BOE Regular recurrent meeting

001Thank you. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. First item of business is the approval of the minutes March 23rd, 2026 and March 30, 2026. Join me with county commission. Is there a motion to that effect? MN night. Is there a second black? >> I have >> any discussion? Go ahead. Um, in the March the 23rd minutes under my comments, I do want to I did mention that um, God can make a difference and we have zero match. So, I want that comment to be placed in minutes because it did. It was a Jesus moment. >> All right. Any other comments? If not, with that correction, all in favor of the motion,

002raise your hand. opposed. Motion's carried. Thank you. Approval of the agenda. >> I need to add one. >> Need to add one item. >> Yes. So, I need to add um the brotherly high school um traffic study um to to our agenda, which would be item number eight. >> I believe item number eight. Hard cop. With that addition, is there a motion to approve the agenda? Miss Blackwell second Dr. McGee. Any discussion? If not, all say raise your hand. Motion. Thank you. Announcements. Yes. Well, happy Monday to everyone. For some of us, uh, we're coming off spring break. Um, I pray that our students, faculty, and staff had a wonderful spring break and safe spring break. Well, I'd like to take a moment today to recognize a very important group of leaders in our district,

003our assistant principles. During the week of April 6th through the 10th, we celebrated Assistant Principal Week, a time dedicated to honoring the incredible work that they do each and every day. Assistant principles are the backbone of many of our schools. They balance countless responsibilities, supporting students, guiding teachers, working with families, ensuring that our buildings run smoothly. They are problem solvers, encouraers, disciplinarians, mentors, and leaders all rolled into one. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt in every classroom and throughout the entire school community. They step in whenever they are needed, always with a focus on doing what's best for students. On behalf of our district, I want to extend my sincere appreciation for their dedication, professionalism, unwavering commitment to excellence. We're grateful for what all they do, and we celebrate

004you this week and beyond. Please join me in grabbing our outstanding assistant principles while they're at work for the difference they make every day. And they are Dr. Brian Shaw, Dr. Megan Ray, Mr. Elizabeth Bradley, and Mr. David Griggs. Can we give them a round of applause? I would also like to take a moment to commend and congratulate several members of our school district for their participation in the out out of school time leadership lab. This important work reflects a strong partnership with the Danville Regional Foundation and highlights the power of collaboration across divisions including Pennsylvania County and the entire Caswell County schools community. Through this experience, our participants have engaged in meaningful learning, leadership, development in a way innovative ways thinking that will directly benefit students in our schools. Their willingness to grow, collaborate,

005and bring back new ideas to help our students with time out of school is to be commended. We are proud of their accomplishments. I had the opportunity to attend their presentations right before spring break. They did a phenomenal job representing both their schools and our school district. Please join me in congratulating the following individuals, Miss Dana Diggs, Miss Julia Far, and her in her absence, Miss Allison Beers. April is also autism awareness month, a time to increase understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Across our school community, students, staff, and this board of education, we play an important role in creating inclusive environments where every individual is valued and supported. Our students are encouraged to show kindness, respect, and acceptance. Recognize that our differences only make us stronger. Our staff continues to

006foster supportive, engaging learning environments that meet the needs of our diverse learners. We also appreciate the board's ongoing commitment to ensuring policies, resources, and opportunities that are in place to support success for every student. Together, let us continue to promote awareness, understanding, and inclusion in all that we do. I would like to now turn it over to our bus drivers, bus driver recognition, Mr. John Bernard. >> Thank you. Good morning, board members. >> Morning. >> I'd like to introduce to you the uh drivers of the month for the month of March 2026. Um our secondary driver of the month is Mr. Thomas Long. He drives at BY Dillard. And the elementary bus driver of the month is uh Melissa Commander. She drives at North. >> Is this the one that never misses a day? >>

007Last year he never missed a day. Yes. >> Want to get a picture? Yes, >> sure. >> Where you want right here in front of you? Come on. >> Never miss a day. That's >> all right. >> I know you already got one. Make sure you get recognized. >> Thank you. That's all. Turn on to Mr. Chair. All right. Thank you. Public comments. Do we have any Mr. >> All right. Next item. Reports. Auditor's report. Good morning board members. Superintendent. >> My name is Adam Seper. I'm a partner with Anderson Smith, your independent audit firm here to present uh the audit report for uh Caswell County Schools for June 30, 2025. Uh you should have all been provided with a balanced set of uh financial statements. I just wanted to go over a couple of

008pages and answer any questions. Um if you look at the uh financial statements uh page one of those statements is what we call the independent auditor's report. You hire us to conduct the audit of management and issue an opinion on the accuracy of those financial statements. Uh not whether you have a good year or a bad year even though some of our commentary ends up becoming uh that but uh as really as to the accuracy of those statements. So page one, the opinion letter, the first section, the opinion paragraphs state that we believe these financial statements accurately reflect the net position and the fund balances for casual county schools as of June 30, 2025. This is considered a clean unmodified opinion. We did have some findings related to this audit, but again at the end

009of the day, these statements are accurate and uh reflect your financial position. So this is what's considered a clean unmodified opinion. Uh no deviations on again the accuracy of the statements. After that you have some management discussion analysis just talking about uh various things that go up and down. The audit even in that opinion letter talks about the financial position and the fund balance. So, uh, you really have two gauges of valuation when you're talking about governmental audits. Um, your fund balance is the funds you have available to appropriate. That's the cash receivables on hand minus the liabilities, the payables. From that fund balance, you then add other assets and liabilities that don't really require um payment or re uh could be turned into cash. So on the asset side, for example, your buildings, they

010have a value. They're a part of your net position, but they are not a part of your fund balance because you can't sell your buildings. Um, you have a liability uh appropriated to you for the pension and post-employment benefits. That's a state liability, but your portion of that liability is recorded in your net position. You don't actually pay the pension of retirees. You pay contributions based on current individuals hired. 25 uh cents of every dollar of salary gets paid to the pension plan uh expensed every year. So you have a liability that is really a state liability but is part of that net position calculation. You also have annual leave and sick leave. Those only get paid out when individuals leave, retire, uh or take sick days. um those aren't really uh current expenses that

011need to be budgeted for above and beyond just what is used in the current year, but yet you have the uh sick leave and annual leave booked as liabilities as if everybody were to all retire and leave all at once. So, whenever you're reading through that management discussion analysis, just be mindful of whether you're reading about changes in fund balance versus changes in net position. To me, changes in fund balance is all that matters. You can't control the value of your buildings and depreciation over time. That's state liability for pension. Uh again, not your liability. So, uh again, anytime you're reading the fund balance, that is again the cash minus your liabilities that you have available to appropriate. Those are the most important numbers within these statements. They're all required, all 80 pages here, but

012really I think you can look at this report and pull out about five, six pages that I think are the most meaningful, most important. I'm going to point out those pages now. Um, so if you turn to page 14, exhibit three. The first two exhibits are income statement and a balance sheet of that net position. Again, less meaningful than what you have available in a fund balance. Exhibit three is a balance sheet for all of your governmental funds. And you can see that your general fund has a fund balance of 554,000, a decrease of 847,000 from last year. Your state public school fund and federal grants funds do not carry fund balance. Those appropriations are appropriated yearbyear. uh federal grants has carryovers uh but really you don't carry any fund balance in those two funds.

013Your other special revenue fund has 1,556,000 available to appropriate an increase of 68,000 from last year. Capital Outlay Fund has uh 877,000, a decrease of 218,000. And across all of your schools, you have 130,000 of fund balance available, a decrease of $8,000. There's a couple unique items on this balance sheet that uh you may not used to be seeing in that general fund, the bank overdraft, $525,000. You didn't really have a bank account that was in the negative. Your local funds share an account. So you have your general fund and your other special revenue fund and capital outlay all sharing a bank account. The uh local fund pulled more out of that bank account than they had available. But you had stiff money included in your cash and cash equivalent. So that's why you can

014see at the that first column you have 1.2 million of cash on hand but yet somehow have a bank overdraft. That's just uh really uh borrowings from the other special revenue fund. As you get to a low fund balance that you have, you just have to be mindful of where you're pulling the cash out of and whether you're uh pulling money out of stiff to put into that bank account and in what fund's name. So again, it's a unique item. It wasn't that you were overdrafting account or bouncing any checks, but the appro uh the general fund had used more than they had available in the operating a cash account, but still had cash available in stiff in a different account. Those those funds have been pulled out. A lot of them have been pulled

015out of stiff, put into that operating account to clear that bank overdraft, which is really just a a ledger balance of negative cash, not really negative cash in the bank. Any questions there? All right. Um, if you turn two pages to exhibit four, this is the income statement for those same funds that give you those change numbers that I was reading off as we were going column by column. So, you have your revenues across the top. You receive 2 almost $9 million from the county. That was only a $3,000 increase from last year. On the same token, your payments to charter schools went up $20,000. You actually were able to keep less county money this year than you had the year before. Your state public school fund, your largest source of funds, 21.5 million. Your

016federal grants fund, 2.5 million. That's a decrease of $1.2 2 million from last year because the uh education stabilization funds, the ESSER funds, those finished um in uh as of December 31, 2024, they are all expired now. So in that $2.5 million, you still had $850,000 of ESSER education stabilization funds. So next year we should see that federal revenue be uh about $2 million which is what it was pre- pandemic levels. You have no more ESSER funds uh to spend. Uh and this is the the last essentially half year that you had available availability to spend those funds. So uh they were all spent out 850 the last 850,000 spent this year uh no uh not to be seen again uh next year. Your other special revenue fund collects $921,000, capital outlay 578, and then

017across all again all your schools that they generated $367,000 of revenue. Then you have your expenses and those change in fund balance. So you can see the third number from the bottom across is that net change in fund balance and that's where you see the decrease of 847,000 the increase of 68 the decrease of 218 and the decrease of $8,000. Again the uh total fund balance used across all those funds was $1 million this year. Um, I like to look at fund balance as um an equation of how much you're using each year. And you can really look at the fund balance of the other special revenue fund and the local fund, general fund kind of combined because there there is some restricted money in those other special revenues, but there's also a lot of

018unrestricted money. So across those two funds, you have $2 million and you're spending uh about 800,000 a year across your uh local funds excluding capital outlay. So being that usage of 800,000 2 million left, you're uh essentially have about two to three years of fund balance available before um before you have none. And so your spending of $500, $600,000 a year, 800,000 this year, uh per year of of local funds is uh really uh pushing you towards a position of of no fund balance. Now, I understand that it but it's not like you got a pot where you can go pick it up >> and fill it back up. And uh >> even if you were to get some money from the county, it's not going to cover that usage. >> Uh it will boil

019down to cuts and savings. >> I see. Okay. >> Yeah. It's uh >> you have a partially a revenue problem, but it's mostly a spending problem. >> Okay. Uh, aside from your um governmental funds, you also have two business type funds. They're treated a little different. If you turn to page 22, exhibit 7. So, if you remember earlier, I was telling you there's net position and fund balance, two different numbers. But with business type funds, net position and fund balance are one and the same. Uh business type funds are accounted for on a full approval accounting method. So you have to include the value of those assets kitchen equipment. You have to include the liabilities for that pension plan. So instead of looking at the bottom that net position number, I like to look at

020the top number which is cash on hand. Your school food service funds has $533,000 of cash available. That's an increase of 45,000 from last year. Your community schools, your after school before school programs has $50,000 available and that's an increase of $1,000 from last year. Uh one of the um issues we're seeing across the state and we're see we're seeing uh spending problems on like 80 to 85% of the school systems. A lot of school systems are using fund balance uh coming out of those COVID years, those federal uh education stabilization funds. uh districts deciding, you know, what positions to cut, what positions to not to have to fund locally that used to be funded from those educational stabilization funds. But one problem you don't have it right now is having to worry about the

021financial health of your school food service fund. You have to feed the kids. Once the money runs out in that fund, it becomes fun locally funded. Uh it is difficult in small districts to make money serving food, but you were able to again add $45,000 of cash on hand. Uh that's in large part due to the C program. Um I do uh I do know that for the 2526 year, uh there was finally a significant increase in breakfast and lunch prices. Uh the federal reimbursements for meals have has not been keeping up with inflation. Uh so this year I think we're seeing like a 10% increase in lunch prices again to help the financial viability of a lot of these uh child nutrition funds. Uh but again you you are able to make money despite

022being in a small district. There is some economy of scale that happens when you're feeding students at large schools. there's a certain amount of payroll, certain amount of people that have to work in the kitchen, whether they're serving 200, 300 meals or 600, 700 meals. And so, um, being able to make money despite being a small district just means that there's not a financial problem that will someday have to be funded locally because again, once that money runs out, you're paying for food out of local funds instead of child nutrition funds. Uh but again, half a million dollars on hand and essentially operating at a profit is just a a financial issue you don't have to worry about. If you turn one page to exhibit 8, this is the income statement for those funds. The

023main number to point out here is in the middle of the page under the nonoperating revenues, the federal reimbursements, 1,735,000. That's an increase of 72,000 from last year. So again, increasing participation, small increasing in reimbursement rates. But with that $72,000 of federal reimbursements, your food cost, which is at the top of the operating expense, 893,000 was an increase of 75,000 last year. So again, inflation, food cost. Yes, you made $70,000 more revenue, but you also paid $70,000 more for uh food cost. Again, that 10% increase in lunch reimbursement rates will help that ratio uh and and hopefully help maintain profitability. Uh but that that's just the example of how the reimbursement rates over the last five years just has not gone up uh to cover the increases in salaries, the increases in food costs. Uh

024but I think u you know again the federal government starting to make that right starting in 2526. After that, you have pages and pages of footnotes uh going through all of your accounting policies, all of your various fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payables, just information on those. If you turn all the way to page 66 though, so our audit is over the financial statements. That's what that first opinion letter um is is written reference to. But it's also a compliance audit. So page 66 starts three more letters, three more opinion letters essentially. One of them over internal controls, one over state compliance, and one over federal compliance. uh over internal patrols we did note uh a finding related to uh your local funds treatment of health care benefits. Um there is uh a method for

025drawing funds down from state, federal, and paying uh health insurance costs that happens 11 months out of the year one way and then one month out of the year a different way just to uh based on when you have to pay Blue Cross Blue Shield. They allow you to pay uh um they allow you to pay your July uh healthc care cost in July rather than at the end of June. And that's just so you don't have any carryover funds. But that creates this uh li this liability on the local fund that then has to be allocated down into expenditures. There was a large negative liability asset on your balance sheet as of June 30 that had to be recognized as expense in the local fund that it was related to health care cost that

026created a budget violation because you didn't realize you had those expenses sitting on the balance sheet. Um this is akin very similar to the same problem you had a year ago. the consultant that you used uh approved by DPI um for the first few uh first few years of those programs funded by DPI but now uh having to be funded locally did not see that large negative liability that debit balance that uh in the balance sheet that really needed to be down in expenses. Uh it's my understanding he looked at that trial balance, gave it an okay, but it was not okay. So that resulted in us having to recognize that as expense, thus creating a budget violation. So your two findings relate to that transaction, the budget violation that occurred and the fact that

027that that liability account wasn't properly reconciled before June 30th. >> Yep. So um explain that a little bit. So with the violation dealing with blue shield blue cross you said 10 months 11 months you do it one way and what way is that and one month you do it differently. So where did we make the violation in? So there it for 11 months you pull down funds at the end of the previous month so that you can make your payment before the month starts. >> Okay. >> But in for the July payment, you're allowed to pull down the in July and pay in July just so you don't have a prepaid expense or an approval associated with Blue Cross Blue Shield. It requires you in your system essentially to click buttons different. And if you

028don't click those buttons differently correctly, it creates a situation where that money sits on the balance sheet rather than getting allocated into expense. So it's a it's a it's a a software step program like how you actually initiate those various uh drawdowns and payments. Um and so that's that is what created this liability account to have a negative liability which is a it's a debit in accounting terms. That debit is really an expense but it's sitting in the balance sheet as if it's an asset like it's a receivable from somewhere instead of down in expense where it belonged. >> Okay. And it it really is just a sequence of software uh procedures that differ one month versus the other 11. And again, if you get that out of sequence, don't do it right. It creates

029that situation which can be noticed when you see a debit balance in a liability account uh again that you're that consultant you were using just did not understand or see. So followup question. So is there for the procedure to correct this uh so it won't happen again are there steps that you're supposed to follow that has been given to our >> Yeah. And it it has been fixed >> and has been it has been fixed uh as much as it can be for the previous year and for this year. So it is uh the sequence is now understood and uh Brooke knows what account to look at and what balance should trigger a flag of this is not right. This needs to be down in expense. Um so yeah that it it has been corrected.

030So, what does that cause us to have less money or more money or what does that >> it it has it causes you to have less money as of June 30, 2025, but a little bit more money in June 2026. So, you used $800,000 of fund balance, but I uh all things being equal, which I have not looked at your budget for this year and your spending for this year. All things being equal, you should be back into that $5 to $600,000 fund balance usage for 25 26 and then hopefully 26 27. Again, still too much, still moving towards using all your fund balance, but not at that same rate. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So the uh the other two um letters related to federal and state compliance. We come in every year. We

031have to look at 20% of your federal dollars. Every major program has to be looked at at least once every three years. On the state side, we have to look at the state public school fund because it's $21 million. The bulk of your budget. We have to look at that every year. And then also look at other major state programs once every three years. And that would just be like lottery funds if you get them, CTE. Uh but this year we looked at your federal child nutrition fund and those COVID ESF ESSER funds for compliance. And this year on the state side just the state public school fund. And for both of those uh state and federal funding sources, the programs we looked at, we noted no uh question costs, no findings related to how

032you spent those monies. You spent them in accordance with the particular grants. Uh uh again, clean unmodified opinions and no findings related to your compliance with state and federal uh compliance requirements. And then page 75 uh details um starts the detail of those two findings. It is in accounting speak but you know we kind of just discussed it in um normal language uh what it relates to but it is it is about treatment of uh handling and reconciling health care cost and then the budget violation that uh was created because of that adjustment after your end. And that's all I've got. If you've got any questions, happy to answer. >> Anyone? >> I have one. >> Go ahead. >> So, does this put us do we have to do something for the state because we

033had that problem? >> Uh, they've already been uh so they they follow up and a response has been sent in and they've approved that response and so it has been handled. >> All right. Thank you, sir. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Uh, next item, unfinished business capital. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the last few meetings, we've been discussing the capital the capital 8.88 funds and it was requested at the end of our meeting with the joint meeting to bring back to you uh two spreadsheets which you'll find at your table. um so that you can see the the differences in regards to what it would cost to do some work at the civic center or some other projects. And so the 888 that shows that does not have the blue at the bottom

034was the original and the this one is the updated version. >> Okay. So, I'll turn it over to the board for discussion um in regards to how we want to proceed forward with the ADA funds. And I think Mr. De just walked in on perfect time, which is great. >> Now, M I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So, the one thing that I think Mr. Lillard had asked for was to add back the civic center. That's the only thing different, right? >> We added back the civic center. Yes, ma'am. the civic center and we took some of the east wing off of the 88. Alan, you come on to but there was some questions on why one not the other. The civic center had was not students weren't in session in the civic center as frequently

035and we were using classroom space. So this one now shows the civic center added back to the added back to the equation. >> Okay. So, we took off the east wing, the roof repair and HVAC. Is that is that what you were saying? You said you took off the two east wings. >> You can look at the two um spreadsheets line by line to see the differences and m you have a copy. >> Okay. I guess what I'm >> I don't really see Mr. >> I believe what uh what we went back and done is the u the water tower I think is what we kind of took out at uh North Elementary for some of the I mean Stony Creek and then we put the civic center and some of the east wing back

036in there. >> That's okay. So the east wing that's what I was kind of questioning because I compared the two. >> Right. >> So I think that's really the big difference in trying to keep um everything in the 8.88. Well under the 8.88 is the only real uh differences that are there. >> Okay. So what what actually Okay. Let's just you said we took something off of the east wing but you're saying that we did not. I guess I'm trying to I want to know what we took off that we need to be fixing. >> So that everything that we have listed needs to be fixed. We just don't have >> Oh, I know that. But you said we took off some stuff. So I want to know what actually we took off that needs

037to be fixed. >> Mr. D. >> Um the only thing that I've got many list and I think you and Joel came one day to my office and I show you a whole file fold of vestments what we got for the building. So we but as far as this goes, the only thing that I really think that we've taken off really is the stuff that's down in creek right now and we put the civic center back in here because that was the two differences that we had. >> I guess what she's saying is from this sheet has east wing, >> right? >> This sheet, what's the difference between these two sheets in regards to the east wing? Was anything taken off this original sheet regarding the east wing that's not on this new sheet? >>

038Is that what you're saying? >> Yes, sir. >> You follow what I'm saying? >> Yeah. I think the only thing that we really took off was swapped out the civic center stuff because I put more repairs. >> No, no, no. You still Adam, what she's asking is this. This sheet here has a list of everything in the beginning. Right. >> All right. But what Mr. Stoke said that the new sheet there's something missing from the original sheet. Is anything missing? >> It can't be no more one or two. >> Yeah. Only thing only thing different was what we were doing was um >> we had the civics back >> the center we had it back but we had to take off >> I think it was the water stuff at Stone Creek. >> Okay. >>

039But I'm not seeing that on this sheet but it was on one of the other sheets that we had that we submitted earlier. So >> So >> but the sheet we're concerned now is the green sheet. These are the recommendations you have now. >> Right. All right. >> Yes, sir. >> And the dollar amounts. I understand all that. >> Right. We're just under the 888. >> All right. But let's go back to the first sheet that has the blue at the bottom. Is there anything on that item? I guess I would say one through six. Is that correct? Bennett one through is anything one through six. Is there anything on that that's not on the new sheet? >> I guess that's the simple question. >> Is all these East wing two through six. >> Yeah,

040I think most of that's the east wing and I think most of that >> is still there. >> It's still there. The only I said only thing different is I think we went back and added the civic center right stuff and the blue at the bottom for the Stunning Creek Elementary is where we had to kind of pull out to get one to the other. >> I got you. >> But I think that's the only >> Okay. The only thing we pretty much have taken off is Stony Creek, >> right? >> So everything else >> when we get done with this, >> our east wind's going to be fixed. >> The heating in there and water in the roof. >> Was there any way that we can maybe get a list at the end of

041the school year? What what what all our school systems need to be fixed? what we're looking for in advance. put that together for as with Brady to do one year, three year, five year, 10 year plan um to do actual study um on our buildings due to the aging factor and we also need one for um the DPI somebody that need >> state is requiring us to update our fac and submit which has been out of compliance um for the last one we submitted I want to say right before CO um as far as the state facilities plan. So we did get some notification today but over the spring break regarding that we need to update and become in compliance with the state facilities plan which staff is prepared to work on and bring to

042the board for approve. Okay, another question. Uh, I know we talked about the gutter things being done at North and South over the spring break. Was that done? >> We haven't completed everything. The gutters are done. >> Okay. >> This is actually in the ground. >> We've got to dig up where it transitions from the gutters to the drain pipe. Okay. >> They're stopped up >> and we did get approval at the last board meeting to get North and South both redone. So, but they have the paperwork now and everything is set up for them to go ahead with it. >> Okay. So, everything on this sheet is going to be either ordered, complete, >> and fun. Okay. >> Every everything the only two things that we're really looking at is the water treatment facility

043at South >> South Elementary. Like I said, that's going to require a few engineers. >> Okay. >> That's going to kind of be out of our hands. And I believe um the chillers I think we're we're good to go on. So >> Okay. I guess >> go ahead. Continue. >> So you know Mr. Lil had asked for two sheets. One for Civic Center and one for fixing east wing. They're back on here with that's back on this sheet on our new sheet. And the only thing we worried about now pretty much is Stony Creek. Stoner Creek is is a unique opportunity for us to improve upon as well as we still have other needs forthcoming that is not related to HVAC. So if you if you walk with me, most of this 8088 was to

044help with roofing and HVAC needs across the district because without a good HVAC system, without good roof system, buildings would not be builders will be safer because we got clean air and no moisture. So the as we move forward, we have to prioritize what's the most important piece um to work as far as the safety and security of our school district. >> Okay. Okay. So, the 500 5,700 remaining, we can use that to repair the east wing classroom. Is that what we're saying? >> That's what we're saying with this form. >> So, in East Wing, what we got is coals in the ceiling >> and also in some of these closets that we I believe y'all walked around with us. >> So, these coals are since whatever year they were put in probably 80 90s

045or whatever, but they are busting. Um, we've lost three water heaters that have ruptured down there and flooded classrooms and we've lost probably five or six of these coals in the classrooms. Um, we've gotten estimates on them to to replace them, but um, being that we were right here close at the end of the 888, I didn't want to um put it in and then end up over. Well, I know there was a lot of questions being used about lottery funds. Could since kids are there, >> so >> will we be able to use that fix going forward? >> In drawing down lottery funds, I think it would be beneficial for us to ensure that we understand what each lottery fund, how it can and will be used and how it can be used. That

046is a joint effort that we must also work with our county commissioners. I spoke with um the interim county manager uh last Thursday and we discussed having a joint meeting with the department of public instruction to explain to both of us how to access those funds so that there there isn't confusion because we've had a lot of misconceptions regarding those pieces. We know there's funds available but there are certain processes one to draw down the money. There are certain projects that have to be funded a certain way and there are some of those lot of fund that have a match. So we want to ensure that both this board that board this superintendent that county manager are very clear on those procedures before we bring it forward to anybody for approval because that is the

047best course to move forward. So the answer to your question is lottery funds are available. Um we cannot make a decision right now to use a lot of funds because we would need to research which fund would be then bring it back to the for presentation as we move forward. >> So by the end of the school year maybe we can get some type of what we're looking forward to be fixed. >> Exactly. >> We will have a facilities plan and we're going to need to stick to it. >> Okay. >> Just keep in mind that things change daily. So what may be priority today, >> next week may be Ever since I've been on the school board, we've been fixing some stuff like at the Civic Center in the East Wing. It seems like

048we just >> It's like a snowball. >> Well, >> yeah. So, it's maybe >> Well, it's a little bigger than a snowball cuz we never had this money right here. >> Yes, sir. >> That's the difference. >> And we got to make sure we use this money. >> Absolutely. >> Uh and a lot of people don't realize the age of our school. Take Stony Creek. It's 70 years old. and north and south uh busting open in 92. So that's what 34 34 years. So we keep going up and up, but and when it gets old, you got to repair. >> Yes, sir. Well, we're getting out of the repair to replace these days. So it's little things are changing. >> I got Okay. All right. Anything else? >> Now on this uh everything on this

049second sheet that you gave is in the works. So everything we're know everything not in work yet we are ready to go >> ready to go >> and move forward with it if the board approves it. >> Okay. >> The Dugen mechanical I think is the um is what we're sitting waiting on. I think I gave the estimates on them. So if we get the approval on Dougens then I think everything else pretty much um we've got the approval on. >> Yeah. I just want to be noted for the minutes that the south water the water purification treatment plan requires us to work with the department of insurance and DPI to get permits and things right away and some of that work cannot be done where our students are in school. >> Okay. >> Um

050and I've also communicated with the county commissioners that this one may be one that goes beyond the June 30th and they are aware they will earmark the money for that because they understand the rationale behind that. The plat commission have asked us to if we have a project that we feel may go by June 30th, go ahead and provide them the documentation with that so they can earmark that of the currently allowed 8.88 so that that project can be done for the betterment of our facilities, students and school community. >> Very good. >> Go ahead >> on here where it says completed need invoices. >> So it says the work that means the work is completed. We're waiting on the provider, the vendor to send the final invoice. So then we can send that to

051the county commissioner for a reimbursement. We cannot send the county commissioners estimates. They want the final invoice. So we have called, we have aggravated, we have been very persistent with some of those little workers completed so that we can get that in and done. >> Okay. We thought that maybe they were waiting on since they had right many roofs that they were working on that they were going to send it all at one time, but now we're starting to get them individualized coming in. So, they are coming in. >> So, you need approval of this one right there. >> So, we need an approval on this so that we can move forward so that we can ensure that these funds are expended by June 30th. >> Go ahead. >> We are going to try to

052spend all of it, right? So we're our goal right now we've spent eight we've spent allocated $882,23. We're over by two cent. Um but yes so what we're asking for is the approval of >> this one. >> Yes. >> And once that's approved um we can move forward um because we're ready to do so. >> I make a motion that we have. Is there a second? There's not any discussion. One thing I would add for these vendors, Mr. Stokes and Adam, as well, if they don't send an invoice, uh I would also send a copy to the county commission. So, you're covered on both ends that way. >> Big businesses sometime may not seem big to them, but it's amount of money that has been appropriated needs to be expended. >> Do the Any other

053discussion? If not, all in favor raise your hand. Oh, motion is carry. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next item, uh, new business. Uh, consent agenda. CTE survey. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Miss Black. Is there a second? This is Knight. Any discussion? If not, on favor. I'm sorry. >> Um, I have to listen to um report and I think we also asked for a line by line item to be given to us before we done our budget. I would like for that to be moved to the after I mean after our close session to give Brook time enough to bring us a line to land item. I would like to see where our money is actually going. >> Wait a minute. We're jumping ahead. We're on the consent agenda number.

054It says budget. >> No, budget is a separate item, >> but it's number two. That's not on part of the consent agenda. >> Only one item. >> We on survey. >> Yes. CT survey. >> So we going to do them individual. I'm so sorry. >> Very good. Any other discussion on the consent agenda? If not, all favor raise your hand. Opposed. Motion's carried. Thank you. Item number two. Now we're on the budget. >> Okay. Our request for that. >> You're a little bit ahead on the >> Okay. Sorry. >> Come on up, Brook. Good morning board members. This so in the reason you don't have one is we've never done a line by line for presenting to the county. The line by line comes after we receive the money from the county >> and then

055that's what the board approves and that's what the board adopts as their budget. asked for line by line be given to the county. We wanted to see I thought that's what we I know that's what I asked for and I think Mr. Lillard says something. We would like to see line by line before we do your what you send to the county. >> That's what I want. >> I've just never done it that way. Presenting stuff to the county. So, or presenting to the board for this amount of money to go to the county. >> That's always come after after we receive from the county. Let's rephrase it another way then. Same thing. >> Okay. >> For example, let's say that you're asking for X number of dollars from the county for capital. >> All

056right. >> In that amount of money you have line items that money will go in that you know, >> right? >> Okay. That's what she's talking about, >> right? >> In terms of that. >> Yes. And that's what I've I've never done it this way. Presenting this budget that y'all approve to go to the county as a line by line. >> Okay. Since I've been presenting this, >> okay, >> I've always presented this. It goes to the county when we receive the funding from the county. Then I bring it back to the board and then we go through a line by line that way. >> Okay. Let's another question follow up on that. Let's say that you get the amount of money that we are requesting for capital. All right. >> Do you have at

057your disposal now line by line item where those dollars would go? >> So yes, I do. >> Okay. That's what >> and that's what I highlighted. Um, so when this goes to the county, however, the superintendent, interim superintendent wants to present it to the county. >> Okay. >> So the what we receive from the county goes into our athletic money, which is 5,500. >> It goes into our 6,100, which is um support and development services. 6,400 6500 6600 6900 80 8,100 8,500. Those are where that county funding goes to. Okay. Now, a couple followup questions. >> Um, I have a sheet that you gave me. I requested about how much money the county has given us in the past. >> Yes, sir. and uh the capital outlay. >> Yes, sir. >> Board members, I pass

058the sheet to you. Since 2020 2021, they gave the county gave us $465,000 for capital each year. Last year was decreased by 65,000. Okay. And in this proposal, you're going for, let me make sure I got it right now. >> Is it 4315? >> It's 4:40. >> 440. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I I see it now. I got it >> because and I also wanted to note when this was um created we also had the match for the needsbased grant so that 480 will come off that's why it's not highlighted. Okay. But let me ask you this though based upon this. Would we have needs beyond? >> Correct. We would. >> So I guess my question is why not ask for more? >> We've never been able to receive more. >> No, no, no.

059That's not the question. It's like I want to be realistic about the budget, >> right? >> That's where your line item comes in. More or less. It's kind of like I asked for this and then I get this. >> I mean, we understand that. Mhm. >> Uh and I think a big difference they gave us over 200,000 for the supplements >> in there budget as well. >> That's separate, right? >> Yes. But I did that separately because they like to see that separately and so as well. >> I understand. I understand that. >> Okay. >> Also, I wanted to say when we was presenting this, we h we were not going to ask for any more from capital outlay because we had the 5%. The 5% went away after I done I did all of

060this. >> Okay, I understand. Okay. >> Yes. >> I I won't stop. >> If y'all want to ask for more money for capital outlay, we can. Okay. I asked for a million dollars last year and that's how we got the 8.88 that the county held. >> But I'm looking at the needs that we have. >> Right. I agree. >> Okay. Okay. I'm gonna stop right there in just a minute because I got another sheet for you. >> Okay. >> M common based on what Miss Begley is kind of asking I guess for detail. I'm going back to my former life now as the board. What u would it help us if we saw like the itemization or individualized um expenditures or whatever for this current year and maybe we could use that to make suggestions

061for increases or decreases and budget line items for the next year. So I think that's what Chief's kind of getting at right. >> Yes ma'am. Generally, like before we do this as well, we're able to do the third quarter reports. But with the way the third quarter fell and ended and then spring break, we haven't had those third quarter reports. They're going to come in the next board meeting because the county has requested this so early this year. We also do not have what the state's going to request for health insurance, retirement, or increases and raises. All of that affects our local fund back our our local money. I guess I understand that too, but I still think she's going from just looking >> she wants a line by line and I understand that, but

062I've just never presented it that way at this stage. >> Understand that. >> But uh for example, with the commission, the way I like to look at a line item, >> let's take uh X item. We budgeted say $60,000 this year. >> We spent 80. So common sense will tell me I'm going to ask for more than 60 this time. >> That's the way I look at the line item what she's referring to. >> Right? >> Some of some will be under >> it gives you because the customer say well you asked for this but you only spent this right you follow what I'm saying >> now uh we as you know we consulted with a consultant Dr. Barker about a few things that >> he I have things I want to share. Uh, of

063course, the no line item was one thing. The third quarter you just alluded to, the cost for Duke power increases >> that that's probably going to take place. >> And if the war is not over, the gases is going to keep going up. >> And the statement he made here, I think, is good. What we're talking about is not broken out by line item for them to see. Mhm. >> Cuz I as a having been a commissioner, if I see that you won $100,000, I want to know what do you want it for, >> how much did you spend the previous year, >> how much you asking for the next year. Okay. >> Uh, another thing I saw about emergencies, you never know what whether it be contingencies or whatever, right? >> Because that can

064always go over, right? >> All right. Uh, another item he suggested was about paving specifically north and south paving. >> Okay, paving >> north and south. They had 34 years now and it's I think I know we've done some patching >> but not pay not complete pay. >> So I did not include paving. I did so two things I did include a contingency in our local budget that's 8,500. >> Okay. Um, I did not include I did include a little contingency in the capital outlay as well. >> And then for paving that's always come back to the board to be taken out of fund balance. I we've never really taken that to the county commissioners. We've always put like4 $50,000 in it and then we don't end up using it because paving cost over 40

065or $50,000. >> But at the same time, wouldn't it be prudent to put it in capital outlay? We could and we could also do similar to what we did with the 8.88 and go to the county commissioners as a separate pot of money, not money that we receive, but money that they're holding and say this year we want to try to do these two paving projects. >> Okay. Another item was uh under savings uh capital 1.9 million. He saying that this was set up years ago in revenue. Are you familiar with that? >> What? >> Under savings. savings >> capital he has 1.9 million said it was set up years ago in the revenue you familiar with that >> that's the pool account >> I'm not sure what that's referring to >> okay I'll get

066more clarification on that >> yeah that's fine >> okay uh do you have anything in line item but about lot he talked about the lottery proceeds do we have that or that's just a projection that you lottery proceed, >> you know, the money that's available to us. >> We don't put that in our budget. Okay. >> Because when that comes, it actually goes to the county. >> Yes. >> They they handle all that. I got you. Okay. That That's a good question. >> And they can either choose to send us the money as a reimburseable, but it never goes on our books as a lottery proceeds. >> It's to them us. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Now, my final question is this. Would it make sense? Uh, we don't have to have this to the

067commissions by law until May 15th. >> By our next meeting, April 27th, >> would it be prudent for you? Can you do a line item by then? >> Yes. Do you just want what's going to the county? >> It's going to the county. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we're just to make sure I only I do it correctly. We are only wanting to see line by line for what the bucket of money that the county will be funding. >> That's current expense and capital. >> Yes. But so in capital in current expense I have like earmarked what the county funds go towards. Good. >> So do you want just those or do you want the entire budget? >> I would say the entire budget. >> Okay, that's fine. I can do that >> because

068you remember we did this before after we got the money. >> Yes. >> We looked at how much we appropriated for the past year, current year, what we're asking for for the next year, >> whether it be minus or plus. >> Yes, I can do that. I just never presented it that way at this stage. >> Can I ask for a point of clarification? In this capital outlay funds, we kept the 480 um 480,000 on the forebased grant. If we see that we've looked at each fund item and we need to ask for what it truly needs to be to support the needs of our facility, >> right? That's what I would suggest because >> I'm just I just so what I'm saying is we we should not be on the super conservative side. We

069should be on the realistic what's actually happened side and this is the ask and we can support the ask with documentation and pictures and >> what cost $50 this year. It's >> not going to cost$50. >> Correct. Do you want me to also do projects like paving? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That gives us a good synopsis because a lot of times committ say well what do you need this money for? You know, if you can show, hey, this school is 35 years old. It's time to pave the parking lot. You know, they may not give it to us, >> but at least you as you have asked. >> Okay, that's fine. I can do that. >> It's not. >> Now, point of clarification for me. So, will we see a detail, you know, detail

070of expenditures for this year? So, you will see, okay, well, we need to ask for more for that line next year or less. >> That's what it will be. what we >> it'll be up until the 50 the 75% point because I mean I can project >> the third quarter. >> Yes, >> I can project. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I that's what I'll do for the fourth quarter and I always project over versus under because you would rather have a larger projection than a lower projection. >> Okay. >> And hopefully by then too we might know something from the state. >> Okay. >> Well, I guess my biggest concern was that um 9100 that 418 So the 480 was in that 9100 for the needs based grant. >> So that's add it back down is

071down here at the top >> is added into 9100 and that was before we real we received we did not have any match for the needsbased grant. Explain that and Anything else? >> Well, if we're going to that's not going to be on here. >> No, when you do our next budget to us, it'll break down where all that money is going. Correct. >> Okay. >> Anything else? Anything else, Brook need from us? Okay. >> Uh, right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Moving along. Superintendent Connie, what date would this be? May u through what to >> May to June. >> Tell me what it is. >> I'm sorry. >> I haven't got it. May 9th and June 8th. >> June 8th. Okay. Very good. All right. Then a motion for that. >>

07230 days ahead. Right. Miss back. >> Make it specific. Uh >> make a motion that we extend the entrance superintendent contract from um until June 8th. >> All right. That's correct. 28 26. Okay. I second that motion. Miss any discussion? If not, all in favor raise your hand. Opposed motions 4 to one. Thank you. All right. Next item, needs base grant. Uh bra design uh bra is up here. Okay. So, as you know, um the needs based grant is proceeding forward. I want to thank our county commissioners and the board of education for their due diligence. And so, we have two things for discussion this afternoon. uh one is the braided design phase proposal which is the next step in order for us to move forward with the um us move forward with the project.

073So you have this in your packet. This is a phase proposal. The proposal simply outlines outline the scope of the work. This was the scope of the work and the design team will design is the schematics of the schematic estimate design development. This allows us to also start work on the construction documents as well as construction phase and it excludes as materials etc. And the total fee is 1,800,000 which all will be paid from the 18.8 billion which is no cost to the board. All this will be for direct that you you receive this information in your packet. I'll ask Kevin from um Brady to come up to the podium if you have questions for regarding the design phase proposal. Okay, questions. Now let me make sure I understand we approve this. This starts >>

074When we approve. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> And how long will it take? >> We estimate the design phase will take 8 to nine months. >> 8 to 9 months. Okay. Going ahead. We talked about this a little bit. When do we make when do we need to make a decision about the students at Oakwood School based upon your projection? So I think we will have a lot more clarity on timeline and scope at the conclusion of that first phase which is the assessment and schematic design phase. Anticipate that will take two to three months >> uh for us to really wrap our hands around um what both what's feasible to get work going started early with DPI um as well as some of the details of the scope of work. So I would guess

075between two to three months. >> Okay. So that would give us time for the 27. >> So okay what the let me just kind of share part of the what the overall vision was for this project. Um the the targeted goal start to start some of the actual work was going to be January of >> 27 27. >> Okay. >> Right. Now, however, it would it would be beneficial for us to go ahead and make a decision to relocate students for the beginning of the next school year so that uh we can do things. So, I just don't find it as an educator disrupting an educated environment mid year is is terrible. So, let's start out let's start from the beginning so we know what we're doing from the beginning. So that was what the

076thought process and plan was to start the school year with Oakwood vacated. Um and we have been preliminary looking at other sites and things to see how we can serve all of our students. That still keeps the design phase model in place in planning so that because the longer we take to execute the project, the less effective the dollars will be because things are going up. So, we wanted to have an aggressive approach to spending the 18.8 million to keep to do the most work. If we delay and keep pushing things back with inflation, the cost of things, we'll get less work done and then our students and our school community, we have less impact on the learning environment. >> Okay. And so our our our our pathway we're looking to take is to one

077while the divine design phase is happening occurring, we're also looking at how can we relocate, how can we restructure so that the school year starts with students in a different place. Although that final decision has not been made yet, but those are those are the those are the thoughts behind it. so that when we start the project there's nothing prohibiting us from doing so because I've set through construction and I can tell you things come up and moving kids during construction is not easy and moving small kids is is even more difficult so that's the while the design phase proposes happening current is occurring we will be looking at local ways to reallocate and redistribute the population of Oakwood amongst our current current structures which is the best fit. So we've started some of that

078work preliminarily but some things kind of put on hold when things put on hold. So just kind of give that out there for everyone to kind of hear that's the thought process so that when the the project begin the building's already vacated our maintenance department can do what needs to be done to maybe salvage and use some things that we need to use um and and make it a smooth transition for the students and the teachers. Okay. All right. Any other questions, concerns? All right. So, agreement today will >> No, we need to approve this and this will get them this will get the design phase. >> That's right. This back >> I make a motion that uh we approve Brady to start our uh design phase. >> Any discussion? If not, all of raise

079your hand. Motion's carried. Thank you. >> Thank you. The second thing under the agenda is at the O at the April 6 meeting, the county commissioners received our uh needsbased public school capital fund form of agreement. You have a copy of that form that's been completed to show um this is the this is the agreement that shows how much the grant funds are awarded for 18.8 million. Local funding says $0 and0 source of local funding not applicable. So the county commissioners did vote on approving this at their April 6th meeting. As for as a follow from our joint meeting, we were to vote on it today. After both boards have voted on it and is in both boards minutes uh and recorded both the chair and both chairs of both boards respectively will sign the

080form so that we can have it submitted to NCDPI to get the signature of the state superintendent and once we get that back a copy will be given to the county commissioners as well as for our records as well. Okay. So we're requesting approval of the leadbased um memorial and agreement. Miss Becker makes the motion. Mer makes a second. Any discussion? If not, all in favor raise your hand. Opposed? Motion's car five. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Number five. So now we have um Avery Robinson Training Consulting. Um there's a letter for this and I'll turn it over to Dr. Jones to explain these these items. The next couple items are hers. Okay. >> Good morning. >> All right. >> If you look in um the overview sheet for CCS BOE packet,

081it looks like this. Okay. >> Okay. So, under each area there's a contract overview. And we've been working closely with Amy Robinson and Miss Gullig is here behind because at Dillard we've had an increase and threat assessments and suicidal ideiation. and to help support our parents, our kids, and our teachers. These companies will provide the support. So, I'm just asking if we can continue with them. In the grant, it specifically talked about mental health and safety that I wrote. So, the funds are in alignment. I have a question. Miss Black, >> is this the same group that you've been using? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Um, it's great to hear this is in place because I heard something this morning that was kind of disturbing that the suicide rate has preceded the car accident.

082>> Yeah. Um, but I guess beyond the grant, is there anything internally being done to like build capacity for staff and students if there is not a grant available? >> Well, they completed modules so that staff can continue to take them and update them and build their capacity. That's Is anybody else miss? >> No, I was going down. >> Go ahead. >> I said I was going to make the motion. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Okay. All right. You make the motion to approve and second, Miss Blackman. Any discussion? If not, all in favor, raise your hand. Opposed? Motion's carried 6. Thank you. >> Number six. >> Yes. And number six offers the same type of services, but as you know, when we've been meeting, we need additional people when it comes to the drive

083to Caswell. So, they're going to support and additionally help especially our elementary schools and high school. Okay. Questions, concerns? If not, you make the motion. >> I'll make the motion. >> Is black to second. Any discussion? Excuse me. If not, all in favor raise your hand. Opposed? Motion's carried. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then the last is a continuation. The UNCC Chapel Hill. They've given us two counselors before. So hopefully we can continue that and have additional counselors. So one is at South and one is at Dillard. >> Okay. >> And it's to no cost to the district. >> That works well. >> Works well. >> Can't can't catch that one. >> Not at all. >> Can't keep that. >> So we will question. >> We will continue to have this for the next

084school year. Yes, ma'am. >> That's very good. >> All right. You got a motion in effect? >> Yes. >> Second. Any discussion? Not all of raise your hand. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next item number eight we added is traffic stud. >> So board members at your table you have a packet that talks about the traffic study. Um I defer most questions to Mr. centric as he's been a point of contact for this. How about you want to know if you recall at the beginning of the school year the board asked us to listen to three schools on traffic design high school North Elementary and Oakwood Elementary and we've been working diligently with the department of transportation the transportation mobility and safety division traffic management unit and so the barley answers were the first

085one fully submitted those in and this information was sent to you in my superintendent updates a couple of weeks ago I didn't receive any questions, but we need to get approval of this so that two other things can happen. One, um, they can send it over to DOT and potentially find let me stop. Let David say it because he says it much better than I. Why we need approve today? Dr. M soon to be Dr. >> Good morning and uh, thank you Mr. Stokes. So this study like Mr. has been uh developed with the participation of um school staff especially the principal transportation maintenance and the leadership in in this office and um so the idea is that it needs your approval so that they the the the division 7 from DOT can submit it

086to the construction division so that they can look and see what kind of funding is is going to be required to be able to complete this project if there is any funding on their end or whatever we we don't have a decision about funding, but we need to move forward with a saying that we've approved this this proposal so that they can come up with the uh cost and sources of funding for this. And uh if you look at the last page, it explains uh visually what what is the uh the proposal is going to be like changing the the driveway. The current driveway is going to be blocked. There will be a sidewalk for students to walk to the to the in that direction and the entrance going to be closer to the student

087uh the current students uh parking um area on that side. And then people's going to come in around a new driveway that's going to build in the front lot and come back and uh create two lanes for um dropping or loading students um in front of the school and then coming out in the same same location that they come out right right now. So like I said, we only need to have our approval of this proposal so that they can submit it to the construction division for estimates and sources of funding. >> Mr. D, I think this will help tremendously. My only concern is what I see mostly um when I watch is the folks that are coming from the Burlington way on 62 won't let the cars in that's turning off Main Street. And

088that's what caused a lot of the blockage. So, they don't give a inch. If you're coming from Brooklyn, you go turn in, they not let those cars turn in front. >> That is correct. And part of the the issue is because there's not a lot of room for them to to try to do that. But with this loop that is going to be created, there is less people waiting in that area to try to come in. >> So, that that should be solved the problem. And then uh another suggestion was to uh try to locate some make some traffic control if it if it's continued to be an issue to have some traffic control in that in that part to make that flow. >> Is very good. >> Did I hear you say hopefully they

089will come up with the funding? >> Yes. They're the ones that are going to start looking for make sure that was clear. >> Yes, ma'am. Well, you need me to talk about that. >> Anybody else? All right, looks good. >> I will make a motion >> to proceed. Black will second. Any further discussion? If not, all of raise your hand. Motion car. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. >> In regards to the other two schools, traffic studies, um Oakwood has a meeting scheduled for the either the 29th or 30th of this month, and there will be another um site visit at North to monitor the traffic. The times they've been coming to North's normal day has been altered either with tutoring, things that sort. So, there's a lot moving, a lot of moving pieces. So, the

090data wasn't lining up. They're saying your traffic line is fine, but it was happening on days we had two early going on or there was an assimilated student left early that altered the normal day. So that I do believe is happening this week, >> Thursday. >> This Thursday at North. So if you see some people with some sign, that's what that is so that we can get an accurate um data analysis of the traffic to help also alleviate the traffic concern at North Elementary. And our goal is hope that by the end of the year we have submitted all three traffic studies for the board for approval to move forward. >> I saw some uh read last night outward the principal's updates uh and they were talking about asking the parents not to move the

091cones >> and then if you go in there's a sign that says buses only. Correct. I don't think everybody knows that right now >> unless somebody's physically standing out there, >> you know, to stop that. >> This is a smaller area to deal with. >> Yes. So, initially when we first rolled out, we did have staff out there. >> Okay. >> To teach the new procedures >> because buses come in that way, but also um staff at Oakwood will come in that way. So, they're not in the car ride line because we're issued to Carolina. >> Okay. And so what's happened with some of the changes in start times, some people are now different, dropping off than it was before, right? >> They're just trying to get in where they fit in. And so Oakwood

092um study plan should be close to its final phase to where it's looking to reroute just like they did something with the answer one that will propose because the best thing about Oakwood, it's a flat site. So it doesn't really cost much to pay something because it's a flat site. And so we hope to bring that to you um as soon as it's ready. >> Okay. Very good. >> I know, Mr. Stakes, you wouldn't hear back in 2019 when we first originally started talking about North, but it was also we were talking about a turning lane coming out of the front of the building because I think Mr. battle had been the one that had bought plaques for students that agreed that they could be moved and those pear trees to ordain because that seems

093to be one of the biggest problems when you're coming out of that front. You can't if somebody's going left, you can't go right, >> right? >> So you you're discussing the actual entrance from North 86 >> because it not really being a two-laner, it really needs to be a threeler. Yes. And so we can we when we talk to um the committee regarding that we can bring that up and they can add that to the school of the plan. >> Dave, you got that? Thank you. >> Anything else on that? >> Go ahead. >> I don't know how they're doing it. I'll have to watch it operate. But I just noticed at Southern Middle School in Person County the way they got it coned off, it looks like they got like almost three lanes picking

094up. I don't know if they're just stopping them all until everybody's in the car and I'd be worried about kids crossing, but it looks like they were because they they're the same way. They got a short parking lot and then they're back on the city maintain road, but the way it's con it looks like it's three different lanes, >> right? >> So, in most schools that are close to the highway and have local space, I just talk about an experience of mine. Um, when I was principal today, we had the same issue because we're right now off 70, which is a major railway. Our parking lot was actually marked for three lanes, but the people who were there when they marked the three lanes are no longer in this insight building. So I had DOT

095come out and retrain users so that you can stack traffic to stack cars. And that's one of the suggestions that I think was mentioned for Oakwood um in some of the discussions as well as possibly depending on how those things work. But I know with North it's a single line, right? And so key that so they so just as they did with this project they gave you a parking analysis and a a a a management plan D will do that for us as well and that will be they're the experts in that matter. So we'll be lucky to have that insight from them that will help us um work more efficiently. But at the same time, there's a school on 119 in Alamance County. They have three lines coned off. They call three kids at

096the time and they once those kids are in the car, boom, boom, boom. >> But somebody physically is standing out there to direct them and it works smooth. Uh, and a lot of people do that, but when you do a single line, it takes a little time to get them out of there. So I'm guess and that restricts you in terms of how much room you got too. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Maybe we need a contract with Chick-fil-A instead of >> Chick-fil-A get concerns about that. >> All right. If not, uh super update. So I just want to first um provide an update that as we are in our fourth quarter I need all to understand that every day of instruction has to be um as close to perfect as possible. So I'm challenging

097our families, our students, our staff to have a laser sharp focus on academic expectations for the end of the school year. Newcastle County Schools is a great school district with great promise with great people in all places. Are we perfect? No. But neither is any other school district. But we're going to continue to perfect the process as we move forward. Also would like to um highlight and recognize assistant principles again for their tireless work because um there's some long days and long nights people don't see behind the scenes. We also want to thank every employee. I also want to thank every employee of C County School that has worked um this school year. Um we see you. We acknowledge the work and things you put in place, but please note that um it is easy

098for us to find what's wrong. Let's continue to highlight what's right and understand that everything we do impacts the future as we look at our students um outcomes. We have students that depend on us each and every day to be the best for them each and every day. That's all I have for superintendent updates. All right, turn over to you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. >> Board member observations. Uh, Miss Beck, let's stop. >> Um, I lost one piece of paper, but um, I had a couple of things to to say. Um, I just want to give a shout out to uh, Officer Ham Hams. Am I saying that right? You know, I was at a ball game at Dillard before Easter break out and he was off duty and I know, you know, and

099this ties into what else I'm going to say. You know, Dillard ballfields are not handicapped accessess and that's something we need to be looking at. um he actually helped a man that was in a wheelchair and he pulled that man all the way over to the other side of the field where he needed to go do that rough terrain and I just thought that was outstanding for him to do. He did not have to do that. But we really need to look into making those accessible for wheelchairs around our ball fields. >> But this was softball. >> This was baseball. Baseball. >> But softball is the same way. All >> right. So softball, baseball, soccer fields. All the fields and this summer field. >> I just think those cuz football and soccer is is kind

100of flat. You can get right there where you need to go. >> But your two ball fields, they we've got to do something to those. >> Um That's I guess that's all I got and I just I hope everybody had a good good vacation and thank everybody for all your hard work. Had some other stuff but I can't find it. >> Miss D. Yes, I have quite a bit. Um I attended the non-school I was um meeting for the that was scheduled with the education collaborative region foundation. I guess the elementary schools principles and counselors were invited and I guess they were sharing that they have funds available to um fund after school activities for elementary schools and they talked about some ideas and that type of thing. So I guess they will have other

101meetings and hopefully that becomes saw that in the fall. I um went over to Ston Creek and I volunteered in Miss Lunch's first grade class um during that science activity and they were um discussing the life cycle with the chicken and some of the kids were really excited. several kids and said they have chickens at home and I heard all the wonderful stories about the baby chicks. Um I stopped at villa for a little bit and visited with Miss Gullard. I went to um South I guess had enough kids doing that battle of the books that they were able to have a mock run through for when they do the counties competition. So I attended that. Um I attended the dedication of softball field for Mr. Porn. I guess his family and he was very

102honored that he started with Mr. development suggested enough thought enough of him, you know, to dedicate the softball field in his honor. The M vacation madness, I attended that with congratulations to all the schools. Um the grade levels that won and I guess the runner for third grade was from South and the fourth grade runner was from North. So we commend them on that efforts there. Stopped by Bike for a few minutes. Miss Carter was in the middle of a conference call, so I didn't get to really visit her. I had lunch at Mr. Stewart's um EC class at Oakwood and I visited the um prek class and went to the EC kindergarten class while I was there and um Mr. Battle was I guess honored to be the speaker at the boat house fourth

103annual fundraiser um the other weekend. So I attended that and heard Mr. about or share stories about when he first came to Caswell and all the nice things I guess you know the black community to do to welcome teachers from out of town so that they have a place to live andor eat and also I want to thank everybody for um all they're doing here for Catholic County school system and I hope our staff and students had a wonderful experience >> very good I also had a chance to attend the multiplication and the thing that impressed I mean, nothing about the winning was the enthusiasm of the kids. >> Uh, I don't think they really cared about winning or losing, but they were just involved. And the kids, uh, if they missed a tenth of

104a second, they took it and went, had a seat, you know, drop that card in the box. But I want to congratulate all for the hard work that they did. And if you look on Facebook, I think one school had like 63 pictures, I believe. So went through all them, but it was real nice to be able to attend that. Uh, having worked with Jack Pointer for several years, I was uh glad that was able to be done and I know he he and his family were very appreciative of it. I had an opportunity this past week during the spring break to observe a school system in Ohio and uh they had a thing where kids in the high school if they live less than a mile from school they had to walk to school

105and I thought that was kind of dangerous you know even though ninth graders you know uh walking like that but uh it was kind of interesting though but it just shows you how different the school system do and this high school had like 1,900 students and uh real big though. That's all I got right now. Mr. >> I don't have a loss just so you want to thank our assistant principles for assistant principal week. I hope everybody had a good spring break and like MTO said we're in the home stretch now. So let's get get ready for testing and all year. >> All right. um saying just kudos to everybody for their hard work and um this is a critical time of the year. I know it's a time that people really um get a

106little anxious about testing all the end of year events but just keep pressing forward and working hard and um the Jack Porter ceremony. It was great to see Miss Porter. She was my supervisor when I was at North Elementary School. just great seeing the family um there and just um just hope everybody has continue to have a great year school year. >> Um I had also had opportunity to attend the dedication and as everyone was saying it brought about a lot of memories but you know what it's also good to see community people come out that you haven't seen in a long time. So we are always grateful and thankful for that support that people will come out uh and do that. I did end up going over to Bart Yansy High School. I actually

107met with the new assistant principal there and uh they have a lot of good things that's going on and you know in walking through being able to all I can say is that our students are well behaved to what I saw and so uh want to thank everyone that makes the wheel go around. I don't want to just pick on one certain group but that makes the wheel go around. And also um as they said about the assistant principles, sometimes we do not say thank you. And so I just want to personally say uh continue with the thank you. But uh the most important message I have is students, parents, and everyone. It takes a village. And so we're looking to continue our growth process when testing happens because Caswell County is on the map.

108Okay. One thing I will share with you, take you back down memory lane. When I first came here in 1967, that was my first job teaching. Uh there they I stayed with a family, Mr. M. And the rent and food was $65 a month. >> You got a room and you got breakfast and dinner five days a week. >> Saturday, Sunday, you had to go for yourself. And in Yansville at that time, the only thing open was Joe's Choco Burger. Oh yeah. >> And they closed at 6 PM. Then Claude Stra had a place where you get hot dogs and hamburgers and that was it. $65 a month. And now the problem is now if new teachers come here, there's no place for that. They have to either go to Danville, Reville, Roxbury, whatever. But

109uh $65 was big money back then though. So, uh I I mean y'all know I'm old, but uh $65 was $65 anyway you can. >> All right. So much for that. Anything else? >> I think it's counsel. Is it something? >> This was >> that was I saw that. >> It's hard to keep up with. Okay. All right. That being said, uh I move that the CO County Board of Public Education go into close session for the purpose of consider personnel action that involves an officer employee of this board NC general stat 143 318.11 Princ 6 and for the purpose of discussing information confidential and not public record NC general statute 143 Princes one and to confirm with fraternity also to discuss proposed contract for uh Mr. Stokes. Is there a motion to that effect?

110I mean, that's my motion. Is there a second? Miss Black in discussion. If not, all raise your hand. All right. We're now in close session. We take about a 10-minute break.