck I want to ride his bus. [laughter] I >> promise you, we'll get him on there. >> Chase him around the district. and you don't let grass grow. [laughter] But uh I think that uh if our paths cross, I think you all enjoy it. >> I think it's very unique that you your expertise on the the mechanic side >> and you know just the whole ball of wax. You don't see that very often. One of the things that we can implement is have Gary come up and show our driver trainers one day, the 12 of them, and they can teach our drivers and they'll know exactly what at every school to show you, tell them problem or whatever. >>
076So, when you get these, this just came to the line. When you get these new buses, do you train every driver on those new buses or do you just >> going to receive that bus? The driver has to go out with a driver trainer and be taught or a mechanic and know exactly what it is and where every button is and how they do perform. >> So, are they bringing you lots of candy and flour flowers when you're deciding who who gets the new one >> right over [laughter] there? So, you come in quite a bit crying and telling us and doing whatever see them arrive on the lot. >> Yeah. >> One of the intention that I have I don't know if I should do this on a live recording. Uh you did not
077specify that you wanted pupil air condition on these buses. They come standard with air condition in the dash any and it is more set up [laughter] like any old clunky 40y old bus. Um [laughter] our buses [clears throat] I like to say this I can brag on them. I've worked on all three brands. We've got the best piece. It's the safest, the most innovative, uh, the most forwardlooking bus that is on the market. And as far as trying to get used to, this is an objection I have to work through in a lot of districts that I go into and start to sell. They said, "Well, we'll have to start stocking all different kind of parts. It's the same Cummins engine that's in the other brands, and it's the same transmission, and most of the
078time it is the same running gear and rear end. You just have different body parts. Okay. >> But like I say, you all can make a little room for international. I'd like to move in and move some others. [laughter] Thank you for your time. >> Yeah. Thank you for being here. We appreciate you making that trip. >> All right. Do we have any other questions for Mr. Sexton or Miss Pat? >> Miss Pat, do you have any reservations? >> I'm pleased with the international bus. I've drove all three in my span of time and they all ride good and I think we'll have a good bus with international. I like the fact the engines are in the front. The the pusher ones make me a little nervous after a couple incidents. So, this makes me
079happy. >> I like the look of these. >> Anybody? Anybody else? >> All right. Thank you all. Thank you very much. And Mr. King, thank you for being here. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Um, can I get a motion to approve the purchase of two special needs buses and 972 passenger buses totaling 1,717,423. So I'll second. >> Okay. Motion by Mr. Ruford and we have a second by Miss Burford. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Before we move on, we had a lot of experience there with u talking to us. Eddie with one year. How many for you? >> 46. >> Bless your bones. That's Well, that needed to be on the program tonight, but you've been at it 46 years. I've been coming to
080board meeting since 2010 and it's the first time I remember Becky been with me as well that a representative from a bus has come to talk to us. >> That means a lot to me. I appreciate that. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> It's important for them to come and sell their product. You need to know what you're buying. Y >> you're spending a lot of money on it soon enough. [clears throat and laughter] >> Well, we appreciate that. >> We'll have big celebration your 50th year. Okay. >> And Pat, we want you to come all the [laughter] time. Thank you. >> You can even bring [laughter] >> you stay. I stay. All right. >> All right. Moving on here. We need to approve some emergency certifications. So, I need a motion to approve an emergency
081certification for a teacher at Madison Middle to teach social studies for grades six through eight. >> We have a motion by Miss Coyle. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. and a second by Mr. Rutherford. All those in favor? >> I. >> Mr. Clark is up next to talk about um amending our 2526 school calendar. >> Oh, that's a hot topic. >> So, here's what we know happened till today. >> It can still snow. >> That's where we'll go. Yeah. We're not looking for finality. We're just looking to adjust. So we February 5th and 6th we use those as PD day for the staff. I figured there'd be a better use of time than putting it June 5th when students have already went home. And in doing that, then we're going to take February
08216th, this upcoming Monday, and March 20th, uh, which was a flex day, and put those to regular student days because up until this time, we've had, uh, four weather days, 10 NI days. Um, and then canceling the other two weather days out. So, it' be a total of six. So, just to recap for our home audience here, the only thing we're doing on the calendar tonight is we are going to be in school on February the 16th, this coming Monday, and March the 20th, which were original days off. >> Yes, that's correct. >> And next month will be the >> TBD depending on what the weather does. >> Yes, >> we're done with beautiful dresses here. >> Does anybody have any questions? No more. >> Thank you, Chris. Yes. Thank you so much, >> Mr.
083Clark. Mr. Clark. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to uh to approve the amended 2526 school calendar as presented? >> Okay. Motion by Miss Bford and a second by Miss Coyle. All those in favor? >> I I >> Thank you all. Now, we need to create and ratify a part-time assistant band director at Madison Southern. Uh, this will be in the amount of $3,320.50 plus any associated fringe benefits and it will be paid by their boosters. >> Correct. >> Do we have any questions? All right. May I get a motion to create and ratify a.5 assistant band director at Madison Southern for $3,320.50 50 cents plus any associated fringe to be paid by the boosters. >> Motion by Mr. Rutherford. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> And a second by Miss
084Brock. All those in favor? >> Thank you. Then we have Mr. Woods here to talk to us about the emergency transformer equipment purchase. >> So, uh we apologize for the lateness of that being put on the board agenda. However, uh uh they walked into the Phillips building uh yesterday morning to no power. We had a trans the main transformer that supports Phillips building and the soccer complex over there uh had blown. Uh there was a faulty issue in it and it has blown. So uh Mr. Cash and Mr. AOR worked really diligently yesterday trying to find a part that there are only two parts on the eastern seabboard. We have to replace the entire thing. This is one of them. Also in that it wasn't just that there are only two. Uh Cape Electric did
085a lot of background work for us to see if it even would work and not have to be reworked. So this particular one uh we can have here by next week I think is what they told you. Isn't that right, Mr. Cash? >> As soon as the board approves it, if they do, it'll be here really quick. >> It will be >> by the weekend. >> So, um we we have a generator there that's large enough to run the the necessities of the building. So, uh they are uh we we meet the emergency standards of the procurement code uh because of the nature of this. So, we did not have to bid this part out. So, it's good to know. >> I can't believe you found one. >> Didn't this one take like forever for
086us to get it? >> Oh, yeah. >> And this is at the Phillips building, right? >> At the Phillips building. Yes. The one we had was about three years old. >> Three years old. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> They last about 10. They should, but uh there was an issue where uh it had uh some wires that uh insulation had come off of and it had an arc across there. So, it destroyed the entire unit. >> Yeah, that's a And there's enough juice in that to kill half of Madison County probably. That thing's got it's straight from the line to us. >> All right. We have any other any other questions? >> Okay. So, Miss Sammy, I'm going to have to amend this a little bit so I can get all this information in there.
087Um, to I need a motion to approve the emergency transformer equipment purchase through Cape Electrical in the amount of $47,46. >> So, move. >> Motion by Miss Brock. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> And Mr. Rutherford seconds. Do we have um Okay. All those in favor? >> I. [laughter] >> All right. Motion carries. Sorry. And next we have superintendent report. Mr. Neely. >> Okay. Um wow. What a lot's happened uh since last time we've met and I know we've we've talked and discussed with the folks from the transportation department. You can't really thank them enough. Um I have traveled. I feel like every square inch of this county um numerous times to check turnarounds culac. I mean, it's unbelievable. Um but you do get to see the county and you get to see
088what's out there. And there are some roads I wouldn't drive on that's 75 and sunny that our buses go down. Um so, you know, kudos to our bus drivers for that. I I'd call Eddie and say, "We can't drive this tomorrow, but I wouldn't drive it on a sunny summer day because it's so narrow, but they go every morning and every evening." Um, we utilized the drivers. Um, we we had a Google doc. It was our idea that we needed to send it out. Eddie asked all of them to drive their route, whether it was by bus or by car. Some were too scared to get in their bus or couldn't get out from their home from their bus. So they got in their car, they drove their route, and they told the transportation department
089what was wrong and where it was wrong. So then Eddie and I would look at the working document we had, Mr. Clark, Mr. Ray, Mr. Cash, we then went out and looked at it and we did that for seven straight days and it was intricral in allowing us to come back to school Monday. So I appreciate all the work. I mean, they they everybody pitched in and and got us back to school on Monday. That being said, I can't say enough about our custodians. Um, there are 4 in of ice all over this whole county and bus ramp bus ramps, places where you drop kids off was a solid sheet of ice. and you know, leadership from Daryl Little uh at Madison Central to all of our campuses. There was not one time I didn't
090go that we didn't go to a school campus and somebody didn't have a chipper or a shovel working on the school grounds because you couldn't use a regular old pusher uh because it wouldn't push. It was thick and there wasn't a thing to do. So, everybody pitched in all across the district to allow us to to go to school on Monday because it was uh it was a rough two weeks there. Um, so I appreciate them. Uh, it is frisky week, family youth service center week this week. And I tell you what, I want to brag on them as well as Amy Carmichael and our food service staff. So, we were we were sitting here um Wednesday morning. I just started thinking about and we've been out a long time looking at the calendar and
091I brought Miss Carmichael who's our food service director in and I said I think we need to feed kids because I guarantee there's some that are hungry or they're running out of food because we've been hadn't been to school. Um she says I got it. Two days later we fed700 kids on Friday. um which that's what it's all about because there kids at home who were starving and there were people that run out of food who were tired of cooking. Um so it we we met a lot of kids needs on Friday and then the attendance uh stats that we got this week sure showed that the kids were ready to come back to school. I think it was around 93 94% student participation attendance this week which is fantastic. Um parents were ready for
092them to go and they they were ready to come. So, it has been an entire district effort these last two weeks to do what we've done and be able to come back to school and nobody was injured as far as wrecks or students or teachers getting in the building. And that's a certain tense what I worry about. And just not because we got a preacher in the in [laughter] the audience. Praise the Lord that nobody got hurt because that that's that was the thing that I think about when I cancel school and Eddie and I are talking. That's what I think about is the danger of kids and staff. So, um besides that, this week has been a fantastic week. I hope people's gotten into a rhythm. Uh it looks good the next couple days
093or next week with with weather, but I just want to thank everybody that was involved for us to get back to school this week. And that's my report. >> Perfect. All right. Anybody have any uh comments from the board? >> I just also want to express my gratitude to our maintenance and our custodians because even when there was no hope, you could tell there was no hope. We was coming back to school, but they were still out there working trying to get these >> parking lots and sidewalks cleared. So, >> I appreciate all their hard work. >> Absolutely. >> While we were just warming our houses, they were all out chipping off >> in the cold. >> Yeah. Slipping and sliding. is much appreciated. >> Well, and I appreciate all the communication that cuz when
094we get out in public, we get asked a lot of questions and I appreciate all the communication that we've gotten from you guys and to Mr. Neely, Mr. Neely to us about what is happening, how we're trying to protect our students and our staff and keeping everyone safe. So, >> thank you all for that and keeping all of us um and the teachers and all the staff. Well, >> there was no guidebook to this. we had dealt with this, haven't we? [laughter] >> I think the plan was was was perfectly orchestrated. I think it was um I just really appreciate everything y'all did and and Mr. Stson and his team are are doing a fabulous job of giving people notice of when their buses are going to be late or how their buses going to
095be doing. I've already got one for tomorrow morning, so you know, I didn't get it at 6:40. Mhm. >> Um, so I I know people appreciate that and I just ask for some grace here. You know, we're we're all uh building a plane as we're flying it and um somebody's always going to complain, but you can rest assured that this team on this board and that sits in those offices are always doing the absolute very best they can for kids. That's >> right. >> And you know, there's just no way to please everybody. >> Yeah. You know, you might set up for work sessions so you could help these surrounding counties. >> Yeah, they can hear me out up north a little bit. >> Don't talk too much to be trying to sound good. >>
096Yeah, that's true. >> Good. >> All right. Anybody else? Okay. All right. We need to enter into um an executive session to discuss um some acquisition or sale of real property. So, I need a motion to enter into an executive session to discuss the future acquisition or sale of real property for which publicity would likely affect the value per KRS61.8101B. >> So, move >> motion by Miss Ber. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> And a second by Miss Brock. All those in favor? I I >> We are in executive session.