001Wow, that was kind of loud. Welcome to the first school board meeting of 2026. >> Call to order. Let's all stand. Uh Robert will lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Attention. The pledge. Salute. >> Pledge. [laughter] >> I got it backwards. Forgive me. I got myself all in a groove. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Remain standing. >> Dr. Cl, will you lead us in our mission and vision, please? >> Yes. Thank you. Our mission is to learn >> and our vision the educational child. >> Thank you. >> Be seated. >> At this time board, we [clears throat] need approval of the agenda. >> I make
002a motion that we approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Corey Mlan. A second by Rob Arguas. All in favor? >> I >> unanimous I sorry. >> Thank you for that. Uh, next on the agenda is what we love to do, honors and recognitions by Dr. Denita Delos. >> Good evening. I'm going to ask Mr. BS to help me with this. >> Dr. C, you're welcome to come up too if you'd like. Sure. Thanks. All righty. So, tonight we are recognizing the winners of the Alexander County Public Education Foundation grants. The Ed Foundation holds a golf tournament fundraiser and the recognition of the Alexander County Sports Hall of Fame each year. And in turn, the funds then are awarded to the teachers to promote science, technology, engineering, and math projects. This year's recipients received
003about $500 each for the items and some of the requests included lab equipment, calculators, chess club supplies, and funding for student outings. So, um I know some of them aren't able to be with us here tonight. So, I'm going to call everybody's name and as I'll call your name, you come on up. And if um a person is not here, perhaps their principal can come up and receive their certificate on their behalf. So, first we have from Midnight, Paige Pit. Also [applause] from midnight, Nikki Stevenson from Sugarloaf, David Woodward from Taylor'sville, Samantha Strathy [applause] from Wittenberg, Carrie Smith [applause] from West Alexander Middle, Ashley Hus [applause] from the high school, ACS, Joseph Cornwell [applause] and Paige Jackson. And then from Alexander Early College, Shelley Kane and [applause] Christy Hall. [clears throat and cough] >> All
004right. Can you guys center yourselves and squeeze together? Maybe >> we just talked about >> But let's do away with them, boy. Let's do it. I can't believe I can't believe all y'all bailed up on me on that stuff. doing it with everybody that we can't >> angle your body. You'll curve yourself this way. >> All right. Getting better. Okay. Yeah. >> One way or another. There you go. Better. Better. Better. All right. All right. Look at yours. Happy smiles. >> Love money. >> You're famous. >> [clears throat] >> You're the most excit >> [laughter] >> two. I need to see your certificates. I like to do a little video so that I can remember who you are namewise for the people. Hello, Joseph Cornwell. [laughter] [clears throat] >> Hello my dear. How are you?
005and the best to get here. >> Come on up. >> She's rushing. She's >> We'll talk about this. [clears throat] >> More pictures. All right. >> Can you slide one [clears throat] hair to your left? There you go. Nice. And Mr. Bulls, will you step out all the way out? >> Oh, no. [laughter] >> No. You're blocking me back here from being [laughter] >> here. Congratulations. [applause] >> So, I asked Mr. BS to help us with that. He is a member of that committee from [clears throat] the education foundation that selected our winners. And so he was able to read all the wonderful applications and make the picks. I believe we picked about 10 people out of about 30 applications, 29 applications this year. So congrats to them. Thanks for the partnership with the education
006foundation. And um we do have another pretty big celebration, but I'm going to pass that one over to Dr. Cur for the superintendent report when it comes time for that. So thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate you. At this time on the agenda, >> more honors and recognition. Here, I'll just grab it. I did not know we're doing these at night. So, we have Miss Hus, where are you? Come on, Miss [laughter] Lady. [applause] ALL RIGHT, MRS. FROM West who won the Bright Ideas grant. >> Congratulations. >> And um Paige Jackson from the high school also won the Bright Ideas. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause and cheering] >> And Amy BS from curriculum instruction. Mr. Leo, you want to you want to accept on her back? >> Your husband? >> No, we're not letting him get back.
007[laughter] Congratulations, Amy Gold. [applause] >> That's fun. >> So, just briefly some um background on the bright ideas. That is a grant sponsored by Energy United and um it also is geared towards STEM um and really pretty general, but they um they award quite a lot of money every year. I'm sorry I don't have more information, but Bright Ideas and Energy United is a good supporter of our schools and teachers. So, we thank them and congrats to our winners there. Thank you. >> Great job. [applause] [laughter] Jacob, grab a seat. Jacob the chair. Hang on. If you would right foot in here. >> Congrats. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> That concludes our honors and recognition. And if you would like to be dismissed at this time, you're free to go. Thank you for being here. >>
008So, thank y'all. So, so before everybody leaves, I just want to say because I know there's some principles and teachers in here, thanks so much for the gifts for uh schoolboard appreciation and please let your students and staff know that as well. >> Thanks so much. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely, John. [clears throat] >> At this time, uh we have public comment. We don't have any public comment, so we'll move on uh to the consent agenda. Uh, do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Anthony Mlan. >> Second by Matt Reese. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion's approved. [clears throat] Next on the agenda is reports from our CFO Sharon Mappy. Oh, Andrew >> taking a break. >> Okay, Andrew. >> She's taking taking the night
009off, she said. [laughter] Okay, we have um three budget amendments to present tonight. Amendment number four is from the state public school fund. Um it's an increase of $19,997. This amendment adds additional funds to the teacher performance bonus. Okay. The second amendment is amendment number five and that's our capital outlay fund. That is $115,443. And this is from DPI for our lease payment for the yellow school buses. And then the final amendment is for our fund 8 specific revenue fund. Uh the one we've been waiting on, I guess. >> Um this is $38,000. That's for our SRO school resource grant. >> Nice. >> Yep. That's it. Um are there any questions? We like increases. >> Yeah, [laughter] definitely. >> Sometimes. [clears throat] >> Yeah, if it's if it's good. Yes, it is good. >> So,
010we need to make a motion here to approve. >> Yes. >> Board, you've heard amendment four, amendment five, and amendment six. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Robuas, second by Shannon Oxentine. All in favor say I. I. >> Motion to approve. All right. Next on the agenda is the human resources report from Dr. Alicia Core, our assistant superintendent of human resources. >> I don't know if I sit if I stand. You know, I I'm used to doing the technology piece. So, I'm really lost right now. I'm not doing that mouse. So, I'll just I'll just use this mic right here in front of me then. Um, so you have in front of you the um items of information and the personnel agenda. Board, [clears throat] you have
011the items in front of you. You have it in your packet and the agenda. What is the pleasure of the board or Dr. Clot? >> Motion by Anthony Mlan. >> Okay. I make the motion to to approve the agenda. >> Second by Matt Ree. >> That'll work. Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion approved. >> Thank you, Dr. Flor. [clears throat] Uh, next on the agenda is the superintendence report for by Dr. Alicia Claw. >> Okay. Thank you. And I am standing in for Dr. Bill Griffin and I am uh honored to do so. In his report, he wants me to uh share this statement with you and I would like to say that this statement is the sentiments I believe of all of our administrators and our school system uh
012staff. We want to thank you. Thank you to our schoolboard members for your time, dedication, and your commitment to our schools and our community. Your leadership, and service play a vital role in building a legacy of excellence in ensuring that our district remains the educational choice for every child. We are grateful for the care, the vision, and thoughtful decision-making that you bring to us as you work to support students, staff, and our families. So, I appreciate all the extra time. I know you all put in a lot of time. you put in a lot of heart, um, mind and soul, and it is very much appreciated. Not everybody gets to see that side, but when when we're in meetings together, I see it, and I appreciate it, and I know Dr. Griffin does as well.
013Um, we have some dates for upcoming events. Our January board appreciation month is January. We have a couple of required teacher work days coming this week and a lot of activities uh, we have planned for those two days. We have a principal meeting on Thursday. Any of you are welcome to come to that. We have our um a drill safety drill scheduled for Friday and um I'm speaking maybe out of turn here, Jacob Le, but he is leading that with emergency services and you all are very welcome to attend that if you wish to do so. I'll give you the times. And then we have a holiday on Monday. Our report cards come out on the 22nd. Our district spelling bee is on the 29th and AEC has a required workday on the 30th. And
014I cannot believe that we are in January. So, >> [laughter] >> That is all for the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Dr. Chlor. And I I echo what uh Mr. Oxentine said previously. You know, we're servants. We're servants of the community. We're servants to our teachers. We're servants to our [clears throat] teacher, to our teachers, our students, our families. Um again, a lot of us in our fourth year, some of us are in our first year. But I think we all up here are servants, and we're here to help. And we do appreciate everything that's been given to us. Um, and we just want to say thank you. Anybody else in the board have anything to say to the community? >> Sure. I it it is the the the gestures, the gifts mean more than
015you know, but I'll say that um I know for me and I'm sure for the other guys, it is truly a privilege and an honor to serve this district and this county and this community. We love it and and it is it's a it's a great privilege. >> I do have to say the exact same. It is a pleasure. It truly is. Um each one of us on here, we have a piece in the game. We We've got kids in the school system. >> We do. >> And it is our desire that we want to see this school district be the best that it can be. That's right. Without each one of y'all out there in the audience and each one of you that may be watching live that got kids in the system, without
016that we we wouldn't be where we are. So, it's our pleasure [clears throat] to serve you all. But the gestures of the gift certificates, the cups, the shootery boards, anything. >> It it warms our hearts. So, >> we we we appreciate it. >> Stand up very much. This right here. What you got, Josh? We got this from >> from Bethlehem. >> Bethlehem. >> That's right. >> I'm going to take a picture of that right there. [laughter] >> Yeah. It was just sitting here and I opened it up and uh I love it. >> Just a great gesture. >> Yeah, it really is >> from our children. >> Yes. Yes. >> Oh, sorry. >> Kids can always make it better. >> Kids can always make you feel better. >> Should we all follow around? >> I'm
017thinking maybe. Yeah. jump out. >> Oh yeah, I was going to get a picture after that. >> Yeah, we can get a picture afterwards, too. >> Sure, we can do that. I just want everybody to see that. >> Love it. >> Folks, just I can't add anything more than what my fellow board members have added. Just I just want to change the dimension a little bit in terms of >> you are all stewards of the most valuable resource we have on this earth and that's our children. And the job that you do and your [clears throat] teachers do and your staffs do and protecting and and preserving and enhancing and em bettering our children is evident and it's [clears throat] marked every day with your scores, with the attitudes, with with the the personalities that
018we have in in our children and watching them be successful and and be the next level of of responsible citizens in our society. And so for that, I say thank you to you and I say thank you to each and every one of your team members because that mission is a difficult one. >> It's an important one and you all do it very well. So thank you. >> Well said. >> And and we realize that sometimes >> we're asking you to do more with less. We we we we realize that it doesn't it does not go unnoticed. But with that being said, we're we're with your help, we're doing everything we can to manage what we have, right? So, um, and that's why we do it, right? That that's that's that's why everybody's got skin
019in the game. So, again, I know I've already Thank you folks. But I really truly do thank you folks for what you do for for this county. >> Yes, sir. Um, this is kind of a well, no bones about it. I didn't I'm not I'm not really be going to be on the board next uh again. Um, I just need to step away and keep my family a priority. That's my sole purpose in not doing it again. I ran on the fact that I had a child in the school system. He's graduating in May. That'll no longer be the the situation. Voices in my head. Um, but I I walk away from this in December, January next year [clears throat] at peace with where we've set this school system on track to go. I couldn't
020be more proud of what we've done as a board and what we've done as principles, as staff, as custodians, as maintenance. I I'm just extremely proud of where the school system is headed. Um it's hard to walk away from it. I But I've got a son that's getting married. I've got one getting ready to go to college. I just feel feel like it's time for me to start transitioning. Hopefully be retiring in a few years from this job that I keep getting pictures made in uniform. You don't have to put that in the paper. Uh it seems like every time they want to take pictures, I'm in uniform. Um, but I I have truly been blessed to have been a part of this board and to worked with some wonderful people. Um, had some great
021opportunities and I I can't thank y'all enough uh for such a a great experience and I'm not done yet. I got 11 more months, right? 11 more times. Well, 11 and and Anthony Mlan, I expect that you're going to volunteer or drive a bus or [laughter] drive. >> I told you with a taser, they're going to be able to t the taser on that school bus. [laughter] But no, I mean, I've been a part of the school system for over 20 years. Probably my oldest son went through here, you know, graduated and >> I've been from PTO with her back when was Prince, she was principal, and I was just a parent. And I still, that's what I always tried to do with this. I was trying to look at it from a parent's point
022of view. What would I want for my child? Because that's what it's about, these kids. >> Yes, sir. >> Building a legacy of excellence and being the educational choice for every child. It's about the child. I'm so proud of our C. I can't, man. Just just our CTE department, things that are going on there. It's absolutely amazing some of the stuff that's going on there. And I just I couldn't be more proud of where we're at and where we're headed. I I And you're right. I probably you probably won't you'll probably see me around. Hopefully not behind you with blue lights on, but you don't have to put that in [laughter] the paper. You don't have to put that in the paper either. But um but yeah, I I'm I appreciate all the all the
023little the gifts and and the gestures and and everything, but um the thank you and and appreciation goes back to y'all 110%. >> Yes, sir. >> Sorry. >> Last one. >> The last one. >> I guess you got to say something else. [clears throat] >> Good luck topping that one. I I do appreciate the gifts as well. You guys didn't have to do that. And um it's been a pleasure to serve and I'm really proud of it. Just seems like in the past year that I've been on here that there's a trajectory of morality change and there's just a complete swing of attitudes and >> performance and it just feels like everything's going in a really good direction. And I feel like the boards, superintendent, support staff, teachers, um, everyone in the system is responsible
024for that and we appreciate all the hard work that you guys do. >> Yes, we do. >> Thank you board members for your comments. Next [clears throat] on the agenda um, is the unfinished business and we'll hand it over to Dr. Alicia Claw. >> All right, thank you. More unfinished. Here we go. Uh we have a summation uh for the second reading of the following board policies and there are several 1310-42 uh 3210 3320 3510 3620 4120 5024-6127-7266 5070-7350 6125 6340 7100 and 7820 and again this is our second read. Any questions on those? [clears throat] >> So, you need approval on all those, correct? >> Yes, please. >> All right. I'm not going to try to read all those [snorts] back to everybody. >> Yes. >> Um, Dr. Clure needs a motion and approval
025uh for this unfinished business. Do I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Anthony Mlan with the first. Do I have a second? >> Second by Rob Berg. All in favor say I. I >> I >> so moves. Uh we have some new business. Uh Dr. Clure. >> Yes. Thank you. So the next round of uh policies for first [snorts] read are policy 3101, 3225-4312-7320. Uh we have 3226-4205 3227-7322. 3,400, 4050, 4120, 4240-7312, and 4270-6145. And those are first read, and we can bring those back next time for another read after we've had a chance to review. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. >> Um, that's everything uh for our open session. Um, looks like it's time to adjurnn. Um, do I have a motion to adjurnn the meeting? >> Make a
026motion we adjourn. >> Anthony Mlan with a first. Anybody got a second? Cory Mlan with a second. All in favor say >> I. >> Meeting adjourned. Thank you.