ACS Board of Education Meeting June 8th, 2026

001Good evening. Uh, Monday, June 8, 2026, the regularly scheduled Alexander County Board of Education meeting. At this time, we'll stand and say our pledge of allegiance and vice chair Jesse Bos. >> Attention. Salute. Pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please remain standing as Dr. Bill Griffin, our superintendence, leads us through our school's mission and vision statement. We in Alexander County Schools are committed to building a legacy of excellence >> and is our vision to be the educational choice for every child. >> Thank you very much. >> You may be seated. >> Before we approve the agenda tonight, uh we need to add an item, an update. We have a

002maintenance update from our maintenance director, Brian uh Davis. He will be first on the reports. Um, do I have a motion to approve tonight's agenda? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Motion by Vice Chair Jesse Bowl, second by Matt Reese. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion approved. Michelle, we don't have any public comment. How? Correct. >> However, we do have some writeins that our superintendent is going to read and address during his superintendent report. So, if y'all be patient with us, I know while you're all here, we'll address that during his superintendent report. So, thank you so much. Um, at this time, we need approval for the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion by Corey Mlan, second by Matt Reese. All in favor say

003I. >> I. >> Consent agenda passes. At this time, our director of maintenance, Brian Davis, is gonna come around and give us an update on HVAC and roof at West Middle School. >> Good evening. >> If Good evening, Brian, if >> I knew you guys are going to have a packed house every time I come, I I'll start doing it more often. >> Get you on that agenda. >> Yeah. Well, I think we got everybody in out there. >> Appreciate you doing that. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I know it's raining. >> Glad to. Glad to. want to uh kind of give you a quick update on how things are going. Today marks our first full week uh of the project that's taking place over there at West Alexander. And so uh in the first

004three days, they had the complete uh tear out uh of all the stuff, the the ceiling, the uh parts of the duck work. First one thing know that they needed to go ahead and tear out. And so they done that in the first three days and got it all cleaned up. And I was just amazed at how quick they've been moving. But anyhow, uh if uh we'll get the next slide there. If you'll notice uh on the area that looks the pinkish area, that is our eighth grade wing. Uh and so uh this past uh week, they started doing all the tear out, getting ready for the new systems. electricians are there today uh around the conduit getting things ready for that. And the reason we started on the eighth grade wing, if you'll notice

005kind of right in the center of the diagram uh in the yellowish area, that is where uh the uh uh the boiler currently sits. Uh that bowler has a 700 amp meter service that services just it. And to kind of let you know how much that is, uh, at your house, you have a 200 amp service that takes care of your house. So, this electric boiler has 700 amps that takes care of just it. Yep. >> Uh, and we are spending somewhere in the neighborhood 25 28,000 during our winter months to heat. Uh and so with that being situated right in the center, we started with the furthest point away from it and we're having to back oursel out uh with the piping, with the electrical to be able to add these new units that's

006coming in. And so that's the reason that we've started down on the eighth grade backing oursel out in progression. Then you'll notice the second phase now uh before school uh starts back in August all the blue area or the light purple uh that will be taken care of everything there. If you'll notice, we've got uh noted where I say new systems, that's your Hback, that's your uh building automation system, the controls end of it, uh also the new layin, ceiling, and the roof. All that will be taken care of in the first phase. Then they'll start the second phase. Uh that is uh the furthest one away from you. Uh looking at that screen, that's what we consider seventh grade. So that's 2A on the phase it and sixth grade which is 2B. That's our

007next phase. We'll start doing the same thing there, backing everything out. So we'll be accomplishing that. They'll have that done uh by fall time this year. Then the third phase, that's the orange area, that's 3A and 3B. Uh 3A is what we call the exploratory section. uh the different classes there and the gymnasium. And so there again, they'll do the demo on it, start backing everything out, putting everything back new. That'll be done by spring of next year. Then we'll close everything out in the yellow phase. That's what we call phase four. That's the media center, the chorus room, the front office area, cafeteria, um the kitchen along with the band and EC and art class area. That's what we consider phase 4. And so we'll do the uh tear out on it and put

008everything new back in and have all that completed by summer of 27. And so that's just kind of a a quick overview. Wanted to show that to you. Um, but everything, like I said this morning, was over with uh MBI Josh. Everything's looking great over there. He said, Ryan, he said, "We're right on target with where we want to be." Uh, so and I talked with uh AR Pinnacle Architects, our architect talked with him just right whenever I walked out of the office, was on the phone with him, and all the submitts uh have been sent in as far as for our scheduling. And so, uh, he didn't have time to send it to me. He said, but they do have it in. Uh the contractor sent that in. He said that sometime tomorrow he'll

009be able to send that over to me once they get it put in order and send it over to me. >> Brian, for for the board, just to clarify some things um and and our constituents that are watching of we we've been having heat and air um issues at West for some time >> that we we've been trying to mitigate and and get taken care of. Um, also to thank the staff and leadership at West. Um, this process, if you guys have ever been involved in replacing the duck work and and the HVAC systems in in a building that large. >> Um, if you go over to West right now, it's completely the inside is almost completely demolished. All the classroom furniture, everything that's within a traditional structure of a building is out in the

010hallways. um all the the celotex and stuff is down in those wings and they're replacing all of that. So, it's a dusty uh dusty mess uh currently uh that everybody's having to navigate and work through. So, we're we're certainly grateful for our custodial staff because they're having to work around that. Uh the staff as they left for summer break trying to get things ready to go there. So, and then to our our administration, Dr. Dagel and her team, uh we're grateful for what they've done. So, so just want to thank them as well. Just so that everybody will know uh in the other wings the reason that the furniture is out in the hallways because they are stripping and waxing floors uh also during this process because the the whole time that this is taking

011place while uh the contractors are working we still have our normal day-to-day things that have to be done and so the custodial staff there is doing a phenomenal job uh along with uh my uh department along with the IT department uh one of our subcontractors protective securities. They came in and helped us go ahead and get uh our Wi-Fi, our camera system, our paging system, all of that stuff out of the way so that the contractor didn't have to worry about it. And a lot of that is because we wanted to make sure that our stuff was put up completely out of the way, protected, and we knew exactly what it was and they didn't have to unhook anything. So, a lot of things uh in two weeks have transpired and it's all coming together

012and it's really looking good. So, uh, but it is it's a hats off to everybody that's got their hands involved because they've done a phenomenal job. >> Thank you. And and one more thing, Brian, and I see Andrea back in the back and Sharon, our CFO. Uh, this project's been completed with lottery funds. I often get asked, uh, do those ever get used and do we actually have any monies that are available, uh, through that? And, uh, we're we're using those funds to to to do this project, which are capital funds, and and they're only able to use for capital purposes. Exactly. >> And it is the original HVAC system. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> And that school has been there 20 >> longer than that. Let's see. >> Almost 20 years. >>

01326. >> I was there 35 years ago. >> It's been there longer than I've been. >> 76. Since 1976. >> The original 85. >> 50 years. 50 years. >> 50 years. >> That's an old air conditioner. So, so hopefully we get half of that out of this unit. Okay. >> Yes. And I was also working with Duke Energy uh on a couple of different uh things today. One of the things was uh uh two weeks ago on the weekend we had a power pole that just for some unknown reason decided to snap at the top of it and it left our high school in the auditorium uh without with partial power and we were able to we had to uh u reschedu one of the events that was taking place that morning at the auditorium

014because we didn't have power and so they got things back on that afternoon but meeting met with him today to look about where they're setting some new poles so that this doesn't happen again. And also while I was there with them, uh, working on rebates because we do, uh, qualify for a pretty substantial rebate, uh, putting this new roof system on and the new HVAC system. So, we will be getting some of that money back. >> Good. So, >> good to hear, Brian. >> Yes. Thanks, Brian. Thanks for >> Thank you, Brian, for the update. Appreciate you. >> Yes, sir. At this time, uh, our CFO, Sher Mafy, will come around and give us a child nutrition update and everybody in line at the high school is getting fed tonight. So, >> yes, in real

015time. >> Evening, Sharon. >> Um, I think about 900 kids, something like that. >> Okay. Um tonight uh the first thing first order uh that I have to bring to you is the bids for um the the coming year. I did a breakdown for those of you uh in your packet, but um would like approval of the milk bid that will be awarded to Pinerest Miola at the lowest responsive responsible bidder meeting all specifications. Food delivery uh to Gordon Food Service. They are again the lowest responsive responsible bidder meeting uh specifications. Supply delivery awarded to Southeastern Brady as a lowest responsive bidder and to approve the rollover of the chemical contract with Correction Enterprises. Um I'd like to request approval of those. So Sharon is requesting a motion uh to approve uh the bids for

016uh the milk, the chemical, uh the supplies, and the food uh and storage delivery services. Do I have a motion to approve these bids? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Shannon Oxentine, second by Robert Arguas. All in favor say I. >> Bids approved, chair. >> Okay. The next the next thing we have is um the uh C um community. Okay, let me community eligibility provision. Kathy Codle, school food nutrition director is help well we already talked about that. I'm sorry. Since last year, several factors have uh improved the financial outlook of the child nutrition program. Labor costs are being more closely aligned with the meal participation level levels, resulting in improved operational efficiency. Additional newly awarded bids are expected to generate savings in food delivery cost, helping to reduce overall program expenditures. the number

017of students qualifying for SNAP and Medicaid has increased uh which positively improves the federal reimbursement received for the meals served. Furthermore, the tile nutrition division has worked closely with the district staff to maximize available reimbursements and ensure the district receives all the funds for which it is eligible. With these improvements having strengthened the program's financial position, it remains imperative that we continue to identify opportunities to operate efficiency while providing highquality meals our students deserve. >> Yes, >> continuing C will ensure all students have access to nutritional meals while supporting student achievement and reducing administrative burden for families and schools. With these improvements, increased participation in the middle and high school, and a well-managed program, Kathy believes we can make the program work financially. >> Sharon, thank you for that. And again, we're about transparency here

018tonight. Um, basically what Sharon just uh brought to us is for next year allowing all of our students to have free and reduced lunch. Is that correct, >> Free lunch. So, so backing up um board, you guys can recall that the prior to last year, our county was involved in the C program which enabled every student within our school system to eat breakfast and lunch for free. Um we we were having some issues financially with that and we were losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Uh that came down to our eligibility and participation at the middle and high schools. um we couldn't sustain the amount in which we were uh going backwards. Uh so the board last year decided to go away from the C program in middle and high school and those students um

019at that point had to either pay for a meal or they could qualify for pre-introduce and and some of those did. Uh we noticed our participation that went down in middle and high school. Uh we also noticed lunch debt increasing. Um, so we navigated that throughout the year with our with our administration and and our child nutrition department. Um, doing this again, we've re-evaluated, uh, we've gone through, as as Sharon has has alluded to, trying to do everything within our power to manage that program more effectively and efficiently so that we can provide meals to our kids at no cost. That would be high school, middle school, and elementary school. >> Amen. Um, and and we can get out of that program if if we get into it and and aren't doing what we need

020to do. But I I'm I feel that through proper management and also making sure that our our constituents are aware of what that program is um and providing a good nutritious well-balanced meal that we can sustain that moving forward. And that is certainly my wish as as superintendent that we take care of our students and that we take care of our families and we try to make sure that one thing they know they are going to get when they come to school every day is a is a hot nutritious meal. So that would be my recommendation if if we can and it feels like that is that we can sustain this program moving forward. >> Well, I would just add that I've had several constituents call me throughout this year complaining that they have to

021pay for lunch. So, >> everybody else had those same phone calls, >> several conversations. Yep. >> Um, so I do appreciate uh you bringing this presentation to us tonight and uh everything Kathy Codle has done um the software, the things she's put in place um to track u going forward for for 2627 to provide free lunch. So, uh, gentlemen, we have we need a motion, uh, to approve the C program for Alexander County Schools. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Robert Aguas. Second. >> Second by Anthony Mlan. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you, Sharon. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Great job, guys. >> That's a positive. Uh, next on uh the report is financial report from CFO Shar. Thank you, Sharon. >> Something I'm a little more familiar with.

022>> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, we have three budget amendments tonight. Budget amendment number 11, state public school fund as the non-contributori uh benefits to the budget. This is a guaranteed aotment by DPI. Budget amendment number 12, specific revenue fund. It adds the second installment of the Golden Leaf grant and an appropriation to Head Start. Budget amendment number 13, federal grant funds as the 21st Century Summer Program to the budget. Um, I'll be happy to answer any questions. If not, I ask for approval of these three amendments. >> Any questions? self-explanatory. >> It is. >> Very well. >> At this time, do we have a motion to approve amendment 11, amendment 12, and amendment 13? >> Motion by Robert Agu, second by Shannon Oxentine. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you, Sharon. >>

023Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> Uh, next on the agenda is Dr. Alicia Clure, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources with a human resources report. Good evening. >> Even chair, vice chair, board members, and Dr. Griffin. >> Um, I have before you the usual and customary list of personnel items. It is our season in HR, so it's a little bit long, so if you take a look and let me know the pleasure of the board. >> Thank you, Dr. Glory. At this time, I need a motion to approve the HR report. >> Make a motion to approve the HR report as presented. >> Motion by Matt Ree. >> Second. Second by Anthony Mlan. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> At this time, Dr. Bill

024Griffin, our superintendent, will provide his superintendent report. >> Thank you, Chairman Dagenheart. Appreciate that. Um, I want to begin first by just uh giving a a summation to our school year. Uh, we had a lot of celebrations and did a lot of great things. Um, we were able to the the board and and many of our our persons were able to attend uh both the graduation of the early college as well as that of Alexander Central High School. Uh, and I was extremely proud of of both of our senior classes. Uh, the these young people are getting ready to enter the workforce or uh military or college, university, and we're just super proud of their accomplishments. Um, I was super proud of of those students who stood up and actually uh gave comments at those

025graduations. It showed their maturity. It showed where they had come in life and and what they're doing. Uh, and and I was just so proud of of of what we are able to accomplish within our school system. and they they are just uh persons that are that are going on to that next level that I know in their life they'll be able to hold true of what they've been given by our faculty and staff and our community. Uh and I just want to commend each of those individuals for that and congratulate our senior class. I I wish you the best. Uh you're incredible uh persons and I hope maybe you'll come back at one day and and enter our workforce in some capacity. We'd love to have you back within our county. Um, also another

026piece that is our summer feeding program. Um, I I noticed as we were coming into the meeting today and it was pouring rain and I hate that for anybody uh with whom it was raining on when you came in. We tried to get the front door open so you could get through there. Uh but I did notice and if you came in there was a line that was all the way out uh to the main highway here at Laown Road and our our child nutrition staff is out serving those summer meals and giving those out and that's just been an amazing thing that we can continue to do for our community and the fact that people are showing up in in the droves that they are and I'm just so grateful that that we can

027do that and to our staff. Um I went out to West last week. I wasn't able to be here today. I apologize. Um, but it was raining much like it was here uh at West Alexander last week and and that staff stood there in the rain uh and they delivered meals to the cars and I just want to say hats off to them and I'm sure they were doing that again here. >> Uh don't know how many we gave out today uh but last week uh we gave out uh 12,320 meals to our county. So amazing thing that's going on. uh we we will continue to do that throughout the summer and we hope that those that that need those meals for their children uh will show up and and we can provide uh what

028they need and and that's certainly a positive thing that's going on. Uh I'd also like to compliment um some of our testing uh those those scores are not out and are not final. uh we are not able to to release those scores yet, but Jacob Le uh who is over assessment accountability uh gave me a couple words here. The preliminary EOGs and EOCC results point to encouraging process across the district. Compared to last school year, increases appear to be evident in several grade levels and subject areas, including reading, math, and science. While data analysis is still underway, these early results suggest positive momentum and student achievement and reflect the continued efforts of our students, our teachers, our staff, and our school leaders. Additional information will be shared as those become final. So, just hats off

029to to each of our our people, our students for all that you do and and uh within your classes uh and then our amazing faculty for going through that process and enduring and making sure that we're getting the best results that we possibly can. Uh the last thing uh that I have here are dates of upcoming events. Um 58 uh through the rest of the uh the summer we'll be doing 4-day work weeks. Uh so we'll be working 10-hour work days. So all buildings are closed on Friday. Uh other buildings are open Monday through Thursday. Uh so just be aware of those those changed hours. Uh and then also uh we've got credit recovery elementary STEM camps that are taking place. uh career accelerators that are happening over the summer months. Uh and then then

030finally just the holidays that are coming up. We know that those are uh important to us and and want to celebrate uh those events as we move forward. Um and then finally the next thing I want to go over is probably why everybody's in attendance today. Um let let me begin by saying first of all uh students I I see your signs and I hear you and I appreciate your voice. I appreciate your support and your passion uh for your programs but nobody is taking your band program. We we certainly don't have to save our our band program because we're not taking it. um th those things aren't happening and I'll try to make sure that you're aware of what that looks like uh as we move forward and in this process. Um I've tried

031to be transparent uh to be able to speak to those that that I can so that I can do all that I can to um to steer clear of any misconceptions uh but also do dignity to what we do have. Um we believe in in your ban. We believe in our our our arts programs. Uh we believe in the amazing work that each of you that's sitting before me today have done and I want to congratulate you. I want to congratulate you on your talents. >> Yes. >> Your your beliefs in in your studies and where that may take you. Um your performance. Uh you're amazing and and we we know that and we understand that and we don't want to do anything that would take away from such. Okay. So, thank you for being

032here. you you guys are the the the heartbeat of our community and our high school and the fact that you're here says a lot about what you believe in. Yes, sir. >> So, so thank you for that. Parents, community members, we're going to go through some things here. Staff members, uh we want you to know that that we analyze each of these processes. We don't take them lightly, but we try to make decisions that are appropriate for our school district. And sometimes those are very very difficult and and we don't shy away from from understanding that and knowing that. Uh but we want to be able to serve you to the best of our ability. So I'll walk you through if you will allow me. And this is this could be potentially lengthy, but I'll

033try to do the best I can to to sum it up to the best of my ability while giving understanding and knowledge without having us here the entire evening. Okay. Is that fair enough? Uh first of all, um public comment. Um there were several people that had sent in um written comments. Uh no one by 5:00 or excuse me 4:30 on last Friday had signed up for public comment, but we did have several people over the weekend uh that had sent to my office of some some comments that they had. I spoke with some persons yesterday and and tried to uh figure out a way that we could we could read their concerns and their thoughts to make those present uh and and to the general public uh to those watching online and to those

034that are in the room today. So, at this point, I'd like to read those if you guys don't mind. >> Thank you. >> Okay. The first one is an email from Brad Brad Huard u to Alexander County Board of Education. I want to take a moment to give you my opinion about the current proposed proposal to eliminate one of the band director positions at Alexander Central High School. I started my public school career at Bethlehem Elementary, went to West Alexander, uh, and then graduated from Alexandra Central High School in 1984. After graduating Alexander Central High School, I went to the University of North Carolina School of Arts. I have been a professional musician since graduating in uh, 1989. I have performed literally all over the world during the past 35 plus years and now live

035and work in the greater New York City area, one of the most competitive musical environments in the world. Uh I believe this experience gives me an insight on the positive influence of music in students lives and in the greater community. I would urge you to retain both band director positions at Alexander Central High School. I offer the following reason why this uh would be not only a detriment to students but also society at large. Music is a collaborative art form. The experiences I had in high school band taught me how to solve problems and accomplish tasks with my teachers and peers. These are lessons I use every day, not just in music career, but in everyday uh attract interactions uh outside of the music world. People who have had collaborative music experience are better citizens

036and community members. And I would agree. I echo that. I was also fortunate enough to work in with students and directors of the Alexander Central High School band for several years in the spring of 2024. I can tell you that the students were bright, engaging, and not just about music, but everything. The rapport they had with both directors was very inspiring to watch and and experience. The teamwork they displayed to engage every student was brilliant. No one teacher can reach every every kid in a classroom uh that has 15 to 20 students. The band director has considerably more than their classes. Keep in mind that a standard concert band typically has 20 22 to 25 distinctly different instruments in it. Imagine a science class that you have simultaneously teaching about biology, geology, astronomy and physics

037in the same class and not just occasionally but every day. Uh in this context, two band directors uh doesn't seem in adequate. I leave you with this final thought uh for our students and it's a quote says on average uh the children who learned to play a musical instrument for many years and were now playing in high school band and orchestra were the equivalent of about one academic year ahead of their peers with regard to their English, mathematics and science skills as measured to their exam grades. Uh this quote was taken uh from a population study from from professors from the Journal of Education of Psychology. While I no longer live in Alexander County, I'll always be proud product of growing up in Alexander County. I wish the best for the community and the people

038there. Best regards, Brad Hover. >> I appreciate that, Brad. A lot of truth to everything that you said there. >> Good email. >> Also, an email from Byron Harrington. The band booster board is deeply concerned and disheartened by the recent decisions regarding our music education department. We feel overlooked as 50% of our instructional capacity has been removed without any prior collaboration or discussion. We believe the consequences of this decision are far-reaching and may not be fully realized until it is too late. Our directors and their colleagues in Alexander County Schools have worked diligently to grow band program bringing positive attention to our county. U in an education system where enrollment is declining, we want to highlight the fact that the band program is growing. The band program will grow 22% from the upcoming school year

039compared to last school year. And according to middle school band numbers, the high school ban will continue to grow over the next few years. We have heard much about the effect of private education reduc reducing the number of children in our classrooms. We want to remind school administration that the band program is one of the few programs that most private schools and home schools cannot offer. This elevates the important of the band program at a time where public schools are directly competing against private education. We feel maintaining a healthy and growing band program is vital to the success of our school system. While the board of education uh understands the financial hardship facing education and the necessity of difficult choices, we have always prioritized highquality education for the sake of our students. A reduction in

040this magnitude is devastating. We urge you to reconsider this decision and its impact on our students and the future of the program. Sincerely, Byron Arrington. Thank you very much, Byron. >> Next is an email from Dr. Tyler Stark. Uh good morning. My name is Dr. Tyler Stark and I am the director of bands at Lenor Ryan University. I'm writing to express my hope that the second band director position at Alexander Central High School would not be dissolved and I hope these remarks could be read at the board meeting this Monday with other individuals concerning about the matter. These remarks are my personal opinion as a fellow musician and I do and do not reflect the opinions or actions of Lenor Ryan University. I have had the privilege to work with the Alexander Central High School

041band program as a clinician on different occasions and we are excited to collaborate with the Alexander Central High School band program on a combined concert next spring with the LR wind ensemble. I am struck by the sheer number of the students that the band program serves each year. I believe this demonstrates the thriving program that allows many students to learn, grow in people, and find a safe community. As the band director at LR, I have the pleasure of teaching many ACS graduates at LR University on Orion University, and they all speak highly of their time at Alexander Central High School band program and the amount of care and dedication their band directors provide them and grow as growing individuals. As a former high school band director, I can speak to the sheer amount of uh

042task and time needed to run a successful band program uh from other school rehearsals, marching band, jazz practices, as well as the mentor concerts put on each year. Band directors are tasked with coaching many individuals who play different types of instruments which requires a large amount of individualized instruction. I believe part of the success of ACS band program is their ability to provide this individualized and differentiated instruction to every one of the ensembles with their two band directors. I see the impact that the two directors bring to their students education. I want to voice my support as a fellow musician music educator, excuse me, for maintaining the second band director position ACS in order to continue to provide quality level of music education for students. Thank you for your time and your dedication to the

043students in Alexander County, North Carolina. Tyler Stark. Thank you, Tom. >> So, I I appreciate those persons um who have written in, who have communicated. Uh I would say that we I can say myself as as superintendent certainly echo a lot of those sentiments. I think the board feels the same. I certainly believe um in in what we have provided our students. Uh I believe in our staff. Uh I believe that everything that they said there is is certainly true. I I believe that we have amazing directors in our band program. I believe that that we have amazing students in our band program and all of and our coral program and our arts program and our athletics program and other departments to which uh we maintain throughout our school system. I believe in public education.

044>> Amen. >> With all of my heart um >> and and tried to devote that uh to giving of our communities to make sure that that we exist for many many years. And the reason that I believe so strongly is that is because we serve every person that walks through our doors. There there is no reason that we don't serve you. And by law, we're required to do so. Each and every one of you students has a talent. And I know this this meeting is long and I know it's is is drawn out, but I need you to hear this. Each and every one of you has an amazing skill set that this staff that this community believe in. We're proud of you. We're proud of the things that you do well beyond the performances

045that you give in band. Um we're proud of your your success that we believe that you'll have in life. And I hope you hear that and I hope you trust that that that's where we are. I can't speak for this board, but I I believe I know each and every one of them and they feel the same way. So, as we navigate waters that are they're very treacherous, I want you guys to understand that piece. Okay. Um, and now I want to kind of get into the business section of of where these things come from because there's been a lot of misconceptions. There's been a lot of things that have been stated um that that are just not accurate. So, I want to do for the for the best that I can in the amount

046of time that we have try to navigate where we are and what that looks like moving forward. Um, first of all, there was a community forum yesterday uh at the First Baptist Church of Taylorville. uh Scott Henson, Joel Simpson, and Paul Cisk uh went out of their way to to navigate a community forum uh to give uh each of our persons who wanted to show up in the community and an opportunity um for conversation, >> an opportunity to express uh dialogue and express their thoughts. And I applaud those gentlemen uh for for doing that and giving a forum and an opportunity for that to transpire and for that to happen. Um during that forum, uh I wanted to speak because I wanted to make sure that I was guiding what was being said correctly so

047that we didn't continue to go down a path that that wasn't accurate in conversation. Um but it was a it was a positive meeting. A lot of there I don't think there was a negative comment stated in the entire meeting and and I appreciate that and I appreciate their leadership in in our community and I appreciate the fact that they gave people an opportunity uh for that. So, thank you to those individuals. I'd like to thank our band booster parents. Yes. Uh those parents um give of their time, they give of their energies, they give of their support to support our students and and and our teachers. And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for our students. Each of you that are here today and each of you that participate in these programs. Good job.

048Hats off to you. Continue the fine work that you're doing. uh it's going to take you a long way in life. I'd like to thank our our school board and I'd like to thank our commissioners for their support. Um they they have had open dialogue with us. Um >> yes, >> it's never enough and and we know that, but they have had open dialogue to try to work and and partner with us um to support the school system. And and each of the years, I've I've been here two years. uh each of those times that that we've needed things, they they have tried to help us. Um but but they don't have an unlimited banking account and I'm not a commissioner, so I don't want to get into that piece, but I know from the

049dialogue that we've had with them, they have tried to take care of our needs. >> Yes. >> And and it will never be enough. I promise you it will never be enough. But but they have tried to do that. So I want to thank them for that. Which leads me to the role of staff allocations that we go through every year at this time. And Dr. Clure is in the back there somewhere. Um she's our assistant superintendent of human resources. uh and she has the daunting task to evaluate our numbers from across our district and make sure that each of our buildings is staffed with what we need, what we're what we're allocated and what we can afford so that we can operate for years to come. And that is a very very very hard

050job. And she has many opportunities and conversations uh with our leadership at each of those buildings. It isn't something that we we develop up here at at the at the central services and say this is where you are. It's through conversation with our school leaders to try to adapt and figure out what it is that that we can position each and every year. It's my job as superintendent and I've tried to go around to to have guided conversations with every staff member in our district on multiple occasions and and I've coined the phrase that we we have to operate within our means. When I took this job two years ago, we were we were one year away from being bankrupt. We were one year away from not being able to navigate any longer. We were

051one year away from not having any fund balance that would allow us to do any of the things that we need to do to stay afloat. So, so the board challenged me to put some things in place to get us back on track to the best of our ability and and we have tried to do that and that's come through very very hard decisions w within within me saying I do uh to to walking up here and being sworn in. We were taxed with cutting 24 positions within our district. The board had already been doing a lot of that hard work already to to make happen. And those were hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard hard decisions through through hard work through Dr. CL's uh office and and

052human resources. We were able to regain a lot of those positions back to those people that lost their job uh through through planning. But we never and I told them we never want to be in that position again where we have to lay people off >> to say to a person that you don't have a job. Not that you've been moved or you have a different position, but you don't have a job. So we have worked diligently each and every month, really every day. I I I talk budget every day with somebody and and we get to this time of year and and we have these meetings and and they're delicate. They're hard, but they have to be thoughtful and they have to be thought through. And sometimes not everybody gets what they want. You

053know, I I look out in the audience now and I see Mary Brown over there and Mary wants a lot, right? and and and I love her to death, but there's times that we look and we talk and and and we try to navigate what it is that that we need. And and I say that because Mary had a situation this year that she's she's lost some things and and each of the each of our buildings has to deal with their their situations. So that happens each and every year. Dr. Clure looks at those numbers and it's and it's about numbers. It's it's all about numbers. We get paid. The only revenue that we have as a public school system is we get paid in three avenues. We get paid from the federal government. We

054get paid from the state and we get paid from local. And and those are the monies that we have. >> We we aren't able to say, "Hey, let's let's go out here and and sell a couple more cars and create increase our revenue." We we don't do that. We get we get our revenue from those channels. And where we get the vast majority of our revenue is from our state funding. And that comes from ADM, average daily membership, which is the number of students that we have in our building. And I I'm sad to say that Alexander County has been losing students in our public schools now for years. And every time we lose a student or we lose a number of students, we have to adjust. And that's what I've said each and every

055year to our to our leaders within our buildings and to our school board is we are operating within our means. We are now budgeting on what we call funding in a rears which means that this year's budget 2627 has already been set based on the numbers from last year. Okay, y'all y'all with me? So next year's money, the money that we have to purchase positions has already been set on the numbers from last year. So those are already in place. It used to we used to play the game that when you come to school, we'd have to give give back or accept and and they've done away with that. So we we know the amount of positions that we're down and we were down students last year. So we've already been cut three positions that

056we knew we had to make up. We knew right off the bat that when this year started that I had to find three positions somewhere within our school system. Dr. Clure worked hard to do those things. She she works those those pieces through our administration and she communicates them to me. So, so through her studies and her numbers and her analysis, um, we ended up cutting several positions. Excuse me. We ended up repositioning several positions. We didn't cut a single job. Not one job have we have we cut from anybody. But through natural attrition, as people retire, as they move on, as they take new jobs, we hold those positions and we capture them in these areas that we need to capture those positions. So, we haven't cut a single job this year, but we've

057made we've made room for what we need to so that we can stay afloat for next year. >> And and that's what we aim to do each and every year. And if we don't do that, then what we're going to be faced with is another time where the board says we're bankrupt. We don't have any money left and we're now firing people or cutting things and programs. And we're not there yet. >> So, as you have your signs and I love you. Good job. You keep reminding me. I love it. We We're not cutting your band. That is important. That is important. Your people are important. So, let me try to show you how we're and why we're navigating the way that we're navigating. Through in those conversations that Dr. Clure has, she looks at

058each of these positions. And at Alexander Central High School, there were a number of departments that were affected. And I'm going to read these out to you. Alexander Central High School, math was affected. Spanish was affected, social studies was affected, a registar's position was affected, CTE position was affected, and band was affected. So, I am talking now to the band constituents, but somewhere out there, I've got to talk to the math constituents and the Spanish constituents and the social studies. Yes, sir. >> And the CTE that I've heard from every single day. This morning, we worked with our CTE director to navigate some waters there to try to figure some things out so that we don't hurt kids so that we we figure out a way to complete some programs of students that had already

059laid the foundation for some coursework that they needed to graduate and needed for a career path. I've worked today with multiple people uh including band staff to talk about the positions that we have here to make sure that that works from what we need it to work. Okay? And this stuff goes on every single day. the these are just parts of what we try to navigate every single day. So, at Alexander Central High School, there was a lot of of of things that took place, a lot of rearranging, and that came with conversation through school administration. Not not from me, not through Dr. Clure, but through Dr. clear through conversation with the administration that exists at Alexander Central High School and every other school that we have and hard decisions have to be made when

060you're navigating these pieces to figure out what that looks like. So, we start looking at numbers and we start looking at class schedules and we take high schools and we break them down and every single class is broken down by sections and how many sections that we have in each of those classes that makes and it's all through a numbers process to make sure that we're making decisions that are that are accurate. >> They're real. They're intentional and we just didn't make them up somewhere. And we don't allow our our administration to do that either. It's navigated through HR on a basis that we do. And that takes hours upon hours upon hours and and that has happened and and those talks at Alexander Central High School have been going on since April. So I'

061I've heard that these were kind of spontaneous decisions uh that things just kind of happened. They they didn't they they've been going on behind the scenes through administration since April, but the reality to it hit here recently, >> right? >> And and that's when people become involved. And I'm glad you did. I'm glad that you have a voice. Students, I'm glad you're here >> because it says that you care and it says that we got to figure out ways to navigate this to where we make it work. >> So, so with those pieces, the the administration working through Dr. Clure in one of those, again, all of those departments >> have to make changes, right? Ban was one of those, but not a we did not lose a position in ban. Okay? There is not

062a person that is not working within our band. We we we are just repositioning a position to help in deficiencies that we have across the county through an attrition position. So instead of uh losing or terminating a position, we're just re repurposing uh our people to try to help with the the balances that we have. Okay. And one of those is one of your band teachers to which we've had two full-time band teachers at Alexander Central High School. And and and guys, I'm here to tell you that's that's amazing. >> It is. >> And I'm here to tell you that they those persons have done wonderful stuff. But I'm also here to tell you that in the world of public education right now, that is an anomaly. We are the only high school in the

063Unifor area of all of the bordering counties that we have that has two full-time paid positions in man. The only one. I've been calling every superintendent over the past couple days and I've been looking at where do we position? What does this look like? How how close are we and what we're trying to figure out and where we are. We are the only band with two full-time positions within our high school band. Everybody else is doing it with one to one and a half. Everybody, every single high school in the area. We are the only one. And I'm going to go through some numbers to show the realities of what that looks like so that we understand. We have at a high school band currently uh and what we've had for the past several years.

064We've had two full-time positions uh at the high school with those capabilities currently registered. And these are numbers I I didn't make these up. I got them from our our enrollments at the high school this morning. And they change every day, but I got I wanted to make sure these were accurate. So far for the fall band and fall band classes, we have signed up 106 students. That is divided by, if we left things as they are, two full-time band directors at the high school. There are currently as we look in the master schedule has been put together by school administration. Uh there is first period is is a planning um then we've got second period that is a percussion ensemble regular and honors that has 19 kids. Third period is another planning and fourth

065period is a marching band regular and honors of 87 students which is a huge undertaking for one person to take care of. But if if we leave things as they are then we have two full-time positions that from the the time of 8:00 till 1:30 are serving 19 students. That is unheard of. And if other teachers across our district hear that, they're going to be furious. But that's the reality of where we are. Last year, and this didn't happen just this year. Last year, two full-time band teachers serving first period planning with both. Second period percussion ensemble honors with 11 students and regular for two for a total of 13. And then third period was an AP music class with three students that only came every other day. So, from the time of 8:00 until

0661:30 when we had marching band, we served a total of 16 students with two full-time positions. Now, granted, I totally know and understand that those persons were going to the middle school and helping with those band programs. I totally understand that, but there are full-time band teachers at each of our middle schools, which is not inherent to many schools around the area. So that's just a a a brief synopsis of why school administration looked and said, "Hey, we've got a lot of room out there. We've got a lot of places that that we can pull tighter." And and then I don't want to diminish the fact of the quality of job that those individuals are doing, >> right? >> Regardless of the numbers and where they lie, the people that we have in those two

067band positions and the four band positions that we have are doing amazing work. >> Yes. And I want to make sure that that I state that. But when you put the numbers and we work on numbers, when you put the numbers together, the two band teachers that we have at the high school are serving 106 and 112 students, which equals out to around 53. It is 53 and 50 56 a piece. Our middle school band teachers, however, are serving at West Alexander Middle School. they are serving 142 students and at East they're serving 146 students, one person that's being assisted by those at the high school that are that are coming down there and helping them, right? But there three times as many students being served by our one band teacher at our middle school

068of each of those versus that of our high school. and and I understand it's a collaboration and I understand that we're working together, but that is not inherent of any other district around. As a matter of fact, I called and I talked to those that that are around us and this is what I found out. And and please understand, I I understand the quality of where we are and I never want to take away from that. Wils County, all high schools have one band teacher and that band teacher is to serve 75% of their time at the middle schools and 25% of their time, one one class at the high school. So all the the high schools in Wilts County schools, the middle and the high school is served by one person for those programs.

069And I'm not saying that's right wrong. I'm not judging. I'm just saying the facts. Uh Ired Statesville school system has no high school with multiple band teachers. They all have one or one point something. Cowwell County schools, no high school has multiple band teachers. They're either split or they adjust that second position in some way, form or fashion. Kataba County Schools has no multiple bands in any of the high school band teachers at any of the high schools. And I was told that their largest is that of St. Stevens, which has 135 band members and has one band teacher. and they get a an assistant to help with monitor with football games that they're paid a a stipen to do that. We in Alexander County believe in our arts and it's and it showed in

070the facts. We have we have currently two uh full-time band teachers. One of those is 11 months. None of those others were. And both of those people receive stipens uh to do work after the the time of day which is is is guys it there is never enough >> never enough >> and it's peanuts based on the hours and what they do just like our coaching staff. It's peanuts. But my point is some of these others don't even offer stipens to their band directors. This county, this board has taken care for years, well past that of any other high school in the Unifor area. Well past any other high school in the Unifor area. And and that may have earned us the opportunity of saying that that we're the best. It and it may and

071and I applaud our people for I applaud our band directors for having the numbers that I just read off because not everybody does. And that goes back to the quality of work that they've done and what they have done for for years in and years out and the amount of families that are out there that have bought into those programs and are doing great things for their students. It is an investment with everyone and we're invested too and we're not talking about changing that. the proposed schedule that we have that we are working through and I have spoken with both band directors had a long conversation uh with one today is that uh one of those positions would be full-time like like they certainly have been uh and one of those positions would be split

072between uh our elementary schools with the ability to be here every day for the concern through through conversation and I applaud our our band director for bringing this the concerns to to us so that we can work through some of those concerns to make sure that we take care of of our people. But there will be just like there always has been, there will be two band directors here every day for those large classes. The only students that won't see two band directors, which there there shouldn't be anyway, would be those 19 that are in that the percussion ensemble uh classes in the fall. And then we'll navigate that schedule in the spring. But there there is going to be two band directors and I've I've spoken to the second one today and they're amazing

073human being and I applaud them for what they believe in your program. >> Thank you. >> And I I applaud them for what they >> they know and understand that nobody likes but I applaud them for what they have given of their own um their their own livelihood. And I applaud them for their professionalism to making sure that their biggest concern was to make sure the Alexander Central High School band was taken care of. And that's the type of people we're dealing with. So you should see no difference. No difference. And I and I've heard that we're not going to have people at football games and we're not going to have band people that are going to support our our our events and our parades and different things. It should be no different than where

074you are now. >> The only difference is the first couple periods in the day. One of those positions is going to serve our youth. And what I hope happens because this is an amazing person. >> It is. >> Is I hope that they go down there and they light a fire in some of our elementary students that carries through and the band numbers increase more and more. >> Yes, sir. >> And if those things happen and our student enrollment increases and we're able to support more and more every year, then we want to do that. And and that's as true as I can be with where we are. Yeah, >> we also have to navigate something that I haven't spoken of that I have no idea what that looks like next year. We have not

075had and do not have a current budget in the state of North Carolina. >> So, so we are working through what that looks like. I have been told through some of our general assembly members that we should have one any day now. Mhm. >> I hope that day comes. >> And I I have also been told with that are raises that our people need drastically that we are fighting for each of our teachers and each of our people to to have what they are certainly due >> with raises and also some I think there's some bonuses in the package that I've seen. But that had been that has yet to be voted on. So I don't want to steer anybody in a direction that I don't have 100% validity on. But if those things happen,

076then then Sharon and Andrea, who I see in the back, then we have to navigate what those raises look like. And that will affect our budget as to what we have for next year. >> Yes, it will. It will. >> And that's okay. We will figure it out. Our commissioners will help us figure it out to take care of our people that need to be taken care of. >> But I have to also make sure that we're able to sustain where we are each and every year and for years to come. That's my goal is to leave this place better than I found it. And and I think that's everybody's goal. I know that's the goal of our our band directors is to leave it better than they found it. And they work each and

077every day and they work after hours and they work weekends and they do things to take care of you guys and students who are up here supporting yourself that I'm glad you are. And I never want that misconstrued. And that's all I've ever wanted to say is I need people to hear the truths of where we are and why we're where we are. >> And and if as things change and we look at things, we'll navigate each and every year each and every year. And it and it's my hope that as we do enrollment and so we're funded on the first 20 days of school. So what I'm hoping is that we don't have enough desk in our classroom to fill the number of kids that come into our classrooms. And and if that happens,

078then we'll adjust because at that point, it gives us the ability to adjust. >> Okay? But here's what I I please, I beg of you. Please don't throw mud at one another. >> Please don't don't cast people out. We're we're all in this together. >> Yeah. >> We we all want what one another want, >> right? >> And and I applaud those that are out there that that that are trying to advocate for us in public education. I've never said one negative thing about any any school or school system or anything. I say that we're to be the educational choice of every child. That's right. >> And we own that. But I'll never say anything negative about anybody else's choice to where they send their child. But what I will do is say that we

079want to be the best. So they send them to us. And if we're not, then we got to make adjustments to where we get better at what we do. And and and that's the bottom line. Now, I am upset of where our taxpayer dollars go. And I'm working to change that. I work every single week to have guided conversations with those that make those decisions. And they believe in you, too. We just got to get enough of them to believe in where we are. Okay. I appreciate what you do. I cannot say enough about the direction that our band program and chorus and and athletics and CTE and math and science and English language arts and science and in all of those those different studies that we have of what they do. I applaud them

080and it's my job to make sure we take care of every single one of them from beginning BK, what we call BK and preK all the way through our graduating seniors. And they're all important. None of them are more important than any other one. So, we have to take care of each and everyone to the best of our ability, which is not enough. I will make no bones about that. If I had the ability to to pull in more teacher assistants and more custodians and more front office help and and more teachers, I would do that in the by the click of my fingers. But if I do that and I make poor decisions, then the year later, somebody's going to have to pay for it. And that's what I'm trying to prevent to make

081sure that we make good choices each and every year. and we work together to make sure that we don't have to go to anybody and say, "I'm sorry, but you don't have a job." And I can't guarantee that won't happen, but I'm I'm saying we're trying to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen. I want to applaud and I'm trying to leave people's names out of here, but but ultimately, I think we're a small enough family that we kind of understand that, but but Mr. Cochran, Miss Holman, Miss Weddington. >> Yes. >> Had a long convers. What a what an amazing person that all they want. They're willing to do whatever it is as long as they can serve you students. >> Yes. >> I I couldn't ask her better. And and

082finally, Mr. Watkins, you you run an amazing program. >> Thank you. the the fact that we have the numbers that we have in our band, the fact that we have the numbers that we have in our middle school band. I hope that we can continue to light fire in our elementary schools so that they get involved in in our fine arts programs because I I think it's amazing. I I I I took our youngest son. We were in New York last weekend and I'm like a fish out of water in New York, but but we went and we went to a Broadway play and the talent that is on that stage and what they're doing that I have none of I have none of that talent. But to watch that at a level that is

083that high is absolutely amazing to me. And and I I tell people all the time that I have absolutely the best superintendent's office in the entire state of North Carolina because every afternoon in the fall of the year I get to hear you guys fourth period up there and I get to hear you preparing yourselves to get ready for football Friday night and it gives me great joy. I I didn't have a lot of talent in in the band. Matter of fact, they they told me at ninth grade I needed to concentrate on something else. But but I tried for a little while. But but what the brand what the band brings to our environment and and what you bring to our community, plea, please don't discount that and what you bring to hopefully your

084futures and the guided direction that you go in and and hopefully you can create a spark in somebody else and guide them in the direction that you've been in. That's what I want for you. And I know that's what your band directors want for you because that's why they're fighting for you and the band boosters and the parents and everybody else. And and and that's as knowledgeable in a in a brief synopsis and we can go into budgeting 101, but we'll be here for a couple more hours. >> Do Dr. Griffin, can you clarify I know some of the band boosters um today I talked to Byron Harrington and I talked to Ryan Beckham. Okay. >> And I've talked to Rick Harrington, too. Um, can you clarify this role that that this band director will

085be at two buildings per day? I was going to ask the same question. >> Can you clarify that for us? >> So, as we had some conversation uh Dr. Clue, I guess it was after lunch been this afternoon. um that person will be serving uh elementary music at uh Whittenberg and Ellenale and every day able to come serve the students of Alexander Central High School in in your marching band courses and then in the spring uh in in what that would be in those largest classes. >> So one day they'll be at she'll she'll be at Wittenberg in the high school, one day she'll be at Ellenell in the high school. >> That that is almost correct. So So Wittenberg is a little larger school. So we're going to do a three and two. >>

086Okay. and and those principles will work with that individual. Um, >> thank you >> to to figure those things out. And and guys, that is a that is a stretch. That is a hard thing on an individual. And I need for the everybody that's out there listening to understand the magnitude um and the appreciation that we have for for a person to to serve those elementary students and that faculty and staff with their heart and desire. and and we had a long conversation today that I can't say enough about that individual for accepting that challenge and saying that I want to do it at a great level, but I don't want to do anything that would be detrimental to our high school band. I understand we'll try to work that out for you. >> What

087a what a marvelous person >> and and individual and from where that that stands and I know Mr. Watkins will will handle those other parts of the band and he will grow those pieces and he will do amazing things uh for for those other students uh that are that are there this fall and this spring. I know that and I believe that. And and then for the high school administration, they've got to support our band and and our our our arts and they've got to understand and not only high school but other administration understand that we're navigating a little bit different waters here. So, we got to try to figure it out. But I don't want it to affect anybody in this room or anybody that's coming up that's not in this room. We want

088to do all that we can to support where we are and then to to can continue to fight another day and another year and stay afloat and take care of things and then do it the next year and the next year and the next year and and the thing about it is that story changes every day for us. stuff that I can't control that come down from the state and federal level that that we don't even we don't even have the ability to have a say so in. And that's what upsets me. >> If if we had that support and that ability every day, we could do amazing things, guys. But but the storyline changes every day and and that's what we're going to try to prevent. Thank you to everyone that's out there, uh

089those that are listening. Um, number one, I haven't heard a cross word from anybody during this process. >> That's true. >> People have have shared their concerns, >> but but they've done it in a dignified, professional manner, and that will get you places. >> It will. >> If you act in an emotional, irrational manner, people tune you out. >> So, continue to fight the fight. we've heard you and we're going to do everything that we can to take care of everything that you have that exists today and take care of making sure that that we're doing so now I've got to you know there are other people out there now I'm talking to CTE people >> please do >> and and I'm working with them to try to make sure that they have what they

090need to survive and then I'm sure these other programs and we hadn't even got to the middle school Lee Swanson's called me about four times in the past couple of days to talk about things that that he's lost And by the way, Wes lost one prior to that. So Dr. Dagel has been been trying to do things to take care of her program. And that's what they should do. >> That's what they should do. But we'll continue to work together to make sure that we get to where we need. >> And can you clarify the CTE part, please, for us? >> Yes. So, so one of those pieces. So CTE is funded on full-time equivalencies, FTEES. And again, it goes back to numbers. It goes back to numbers that that we have and how they're

091funded. Um they they've been cut. They were cut last year and they were cut again this year. And I've been working with Miss Hoke. Um I've been working with our finance department. I've been working with HR. When we lose numbers, we tried to make some positional uh reductions based on retirements. Again, through through attrition so nobody loses a job. Uh just so happens that one of those programs, one of the nursing programs, um some of those students, um they were completers and and not continuing to to take care of those students. They couldn't complete that program and they're kind of stuck. >> Yeah. >> So, so we've come to to figuring some stuff out and and we're going to try to to help in every any way we can to make sure that they have

092the ability uh to get those courses that they needed completed. >> That's important. And so we're trying to do that. Um, and and that that comes through deliberation and conversation. Uh, and and then we we move forward to the next challenge. Um, and I'm not saying that we have the answers to all of them. Um, and and I'll be honest with you, there there are some that are no matter what I say or what I do, there there are those that are going to be unhappy, and that's okay. But we have to make hard decisions to keep ourselves afloat so that we can take care of these young people who are sitting in these seats tonight. >> Amen. Right. >> And it's always about you guys, students. Okay, your teachers give of their life for

093you and we need to support them and I hope that this I hope this budget comes from our general assembly and I hope it's pleasant and I hope it's pleasing and it's not enough >> but but I hope it takes care of some of those pressure points because life's just getting expensive. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other questions from the board? >> Anybody got anything to say? >> One quick question. Could you clarify for me please? the the the assistant band director that will also be at Whittenberg and Ellen. >> Yes. >> Was there music instruction at Wittenberg and Ellen prior to this? >> Okay. So So there was um but they had a substitute for the past past year. So they've been served with a with a sub uh for an entire which

094is it's not perfect, but things happened and and they tried to hire that position and and weren't able to find somebody. So, so truly those two schools have have not been served to the and and I'm saying our our sub did a great job, but I'm saying a certified person that's consistent for those schools, I'm sure, is a welcome site. So, so we have one of the most amazing people that I've talked to in a long time that's going to be able to do that. And I think I think that level will create a fire and maybe music that that hadn't been there at those levels. >> And and and I know Mr. Watkins wants that full time, but I'm just trying to massage the pieces to get it to work. Um, but that's that's

095what we're looking at doing and and I'm grateful for those who have who have made those sacrifices. I I I would like to say just one thing. So, I I I would just like for everyone to understand, and I've had this conversation with several folks today, that as as a board and as a superintendent, and I right now we're talking about 106 kids. 106 very important kids. The problem is we have 4,300 kids. Oh, that's not the problem. But we have to serve all 4,300. And sometimes it looks like we're robbing Peter to pay Paul to make to make ends meet, >> right? >> But that is exactly what we have to do to make things meet. I promise you, if if I had all the football players sitting out here tonight, they would be

096just as passionate because they believe in what they do. But again, it's all about the 4,300. It's not about the 106. It's not about the 250. It's about 4,300. And Dr. Griffin and his administration, they work countless hours. They really do. >> Countless hours. And this board works hard to make sure that we are serving every child. those kids that want to take AP classes and honor classes, they're just as passionate about what they're trying to do as you folks are about this band. And we understand that. Now, it's up to Dr. Griffin and his administration to try to figure out the best he can and the best they can and this board do the best we can to meet the needs of every child in this school system. And that's what we try to

097do. Is it going to be perfect? It's not. Why? Because the funds are not perfect. We don't have We don't print money here. We don't make money. We have money. We have a budget. And we have to stick to that budget. And that's all I want y'all to leave here knowing. This superintendent and this administration, they come in every day working as hard as they can for every one of y'all. And that's what I want you to go out and tell the community. Not that not that we're not funding the band. Go out and tell them we're doing everything we can to fund the band. >> Yes. And I think that >> that's what we're trying to do. We're doing everything we can to fund the band, not not to defund it. >> We're doing

098everything we can to fund it. So please please understand that that's what we're trying to do. >> Yeah. >> And uh we appreciate the band. >> Yes. appreciate what you do as the band. >> Amen. >> Friday Night Football won't look the same if we don't have That's right. >> a band. >> That's true. >> You got You've got new endzone seating down there. I want to hear you. >> I want to hear you rumble, >> but but that's all I wanted to say. I appreciate all y'all coming out. I appreciate everybody that fights for what they believe in. >> We've got won't go into names, but but but we have instructors that absolutely come in here. I mean, clawing, punching, fighting with everything they've got. Awesome. >> And I wouldn't want anybody in this

099school system working for me, even though they don't work for me, but working for Dr. Griffin that didn't come in and believe in what they're fighting for. >> Sure. >> I want fighters. I want you to fight, but I also want you to understand that that that there's there's times that we just have to make calls and they have to make calls >> that may not be popular for that for that day. For that day. >> Okay. We appreciate you. >> Yes, sir. Thank you, Shannon. >> Thank you. >> I want to add to what Shannon said a little bit is he said that we're doing everything we can to fund the band. And I I I know it may not feel like that tonight, but but here's what I I would like to commend

100Dr. Griffin and the efforts been made here. >> It's not lost on me that this I don't know if it's right to call it a compromise or not, but it's a pretty beautiful compromise. I think that we've added we we've enhanced music education in this county. We've done it at the at the elementary level at two elementary schools have benefited by this decision and we've managed to keep an assistant band director um when so many schools around us don't have one at all. So we've managed to it it's is it perfect? It's not and it won't be um because this budget is not perfect. Our enrollment is not perfect. All of those things are real. But we have managed what seems to me like an incredibly reasonable and well thoughtout compromise. And I do commend

101this employee for being so good-hearted and willing to to fill this role. That's a little bit challenging. It's a weird role a little bit. >> And and and Vice Chair BS, you know, that'll be felt by all four of our band directors. >> Sure. >> So, they've all come to the table um to to to do what we can as we move forward. And and uh board member board member Oxentine, I love you to death, but we're not at 4,300, unfortunately. And so y'all don't be putting that in the paper that we're at 4,300. We're not quite there. We're a little over guys. We're under 4,200 currently. So every year there there are opportunities that we need to improve. I want to be back to those numbers. Yes, >> I would love to be back

102to to 5,500 at Alexander Central. I I was pulling numbers the other day and and and I've spoke of this a couple of times. This year at the end of the school year at Alexander Central High School, we finished the school year with 1,042 students. >> Everybody thinks we're 1500. We're not 1500 anymore. >> We finished the school year with 1,042 students. So, I have to navigate that now and figure that piece out. Now, we we we're hoping that through the summer months, we'll have some more come in than that, but that's what we finished with. So, you know, those those are real things that we're looking at. And and as you young people out there, you begin to go in your professional careers, you'll begin to analyze those business factors of what's going on.

103And and one day, some of you may be making these decisions. I've talked to some young people out there that I'm looking at one. I believe that's going to be a school administrator one day. and and you get to make these things that impact so many. But if you don't make them, then with anything you're running goes in a lot of different directions. So for things to work and for things to keep moving forward, you have to have good quality leadership and and and that's what we're trying to do for you and great people that are making that happen. So anyway, thank you. I I appreciate those here tonight. I appreciate your voice and and the fact that that you came prepared to fight for what you believe in and the fact that you did

104it in a prof professional manner. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. Thank you, board. Thank y'all for being here. And I I will I will close this this part out and say that, you know, a true leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. And I'm a leader. All these men up here are leaders. But you kids out here, you're leaders by showing up tonight. This is awesome. I mean, I've not had a a a room full at this time in a school board meeting since I've been on the board. And to have you here tonight is so encouraging to me that you are leaders. Okay. And I will add this, like Bernardet Watts is wonderful. I love her to death. I appreciate what she said

105yesterday. Um, these two things, this this chorus band arts and nursing are near and dear to my heart. My brother is the chorus teacher at East. My sister is a flight nurse for CMC. So, I understand what I'm fighting for to help you because two of my siblings do this job daily. I'm here for you guys. I heard you. I heard every constituent that called, that texted me, that put a Facebook message out. It matters, okay? And I appreciate everybody being here tonight. It's just wonderful to see you. So, thank you so much. Next on the agenda is Unfinished Business by Jacob Le. You get to follow all that, Jacob. Al Jake, >> luckily, I know pretty much all of them, so I think they'll spare me with some grace. But uh we do have

106a little bit of unfinished business uh pertaining to the 2026 2027 uh academic school year for the county. Uh after consultation and meeting with our finance department, we discovered um that we probably need to make a change. Uh and it will need board approval. And um it's relatively small. Students, don't panic. It does not impact you at all. And uh so what I am requesting is that Wednesday, November 25th be changed from an annual leave day to an optional teacher workday. Again, this change will not impact students. Um and we can get into the rate in which beginning teachers acrew annual leave. um but 12 was too many and we need to drop down to 11 total annual leave days so that the rate in which they acrew those days will cover the time frame

107in which we require for annual leave and so this will also fall in line with what we've done in previous years um between 10 and 11. >> So it was 11 >> it's 11.75 would be the total time that they would acrew for annual leave and with 12 days they would fall short and would have to take that from from other means. Okay. And >> we would like to avoid that if at all possible. >> Sure. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> So, board members, Jacob Le is u editing the the 2627 calendar. November 25th now becomes an optional teacher work day. Is that correct? >> That is correct. I need a motion and a second to approve the 2627. >> I'll make a motion to approve the modified calendar. >> Second. >> Motion by Corey Mlan,

108second by Robert. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you, Jake. We will get this adjusted and the calendar will reflect it online. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. >> Um at this time, uh new business um policy revisions from Dr. Alicia Clar, assistant superintendent of human resources. It's cold. I think it's cold. All right. Good evening again. This one's quick. Um, so we have for first reading policy 3430, school improvement plan. And basically it's legal references that were updated. Um, and other resources. So no big changes to the policy, just the references. So >> you need a motion approval. >> Uh, well, this is first reading. Um, so >> we'll wait till the next time. >> Okay, that'll be fine. Sounds good to me. >> Thank you, Lee.

109>> Okay. Next on the agenda, um at this time, uh we need a motion to close open session and enter into close session and action will be taken and we're going to come back out and let you know what happens. >> I make a motion we end open session and enter close session. >> Motion by Anthony Mlan, second. >> Second by Matthew Reese. All in favor say I. >> Close session.