001Good evening everyone. We'll go ahead and call this meeting for Monday, June 9th, 2025 to order. I'd ask at this time if Mr. Pastor Will Davis will come and lead us in our invocation. And join me is Tobin Davis, rising third grader at Union Elementary. Thank you for coming together. Our father in heaven god, we come into your holy presence bringing you today this meeting, bringing you this board, bringing you everyone who is in attendance. Father, we also bring you this agenda that is before us and we ask that your will be done. Lord, we ask that you give us wisdom as we make decisions and govern. And Lord, we thank you for this opportunity. May we uh continue to do what's right in your sight and may we continue to trust in you. Father,
002I ask for your continued protection of this county and this board and this school system. Father, I ask for your provision. Uh continue to provide your resources for us and may you lead us in right paths for your name's sake. Father, we thank you for the day you have provided. Lord, let us rejoice that we get to serve you and we thank you for giving us this time. God, continue to um lead us as we continue to follow you. It's in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit we pray together. Amen. Amen. Thank you, sir. At this time, I'd like to recognize Miss Reese Elliott from Burns High School. if she would come and lead us in our pledge, please. To the flag of the United States of America and
003to the stands, one nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ree. At this time, I'd like to recognize Miss Rhonda Benfield for some recognition. Mr. Chairman, members of the board, thank you for the opportunity to recognize one of our premier local employers who has become just a wonderful business partnership for us and several outstanding recent high school graduates. The students of course are a highlight tonight, but before we get to them, I do want to take just a minute and share a little bit with you about this business partnership that we have with Atrium Health. Three years ago, Atrium expanded their Rise to Success program to include Cleveland County. Five students were chosen that first year. It has grown each year. And in this, the third year, we have 11 high school seniors
004who will be continuing their education tuitionfree at a community college while also being employed with Atrium. In addition to Rise to Success, Atrium expanded another program, the high school summer internship program. And we have had four students chosen each summer to take part in a six-w weekek paid internship with Atrium Cleveland or Atrium Kings Mountain. And yet, a third program that Atrium is offering to our students for the very first time this summer, Hype, is a fourwe job shadowing program where students will take part in professional development and simulations with Atrium and they'll be awarded a stipen after completing that program. We're very grateful to Atrium Health for providing these programs that recognize student achievement and interest in healthcare careers and for providing opportunities and experiences for our students. So I first want to recognize
005Veronica Pool Adams. She's a vice president facility executive for Atrium Cleveland if she will come forward and receive a certificate from Dr. Fiser. We thank her for their wonderful partnership with Cleveland County Schools in many many ways. And now she is going to help recognize our students. This year again, we have 11 Cleveland County School graduates who are beginning their journey to a career in health science thanks to the Rise to Success program. I will call out those student recipients this year who will be participating in the program. We have 11. We have several here tonight. Keep in mind it's summer. School's out. Some of them are gone and unable to be here. First we have Christa Childers. Christa will [Applause] be Christa will be participating at Atrium Lincoln and Christa just graduated from Burns
006High School. Stay right there. Next we have Raven Dumlau. [Applause] Raven is a graduate of Shelby High School. She'll be completing um her position at Atrium Cleveland. Next we have Rachel Reese Elliot. [Applause] Reese just graduated from Burns High School and Chloe Hull. Chloe is also a graduate of Burns High School and she will be at Atrium Cleveland working in medical equipment. And Veronica, if you'll come and have a picture made with them. and I will just finish the list of students if you don't mind just so we give them their recognition even though they couldn't be here tonight and they could have come in late. John Corbett show up. Okay, John. Uh, Lonnie Downey, Maddie Abernathy, Madison Emory, Kindlean Reese Gettis, Destiny Giles, and Cara Seagull. So, congratulations to these 11 students pursuing health
007science. Thank you, Miss Benfield. At this time, we'll make a motion here. I'd like entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. Uh if without objections, we'll take the adoption uh 4 3.01 and 4.01 together. Do I have a motion? I'd like I'd like Oh, adoption to approve. Yes. I'm sorry. Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda? Amend the agenda. Okay. What's your motion, sir? 140. uh go into close session 143-318.11 A3 to consult with our attorney on personal matters personnel and okay u all right we have a motion in a second well we got to vote on first it got to pass uh let's the it would be at the end of the agenda, but uh well, let's vote on it and see. Uh all those in favor to go into close session,
008if you'd raise your hand. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Eight to one. Oh, seven to two. Okay. Seven to two. All right. We will put that at the end of the agenda. It will be uh yeah 9.03 and Mr. Blandon if you will hold that general statute please I will call on you then to repeat that general statute to go into question. All right. All right. Now do I have a motion to adopt the agenda as amended as amended. As amended. All right. I heard Mr. Bridges first and Mr. Humphrey second. All those in favor of adopting the agenda. 90. All right. Now, motion to approve the U minutes uh from May 12th, 2005. Mr. Humphre and Mr. Bridges. All those in favor? Nine to zero. All right. Committee reports, finance and
009personnel, Mr. Leford. Finance. Allow many discussed and supported the resolution. Thank you. Find my place here again. The committee discussed and supported the resolution. It will come before the full board for approval at the June meeting. Mr. McDaniel shared a draft of the 2425 budget amendment number two. There will be some changes before the next meeting as the state is continuing to send changes. The committee discussed the amendment and related the budget process. The amendment will come to the full board for review and approval at the next meeting. Dr. Jennifer Wampler shared a staffing update for the 2526 school year. The committee discussed the update and the good progress that is being made in preparation for the next school year. Dr. Fisher shared a graduation update and some preliminary information related to the end of
010grade and end of course testing results. A footnote here that I feel that we had an excellent uh graduation year. I think things went off pretty well. It looked good. Kids were happy. The parents were happy and uh I think they behaved themselves rather well. So, uh, it was an excellent time for our graduation. Eric Lammana shared information related to changes coming to the state health insurance plan for 2026. With no new business, the meeting adjourned. The next finance and personnel committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July the 16th, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. Thank you, Mr. Leford. Next on the agenda is the interim budget resolution. Uh does come from committee. Uh any questions concerning this? All right. All those in favor of the budget resolution if you would raise your that's n to zero.
011Next is budget amendment number two. Uh Mr. McDaniel, would you have a few words to say on that? Mr. Chairman, members of the board, uh, Mr. McDaniel, let me um I just for clarification, this just brought to my attention. This says 2425 budget amendment. Should this be that or is this 2526? The budget amendment. Yes. For the current year we're in. So, it will be 2425. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Humphre. Just want to clarify that what you have in your uh packet tonight is budget amendment number two. It's typical this time of year we're we're doing a budget amendment just to true up balances where we are where we stand. By law, we have to to uh be in compliance at twodigit purpose level. So hopefully this is the last one
012for the year, but there's 20 days left in the year. So hopefully we won't be back again, but if necessary, we'll have another amendment later. I think we made it clear last meeting. This budget is always a moving target. Changes every day. Changes every day. Okay. We were amending until lunchtime today trying to still get. So is this the lunchtime amendment or is this lunchtime amendment amendment for today? All right. All right. Any questions of Mr. Yes, sir. Uh got one question uh on the $50,000. Is that just for till we get our budget approved? It gives you the authority that you can roll roll $50,000 uh anytime you want to or is that just till we get this budget approved? I read here in in our paperwork. Are you talking about at the end
013where it talks about 50,000? Let's see. Uh yeah, right. That's transferring between amount up to $50,000 may be transferred between functions with a report of such transfers made to the board of education to regular meetings. Is that for all the time that you can transfer 50,000? Yes. Huh? Yes. Okay. Well, some had thought had understood it. It was just till we got our budget situated, but no. Okay. You good? I'm good. Not to vote for it. Okay. I was thinking it was only for this this year that it gave us authorization to do this. Uh it allows us to move money between function codes. Keep your budget in check, but not for just 2425 on pass 2425. It's just for the current budget year we are in. Okay, that's that's what I was thinking. Those
014who sit on the finance committee, I'll just say this. If we do not allow them to move money from state, local, local, they have to be able or we're going to be in a jam. Mr. I just want to clarify that this isn't adding 50,000. This gives them the ability. There's so many. We got nine budgets. Okay, I understand that. need to make I didn't understand it exactly like that and but that I wanted to double double check. Do you understand? You got it now? I got it. Okay. All right. Just want to make sure that that's clear because that would really put a a damper on finance. Trust me. Uh all right. Any other questions? Have we had this in the past? Yes. How much? I'm I haven't been part of a policy that's
015changed. How much have we had in the past? But that's never changed. As far as I know, it's been 50,000. Okay. Yeah. Okay. All right. Everybody good now. All right. I need a motion and a second to approve the Mr. Bridges. Did I hear Mr. Grigg? All right. All those in favor to zero. Thank you. All right. Uh personnel report. You all have that in your packet. U I need a motion and a sec. Mr. Bridges second by Mr. Humphre. Is there it was in the nepot? Who was the There's a section in there. I think it's a board member. It's not a board. No, it's not a board member. Okay. All right. There was there was a nepotism policy uh or not policy but sheet in here stating stating about a a principal right
016but it's not a board member having no board that's what we got to concern ourselves with okay all right did I give you Mr. Bridges and I think and Mr. three. Okay. All right. We have a motion to second. Any more discussion? All right. All those in favor? It's nine to zero. All right. Let's move on to committee reports for safety and operations. Mr. Sperling. The June 2nd safety and operation committee meeting was called to order by chairman Walter Sperling. Brian McClung shared the DMV update related to licensing of bus drivers. excuse me, and changes coming in August 2025 to the process related to DOT physicals. David Ples shared growing issues related to staffing of our driver's education program. We're in desperate need of teachers, but there is no mechanism for getting additional teachers trained
017by DMV or DPI. This is a statewide issue. Leah Sink, who is our attorney attorney, recommended submitting for a request for attorney general opinion related to the refusal of DMV to allow school system employees to attend their certification class. This was unanimously supported by the committee. We will share other with other committees this week and brought to the full board for a vote at their next meeting. Daniel How provided a school safety update related to graduation. He also shared a rapid deployment training will will be occurring over the next couple of weeks for law enforcement and school staff. Mr. Sperling shared that he was able to attend the recent safety training at Kaser along with school staff. That was very good. Rodney Borders shared that he had noted positive data trends related to short and
018long-term suspensions and behavioral behavior interventions for the 2425 school year. Sandy Hamri updated the committee on the federal COPS school violence prevention program grant. We have applied in the past, but we have not received the grant. This year, Mrs. Mrs. Hammock is continuing to work collaboratively with law enforcement and related agencies to re reapply for the grant focusing on commission or communication systems and equip equipment to improve the work and safety of our campuses. The Shelby Police Department brought up concern that no was they noted during graduation probation officers shared a question related to summer school. There was no other agency reports. Dr. Fiser reminded committee the committee that we have allotted CIF grant money for the Kings Mountain High School Press Box. David Brinkley from the Kings Mountain Touchdown Club shared his idea and
019and plan for a press box project with a stadium renovation. The committee was supportive of the plan but wanted the plan to be shared with the finance and personnel committee a full board for consideration. Dr. Jennifer Wampler and Chip Childers shared the capital projects report. The committee reviewed the report which will be attached to the board's agenda at their June meeting as an information item. Jamie Courier shared that summer feeding started today with no new business. The meeting was adjourned. The next safety and operations committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 11:45 p.m. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Sperling. Uh, did all the board members catch the first part of what he said? Did I was wanting to ask that question. Did the board did the rest of the board members hear that
020presentation from uh Kings Mountain Franklin? Then I don't think that's been assigned yet. No, I was talking about the first part of the with the DMV. So, so the Can I Can I address it, Chairman? The the DMV. So, uh, the we have a a shortage of teachers that can drive that can teach driver's ed and but we have there's no route to train new teachers because the DMV policy right now uh will not allow our teachers to go through the training process. the only people they accept right now are private uh businesses that teach driver's ed. So, so we're kind of in a pickle uh as far as how to get these teachers trained. Uh Leah Sync and that's Leah Sync was going to write to attorney general about it and and ask if
021there's a route that we can open up to get new teachers trained. So, currently we I think uh Dr. Fisher, correct me if I'm wrong. Currently, we have eight and normally or Dr. or Mr. Ples, one of y'all. 15. And normally, we had 14 or 15. 15. Okay. So, we're we're at about half of of what we need whi which this is just an information item for the for the public, too. uh that means over the next year we will not be able to teach the same amount of of students that we have been teaching in the past. So the the driver's ed um getting your driver's permit and and license may slow down as a result. Is that a state policy? It is a state it is a state problem. It's a DMV problem.
022What they're trying to do is privatize driver's ed is what they're trying to do. But let me make all of you aware that we have a TA policy for teacher assistants have to drive a school bus. So there's all kind of complex that's the second part of this. Part of this the Yeah. The second part of this is DOT physicals. Yep. And uh so so to drive a school bus, you have to have a DOT physical and and uh there's there's doctors to give a that can give a DOT physical have to be certified to to give that physical. And uh there's less doctors. They're harder to get into. uh uh the requirement for each person is different based on their their age and health and uh so we're having a problem getting u uh
023people medically certified to drive the buses. So do we know how many do I do? No. Uh not in the county. We h do you know how many in the county, Mr. Ples? Don't know how many in the county, but we have we have a physician that that uh would come every correct me if I'm wrong, every three months. Once a month. Once a month to give to give this physical. Uh but it m can Mr. P come up and address this. He know he knows all the particulars. Come on, Mr. P. Let's give you about two minutes. I think you can knock it out pretty quick. But while he's coming up, I I want to say go back to the DMV thing. Uh we have eight teachers instructors right now. If we were to
024lose in, we'd have zero driver's ed instructors. We couldn't teach driver's ed, right? Because of DMV, not us. Mr. If you would talk about the physical thing right quick, please. So, the big thing about DOT physicals is right now there has been a grace period. Like if if you know you're supposed to have your physical on June the 1st and you can't get in to see a doctor until June the 7th, there was a grace period there that we could take advantage of. A person wouldn't lose their license. Of course, we didn't have them driving a bus between June 1st and June 7th. But now what the DMV wants to do is suspend that person's license for six months. So they wouldn't be able to drive a bus for six months and then they would
025have to go back through bus class, get a permit, do their driving all over again. So we would lose a bus driver for at minimum nine months to a year. So that's a a real issue that just want you guys to be prepared, you know, to be aware of. So So and some people ask why why don't you why don't we do it early? Why don't we why don't we make them go through their physical two months early? So a physical last anywhere from six months to two years depending on your health. And if you do it the earlier you do it, you know, it starts that time over again. So, it's just costing more time and money to to do it early. The big I don't think it's really the doctor. It's the time
026that if they if they suspend it nine months and our TAs have to drive a bus, we can't we're without a TA. Oh, yeah. Well, the thing was brought up. What if you're sick? Right. What if an occasion happens that you just can't make it? It's not your fault. Then you're you're penalized for up to nine months because of something beyond their control. But anyway, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. All right. I just wanted to make sure all of you were aware of that. Nothing. It's not good news, but I wanted you to make sure that everybody caught that in the report. All right. Next is education programs and policy. Miss Sherman. Yes, sir. Okay. The June 3rd educational programs and policy committee meeting was called to order by chairman Ron Ure. Dr. Jennifer
027Wampler and Leah Sink reviewed policy updates recommended by the North Carolina School Boards Association related to legal changes. Updates to the following policies were discussed. 1710 4020 7230 discrimination and harassment prohibited by federal law. 1725 7236 Title 9 sexual harassment prohibited conduct and reporting process. 2302 remote participation in board meeting, 2342 voting methods, and 40407310 staff student relations. The committee supported changes due to legal updates on all of these policies. The policies will go to the full board for a first read at their June meeting. Mr. led in a review of policy 6400 goals and organization of purchasing function 6401 ethics and the purchasing function 6420 contracts with the board 6421 pre- audit and dispersement certifications 6425 continuing contracts these policies were reviewed and discussed as part of the committee's ongoing review of the board
028policy manual and are in the 6,000 section which is support services. No changes were recommended to these policies by the committee. Dr. Chris Bennett shared a school performance data overview based on preliminary endofthe-year grade and end of course testing data. Dr. Bennett shared the state timeline related to school performance grades and certified testing data. Our data in reading and math is positive overall. Science data and growth data will not be released by the state until fall of 2025. The committee discussed the data. Dr. Brian Hunnel shared a request from Kings Mountain High School for an optional overseas field trip to England, France, Belgium, and Germany in the summer of 2027. The committee unanimously supported the trip and it will come to the board for approval at their June meeting. Rhonda Benfield shared the CTE funding
029application and articulation agreement in detail which reflects on the work of CTE in 202425 and looks forward to the 202526 school year. The committee discussed and unanimously supported the application and agreement which will go to the full board for approval at their June meeting. Dr. Brian Hunnel shared multiple contracts and invoices for approval. First, he shared EC contracts for hosting NCDPI positions, and multiple EC service contracts for visually impaired interpreters, speech teachers, specialized nurse services for North Shelby and for EC teachers. The service contracts are used when we have vacant positions that cannot be filled for needed services and have been used in the past. These EC contracts required BOR approval. Second, Dr. Hunnel shared an invoice for EXL renewal for grades 2 through 12 in the amount of $92,843.75, which requires board approval. Third,
030Dr. Jason Parker and Dr. Hunnel shared an invoice for great minds which is geode kits for all third graders at the price of 99,983.92 and requires board approval. We already have geode kits in K2. Fourth, Dr. and Dr. Hunnel shared an invoice for 95% group which are resources targeting comprehension phenemic awareness and phonics in elementary schools at a cost of $24,24122 which is a sole source purchase and therefore requires board approval. The committee unanimously approved these purchases and contracts which will go to the full board for approval at their June meeting. For information purposes only, Ginger Jackson shared an invoice from CDW, Google, in which amount of $59,752.81 for year two of three of the Google Workspace for Education Suite, which includes email accounts, drive apps, and security features. Dr. Fiser shared a graduation update.
031We had eight successful graduations in May. Over 10.4 million unduplicated scholarship dollars were received by CCS graduating seniors. This number is higher than last year. Dr. Fiser also shared data related to graduating seniors also receiving their associates degree or a certificate from Cleveland Community College. The committee went into close session for consultation with the attorney. After a close session, the committee approved updates to policy 20 3620, extracurricular activities and student organizations. This policy will go to the full board for a first read in June. With no additional new business, the meeting was adjourned. The next educational and policy committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. Thank you, Mr. Sherman. Uh 7.02, 7.03, 7.04, 7.05, 7.06, and 7.07. All are for first read. Uh, no action necessary, but if you have
032any questions, uh, just let me know or superintendent know. We'll be glad to answer those. Next is, uh, the Kings Mountain field trip that does come from committee. Uh, any questions on the Kings Mountain High School field trip? They will be following all the guidelines and if something comes up, uh, Yep. I think they've even said that they've you this is one of the people they used before and they will refund and insurance and everything and insurance and everything. Okay. All right. Any other questions? Uh you says you can sign up sign up but I I will tell you this was brought up in the committee. This does come from parents pockets. So if you want to pay they may have an extra shepherd. So anyway, all those in favor, it's nine to zero. All
033right. Uh CTE funding applications and agreement. This does come from committee. Uh any questions on that? All right. All those in favor? That passes nine to zero. All right. Next on the agenda is EC contracts. Um, they're listed here in your information. Uh, I will say this, I guess this is a pet peeve of mine. Most of these positions are listed on our website. We just can't find people to take these jobs, so we have to contract them out, which does cost us more money. But that's just a side note, but um, I question right there. Yep. Have we looked at offering more money for our people and maybe not have to go as much uh to reach out to that you know you know somebody making 30,000 uh they're not going to might not
034might not be Mr. Let me try my best to I think I can answer that. That when you apply with us, you get all the benefits, health and all that, right? These contract employees don't get that. So, you know, when you raise the money, you're going to probably run into a problem with other employees saying, "Why are they getting so much money more than me?" I never gone. Yeah. Okay. But but when you include benefits, that does, you know, cause the price to go up. Okay. All right. So can I ask a question? Yes, sir. So if if we uh if are these positions continuing been on the I think if I mistaken I heard I was at this meeting I heard that one had been on the website for two years. I mean are
035they going to continue to be on the website? So if it gets filled we can cut the contract. Yes. Okay. That's what I was asking. Okay. Yes sir. All right. I want the public to understand these are positions that are needed in our school system. I mean, there's just no way we can do without them. Um, we wish we could find teachers to fill them, but unfortunately that has not happened. So, we have to have these positions. Thank you, Mr. Grigg. I'll just piggyback on what you just said. Not only do we need them, many of them are mandated by either the feds or the state. So, we don't have no choice. They're highly specialized. They're specialized federal federally required position. We had one was specifically talked about that we do have a child that
036has to have a nurse 247 and they they have to spam a nurse. But nothing wrong with that but it's just what we got to do. So any other questions? We're going to move on. All right. All those in favor it's nine to zero. All right. L renewal. That does come from committee. Uh any questions about that? If none, all those in favor? Okay, let me uh that is a computer. Yeah, I was there and I got the paper, but I don't know what stands for. I've had the pleasure of using it for quite a few years. It's a different Sherman, would you turn your microphone? Oh, I thought I did. It is. I'm sorry. Okay. It's a It's a differentiated indiv. It's an a different Yeah, I can't look at Mr. Le talk. No,
037you gotta talk to the microphone. It's a differentiated individualized um reading and math program that student that teachers can use to um assist in meeting students where they are to grow them in in skills that they may need more um practice or they're deficient in or so it's it's a it's a really good program. Thank you, Miss Sherman. Can you bail me out of that one? All right. After Miss Sherman's explanation, does anybody have any questions? All those in favor? That passes 90. All right. I'd still like to see some of our basics going back to that first, second, and third grade. Okay. Um, Ge O D. I'm really don't know how I really want to pronounce that. Kits for third grades. Geode. Geode. Okay, that does come from committee. Any questions on that? If
038none, all those in favor? It's nine to zero percent group. Any Oh, 95% group. I'm sorry. Yep. I thought it's 7.13.95, but it's 95% group. Uh, okay. Miss Sherman, I have not used that program. So, I'm sure Dr. Parker or somebody could probably really speak to that. Dr. Fisher, would you like to answer that question or have one of your staff the 95% group? Dr. Parker. Yeah, you always got to be ready with this crowd. So, 95% group. We do have products already from that company being used in the district. There are multiple purchases on that quote. Some of it is to help fourth and fifth graders with their comprehension skills, which is a direct response to data. The other side is phmic awareness intervention and um early basic K1 resources to use to intervene
039early to catch reading gaps while they're small. That sentence right there is enough to convince me. Yeah. Yep. All right. Any other questions? All those in favor? That's nine to zero. All right. Dr. Fiser. Just a very few updates uh for the board tonight. Um as you are well aware, it is summer 2025. Um it's a a busy time of year. Uh we've had uh folks in our building almost every day uh already preparing for uh the next school year. Uh as we close out this school year, if you look at the third line there, the close of this school year is on June 30th, close out the the 24 25 school year and begin to open the 25 26 school year. So, right now, uh, lots of things are going on across the district,
040uh, in in our schools, closing out the end of of a great school year and and getting ready, preparing to open, um, the 2526 school year. Uh, as stated earlier in in the finance personnel report, we still do not have a state budget at this time. Um, which, you know, is is not overly abnormal or alarming at this point. Uh I think the most alarming point is the conversations that we're hearing and the feedback that we're getting from the state about the prospects of when a state budget would be uh expected. So as you did tonight, we appreciate you uh approving the resolution, the continuing budget so we can open up the 2526 school year as we prepare to to move forward uh with our with our calendar year without a budget. And again, that's
041not uncommon to begin uh July and even into August without a budget. Uh hopefully we won't extend too far into the fall without a budget, but we will keep you up to speed on that. Um I would like to highlight growth in 100% of our reading and math scores compared to 2024 or 25 uh in in uh and let me qualify that in third through 8th grade. Uh we had significant growth in in grades four, five, seven, and eight in reading. Uh when I say significant growth looking at either over seven points of growth in those areas uh significant growth in third, fourth, sixth and seventh in math um what again we consider significant growth would say something over 7% growth. So really proud of where we are with testing data as highlighted in the
042education progress report. Science scores are delayed to later this summer. So, uh, we've gotten a lot of questions, been a lot of conversations about how do we compare overall, but we can look and do some reading and math data, but we're only looking at our school performance. Uh, we have to take everything with a grain of salt because science data is um, we do not have science data is anticipated at the end of the year. Um, they are renorming the three uh, grades five, eight, science test, and biology. So, all that information will be uh, will be later in the summer. So you'll get to receive a a more complete review of data uh in August once all that information is received. And then uh the next big event from a board standpoint would be
043the board meeting uh on July 21st. You have a couple of board activities, a couple trainings and different things uh that you've received in your uh end of the week updates. You've got any questions about that, please let me know. Mr. Chair, thank you very much. Thank you, Dr. Fischer. Any questions for the superintendent before he leaves? Well, um, in some grade levels, personally, yes. As a math teacher, I I I prefer that math, but, uh, we've got a lot of good things going. Our the data from our grades three through eight are really positive. We're really excited about where we're moving as a district. All right. Thank you, Dr. Fiser. Uh, do we have any no public participation? All right. Um, Mr. Mr. Blandon, you have a motion for close session. Oh, sorry. I
044apologize. Let me do the board member comments. The board I'm sorry I jumped ahead. My fault. Board member comments, Miss Sherman. I'd like to say congratulations. Okay. Congratulations to all the schools and the school staff on um a wonderful ending to the school year. I think we had a great school year. It's been a privilege to me to be able to be a part of Cleveland County Schools again and to be on the school board and um I just I think it was just all the celebrations at the end of the year. You look back and you see it was all worth it. So congratulations. That came with a lot of work. I know that it looks easy on our end, but I know what goes on behind the scenes and it's a lot a
045lot of work. So, um, also the graduates, congratulations to all class 2025. I didn't think I would be involved in in education in 2025. So, I'm honored to be a part of um congratulating our graduates and I would also say congratulations. I'm so excited about the preliminary testing data um that Dr. Fischer shared. that also goes with a lot a lot of work and um that's a big success. So I'm very proud of our teachers and our students for what they've done. Thank you Miss Sherman. Let me say one thing. Uh Mr. G um miss some of the uh graduations that was unable to attend. Uh some of you know, some of you may know, but uh my wife had another stroke during that time and uh I had to be with with her and
046uh couldn't attend. Dr. Fiser uh so graciously excuse me on that and uh would love to have attended all of them, but uh there was just no way. And I appreciate uh thoughts and prayers for that. Uh she is improving some. Uh she's still got some ways to go. I think she's trying to do too much. It's what I told Miss Sherman just a few minutes ago. But please keep her in your prayers and thoughts if you don't mind. Thank you, Mr. Leford. I will say this, family always comes first. We will keep your wife in our thoughts and prayers, Mr. Grigg. I was able to attend a lot of the graduations this time, and I tell you what, they all did go off really well. Um, I want to say congratulations to all the
047kids, but I want to say congratulations to all the teachers and the staff that spent a lot of hard work getting these kids where they are today. Um, you know, it it's not easy. I'm not a teacher, but I know it's not easy teaching these days because the rules are not the same as they were 50 years ago when I was in high school. So there's a lot of difference and u you guys I have to commend you for what you do and uh I hope everybody has a safe summer um and thanks for what you do again. Thank you Mr. Greek. So uh uh likewise congratulations good job. Uh it take it takes the team all the way from bottom to top. Everybody clicking on the same sheet of music. So good job everybody.
048I do want to point out uh you know in the past people have criticized Clinton County Schools said we're we're not up to par. We're not doing our jobs. We're not doing good. But I'm going to point out 144 students earned a an associates degree before they even graduated from high school. uh 155 I think it was earned a uh certificate before they even from college before they even graduated high school. Approximately 200 students were uh awarded a $1,000 scholarship u uh and they and that the uh the criteria for that was a 4.0 0 average and and the top 20% of the students. So So that wasn't even all the top the 4.0 students. That was just the top 20% of the the 4.0 students. 200 scholarships. Uh 10 million. Did you say 10?
049I think you said tonight in in your minutes something 10.4 $4 million worth of scholarships handed out to Cleveland County students. I mean, they don't hand them out just because you go to school, you know? uh they they hand them out for because you did something right, because you studied, and because you did something well. And because we have staff and teachers that push these students and and they learn and they're worthy of that money to go to college. So, anybody I I'm going to tell you, uh, anybody that says Cleveland County schools isn't up to par, uh, uh, we'll have a discussion and and I'll bring and I'll bring those same numbers out to you. Number the numbers don't lie. So, uh, good job ev everybody. Everybody, bus drivers, custodians, lunchroom, it takes everybody.
050So, congratulations and good job. Thank you, Mr. Sperland. All right. I will just say I will just say this uh before we go into close session. Um if there is any I know it's June probably on vacation they probably know maybe somebody watch this later on YouTube but I see it. Uh the superintendent gave us these numbers and they're amazing. U 12 positives to three negatives. I mean were we perfect? No. But dog gone, some of these are some high numbers. Um, and I'm very proud of the job our teachers are doing. Uh, a lot of criticism to you last year, but I hope and pray and I think by looking at these numbers where I'm I'm very happy as the chairman of this board to say that we have great teachers and and I
051see these numbers and they look excellent. And with that being said, Mr. Why do you have a motion for close session? Well, I attended uh the Burns High School graduation this year and it uh went very smoothly and very good. And uh the weather, I guess, uh the was a threatening everywhere, but it held off to let those graduations get through. And I want to thank all of our kids that graduated and participated and all of our staff. So, uh I don't know. Uh, I haven't got too much to say tonight. You got the motion. You can say I got a motion, though. Well, let's hear it. Well, all right. North Carolina public bodies, including the school board, can enter into close session to consult with their attorney under the open meeting laws. General statute
052143-318.11 A3 to discuss the personnel and with the attorney with the attorney with the attorney in. Thank you. Second. Have a motion and a second. All those in favor. All right, we're now in close. We go into close session.