001Okay. We're now into open session. Came out of close. Ms. Blackwell, I recognize you now. >> I would like to make a motion that Lance Stokes be named superintendent of the Caswell County Schools starting July 1st, 2026 for a 2-year contract ending June 30th, 2028. >> Can I I Is there a second to that motion? >> She did. >> You did. Okay, I'm sorry. Discussion. Mr. Little. >> I would like to state, Mr. Chairman, I want to clearly explain the reasons I cannot vote in favor of Mr. Lance Stokes' superintendent contract. Number one, starting salary and experience. At the proposed salary of 140,000, Mr. Stokes would be the highest-paid starting superintendent in the history of Caswell County Schools, while also having one of the least amount of experience serving in the role. While I respect
002Mr. Stokes and appreciate his willingness to serve, I do believe this level of compensation is not justified on his current experience. Number two, the impact on local funds. The amount above the state-funded salary for a beginning superintendent is approximately $12,000 annually plus the associated benefits. This additional cost must be funded with local county dollars. At this time, when every local dollar is critically important, I'm not comfortable committing additional local funds beyond what the state provides for a superintendent at this level. Financial crisis and budget priorities. Both Caswell County and Caswell County Schools are facing a financial challenges. The school system is already being forced to make difficult decisions including eliminating positions, reducing expenditures, and identifying additional areas for budget cuts. Given these circumstances, I cannot in good conscience support a contract that exceeds the state's
003recommended starting compensation for superintendent. For a small district with six schools, and I believe our spending decisions should reflect the same financial realities that we're asking our employees, students, and taxpayers to accept. Number four, concerns regarding the process and policy compliance. Finally, I have a serious concern regarding the manner in which the superintendent interview process, candidate selection, and subsequent vote were conducted. In my opinion, these actions were not carried out correctly or fairly in accordance with board policy 7100. Additionally, I believe false or misleading information was presented during this process, which if accurate would constitute a violation of board policy 7110. Because of these concerns regarding both procedure and transparency, I do not feel like I support this contract. I respectfully request that this statement be entered into the official minutes of the meeting in
004its entirety. Respectfully, Joel Lunsford, Vice Chair. >> Any other comments? Smith. >> After careful consideration, I have decided not to support the contract for Mr. Stokes for superintendent of Caswell County Schools. My decision is based on concerns about experience, leadership, and fiscal responsibility during a challenging time for our school system. At a time when Caswell County Schools faces state and federal funding reductions that may require difficult decisions regarding teachers and staff, I believe strong, proven leadership is essential. I am concerned that Mr. Stokes does not have prior experience serving as a district director or in a comparable leadership position that would prepare him for the responsibilities of leading an entire school system. I am also concerned about the salary being offered for first-time superintendent, particularly when our schools are facing budget pressures and potential staffing
005cuts. In my view, taxpayers, teachers, parents, and students deserve confidence that district resources are being managed carefully and that leadership decisions are guided by experience and accountability. My vote is based on what I believe is the best interest of Caswell County schools and the students, employees, and families who depend on them every day. I ask that this be put placed in today's official minutes. >> Anyone else? Ms. Bagley? >> Okay. Well, I'll go ahead and on to the last week. Um I want the public um public to also know due to budget cuts and we're forced to combine um positions. At this time, um we are considering paying Ms. Stokes higher salary than what we paid superintendent. Um also, that this salary is higher than Dr. Carter with her experience, even with Ms. Gwynn with
006her knowledge. Um I just think it's asking too much for that kind of salary to be put in place. And I have deep concerns about that personally. So, I would have to vote no. >> All right. Anyone else? >> I'll put that in the minutes. >> If not, all in favor of the motion raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is 4-3. Thank you. >> Congratulations, Mr. Stokes. >> Thank you. Yeah, one second. Now, we're good. Yeah. All right, next you have the budget amendment. >> So, I have two budget two excuse me, I have two budget amendments for approval. One was in regards to One for the 67,500 to come out of fine balance over the forfeiture and the other one's for the um tubs. Remove from supply line from post supply line to supply line.
007I'm sorry, that's tubs. Um laptops for the board of education. >> Let me ask you a question. >> This is the chair. >> Sorry. >> Can you have him Can you repeat that? >> We have two budget amendments. One is for the pay for the fine and forfeiture that we have to have to pay back to the county. The second one is for the budget transfer for the laptops for board of education. >> The fine and forfeiture was how much? >> 67,500. >> And the laptops? >> 8,000. Let me get this right price. >> It's 8,593. >> Can you say that again? >> 8,593 and 38 cents. >> Okay, before we get a motion there, let me ask you a question. Why was there a delay in the fines and forfeitures money not going back
008in a timely manner? >> So, the delay for the fines and forfeitures was the first question was we wanted to confirm that we had received When did we receive the payment because we had not seen that. But, so we wanted to make sure we verified we had received the and the funds went to the account because from the date of the notice that we received, we did not have that in our I want to make sure it was in our ledger that we received it. I also questioned I asked what would have happened if we did not have the money to pay the forfeiture because we had to find where did the forfeiture money go. So, the forfeiture money, of course, was counted as an expense or counted as revenue. And so, therefore, we would
009have we counted as revenue last fiscal year. Um and so, therefore, we would have to pull it out of fund balance to go back. >> Now, that was not this fiscal year. >> No, sir. That was the previous >> previous fiscal year. >> Yes, sir. >> Any other questions before action is taken? Mr. Love? >> Well, I know some investigation had to be done, but that was a long time ago. That's embarrassing when the court threatens to take action against the school system because we can't get our money paid back. So, things like that keep getting pushed to the back burner. It seem like anything from finance keeps getting pushed to the back burner, and that stuff needs to be taken care of. Okay. Man, do you have your hand up? >> No, you already
010you answered. >> Okay. I asked it. >> And you answered. Yes, sir. I'm sorry. >> All right. Good. Any other question? All right. Let's do the amendment separate. Uh The first one for the Uh fines and forfeitures. >> Make motion to approve the budget amendment number >> [snorts] >> you recommend. I recommend that you approve the the first budget amendment regardless of the fines and forfeitures. >> The first one is for the computer. Number six is the fines and forfeitures. >> So, we recommend budget amendment number five, which is for the laptop computers for the Board of Education to be approved. >> All right. Is there a motion to that effect? Ms. Black. You second. All right. Any further discussion on that? All in favor of that budget I'm sorry. Amendment raise your hand. Opposed.
011>> Most of the class have a deal. >> Second amendment. >> Second budget amendment is on budget amendment number six for the fines and forfeitures repayment. >> All right. >> Yes, I make a >> All right. You second. Any discussion? Now, I I read some. I want to make sure I understand this now. Let me clear. Uh The day is uh >> 8 September. >> 8. All right. When would that be paid? If approved or not. >> If approved or not, the check will be cut tomorrow. Okay. And we would have it on >> Okay. And then that releases their fines and forfeitures to us. Is that correct? All right. You have any idea how much that is? >> The fines and forfeitures usually only runs about $3,000 to $4,000 a month. >> A month?
012Okay. Okay. >> It's not a lot of That was the largest fines and forfeitures which we've ever received. >> All right. All right. >> And then it got taken back. >> Okay. Yeah, yeah. So, Brooke, do you do you have to take that back to the county and then they give it back or can you take that directly to the clerk? >> I will take it directly to um the clerk. >> So, it don't have to funnel back through the Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Is there any way that we can like put this somewhere and like keep it for the pulpit just to make sure it doesn't happen or it just has to be go straight in? >> It has to go straight so it's um Are you talking about like holding funds
013and forfeitures for stuff like this? This is the first time and I've been here since 2018 that I've ever seen it have to go back. And I think it's because of the amount. Like I don't We've never had any to my knowledge that we have um had to send back to the clerk of courts office cuz like I said, usually it's only about $3,000, $4,000 a month and this one the original bonds and forfeitures was I think $75,000 and then they um took back the $63,000. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments on that? All right. It's been moved and properly seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor of that raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried. That brings us to the next item. Now we get to >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a
014motion we adjourn from the special call meeting. >> It's seconded by Mr. Smith. Any discussion on that? All in favor raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried. Now, the posted work session that we're in there are two things we were discussing today. Yeah.