001board. At this time, we're going to say the pledge and the acclaimed. >> Attention. Salute. Pledge. I pledge allegiance 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. Griffin leads us in our mission and vision state. >> If you would please join me in reciting our mission and vision. Our mission is that we are >> building a legacy of excellence >> and our vision is that we'll be the >> educational choice for every child. >> Thank you very much. Thank you, Dr. Griffin. At this time, I need a motion to approve the agenda. Do I have a motion? >> Make a motion to approve the agenda. Sorry, Mr. >> Motion
002by board member Cory Mlan. >> Second by Rob Arguas. All in favor say I. >> Motion approves. Next item on the agenda, we turn it over to Dr. Dina Dal Revas for honors and recognition. >> Good evening, gentlemen. >> Dean, good evening. >> Mr. Reese, would you come up and help? >> Sure. >> All right. So, first we want to ask our um CTE director, that's career and technical education director Crystal Hope to come up. So since 2021, Crystal has been working with the CTE department for Alexander County Schools, and the department has received national recognition for two Harbor Freight grants, several statewide recognitions for multiple student competitions. Most recently, Miss Hoke helped secure a state grant for the homebuilding career program. And our state school superintendent, Mo Green, talked about how that puts hammers
003in kids' hands and gets them the actual physical credentials that they need to be eligible for jobs and so on. So, we commend them and we know that's a push from the state. There were 10 districts from around the state who were awarded money. This was announced back in January. Hope you followed our post. and the grant means about $20,000 for Alexander County Schools. So, congratulations on that. [applause] >> Then I'd also like to say another recognition that the CTE department is um deserving of is that they have um several student credentials. Um the state is also celebrating that February. You hope I hope have seen the post about uh how that is uh CTE month. Miss Hul and her team have put out a lot of things. I've tried to help share some of
004those. And so um the state is celebrating because North Carolina has the third highest number of students enrolled in career and technical education courses in the nation. And that's what that was a 23 24 year. And so that means more students are getting credentials that can help them when applying for jobs in Alexander County. Miss Hope provided me with some numbers. Students earned 2561 credentials out of a possible 3668. So that's about a 69.8% attainment rate. So >> we'll [laughter] say seven. >> Think you can go to round up >> 70%. I'm rounding up. They can do it with pennies. I can do it with this. So, um, so this performance by our CTE department exceeds the North Carolina statewide credential attainment rate, which is 58%. So, congrats to all those folks working hard and
005those students. [applause] >> Thank you, Crystal. Best place is my ball. [applause] >> [applause] >> and then I'm passing it off to Crystal because she knows a lot more about the next two awards than I. So, she's she'll take that part away. >> Well, uh Dr. Dow Rev has just talked about our credential rate um from 2425 and we are very proud that we've continued to to raise that percentage every year. Um tonight we're going to celebrate one of those special credentials and a teacher. Um the top credentials that we earn at Alexander Central, our top ones are in uh construction. NCCER uh is a construction uh credential. We also earn first aid which is in our health science and our early childhood classes as well. So those are some of our top credentials. um
006as well as our firetech and our national incident management system through public safety. Um but another popular uh credential that we give is Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. And so um Miss Becky Cole, wave, Miss Cole, she's back there in the back. She uh teaches this class for us. And this year we have a first. Um, it is our pleasure to recognize Hayden Edmund for earning fifth place in Microsoft PowerPoint Office 2019 at the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist State Championship Fall Qualifier. Hayden, a senior at Alexander Central High School, competed against top students from across the state and demonstrated exceptional skill, precision, and creativity in Microsoft PowerPoint. Now, not only did he place uh fifth in this certification for Microsoft Office, he made a perfect score on the Microsoft Office Word credential. He didn't he didn't
007get placed in that. I think it was a timing issue is what [applause] I understand. But Hayden, please come up and u be recognized for this tremendous recognition. [applause] >> [applause] >> Sorry. works at the high school brothers here and we'll have him next year. You stay here. Everybody else go back. Okay. [laughter] Hayden's going to beat me because I had to make sure his mom would bring him. Okay. We also want to recognize Hayden's teacher. Um she was also um given an award because of Hayden's uh recognition. So, uh, through her guidance, instruction, and encouragement, Miss Cole continues to help students develop strong industry recognized skills and achieve excellence beyond the classroom. Miss Cole teaches computer science one and two and Microsoft Office. And then she just started a new endeavor teaching Adobe. So,
008she is a guru in lots of things. And so she is getting a certificate outstanding educator from Microsoft Office Specialist state championship ball qualifier. Thank you MISS [applause] Thank you so much. >> Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> All right. So, we're going to keep it rolling with lots of recognitions of our individual schools for um their academic performance. Um the state of North Carolina um is formally recognizing the school's academic performance. We got test scores back in September, so we had an idea of where they were going to be, but they sent these nice certificates and we are here to congratulate these different schools. So, let's roll through it. We have Bethlehem Elementary. Feel free to come up [applause] if you brought anybody with you. East Alexander Middle School, [applause] Alendelle Elementary School, [applause] [applause]
009Hidai Elementary School, [applause] Stony Point Elementary School, [applause] and Wittenberg Elementary School. [applause] So these ladies and gents re representing these schools um are here because these schools met expected progress and um so we are proud of them and their work and and sometimes that's hard to do. There's always lots of um hiccups in the school year and so on and so we appreciate their performance based on school scores. Good job y'all. >> Great job. >> All right, hang tight. [applause] >> Really? [clears throat] >> [laughter] >> I'll catch you. >> Oh, absolutely. >> And would you you guys angle your bodies like this? >> [laughter] >> Okay, everybody looking this way. [laughter] Great job. CONGRATS. [applause] >> All right. So, now we want to recognize a couple schools who performed better than the state
010predicted. That That's what they call exceeding state expected growth. So, first, um I know Miss Dagel brought her entourage. So, we're going to ask West Alexander Middle School staff and principal and admin admin to come on up. >> YEAH, [applause] [cheering] >> good job. Great job. Great job. >> Security D2. >> West has outpaced expected growth since 2018. So, this is not a one time award for them or one time recognition. They have consistently done it for several years now. >> I think I might have to move my head. [clears throat] Look for whiskey. >> Congrats. >> [applause] >> Next, we'd like to ask um I believe Miss Mary Brown's here representing the Alexander Early College. >> So, the Alexander Early College has also outpaced what the state predicted for their growth and they have
011done that ever since we came back from the pandemic. We didn't get scores in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. So, they are in Fuego over there. >> [applause] >> SO, NOT ONLY WOULD WE LIKE to recognize Alexander Early college for their scores, but also for their graduation rate. The school graduates more than 95% of its students. Uh the law won't allow us to say how many exactly once you get above 95%. Because you could potentially identify students. So, um, just, uh, read between the lines on what I'm saying there, but they're above 95% and, um, the state average is, of course, 88%. And so, um, we are proud of them and their wonderful graduation. [applause] >> They're not going to know. >> I know, but they may see this. They may see it.
012[laughter] >> Celebrate it. Oh, that's right. [laughter] >> Do you want another [laughter] >> Thank you. >> All right. >> This concludes our honors and recognitions. >> Good job, everybody. Thank y'all. Thank y'all so much. >> Hey, Mr. Chairman, can I just say >> um and I'm sure this is on behalf of the whole board. Um, I find that I find that to be very impressive. Um, in a time where I know it's not getting any easier to educate children, I I realize that it's probably harder now than it's been. Uh, and and somehow we're growing. And I just want you please to go back and share that with your staff, right? um cuz we know it takes everybody in your schools to to make these things happen. So on behalf of myself and I'm
013sure the board, I really appreciate what all you do >> and please let your staff know that. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. >> We do want to give people a time to exit if you want to exit. Stay if you want to stay. [laughter] >> First one out. You got to love it. Thank y'all. ran a lot. >> Thank y'all so much. >> Take me with you. >> She did. She ran. She was out of here. >> That was fun. >> Michelle, do we have any public comment? >> We have no public comment. So, we'll move on to the next item on the agenda and that is approval of the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Anthony Mlan, second by Shannon Oxentine.
014All in favor say I. I. I. All approved. Next on the agenda is a financial report from our CFO, Sharon Mappy. How you doing, Sharon? >> Hi. >> Good evening, Sharon. >> Hope you all are doing well tonight. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um, we have two budget amendments for approval tonight. Budget amendment number seven, which is from the state public school fund for $29,670. It is for an EC special state reserve and a CTE and adds the CTE house building grant. Uh that makes the total state budget at 37,143,221 uh dollars. Then the budget amendment number eight is for the federal uh federal budget and it is a riskful aotment to the budget which is also an EC um grant is for $36,320 and it makes the total state budget at $3,577,92 and I
015request approval for these two amendments. >> Thank you Sharon. We always love increases [laughter] always. Uh we need a uh do I have a a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Anthony. >> Second by Robert. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you Sharon. >> Next on the agenda is our human resources report from uh Dr. Alicia Ker, assistant superintendent of human resources. Good evening. >> Good evening, >> Mr. Chairman, vice chairman, board, and Dr. Griffin. You have before you your usual and customary personnel agenda, including the items of information and personnel recommendations. So, I am asking for your approval of these recommendations. >> Gentlemen, uh Dr. Clure is asking for an approval. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Make a motion to approve. >> Motion by
016board member Matt Reese. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member Cory Mlan. All in favor say I. >> I [clears throat] passes. >> Thank you, Dr. B. Uh, next on the agenda is our superintendent report from Dr. Bill G. >> Great. Thank members of the board. Uh, if if you haven't heard, uh, it did snow the past couple weeks. So, I'm going to begin my report uh by communicating uh really some of the weather uh calls and and how that relates to to our calendar. Um there there's been a lot of chatter uh around that and I want to clear up some of that if at all possible. Uh the first piece of that I need everybody to understand to the best of our ability. Um number one, we can't control the
017weather. Uh it it happens. It's going to continue to happen. uh we adapt to it every time we deal with any any type of inclement weather that may cause uh any type of safety risk to our our faculty or staff or our students. Um with with that being said, with the snow that that came here as of late, um it's really the the longest time that I've seen continuously for students to be out. Typically, we're out a day or two, three days max, and we're back in, things melt, and we go on about our business. uh with these latest events and the cold temperatures uh that followed uh the weather events, uh things never froze. As a matter of fact, if you look out back at our parking lot now, there there's still mounds of
018snow uh to where it still stands. Um so that made it very difficult for us. Um we don't take any of these decisions lightly. We try to make the right call. We try to make sure that we put safety first for all of our students. Yes, sir. >> Uh and our staff members. Uh however there comes a time too that we have to get back to work and we also have to get back to to school as we know it. So uh we monitored every day uh our team from maintenance to transportation to here at the central office. Uh we spent two weeks worth of literally working 24 hours at times uh through the night to try to figure out what we're going to do the next day. Um, so with that being said, uh,
019we did miss several days and then we did have a couple of, uh, two-hour delays that that we now have have to work through. Uh, the calendar that we passed for this school year, we knew moving forward that it was very tight. Uh, we knew that we didn't have a lot of hours to play with. Uh, we have to get in 1,025 hours uh, within the school year. Uh, to which we monitor constantly to make sure we're within those guidelines. Uh so we knew this school year that we didn't have a lot of of time to to work with. Uh we did have and and we did use uh five uh remote learning days uh that are given to us by the state. You know, I've heard remarks about uh you know, I thought you
020could get more and do a waiver. Uh you can and and we may qualify for that waiver for next year, but for this year, we got five. Uh so we use those five uh remote days. uh and we used them in in the appropriate manner in which they were they were out there for us to take advantage of. Uh and then we had a couple extra days that we just couldn't get back in into school safely. Uh so ultimately I did send out and Dr. Dow Revis I appreciate you making people aware of of what those makeup days are. Uh and I just like to go over those currently. It it's also important to to recognize that the calendar there's some thou shalls in the calendar. Uh we have to have 215 days for for
021our teachers. Uh that's in the calendar. We can't change that. We can't change the we have to meet either 185 days or 1,025 hours. We can't change that. Uh we can't change the fact that there has to be a minimum of nine teacher work days and two of those must be optional. We can't change that. uh we have to have 10 annual leave days placed in the calendar. That's law. We can't change it. And we also have to have 11 days that are holidays that are incorporated into the calendar. So once you get to the calendar and we begin voting on calendars, there's really not a lot of leniency or a lot of changes that we can do. Uh we voted on this year of graduating that Friday before Memorial Day. um which made our
022calendar very tight and and then we had to put in all the things to which I mentioned uh which again did not give us a lot of lenency in in changes with our calendar and then snow hits uh and we're out for a number of days so we have to make those days up we have to make them up for students and we have to make them up for staff uh so so that wasn't Alexander County schools saying hey we we find joy in making up days it's just the laws and we have to hit those numbers and we have to do those things so So currently, uh, I sent this out to you on Monday, February 2nd. Uh, that was an optional remote work day. The buildings were closed and the changes for that
023are February 13th. Um, that's this Friday. That was a, uh, professional development day. That'll be a student day and a work day. Uh, the next one that that kind of hit us, uh, we're going to go to school on March the 20th. Uh, that will be a school day and a, uh, and a work day for our teachers. And then the last one that was that was really I think near and dear and we were trying to do our best uh to preserve spring break uh but uh we ended up having to utilize April 10th uh on that Friday, April 10th as the last day of spring break. Uh students will have to come to school and and our faculty will will need to work. Uh we understand and I know and I've heard people
024say, "Well, my child's not coming to school that day." Uh that's your choice as a family and and I can't uh go against that or have any any any opinion towards that. Uh schools will be open and and we would love to have your child uh and we'll love to have our employees working that day and can't wait to see them. I know they may feel differently uh but our buildings will be open and and we'll be here to do our work uh and do what's required of of us moving forward. If for some reason something at at some time is is forgiven by the general assembly, I don't know that that will be uh but if that student day is forgiven, then we'll figure out what that means for faculty. But ultimately, our faculty
025have to work those 215 days. Uh and we can't change those out. So that's what we know as of today. Also, within those hours, uh May 22nd was a half day. That's the last day of school. It's now a full day. And and I've heard people comment that I'm checking my child out anyway. Well, you know, you you get those those abilities to be their garden and and their parents. Uh we hope that they stay and and enjoy every second they can have with us. Uh we would love to have them. Uh and we'll be in operation because we have to meet those guidelines of what the state puts in front of us. Okay. Yes, sir. >> Um so I I hope that does clear up a little bit there. Our administrators work hard to
026make sure they communicate with our parents. Our our board does the same. And the board has nothing to do with these these days. Once we adopt a calendar, we have to hit those marks. Um, and that's kind of where we are. Uh, it's it's just now February. We we may have some more inclement weather, and that's that's a real possibility and and reality that we deal with. If we do, >> help us. >> We will help us, [laughter] please. If if that happens, we'll try to make uh guided decisions that are best for our students and staff. Uh, and then we have to meet the again those stipulations that are put in calendar law. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any questions, board members, or anything that I've I've gone over there? >> We care about our
027parents. We care about their opinions. Uh we we [clears throat] care about uh you know what they believe to be true and we respect that. We also care about our students and our staff and faculty also. So these things are are just what they are. Uh again, we don't have any leniency with what we would like to do. It's it's what we have to do. uh and we'll abide by those laws and and do the best we can with them. Okay. Any any questions there? Anything there, board members? All right. The next piece that I had was just a report out on um a workshop or professional development that that I was able to attend with East Alexander Middle School. Uh and that was the Marzano summit uh that was provided by our golden leaf
028grant that we have at East Alexander Middle School. uh that took place on uh January 12th through the 14th. Uh and Dr. BS and myself along with staff members uh administration from East Alexander Middle School were able to attend a national conference. Um and it it was just a a real good uh opportunity for our educators to to work with other individuals from across the nation uh and have conversation about some of the wonderful things that are going on and taking place at East Alexander Middle School. I I think the the the biggest takeaway for me from that national conference was the fact that uh we were able to again to to be shoulder-to-shoulder with 1,800 uh participants from across the country and really from across the world. And all I heard the entire time
029I was there from 1,800 educators was how much they love their job and how much they love what we're doing and the fact that that we can change young lives. So, uh an amazing experience. Hats off to the administration there at East. I see Mr. Swanson out in the audience and just hats off to him and his staff members who were able to attend and then the rest of the staff there at East uh in working through uh the Marzano curriculum that we have. So I think that's very beneficial and uh I look forward to the next several years as we continue to implement that. >> Dr. Griffin, I will add real quick there. Uh I was I was at uh East on Friday and was able to sit in on a presentation by Dirk
030D'vor uh Maron representative and I wasn't aware that we were going to get these services to come on site. >> Yeah. >> You were telling you're telling the community that hey you went to San Antonio but Mr. Swanson's showing me hey these people are coming in my building and they're helping my teachers >> and I was able to see that firsthand and they're going to continue to do that periodically over the next five years. So just one of the communities. >> Absolutely. Thank you. And that's part of that grant. So that that's no cost to our district. Um it's just part of of what we earned, I applied for and earned and uh it's it's just good work and and I'm I'm extremely proud of of the accomplishments they're making and will continue to make.
031Thank you for that. Uh, next uh item that I have is um we need to or I'd like to to make a motion or ask of the board uh that we move our March board meeting from March 9th to March 16th. There's been some conflict with some of our board members. Uh and I'd like to uh uh ask that we make an or ask for a nomination that we move uh that meeting from March 9th through the 16th. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. Uh, do we have a motion to move March 9th meeting uh to March 16th? >> Will we also move our work session from the 3rd to the 10th? >> Will we also be moving our work session from the 3rd to the 10th? >> I hadn't planned on it. I planned on
032leaving it the same. I don't I don't know of any conflicts today. >> We'll just leave that the work session the same. >> So, work session on the 3rd and then the school board meeting on the 16th. >> 16th. >> Clear for everybody? >> That's correct. I make a motion that we move the school board the March 9th school board meeting to March 16th. >> Motion by Anthony Mlan. Do I have a second? >> Second by Shannon Oxentine. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. It passes. [clears throat] >> Yes. And uh I have one more line item, but I'm going to leave it to last. Um some important dates of upcoming events that we're dealing with currently. Uh the February 9th through the 13th. Love the bus week. So,
033uh, everybody loved their school bus and their school bus drivers and all those that work in the transportation department. Uh, Mr. Mabberry, uh, we're we're grateful for our bus drivers and we're grateful for what they do for for our students. Yes, sir. >> And, uh, just and if anybody else out there wants to be a bus driver, we'd love to have you. >> Um, also have a district spelling be in the auditorium on uh, the 10th and that'll be from 10:00 to 12:30. Uh, on February the 11th, middle school Battle of the Books from 9 to 12:00 in the auditorium. Uh the 13th uh will be an in-person day that we had spoke of earlier. Uh the 25th will be the elementary battle of books from 9 to 12 at uh West Alexander Middle School.
034Um and then the board, you guys see some information dates there on your calendar that apply to you as well. Uh so at this time I want to come out from beyond uh the podium here and uh kind of guide us in in a presentation that I have that I'm going to walk us through. hopefully just um board members, we we've had some discussion um and and I want to to unveil an idea that that we have sauced around a little bit that's going to be very impactful to one of one of our schools. I've met with faculty uh there, met with those constituents. met with our our leaders, principles from other schools. Dr. BS has been a vital part of of this discussion and where we are. And I just want you guys to
035to kind of understand some of the proposals that I'm recommending for Ellen Elementary with um the why and the piece of the fly we're we're thinking about and and proposing moving in a different direction are are just as we hit next. So, El Elementary School has has been on a slide with with our students. What reasons I'm I'm not sure of, but if you look at the numbers from 2015 at our highest p point, we were at 315 students to now these numbers say we're we're sitting at 166. The other fact that I think it's 162 now. Number of students that we have at Helenale. >> Helenale is an amazing community. Yes, sir. an amazing school with terrific faculty and staff and now great leadership under Miss Mil. But but our numbers aren't where they
036need to >> and as we if we are to continue on a downward slide the way we're going then then something would have to give at some point. >> Yeah. >> I asked the board when I first came there was a lot of conversation and I'm telling the public there was a lot of conversation about consolidation a lot of conversation about closing of schools. I asked the board and I begged the board to give me a year to get our budget balanced and to get us to where we can begin to operate within our means. Uh and you allowed me to do that. You allowed our team to do that. Uh and and we met those numbers. We met those goals. We met those achievements that we knew we had to do to keep our
037buildings open. It is it is my belief that our schools, all of all 12 of our schools are essential to our community. Yeah, >> I believe all of our schools are are vital for for the area of the county in which they they live in for those persons that go. >> Um, however, I know it's our our goal. It's our charge to make sure that that we are fiscally sound >> that we take care of our taxpayer dollars and we do what we're supposed to and at some point we may have to make difficult decisions and those are never easy. But if Ellen continues the slide that we that we see here, they're almost in in half of where they were just years ago. Then then something at some point would would have to would
038have to um so we began our our cabinet that's here began planning. Nobody knew that we were planning. It was just kind of our our small minds turning to try to figure out and solve a problem. uh and we began kicking around some ideas um of how we could do that and what that looked like and Dr. Bows was inspirational uh and saw her ideas. If you would switch there um Mario Costa was one of the speakers at the conference that we attended and he said and I've been going around to schools and talking about this. He said the way we do school will not hold up much longer as the way that we know it. And and I believe that to be true. Our students are changing the way we we work with our
039students. We have to change and we have to adapt. The next slides talk about Charles Darwin and how we adapt to to to what we have to do. If we stay stagnant, then at some point it'll catch up to us. So I truly believe we have to adapt. We have to change. We have to evolve each and every year. And I I think and I believe it's time for elementary school to evolve. Go to the next slide. This is our class of uh 2038. This is a kindergarten class this year at Helen Elementary School. Um they will graduate in 2038. And I will promise you that those kindergarters right now are different than the graduating class of kindergarters 12 years ago. >> And we have to do things and this is a challenge for all
040of our buildings. >> We have to meet their needs. we we have to meet what it is that they're going to need when they get out of our out of our buildings to be successful for life and a career. Uh and and that's that's our goals and that's our challenge. So if we stay stagnant on something that we know is going in the wrong direction and shame on us. Um so there's some proposals I I have here in just a second. You go to the next slide. Um these are some of the uh uh attributes that that are believed from studies that our workforce is going to need. And if you look at those things uh we can relate business owners and and people that work currently in the the workforce you you can hold
041these things true. Analytical thinking and innovation, critical thinking and analysis, creativity, reasoning, resilience, technology design and programs. The jobs that are going on now are changing rapidly and we know that we're doing a lot of study on AI and how we incorporate that into our building so that we prepare our kids because it's changing ever so rapidly. A couple years ago, we were kind of gen one AI and now AI is doing stuff that we can only imagine to be honest with you. So, so we we must change and adapt to that. the [clears throat] the old school house, the one on the left is kind of what Ellen looks like. I want it to look like the one on the right. And and that's just the goal of mine that um that that we
042adapt to where we are. Uh and that we put some change in place that's going to be exciting uh that's going to be challenging, but it's going to produce amazing products. So, what are we going to do? Uh this is the proposal that I have Ellen Elementary School. There no slide there. might want to be on the mic. >> Okay. >> So, this is the uh the the challenge that I have uh for our our our board uh for our constituents, for Miss Miller uh for the school itself. Uh Dr. Bows and I have met with the faculty and staff. Uh we've we've met with uh their school improvement team. We've had conversation with them. Um and and I would imagine that that any faculty that hears of new change, it probably has a little
043bit of apprehension about what does this mean for us? Um some of those answers or some of those questions we may not have the answers to at this point, but I know if we do nothing, we're going to get the same answer, and that's us going backwards. >> Uh so I'm challenging uh Ellenale uh to move forward uh to try to do things to improve their enrollment. Uh and we're looking to to do some of the things that I see there on the right. Uh I challenge our existing principles uh because this is a new way of thought that they're they're having to uh to to abide by and they're having to allow us to to think creatively. Uh and we want to support their schools. I don't want any other school in the district
044to think that anybody has a leg up on the necks. We just know that right now we're we're not seeing positive trends. Yeah. Uh at at Ellenale and their enrollment. So we we've got to be creative. We love our other schools. You principles that are sitting in the audience. love you. [laughter] Uh we care about your faculty. Uh we also care about being creative and innovative and moving forward. So what we want to do is create a high quality uh instructional option at Ellenale. It's going to be inquiry based uh do a lot of uh problem based uh learning uh a lot of hands-on experiences. Uh we're still going and I'll let do Dr. BS uh speak to that. Uh we're still going to use the the same curriculum uh standard course of study to
045which we currently have. uh we're just going to support it uh with inquiry based learning and uh I [clears throat] I foresee amazing things taking place and transforming uh within that building. Do you want to speak on any of that Dr. BS? >> I can. Okay. Um so when we're talking about the inquiry based learning, it's a lot of the um experimental where students are going to begin with a question and then they build out the question with knowledge that they learn through facilitation with the teacher and um gaining the content to be able to either solve a problem or come to the conclusion of the knowledge they need to gain based on the standards. So um STEM is part of that. If you've heard of STEM, um it is part of that inquiry based
046learning piece, but it'll be um it will be a gradual process. It's not one where we'll say, "Okay, day one, you're going to jump in. You're going to be at level five." It will be a process that we walk alongside of with the teachers and with the families and the students there and build this into a model that allows students to have a way of learning that is is um consistent with what the state asked us to do in our other schools that are in our district but just gives a different way of doing that, a different lens of looking at um how to do implement those standards and the content. So, >> thank you very much. I I was at a conference a couple weeks ago and and we were doing a STEM activity
047for superintendent. Um and and it was right down my alley. I'm I'm very hands-on. Uh jittery, you may say. I like I like to move and and do things. Uh but we were actually doing a water clarity uh experiment. And instead of just talking about it and reading about it, uh we actually got to perform a task and and determined uh what would be a belter filtration system, a coffee filter, a napkin or nothing at all. Just several tactics within the the kit that we that we did and and we got to create a hypothesis. What do we feel is going to be the best filter uh in into this water and how can we get creek water to be actually clear uh in in a through a filtration system. And it was just a
048fun activity. uh the uh even superintendents had a ball with it, a learning experience, something that we can we can relate to and recall and retain that information and and those those are the things that we want to see at Ellenale. They're already doing some of these things. You guys in our board visits, you guys remember going down the hallway uh and we went into one classroom and it was a batcave. You guys remember that? Oh, yeah. And these kids were in there and they were just eating that assignment up. this staff [clears throat] is poised for what we have going on and they're going to continue to do amazing stuff like that. So, we're not looking to to to tear down any walls that Ellenale has created over the years. We're just looking to
049expand expand upon those. >> So, the the kicker to this is we're also looking to bring in students from across the county uh from other counties uh or other schools that that are within the area that have an interest in in something like this for their child. Uh, and that's the sticky part of it is we're going to create a lottery system, an application uh, type system, something similar to what we see at the early college to where students within our county and outside of our county or outside of our school system uh, apply to to become students in Ellen. Uh, and we'll go through that lottery system and deem each year of how many we can accept and take. Uh, and we just look to grow that. Uh, and it's at no cost of
050our other buildings. I I need to make sure that's clear. We we value every every other building that we have. Um and we want to take care of those those schools as well. Uh my goal would be that that we're able to pull not only kids from our own district, but pull kids from from other places to give them the option. You know, we talk about school choice. We talk about being the educational choice for every child. So, we're going to create school choice within our public school system uh in Alexander County schools. And and I'm proud to say that I believe that it's going to be successful. uh and I believe in years to come it'll be something that we have a legacy with that that we can find excellence. Okay. Any >> do
051you have an example of the curriculum that we might add? >> So so yes that'll be coming through our our STEM program. Some of the questions from teachers are going that that we've that we've heard is um you know how are we different? What are what are some different uh ways in which we're going to relate our information to our students? Um, I've already made several contacts and several calls. Uh, we look to take Miss Miller and and part of her staff. Uh, and we'll be strategic on what that looks like. Uh, to some other STEM schools of excellence that are located, you know, near us that are doing some of the same things. Um, so that they get a visual of exactly what you're talking about. What how does our how does our English
052language arts class vary from what we're doing now where these are some activities we're doing. Those things are laid out for our teachers. Uh we've also got professional development lined up uh through the SMT center out of Durham, North Carolina that's going to be a sponsor of us or to us and and help us and guide us. Um I I need to know the board to understand too that uh we will have some failures. Anytime you start something new, uh we we may learn that that worked and that was amazing and we may learn that hey, we need to maybe uh punt on that one and and figure it out. So there there'll be some some some errors as we move forward, but but we think that the the majority of what we're doing is
053going to be amazing. So thank you for that. Any other questions from the board about what we're proposing to do? I just want to say how much it's the desire of the board that we we do what's right for all of our schools and we keep schools open >> and and we don't have to consolidate anything. And I believe that all of our community schools are important to every community and we love the Ledale community and >> 100%. >> I think that it probably is time for us to try something else that will be really special for Ellen >> Y >> and for the whole district. So I'm excited about it. Good job. >> So our our next task and and Dr. BS is been amazing in this and Miss Miller, principal there. Um days
054are going by quickly. Uh we p plan to do this for next school year. So, uh, in the next coming weeks, I want to meet with the staff. I want to give the staff the ability to give some input, uh, in naming the school, some input on what our mission and vision is and what what directional flow that they feel like the school needs to go in. Uh, and as soon as we do that, then we'll begin opening this up to the public, uh, working with media to try to advertise what that looks like. Uh but until then I just want to give them the respect to have an opportunity to to have that input and be part of what that looks like and and and then we're moving fast. We're moving rapidly from that
055point forward. Uh we plan on having a community meeting uh from all the students and families that actually go to Ellen now to curb any concerns that they may have that nothing's changing with with their their child's school. It's just going to be it's just going to be fabulous. Uh and and it's going to be great. uh and then we'll open it up to those that want to apply and questions that they may have for their child actually going there. Uh but uh I want this is something to be that that's that's talked about uh throughout our county and through the surrounding counties about the amazing things that are taking place in Alexander County Schools. Any other questions? >> If I may just make a comment. Um, you spoke earlier in your conversation about fiscal
056discipline and getting the budget in order and your team and yourself, everyone and throughout the organization did a fabulous job in and writing the ship and rever and redirecting course to to health, but that's a reactive exercise, right? That's that's the the storm is already upon us and now we have to bail the water out of the ship. What I see that you're bringing to the table, Dr. Bols, and yourself too, Dr. Griffin, and your whole team, is >> proactivity. You You're getting ahead of the curve. You're you're you're providing additional options. You're you're enhancing and shoring up the batteries of preparation for our children in science and technology and engineering and math, aside from the rest of the curricular requirements that we have. And I I just applaud you for that. I think it's
057it's heartwarming to me. It's invigorating. It's exciting and you're truly walking the talk of becoming the educational choice for every child. I think that's just I just wanted to commend you and I think that it's fabulous the way that that you're bringing this. >> Well, thank you for that. I appreciate it. >> And and I just need to make it clear and I want to reiterate this again. You this is a shot in the arm for for Ellen but other schools out there too. I challenge them to let's be creative and innovative at their schools. We we need a model school district, not just one. and uh we've got great leadership uh that's in place and they're guiding their teachers on a daily basis and I'm just excited about where we're going to go. So,
058>> any other questions? All right, that's all. And Dr. BS, anything, >> Miss Miller? >> Thank Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. >> Nice job. >> That's concluded for Dr. Griffin's presentation. Next on the agenda is unfinished business from Dr. Alicia C. All right. Took me a bit to get up here this time, didn't it? >> It's on. >> All right. So, we have in front of us policy revisions for the second read and [snorts] those are displayed on the board. Um, I I don't want to sit here and read it all to you. You've got it in front of you, I guess. Do you have any questions? >> There are a lot on that one. >> You need a motion? >> Yes. >> Do I have a motion to approve
059uh the unfinished business uh second reading of policy revisions? Make a motion to approve the policy revisions as presented. I have a motion by board member Matt Reese. Do I have a second? >> Second by board member Anthony Mlan. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Passes. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Next on the agenda is new business. Dr. Per. >> Okay. We have another set here for the first reading and there are only three. 6310 7910 and 7450. So review those and we'll look at them again next time. >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Well, that concludes our meeting tonight. Um, do I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Second. >> Motion by Robert Arguas, second by was that Matt Reese? >> Anthony Mlan. My bad. You can
060have it. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Meeting adjourned.