BOE Regular recurrent meeting

001Good morning, everyone. Glad to welcome everyone today, especially the day after Mother's Day. I always say this, you can't find a place to eat on Mother's Day. The following day, you can get takeout and everything. I hope you all got that. At this time, I ask you for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Stand up, please. Thank you. 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. First, I am a minister to approve of the minutes of April 27th, 2026. There was a motion to that effect. Ms. Blackwell, regular second and any discussion? Thumbs up. Go ahead. Um, I think it said that on page two on finished business,

002it said um the trainer that it should have been the athletic director. Got it, Ms. Kim. Blackwell Yes, I know. Any other? No further discussion. All in favor, raise your hand. Opposed, motion carried. Thank you. Approval of the agenda. Ms. Smith I wanted to add um something to the agenda. >> What is it? The hood box that D. Carter recommended from the high school, it was $9,999.99. It come from Title 1 funds. I would like to add that. Okay. Anything else? Mr. Luke Uh I'd like to add back for discussion the um tiered buses and school times. Okay. Anything else? I have CTE I'll put on there CTE. I mean EC program I want to get it but just say that with you. Anything else? Move motion to approve the additions. I have those three

003additions. Do I hear a second and any discussion? If not, all in favor, raise your hand. Opposed, motion carried. Thank you. Announcements, Mr. Luke. Well, good morning everyone. Good morning. I hope every mother in the face of in the place had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Hopefully we celebrate Mother's Day each and every day. We do have some exciting things going on going on in Castle County schools. One of first, I'll discuss and share that you may have seen in the media and the news about the Canvas breach. Um that does impact our students. However, the Canvas um breach is not just localized to Calvin County schools. It's to the entire state and all other states and country. We actually have a conference meeting today to talk about next steps. I think the school mostly

004impacted by that would be the high school cuz they use Canvas the most. And so, when we get more updates, we will get that out to the community. I also want to recognize and highlight our track team. Our track team has several state qualifiers. As you know, our indoor track team uh went to uh did quite well, but our outdoor track team participated last Thursday, and we have eight state qualifiers who will be traveling to North Carolina A&T State University this Thursday. So, we're looking forward to great results from being able to I also just want to um announce that we did submit our budget request proposal last Monday, May 4th, to the county commissioners, and we're just waiting to see um have the discussion regarding the budget barriers um status. Also, know that uh

005later today later this morning, we'll also be celebrating uh champions. So, again, our our volleyball students champions will be on their way momentarily. But, also just want to understand that we're very thankful for all the hard work cuz last week was Educator Appreciation Week, and we'll be having a big culminating event this Wednesday with our MVP banquet, where we'll recognize various uh employees for Teacher of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, Principal of the Year, and our staff. We have a big celebration. We're looking forward to that in a in Kentucky Derby style, which is our theme, this upcoming Wednesday. And um the other update that I have is I'm very thankful for all the great work we've done this school year. Today is May 11th, and so we're pressing forward for the remainder

006of the school year to ensure that our students finish the year strong, and we want to thank every educator. That means every bus driver, every cafeteria worker, everyone who works in the school system is an educator in some form or fashion. So, we want to thank each and every one of them for what they do and how they do because without everyone, we cannot support our most important um commodity here in Gaston County, our children. So, our athletic our athletic volleyball team is coming in and let's give them a round of applause while they're coming in. We have Mr. Hayes here to introduce the girls to present this wonderful Cub volleyball team to us. Uh good morning everybody. Good morning. Um I'm Miss Golden. You know, this is our wonderful, awesome, awesome, awesome uh girls

007volleyball team. They played an outstanding job. What's so outstanding? They're students first and they have been great students and then athletes second. And they have worked extremely hard, um been champions. And when I was initially doing it, they were champions then and they're champions again. So, kudos to these young ladies and uh Bessemer City High School is getting ready to have some outstanding athletes uh coming to Bessemer City High School for the upcoming school year. So, kudos to these young ladies, Miss Woods, uh coach and also Miss Miller and we have our AD as well. If you want to say anything. Come on, coach. Uh yeah, come on, ladies. All right, I'm ready. So, uh yeah, like uh Miss Golden said, this this group of girls are pretty amazing. Um they they work so hard

008in the classroom and in addition to that, um they're they're athletes. Um >> Well, in your calmness, they recognize you. That makes a difference. I hope you continue that over in the hospital now. Will I get a snapshot of him today? Yes. Yeah, that makes Y'all set up like Zalt's on the back of the brown sofa. Zalt has a little bit, yeah. This side has a little bit. I hope I hope everyone right there with this in the back of the neck. Okay, yeah. Slide, slide, slide. It's a little bit doctor. Next to the back of the Here we go. Also, we're going to have two or three shots to see which way we got it right and then I'm going to use Miss Scarlett's fancy phone cuz it might work better than mine. Very

009good. Good job. There you go. Go one up here. Okay, next item of business is voters' comments. We have a number to sign with Miss Alice Robinson. You have a good view. We made so much time >> Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Robinson. Hold on just a minute. We're going to get you there. We're going to go on the public side of this because we're having trouble with this. No problem. I can keep it on here. >> You keep it on yours. Yes, sir. When you get to 2 and 1/2, just give me a signal. Yes, sir. All right, you can drop. Good morning again. All right. Based on the last readings that I have on the TV here, I don't I've gone back and this scripture continues to come to my mind.

010And this morning, as I came downstairs, I was able to go and put my hands on it, which means that I'm being obedient to the spirit. So, I'm going to read Proverbs 6:16-19. And this is what it says. There are six things the Lord hates. Seven that are detestable to him. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, And a person who stirs up conflict in the community. I don't know why I was led to read that. I just believe that there's somebody here who needs to hear it. Thank you. Anyone else want to offer comments who did not sign up? Reports of the Unfinished business. New business. Item number one of

011the consent agenda. Is there a motion to accept the consent agenda? >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Bell. Seconded by Mr. Bell. Any discussion? Yes, Mr. Mr. I just had a quick question on the computers. The CTE computers for Hillside Court. What exactly is that? Every kid has a Chromebook. What are What are these Chromebooks for? I I have no success with the Chromebooks. So, um we have um a plan that was implemented or trying to be implemented several years ago. Um which is to be able to refresh Chromebooks gradually. Everybody has a Chromebook, but they all have a limited lifespan, which is usually about 5 years. So, we come up with a plan to see if we can start gradually uh refreshing Chromebooks so that if we don't let them all die at the same

012time when we have to come up with a lot of funds like we did when we did uh when we had the SR funds to be able to refresh everything. So, moving forward from that point, the idea and the the suggestion for the board was to plan to do that gradually, but of course that is pending on fund uh availability of funding. So, last year was the first year when we started that process of uh refreshing, so we were able to refresh 300 Chromebooks last year with the funds that we had available at the moment which was title one. And this year some of the title one funds are being committed to the other projects. So this year we have funds from the CTE and from RLIS funds that we're going to be able to

013do start with 100. We don't know if we're going to have any additional funds before the the end of the year where they might be able to do a little bit more than that but right now it seems that we can afford 100 and that's what we're trying to do. So I know we have a lot of computer courses at the middle school. And they use their Chromebooks for that. Also do they have to buy computers in addition to the Chromebooks for that course? As far as I know the requirement for that class can be fulfilled with Chromebooks. Chromebooks. Thank you, sir. I Yes. I remember us talking about not waiting to try to do it all. What's the question? If I have enough funds you can do that. I give you the floor. Any

014other? All right, no further discussion. I will entertain a motion to generate Vote. What's your vote, thank you. Uh I know we have a few transfer request procedures to discuss. Yes, we wanted to just even video packet or your latest transfer request procedure discussion. This one we'll seek the input from the board in regards to will the um 18.8 million dollar grant from Oakland from the Oakland Unified how that salary I mentioned next year um we anticipate and have already begun some discussions regarding asking for a transfer to another school site. And so [clears throat] we just wanted to um revisit what our current procedures are. And just want to make sure that we were in line with the board's intentions in regards to the year we began to get a large number of transfer

015requests. Just know that once we get your transfer requests, um that that changes the way school may look for students side with students going from one side to another side. It's all about the number of students. So, with the numbers, we must continue to watch it because if we over There's too many transfers, we may have to consolidate some staff adjustments as well as the K2 um the K3 legislation for class size. So, we just want to remind the board and public that we have a transfer request process and if any kind of session the board wanted to have regarding the current process and if they wanted to do differently in light of the whole COVID situation since this is something we've never dealt with. Well, just to start you off, the form that we

016have there, I think it's a good form. The The situation that comes up, you need to monitor each school in terms of their numbers. All the kindergartners that's coming in cuz we've always done it kindergartners, you know. Parent A may want to go to school B rather than school A. If the numbers are available, you know, we we've done that. But you don't want to overload yourself and say because there used to be a time people in the outline schools and they kind of wanted to come to Yancey. We had people working extension and all that. But we still need to monitor what we're doing. Uh I got an email I think it was last week. A parent had a unique situation. And for that person, it would be good for that person to apply

017for a transfer. That would probably solve his or her problem. But at the same time, we need to be aware of every transfer that we approve. Because once you approve it, the parent say, you approved me, this is where I'm going. So, make sure you look at the numbers. And I know they're going to change during the summer but kids move or whatever. Kids are moving. And I think if we do it that way, we'll stay on top of it. It's not going to be 100% perfect, but it will be a good start because this is unique what we're doing. Actually, some kids may be closer to the south than they are Oakwood, vice versa. Some kids may want to go to North, Stony Creek. But we just need to be mindful of where we

018are using the current form. Make sure our numbers are good. Is that I just have one comment. I guess on the actual application itself, it says annual renewal is required for all transfers. But then the letter that sent out says the annual renewal for this request is not required. And that's been the case for my my child in the school. But I mean, I guess I'm thinking if I do the application, I'm thinking I might do whatever we need. So, I guess we need to make both of them work on the application and the letter. Because some parents, once they do it one time, they they just completely forget about it and they don't read the fine print. We need to make sure they do. I thought we got it. But in my situation, I

019went to do it the second time and then I was told I didn't have to write Cuz you already been approved. Right. Mr. Lewis? Well, two things. I guess to Mr. Knight's point, inner county transfers, I guess they've never had to be renewed or out of county had to be had to be done. But maybe that word is needed. I I don't think we probably need that word, but I think that's the general rule. Um the second thing is I mean, my recommendation would be that maybe we put something out that we would like, due to this Oakwood situation, we would like to have all transfers submitted by, say, July 1st. And the superintendent can bring us a spreadsheet in July meeting because then if we need to move a teacher, we got time to

020do so because it be nice to accommodate when we can. I understand we got to watch classroom size, but it may be you have enough kids transferring that you can take a K-3 teacher from this school and put them at this school where the most population is. Uh, but I do think we ought to look at it in one spreadsheet and make a decision based on a few here and a few there and kind of put a deadline. I mean, I'm not saying we wouldn't approve any after the fact, but if the bulk of your folks that want to transfer is to let us know by then then you can get it to us that last meeting in July. Last week of July Where we don't meet No, we only meet once in July. It'll

021be at the end. It'll be at the end. It'll be too late. I would I would think it would be since we're starting early, we have less time. And so if if if it pleases the board Last of June. Let's Let's have a last of June and then we have some more to come back, we bring them as Okay. So you need to set your deadline like the first part of June. Correct. So we have a couple weeks for people. So with our last meeting in June, we can bring to the board for You don't think that give us that month of July to get the logistics and staff and we may still get continue to get that in. But we need to go ahead and have a book by then. Because with the bus

022routes cuz they're leaving they're leaving one scenario Right. that impacts that one scenario. So it's all about Now, how would you How would you notify the parents? Through our process Department of Enrollment deadline. No, no. You send communication to the parents. So we would use our we would >> We would use our normal our open sign we use our normal talking points to message and a letter to let them know about that and we would do a And a letter? And a Okay. We would do a memo home. Good. And talking points. We could also use um the old fashioned putting in the book bag and put back in the home. Okay. okay. Sometimes the book bag doesn't make it home. >> Correct. >> that's why I asked. We can also put it on our

023social media. I mean, we can put it on all our That's how I think our communication isn't a getting it to our families isn't a isn't going to be an issue. Okay, we want to make sure that we get the consistent message out. Got you. And the reason we brought this to you so that if we were approached, you understood what our transfer process and things were as well. May I say something, Mr. Bane? Yes. So, I um one thing that the boy have to keep in mind is that you you can definitely control what the side plan first, you know, from within this school district. But, the only thing that you have to remember is that there there's others that move to that area where you don't have control. And you don't have a

024choice but letting in in that school. Yes. So, that's something to keep in mind because that's the problem that we're running into already at Northwood Elementary when the boy has approved transfers early in the year and then you have all these families moving to that area not necessarily from another area within Castleberry from out of the state or from somewhere else. And now they don't have a choice but go to North. And that creates a burden on Northwood Elementary with classes that are being overloaded. So, something to keep in mind that you can control within transfers but you don't know who's going to go there that you cannot control later. And that's what one of the procedures that we think and we suggest suggesting is Saddle can have a windows in the school year when

025you can approve transfers and not anytime of the year because that way Saddle can have an idea how is the the demographics of the the population in in those zones when those schools are But, this is going to be unique. Uh the situation we're in is is unique. Right. And it's not going to be perfect, but at the same time, if we give the parents a window, Mhm. then you know, it's up to them to react. >> Yes. Because independently of what is going on with Northwood, that is a right in issue. Good. So, That's going to be it. Mhm. That'll be So, communication I thought on the that there's some Well, there's some kids that are in the North District but they go to Oak Hill. They don't have to complete a transfer form.

026Us, they transfer to Oak Hill but they're but they're in the North District. So some of the parents are saying, "Well, I'll just let my kid go to North cuz it's easier for me to do North than South." So you got to think about that. A handful of kids that are doing that. I know to my understanding, I have not heard them go to Oak Hill then North then Oak Hill then go back to North. Those haven't been the calls we received. But that is on the radar. Just think about this. Some of them are saying now they may just let their kid go to North. So that's some group of kids you might not have on North's list because they are transferring to Oak Hill. And so it may be beneficial. I'm just saying

027out loud it'd be beneficial for us to reach out to those families to see what their intentions are. And we also want to make sure that everyone knows that if you're going to transfer from Oak Hill to North, the transportation is not provided. They have to provide their own transportation unless That's it. Unless they're Unless it's in a debate of service. But see they wouldn't be on North's list. >> Is it or what? But they ride they are in the North District. Right. That's it. Mr. Smith. Just two concerns brought up to me were one of them was like the teacher within the school district. If you have a kindergarten student then having to wait the same amount of times as everybody else to know if their kindergarten student is going to be accepted into

028a different district than they live in the school they teach in. I understand and explained to them the reason we do this is we don't have to apply a size. Another concern that was brought to me that I didn't realize was from a parent only that her children store. Her kid two children go to Oak Hill and one of them goes to the Rainbow Center when they get out of school. And I don't know how many kids go to daycare at the Rainbow Center or after school care once they get done, but that's something we need to consider, too. Is it a bus or we The transport. Does the bus take him from Rainbow to No, to us. Does the bus stop Oakwood's bus brings him to me. Okay. Okay, got you. He's been on

029the bus stop. It would just be longer. It would just probably Okay. Yeah, so it would be like it would be if the parent wants Rainbow to be the afternoon bus stop, they would identify that on their transportation form. And so if they if they're coming from Millbrook or wherever, north, south, wherever well, depending on the zone of the school and the area, they will have transportation. But we have some happening bus stops, so we're good. Okay. Okay. It's going to be a lot of logistics, a lot of moving pieces, but we want to get ahead of it as best we can. Anybody else? All right. So I just want to clarify. We're going to put the communication out, and we'll be bringing the majority of this to the board at the last meeting in

030June. I understand we may still have something in July, and then we'll continue to monitor the assignment of the students who may be at North or Oakwood or whatever, and eventually we'll talk about those status of Is that it? Will that letter go out to all the children uh To the board, to the entire Oakwood community who's Oakwood is their district. So this letter that we're doing is only for Oakwood? Yeah, but we're sending a communication out to Oakwood because that's the most impacted community. Okay. I just, you know, uh Unless the board I'm thinking that Unless the board has given us another directive. Well, I'm thinking that balance may be because we're dealing with transfers, and if if we're talking about a new procedure or doing some things, it's just to send the letter

031out so that everybody will be made aware of it, that if anybody wants to do the transfers or, you know, that they have that knowledge. Because that could that could impact Mr. I was going to say I tend to agree just for the fact of I know it only impacts our growth, but let's just [clears throat] say that a Sunny Creek student wanted to transfer to North. They don't get it before that deadline, we make decisions. I don't want a parent to come I can say I didn't know. Right. Right. So, if you put it out, the whole county that June whatever is going to be the cut-off date, if you put in after that point, you may not be approved because we got to determine class size. Um I mean, they might may not

032be approved anyway, but you know, They give it up. If they don't put it in before July 1 and we've already moved a teacher and filled a class, then when Mr. Such said we got to leave a little bit of room for error for people moving and uh I've heard of There's there's the young I've heard of some folks that go to Oakwood that just said they're going to register their kid at North. We won't have a record of that until they go to the city to personally do it. Um so, we got to leave a little bit of room for error in each grade level. And so, I was going to remind if you look at the second letter, I I I don't think we've had a rescinded in a long um but this

033might be the year we have to say no and then some spaces if if there's an influx of kids to the school, we have to say no and one of the board members will be able to provide those there. There are there are there are on special assignment for example, 100 new kids would be a great problem to have um who would come into North. Some of those on special assignment may have to go back to their home school. They don't decide on a local basis. Just I I don't think in the history since I know I said I've been in Castle at the front waiting at North Castle we haven't we haven't had one since. Just want to make sure that is an option that may be possible. All right. any other discussion on

034that matter? Okay. All right, let's move on. All right, next we have Edmentum, Exact Path. So, uh Federal Programs Director will come on up. Good morning. Good morning. I'm I'm here this morning to request the purchase uh or the funding to purchase some Exact Path uh for NL Dillard Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. Um in the handout that was provided, I did go over some of the key components. You probably noticed that it's similar to what we're currently using, which is i-Ready. Um Ms. Golick has been doing quite a bit of research and working with different vendors to see if we can find something that's a bit more cost-effective um that has some of the same components. So, Edmentum is very similar to i-Ready in terms of the key components. It still offers

035a diagnostic. Um it still has the personalized learning path. Um the biggest difference is number one, cost, and number two, it offers um instructional resources for science and social studies, which i-Ready does not offer. Um and so, Ms. Golick is looking for some additional um resources and interventions to support the science and social studies teachers in addition to ELA and math. So, the request is for um you see a 3-year um quote. So, the request is for $18,888.66 and or 86 cents, excuse me. And that would be using her school level Title I funds if approved. I'd be glad to answer any questions you have. >> Any questions anybody? So, this is Go ahead. So, this will be um done during the class? Yes, ma'am. So, right now they have it set up so um

036they actually have certain days of the week where they spend roughly 25 to 30 minutes and the students are actually working on their personalized learning path. So, that's currently in place for I-Ready. It would be very similar for Edgenuity because it still does offer that exact path. It's This one's called Exact Path. I-Ready is called MyPath. Very similar. How would they incorporate that social studies and science with the social studies and science teacher? Mhm. Sure. Well, our goal is to incorporate obviously just to have an instructional resource, a supplemental resource for our science and social studies teachers to pull, um which they do not have that currently with I-Ready. Um but we've also started to incorporate more um social studies content specifically in the ELA block. Um and so, that would be really beneficial for

037us to continue to use that our instructional coaches to build those into the curriculum guides. I did I just I just want to add that it's a 3-year agreement, but it the 18,000 doesn't pay for the entire 3 years. Correct. That's per There You see the cost. Typically, the quote is lower if you ask for a multi-year quote. Um you don't have any obligation to commit to 3 years. Um but we And I can verify that when we make payment if approved by Thank you. Anyone else? Make a motion to approve. Is there a second? Regular meeting discussion. All in favor, raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried. Thank you. Thank you. We have a policy um number 17 40 4010 um parent leave ins. We have a policy, but we did not have a

038form for parents to submit for that. So, what you'll see in this form is a draft form that that board's input on um so that we have a form that we make available on our website at the school sites and the handbook to send out to give. Uh that was a need cuz we right now we don't have a form that's big enough to be Any discussion on that? It just makes us cover every base. That we have nothing to say. Are there any changes? Yeah. I guess my one question is So I see where down there it says, "Who do you feel has violated or misapplied the policy, statute, regulation, or made improper decisions?" So I guess should we add who this grievance is being filed against because for example, if a teacher does

039that, they would file a grievance to the principal. Okay. And if they don't feel like the principal did it right, then they would file a grievance to the superintendent. It would still be on the teacher, but they would be disputing the decision that was made in the principal's office. And then if they feel like you didn't handle that right, then it would still be on the teacher, but they would be going against you. So I think maybe we need to add in there at what level are they filing the grievance. So this could be filled out This could be filled out like four times. Uh against the teacher, against the principal, against superintendent, and the board would be the final say. So if somebody just give us the language you're looking for and they This

040is our draft we can give. Uh So you can add if a grievance is not I mean they if they're not satisfied, I got to put a policy in there for that specific language and policy and state A, B, and C. I think we just need to know who they're following the grievance against each time. I don't know if there's a checkbox which is principal, superintendent, to the board, or they list it out. Yeah, we can add a checkbox. Also the info decision made by citizens. Resolved, not resolved, makes it double. Cuz if I'm here if I'm doing the hearing, then I'm probably going to see this paperwork that was given to the principal and the teacher. I probably want to see the copy that is filed against the principal and how far it goes

041just so that we know. But other than that, I think it's good. So just add a checklist of what level the grievance is. Just be sure to follow up. Will you I'm done. Go ahead. Will you also make sure our board attorney takes a look at that form We'll bring it back next meeting for the first reading and put all that in there. We got it. Totally. We have a draft. I added in some updates to it so you got to see it. Okay. So then That'd be good. I know your next meeting stays the same so Okay. That'd be sufficient. Have a great Thank you. All right. That was fast. All right. So as you remember at the beginning of the school year we asked for a traffic analysis for three school sites. Following

042us to high school North Elementary and Oakwood Elementary. And so the Oakwood Elementary we have gone through the uh traffic operation analysis and we have a few options that we want to get some board feedback on. So I'll yield to Mr. Ceci. Uh and possibly Mr. Burnett if necessary as we were all on this committee to explain to you what you're what you need feedback from the board. So uh basically in the document that you have received uh at the at the very end, the last two pages, it shows option C and option D. The reason you don't have an option A, B, that is because in the committee, those were like out of the question based on the feasibility. So, these are the two feasible options that the DOT is is recommending. And so,

043we have to make a decision which one which way we want to go. Of course, each one of them has advantages and disadvantages. Uh as you see, option C is to plan to create that snake driveway in front of the in that lot in front of the school to allow more cure for parents to to go through and then convert it into two lanes as you see the two uh dotted um dots uh right lines going into the school that way. And that that that would look similar to the way it was before, the most recent change we were making, which is going through the Oakwood Drive and Santa Monica straight. There would there would be a driveway going uh along that uh uh what's going to be currently the open forest there. Um so,

044that's that's pretty much straightforward. Now, this option B, the difference is instead of building in that area, it uh we're putting a a driveway uh along around the school building. And coming back uh in the in the behind the cafeteria to drop the kids in that area. The end. The um This is probably in terms of uh cost, it's probably less costly, but at the same time, it provides additional access to the school building and school campus as we had it, like for instance, if you look at the uh elementary school, it has a driveway that goes uh in the back, so it's very convenient for uh maintenance and other services to be able to serve the school that way. Uh additionally, option B uh will also probably match in combination with what we're trying

045to do with ABA compliance at the school. Currently, we don't have any way to bring wheelchairs out. When they evacuate the school for drills, they have to bring wheelchairs through the grass area. By doing this, one of the ideas that was shared by Brady is to uh connect with the sidewalk to a driveway. We have a driveway around the building, but so far they're not talking about a driveway for Brady to build in the in the school based on on the note we have. So, those are the two different ones that we we have for your consideration and for input. We have to meet again with with them again and let them know we're going to go with C or we're going to go with D because it's, you know, like I said, it's disadvantages

046and advantages of both both ways. Mr. Nokes, now talk about this last week. Uh propose to go around the school in terms of funding. Explain that to me. They'd build a driveway around the school on the back. So, um instead of expanding the the whatever funding that we be able to obtain from DOT, But that's what I'm asking. Mhm. Okay. Yeah, this is both of these options. All right. Are uh uh proposed by DOT and they're going to reach out to provide funding for that. Do you have a timetable for that? Uh it's usually around a year. We have something different. Did you have your hand up? Yes, sir. Um my question is, okay, I like C. The reason why I'm going to make only You have parents like to get here extremely early. So,

047what provides safety over here on the back side of the cafeteria the kids go to that playground. It's kind of like a no what kids in the blacktop. You got parents coming up through there and kids are playing. Safety issues. So that's one thing that I really don't like about the D is because what about those kids you know when you kids get outside you can't control when they start running. >> Yeah so so when we discussed in the committee uh on that option if that's the option that we would like to do um it's just like um it's not a gate that would that that could be located there but some sort of a uh pole um horizontal pole to stop traffic to getting to drive way before the time for people to come

048around. So parents can do like they do now they come up to certain point and they stop there and then when it's time for dismissal they're open that gate for them to come to be able to come over. So one of the ideas is as you see that red dot coming into the what is called now the playground. So there will be something to stop them there. Okay kind of like with buses. Where the buses is they will be a stop there with a pole and then allow that traffic to go in when they're ready to go. That's that's one safety How is that going to work if they do it over Yes. And so I want to put this in context. We know that we have construction coming to Oakwood and there's going to

049be some ADA upgrades. The ADA upgrades for Oakwood does not will not include building a road around the school. Okay I just want to say that first. They're going to work on the sidewalk so as soon as they can get out of the building and get away from the building but the sidewalk will stop somewhere and where that sidewalk stops it's going to be grass or gravel. Okay? The other piece is you began this work before we knew we had the grant. Now this DOT study they help us find funding sources for and at some point in time at the time I think there was a plan to put a road or something in behind what we were building, but it didn't come to fruition. So, there are multiple things that we need access around

050that building to operate on it to to be able to cuz you can't get around it. This is probably the best time to do it because one, the students will be somewhere else. We've got different funding sources coming in to work there. This is happening here in association with 18.8 in the meet space, man. So, we can have We've got a year to get two things done that we're going to make the operations of this building much better. The question that we're asking is between option C and option D, which one are we going to go for? And there's pluses and minuses for each. You know, because if we don't, eventually we're still going to probably have to put a road around around the back of the school. And then we have we would be

051on the hook to find that funding source. But there And there's not I mean, we don't have that I mean, I'm just trying to put it in plain. I'm not I want to be transparent. Open we got multiple ways we can go. But we don't want to make sure whether cuz we got students the same thing. We've got functionality. We've got operating costs. And we've got budgets to to consider because if there's an emergency and the EMS has to go around the back of the school, a road around it would be would happen just like the one we have behind the building. But I just want to put that in context. How do you estimate? Yes, sir. So, those who were at the Oakwood meeting, so federal law states that these sidewalks all the way

052around this building will connect to a parking lot. So, whether we build the road now around the school or before construction's over with, we will have a road around this building to be ADA compliant. And that is federal law. Okay. So, whether we pay it out of local or we use DOT funds now, one way or the other, we're probably going to have to build a road to finish this project. Superintendent, did not Well, any guy have I like option D. I don't know. This is my concern. The same thing, kids running from the building to the playground, but uh you know, if we put the gates up to know Somebody got to manage that with the people in the park. So, are you You recommend option D, Superintendent? So, recommending with input from the

053board option B because it gives us more for the bang I for the work that we get done. I mean, it helps solve multiple problems. Multiple concerns. I do not want to ignore, you understand? I understand the the supervision issue that comes up with having a road around the back of the school. So, we will have to make sure we have some things in place to ensure supervision is still there because of course our student safety is our first priority. However, um in the allowance to the safety, if something happens, we got to be able to get to them. And this road does allow us additional access to get to the students. Anyone else? You are just asking for a motion for this plan so we can go after funding. So, what has >> to

054admit to it. What has to happen is we didn't feel comfortable making the decision because we had to bring it to the board anyway. Therefore, example, we could have said we were going to bring option D to the board, but we saw pluses and minuses with both, but we wanted to be transparent. We we were kind of back and forth on the two because we wanted to check with construction to see how the design phase versus completed. But we wanted you to see both options because if the question might have came up, "Why didn't they do something before the school was run?" We want to make sure that you saw that we took a very comprehensive look at solving the problem. And let's see if we can use that because what DOT does is once

055board approves it, we submit to them, they submit it for a funding source. And then >> [clears throat] >> that happens. Just like we did with the high school and student anticipating one. So, this one if if you approve then they will take it back to them, they revise or replace the document to show on the thing as the option approved by the board and then they go from there. So, then what happens with a parent I guess that is coming to pick up their kid at 1:30. Are they going to take this path all the way around to come to the primary school or is there going to be another way for them to enter? Because if we block the gate, they won't be able to get around to the front if they take

056that path. So, just want to make sure it's not too confusing for the parent that they understand So, like they're coming at different times. >> The way I see it like like we do now when they come earlier, they got to be stopped right before they block any uh open drive. So, in in this situation, they're going to be blocked before they even get into the buses. But I'm not saying what if I'm not picking up at 3:00. What if What if I have a child who has a doctor's appointment and I got to go pick them up at 3:00? Okay, so that's a regular check out. So, they So, would they go just in the outward drive and do so? Yeah, so parents will need to be informed that they need to park when

057they do that. And that's what they do it now. They need to park and then check out the student. And then is there any way to get any additional parking when we do this? Because the width is pretty tight now. You know, I've been over there before and there's nowhere to park. So, this study only studies traffic, but um then we You know where those trees are to the left of when you go through where the buses go in at? Either to the right or to the left. There There are trees on both sides. Yeah. Can you put a park in there where that could be probably additional parking? Well, DOT Yeah, I'm saying for DOT to look >> But DOT, they're not going to do anything regarding Okay. parking space. Can't do that. They

058can only do They just trying to be sure that parents are not I'm just trying to carry this out. Fair enough. They're not going to put that on our playground or anything like that. Oh, yeah. That's right. You got to stop the stops. I got to give you that. I'll put it out there. I'll put it out there. We give you that. But I think I don't know if you don't have No, they're very clear. They're telling you you have to give them an option. But you know, the funniest thing about it is always been that way ever since school opened. Uh with staff and everybody the parking is just limited. You know, the only way you can do that is you local or whatever to which is not the gravel area. I had to

059cut the gravel road. Well, see, that's what we did with the the buses. We graveled that part to have a little room to it. That's something we may need to take a look at. All right, then. So, I'll make a motion that we allow the superintendent to proceed with option D. Is there a second? Is there further discussion? Now, all in favor, raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried. All right. Who would rather wait? All right. Next item number six is an extension of the mineral contract to June. Is there a motion to that effect? Mr. Blackmon? I'll make a I'll make a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Now, all in favor, raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried 43. Thank you. Item number seven, this was added. Mr. Smith, you had it.

060I just want to make a motion that we approve the title one funds to be used for the hub box at the high school for the $9,999.99. Mr. Smith. Moved and properly seconded. Any discussion on that? Now, is it I saw the note that you sent. Will she have this in time if we approve? There's a chance. There's a chance. Um but it can be used though this can be used outside at graduation. It can be used it's waterproof. It can be rotated anywhere you need to use it within the school. It sounded like it was it it can be used for multiple multiple things. Good. But in order for it to be title one Okay. Any other discussion on that? So this this is what they when we last met >> Right. talking about

061that. No further discussion? All in favor of that motion raise your hand. Opposed? Get it to a vote or something and send it up. That's right. Good. Item number uh I'm sorry. Number eight. Right. Uh Tim Bussey. Give your comment about what you told me about what has to be done time-wise. So we have to submit to the state our start and end times so that our system that makes bus routes can work properly. After the last board meeting um we went ahead and proceeded with that that that was the decision. So if there's any further discussion and a decision be made it is my earnest I'll bring it to the board that we do it today because if we got to undo something then we we've already submitted those time frames to the state

062based off the last board meeting decision. And with school starting earlier we have a very short window of time to properly schedule bus routes. So you would call staff recommended by committee um last time for school start time and I know that's the vote with the with the motion was made the way it went and it's now for re- discussion but just want to make sure that we cannot wait until June to then make the decision. We need a decision yesterday. Um because it requires us to with this a matter. It's It's a It's a misprint I have about missing a thing, but come on up, but I think I'm saying it correctly. It's a domino effect. Once we got the time, we can start doing the little bit because we've already sent out bus

063request forms. Sent the request forms to families. So, if they start with no bus routes. Okay. Am I clear on that? Great discussion. You want to say something, Fresh Bread? Okay, good. You're good. Well, you know, the I'll just say the reason I voted no was because of the parent concerns that I've got about the middle school starting late and being able to drop kids off. Um so, actually, our principal reached out to some of us during after our last meeting, and I had a conversation with that principal, and I had a conversation with some other folks. You know, if we flip it, and we have high school and middle school go early, and elementary go late, we're already set up for before and after school care in our elementary schools. So, it kind of

064solves everything that parents are complaining about, at least the ones in my district, which is they can still drop off, we can put an hour in between, um and still make, I guess, the tiered busing work. Um just with the flip. We used to not take elementary until 8:30. And then we switched it back because we were getting enough hours. We needed to add some time back to the day, but um most of the time I was on the board and prior to COVID and we come back from COVID, we didn't take elementary until like 8:25 or 8:30. Um so, I mean, really, we could take the middle school in at 7:15 and high school at 7:30, and take elementary at 8:30, and I guess tiered busing would work cuz I understand y'all need an

065hour. Yes. Sure, right. Our frame. Yes. And I guess the big thing for me is after before and after school care is in place at our elementary [clears throat] school, we don't have to do a lot of maneuvering. The parents need it, it's there, and it kind of solves, to me everything everybody's complaining about. So, that's why I wanted to be brought back up cuz I've been doing a lot of thinking about it and trying to talk to folks and you know, I think it works all the way around. Our kids won't have to miss school at the high school and middle school, they're having to get out early for sporting events. Really, they would already be out. Very seldom would we have to pull them from class like we would when we go later.

066And the ones that work can go to their job, so I don't know how everybody else feels, but this is my thoughts on what I think about that. And you don't have a multitude of drivers to pick from. That's correct. And this helps. Yes. Tremendously. I understand. I know. I was going to ask about Stony Creek. I know I've heard them say they don't do the before and after school care. So, if you did that, and I remember some parents when they came that night, they talked about, you know, wanting to bring their kids to different places and having to drop their kids off. So, would we be able to have before school care here, there, and at least with the before school If there's a need >> so they can drop their kids off.

067I think we already discussed it and I don't know if we have enough kids. How many kids would that be? And that could change. I think we approved it over the summer and you have to have five kids to make it profitable, but I don't think they could get five kids. Each elementary school has options for after school care. Okay. I heard the board's directive was to make sure that it was self-sustaining. So, we had to have a certain number of students enrolled. If that's the need and the need arises, then Stony Creek, Stony Creek will have a before and after school care. I'm not putting a time limit Benny, you have your hand up. Okay. Renee, you want to say something? No. Okay, I'm sorry. Any questions? Yeah, I just wanted to say that

068I did receive some calls because so we did the survey and the survey recommended that the year of us and and you know, we're going to put out new surveys. They felt like that needs to follow. All right, go ahead. But if you go into deep depth of the survey, the percentage flipped once you start reading all of the stuff in there, so it was kind of a little confusing to me how on the pie chart they went this way, but if you read in there, it was different. It didn't match up. I think you you talked about that. I think I said something about that. Yes, sir. So, so what happens is when you look at the comments, not everybody made a comment. So, you only reading certain percentage of the people that actually

069vote on choose one. So, their comments are not everybody cuz I was off. So, that that points made why it doesn't match. >> more that said no than the other head. You you said more. Go ahead. So, when I I don't have the pie in front of me, but that was my whole concern was if we looked at the pie, it was 50-something percent, around 60% that wanted the middle and the high school to still go in early, and then it was around 40% that did not. So, overall, it looked like the highest percentage did not want to change at the middle and high school. And the the feedback that I got from the high school were they were thrilled that they were still going to be going in early. So, I would be in

070agreement with what Joe has suggested if this would help the transportation department. Transportation would benefit irregardless of what you decide as long as you have an hour in between the Okay. Yes. So, let me hear my other question with the hour. So, we used to go in elementary a 6 and 1/2 hour day. Okay. And we always had our time. And then last year, when we had to move some time at Not this past year, but the year before it. We had to move some time at Christmas for snow, and our calendar person advised us that we didn't have enough time. And so, we moved it to a 7-hour day with 6 and 1/2 hours of instructional time. But it's my understanding that if we go 6 and 1/2 hours, we count we can count

071recess. So, really we're getting our 6 and 1/2 hour day still gives us 6 hours of instructional time. And that's the way it always was. And so, recess counts as instruction. >> Right. So, really we don't need to be going 7 hours at elementary. 6 and 1/2 hours gets us 6 hours of instructional. And that's the way it always was until last year. Uh even before Mr. Stone, so I would advise that so that that wasn't anything to do with him. We were told we had to extend the day out. Uh by Ms. Abbott and we did that and then we stuck to it and we put the times in for this year. Um but really we got a lot of time there wasn't calculated right. So, what I'm saying next year, really we only

072need our elementary to go 6 and 1/2 hours to get their time. And they'll have the same amount of time as the high school and middle school. So, we can cut 30 minutes off the day somewhere but we still need cured buses to work. So, do we start at 9:00? So, So, what is the great part of the day? Let's do a session refresh us on the legislation what it says for time and all because we cannot count transition. So, recess can be for time but but we did we count we count lunch we can count transition or lunch? Right. Lunch or transition are not instruction. So, we have The only thing that counts as instructional, the only time is recess. So, if you have a lunch which is 30 minutes and then you have

073transitions which is could be around I think principals we got feedback from principals about 15 minutes. So, we're looking at 45 minutes of non-instruction. So, uh so, that's the limit there that we have. So, then we can cut 15 minutes off of that. Yes. Yes. So, how do we do that and make the buses work? Do we go from 8:45 to 3:15? Or So so like if like one of the plans let's say you're going to start high school or middle school at 7:15. Then you can move it by 7:30. But all those plans were 7 hours for each system. We don't need 7 hours at the elementary school. But we still got to make two requests. You got to keep We need to keep the hour at least an hour between morning and afternoon

074for both. For that to work both ways. So to trim 15 more minutes off the middle starts going at 8:45 and go to 3:30. We don't need the 7-hour time frame at elementary. But if you So it'd be an hour and a hour and 15 minutes in the morning extra extra or between start times. Doing the secondary and elementary school and then an hour in the afternoon between that would work. Do you see what I'm saying, Mr. Ford? I see what you're saying, but but I want to make sure we're clear. And we're saying an hour and a half between, but we have not said what time we're going to start everything at the board's so Right. Although we're talking 7:15 to 7:35 and 9:00 to 12:00. >> What I said originally if we started

075dealing at 7:15 then we start the high school at 7:30. Based on the 7-hour mark we would right now we would start elementary from 8:30 to 3:30. Really we need to trim some time off of that. So we And you can't trim it in the evening because you don't give an hour for your buses to get back. So the only place you could trim it would be in the morning. So that would make it So you make 8.5 start time for elementary and high school and mass. Or do we keep it the same and just make the time? But but if we if we're going to gain 15 minutes, it would be better to give up 15 minutes at the middle school. So then it balance to 7:30 7:45 and 8:30. Yes, that's great. See

076but that would be more time in the middle school though. And the reason we have it where elementary was first is because research states that it's better for them in the morning. And I understand if you got to take, you know, getting high school anyway in the morning is always a tough. So, we I just heard we're looking at 7:30, 7:45, and then 8:30. 8:45 to 3:30. 8:45. 8:45. So, they would go 8:45 to 3:30 at the middle at the elementary school. 8:45 to 3:30. That's 6 hours and 45 minutes. So, time which would be 6 hours in the straight. And that is what we need. But, I'm liking it. All right, it's done. How does Thank god I don't have kids in school anymore. Should I say that now? But, with working, if I

077when I was working, I was blessed. My daughter was at North Long Beach for 2 years. I was able to drop them off and still make the trip and get there by 8:15 and I could work by 8:30. But, if this if school was out at 8:30, I would have a problem when my husband was working getting them to school and and me still trying to get to work on time. Five or five employees expecting me to be in work on time. So, I think that 8:45 start time for elementary school is could be an issue for some parents. Well, I agree with that, but the alternative was we were going to do the same thing at Dillard and we have no before school care at Dillard. At elementary, we have before school care there

078which gives a parent a option to drop that child off and pay for the before school care. That's why I asked to flip it because at Dillard, there is no option for parents that need to do that. At least at the elementary, we're offering a option that makes it all work. I know no option is going to work and make everybody happy, but you know, to Mrs. Sessions' point, I didn't have anybody call me and tell me we loved this plan. But, I had plenty of people call and tell me why they didn't like the plan. You know, people that like it aren't going to be the ones to reach out. You're going to get the ones that has got something against it to reach out to you. So, you know, in my district that's

079all I heard is why this wouldn't work. And from everybody that complained to me, it speaks to the issue. Now, this probably will open up a whole another can of worms, but we have a solution for that and we can't offer it to them. Thank you. Will this cut down to all of us or all of the school or the high school? Should, yes. There will be no reason kids have to be on the bus at 5:30 in the morning. My goal is >> My goal is no no child on the bus any longer than an hour and a half is the goal. So, if we say in 7:35 excuse me. It's still going to be If school's going to take it at 7:35 at Gilder. It's still going to be early, yes. It's early.

080I mean, but it left the students. But, yes. People, I don't care what we decide is not going to satisfy everybody. They They won't nitpick everything. So, I had a situation where I got an email here last week. The parent had two kids at Oakwood. One was in EC, one was regular. And the parent kind of stressed me out and said they was a single parent, they would carpool. Well, there's different options right there, you know, whether he could ride the bus stay with EC. But, if we had professional drivers that that would, you know, we wouldn't be having these discussions. We don't have that. So, you know. You know, all I'm going to say, John, is we got to make it work because we're going to catch a lot of flak. And if your

081bus is still ain't running, you know, if we're still doubling and people riding buses two and three hours, We'll ride that one. This one right here is the one that's going to get your behinds you. So, we going to put that on you for that. I'll take it. Make it work, man. Is that black one? The question with the elementary start time and 6 and 1/2 hours, we're going back and forth with that. If their time is 8:30 instead of 8:45, um because I know everybody cannot afford after school care. I'm aware of that. Everybody can't afford that after school care. And I don't know, you know, thinking out the box, I you know, even with the middle school, if you know, you may consider um doing after school care or before after school care

082for middle school. That could be an option, but I do know, like we all saying, it's not a perfect solution. But, uh I feel those parents if they start 8:45 that drop off, just like I had to. We had school when I was teaching. That's true. And like when I was working, we started at 8:30. Mhm. Breakfast was done whatever time the buses got there, so like 8:20, 8:25. We just start at 8:30. Like those parents that had to be to work, they used it before school. before school. And >> [snorts] >> uh some parents depend on it. Mhm. And that's the choice of riding the bus or riding the car. And like you all said, we going to take the heat either way. And uh we just been We need to be unified as

083a board as which one we going to use. So, that 8:45 to that or 8:30, is that any wiggle room in that? So, I want to make sure we're saying the instructional day means school instruction starts at this time, right? That's not the time we open the doors for people to come in. We already actively have a window of time prior to school. If the high school is at 7:45, that means the bus window open around 7:15, 7:20. 7:15. Yeah. So, people can arrive as early as 7:15 to be dropped off. Okay. And if the middle school is at 7:30, it'll be 7:00. Uh 7:00 or 7:05 for 7:05 for drop-off. Okay. And so, then what what happens is then your staff have to be there at a certain time. So, I hear what what

084they're saying, but I'm not sure that we're saying the instructional day starts at this time. Mhm. And if this is the time when the bell rings, then da da da da, teaching starts. That's not necessarily the same time when we enter the building. So, there's a window before and after school. And so, I want to make sure that my mathematicians help me with the window that we're Well, we're already pretty close with some of our staff covering arrival in this middle school. And it has another element to bring to the So, we understand this all went well, but making it a commission challenge is what we were afraid of. And I I don't want people to think that staff may start at 7:45. We're talking about the instructional day, not the next day. And I

085think we have a 15-to-20-minute window prior to and after. That time should be no different than what we're doing now. We're keeping it 7 hours, which is exactly what we're doing. Correct. Now, actually elementary, um they're going to have a little bit of a window cuz we shortened the day. So, that staff can still is probably still work from uh 8:00 to 3:30. >> Absolutely. Um you know, if we needed to, we could open those buildings just a tad bit earlier to help parents. You know, like right now we probably open them at 8:20. You know, you may have staff there, you could open them at 8:00 Yeah. and do something with the kids to his last point and help relieve the burden just a little bit. And if we have an abundance of kids

086that use before school care, we can look at the prices. Right now it doesn't make money because of the few kids we have, but if you have 20 kids in before school care, 20 after school care, we might be able to trim that price down a little bit because we will be making more money. More revenue coming in to pay the people and the snacks that's going to be there. So, you know, that's things to look at at the beginning of the year. I know we got to start with this price, but you know, it's like the point we're making an offer a little bit of a price. Yeah. The more kids you get, the more staff you got to have. So, then Yeah, I believe that. But that helps with the the start. I'm

087glad you brought that up cuz that that helps out. Okay. Are we clear now? Just to be clear, so what time would the middle school dismiss? 2:35? 2:30. 2:30. And high school would be 2:45. Okay. And how long would the high school be? 3:30. So, you're getting 45 minutes. Okay. So, you're gaining in the morning, but But the elementary is what start time, Mr. Stubbs? Is that on? I have elementary start at 8:00 Starts at 8:45 and here at 8:30. 8:30. But drop-off is at 8:20. So, there's about 20 to 25 minute window. So, that's about 8:00. For what? Elementary? 8:20. 8:20 is drop-off. John, I know it's been a long, long time since I was in elementary school, but I always remember the car riders, I went to college school, they let the car

088riders out first before we release bus riders because of the way the traffic was. So, it's not impossible we can do something like that which buys you a few minutes for buses to get back. Right. You know, if we release the car riders first. Right. And I believe that's probably a site-based decision so that they kind of understand that could be because some schools don't have any mis traffic problems. I know what he's saying is in the evenings we're only given them minutes in between the time the high school dismisses and the All that's your reference to the morning, I'm sorry. and the elementary. And so, if we dismiss car riders first, it would buy him a few minutes to get the rest of the buses back. Yeah, if we needed to pick them up.

089Yeah. Okay. North? No, to put [clears throat] it clear, the case on the south. No, not the south situation that we have Oakwood and South Seales. How would that work to keep things, I guess, logistically running smoothly? We're running the same Oakwood buses to pick up and drop off the Oakwood students. That That includes the Rainbow kids. So, if they go to Rainbow, they have to go to South. Because the Rainbow bus will be at South. They'll get picked up at a I don't know the the location where or what location that they're going to divide the school. Oakwood kids will be getting picked up and dropped off at one spot, and South kids will be getting picked up and dropped off at a a different spot. They're going to keep the two schools separate

090in the same building. It's what I've been told. But I guess Well, I guess when I worked over there, you know, the car the bus riders would get off off and on on this end of the school, and then all the car riders go on the cafeteria. Yes. So, I mean, so how would you snake that line for the car riders through on the front end? And I guess they moved it, I guess, to the off of 119 to keep traffic off of 86. That That's a long story because when the schools first started, the reason for those access roads, north and south, the buses were to come in and go out that way. Mhm. Since that time, superintendents of this school have changed that. Mhm. Okay. And we even had a one time where

091the buses were in front of the school. Oh, really? Which didn't It didn't make sense to me, but it wasn't my decision. Now, I think north is on the right-hand side. Avery North and South, they all park in Buses are parking in the staff parking lot. >> lot. And the car riders are going through the former bus lots. There you go. And the reason for that is to keep vehicles Well, I understand that. Yeah. Okay. So, I don't know where we're parking the buses at South as of yet. Okay. >> Okay, we're going to double the number of buses that are going to be parked there than what it is currently is. And currently, we're using about a third of the parking the staff parking lot. You add four more buses to that, we're going

092to be taking up 3/4 to 7/8 of it. So, I don't That's how it would be worked out. >> Right. And and Mr. Bob made a really good point when when And he's probably the only one here that knows exactly what happened but South of the entry, I won't was full stock. When he opened, it was packed. Like all rooms were taken at South of the entry. First couple of years did it, it dwindled down. They were down at capacity. North was always at capacity first few years. Actually, North was kindergarten through grade seven. The first home. Mhm. But but at that time, uh kids rode buses more >> Correct. than car riders. than car riders. With this With this With this improvement that we're making, that might only be the case when we have

093more bus riders. Okay. All right. It don't work. Well, I just had in my notes one of the things that I was going to ask when Mr. James Bruner was to bring us back a plan because that's one of the questions I get from parents. Is do we have car riders on this side and then car riders on this side? How are we going to load the buses? And And with those standpoint, do we need to do something different time wise at at that school? For example, do we need to stagger South and Oakwood times to be different? You know, like one takes in a little earlier than the others. Now, you're not going to control car riders because parents are going to get in line whatever time. So, the only options going to be

094you release car riders before bus riders, but it's going to be hard to load buses down there with the traffic and we're going to have to figure that out. And um you know, if you'll go bring I was going to ask if we could get that in our next meeting cuz that's the number one concern I'm getting from parents right now that want to know how they're going to work. Okay. All right, we've had a lot of discussion. Any more? We're waiting for this to be a motion. Yes, for the time being. >> [clears throat] >> So, I'll make the motion for staggered start times with N.L. Dillard going from 7:30 to 2:30. For the high school from 7:45 to 2:45. Elementary unless we need to make a change down there from 8:45 to 3:30.

095Okay. I'll second that motion. I'll second. Mr. Smith, any further discussion? If not but before that, make sure that you know, we we come back for our next meeting. Don't let bugs that you have recommendations so we can kind of before we're putting it all out there. Perfect. All right, no further discussion. All in favor of that motion raise your hand. >> This is still with the two buses. Yeah. All this will help. That's perfect. All in favor of that motion raise your hand. Opposed? Motion is carried uh 5 to 2. Knight and Bennett voted no. Thank you. Thank you. There's a follow-up you want us to take a further look at Jefferson or South. Oh, yes. First of all, we need to All right. Uh next item that was added to the agenda, Ms.

096Bagley, you had EC discussion. I'll make that motion. Um I'm just following up concerning about going to builder. Um about them not having a playground area and that five to state guidelines says you have to have certain things provided to them. We all know that, but how are you going to work out that? So, with the self-contained pre-K EC division builder is built. I I don't know who did the planning for builder, but builder was built with a lot of flexibility. There's office standards that builder that that the classroom area meets the standards for East Side Elementary and builder. The courtyard that it has because we actually had Mr. Wilson reach out to the DPI to talk about playground equipment. Those leases we already have planned where we can bring equipment in to that courtyard

097for the elementary kids to have the elementary self-contained children. Because in builder one of our concerns was having them outside in an area that's not enclosed because builder is a foreign place for them and given their unique needs, it takes a unique circumstance for them. So, we have already reached out to the DPI consultant that has been working with us to make sure what can we do it because we know that we're moving from one school site to another and what equipment we have to because the pre-K classroom doesn't have to follow the NC pre-K guidelines. And so, playground where they have opportunity for recess and instruction play would be that courtyard area where we've already identified equipment to come into that. There's movable, so once we move back to Oakwood, that equipment will go

098with our students back. Now, if if it you need more out here more detail itemized list of what it is so So, can see that the immediate thing they had in consideration, we thought about doing. Yes, I just have to see it, you know. Yes, ma'am. You telling me is one thing, but I need to see. Right. You know, but Dillard has a they have a bus pool there. Right, so it will make the it will it will satisfy the interim that we have set. Anything I can do better? I guess I have the same concerns and I should reach out to somebody I know in the county who kind of led me to believe the same thing. So, why can we not have those kids at North? We already have playground equipment there for

099special needs kids at the fall, but it could be a sub. And we are factoring space and it puts them with kids in their age range. Um which is my understanding is one of the concerns. I have concerns I guess with you know, age range at Dillard than not being with kids their their age and it still gives them the biggest need. You know what I mean? I don't I don't know what we can house them at. What would be There's an elementary school that can help. But as we discussed one of the biggest challenges we had was transportation. Um if there's the board to put them in one play room and then you know as long as we can Yes, there's space at North for those students. Um but we feel keeping them central

100into not as far from their homes would either but a lot of our students we thought being at Central would be better. transportation with the middle school, the high school and Auburn. And so, that would give us a challenge. Not saying we cannot overcome that challenge, but that would give us a challenge. Middle school kids at North or Wood and then we can keep all kids together. And so, the hub system would used to end at Auburn. So, for example currently the hub would work at um Dillard and high school and then they would meet up at at Auburn to transfer all of our students everywhere. So, it's not the same. We can't just do open. I still feel we may have to soak some. I don't know where the kids are and cuz I

101don't know the exact location of the students. Um is it possible? We have to look into it and get back with you all. How many kids? We're not giving the exact number. I don't know the number. Um but I know that one of the primary reasons our concern was number of drivers we have. And we may have more flexibility with the tier classes because we didn't have that, so. With that said, Yeah. And as of right now, I know there is one EC child that or that has to go to South. That has to be on an EC bus. So, we're already taking a bus to South, come back to Dillard. Why do they have to go to South? Because they're not Is Is it not off their ID? Based off their ID. It's a

102related service. So, if there's a student who is in the inclusion resource setting, they have to be in the inclusion resource setting. >> Do you know how many kids involved in all of that? No, I do not. Around 40. About 40? I want to say that, yeah. I said but it's It's going from one end of the county to the other end of the county and back to the central of of the county. It's a lot of transport. >> Okay, but what I'm saying is there's generally different types of EC. Yes. And first proposal was to put them all at South. I mean, Dillard. No, we have all of these in the self-contained. Okay, so Those are And how many is that? Do you have a number? I don't I have a number of present.

103It's It's counted. Counted, yeah. Can we not shuttle from Dillard to the middle school and shuttle from there? Anything's possible. It's getting the driver to do it and I mean, I'm getting a driver ed can do it and not make somebody late getting out dismissed or getting loaded up on the bus in the afternoons or late getting to school at the start of the day. I want to say we got to go to I want to say we have more flexibility now that we got the start time. Right. It was and I hadn't looked at that because of that. I think we have more flexibility with the start times versus everybody with their sort of window. Not sure how but we have students who have transportation based on their IEP which we must understand. Well,

104I don't have an EC child but if I did and we were sending them all to the middle school to be secluded from everybody that's in their age range I would have a problem with that because you're taking them out of the element that they're supposed to be with kids their age to watch and do. And I understand that. And I'm not asking you, you didn't say that but I'm just saying I would have a problem with that as a parent. They are supposed to integrate with other kids. I can look at it this week and get back with you with what we talked about South and I understand. having better numbers and better Okay. And it would be no false divide playground that we got. Fencing. I just add that the the money we

105will be getting for building would not be available to buy we would actually we actually qualify for some of these things we got to get some money for it. So it wasn't any money I brought forward to do that program. I just I know that's the question. And I get that. Like as and you also about the hubbing so how would the children system affect this huge student We honestly we don't know yet because I'm just >> I need one too. We we have not looked at that because we were looking at We reverted everything back. with with the last vote. So now we've got to go back and talk about Yeah. So we were ready to ask me to talk about one decision. But somebody said they would have might have changed something. So

106based on that, more information we get, it could make a change in what we decide for the building. Now, there's another thing I think needs to be pointed out, too. Different pros and cons about It's not the To me, it's not a difference between a fifth grade and sixth grade. All right? As you come on down the line, that's where you have a problem. Now, there are districts that have separate schools for children, so don't get that misconstrued that they have to be Um Self-contained. >> Yes, we're going to be hopefully making We're not hopefully making the best decision we can based upon what you give us. That's what I'm saying, too. And I guess Mr. Stokes, you know, I won't guess. It would help me to know the number of kids that we got,

107the age group, you know, the number of ECs, because when you say EC, you're talking about the most categories. Yes, sir. That we need to know all that stuff. Okay. We Cuz we knew that we were aware of that of the students' IEPs. They were Right. >> Right. It makes you have to do that. We have to buy a bus. And so, we were in the process of analyzing IEPs to look at services because there were even discussions that if we had to uh if there was a period that we were dealing with the site, and we had to take them to South. Right. We would because they had part services here in part of the classrooms. And we had to staff all of that because we got EC staff with bus licenses that could

108take them and they could transport them. But But those are the things Mrs. Wilson was looking to work on. Right. But we bring it back to Right. But if they're in North, then we can offer the services anyway. If they were self-contained there, we can offer the same services in North as any other school. It's just that we have to offer those services. Okay. So, there wouldn't be any transportation involved. Cuz then you got to have two people cuz one single person can't transport a student. Right. So, you're tying two people down for all this transportation back and forth, so you eliminate that completely you have them at the elementary school. Go ahead and add it to this. Everybody leave it. I think we're we're going to try to have them before we may have

109to we may have to get them in the folder. Because we've got to Turn that in. We've got to turn the name in quickly, I mean Okay, thank you. I'm just trying to make sure we I got I got those pieces in the bag. Thank you. Miss Calvin will be Miss Wilson's assistant. She will be a part of that discussion. Good job. Okay. Very good. Thank you, John. Thank you. All right, next item. Board members, please. Miss Beverly, start with you. Um I want to thank parents and the committee for all their support last week of teacher appreciation, first of all. I was looking at some of these um on on Facebook posts, our teachers, our staff was really blessed this time. Um I got to uh go to the Special Olympics, it was really

110good. You fathers don't know this, but um didn't get together, but football head coach Mr. Johnson at BY had a breakfast community for mothers, which was outstanding. We got to sit there and the young men served us, and they cleaned up after us, and it was really nice, and they had some really good kind words about their own parents, love their mothers. Um also went to the DARE graduation, it was very nice, and um and I got to also attend to see some of our future Haywood County children from Rainbow, that Miss Thank you so much for having me, it has been really a blessing. And Miss Connie, thank you for all your support and love. Good night. Um I had the privilege of attending DARE graduation, also the Special Olympics, and I guess the

111football event that Coach um had on Saturday for the mothers by Miss Beverly, so that was a good one. Well, >> That's why I say Father's Day ain't ain't happy. School will be out. School will be out, right? But I like to say that was um some of the little fellows that took the fall, you know, they took that one to get started to make a promise to their parents, their mom. But once they did, you know, they all got up and they showed their mom and what they loved and how much they appreciated it and supported them all right. But that was really a special event. Um and I can say again as she said, I hope all all the staff last week you don't have a good weekend. We're pampered because you know,

112it takes everybody that from the bus driver to the custodian and the teachers and everybody that's that's in the school building. Um they work with our kids every day to make it a successful day and the school year. So we appreciate all you do. It's good. I just agree with my ladies to with dummy and I went to the football coaches Mother's Day breakfast. And Mother's Day's not easy for all of us, you know. That was a blessing for me. That was an encouragement. And also went to the dealer band performance and that tickled me. There was this little boy on the drums and when I say he had the best time being Dr. McGee with there, he he was an inspiration. He had so much fun. And I want to thank the Teresa Vaz

113family and the Cala for the Special Olympics how well everything went. That's always an encouragement to me cuz one of the former students of Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Q Mundon Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay. He He was a mentor to my son in high school and you know, he's in college and he comes back every year to be the announcer and he was just you know, yelling them kids on and running around that football field. So it's encouraging to see our kids coming back home giving back to the community. Um Recently I spent some time at the rec because my husband helping coach there and I'd like to see us as a board. I know the team particularly he's coaching very

114few of those kids go to Castle County schools and when you go to the wreck now the parking lot is packed. So I don't know if we as board members along with maybe the ADs from the middle and high school along with maybe some coaches could set up one night and have you know a table and try to like talk to some of those parents because I know our ADM's going down and you know we just want those kids to enjoy the resources that we have to offer in our community. So I just thought maybe we could think of something like that moving forward. Got to go to the dad graduation which I want to commend officer Hale. He does an excellent job. The kids respect him and you can tell the enthusiasm. One thing

115that impressed me the kids cheer for each other. That's not their school. That was very impressive. Uh got to go way down to Providence Road over there. Many turns. But we did the baseball game down there. And got involved in some of the teacher appreciation also the nurses week nurses week was kind of a funny land started on the 6th and went through and then the teacher appreciation and I hear about the great things some of y'all been doing. I mean did for teacher appreciation that was real nice. And I think a lot of times if people see you especially like the Special Olympics the enthusiasm if you could keep that going in one day that would that would mean a lot. And uh you know just not whether they win or lose to hear

116their name called and get that medal around their neck that that's important. And I think the more we can do that the better our program will be but been a very busy time with countless building up and I know you all know this too and the next three weeks are going to be tough on you. Miss Lowe. Well, we're so glad but thank everybody for supporting our teachers, nurses, and staff during the teacher appreciation week. Just looking at all the different schools' Facebook pages, it looks like uh everybody had a good time and some schools made it real fun for their staff and uh you know, they were all fun. Like I said, we got a full calendar coming up and we need everybody is working hard to make things happen, the prom, and all

117those type things. Um Oh, wait. I did want to I went to the prom. I mean, I didn't go in. But uh I drive limos. So, I picked up this couple and it I mean, it's amazing what parents will do for their kids. Y'all know what I'm talking about. But this was a nice affair. I mean, I picked up this couple and they were dressed nice and on time and I took them to the prom and they didn't want to leave and they were but it was the time had run out on their contract. >> [laughter] >> But uh You see kids in a different light. You see them in a different light, you know, they they're dressed up in their I just had to do that cuz I didn't want to miss that opportunity.

118Go ahead. >> last thing I just want to say, you know, I went after prom but we had a lot going on on that side of the county. Uh other county. And I understand our staff uh handled that amazing, gave great direction to the kids. Uh everybody made it home safe and uh you know, I just want to thank them for handling that tough situation uh that they had to handle out there with traffic and all that. It had It had nothing to do with the schools. It was just the location on that side of the county. We're going to get it. Dr. Gee. Uh I just want to give a shout-out to Mr. Walters for handling the band concert. I was impressed that he was able to direct and play a trombone at the

119same time. But the kids it was a it was really nice concert. They really did good cuz they did the Star Wars Star Wars theme and things. So I really enjoyed that. Um Special Olympics is really nice. I guess that's out in that wind on that day. I guess that's what happened to my voice. Um but their graduation is real nice. Shoutout to the coach Johnson for the breakfast. It was really um nice to see the young men serving and we enjoyed it. And um the networking things and our shoutout to Ms. Vinnie Bagley for coming and Rainbow. Rainbow is the um we are providing future students Carver schools and she um make these little pocket things and they would just pop them all over the classroom. And so we really enjoyed that. Had a

120great day and I thank her for volunteering to do that. Thank you. Uh I had opportunity to do the Dillard graduation as well and um the young lady I can't remember her name, but the young lady that won, she did an outstanding job um with her speech. It was really she did really well. Uh so I want to congratulate her uh with that. And then uh I had opportunity to go over to uh Dillard and the one takeaway uh after talking with the principal and I think this would be good for everyone. One of the crucial things that we're getting ready to do is testing. And one thing that she pointed out is attendance. We need the students to be in attendance. These next parents, so please send your children to school because they're preparing

121them for what's going to happen and testing is important and it is it is part of the grading system that we don't have anything to do with. So, when principals and teachers say we need your child there, parents, we ask you please send them to school. Please send them to school. So, that's a big shout out and thanks to the Castle County community for the staff and I'm going to include everyone because you make the world go round. Thank you. Mr. Vann, one thing I didn't mention um parents called and thanked me and it had nothing to do with us. The high school paid for a senior trip for all the seniors to go to Carowinds. So, the parents were just very grateful for that. So, I appreciate D. Carter and the staff there for

122doing that for the seniors. That was a great idea. All right. I skipped over Mrs. Dokes' update. Just have a few. Is that a few? As you know, we're continuing to monitor the cabinet situation. You know, you've seen it on the news. We're continuing to monitor but we want to remind the board that, you know, we're beginning to submit and work on our facilities plan. And so, I just want you to understand that state law will require us to submit a facilities plan and so, we will at least have some webinars this week and so, I hate to tell you but you need to check your emails a little more cuz I may be sending information out because I may have to create get some get have some feedback Also, House Bill 990 um as

123you know, the legislature is back in. Um superintendents exclusively received a survey regarding about allotment formula system for funding. So, we'll be completing that survey. It may be going to a weighted student formula allotment versus the straight traditional allotment that we have. And so, that's still the topic of the future. But I didn't want you to hear about that survey that just came out to our superintendent last night. Yesterday evening at it's due by Wednesday. And so, when the board meets this morning, I really haven't had a chance to dive into the feedback, but they're just looking at the hopefully funds will be better as far as we look at how school funding is allocated to typically low-wealth districts. So, if you're not familiar with the weighted student formula, prior to this, for example, in

124a school system, let's say you have 100 students, and 50% of those students uh let's say 75% fall within the low poverty level. So, you may get a more of a dollar allotment per student because it takes into consideration of income. Or those things, so you may get more because the needs they need more. Also, if you're in certain children students, a lot of how many ESL students you have, and there's a cap of about uh I would say a little past 12 or 13%, then we would cap out regardless of what our numbers are. And so, this will allow us more funding if the weighted student formula moves forward, more funding for our most neediest students. And as a county, that's a low-wealth county, it would benefit us much more, but I will be

125sending information to you about it because I'm not sure if you're too familiar with the weighted student formula allotment. Here it was, but we just got that, and I did not want that to get out there. You know about it, you heard about it, okay? Um final thing is from the as the last board meeting, I know we talked about the budget amendment and the resolution. And so, when in the minutes when we approved, we talked about line by line and purpose code. So, I've got a example sample so that I can watch you to kind of see the visual and get feedback from you on what does that look like exactly what you're looking for because we've got two drafts, draft one and draft two. Because we talked about the purpose code, and it's

126a four-digit number. So, if you want I think this is that way? You do that with the third draft too. And it's just one page to just kind of get some feedback because then here is draft two. So, I need you to look at it I need a couple of copies. So, draft one shows it by the four-digit purpose code. So, we picked two, 43 43 40, and that's the amount. 66910, that's the amount and they had two purpose codes. The second page, draft two, shows you 43 broken out by line. The question is, which one is the preferred one because the way the minutes read, it said line by line and by purpose code. So, we're trying to make sure we get that right because we have to It's a lot of work for

127us to get this ready for you. So, is my understanding that it's by the draft two? Yes. >> Okay. Three is any money moved from that last three digits drive the budget amendment has worked to clear assets. When you say the last three digits, you mean Well, like the 311, 419, 411, 459. So, if contract of service has $1,700 and you need to move some of that money down here to snacks, then we should get a budget amendment. Okay, that's what that's what I I'm just getting clarification. The understanding of us to get this ready with the two months left in the fiscal year puts us in a real bind. I'm not being disrespectful, we're trying to pay all those things. And so, what's going to happen at a particular point in time is we're

128going to have a do a halt and a cut off of maintenance things. So, if the part isn't already in the shop, for example, if let's say somebody at the high school had a a a window that's broken, I know we don't have that glass on hand. Before we move forward with that, we'll have to bring it to the maintenance board. Because it can't be repaired until they say so. So, it it will stay busted up and broken until we get there. So, we have a halt to all the operations to get things done, because when you move from one line to one line, it needs a budget amendment. And that's the question then. Is there a way to do it? I guess this Let me make sure I say this right. If you have

129an emergency situation, is there a way that you can do it? And then bring it back? Contingency. Well, that's what I have in Contingency. That's what I'm saying. Right now, my contingency I think is like 19 >> I understand it, but going forward, Correct. you know, that's what I'm saying, because I don't But let us be there in 2 weeks, you're not going to be able to do that till we get back. Yes, sir. And things can change. I was just I understand it, because we're at the end. Right. This is the way it should have been all along in anticipation. And if that's the case, then if you have $15,000 in a line item for plumbing, you know, and it needs to be moved to something else, then the budget member would move it

130to that. But all the contingency money has been used. Right. Correct. on things, so that's just the way it is. Yeah. So, what I just want my updates is trying to get clarified. Okay. I'm back. So, you're saying that um let's go back to the window scenario. So, if all the money has been used out of the contingency fund, and the window is broken or whatever, then nothing can take place until after the board comes back into session. Is that So we need the budget to be balanced. Are we 100% out of confusion money? I thought we It's been a minute. I'm just saying let me just say If you want to go if you want to I'm not even going to waste any time if uh If we go down that building and cause

131$4,000. Right? >> Okay. And the the have that budget we probably have already And building is out of that room those rooms are out of commission. And they can't cuz they affect that room. Those rooms won't get fixed until we can do the budget cuz we got to order part. We don't want to get in the order something and they break something and the money is not That's a quick follow up vote. That's easy. Yeah, I'm just Right. Right. I'm saying what you I'm just trying to get the the plan so that we can understand the the process cuz we're going to we're going to cause some change in my whole spending procedure. Uh for that. Okay. I'm just trying to get it right before the True. That'll be the easiest way to call. You

132never know what's going to happen. That one Uh it's definitely when it's tight you don't have a whole lot of playing room. But it keeps it clean in our material. That's true. I mean you got to you got to So does that mean when will we start? When it start with the next The foundation will be in the past. I know but we're getting it right now. And now so when will we be you know to cuz we do know school is closing and there's a lot of things that's going on. So when do um We approved last meeting for it to start immediately. Right, but I would think that we understand that things are a little different. But and I don't know what she has what she's bringing forth. So I have no idea.

133What we're all we're saying is if we need to spend money tomorrow and move it they got to bring a budget amendment. It's not I don't understand why it's not I mean, why would we not start What is the I mean, we can go back and do a budget amendment if we were remiss, but Going the last minute, we should be doing this move at all. And now that you said that No, I didn't do the motion. Okay. I think that's one clarification. Isaiah And finally, I just want to remind um all right, assistant that as we moved this testing session, we have various windows of assessment happening tomorrow. So, there's testing happening somewhere between now and the end of the school year. And so, to stress to our families uh uh staff that hey,

134this is now for us to We're now in the playoff region of our academic year, and it's time for us to hit a home run and knock it out of the park. And so, we worked and we planned this hard. We regardless of water I'm again and snow I'm again all those pieces, we we we we we made it through that. And so, now as we move forward, uh we want to make sure that we have a good, wonderful assessment window for our um students and thanks to them for their contribution and extra effort that they put in, but All right. Mr. I have a question on that. But and every principal could have done it. I don't get everybody's message, but one thing that Mr. Artist did that I really liked is he put

135in his weekly message Cobb testing is going to be for the end of the year, so that parents aren't trying to pick up kids and come to the school. Everybody may have done that. I don't get everybody's message, but if they didn't, I think we should have because uh Some of our parents don't know what the testing period is. You know, so they may come and get their kid checked out for something while trying to do the testing. So, I just think it's good to have that information out. And we did this job. Um we testing all kinds of testing. I mean, our test training is today for test administrators, so I want to say testing starts next week. Okay. That's the email to the principals tomorrow? I will be following up with you on

136Wednesday. Wait. Okay, Wednesday. But I got to be tomorrow. No, no, no, no, I'm saying that you said Wednesday. Yeah, we don't know about the necessary information on the website, and we'll be sure that we send them. We may even send an additional message out about sending them out. Okay. But it's better for the school to do it because they know their school community and their Very good. All right. Today is all I have, sir. Thank you. All right. And at this time, I move that the Cabarrus County Board of Education go into closed session for the purpose of discussing So, the first item actually that involves an officer or employee of the this board as cited in statute 143-318, dot 11. Principal Fran Cise for the purpose of discussing information that is privileged confidential,

137and not a public record as cited in statute 143-318, dot 11. Principal Fran Cise would like to confer with attorney Hall and attorney to discuss the amended contract for the elected official. Is there a motion to approve? Mr. Smith. Mr. Knight, second. Any discussion? If not, all