001At this time, I will ask board member Jesse BS to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Attention. Salute. Pledge. >> 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. [Music] At this time, our superintendent, we will lead us in our mission and vision statement >> as we begun. Uh, thank you, Chairman Ree. Uh, with our new mission and vision. Uh, if you would recite after me at this point and Alexander County Schools, we are committed to building a legacy of excellence >> and our vision is to be the educational choice for every child. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate that. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. Um at this time this
002this week has been a week marked by tragedy. These tragedies have deeply affected us. No doubt they have affected you and they have affected our staff and our students. We would like to take a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives. We condemn political violence in all its forms. We continue to offer our prayers for the families who are grieving and for the safety and well-being of all the staff and students of Alexander County Schools. We encourage our school community to reflect on this moment with compassion, unity, and a renewed commitment to the values that strengthen our democracy. Please join me at this time for a moment of silence. Thank you board members. At this time I need to seek the approval of the agenda. But before you all do, we need
003to add a closed session to the meeting. So what is the pleasure of the board? Make a motion. Second. >> I've got a motion to approve by board member Oxendentine, a second by board member Arguas. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Like manner. Carries unanimously. The next item on the agenda is honors and recognitions with Dr. Denita Dao. Revis. >> Thank you. >> So, first we're going to ask the staff at Alexander Early College to come up, please. And this is nearly all of them. Hey. >> So tonight we are celebrating Al Alexander Early College and their staff members um for exceeding growth in the 2024 25 school year for standardized state schools testing. The school's results led them to earn an A on the school report card. Principal Mary Brown
004leads the school and Alexander Early College has exceeded growth three years straight since 2022. >> Good job. >> Alexander Early College is part of an elite 7.6% in North Carolina schools to earn an A. Congratulations. We do have a banner for your school. Um, we just haven't got completed yet. We were trying, but it didn't meet the deadline tonight. We'll have that for you to present at your school. Okay, >> everybody step this way. I'm nervous. >> Oh my word. Okay, everybody looking this way. Pretty smiles. I'm gonna take a bunch cuz this is going on front of y'all's school page. >> Yeah, I know. >> Hang tight. She needs one. I wasn't >> there. Give me camera. Thank you. >> All right. Squish. [Music] Thank you. >> Congratulations, y'all. >> I'm telling you. >>
005So, we're going to let them jet because they have yet more academic celebrations in store. They're headed over to the auditorium to induct their new Beta Club members. So, go you. >> Congratulations. All right. So, next we'd like the West Alexander Middle School staff to come forward. [Music] Hey Jim. >> So tonight we are honoring West Alexander Middle School for exceeding growth as well. The school has gained recognition for exceeding growth since 2018. So we had 20 and 21 where we didn't have scores but other than that solidly for all these years up until the 2425 year. So nice job west. The state considers west a be school based on their performance and growth. So good job. >> Good job. Congratulations. I'll try. >> No crying. [Applause] >> So next I'd like to ask Kade
006Church, Coley Whitner, Wyatt Johnson, and Hunter Dancy to come up. And then also Cole Sharp and Riley Whitner. Did they come? >> Oh, I had them come. Very good. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I had the fortune of learning about this um award while in class one day. Wyatt is one of my students and he shared with me that they went down a couple weekends ago. was in Fagetville and um they went to the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS annual convention. So they are considered a junior rescue competition team and um you see they got their shirts made up looks nice. So the boys finished second in the state and they had to do all kinds of rescue techniques which include tying ropes and knots and so on all other kind of
007practice. And then this is unique they also earned the Chad Smith spirit award and they are the first junior team to ever win that award and um it's in memorial memory of a gentleman who was very involved with that organization. So, um, their sponsors again, Cole Sharp and Riley Whitner, but congrats to Kate, Coley, Wyatt, and Hunter. Nice job, fellas. [Music] Great job, Jo. >> That concludes our honors and recognition. You are welcome to stay with us for the business portion of the meeting or if you would like to be dismissed, you may leave at this time. >> Where where's everybody going? >> The best part. >> The best the best part is getting ready to happen. >> Congratulations. >> They're going everybody. [Music] >> No, she is. She >> congratulations. Okay, that's some good
008CTE stuff there. >> All righty then. Now we're now we're back now we're back to now we're back to the norm. >> All right, the next item on the agenda is is public comment. We did have one individual um sign up. If Kristen Taylor is in the audience, we would like to invite her to come to the podium. While we see if she does show, I will read to just refresh um public comment um procedures. Each person that is signed up to speak would have three minutes to make his or her remarks. Each person signed up to speak will only be entitled to the time allotted to them and time may not be relinquished to another speaker. Only one spokesperson will be allowed to speak for a group of individuals wishing to address the board
009on the same issue. Speakers will be acknowledged by the board chairman in the order in which their names appear on the signup sheet. Speakers will address the board from the front of the room and begin their remarks by stating their names. Comments that are deemed obscene, profane, or personal attacks on a board member or school employee will be caused for an ending of a particular speaker's time as determined by the board chairperson. Persistence in such remarks by an individual shall terminate that person's privilege to address the board. The public comment to the board period is not intended to require the board to answer impromptu questions. Speakers will address all comments to the board as a whole and not one individual member of the board. Discussions between speakers and members of the audience will not be
010allowed. Speakers will refrain from the discussion of any of the following items. Items which are closed session matters including but not limited to the attorney client privilege, anticipated or pending litigation, property acquisition or liquidation or complaints about specific employees and students in open session. This is in accordance with general statute 115 C-321 and the open meetings law which protects students and employees records. Speakers will be courteous in their language and presentations. The public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by majority vote of the board. This is board of education policy number 2310. All right. And there's no one. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> No one answer by that. >> Thank you, Mr. Davis. Um, at this time, the next item on our agenda is to get approval of the consent agenda.
011What is the pleasure of the board? >> Motion to approval. >> Got a motion to approve by board member Argues. >> Second. >> A second by board member Corey Mlan. All in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? Like manner. Carries unanimously. All right, board members, at this time, the next item on the agenda is a curriculum and instruction update from Dr. Amy BS, executive director of curriculum and instruction. >> Go for it, man. >> Can we make it two minutes? >> Certain certain board me. [Music] Well, thank you guys for letting me be here tonight and we're going to do an overview of our testing report that was released from the state a couple weeks ago so you guys can see an overview of the things that we have to celebrate here in our
012district. >> We're trying to get the right presentation up. >> All right, this is the national standards that just got released. >> That's okay. 20. >> Well, as they're as they're pulling that up, I can go through the first little part. Um, and then we'll we'll get to the numbers. See those? So, the first part is just the testing report that they released um is about the performance and the growth data from the previous school year. So, what we're going to be looking at is the data from the 2425 school year. Um, so that you will know that where we stand as we move into this beginning of this school year. It's a reflection of the EOG and EOCC scores along with some other data that we will look at. Um, and this is in
013alignment with our standard course of study. Our EOGs and EOCC's are in um ELA, math, and science. There we go. And so, here's a list of the things that they report out in the testing report. We're not going to go through all of these tonight, but it is accessible um on the DPI website. And if you want more information on the ones we don't cover, I'll be glad to get that to you. So the first thing that I want to clarify is when we look at the testing results that are reported, they had it in two categories. So if you were to look at those on the data report, you'll see that there is a GLP column, which is grade level proficiency. That's the one that we mainly look at because that is the students
014that are level three and above, which means those are students that met the standard um for the grade level expectations. And then four and five are those that are above that standard. And they also have a category of CCR, which college and career readiness. Those are the students that are at level four and above. So that you can see those students that they deem ready um college and career ready. And a couple other results that are included in the report are um ACT work keys and English learner progress. So several things to celebrate for today is looking at um our academic results overall as a district. So this is our overall proficiency. So when you look at this um we have included several of the districts that are around us, the state and our region
015which is the northwest region. So for Alexander County, we have 58% overall proficiency. Um, one of the things before we talk about the celebrations in that is just clarification of proficiency. When we're talking about proficiency, um, we are looking at it being based on the mastery of college and career ready standards. So, we're not looking at just basic skills of the grade level of the standard. We're looking at the full expectation of where they expect them to be college and career ready at the end of the year. It also includes all of our learners from the highest to to the the most struggling student except for those that are um deemed to have an alternate assessment based on their ability level. So we are looking at all of our students at all levels when we
016talk about that. So for us to say that we have 58% which is above half is really a success. And if you look at it in comparison, you see that we are performing um above where a lot of their peers are performing in the area. So we're the highest among our bordering districts. We're 3% higher than our state in our region. And we're third in the Northwest region. And I aster that because we're behind Ash and Wataga, both of those, which I hope that never have to go through it again, but they got a waiver for Hurricane Helen, so their fall scores were waved. So, um it's a little bit of a of a um comparison difference there when you're looking at that. Um so, when you break that down even further into grade bands
017and content areas, we have a lot to celebrate here as well. So, when you're looking at that, you can see um the first column in both of those charts is the district percentage overall proficiency and then the second column is the state. So you can see the comparison between the two. Um the first percentage you see under the district is the overall proficiency for that grade banner content in terms of uh 2425. In the parentheses is the plus or minus based on the comparison to 23 24. So you can see did they go up in percentage or down. If you look at that the things that are highlighted in green are all of those areas that we are above the state average >> which is amazing. all but science. And one of the things to
018note about science is that this year was the first year of implementation of new standards which means a new assessment which also means um a reorming and that usually the first year you see that is is a dip in scores. So we expect to see those go up this next year as the second year of implementation of those standards. Um the things that are highlighted again in yellow are points of growth. So you can see um all of our areas that grew um and some of them very significantly from just last year. So, lots of things to celebrate across the district um in terms of of our proficiency. Um, another thing that we look at in terms of of testing is the growth status. And when they talk about growth, they're really talking about the
019the equivalent of a year's worth of growth for years of instruction. Um, and so they uh measure that or report that out in terms of exceeding, meeting, or not meeting growth. So, this chart will show you the growth index. Um and this is through a statistical um analysis through a program called EVOS. And that's how they get the growth index scores through a formula that they use. Um in that formula, the way they look at it is anything that is below an index score of negative -2 um is considered does not meets. Um anything that is in between a negative -2 and a positive two is meets and anything above a positive two is exceeded in terms of their growth index score. So if you look at that, we have two schools which we celebrated
020tonight already that exceeded growth. Um the early college and west. We have six schools that met growth and you can see the list there of those schools. And we have three that did not meet growth. Of the three that did not meet growth, two of those grew within their growth index from last year. So um we definitely even if they're not meeting, we're still seeing growth overall in a lot of our schools. And as a result of those scores, the growth of proficiency, we get school performance grades. They give you an overall letter grade for the school and they give you um letter grades based on the subgroups identified by the state. And you can see those listed there. You have to have at least 30 students in that group to um get a grade
021a grade for that subgroup for it to count. Um and the performance grades are based on 80% proficiency or the achievement score and 20% growth. So, a lot of the letter grade is based on the proficiency score. Here you can just see how breakdown of how they calculate that and the cut points for each one of those those grades. That's just an example that's not one of our schools in the example there. Um, and so looking at our school performance grades again, lots to celebrate here. We have um three schools that um moved up a letter grade which means that they were able to move to that next um cut score level. We also have um two schools that moved up within their score in within the letter grade. So moving closer to um where
022they need to be to get to the next uh letter grade. We have two that are only one point away from moving to the next letter grade. So lots of lots of exciting growth that we're seeing there even in our our letter grades which are majority of of the proficiency there. Um based on that we have federal and state designations. Um with the federal designations there is TSI um and we have TSI CU which is consistently underperforming. Those are usually your watch list and those can go on annually. Um the TSI AT which is your additional support. That's the ones that get a little bit extra funding to support the subgroups um that are underperforming within their school. Um and these are um schools that have to um um be a TSI CU school for
023at least two years to to move into the AT and they stay in there for three years. Um and so we have three schools that are identified as TSI AT and that's in the subgroup of students with disabilities. Um, one exciting um, piece of information for this year, we do have one school that has exited the TSI that was in there last year, Wittenberg. So, congratulations, ML and your team. >> Absolutely. >> And so, that's exciting news and we'll continue to work with the, uh, other three schools to get them to that same place next year. >> Um, there is another category of federal designations, which is CSI. That's the bottom 5% um, overall of title one schools across the state. We're fortunate to say that we do not have any schools that fall into
024the CSI category. >> The state designations are low performing and continually low performing. Um low performing can be done annually. That's a grade of a D or an F. Um and then and the growth status of met or not met, meaning if they get exceeding, it would not um work in that category. So the continually low performing are those that were performing for two of the past three years. So when we look at this chart, we have one school that was identified as low performing this year and this is one of the schools that's one point away from being out of low performing um which would be great as we move for that next year. So really close a way to close the gap on that. We have um three schools that are identified as
025continually low performing, but two of those are not low performing this year. They have to get one more year to exit. So you have to have two years of the last three to exit. So again, Wittenberg celebration there. They also exited low performing because they were not low performing in 2223 and again last year with a grade of a C. So, um, so they have no longer have any designations, which is exciting. And we have expectations for our schools to to move in that direction next year to celebrate the other ones. >> Naming the two of those that that made it this year were which ones? >> That is East and Hides. >> Yep. East and Hidden Knight are the ones that are not low performing. So, >> let's knocking on the door. >> Yeah.
026They're one point away from from being at the sea, which we we fully expect to make this year. >> Good for me. >> Which is exciting. Um, just a couple more pieces of information for you. Our graduation rate is increasing. Um, so we're moving in the the right direction. We are still a little bit below the state, but that's a target for us to work on this year. So, um, we'll be working with the the high school to um, help increase that that score as we move through this year to get closer to that state percentage. Um, ACT and Work Keys indicator scores, we are above the state um, as we uh, normally are. So, that's a great program um through our students to take the ACT and um can receive the the silver on
027the work keys. So, to conclude, what are the things that we're going to do to help us close some of those gaps that we did did see? We have lots of things to celebrate, but we want to maintain that growth and proficiency and continue to make it grow in those areas that are lacking. Um we want to really target and push forward this year. So, you can see a list of these things that that we're really going to work on this year. We have a new district strategic plan. Um we're working in um implementing an instructional framework that will build consistency across our schools. Both I think will make differences as we're working forward. Um some of the others you can see is building plans to support our low performing and TSI schools and partnering
028with other um districts and working on our subgroups that are low performing. So lots of things to celebrate from our report. Great year last year, some areas still to work on, but we have great plans to target those and move forward in hopes to see more success next year. Any questions? for me guys. >> One one question. >> Yes sir. >> Um >> how do we compare against the national average? >> So if you look the national assessment right now is NAPE which um looks at a couple different things versus what we do necessarily in the state but um if you're looking along the same lines the NAPE um average is in the 30s. Um and so I don't remember the exact percentage but in the 30 something%. And so we're we're looking at proficiency
029of 58%. Um, I don't know exactly what our our net score is here in in the district, but I know that that's a that's a significant difference between where you're seeing some some proficiency. >> So, we are performing the national standard in excess of 50%. >> So, so our standards aren't ours, help me if I'm correct here, Amy, our assessments aren't the same that they would use in Georgia or South Carolina or California or New York. So to to compare what our 58% represents would would not be accurate to say on a national level. That's where the NATE is a national standard uh that they they look for those assessments. Um and and I don't know that that specific number, but I I certainly would look into that, Rob, for you. >> Any other questions?
030>> Very fitting. That's right. She's taking care of it. >> Any other questions? All right. Thank you guys and thank you guys. Yeah. Thank you guys for your support for all that we do here in the district to to be successful. Erica, >> great job. Great progress. >> Great presentation, Dr. Boss. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> I couldn't help. All right. At this time, the next item on the agenda is a financial report from Sharon Mafy, our chief financial officer. Good. Good evening. We have begun working on the 2025 2025 2026 budget and hope to present that to you in October. Some of the um criteria that will affect this year's budget includes an increase in retirement from 24 point uh 24.4.04% 04% to 24.67%. I think I'm so cold I can't talk. Increase
031in health insurance from $8,95 to $8,500. The average daily membership used for state funds is two $4,21 down 83 students from last year. The allotted ADM, as we discussed, is the higher of the previous year's actual first two months average daily membership by grade totaled. Preliminary initial allotments, which we will you base the budget on, are a floor to start the school year. If the general assembly passes a budget or appropriates additional funds, DPI will increase the allotments, but the increase will not happen without approval of additional funds from the legislature. Okay. We have some changes in the initial lotment which was on uh should have been on your board report. Um, there were some increases in disadvantaged student supplemental funding, $59,000. Children with disabilities, $82,500, $510. And then the supplement um that we give
032teachers at the end of the year was increased by $189,82. We had some losses. Uh classroom teachers we lost 3.5 positions enhancement teachers one position instructional support one position and CTE months of employment 12 visi uh 12 months uh low wealth we received u an additional appropriation from the county to cover that loss and at risk student support was $146,681 and That's that's a big um a big loss to us because we pay a lot of different things out of uh at risk student support. The county increased their appropriation to the school system this year to $8,78,040 and that was an increase of $585,000. Okay. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Very good. Board members, any questions? >> Good. Thank you. >> All right. >> Job, Sharon. >> Great job, Sharon. >> Thank you.
033>> At this time, the next item on the agenda um is human resources report with Dr. Alicia Cow, our assistant superintendent of human resources. >> Good evening. I have brought my laptop so that I could type in our notes, our motions, and our um carried all the things that we're going to go over. So, doing double duty here. You have before you the um agenda for personnel recommendations and information. Do you have any questions? Okay. >> Anything? Okay. >> Gentlemen, what is the pleasure of the board? >> Make a motion. >> Got a motion to approve by board member Oxentine. >> Second. >> A second by board member Corey Mlan. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Like madam. Carries unanimously. >> Thank you, Dr. Clover. The next item on the agenda is the
034superintendent report from Dr. Bill Griffin. >> Great. Thank you, Chair Ree. Certainly appreciate that. Uh I'd like to begin by just stating that uh to to my knowledge, we've had an amazing uh start to our school year this this year. Um and I think that goes to to proper planning. I think our leaders at at each of our buildings were prepared and ready to go. our directors, uh, folks that work here at the central central office did an amazing job of supporting our schools, uh, and having things, uh, ready for our students to come back in and our staff and personnel. So, uh, all is is well at this point. Uh, that can always change in the in the very very quickly. Uh, so I don't want to jinx myself, but uh, very proud of
035of the things that we're doing in our buildings currently. Um, I try to be extremely visible. I I try to uh uh make it a point to visit our campuses often and I'm I'm every day that I go out to to our buildings and watch our our children in the classrooms and our employees working uh it just makes me proud. So, I'm very very honored to to be a part of this school system and see the great work we're doing. Um our test results were something that that just came back. Uh Dr. BS, thank you for your commitment to working you and your team within our curriculum. I'd like to thank uh Denita and Jacob also as part of our assessment team and putting th those numbers together and making sure the information is accurate
036uh to what we have to go on. And then ultimately we'll take those test results and we'll look at them and we'll compare contrast and look to see how we can improve how we can celebrate the successes and then look to move the needle for next year. Um, I have differing differing opinions about our assessments, our EOCC's and our EOGs. Kind of a one day snippet of the entire summation of an entire school year for a student uh to which I don't agree with. I would like for us to to look at changes to those assessments uh throughout this school year uh to to look for successes and ways that we can can move the needle uh on a constant all the entire school year, not just the last day or last week of school.
037However, as long as we're being assessed, I do want to challenge our our leaders and our our our teachers and our students to do the very very best that we can. I have stated that I don't believe that we should have any low performing schools in our county. Uh and I think we're about a point away from making that happen for for each of our schools. So, I commend our leadership. I commend our our staff for doing an amazing job in the classroom every day with our students. And I commend our students for giving it their all on those assessments. Uh so until the next year or next semester and then a high school uh we'll see where we go there. Uh and then finally I'd like to take some time to talk about uh
038building a legacy of excellence and and our vision of the being the educational choice for every child. So I'm going to remove myself from the desk here and come out here where I can talk if that's okay you guys. So, um, we began our strategic plan this year and as I present to the board, I really want to project uh to everyone that may be watching or or that that is is tuning in to our meeting this evening. Uh, we began this work way back at the beginning of the year. Uh, we we knew that it was time for us to renew our strategic plan. Uh, and many people in this room began putting together uh the work to get that accomplished. Um we reflected, we looked back on things that we had done before
039in the past, where we wanted to be in the future. Uh we took a lot of feedback from our constituents. Again, leaders in this room uh set at the table during that planning. Uh we had students at the table during that planning. We had uh members within our community. We had parents. We had a lot of folks. We had board members. We had people working together to kind of figure out where we needed to be within the next several years. Uh, and we put together a a three-year plan and our strategic plan is is outlined here. Dr. BS uh took a big lead in in putting that together as far as our curriculum and what that looks like and and you can pull our our plan together. Uh, and this is something I I shared
040with Open Session. My old football coach that meant the world to me used to have a statement. He said, "Plan your work and work your way." And and it's so true. you just whatever you put it right whatever your thoughts are that you're trying to accomplish then you got to make it happen then you you got to work your plan but just having a document having something that's in place doesn't cut it you got to open it you got to you got to read it and then you got to put it in place so I think we'll begin to to do that as we move forward so so these are parts of our four pillars that we came up with and you guys can see there uh number one instructional excellence uh the comprehensive student
041support, operational effectiveness and then climate professional growth and retention. Uh and we feel those pillars and those categories kind of exemplify everything that we stand for and within those departments, each of our people uh within our cabinet took a role in each of those and then kind of dove into what those look like and you can pull those apart again on our strategic plan and what they so hats off to the work that was put in play to make this happen. Uh, I'd also like to say that that Dr. Bow has had enough insight and her committee and her team to not only align our strategic plan for what it means with for us, but it's also aligned to the state strategic plan. So, you guys have probably get got received information that Mo Green,
042our state superintendent, has a new strategic plan at NCBPI. uh and he'll be going out to our communities and constituents in unveiling that plan has to leadership that plans to do that for our community members and our plan our strategic plan also aligns to that. So a lot of foresight to to making those things work so that we're not operating in sight and then ultimately we came up with a new mission and a new vision. Um I felt as as superintendent it was it was time to to move in a different direction. Uh, and I and I felt that way personally, but I also felt that way in the committees and the the team meetings that we had and receiving input from constituents about what they wanted within a school system. So, we began to
043to come up with a new mission at New Vision and and I often go back to to a time I kind of live through experiences uh in my uh educational journey as a principal. Uh, and I had a new mission and vision one time that was post posted on the wall and I'd been in the job just a day or two. The superintendent at that time asked me said, "Bill, what's your mission and vision for this school?" And I was embarrassed to say, but it was truthful and I had to admit it. I don't know. And and the response to me was, "If you don't know as a leader, if you don't know as a principal, then nobody else will." So, so I wanted to make it our mark as a leader within this school
044system. make sure that everybody everybody understands our mission, everybody understands our vision. Therefore, we're reciting at our board meetings, at our principal meetings that we have so that we never forget it. It's it's not sitting on a wall. Uh and as you look around the wall, I like to bring attention to the back of our walls in our boardroom. Uh we we've made some adjustments uh and we've put our mission and vision up here so that everybody that comes in this room uh when we hold business and we hold professional developments and we hold meetings in this room that we're always going to be recognized and remember what it is that we're about. Uh and that mission is very very simple. is building a legacy of excellence and and the p the people that came
045to the table when we were designing this and listening to the feedback the word legacy kept coming up in that conversation is we wanted to be to be something that just wasn't stagnant it wasn't just about today it was about years past prior years and the things that have been invested in this school system and then many years to come so so I thought that was important and we brought that to the table and then we talked building that legacy of excellence forward. And our vision was plain and simple to be the educational choice of every child. Uh I I'm not going to apologize about it as is the superintendent of a public school. Uh there is many there are choices within our county and that's good and families uh deserve a choice. Uh and
046and I'm proud to say that that I hope that we become that choice for for children that are right for I respect the parents choice. I respect the parents opinion. Uh but what I'm telling our staff members, I'm telling our leaders in the room today that I expect us to be that choice. And if we're not, then we got to figure out the way that we can be. So that's kind of that vision of where we are, where we need to be. I believe it's strong. I believe it has value and has purpose. And I think it's taking us to the to the next. Um which goes to to this. We had to rebrand a little bit. We had to pull in something that represented where we are. Um, and we began a lot of
047different ideas about what our brand was, what our emblem was. Um, and as we began to have those conversations, um, you know, I kept going back to our A that represented Alexandria County Schools. Uh, and and I like the A. I really didn't want to just steer completely away from it, but in many of the ideas, we kind of kept coming back to uh, and we were sitting in my office one day and we were looking up and and Scotty Cook had made me an emblem that that's going on on my wall. And and Sharon Mappy, who's who's in the room with us today, kind of said, I I like that. And I said, I do too. I think it's very nice. But she says, no, I like that A and the arrow pointing up.
048Um and and I'll be honest with you, I had never seen that A the way it was and the way it was pointing upward with the arrow there in the middle. uh that was done on purpose so that the metal wouldn't fall out when he cut out on on the on the machine there. Uh so it held purpose, but once I saw that once I saw that arrow, I said, you know, that's that's what we're about. We're about always driving north, always moving forward. Hence, when you get into our mission, we're building. We are constantly building and we're constantly moving upward. So our A that we have now has a defined purpose. It it has meaning that when people ask us about what we have on on our on our chest or or on our
049hat or whatever it may be the that we're wearing or promoting, it has meaning. And and that a is that we're constantly building a legacy of excellence and we're moving up. So once you see it, you can you can never unsee it. And and that's that that uh that arrow pointing up and I see it everywhere in this room. I'm very very proud of it. And then then the next piece uh that we had which was part of our our brand is is our old emblem. There was a star at the bottom of that and it was blue star and and I had many people ask me what does that star represent and going back to my ignorance once again I had to say I I don't know. I have no idea what that star
050represent. So we made it about ourselves and and I put that out there to some of our staff and some of our leaders and I got some feedback. one of those feedbacks piece of feedbacks from Amy Dable who's in here says hey what about a gold star those gold star standards of where we at what they represent. So we began kicking around these ideas within cabinet and with our leaders about where we were and and that just kind of stuck and we had some hourong hours long conversations about that true meaning to the point on some days I just said I've had enough. Let's go. We'll come back to this again tomorrow. and and we finally got back to something that I think we believe and something that the members so I can say with
051without compromise that that star that is in our emblem is those gold star standards that we stand for and it's the foundation that holds up that a to where we're always driving and building and moving forward. So our our emblem that we have now that that's very proudly displayed has true meaning. Has true meaning. And every piece of that brand uh has some type of history or some type of balance of of what we believe in and what we can tell people we represent. Any any questions on that? I'm very very proud. Brian Davis is here um in in our maintenance department put these up for us in the in the room. Uh and we've got, you know, beautiful pictures of of people that are within our our school district currently and uh it just
052makes me very proud of what we're doing and some of the changes we made. But Brian surprised me today with with the new emblem that sits behind our board and and it's absolutely >> looks great. >> Thank you for and your staff and commitment of of making things right within that new board. >> No question, just a comment. just a worldclass development and execution of the mission and the visions and it all perfectly align with >> with the mission. >> We uh you know as a team we pulled together. We could have gone out to an independent company or corporation or brought them in and try to rebrand and what we did. Um but we just listen. >> We just put some stuff out there for people to talk a little bit and and try
053to listen to where we need to be. Uh and I hope it's something that we can stand for. I hope it's something that we as a group because every person in this room had a big part of. Yeah. >> And I hope it's something that we can move forward for for many many years and they don't take that down anytime. >> And I think that how you included the community as part of the development process was just benchmark as well. >> Absolutely. you and it just just a recollection of one of the conversations and uh he may get on to for saying this but one of those persons was sheriff Chad Pennel was was adamant that we're going to have something to deal with our race and and and I thought that that that carried
054a lot of weight. So just a lot of people with a lot of input and I'm certainly grateful for that. Um, and then then finally, uh, we put together, uh, over over the summer in the retreat a video that I think culminates everything that I've just talked about. And I want to give a lot of praise to to Nita Darvis who put this together and to what I think is is an exceptional video at a high quality. Uh, but it really culminates and to me I'd like to really start pushing this out at some point and get it out to our constituents. You did a great job there. Uh, and everybody except for me that was in it did an outstanding job. Uh, I'm I'm not an actor. One of the most difficult things you
055you do to me is kind of put me on front of a camera freeze up. But I I appreciate the work that's gone into this, but I hope it'll play for us here in just a second. I think it really culminates what I'm trying to to to a new school year brings a fresh chapter to our journey. This year we are building a legacy of excellence with everything we do. >> For the very first day, we're focused on instructional excellence to inspire every learner. >> You'll see classrooms filled with challenges, curiosity, and creativity. We are here to meet students where they are and help them go even further. >> Through comprehensive student support, we want to make sure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued. >> Our schools are safe, welcoming spaces where relationships
056and learning thrive. >> We have a vibrant community geared toward continuous growth. Behind the scenes, operational effectiveness keeps our schools running smooth and strong. Transportation safety and reliability. >> Every detail matters from clean buses to connected technology to caring adults. >> We're investing in people because professional development and strength in every teachers, leaders, and staff are growing together just like our students. >> We're united by one mission, helping every student succeed. Your voice matters, your choices matter, and you matter. This year, let's push for progress, not perfection, and celebrate the journey towards excellence, >> and we'll be sure to promote the accomplishments of our staff and students. >> We're proud of the legacy we're building and even more excited about what's to come. >> We can't wait to see your talents, your leadership, and your
057joy in learning. >> Show up, work hard. That's how we grow together. >> It's who we are becoming every single day. Let's make this year one of purpose, connection, and impact. >> We are proud to serve you, to support you, and to cheer you on. >> Let's get to work and make it meaningful. >> Let's learn together and grow together. >> Legacy of excellence. But what an amazing piece and and I have to say that I'm honored to work with with each of those leaders that put this together and made it happen and works because of you. Great job with you guys that are in and look to to again make this uh work and something that we can build on for for many years to come. And I appreciate the support of our board
058uh and the guidance that you've given me uh the the freedoms and support that you've given me. Uh and hopefully we can continue to grow for me. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. >> And the only other things that I had were that on September 29th, uh early college will have a required workday. Uh they also have an optional uh teacher work day following. And then October is principal appreciation month. So we want to celebrate all of our principles in October. Uh, and then on October 13th through the 17th will be the early colleges fall break. So, thank you so much, uh, Chairman Ree. I appreciate the time. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. All right. The next item on our agenda, um, is proposed Board of Education policy revisions. Um, this first
059section is second reading and Dr. Alicia Clover will be uh, presenting for us. [Applause] Okay. Hello again. So for our second reading, this is what we had with no additional changes from our last meeting. Um it's policy 3620, 4023, 4040, and 4240. >> Okay. >> Any questions on that? >> Yeah. Any questions, board members? All right. What is the pleasure of the board? >> Motion to approve. >> Got a motion to approve by board member Arguas. I've got a second by board member Jesse BS. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose like manner carries unanimously. The next item is another um proposed board of education policy revision. This one is first reading. >> Okay. On this first reading we have policy 6220 for operations of school nutrition services. Uh 6330 insurance of
060student transportation. 7130 for lensure, 7820 personnel files and 9210 care and maintenance of grounds and outdoor equipment. And you can see in those policies the red are the changes proposed for next time. Any questions? Thank you. All right, board members. This concludes our open session. Can I get a motion that we close open session and enter into close session? >> Make a motion we close open session, enter into close session. >> Second. >> Uh motion to approve by board member Corey Mlan and a second by board member Robert Arguas. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Like manner. We are now into close session.