001Sorry. Good evening everyone. The meeting is called to order Hope County Board of Education monthly meeting um August 12th, 2025. The time is now 6:00 p.m. At this time, I'm going to ask board member um Angela Summerland if she will lead us into prayer. Let us pray. Father, we thank you for this day. Lord, we thank you for your grace. We thank you for your mercy. God, we thank you for giving us another opportunity to come together one more time. God, as we go into a new year 25, 26, God, we asking you to watch over our children. Keep them safe. No harm to come upon them. Keep our teachers safe, our administrators safe, our bus drivers, everybody that's attached to the school district. Lord, just keep us safe. And God, as we the board
002continue to go and make decisions on behalf of the D district, God, just give us the understanding and the knowledge of how to present and how to bring things over well. So God, we ask in your son Jesus' name to continue to watch over us and protect us. Amen. >> Thank you so much for that. At this time, I need a motion to approve the agenda for today. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve today's agenda. >> Second. >> Okay. The motion has been made to approve the agenda for uh August 12th, 2025. It's been second. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposers? Okay. Thank you so much. At this time, this chair's report, I just want to say good evening to um board members, superintendent, to all our cabinet members, to
003the guest that's here today. Thank you so much for being here with us this evening. Um we are excited to begin this new school year. We thank you for all those that worked hard during the summer to make sure that things are in place for the upcoming school year. Uh, we're going to continue to drive this district forward. I like the t-shirts for the convocation this year. I love the wording on it. We working to make things better construction. We under construction to be a better district. So, I just want to thank everyone for everything that you do, all your hard work, your your um your passion for the students and for this district. That's it for me. Do any other board members have anything you want to say? I just wanted to add, Madam
004Chair, um about a month ago, a parent was concerned about the um bus stops in their neighborhood and um she wasn't calling for her particular child, but it's a chat that they have now in the um neighborhoods and there was concern about just having one stop in this particular neighborhood. So, I told her to contact Mr. Heath. She did. He responded right away. He even went out to the neighborhood and uh he took the he went the extra mile. So that's one reason why I want to make that, you know, mention of that he went there, saw that there was a safety issue because they're continuing to build in that neighborhood and he included more stops. So I thought he was going to be here, but I called him today to tell him that that
005um how I really really appreciated him going the extra mile and looking out for the safety of the children. That's awesome. That's good history. Any other madam chair? If I would, I just want to give praise to uh uh the administration to Dr. fell and the staff for um um moving the uh policy stuff for u I don't think a lot of people know this about 31 July we uh we uh took pretty much a whole day uh and uh we were able to uh review and revise about 55 policies and um it was uh somewhat a little stressful fun But we moved a lot of policies uh forward to the next uh stage. So I just want to give a special thanks to the uh administration especially uh Dr. Stra's leadership. >> Thank you.
006Awesome. Anyone else? Okay. If nothing else, at this time we'll have the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Blue. This is um probably the second most exciting time of the year for administrators. Most exciting time of graduation. That's what we do. Teachers returned on the 11th. We're very happy about that. Very excited. We're getting ready for our back to school program on Saturday. We have plans for our kids. We have a lot of exciting games for them. So, we're really really looking forward to that. And that event is going to be led being chaired by uh Dr. Owens. And you have a copy of the flyer. It's going to be at East Hope from 9 to 1. Um parents can come out and pick up school supplies. Um hot dog and we'll have um book
007bags for our parents and some for our students. So, it's just going to be a very exciting time just like it was last year. So, we're really looking forward forward to that. Hope we're blessed with the good weather that we had last year. Now, the heat, we can't worry about that because we live in North Carolina. We understand it's going to be hot. So, but I'm excited. Definitely excited. Also, I'm going to do go on the radio this week. I'm proud to be interviewed by um the legendary Mr. Hollinssworth and we're going to talk about um the upcoming school year. We'll talk about the back to school um bash talk about back to school university and we're also going to talk about um our goals for the year and the theme of this school year
008you know unity and um I won't give the exact theme away. I'm give that away at U convocation. But the the um unity and working together for students, we'll have a nice conversation about that. Um this Holler, we we've talked about that a little bit before, but we're going to talk about a little bit more and how excited we are for the students coming back on the 22nd. um convocation coming up on the 22nd. Another exciting event for students, not students, but staff and administration going to get together, share our theme again, talk about the next year, school year, and we're also going to share with the community our of the year winners, principal of the year, teacher of the year, teacher assistant of the year, uh superintendent award. So, it's going to be a
009very festive event, one of the most festive two hours of your life. So, we're going to do that from 9 to 1 and then we're going to have our nice celebrating celebration lunch that we normally have. So, I know I'm very excited about that. Putting the final touches on my speech and everything. It won't be a dissertation because again we're just doing 9 to 11 and we're going to be very um positive and upbeat about the things that we talk about that day. I think you know the fact that we're doing those of the year is going to be a great thing and we have some great candidates right now. The candidates they get the awards and then they'll be recipients. I also want to thank Miss Allison Jones for the work that she put
010into that. uh it's a very hard thing to do and uh and she's done an excellent job with it. So looking forward to that. And then the most exciting part of it all is August 25th. I believe it is Monday morning. The students are coming. They'll be back. We're glad to see them. All the administrators, cabinet members, we're going to be at schools that morning with kids. Welcome them them back. I think I'm going to start out at Hawkeye Elementary that morning. We'll fill in the schools and it's just good to see the kids after a long summer. So, we're glad to see them. I know they'd be glad to see their principles. So, that's that's what we've been up to. It's been a long summer and as a culmination of the summer, everything coming
011together, that's what we're looking forward to. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Bill. >> At this time, we have Spotlight on success. >> All right. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> How are you? >> Good. >> Um I'm Karen Nichols. I'm the coordinator of digital teaching and learning and library media services here in the school system. And so, thank you for allowing me a few moments this evening to celebrate two of my outstanding members of my team. Um they're sitt back here in the back. How about Miss Shanie Gibson and Miss Marian Elliot back here? I am thrilled to share that for the very first time in our school district district's history, I'm reading a little bit, y'all, because I'm so nervous. Okay. Um, two of our libraries received the prestigious Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries
012grant. Um, it's a big deal. Um, it's a national program that has awarded over $23 million to schools since 2002. Um, and this year, each of our winners will get $5,000 um to expand and diversify their collections. Now, I encouraged all of the librarians to apply for this grant um this year. And when I found out that we had received one, I was ecstatic. And in fact, I texted Dr. Rams. I said, "Oh my gosh, we got the WR Bush grant. I'm so excited." And then I got the notification we received two and that is unheard of for a district to get two. So so proud of these ladies and the work that they put into getting this [Applause] Charmaine if you stand up. Charmaine. Um Charmaine's grant is going to focus on resources for
013exceptional children in the self-contained classrooms and English language learners at the high school. Um we don't have very many books for them and so that's her heart. She brings those EC kids in every week to do activities with them. And so this is something that will support her program for that. She's going to add highinterest picture books, accessible chapter books, and culturally diverse titles to inspire engagement and ensure every student sees themselves in that library in county. Um, so let me have Marian. Marian will stand up. is our librarian at Donste Elementary and um she is her grant is going to address a major gap in representation. Um if you didn't know 27% of the students at Donste are of Hispanic heritage, but only 2% of the books in that library collection represent those students.
014Um, so she will end up um getting Spanish language, bilingual books, culturally rich titles, as well as audio books to support English language learners. So that's what she will do with her $5,000. >> And so these grants, um, they're more than just new books. Um, they're investments in equity, inclusion, and the joy of reading for all of our students. I'm very proud of all of my librarians. I'm particularly proud of these ladies today and I'm excited to see the impact that these resources will have on our school community. So, thank you for giving us a moment and celebrating this accomplishment with us tonight. >> If y'all have any questions, thank you. >> Awesome. That is awesome. Thank you so much. And congratulations, ladies. Didn't you? >> Yeah. Didn't you win a grant? Um, at one
015point as well. >> In 2022, I wrote the DOA um Fresh Reads. If you guys heard Fresh Reads, the book vending machines, all of that, we got we've got 1.78 million. [Applause] >> And I'm working I'm working on one for Turlington. And I did write one this year um earlier um through uh um Lumby River Electric the Bright Ideas because we don't have books for our kids at Turlington. So I'm working to try to maybe get some books in the school for those students as well. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> All right. Hope >> at this time we have public comment. >> Um good evening. Um we have five individuals that have signed up for public comment tonight. Um each of you um I will call in the order that you signed
016up. You'll have three minutes to speak. I will keep time. Um and uh the first person on our list tonight um is Brandy McGurt. >> Good evening. Happy Tuesday you all. Um like she said, I am Brandy McGurt. I am the program director of Modi Young Mobile. Modi Young Mobile is the youth services department of community outreach advocates. Moding your mogul is funded by the Hulk County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council to manage two programs. The Hulk County Leadership Academy and the Hulk County Teen Court Program. With the new year upon us and all our exciting plans coming up, we found it super important that we personally introduce ourselves and our programs to you guys this year in hopes that when you see us in the community, we're not strangers, but you recognize us as partners
017and better yet teammates. So, thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Um, our next speaker is Tia Thomas. >> Hello. Hello everyone. I'm Tia Thomas and I am standing on behalf of Hope County Leadership Academy. And so this will be a trauma-informed develop developmental um responsive and youth leadership program. So, it's going to be designed to equip middle and high school students with interpersonal, emotional, and social skills necessary to thrive in school relationships and community life. So, we have a program where I'll be challenging the students to practice leadership skills throughout their livelihood as well as in school uh settings. So, I would love to do as much as I can to partnership with you all uh throughout the school system as well as with our students throughout the community. So, I'm excited. >> Oh, thank you.
018[Applause] All right. Um, Zanna Patillo. Okay. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Zora Patillo. I'm the program coordinator for Hope County Teen Court, a youthled restorative program which offers second chances through courtroom experiences and peer leadership. Our goals to are lower to are to lower repeat offenses, improve home and school behavior, provide life skills training, and to help youth leaders regrow grow into responsible leaders. Our youth volunteers are given real courtroom responsibilities which contribute to building leadership, public speaking, and teamwork skills. Our youth attorneys represent the respondent or communities by asking questions and presenting arguments. Our jurors are important because they listen to the cases by providing these fair restorative consequences and our ba lifts help to maintain order and support court for room procedures. Currently, we're looking for more youth and adult volunteers
019and we're working to raise awareness in our schools and our community spaces about the program. We're looking um primarily for for support from our educators and administrators. And we're looking for opportunities to also partner with school staff to identify any students who are thriving in these leadership roles that could benefit from team court. Lastly, we have goals to improve our mentorship and training opportunities. So, on August 25th through the 27th, we're offering a teen court intensive training um from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex followed by our first real live hearing. We would greatly appreciate if you all would come. Thank you. Right. [Applause] >> Avant Norwood as what date >> Good afternoon board members. >> Good afternoon. I think uh it's very important that I come up and speak today because often
020times you hear parents talk about the issues that they have at school. I don't know why I'm so nervous I talk all the time and I didn't know Miss Pepper was going to be here. So I don't want her to think that I'm doing this cuz she here. But I just want to talk about how great our um our our teams are at our schools. I have a son that attends Skerlock Elementary and I have a son that attends Hope County High School. And um I also know some teachers at other school Don and I just want to say that our teachers are amazing and it's very fitting that Dr. Spells mentions unity because I think that is very important for parents and for other staff to unite with the teachers and support them. Um
021and so I just want to say thank you to a few teachers that I have on my list. First and foremost, my favorite principal, Miss Colleen Peg. When I tell you she has a heart for the children, she definitely has a heart for the children. She talks to parents to be a principal of a school of over 2,000 kids. She is there front and center. Anytime anytime I've picked up my phone or anytime I've sent an email, she's answered me. Um, and thank you. And I think that we have to just tell them we appreciate them more and support them. I also want to call out Miss um Shauna Burns from Hope County Elementary School. >> I'm not sorry. Skir um Miss Kristen today um from Don. And I I just want to say something
022about Miss D. She's a PE teacher. Yearly, she spends $2,000 out of her own pocket >> just to help out her students. And I may have this number wrong, but and correct me, but from my understanding that the teachers can only get reimbursed at up to $250 on their on their taxes. And there are so many teachers inside of Hope County who do this. And so myself and Miss Tamara Sanders, we have, you know, gotten together and it's nothing official, but we do our best to support the teachers the way any way we can. Um, we do raffles for them. We do drawings for them because we want them to know that they're appreciated. We want them to know that they're supported. And there are so many teachers. I was on Facebook the other day
023and I saw a parent complaining about having to spend $60 in school supplies. And I know many teachers who spent upward of $2,000. Many teachers who spent upward of, you know, hundreds of dollars for these students so that they can have um and we recently tried to do a uh stuff the trunk um event for our teachers where we collected supplies that they needed for their classrooms. Um and it didn't receive that that much support. So um I like to just say that we had a great faculty. Um, unfortunately, a lot of teachers left Skerlock last year. Um, one in particular, my son wanted to be in her class so bad, and I really feel like it's cuz they don't get the support that they need. And so, I just want to be the first
024one to say, probably not the first, I'm probably like, you know, but if we can just figure out the way to get the community to support these teachers. A lot of teachers don't do it for the money, you know? They're not they're here for the children. A lot of teachers I know, Miss Alexander from Skerlock, she works two jobs, you know, and she has five five children at home. So, if we can, you know, think about that then. Thank you. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> Um, and then finally, we have Tamar Sanders. >> Hold on one second. Can can you can you help us help Miss Pgro to ask the parents to allow their students to come to school dress for success? >> Well, we certainly appreciate that. Thank you. >> Um and finally, we
025have Tamar Sanders. >> Hey Sanders, how you doing? >> Oh, pardon me. Excuse me. [Music] How are you everyone? >> Hi. >> Um, you all look lovely. >> Thank you. >> And um, hate to come behind her cuz she did such a great job. Um, but I do I do want to mention one of my teachers, one of my spotlight teachers from last year, Mrs. Flemings. um she was my son's English teacher and she helped improve my son's ACT score, reading score from a 24 to a 30. So um that was a really big uh jump. So just for that, but that's not why I'm here. Um I'm here. How much time I left because you cut me off that time. My feelings was hurt. Um I'm here. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the
026policy meeting. I don't know where my invitation went, but I'm here today. Um, and I don't know if this is one of the policies that you guys updated, but I do want to speak on it. Um, I know you got the hiring process for Hope County. I'm a little bit frustrated with it because I guess everybody who's hired here has to be approved by the board, but the board only meets once a month. So, if we got employees that come in midmon like right now, they're too late. They got to wait until next month to get improve get approved. Or this is what I was told. I'm sorry. I don't know if that's the policy. I don't know if you change it, but this is what I was just told recently as of yesterday that
027they wouldn't be able to start if they put in the application and got everything that they would not be able to start onboarding until the 9th. So, and it's kind of like frustrating. I don't know if there's a mix between communications or policies or everybody's not on the same page if we could just get everybody on the same page. So, misinformation is not passed around. Now, I do make it my business. I've spoke to several people. I spoke to a couple of y'all about the process and I've been told one thing or another. But when I call, I get a different answer. So, if we can make sure everybody's on the same page because we don't want any misconception or a confusion about how we do things here. Um, we want everybody to be aware
028of what's going on. Um, and so yeah, we can get that policy posted somewhere so I can be updated at least on how it works, the onboarding process. So, somebody put an application, all your paperwork is in. Can they start immediately or is it I understand it's time. It's a process. You got to get your uh background checked and all that but all that stuff a go. What are we waiting for? We waiting for three weeks for the board to meet again and then because that's how we lose people. That's how we lose, you know, productive people that we need that could be beneficial to our school board and to our teachers and to our schools and our staff. So that's all I have to say. And again, you all look lovely. Thank you. That's
029it. >> That's it. I'll turn it back over to you, Miss Blood. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you so much. At this time, we are down to the consent agenda. And the first um item on the consent agenda is the minutes for July 8th and 31st, 2025. And the second item is school board policy first read. Madam chair. >> Yes. >> I actually had a question about the um policy change. >> Okay. Which one? >> Um policy 7440 assignments, reassignments, and transfers. It appears that we're removing um employees right to appeal to a transfer decision from to the board. Is that I could be reading it wrong, but I just want clarification because I'm not on the policy committee. >> Which one again? I'm sorry. Um 744 and your question is about the amendment that's being
030made to the policy. All assignments and transfer of district employees to the schools are responsible of the superintendent. Is that what you're referring to? >> I'm referring to the part at the bottom. It's in red. You see it? >> Yes. Scratched through. >> Yes, ma'am. >> It says an employee may appeal a transfer decision to the board. The board generally will uphold transfer decisions made in accordance with this policy if they're not arbitrary for that play. Basically, we're getting rid of a staff's right to appeal to the board. >> No, Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Uh we're not get we're not giving uh uh that right away. Uh we just simply uh restructure the sentence. So, uh, where we're pretty much saying that the superintendent, uh, does a transfer unless it's an egregious, uh, uh,
031incident that the superintendent violated um, i.e. political um, in nature, then the uh, employee does have the right to uh, appeal. So, what we're saying is that we're not going to um accept uh appeals just because an a teacher as an example does not want to move from uh Hawkeye Elementary School to Skurlock School elementary school unless the uh teacher as an example has a legitimate u complaint i.e. political uh and there's some other areas um in there. So uh that's all we did. The uh the employees still have the right to uh appeal if it's u uh someone reaches violation of their rights. >> Where does it say that in the policy? um >> because it appears >> there's there's other there's there's other there's other areas that I mean we uh revised 50
032some policy. So, um, the other thing I'm kind of curious, um, I wish this question should have been brought a whole lot earlier cuz we're not I'm not I I don't know about the uh about the rest of the board, but we're not here to discuss one specific policy because this can go on and on and on. So if uh if one of the board members wants to discuss a specific area, this is why you can uh as an example send an email and um then we can address it uh accordingly. This is the first read. >> Actually the board meeting is where we're supposed to discuss it and where the questions are supposed to be brought about. if this up on the consent agenda is to be voted on, to be passed. But Marshall
033sends this um you send it you sent this to us on last >> Thursday. >> Yes. And anytime that you have questions, you're supposed to might not know it, but you're supposed to just let us know so we can go ahead and have address that. >> If employees do have they have a right Um it was removed specifically from this policy because there are other avenues for which um employees can grieve if they believe there's been a policy violation, a mislication of law. Um as far as it specifically saying in this policy that they can appeal, um they certainly can. If they believe they've been discriminated against, retaliated against, anything of that nature that would be unlawful, there are other policies to handle that, and they may appeal that decision to move their employment to
034a different school via one of those policies if that helps. Any other questions? >> Okay. So, so I mean I'm sort of curious now, but I haven't been here. So, I had to I saw this I got back last night. So, um I'm just I just want to be clear. Um Grace, so you're saying that this is sort of just a duplicate and there there are other policies where staff members, teachers can appeal and this is sort of duplicate. So this is why they sort of written this here. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. So this would be in in the way that most employee contracts are written, they are not entitled to a specific school assignment. But if an employee feels that the reason for their transfer is discriminatory, um political, personal, arbitrary,
035capriccious, any of those things, um there are numerous policies under which they may avail um and file a grievance. um um a lot of those policies um are actually uh also on this agenda, the consent agenda today. So for example um you have policy 1710 which prohibits discrimination, harassment and bullying. Um, policy 1750, which is the grievance procedure for employees, allows employees to to uh file an an appeal or a grievance anytime they believe that um >> there's been a specific kind of final administrative decision that's adversely affected them. So, that would be the avenue through which they could bring a challenge to maybe a transfer to a different school. >> Thank you. Any more questions, concerns? Can I get a motion to uh approve the consent agenda? >> Madame Chair, I move to approve
036the uh consent agenda. >> Second. Okay. It's been moved and second um to approve the consent agenda for minutes July 8th 31st, 2025 school board policy first read. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposers? I >> Okay, the eyes have it. Next we will have administration and we go into information. First we have construction updates chat. Does anyone have to get up and talk any just looks at me and goes you're on. >> Good evening everybody. What a great time it is in year again as the chair and Dr. Spell said one of the best times getting staff back in the buildings and students. And just to remind you, we're going to get to the schedule here, but next year this time, you'll be talking about the brand new high school and
037how that's occupied and the ribbon and cutting done and all that. So, it'll be awesome. More to celebrate in that time. So, we're looking ahead to that. So, right now, we got to get there. So, this will be the brief uh uh picture show and hopefully a brief talk. I won't be long-winded, I hope. Uh go through what we're used to in the format, photos just to give you information. you drive by on the road but you haven't been inside. So I'll walk you through some of that and then we'll talk about the schedule and the budget. So next slide please. So as you drive by you can see lot you can't see the roof. Uh good news is the roof is about 90% up there. So getting dried in a lot of areas. Uh
038they have the stuff area over just past the gym. Uh they were finishing up in this photo. So, probably by next week, we're hoping that the roof is all on and the building is dried in from above. That's a good place to be. Uh, can't see that from the ground, but you can see all the work and the workers up there and everything going on. So, good news. That's a good milestone to get dry underneath. Next slide, please. You see this kind of coming in, but you can see in the foreground here. So, that's a gym in the background. by the foreground. That's a stone for that drop off loop that's going to go around the front of the building for apparent pickup and drop off. So, that's another good thing to see. Uh you
039see all the brick going up around the admin, everything. And now you can see kind of where that drop off loop's coming. So, that's a good sign of upcoming paving. I'll let YouTube. Next slide, please. This is your front entry. Uh it's kind of that large portico opening. Uh, so you can see the framing, the brick on either side. That metal panel work is just about to start. We had a pre-installation conference today with the contractors are getting ready to mobilize out there to begin putting their panels in. And immediately following that, we'll be getting the storefront in there. So, that'll really start taking shape instead of being a big long hole through the middle of the building. Next slide. Looking down towards the classroom wing from there. Uh you can see the masonry is
040done in the foreground and they're starting the Epha system in the back uh where the uh math, language arts, social study, all those classrooms are from the original plan. We've went through that before. So lots going on. Still some dirt in the foreground for a while. Next slide, please. [Music] This is your reception area once you come in. That's a brick wall backdrop. Uh as there'll be a floating ceiling over that. So you'll be in the lobby looking into the reception area there. So things are starting to move along. Next slide please. This is again looking back towards the commons uh from the top of the learning stair and you can see it's from previous pictures about the glue lamp wood roof beams and the partitions are up. They're all getting ready to put the
041drywall up on the walls now. Uh you can see some of that starting on the first floor as they're wrapping that up and moving to the second floor. So what used to be big open views through all the rooms is starting to get confined into classrooms now. Next slide please. And this is just looking back the other way from there. You get a sense of that space down there. Uh that's where the books and the media center all be spread through there. Next slide please. Looking down the hallway area of that and you can see the drywall on the left where the entries to all the classrooms are. Next slide please. So, this will give you a sense of the classroom, a typical classroom on that wing. Uh, you get a feel for the size
042with board up and you can see the large window there for a lot of good daylighting into the space and then that large opening which will be blast. Uh, so we'll let that light spread throughout and visibility clear. Next slide, please. Always like to show the good things about systems going in place before it's covered up. Uh you'll see the nice yellow insulation in the wall there. That's to help control sound between all the classrooms. Uh some people have much deeper booming voices than I have and we don't need to hear that everywhere. So it's good to see all that in place exactly how it's supposed to be floor to ceiling to help acoustically seal those spaces. Next slide please. And again up on the roof. I took this because the framing for the glass
043is starting kind of at the top around the clear story. If you remember from that central commons area, that was all glass. It's around the sides, letting daylight come into the middle of the building. It's very exciting. And you can see the framework going up and getting ready for measurement for glass. Next slide, please. Hard to see this one. It's easier to zoom in on your computer. Uh you can see school road on the right there was taken this to kind of show that the winding is done there. You could kind of when you drive down there see the pavement that was tied in drainage work done. Uh you can see where that loop front pickup dropoff loop is coming in in the foreground there. Uh and then to the left is where they started
044the demolition installation of water line utilities to get ready for the canopy that goes down Bethl where it was closed off. Next slide please. And that's what you got to zoom into here. Um, but you can see and if you drive by, you can see the disturbance. Of course, in the foreground, we discovered a new lake uh when they tore some things out and created the new road uh which they promptly got on and corrected and found a drainage method for now. When the project's finally done, that grade will be higher and there won't be a lake. But always happens during which and that's why we have contractors that pay attention and remedy it. Next slide, please. always like to show uh the pretty stuff to me. Uh this is the stuff that makes systems
045happen in the building. Uh mechanical units being in place. You can see the uh hookup of the water lines. Again, it's the geothermal loop system. So that's the supply and return lines on the left going into the unit. They pressure testing them. You see them hooked up. And on the right you can see getting in the trench work for communication cabling and power uh coming out to the site lighting the generator and other things. So all the things that make the building operate and run the way you want it to like on humid days like this and make it nice and comfortable inside. >> Those are things that excite me and shouldn't excite you but I'm trying. Next slide please. So the schedule this is uh again something we want to talk about every time.
046Nothing's changed on this. Uh so that's so far the good news, but just remind everyone the two phases and then the occupy in between. And so next summer is going to be a very busy summer with bringing the big classroom shuffle of classes vacating the one side to go to the new the new other side coming over move a lot of moving around. It's going to happen. So it's going to be a very busy summer to get everything in place, but we accounted for the time to do that. You can see we're looking to be done about uh March, end of March, April. And so that gives plenty of time to get all the furniture in the building, be ready for teachers to finish their last day at school, and then to begin moving all
047the classrooms around, so when they come back in August, they're ready. So that's the schedule. So far, everything's looking great to make sure we're ready for that come June. Next slide, please. So, as far as the budget goes on the project, uh, little changes. Uh, the contractor is actually, that's a typo on me. Uh, I'll explain later. They're about 56.9% paid right now, which is tracking with their progress. Um, you can see the contingencies. Again, there were three categories, contractor, design, and owner. The contractor contingencies used about 62%. The design team has exceeded theirs at about 141, but the con the owner contingency grew again, gained more money at 34.4%. So overall doing well. Yeah. Total between all three of those just over 2.4 million uh remaining about 1.7. Okay. So that's good. We still
048have some that we're reviewing that have to do with the retention uh ponds and things that have to happen on the site and those are going to be about 930 or 935,000 which means even if those costs are the end final cost still just over 34 million in contingency and we're wrapping up everything out there. So so far the contingencies are holding steady very well for the project. No concerns by anyone at this time. Next slide, please. There's no next slide. It is the other uh slide, the uh financial sheet. I should put those together in one, I think, next time. That'll make it easier. So on the financial sheet, it's the same format that you're used to seeing that we have uh broken up by the uh project agreed to cost by categories on
049the left and then I highlight the cells and the blocks where we had some cost changes. So the uh cost change in column E for general contractor um that amount was uh incorrect. I had an error in my Excel sheet where it did not carry it over from a recent payout. So that number is actually just over $37 million. That's why the previous slide I had that error in the calculation. All the other values are accurate throughout there. Uh you'll see some contingency dispersements are made. The design team getting paid. Uh the board uh approved the additional cost for the material testing to finish out the project that came from the miscellaneous app fees line item because we had money in there that had not been encumbered or allocated. Uh and then we had the
050board approved the commissioning contract uh at its last meeting. And so you can see on the far right there is about $133,000 that was budgeted for that item that is not accounted for anywhere. So that money is considered available. And as we talked about last time, everything on that far right column that has not been encumbered or allocated, as the project begins to wind down in areas and costs become known, we will be back uh Dr. Hunt and I before the board with recommendations on things that money could go to towards the project out there for betterment for the students. So that the project budget uh 78 uh.4 24 million remain strong and consistent throughout. I will stop talking and answer any questions you have. >> Anyone have any questions? >> Okay. >> Thank you.
051>> Did you say you do? >> Oh, I do. >> Oh, you do? No, ma'am. Oh, I thought you said >> I'll loiter a little bit. >> Okay. Thank you. At this time we we we're at the vacancy report. Madame chair, board members, superintendent Dr. Spels. Good evening. I'm here tonight to present our vacancy report. But before I start, I do want you to know I am in my red tonight because we have our new teacher orientation. Today we had 75 teachers >> uh to participate in our new teacher orientation today at Easttop. Tomorrow is day two. Uh they were so excited to have them on board to be a part of our whole county school families and we are excited to have them uh for our new teachers. So if you want to come
052out, please come out tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon. Curriculum starts tomorrow at 1:00 to support them with their is it 12 12:00 12:30 for curriculum tomorrow morning. We start at 8:00 with our new teachers. So please come out and support our new teachers. uh a lot of them moved into our area here in Hope County. So, we want to make sure that we support them so we can try to retain them in the district. [Music] >> And then if not, you can come at least have lunch with them. And lunch is at 11:00. >> And where is this? >> East Mill. >> Yes. Wear a jacket. It's cold for some people. >> They have a new AC unit. and it's working. >> Okay, for our vacancy report, uh I am excited about our vacancy report.
053Um you can see on there we have a total of 60 vacancies, but I have to u make my recommendation to the board this afternoon. It should move us down to a total of 48 vacancies starting the school year. So we have the principles um directors um and the HR team has been working extremely hard to ensure that we fill our vacancies with that. We do have 81 new um international teachers in our district uh starting this year as well. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. at this time with Did anybody have any questions for her? >> Okay. All right. Financial love today. >> Good evening. So this evening we are going to talk about the financial month tickets. So, um, budgets are now beginning to drop. We wait to get next slide. Budgets are
054beginning to drop and we have now received some of our major state funds such as our classroom teachers, our central office positions. Um, most of the money that has dropped has to do with payroll and getting our people paid. So those are the ones that have dropped. So because of this uh we will not have a budget amendment until September's board meeting that will give us a better snapshot of what money is coming to county school. So during all of this um just so we know with our budget restraints we did lose another teaching position. We also lost the instructional support person. Um and then the last finance meeting that we had, finance officers were told that we lost um PRC 42 and PRC 43, which is our child and family support teams that supports
055our nurses and our um and our social workers and other key important people for student support uh personnel. and um we were told that they may give it back to us in another PRC, but that hasn't come um to fruition yet, nor has it they discussed it anymore. So, in that we had three of our highest paid nurses in one of those funds, and we had other um personnel there, too. So, we um we're now trying to find a way to make sure we can keep our nurses because we need them. >> Okay. So because our AD and our student count has dropped and is slowly decreasing, it's affecting our overall funding calculations. Um which means that our overall budget has gone down. Um so we I know we've been talking about this for a
056while, but each year it seems like it's getting lower and lower and we're still having to find a way um to make sure we can run the school system. Because of these deficits, uh, we have to gain control over our positions to ensure that we're not spending money unnecessarily and making sure we're getting everything that we need to make sure our students are receiving what they need to succeed. So, PSUs, all eleas across the state of North Carolina because of these deficits in in the money that we're receiving, um, a lot of them are going into their fund balance to make sure that's the reason why we have to make sure we're keeping our position position control under the budget. So, if we lose students, then we should be also losing adults, you know, and
057nobody wants to be the one to tell this person, well, you don't have a job. And nobody wants to do that in the middle of the year. So during the summer months and months when people are leaving sometimes we cannot replace them. So we have to be very careful about how hope county schools is bringing in people so we don't run out of money. Okay. Um so we have two type of funding and I need you all to know this. This this information I'm giving you is to help you understand how the finance part of the school system works. So we get two pots of type of money. So we get position and we get dollar amounts. So with our position that is like our teachers okay let's go to the next slide I'm sorry
058so with the position a lotments we have our teachers our enhancement teachers which are resource teachers our school building administrations which are our principles and our assistant principles and our CTE positions. Right now we have a total of 14 principles and 18 um assistant principles, but they only gave us enough positions to cover the 14 principles and 10 of our assistant principles. So now we're having to find funds to pay them from our dollar a lotments. So when we get to our dollar a lotments, that's just straight funding. Um and then those that's the money that we have to make sure we are being able to pay somebody. But when you think about the difference between the position allotments and the dollar a lotments, if somebody's making $50,000, that position a lotment is going to
059take care of whatever to that person. But when you talk about your dollar amount a lotments, we have to make sure we're taking care of their salary as well as their benefits. And this year, the benefits, the social security stayed the same, but retirement has gone up a little bit to 24.67 and our health insurance has gone up like $500. So now we're talking about the major difference is going to hit our budget because those are not coming for salary. That's what we have to pay for our employees. Okay. So we go to next. Can can I ask? >> Yes. >> A question. So we have what 14 schools. Why is the state only paying for 10 assistant principles even if even if Hokai didn't have four or five assistant principles, right? Uh-huh. >> And
060we all had assistant principles in every school which is 14 school. Why are they only paying for 10? >> Well, because there's a there is a calculation they do in for your ADM. They give you an assistant principal for so many students that you have. So, we we have always had more assistant principles than the state said we could. >> Um, >> so like MLAN shouldn't have based on >> based on the size of the system. Yes, ma'am. They should not. Neil. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. So, um, teacher assistants and custodians and we I did have this discussion with the principles when we had our leadership meeting. So, all of our teacher assistants are now principles and bookkeepers have been informed. Our teacher assistants, the majority of them are 75%. This change took place over
06115 years ago. Um, that means that they're only supposed to be working six hours a day. So, um, the calls are coming in, they're asking questions because the bus driver, because our our staff is dual employed, which means that when they they're hired, they sign the the form that says that they will agree to drive a bus if they're needed. So, that's the opportunity they have to come from 75% to be able to earn that 25% to make them um, I use it lightly, 100%. >> But that is not a guarantee. to drive a bus, but the 75% is a guarantee and they have to understand that. And I've also talked to the principles. They're only supposed to work up to six hours in that school because that's the money that we're receiving. So many
062years ago, the state took away teacher assistant money and said we were only supposed to have teacher assistance in kindergarten. Hope County decided that they want to make sure our first grade and our second grade teachers had teacher assistance. So that's why they became 75% and we really can't work around that because we don't run we don't have anywhere else to pay them from but from that teacher assistant uh pot. Now the custodians are still salaried. The ones that drive a bus they must make sure they're going back to their schools to make up their hours. And like I said I did discuss this with the principles. The reason why I'm sharing it with you all because some of them may get disrunt and decide to call you. So I don't want you to go
063and say well I don't know anything about that. So now you know that they're 75% that has been something that's been going on for years, six hours in school, unless they're driving a bus. No other job can uh equate to making them 100%. This bus driver and teacher assistant. Okay. Thank you. Next slide, please. Okay. So we had a salary study. Um so I brought the information I gave you to the table before, but we decided to wait until after salary study was done. So we we determined and we found out the whole county is paying the best that it can based on with the money that it gets. So we have fixed a couple of jobs um that you guys have voted upon to to um put them into the salary study. We have
064three jobs that do not fall um under the NCDPI salary grade guidelines that need to be fixed. The information I'm bringing you today is just for information on today, but in September, I'm hoping that it can move to a consent or action item so that we can get this fixed. And this will be part of the last part that we have to fix. So, our custodians should be on the NC God of 01. We currently have three um different custodian sounding sides and we should not. They all should be on the same scale, which has to be fixed in. and I gave you all the information. So, with the custodians, I need you to look at it and see. Right now, our our custodian salary rates are all over the place. So, we need to
065get that um fixed. So, while you're looking at it, when you look at it, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call. We need to decide if we want to go with option one or option two. So right now um all of our custodians are basically being paid on 16 $16.7 or more. >> So according to the NCBI that option one is what the scale should look like. We have to decide if we want to just move all of them starting at the five the ones who are still supposed to be at 16007 or if we want to make step zero to step five6007. We can make that decision um here. um sitewide if we want to. So I just need you guys to look at that and look
066at it. So with the childish hourly, they're all making the same the same hourly pay no matter if you've been here for zero years or 30 years. So that definitely has to be fixed. >> And that's only and and it sounds strange, but what happened was whenever the state decided to raise everybody $15, everybody got stuck at that salary and it just kept moving down. So that has to be fixed because I wouldn't want to be working for 20 years and making the same thing as someone who just came off the street. So and that one is the second sheet I believe I gave you. >> Third the third sheet that I gave you. Okay. And that's what that one will be look like. And I've already shared this with um Miss Carpenter to look
067at and she said yes. Go ahead and bring it to you all. Okay. So the third one is the teacher assistant who should be working from the NC grade of NC4 into NC NCO6 which means if you come in as a teach assistant with just the standard hours that you need you will be on the NC4 scale. If you completed an associates degree and proved it then you should be on the NC5 scale. If you completed a bachelor's degree and yes sometimes they come in with a bachelor's degree because they're working their way up to being a teacher then they should be on an NCO6 scale. Um, and these are things that we did get, we gleaned this information from one of the salary studies done. But these have to be completed as soon as
068possible. Um, so we can meet the standards. And I just need you to know also that a lot of people say, "Well, it's not fair. I'm not getting paid enough." But according to NCDPI, as long as we are fitting inside the scale, as long as we're paying them more than their starting salary and paying within that, whole county schools is okay. So, so the NC4 scale where it says teachers assistant, what do they have? They have passed the test and not as >> to be a teacher assistant. It's supposed to be so many um study hours they supposed to have, >> right? >> To be a teach at least. >> At least. Yes. Yeah. Mhm. So, um we just want to especially make sure them and like I said, I wish we could pay everybody
069what they deserve, but we have to stay within our budgets. >> Any questions? >> So, next you want us to look this up. >> Yes, ma'am. Come together as a board. >> Yes, ma'am. and give you what you think that you know what what what you want from us. >> So right now it's just information I want to look at and see if everything looks okay to you and then if everything's okay I guess you guys will let down the spells. So the next time we can put because it has to be you have to vote that these scales can go in the book >> by when? Oh, I would like I would hope that it could be by September because that's when teacher assistants and um >> subs will start getting and custodians will
070start getting their pay. >> Are you talking about either option one or option two, >> right? Yes. Yeah. So, just to make sure you understand about the custodians right now, like I said, they're all over the book, but most of them I don't think we have a custodian that's we may have one custodian that's making less than 1607 an hour. So, we can decide to just make our scale start at 167 and move down or um move all of them to step five that'll make it 167 because some of them may have two years. So, we will move them to step five just to make sure everybody is where they're supposed to be. >> Make sure you call and ask >> question have any questions. Make sure that Okay, you get your questions answered. And
071thank you, Miss Rich. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Next, we have driver's education. Good evening, mother. waiting for slivers [Music] education. So, uh good evening madam chair, board members, Dr. Spills and our guests in the audience. The purpose of tonight is uh it is an information item, but the the reason why it's an information item is back in the spring when we brought up the driver's ed contract, I informed you that I would meet with Miss Prim, devise a plan on how we would move forward with driver's ed for student sign up and processes at Hope County High School. So, the purpose tonight is to deliver that information to you. Next slide, please. So the overall purpose is to provide an overview of the um driver's education registration plan for Ho County High School
072to highlight the enrollment process, student eligibility, schedule and staffing responsibilities for 202526. And this information has already been shared with the NC driving school. So they are expecting an update from me about this as well. Um just to let them know that I did share this with you and we will be moving forward with it. Um, and it is, if you don't not familiar with it, this is very similar to the way that San Hope Early College does driver's education now for the sign up process. Um, but our overall goal is to also create a process that is structured, accessible, and fair for all students, increase class sizes because we've been doing that 30 per class, and we're going to move it up to 35 per class. And NC driving school is in agreement with
073that, and that is not um impeding our budget for in for the driver's education for this year. Um, and it's also to identify and offer driver's education um to more students who need it, particularly those older students who are ages 16 or 17 who haven't had the course in the past. Next slide, please. These are processes that we're going to take. Um, the platform that we're going to use is uh we have a Google form created. We're just going to copy it over from one school and use it at Hope County High School for the purpose of registration. Google Sheets. The purpose of Google Sheets is to use it for tracking and identifying students who are eligible for driver's education. We plan on advertising it through Canvas and sharing emails with uh parents as well
074as students to let them know that the window is open for registration and also to inform them of this new registration process as early as possible. Um, our timing on this is that before an actual class begins, we're going to open this window up about two weeks ahead of time to provide students with ample time to register, but also for the staff member to go through and look at the qualifications and requirements to make sure that those students are meeting those, but also to identify the older students first. Um, next, let's see. Uh, oh, eligibility still on the same slide. Um the eligibility to take drivers is for students that are 14 and a half through the age of 17 years old. Again, priority is going to be given to the oldest students first. And
075then we're also going to look at the um academic progress towards education because the students also have to be meeting that eligibility in order to obtain their DEEQ and get a permit from the DMV. Um, and that is in alignment with the DEEQ regulation 16 NCAAC 06E.0351. That's just for your reference. um which basically states that students must pass at least 70% of their classes in order to obtain the DEQ and obtain their driver's >> um and then at the bottom notification our staff members um once those students have been identified we will email the parents and the students of the school to let them know that they're eligible and when the class dates are Next slide, please. This is just a list of the class dates that the NC driving school provided provided to
076us. And again, our goal is to increase it to up to 35 students per class. Um, so we are looking at roughly 280 students this school year at Hope County High School for driver's education. And next slide, which completes the tonight's presentation. Thank you. >> Madam Chair, I have a question. Uh what um thank you for all the work you all did on this um for u proceeding with the board's wishes about this. Um my question is uh what is going to be the check and balances to make sure that whoever's u scrubbing the list so the older u kids that meet the other requirements are put ahead. what is going to be the check and balances that we don't accidentally um sneak somebody that's 15 when we had other 17. So the way that
077that process um would work is not only have Miss Paggler and I met about that but also the assistant principles were involved in this conversation as well. We kind of sat down and collaborated on it. So the administrative staff is on board. Um, Miss Prim has a staff member who that she has identified that she is going to present this information to to walk through with that. I'm going to sit down um with Miss Prim. We're going to customize a formula so it calculates their ages. So, you're not just relying on the student to put the age in, but we'll be able to verify through Infinite Campus and what they're putting into. will be able to cross reference the information that's put on this Google form as well as what's in the infinite campus to
078verify that they are the age that they're saying they are. Right? So that's the first step. And then the next step is that um ultimately Miss Pabram has the ability to sign off on this saying that she approves that pass roster and that each student meets that um those requirements and information. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Environment is next. >> Just switching my papers over. So, good evening again. Tonight's presentation um about the proposed updated environmental graphics for the new building that's currently being constructed for Hope County High School. The graphics have been updated to display the recently approved mascot logo that was done this past school year for Hope County High School. Next slide, please. Uh so I'm not going to go through every
079single slide that you had previously. These are the ones that um we made or discussed the recommendations about and I shared that information with voted for bear. We went back in and changed the graphic so that it could display those suggestions. Is this the the updated version? >> Okay. >> Um so here this is the front entrance. Um over on the left hand side is you have the big bold letters indicating Hope County High School. It's going to be dominant um when visitors drive up in that roundabout circle. when students are getting dropped off, students and community members are going to know where they're at. That prominent display of Hope County High School. Um the other information that was suggested to be removed was up on the right hand side. It also displayed Hope County
080High School. So we fel felt that that was going to be very redundant and didn't need it in both places. So we had that picture or those letterings removed from the county. Uh next slide, please. Huh? That one? >> No, it's not the updated one, but I'm I'm going through it um on this one. Uh so, whenever I say the updated one, you uh I'll make sure that you guys get that presentation because I took off the words recommended um because I found some errors on my side on that. Um but right here, these are the dining hall options. You have option one and option two. While it does display two different options on one option will be cho chosen and then that will be next month that I would like to receive that information
081as we go through this with the options. Um so we'll come back to you as an action item so that we can share this information loaded for bear and get everything finalized for the environmental graphics. Um so over on the left hand side that's that dark um well I won't say dark because they're the same colors but those are those bold sharp lines. Um, and you can see the new mascot or the new logo front and center on that. Option two is on the right hand side. We refer to that as the camouflage. That's really where the recommended is supposed to be at is over on the right hand side where it represented somewhat of a camouflage paying homage to our bordering um Fort Bragg, Fort Liberty um our military families. So, next slide, please.
082on here. Uh, this picture just provides an inside look at what the dining hall banners would look like with Hope County High School books on them. Um, over on the right right hand side, that's basically where the students would enter into the gym. And over on the left hand side, that's more of the cafeteria part. So, if we go to the next slide, please. >> So, is that your true recommendation? >> No, it's not. Um, the true recommendation is on this one, the bottom one. U because in the other slide deck that I I took that slide out and this slide is the one that's on here where the antlers and the logo was removed but the county high school on the left hand side with the initials the books on the right hand side
083and my actual recommendation is the one that's on the bottom with the camouflage of the camouflage pattern. Okay, that's what my Maybe I'm looking at this >> because that's what I'm looking at. >> It's not I'm not looking at that. I'm looking at this. >> We got the updated version. I think that's >> I'm going pretty good for memory for the updated version. Um now I don't know what's happened with the why this one is this way. That's the one that's >> go. >> Okay. Wait. Go to the next slide please. [Music] >> Okay. >> So on this slide um the actual recommendation is over on the right hand side for option two um because that is the camouflage pattern um that we were talking about. But this gives you an up close and personal
084look, if you will, about what these banners would look like whenever you're actually in the dining hall and the comedies area. >> Yeah. >> And if I need to come back and redo this all again next month, I do that. >> Can you would it be too late if you do that? >> No, ma'am. We can make that order. >> But I can do that. I can. Would you rather for me to end the presentation now? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes. >> Cuz everything really together. Yes, ma'am. >> Slide three. Is that's not our mascot, is it? >> On slide three. >> Yeah. >> Right here. >> This one. I thought it was different. Like >> it is. >> Huh? >> That's our mascot. >> That's the new one. >> Yeah. I don't look like
085it. Can we see an option with the button in white instead of blend it into the calendar? >> Yes, I can email them to get that over. >> Yeah, >> but thank you though. That's good presentation. >> Yeah, I'll do that. I'll take but I'll come back next time. I know a partnership agreement community college. >> Good evening. >> So tonight I'm bringing forward an information item on our updated partnership agreement and memorandum of understanding with between Hope County Board of Education and San Hills Community College Board of Trustees. And really I'm just going to do a a a broad level overview. Um it's an agreement that we've had in place for some time. It just strengthens and renews our collaboration um in two areas. One is for the career and college promise uh program
086and which is our we call our CCP program and the other is at San Hook Early uh college high school. And so through the CCP promise and we'll talk about that at the high school um eligible high school students including our our mostly our juniors and seniors in some rare cases 9th and 10th grader depending on um eligibility in terms of classification are able to take those college level courses at no cost uh for tuition. They are uh able to do all the student activities. They don't have to pay for um any of those. They don't have to pay any technology fees. Um those courses are offered at Sam Hills campuses and at Hokai in some cases and also online. So our students are able to take advantage of that and we work with Sam
087Hills to align those course offerings with what our needs are and students have full access to the campus facilities and that's for um and not just for the facility itself but they're also able to access academic supports um and uh they are held both to our standards and to the Sanhed standards. So that's for our CCP program which is um at the high school. Then there's also the uh program that we have at San Hoke Early um college which is ourou that continues our program who are serving ninth through um our 13 year 13 students where they can earn their diploma and associates degree. And I might add, that's typically what we say for our San Hook Early College, but we do want it to be noted that our students at Hook High can also
088earn an associates degree. Um, so that is something that is attainable by all of our students. And I know that Miss Prim is working really hard um to make that a reality for many of our students there. Um, so those students at San Hoke attend the classes at San Hoke. they uh are accessing the um the school and uh classrooms and u professors that are there. Uh they have access to the same type of resources and really it's just an agreement that formalizes our shared um commitment to just continue to expand uh student access. >> Madam Chair, >> uh I don't know what page this is. Uh it's a 2.3 uh point college courses at Hulk High School. >> Mhm. >> Why 12 is the minimum? Why not 10? >> Because we currently have those
089and we decided to not take that number down and we're not going to increase because of uh we're really trying to get students to be able to access the courses there. So, we've just left it at what we already have in place. So, no other reason, no reason other than we already have them in place. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Yes. >> Any other questions? >> Um um yeah, down where I see that Rebecca is on here and and Kimberly is on here, Miss Neil is on here. Why not Miss P? >> She should be on there. There's two uh agreements. There's one for the early college and there should be one for the high school as well. So there should be Yeah, she's on the >> So one is specifically for the
090early college and one is from the CCP program. >> Any other questions? Thank you Dr. V. At this time we um are at the action items and our first action item is the consolidated grant. Good evening again. I'm here on behalf of Dr. Mary Mloud to present her consolidated grant. She's in her summer leadership for federal programs in Salsbury um for the NE for these two days. the federal grant application. Well, let me go back on June 30th, 2025, we received an email u from the federal government that um federal funds were frozen for for our consolidated grants. Then on July the 28th, we received another email that funds were going to be released um to the states for their federal dollars. However, this is the information that we have. We still those funds still
091have not dropped to the state and we are u waiting on those funds to um to drop to the state so they can be dispersed to the LEA. The only funds that was for sure that the district will receive or PSUs would receive would be um title one part A which is basic programs and that allocation for that grant was $3,417,540. That is an increase from last year of $532. $532,712. Um with that, those funds are to pay teacher salaries and tutorial programs, professional development for teaching staff, um federal program staff and department, foster care transportation and homeless education, instructional materials for classrooms and student use. We put $150,000 set aside for North Carolina PreK, Smart Start, and EC Preschool to support our preK classes. Uh, and those funds are allocated based on the rank
092and serve formula for free and reduced lunch allocation percentages that are identified through SNAP or DSS. migrant education for title one part C. Those allocation of funds have not been dispersed and we do not know the amount that we've received for migrant education at this time. But if those funds have received in the past pay for three 10-month full-time salaries and one 12 month migrant recruiter position. So we're hoping to receive enough for those to pay for those four positions for this coming school year. If not, we do have a plan in place to ensure that those individuals still have a position or their salary will be paid through title one or a title two is supportive effective instruction. The allocation for that is $467,567. That is an increase of $55,48. That those funds are
093through human resources. And we do fund three personnel support coordinator salary. We do our tuition reimbursement, our retention bonus or sign on bonuses for our teacher. We conduct new teacher orientations. We pay for mentors and supplies and materials for and resources. Title three is our language acquisition. Those are for our students um with um our ESL students and that allocation is $88,79. It is an increase of $4,619 and that is for our um language instructional educational plan for additional staff meaning for a tutor um and also their materials and resources. It's not enough to support um all of our ESL teachers because they are paid from our state fund PRC 054. Okay. Title four student support and academic enrichment. Those funds are districtwide for all of our schools as well. And it was $216,771. That
094is a decrease of $1891. And those funds support three areas. Well-rounded education, which is housed in curriculum, safe and healthy students, which is housed in our student support services, and effective use of technology integrations, which is housed in our technology department for those funds as well. In addition to that, we did had an increase of our private school participation. As you know, since 2020, we do have private schools that participate in our federal funding since um during co they participated in ESSER. So, we had an increase of 13 students uh and an increase of two private school participating in our federal funding. And if you like to know the name of those private schools, I have that information as well. >> Uh we have four and they're all they're not in Hope County. They are
095in Cumberland County, Greater Fedville Advent Academy, School of Hope, Highlander Academy, and the Freedom Christian Academy because they can go participate in our funding um because they live here with their kids and they will go to our school, but they go to school at this private school, but they're they live in our school district. And so those funds, they can't participate because they're federate dollars. And you can also see on here the allocations for school by school their amount that they receive as far as title one. >> What is what is homeless education? >> Homeless education is our students through McKenna Vinto through Dr. Owens department uh and the title one dollars match what we receive. Thank you. Okay, next we have policy 4318. >> Can I can I get a motion to approve? >>
096Consolidated consolidated grant. Ma'am, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, I move to uh approve the consolidated grant. >> Can I take a second? >> Motion has been made to approve the consolidated grants. It's been second. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Okay. All right. Thank you. administration um is requesting the board suspend policy 2420, the adoption of policy which requires the board of education not to adopt policy amendments until a second read and adopt the proposed amendments to policy 4318 wireless communication devices this evening upon first read. The reason the administration is making a request is not only to comply with the newly enacted legislation session law 2025 through 38 HP 959 but also to ensure that whole county school students parents and guardians employees and the broader school community are aware of the district's
097expectations and rules surrounding the use of such devices prior to the beginning of the 2526 school year. >> Madam Chair, >> yes. uh in accordance with policy 2450 uh suspension of board policies, I move to suspend policy 2420, adoption of policies and it's uh a requirement that uh the board not adopt policy amendments until a second read for the purposes of the board take immediate action to adopt policy amendments to policy 4318 wireless communication devices. the call. >> Okay. Second, >> Madam Chair, I second. Motion to suspend policy 2420. >> Motion have been made by Ruben Castalon and second by Angela Sland. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. And policy 2420 is suspended. Okay. Now that the board has approved the suspens suspension of policy 2420, do
098I have a motion to adopt the amendments to policy 4318? >> Madam chair, I move to adopt the amendments to policy 4318 wireless communication devices as presented this evening. >> Can I get a second? >> Can we present information to The policy is right here. >> Can it be um pull up? >> Yeah, cuz we got it. >> It's right there. >> Can you pull it up on the screen, please? >> Policy code 4318. and some wireless communication devices. >> The board recognizes that cellular phones and other wireless communication devices have become an important tool through which parents communicate with their children. Therefore, students are permitted to possess such devices on district property so long as the devices are not turned on, used, displayed, or visible during the instructional day or as otherwise directed by
099the district rules of district personnel. And then it gives us the definition and it tells us uh some of the things that it include but not limited to the following. [Music] And if you can go up to the next Amen. Thank you, Jesus. Any other questions about this uh policy? Um, this policy is uh it's in it for the public to be able to read and see. Right. Correct me if I'm wrong. Um, we had it to read over. I looked it over as soon as I got it. Any other questions or can I have a second to adopt? >> I second. >> Okay. The motion have been made by Ruben Castalon and second by Rosa Mallister McCrae. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Thank you. The eyes have it
100and the amendments to policy 4318 are adopted as presented. Thank you so much. Uh next we will move to uh state mental health plan. Madame chair, Mr. Superintendent, and members of the board. Good evening. >> Uh I am here to present uh Hope County Schools mental health policy uh plan for uh 2025 20210. Uh beginning in uh 2020, the state board of education required that each LEA uh create a school known health plan. And the school known health plan is approved by the board every five. is reviewed and approved by the board every five years. So, I am here tonight. I have uh you have before you uh our school mental health plan and so we're asking for approval on tonight um because we will have to submit it to the state board by uh
101September 15th. Did anyone have any questions? I did get an opportunity to look this over. I hope the other board members did. Can I get a motion to approve the 2025 co county schools on state mental health plan? >> I'll make a motion to approve this statement health plan as presented. >> Second. >> And the motion has been made to approve the 2025 P County students um mental health plan. Uh it's been second. All in favor say I. >> Any opposers? Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> At this time, can I get a motion to go into close session? >> I move to go into close session. >> Oh, I move to go into close session. uh under the North Carolina General Statutes R 23-18 from 111 to prevent the disclosure of
102confidential personnel and students matters to consider matters related to initial employment of individuals employees and to consult with the board's attorney and preserve the attorney client secret. >> Okay, the motion has been made session. It's been second. All in favor say I. Any oppos? Thank you.