001Flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. You may be seated. >> I hope everyone has had an opportunity to pick up an agenda [Music] and we will follow it as closely as we can. Item number two, recognitions. Miss H. Good evening, madam board chair, Mr. Vice Chair Penny, other members of the board, superintendent. It is my great pleasure to recognize Mr. Tvon Gregory. pretty hidden outside. Anyone else recall that they did not sign their ballot? >> One more unsigned. [Music] >> Did anyone else not sign their ballot? Is this yours? [Music] Do you agree? >> Yes. >> Um the uh vice chair is William Ellis for both. Okay. Uh at this time
002please ask uh uncle Carol White to come forward and administer the >> Good evening. Thank you. Thank you. Ready? Come down. >> Excuse me, Dr. Brian. We need to read the votes. [Music] How how each person voted by name? I thought you might just let this Ellen Wilson [Music] Kent else further private. [Music] Again, good evening to all. Dr. um Shaw Wilson, good to see you. Dr. Andrew Klein, it's always good to see you. And to our newly elected vice chair, um Mr. Ellis, it's good to see you. And to all the board members, so good to see each one of you. And thank you for allowing me this opportunity to swear in a a board member, my classmate. If you would, that's right. If you would take the Bible with your left hand and
003raise your right hand for me, please. >> If you would, when I say I, if you would repeat your name, please. I, >> William Ellis, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> and maintain the Constitution >> and the laws of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and laws of North Carolina >> and the laws of North Carolina >> not inconsistent therewith >> and that I will >> faithfully discharge >> the duty of my office >> the duties of my office >> as a member >> and vice chair >> of the Edgecom County Board of Education >> of the Edgecom County Board of Education. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations. Thank you. I'll get you to sign. Thank you. >> Help of 1975. 1975. It's only been Just go [Music]
004Okay. Thank you. Thank you all for all the great service that you provide for our community, our children. Thank you. You you as well. >> Thank you. Okay, congratulations, Mr. Ellis. Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move with the next item on our agenda. We need to approve our open session minutes for our July 14th board meeting. Does anyone have or anything that we need to add or delete to this set of minutes? [Music] Hearing none, I need to hear a motion for approval of our July 14th, 2025 >> open session minutes. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve our July 14, 2025 regular business board meeting open session minutes. >> Second. >> Has been moved and properly second. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known
005by saying I. >> Opposed same sign. Motion carries. Thank you very kindly. And we'll now move to item seven on our agenda, items for information. Dr. Bryan 7.1. Thank you, Madam Chair. I know we talked about this last time, but just remind everybody early college and edge academy kicked off have kicked off our 2526 school year uh this past Thursday and uh been welcoming students back. has gone has gone really well and always excited to get students back in school and uh very very excited to build on their success as uh two two of the best opportunities there public schools. Also, next week, please put on your calendars for uh Tuesday, August 19th at 8:30. We will have our annual convocation at Es Community College and uh Tarber campus. And uh as always, it's a
006districtwide event. We're going to try to bring everybody together to uh celebrate beginning of school year and uh set the tone for what we hope will be a great great school year. Also, as a reminder, open houses uh for traditional schools will be across the district for families. Uh Thursday, August 21st from 4 to 7:00 p.m. And uh it then provides an opportunity for uh families and parents and students to come in and talk to folks about the coming school year, all the exciting opportunities that are available. We also have a uh fresh fruit and vegetable program that's going to be going on seven of our ECPS elementary schools and they've been selected for the 2526 fresh fruit and vegetable program. That's a stocks MMA Princeville Cocoa Wimberly GW Bulock GW Carver and Fairview. This
007USDA is supporting mission to provide students with free fresh fruit and vegetable snacks throughout the week while offering free nutrition lesions nutrition lessons during safe time. This program introduces students to a variety of healthy foods, encourages them to try new produce, and helps build lifelong healthy eating habits. Research shows that FFVP participants consume more fruits and vegetables than their peers. Always a good thing. [Music] >> Last week we also had a very exciting week as Governor Stein visited Watello Middle School and uh want to thank Governor Stein and staff for delivering school supplies. Governor wanted to mark uh the importance of school supplies to to everyone and we're fortunate to host him in Eskim County. It's a great opportunity for the governor to visit with our staff and community members and to highlight public education
008and we truly appreciate his visit, his remarks and and really the time he took to speak to everyone who was in attendance at the event and uh that's a very nice opportunity for everyone. Finally, just uh some information I'll give you in just a little bit. Um the North Carolina Opera Education Program uh offers some a variety of opportunities in North Carolina and uh we're looking at an opportunity to perhaps bring some opera education programs to our school district. You'll be hearing a little bit more about this in the future, but we think it's a great opportunity for our uh for our uh students and truly appreciate James Thorne who has uh been instrumental in supporting much of our work with music that we're trying to expand within our school district over the last year.
009Appreciate appreciate her bringing this opportunity to our attention and for us to pursue. On that note, madam chair, we're very excited for uh traditional school to get started, traditional calendar school to get started and uh just very excited for this school. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Board members, are you all excited that school is beginning at this time? >> I think so. >> We need to see lots of smiles and our sad faces. Let's take a we >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. All right. Two, maintenance updates. >> Madam Chair, I'm sad to report that I'd be giving that report this evening. Miss Perkins is working on uh working on something actually as we speak. So, okay. Joseph, if you don't mind, you um as as many of you already know, this is some
010work we had going on at Baskerville Elementary School. Replace a uh an older pump. Uh we were also looking at um as you may know, replace some pipes there as well that were the HVAC system. And you see the age on on that pump. and what we put in there. And um um we're pleased to announce that we've gotten that fixed and moving on to the next project. Let me let me go back one more if you don't mind. Yeah. So, uh along with that that you see some of the pipes that we had to replace in Pastorville. We originally were running the uh the ignite uh program and some of our um uh third grade reading program at basketball. We end up using that DS Johnson and we made the staff how how fast
011they jumped on that and uh the work they did to correct it. Do you have any asbestous paint and insulation to close? um anything that would need to be done would been in our records that we keep and very careful. >> Okay. >> Again, some more placement of pumps at Parker and this work was done in relation to uh actually some trouble with the uh HVAC, but also there was a lightning strike nearby and uh we were able to uh had had to replace that. uh contact unit at Parker as well and the clean repair at MA for that repair pipe replacement and then uh together that some some areas where pipes have uh just old and water underneath the asphalt with some um have to here. Some of the asphalt changes there at the
012Tarbor High School's parking lot. And uh we're also obviously our our maintenance crew has been very busy this summer working on various things. Uh, one of the projects we're working on right now that was not in doing some repairs on the uh really a a past repair of the gym floor at Southwest Edge, which we've had some problems with over the last couple years and trying to get the gym floors on a rotational um calendar where we can do a uh a deep uh repair on things and make sure they're really ready to go every patch and mandate. So, lots of other things, but kudos to our maintenance crew and all the work they've been they've been doing. Concludes my report, Madam Chair. >> All right. Do you think each and every school will be
013right ready to go? >> We we believe we are on target. >> Okay. >> We're on target. >> That's good. All right. Thank you very much. I give a good report for you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. 7.3 Stepping Stones Partnership. M Dr. Battle. [Music] >> Good evening, Madam Chair. Good evening, Mr. Vice Chair, board members, all the folks joining us here tonight. Um, if it is okay with the board, I can address 7.3 and 7.4 together. They both are related. Okay, great. So, with 7.3, I'm happy to announce a new partnership with Stepping Stones, which is a mental health provider. They will provide school-based um behavioral health services to our students by providing somebody face-toface. Um, their response to us was as many kids that you have, we'll put people in your buildings.
014We started partnering with them a little bit at the end of last year and they held true to what they said. Um, and we have more and more kiddos coming. Um, so this particular partnership only, um, works with our Medicaid eligible kiddos. Um, which we are so happy that we have them and wanted to also let you know that they are of no cost to us because they build directly to Medicaid. So, this is of no cost to the county. Um, 7.4 4 is actually a new partnership with Hazel Health. Hazel Health is a virtual mental health provider. North Carolina DHS received a total of 4 million plus to help school systems um support their mental health efforts. They knew the need was growing but district money was not growing. Um so DHS said first
015come first serve if you want to sign up. So we reached out, we signed up with them. They are virtual so they can only provide mental health services virtually but it will also be during the school day and again no cost to us. This will not only um help medic students who receive Medicaid but this is for any kiddos that have private insurance non-insured again no cost to the district. I just want to take this time to um thank the board for your support over the last five years that I've been here um and actually ramping up our you know efforts to address mental health issues in our um schools in our community. Also Dr. Brian for your support and more importantly to our kiddos and our families for seeing the need for this. You
016know, there is a stigma seriously attached to mental health, to trauma, and we have been in the schools. Shout out to student services team and the EC department under Miss Sykes leadership. We have constantly preach this during meetings. It's not just about the academics about what the kiddos going through and getting them prepared to learn so that they can consume the information. And parents have just really been on board. We are currently serving over 250 kiddos that are receiving mental health services in our schools during the day while they're there just as part of their day. They go down to the office, hop on a computer or see their therapist and go right back to class. So, it's something that they need and they've gravitated towards. We have gone from having one service provider back
017in 2020 um that Miss Sykes had brought into the district when I came um that primarily focused with just EC students and day treatment. We are now up to six that we will be contracting with. We are super excited about that. Um we have even a agency that Miss Sykes helped us bring this partnership um that provides medication management cuz some of the problem was kiddos were being diagnosed but parents couldn't go get the medicine, didn't have the resources to get the medicine um or didn't believe or trust what they were being told about medication. We even have 10 parents who are getting medication through our medication management clinic. They said some I need help too. I'm learning about some of the needs, the mental health needs I have. So, we're super excited that the
018community has embraced this and we just want to thank you guys for your continued support and we'll keep you updated on how it goes. >> Thank you. >> Just a comment when you said first come first serve. Thank you for you being >> on the ball to be a first come first serve, you know. >> Thank you. >> Yes. you know, if you didn't, I mean, it's something we need and I appreciate you having your ear out. >> Thank you. I appreciate your support. Absolutely. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Needed service. Okay. All right. Bryant and Nick's presenter on our committee reports. >> I'll just I'll just frame the up front, then I'll turn it over to Miss Kent, who's chair of that policy committee. And any other policy members who want
019to share um uh we we met about uh a week ago, a week and a half ago uh in reference to uh three three different policies. One is considered a new policy and it combines 7215 4035012 first reading on a new policy regarding advisory groups. And in your packet you will see that the advisory groups are sort of a um um encompasses what we're already doing in reference to the groups that we try to get feedback from. I know how important feedback is from this board and how you want to make sure that you are connected to the constituents that um that we serve and uh from teachers, classified staff, students, parents, community members, and this takes that into account. So, Miss Kim, would you like to >> thing I want to say is when
020we when we added this policy, we know that Dr. Brian is quite an advocate for reaching out into the community and we tried to put a policy in place. So in the future it would be the belief and the uh the goal of the board and any other superintendent and any other board that we would maintain a a really tight connection with the community to get feedback because I think that's the key. I think that's helped with the transition to always be listening to the public and letting them know that that what they say is important to us. And so, um, that's really the basis for this particular policy is just to look at the future for our system. Um, and it's divided, if you notice, it's divided into lots of different groups. Uh, the
021groups that that uh Dr. Brian meets with regularly. Um and and he's um I like that he has in uh here that he has the discretion if he needs additional members if people you know if there's a blank number for school if they don't he can ask for additional names so we can uh make sure we have a a fair group of representation for for his uh committees and I want to thank you for starting uh your advisory groups without a policy on your own because I think that's been very important uh for the community to to feel part of the system. >> I have a question, Dr. Brown, in reference to this particular policy. And I noticed in it, it states that you would meet with each of the groups a minimum of three
022times per school year. Uh would I be asking you too much at this time? Cuz I looked at three times during the school year. I looked at the months of September, December, and March. I was thinking that would be that's spreading it out where you would have a meeting near the beginning of school with these folks in the middle of the school year and then close to the end of you picked your months. That's what I'm asking or your time. >> It's it's pretty close to what you stated. Um, like I I have a calendar that has 1000 dates right now for the first meeting and most of those are spread across that opening month in September. Try to give everybody some time to >> get into school and get situated. But okay, >> for
023the most part. So I think you're on target. >> Anybody else like comment on it or have a question on these polic Okay. So, we need to have uh this is a first reading on these, right? >> Yes, ma'am. So, >> Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve the new board policy um for the first reading of policy 8.1.1 advisory second. Well, no, that's not the policy number. 721 7215 I don't know what I was reading. 721540035012 advisory groups. >> Second. >> It has been moved and properly second that we will approve these new policies for a first reading 7215 4035012. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I. oppose the same sign. The motion carries and we'll move to the next
024part. Are you doing that part? >> Oh, Miss P, right? 8.12 update. Um, the remote participation in board meetings was a policy that we had in place. And then the general assembly, help me if I'm I'm getting this right. the general assembly made changes to it. So because it was it went to the Supreme Court and it was unconstitutional. Is that correct? >> So there was um there was a case and the court of appeals that set some requirements on remote participation um that case and and so the board changed policy to reflect the law new law from that case or the new interpretation of the law that came out of that court of appeals case. The court of appeals case was then uh reviewed by the North Carolina Supreme Court which held that the
025case had no precedent which meant it is not binding on school boards across the state. And so this is a reversion back to the policy that the board had had previously on remote participation. [Music] Yes, ma'am. >> So, this would be just this would just be an update update of a policy, putting it back like it was before the general assembly changed. So we can Yes, ma'am. Okay. Does anybody else have any questions in reference to the updates on the two policies that exist? >> Well, I did I didn't say anything about the >> Do you do you need to you need to say it now? >> Well, this is this this is a policy um about cell phones in schools. Um 4318. I >> think we need to have a separate Madam Chair, I
026think we need to have a separate conversation on that >> separate and I'd like for you to handle that one with me. >> Okay. Would you like to take action on the first policy and then we go to the >> go the next one? Okay. >> So what >> I'm ask if we need to. >> Yes. The first one. the person. >> Madam chair, I make a motion that we approve the revision of policy 2302, remote participation in board meetings. >> Second. >> Has been moved and properly second that we will approve the updates on the policy 2302 remote participation in board meetings. Any other discussion on that motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I oppose the same sign. Motion carried. Now we'll go to 4318. >>
027Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, RPC 4318 addresses wireless communication devices in order to comply with u with a recent um state law that was passed um regards the use of cell phones in in our schools. And um as I noted a little bit earlier, the um the one section of this that provides some sort of flexibility is the definition of instructional time. And I will I will note one thing for you on uh page one of two at near the bottom like um two or three graphs from the bottom. Um where it says that the elementary middle school instructional time begins with the first party bill and ends at dismissal. Um, one of the things that came out of the policy committee was the idea that we wanted to make sure we got principal feedback
028on on things and middle schools um were fine with the with the definition of instructional time there. However, at the high school level, um high school principles suggested that instructional time um actually um begin once students enter into the classroom uh and that students be allowed to have access to their cell phones um before school when they walk into the building and uh between classes and at lunchtime. So that that's the change that they suggested and uh that that is what is up for consideration tonight. This this is does not have to go into effect until January of 2026 I believe. Um but given some feedback that we've discussed and it was discussed in policy that probably be a good idea just to get this started for the beginning of the school year and move
029forward with that. So given all that I just want to give the parameters on a little bit of the change that you have in front of you and uh and welcome any questions or thoughts. >> Miss my my my view is the principles the high school principles have to make sure the policies are followed and if that's what they feel would be best for their schools I can support that. Um, you know, I don't want to put in an unrealistic policy that they can't well that I'm sure they could, but that would be difficult when we could could make a policy to keep instructional time sacred and allow students to have some flexibility, too. >> Yeah. And just to to to note that the process we used Seattle feedback sent this out on email um
030and then had some phone calls with with principles as well just to make sure Dr. Battle was with me as we discussed that and uh wanted to make sure they had ample opportunity even though it was a pretty tight timeline had ample opportunity to uh to think about that and discuss that. >> Right. Do the board members have the exact language um in front of them? If not, I can read it from what you sent me. >> That would be great. Thank you. >> So, at the um at the end of par sub paragraph three, A3. Oh, I'm sorry. A Okay, it's after A3. It's this as he said. So after scheduled lunch periods it would be it would add the language or time in the hallway before and between classes. So just so that
031you have the exact language. Um does at the high school level instructional time begins with the first tardy bell and ends at dismissal but does not include the students scheduled lunch periods or time in the hallway before and between classes. Oh yeah, >> they have that. They have >> So once they enter once they once they get to the door and enter the class, phones should be all of these devices should be shut off, >> right? I agree. >> And put and put away >> and put away, >> but they do have time between 7 minutes. Right. But when you say uh put away, are you talking about in their pockets? Uh >> they they should be out of sight. >> So that means in a book bag in their pocket or something like that,
032not on the desk. >> All right. Okay. And I think it's going to be imperative that uh uh principles impress upon the teachers that this must be a consistent uh thing, >> right? >> We just they get in trouble that way. >> That that was the one thing, Reverend Privet, that I said that to make sure all the teachers are consistent because that then you start playing teacher against teacher. >> That's right. and and you run into trouble that needs to be uh really impressed upon that the board says >> we will make sure we share that. >> Yeah. Some some teachers may not uh once they start playing games with it. You we get the back the flax. >> Actually, this is a policy our teachers should adhere to too because I've been schools
033and seen a lot of teachers playing on phones during the school day. And and may I ask, is everybody comfortable with starting at the beginning of school instead of January 1? I I think the way we start our school year sets the tone, but if we don't have a policy in place until January, I think it's going to be hard to change things. >> It needs to be started in the beginning. Maybe have this information in the middle of the year. Yeah, we need to start >> at the beginning sets the pace for the rest of the year. >> You can have it with student information that goes home before school starts. >> And I think carefully it's going to be important to monitor it as well. Uh whoever your people from the central office
034is to monitor just I'm not talking about daytoday, but it must be monitored to make sure they're doing what's supposed to be done cuz kids know how to get around it. If we're not smart enough to make sure we do what we're supposed to do, you got nothing. >> And I I'm not saying I want to see this, but the teachers are so they don't have the flexibility like we said in their pockets or whatever. >> Teach them have the devices say in a box that's teaching in the classroom. It's that option. It is it is it is going to be >> well you know we could in lie of this is what we're trying to do in lie of that >> we got to train them >> and and if students >> if students
035can put them away we don't have to move in that direction. I think that's what I I would prefer students to have it. That puts a lot of liability and time on teachers taking them up and especially when they have the little boxes that you like. I would rather we teach students to be responsible. >> Responsibility is the key. >> Yeah. Because if you don't if if you don't you got what gets uh what gets done what is expected gets inspected. And if you do those two things you be have a closer idea that it is happening and they got to work together. And I would suggest that principles suggest that principles teachers talk to each other because really I've been looking at some of the things going in the school and sometimes they're not
036working together in a school. So I think basically if they work together then they can this will be much easier to carry out. >> They from the top and they'll carry out >> mandated from the top. It'll be carried out. >> No exceptions. No exceptions. >> You start passing a box around. You're liable for somebody's phone and you don't need to do that. Then we'll go. He got my phone. You didn't get my phone back. >> Yeah. They're not mine. >> Yeah. If we're not preparing them for the world of work, if they realize there's an opportunity to use their phone at some time and not sure, >> then we're preparing them for the world of work, too. >> And one of the most important things we're teaching them how to follow rules. And I
037think basically if it if it is a rule then and weated then they're expected to do what they were told to do. So, Oh yes. I'm just going to say students normally normally do what they are asked to do in the right tone and I was in classroom never having problem with student >> I heard what you said I heard what you're saying but I'm promising you it's how you work with the students. I I mean um you don't have any buddies. You don't treat one one way and the other >> but you are kind to them. >> If you're consistent, they'll be okay. >> They do it. >> Yeah. I ain't that person. They have to come to my room. Now they have to go to his room. I talk to students and they
038produce. And that's what all teachers are supposed to do is whatever subject they are teaching those students get prepared for it. And and and in order to do that, you have to work and be prepared when you when the students come to you. You can't be fumbling and put everything on the machine. They need to have something here for the students and they going to know if you know what you're teaching. I I can tell you that. Anyway, all good comments. I love them. I love them. That gives Dr. Bryant a lot of information when he's working with his Oh, what that first group? Teachers and principles. I guess that's your first group, >> but you'll be working with the principles before that. I fear. Um, okay. We ready to do a vote on it?
039>> Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, I make a motion we approve policy 4318, use of wireless communication devices, and begin the um implementation of it at the first of the school year. >> Has been moved and properly second that we will approve 4318 use of wireless communication devices and that we start at the beginning of the school year. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. >> Opposed, same sign. Motion carries. Lots of good discussion. Thank you very Madam Chair. I just want to thank policy committee and Dr. Brian and Patricia for working with us on these policies uh last week. >> You don't know where it was? I don't think >> it was last week. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. Dr. Brown, we're back to
040you. 9:4 consent item. >> Consent agenda. Madam Chair, extended day trips. Um, Tar High State and Winston Salem State also Fville State University High. >> What? And I will also um if I may chair I'll go down the list of fundraisers. Uh you you will remember the addition of Parkland Middle School fundraiser for the Allstar sports products, t-shirts and hoodies for students and Phillips and Southwest on there as well. JTC program and then finally 9.3A approval to accept funds student support services from Eastern North Carolina health education for adolescent lives uh project $9,000 present evidence present deliver evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program during spring 20 during the spring semester. That concludes uh consent agenda. Any questions or comments? >> I think this is what I was going to ask about the about 9.38. Um, is
041this our first year with this program or project? I couldn't I when I would you like to share is that for the May I ask that is for the spring semester coming up? >> Yes. Well, let me >> start in spring. >> It did start in spring of 25. um they came to us to provide some um pilot curriculum and so they piloted in um Tarbor High and in North Edgecomb healthy relationships talked about you know making good choices and those kind of things that align with the health curriculum. The work that they did with our schools they were so impressed by our students by our staff and by the work they did with Mrs. King, the mental health coordinator. They said we have money that needs to be spent out. we'd love to give
042you $9,000 to continue your efforts and the work that you do with students. So, it really was just a donation. They said they didn't really have anything planned for the money yet, and they enjoyed working with our schools. >> And so, we'll be able to do it this school year. >> We will be able to do that same curriculum this school year. They'd like to expand to um all of our high schools. But the fun thing is that money doesn't pay for their programming. They have a grant that pays for their programming. at 9,000 is for whatever we would like to do to support students. And that helps a lot because a lot of state and federal money is so um you know earmarked for certain things. This 9,000 is a donation to do anything
043that we would like to do, any initiatives that we've come up with to support the well-being of students. >> And it will be for all high schools, right? >> We can use it for all students in Edgeon County as well. Mhm. They they gave us a couple of documents that we just need to track for them the the initiatives that we do and kind of who shows up and what grade levels we did it for, but they it's our money. >> Oh, that's good. >> I think that's the only question that I had in reference to uh consent items. Anybody else have a question? If not, we need one motion. I make a motion to approve the consent items as presented. >> Second. >> Has been moved and properly second that we will approve our
044consent items as presented. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion that been known by saying I. I. >> Disapproved. Same sign. Motion carries. Okay. We'll move to item 9B, items for action. See who's doing that. >> Madam Chair, uh item 9.1B, uh approval of recommended approval of purchase of McGraw Hill Education Review with Alex Middle School and High School Real Math grade 610 for $149, $111.64. uh extension of the current curriculum we have in place and I recommend the approval. We see a woman have any questions? If not, I need have a motion for approval of that. Madam chair, I make a motion to approve the purchase of McGraill education reveal with Alex Middle School and high school and reveal map for grades 6 through10 as one-year extension to the
045threeear 2022 through 2025 contract in the amount of 140 $149,150. Second. has been moved and properly second that we will approve the purchase of the McGraw Hill Education Reveal with Alex Middle School and High School to reveal math and math for grades 6 through 10 as one year extension of the three-year 225 contract in the amount of $149,1154. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. >> Oppose. Same sign. The motion carries. Okay. 9.2B. Miss Stephie. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, vice chair. >> Good evening, >> board members, superintendent Dr. O'Brien. Um, I'm before you to request board approval of Flet as a sole source for the purchase of the Blet Library and Flet Resource Manager software for ECPS schools for the 2025 2026
046um, school year in the amount of $37,369.80. 80 um technology. We'll use PRC015 which is our state technology funds for this purchase. Um this software will enable the district to manage all our library and equipment resources. Um, and it can be managed 247 and give parents access 247 to our library catalog, which is um, keeping with compliance with House Bill 805 um, which requires that parents be um, given online access for school library cataloges within our school system. So, this will keep us in compliance to that. Um, all of the resources are easily tracked in our Destiny resource manager. This would be your Chromebooks and your iPads and tablets and things like that. Um the next line that you have there on your board um cover sheet you can strike that line please. It's in
047that paragraph where it says the last sentence in the paragraph flet software enables that was a misprint. It starts with is the last sentence in that paragraph starts with Edcom County Public Schools would like to use PRC as the wrong PRC there. I just want to draw it to your attention. So again, I'm before you tonight asking for approval to purchase fillet library um and resource manager software. >> Does anyone have any questions? The vote ask for motion. Need a motion for approval. Move make a motion to approve the purchase of Flet library resource manager software for year 2025 through 2026 as a sold source in the amount of $37,369.80 using the PRC 105 technology. >> Second. has been moved and properly second that we will approve the Flet library and resource manager software for
048school year 2526 as a sole source in the amount of 37,36980 using PRC 105 state technology funds. Any other discussion on the motion? Yes. >> Chairman Wil. Um, is this the sole source justification based on the the uh collective Yes. purchase? >> Yes, ma'am. >> I think that's it. >> And that's listed on there, too. Um, the contract number for our tips program for US Person Cooperative is 21101. >> It just wasn't on this form. So, I just want to make sure. Thank you. Any discussion [Music] ready to vote? All in favor of the motion be by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. H. I believe that's >> I do have one more item for action for you. And um you may have recognized as you were looking over
049your board books that I presented something very similar to this in June which you gave me approval for and you accepted. It just so happened after that board meeting um Google changed the rules a little bit on us and um they're changing the way they charge districts now for Google education plus um we get we pay for student accounts and we get the teacher accounts free. Um they're going to start charging us for the teacher accounts too. Um, however, however, we're able to go on to a contract and um, bypass that for next three years. And doing so would actually be cheaper than the original um, board agenda um, that item for action I brought before you. So, it's the same software, but it's a three-year agreement, and it actually will end up saving us
050um, probably around $15,000 if we go ahead and and move on this um, item. So, I just wanted to to let you know where I'm coming from with this one. Um, but ECPS technology department would like to request request board approval for the purchase of Google Workspace for Education Plus from CDWG beginning September 28th, 2025 and ending September 27th, 2028 as a sole source in the amount of $87,750 using PRC015 state technology funds. I broke it down because we actually pay by the year, not all three years at a time. So, um, if you break it down, it's actually $29,250 a year. Um, again, the last one that I brought before you, I believe, was 32,000 and some change. So, it's actually cheaper if we went this route. And again, we save about 15,000 um
051over the course of three years. Um, the purpose of these funds is to provide Google Workspace for Education Plus um products to teachers and students to enhance and support um instruction. And this is part of the tips consortium too. Um tips 203 contract number 203105. Does anyone here or have a question for Mr. Haynes? He he's explained it twice. He made sure we would listen made sure we got it. My question is what we voted on originally. Do we have to vote anything about that or just vote on this one? I mean >> I didn't have >> the original the original was in June. Um and it was approved to purchase the software from the same vendor um same software for a higher price but this is for a three-year agreement. Um I did not
052um go forward with that purchase at that time. So that was never the requisition was never entered and the purchase order never entered. >> Okay. >> So I put a halt. >> That's why we need I put a halt on that. I I think the motion should indicate that since the board had previously voted um on to approve a a prior contract, the motion should indicate that um that the prior contract has not been entered that the board approved a prior contract that was not entered. This is this will take its place and is approved under these terms. >> I just thought so there would be a paper trail if someone looks at I did not realize that there had been a prior contract on this. >> She's going to correct me as soon as
053I mess it up. So, I'm okay with that. >> All right. Madam Chair, >> she a motion. Madame Chair, uh I make a motion for the approval of the purchase of Google Workspace for Education Plus from CDWG beginning September 28th, 2025 and ending September 27th, 2028 as a sole source in the amount of $87,750 using PRC 105 state technology funds and um to terminate Can we use that or to negate the prior >> that this takes the pla take the place of >> take the place of of the prior contract approved in the June meeting of 2025 that has not been entered into >> second. It has been moved and properly second that we will approve the purchase of the Google Workspace for Education Plus for CDWG beginning September 28th, 2025 and ending September 27,
0542028 as a sold source in the amount of $87,750 and oh, using our PRC 105 state technology funds in reference to the June meetings request >> to replace to replace the June's meeting request that we voted on >> and and not entered into and not enter into that's the longest motion. Okay. Uh all in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I >> oppose same sign. So I assume they all understood it. Okay. >> Thank you. >> And thank you for saving us $15,000. Oh, >> you're welcome. >> That's it. Okay, let's see. I'm on 94. [Music] >> Sorry, I almost came. >> Sorry. >> She was so confident. I missed. I was like, "Okay, >> oh my goodness." >> I thought that was the last one. >> That's all right. >>
055That That last motion got everybody mixed up. >> Oh yeah, I'm serious. >> Now that's um Thank you again. I'm here before you tonight to request the approval of theou between communities and schools of North Carolina services group and Edgecom County Board of Education for integrated student support and opportunities for our schools. Um JW Parker North Edge High, DS Johnson Elementary, Patil Patillo Middle School, excuse me, and Tarbor High. Um as you know, we began working with communities and schools of North Carolina last year. um it was going fantastic and they reached out to us um late um in the school year and they wanted to apply for another grant on our behalf. They did so and it was approved. Um the grant was to bring three more student support specialist positions into our schools.
056So we will now have them at DS Johnson so that we'll create a feeder pattern for the north side schools. Excuse me. Um we will have Patillo Middle and create a feeder pattern from Pillo to Tarbor High. um the district based on this grant funding source, the district would come to an up to 50% match before entering into the contract. We said, "But what about all the funding issues?" Um they assured us that that's part of the reason that we work with the nonprofit and they partner with us that if we ever have any kind of gap in funding, that's what these grants are made for to help us to continue to fund these positions. So, we're excited about the opportunity. These um student support specialists will help in the areas of attendance, behavior interventions
057and supports, coursework interventions such as tutoring, college and career readiness programs, parent engagement programs, um and referrals to other social services and providers as students need. So tonight I'm before you requesting the approval of theou between communities and schools of North Carolina and the Edgecomb County Board of Education for integrated student supports and opportunities for the schools listed below um to access services for students, teachers, and families beginning August 4th, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2026 not to exceed the 50% match agreed upon by ECPS in the amount of $125,000. Does anyone have any questions in reference to item 9.4B? Hearing none, we need to have a motion for approval. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the me memorandum of understanding and contract between Edgecom County Board of Education and Communities and Schools
058of North Carolina Service Group LLC for integrated student support and opportunities for the schools listed as JW Parker Middle, uh, North Edgecom High, DS Johnson Elementary, Patilla Middle, and Toarbor High to access services for students, teachers, and families beginning August the 4th, 2025, and ending June 30th, 2026, not to exceed the 50% match by ECPS in the amount of $125,000. It has been moved and properly seconded that we will approve the memorandum of understanding contract between Edgecom County Board of Education and Communities and Schools of North Carolina Services LLC for integrated student o support and opportunities for are the following schools. JW Parker Middle School, North Edge Cone High School, DS Johnson Elementary School, Patilla Middle School, Tarber High School to access services for students, teachers, and families beginning August 4th, 2025 and ending June
05930, 2026. not to exceed 50% match by Edgeon County Public Schools in the amount of $125,000. All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. >> Opposed, same son. Motion carries. Thank you. 9.5 [Applause] should have flipped the page and read the whole thing. You don't read to the end. All right. Good evening, uh, board chair, Dr. Wilson, vice chair, Mr. Alis, school board members, um, superintendent, Dr. Brian. Um, I come before you tonight and I apologize in advance for these not initially making it into your board book. Um, some of these were decisions we were holding off on until we knew what was going to happen with the federal aotment certainties for this year. Um, but we wanted to go ahead and make sure we got these in front
060of you so that we could get them secure before teachers and students came back in the next week or two. Um, could you remind me which one is is Rock by Rock or Express first? Rock. Rot. Thank you. Um so I first come before you tonight um to request um the sole source purchase of Rot by Rock a supplemental science curriculum. We have utilized Rot by Rock over the past few years in our school district in our um elementary schools and expanded that each year to different grade levels at different schools. Um and so we're requesting to continue that work this year for our grades kindergarten through fourth grade students at all of our elementary schools. Um and we're requesting it for soul source as rock by rock um owns the curriculum as well as
061the professional development services. So it is a highly specialized professional service as well as we want to maintain the uh program continuity um instead of purchasing a new program for supplemental science resources. Um it would be reduced cost to be able to continue what we've already been uh implementing districtwide. Um, so our request is that the board approves the sole source um for Rock by Rock at at an estimated total cost of $20,000. The initial quote um that is in your packet um was 20,000, but you would see the uh expiration date is August 1st. We now have an updated quote. So that is still the valid quote and it is updated in our finance document materials before we purchase it. but it is still $20,000 with the updated quote. >> Okay. Does anyone have
062any additional questions or comments on this item 9.5B? If not, I need to give a motion for approval. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the purchase of Rock by Rock, a supplemental project based science group for year 25 through 26 and sole source for an estimated total cost of $20,000 using BRC50 ESA title one part A basic grant. >> Second. It's been moved and properly second that we will approve the purchase of Rock by Rock, a supplemental projectbased science curriculum for school year 2526 as a sole source for an estimated total cost of $20,000 using PRC50 PSA title one part A base grant. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. >> Oppose. The same sign. Motion carries. Uh nine points.
063These two. So the next um request is for the board to approve um the express teacher edition curriculum materials provided by Benchmark Advance as a sole source to provide continuity of instructional services um support and resources to the teaching and learning of our K5 multilingual learners. Um last year the board approved for us to enter into a three-year contract for Express. It is the curriculum that aligns with our K5 um English language arts curriculum, but it is for our multilingual learners. Um and as part of that curriculum, we receive teacher access online, but also teacher resource materials. However, with our increased number of multilingual learners um and an increase in staffing this year, um we are looking to purchase additional teacher u resource kits that the teachers have in their hands um so that they
064don't have to carry those kits all over the district when they're serving multiple sites. Um so the request is for you to approve the purchase of those kits. And because it the purchase is over $10,000, it does require um the board approval for a sole source. So, our recommendation is the board approves the purchase of the benchmark teacher print materials as a sole source in the amount of $12,540 using PRC 105 title 3 language acquisition funds [Music] >> simple. >> Is it PRC 105 or 104? I have PRC50. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> It's 104 title three. >> All right. Could we hear a motion? >> I just have a I just have a insignificant question. It says that we're going to implement it K5, but in the second paragraph it says it's a K6.
065>> Yes. >> English language development. I'm just wondering why we're not doing >> so you can support it. We only adopted K5 um in K kindergarten through fifth grade in our district. We use benchmark advance. And so we only purchased this to support our K5 learners. We use a different uh core curriculum in middle school. Um, and so we could purchase it for sixth grade, but it may not align with the curriculum for English language arts in sixth grade. And so we wanted to make sure the alignment was there. >> Like I said, it was insignificant. I just I just wondered I just wonder if there was a reason. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. I need a motion for approval 9.6. >> No. I recommend approval of the purchase of the Benchmark Express teacher materials
066as a sole source for K5 mental language curriculum in the amount of $12,540 um using PRC 104 title 3 language acquisition funds >> has been moved and properly second that we will approve the purchase of the benchmark Express teacher print materials as a sole source for K12 curriculum in the amount of 12,000. No. Yeah. $12,540. Well, I was going to cheat you there a little bit. uh using PRC 104 title 3 language acquisition funds. All in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I >> oppose the same sign. The motion carries. Thank you very kindly. [Music] Oh, >> Raymond, could you kindly take a second, please? Madam Chair, I'll make the make a motion under the North Carolina Open Meetings Law Section 143-318.11A1 uh A3 and A6 to go into close session
067to consider personnel matters to consult with the attorney to preserve attorney client privilege information and to present prevent the disclosure of student records granted confidential under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 20 USC1. 1 uh 1 1232G and the disclosure of personnel records rendered confidential under GS 115 C-319 through 321. >> Second has been moved and properly second that we will go into close session. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion that be known by saying I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Five and a half minutes. >> All right. What a pet though. [Music] Baby, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] down. Back in [Music] baby. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Heat. Hey.
068Hey. Hey. [Music] Nat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. N. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] Data. [Music] Down. [Music] Hey, [Music] heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] la. [Music] Hey Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] back. [Music] Hey everybody, hey [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Ooh. Oh. around [Music] me. Feel feel You [Music] bust it. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Hey, [Music] heat. Hey. [Music] All [Music] our we read the rule. open session.
069Here we are. Okay, we're ready to move on 11.1 uh personnel management. I think we got a motion. We make a motion to go into open s. >> We didn't say that. What do we say? I'll make a motion to go into open session. Second. It has been moved and properly second that we will go into open session. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor, let it be known by saying I. >> Oppose the same sign. Motion carries. And now we're in open session. >> Item 11.1, personnel management. Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve 11.1.1 the listed personnel under personnel management. >> Second has been moved and properly second that we will approve our personnel management 11.1.1. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let
070it be known by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed same sign. Motion carries. Thank you very kindly. 11.12 Extracurricular activities, fall sports. Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve the personnel as discussed in close session for extracurricular activities in fall sports. >> Second. has been moved and properly seconded that we will approve our extracurricular activities fall sports as discussed in close session. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor, let it be known by saying I. >> Oppose the same sign. The motion carries. Thank you very kindly. Close session minutes. Those are our July 14th, 2025 regular business board meeting close session minutes. Do we have a motion to approve the close session minutes? >> Madam Chair, I move for the approval of the close session minutes July 14th, 2025 regular business.
071>> Second meeting. It has been moved and properly second that we will approve our close session minutes July 14th, 2025 regular business board meeting close session minutes. Any other discussion on the motion? All in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I >> oppose the same sign. The motion carries. Thank you. Item 12, board correspondence. Anybody have any correspondence? Moving on. 13. Items brought by board members or superintendent. >> What have we forgotten? I left. I just I just want to piggyback on something that um that Dr. Brian started about the the money for the opera um for Jane Thorne. Um if you remember last year when Calvary uh gave the money for the band program, Jane Thorne and and Bill Thorne gave money for the music um or acquired the
072funds for the music. And this year they are um supporting this uh opera auction for our students in Edgecom and it's in memory of her son Will who was an Edgecom County Public School student who was in the band in the middle school band >> and he died about two years ago >> from a from a heart attack >> and um the family is very they're very much into the arts and so um she's been very good about looking out for us um >> any opportunity she has. So, uh if you go to Thorn Drug Company and you see Jane, I'm sure she would appreciate a thank you. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. >> He was my student. He was my student at three schools. >> He was sweet boy. Sweet. He was Chris's best
073friend. >> Thank you. >> All right. I now need Thanks for those comments. A motion to adjourn. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion that we >> second. >> Has been moved and properly second that we will adjourn this meeting. Any other discussion on this motion? All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I >> oppose the same sign.