001Good afternoon. Good evening to everyone. On behalf of our board members, our superintendent, Dr. Lasser, we welcome all of you, our staff, visitors, and ascendants and those viewing our meeting. We are delighted that you are here on tonight to be a part of our meeting. We do thankful that we have one of our representative with us on tonight, Miss Loris Teen, and one of our former board members in attendance on tonight. At this time, I call our meeting to order. We're going to ask our Amy Cole to lead us in our pledge and our moment of silence. Okay, please stand. All four members are present. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
002all. Welcome everyone tonight and please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Thank you, Amy. Are there any adjustments to our agenda? Motion to accept our agenda. Motion to accept. Second. Second. Yes, ma'am. Any discussion? All in favor? his right hand. Motion carry spotlight on teaching and learning. Beth, we've been with us all day. We have been a great day together, haven't we? Good evening, Chair Trip, board members, and those that are in attendance. Um we are going to kick off our spotlights this evening with Cali Beach, our director of career and technical education. She is going to say um share our state winners for CTE in FBLA and HOSA. And we also have a um couple of chapter awards. Good evening board. So I'm Cali Beachch, the director of career and technical
003education. And so we want to recognize our students that compete in our CTSOs, which are career and technical student organizations because they're a huge impact on these students being able to take what they learn in the classroom and actually applied into real world situations and develop leadership skills. So first we're going to have Kurt Gardner come. He is the adviser for FBA at JH Rose. Thank you. Um again a stellar year for JHRO FBA at the state competition. 82 top finalists from first to 10th. Um, and so tonight I have a few of our first place winners. Uh, Bailey Shrimp in human resource management. Um, and then Zophia Silver and Ana Kate Nisbbit placed first in life smarts and that was a a national competition that they placed um in our our uh country. And
004then uh for the seventh year in a row, JH Rose was not uh was the winner of the Helen Reagan chapter of the year. the top chapter in the state. Um, and so I'd like Right Collins, who's our outgoing Eastern Region VP, that represented 15 counties here in the East for us. So, um, they did a superb job and we are headed to Anaheim at the end of June for our national competition. So, congratulations you all. Congratulations. You need a chaperon to Anaheim. I know. I volunteered. I had already volunteered. Oh, okay. Volunteer. was the first volunteer. Now, I heard the first names, but I was over on behalf of P County Board of Education, Dr. Lester, and all of us. We want to tell you all, we're proud of you. We appreciate you for
005representing us so well. So, congratulations to Bailey. I think I tried to get your name right. Anna. No, I didn't know who you are. It's congratulations to each of you and you get the opportunity to accept the chapters award. So congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. And then I'm going to call out the FBA winners from DH Connley because their uh advisor him and his wife had a baby the other day. So they are out right now. Um so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. So we have theory so and Evelyn Griswald place first place in introduction to event planning. All right. And then we also have from DH Conley we have their hosted chapter with it which is the health science um club. We have Liam McCunny who plays first in occupational therapy. All
006right. And I also want to state that Scott Haddock, who is the adviser for FBLA, was the 2425 state FBA adviser of the year, recognized by the state. On behalf of the board, we're very proud of you. We know that this program helped give you a solid foundation that will go with you not just to now, but for years to come. And we You have much success and we are we as a board and a school system are very proud of you. Okay. Theory and [Laughter] I say that every year. And I did forget to mention that Scott Haddock is also going to be our representation for CTE teacher of the year to go to apply to the INCAT CTE teacher of the year. All right. Thank you so much. [Applause] And there are so
007many of our FBA and HOSA winners. And that is a picture of Scott Hadock before he was um out on paternity leave. Battle of the Books has been an exciting time um with Pit County Schools. And if you don't believe me, then ask Kelly Weaver because I think she has attended every competition. Um we have three first place winners this year. We have elementary um is Wintergreen Intermediate, middle school is Chicago, and our high school is Innovation Early College High School. Here to introduce all the students on those teams is Mr. Tim Drei who is our director of digital learning and Amelia White who is our district media specialist. Hello. Good evening. Good evening. We are very proud of our Battle of the Books teams. They have read so many books and they have practiced
008questions and worked really well together as teams. Um, and so our first place winner for elementary is Kelly Williams. Coach, no, I don't. This is my team. This is our team at Wonder. Um, yes, please help. Um, I did read the books. I did read all the books. They read the books and they read them again and again. They set goals. They achieved those goals. They exceeded those goals and they continue to practice because we go to states will be the first um elementary state competition for for Battle of the Books and we go May 9th and I think we're very excited about that, aren't we? Yes. Thank you for having us tonight. Hand it to Okay. All right. This is Viba. I I told Miss Beth I was like I know I know who
009they are. Yeah. You do know who they are. I do. This is Karina. Karina's over here. Sure. Yes, you do know them. I do know them. Jude, Maggie. And then Yes. Arie and twins. Which one's I am so proud. I can't wait to cheer you on. You're coming to states, too. I am doing my very best. It's gonna take a lot to keep me away. So, proud of you all. Thank you. How's that picture? And I will say while they're taking pictures at the regional competition, they really could have went the last three rounds and not even competed and still they dominated. [Music] three daughter. We are work so hard for a state. [Applause] Next, we have the Chicago team and coach Jessica Jones is here to um call out the names. They are going
010to regionals tomorrow. You can take those and then I'll stand over here. All right. Right. I'm here to present the Please stand by. Sorry. Shakod Middle School Battle of the Books. Um it is our first time winning Battle of the Books and we're so excited. Tomorrow we will represent P County in our regional competition and we couldn't be more thrilled. We're tiny but mighty female group. So here we go. Um Sarah Perez, Mr. Force is going to hand it to you. So you want to have that parents here. Okay. Well, thank you very much for letting us uh educate, teach, and have your your children and trust. And we really do appreciate that. Thank you. And this is a tremendous honor. And so we congratulate you very much. Let me stand over there and be
011less awful. Anya Johnson. Anya. Oh boy. We're right beside each other, aren't we? Here you go. Congratulations. Are your parents here? Okay, that's good. Come on, Mom. Let's do this. Good deal. Riley Lander. And Brenley Roberts. Brenley Roberts. Congratulations. Okay. There you go. Let me just say this. May I speak for just a sec? Is that everybody? Yeah. Well, that Yes, sir. Oh, you got some more than Well, they um unfortunately cannot make it. Well, call their names. Sure. um Allison Jensen and Isabelle Peach as well. Okay. Well, we congratulate them as well. But I just want to say on beha I'm sure on behalf of the entire board how proud we are of each one of you. Uh this competition is tremendous competition and it goes a long way to tell the excellence that
012y'all have as a group to be able to uh meet this requirement. And also, and I'm going to say this, the tremendous, tremendous support that you have from your parents and and it takes us all to make it happen. So, thank y'all very, very much. [Applause] We need to mention Miss Hayes. Dr. Hayes for being here. Dr. Lassner. We got That's our newest doctor, right? Newest doctor. Yes, Dr. Leslie Hayes. Congratulations. And lastly for Innovation Early College, we have Coach Amanda Smith with her team. You will read the names of your students even if they're not here tonight. We know we have a lot of athletes this time of year. Thank you. These are presidents. Um, this will be Miles Cook. Oh, I'm trying to get her right here. Ariel Friend, Adrian Justice, Aditia Kanakar,
013Liza Miller, Alen Muhammed, Utah. one for you. Angelica Sherman, Dry Sinha, Camille Stewart, Nish the Karma, and Cindy Woo. Thank you so much. Yeah. And on behalf of the board, uh I just want to say I have been a lifelong leader and I have turned that into my career. Um so I couldn't be more proud that your high school has so many of these awards. Um and keep it up. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. All right. So, our Pit County Schools media coordinator of the year is Heather Cororak. Um, Heather is the media coordinator at Ridgewood Elementary School and uh she has poured her her heart and soul into building the media program that that it is today at Ridgewood. Um, she's very creative with her lesson planning and um projects and activities um that
014she implements just come to life. um whether it's students reading um with flashlights like they're camping and the media center has turned into a campsite or um just recently she turned her media center into um a movie theater, right? And um it was a books versus movie. Which is better? The book of course. Always. Um so it's just that creativity um and excitement just gets the kids super excited um and engaged to come into the media center. and um her collaboration with staff and stakeholders have just really helped for a love of reading uh schoolwide. So congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations. By the way, I'm so excited. We know what it is. See, I go to my school and I'm on behalf of the county board education and his family. We want to say congratulations for being
015the coordinator. I mean the media coordinator of the year where children can get books, books and more books. Thank you so much. You want to give a [Applause] All right, it's exciting to be here. Recognize all of our battle winners, our media coordinator of the year. And as we head into April, it is uh library media month. And before we recognize our media coordinators, I first want to recognize our school board and our senior staff for the support they've given the media program for a lot of years um in the wake of um many things going on around the state. We continue to um support our media programs. Uh we believe that they are the hub of our school. We give the training as I said in a DPI training today and just hear the
016the stories of what's not happening in districts. You know, it just makes me proud to know what is what is allowed to happen here in Pit County schools. And I'm just thankful that you continue to support our media coordinators. uh ensure that they have media assistance so our media um coordinators can support literacy in the building as we continue to you know remind our principles, train our media coordinators to bring strong programs and encourage them that you know it is through the media center that we can achieve a lot of great things and open up the minds of our students to all sorts of uh just wonderful adventures that are out there and it can be found in books. And so we just appreciate your support over many years. It's been my honor to, you
017know, serve as the director of media programming and um but I could not have done anything without your support and the ability to provide a strong media program in a that is representative across North Carolina. And I do know that DPI looks at uh Pit County and what we do is a example of what could happen across the state. And that all goes back to your support. And so I greatly appreciate you appreciate you for that. and just want to, you know, remind you that it is media month and, you know, give your media coordinator a pat on the back and keep encouraging them to do great things with our students and open up the love of reading that is the skill that they can use for the rest of their lives. So, with that,
018I just say thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you, D. At this time, Aaron Ericson, who is our executive director of operations, will come forth and recognize a very special staff member for Pit County Schools. Um, good evening. So, tonight I have with me Mr. Cedric Blow. He is um one of our he is our custodial specialist supervisor and one of the team members that works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that the custodians at all the schools have the tools necessary and the training necessary to keep the schools functioning neat and organized as best as possible um for 4 million square feet. Um he has been nominated one of two nominees for the state for the entire state of North Carolina um for the North Carolina recognizing
019in um inspiring school employee award. So this is an award for classified staff um and it is not just on their work ethic um but is also on their commitment to the community, their community involvement and the support that they receive from their from their co-workers and the staff that work with them. Um, so this is really a kind of a 360 review of an individual and it's um quite an honor to have him be one of the two nominees for the state. So um I really wish that you would join me in celebrating this with for him. On behalf of our superintendent, we thank you for all that you do. It's a job together. Thank you so much and hoping that things work in your favor. Thank you so much. [Applause] Mr. Blow brought
020his family here tonight to celebrate with him. [Applause] Our last spotlight tonight is a very, very special lady. when she came to Pit County School, she came just eager and ready to try out all these new ideas. Um, Dr. Shannon Cecil is our director of federal programs. And my first real experience with her, she said, "I have an idea. We're going to do this allount event and we did the first time the attendance was like me." But the second time it took off and last year we did an allcount district one title one event at Creekide Elementary School for for all of our schools and there were hundreds of families that came out for a STEM night. Actually was a steam night because we had the arts represented that night as well. Well, this year
021she had another great idea. We did something in October. We did spooktacular math at Alice Keane Park which was a lot of fun. And we had a lot of families that came out that night to to do just a plethora of ma math activities with us. And then just this last week, we had hundreds of families again at our district-wide um title one event that was out of this world STEM night. And we had so many different vendors there that were working with our families. They were making galaxy bottles that were super cool. There was a big dome from the North Carolina Museum of um of Science and she's just an Energizer Bunny. Lots of great ideas. Um but that's not where all of her gifts are. She has recently completed the Aspiring Superintendent um
022program. Would you like to share a little bit about your experience? I know I'm putting you on the spot, Dr. Cecil. Um um so it was actually uh an amazing opportunity. Thank you Dr. Lasser for um encouraging me to participate. Um tremendous professional development opportunity. But um more than that, just an opportunity to really meet other leaders across our state um and make connections um and just form those bonds and relationships and really learn a lot more about kind of what's going on in other districts um and kind of steal some ideas too um which is always good but just build those relationships. So it was an amazing opportunity and I really appreciate that support um and the opportunity. [Applause] Dr. Congratulations, we're very proud of you. Continue to do outstanding things for all of
023us. Thank you so much. You have any family here? I do not. I do not. [Laughter] I didn't cook this year. She had me cooking hot dogs. I did. They were. Lastly, as our chair is making his way to a seat, schools, families, please reach out to your assistant principles this week. This is assistant principal week nationwide and we have some amazing assistant principles across Pit County schools that will make tremendous principles down the road and so we just thank all of our assistant principles for all that they do for our students and staff every day. Thank you chair. Thank you. At this time we have public expression this evening we have one individual and one group offering uh public expression. Public expression is opportunity to share issues of concern that are relevant to the
024business of the board. The board will listen to the comments respectively and our chair may offer some direction if our rules are not followed but the board will not respond to your uh comments. Only speakers who have signed up for public expression may address the board. And when a a speaker's time expires, you must end your remarks and step away from the podium. If a speaker is not present when his or her name is called, the opportunity to speak will be considered uh waved. During this time period, you may hear someone share a viewpoint with the board that you do not agree with. We do not censor speech by viewpoint and we do not permit our audits to express approval or disapproval or viewpoint expressed. This time is for the individual speaking to address the
025full board. And um the board does not permit speakers to name a staff member or student when offering uh praise or criticism. We also do not permit comments that are irrelevant to our our business which includes attacks on individuals for something in their personal lives or to the discussion of board member uh family members family members. Again, the board members will listen to your comments respectfully and our chair may offer some direction if the rules are not followed, but we will not respond to your comments. And at this time, we will hear from our first speaker, and that would be an individual, um, Mr. Robert O'Neal. Thank you. You want to pass these around? Um, I have to mention my son's name because I'm here to speak for him. I have a non-verbal son that
026goes to Farmer Central High School. So, I'm here to speak for him because he is non-verbal in your EC class. Little information about my son because he does not speak. He still speaks. His body language speaks. He tells me what's going on. So when he was inval middle school, he quit going to school. He will not go into the school. We did everything we could to try to figure out what was going on. Well, when we figured out what was going on, the issue was taken care of and he started going back to school and to the school. So now my son is at F Central High School. Last year he quit going not go to the school inside. He'll get out. He'll stand on the sidewalk out front. He will not step his foot
027in that front door. We have done everything we could. Teachers to try to get him in. Teachers from other classes, the resource officer, the principal, everything. to the point to where he would stand out there 30 minutes to an hour trying to get him into the school. He is speaking. So, this happened started last year, end of Georgia, end of the school year over summer. We got the opportunity to talk to some other parents and stuff like that. Well, this year school started. he would not go into school. So, we started the IEP process and meetings and stuff and trying to figure out what was going on. Well, try not to try to obey by your rules. So, anyway, during IEP meetings, which is kind of aggravating, um it takes too long to get homebound
028services. Um, so they needed data. I told Miss Joy, he's been to school 12 times in the last year. What more data do you need? A year. 12 times. I get very emotional about my son because I'm proud of my son. Soon his IEP meetings, we started trying different things. They suggest to bring him to a basketball game which I did. Had to bring him in in the gym in the round back. So this work he went inside the school. He would not go down his hallway where his original class is. Would not go down that hallway. Start walking towards it. No, no, no. He will say no. So in another IEP meeting, we in the process of Mr. May volunteered that he had a student in his class that would leave at 2:00 for
029my son to go and sit in his class for an hour, hour and a half a day. So this is so we ended up getting homebound homebound services. Dr. Moore, great lady. I apologize that your time has expired. Okay. Can I finish real quick? No, sir. Your time is Thank you. I'm sorry, but the letter I'm requesting cameras and audio to be put in all EC classes so that all students that is nonverbal will have a voice besides their silent voice. Thank you. [Applause] Okay, I'll second uh this is a group and it's Moms for Liberty. Julie Anderson have five minutes. Good evening everyone. Good evening. I know I was here a couple of months ago. I'm going to introduce myself again and start out here. Quote, "God grants liberty only to those who love
030it and are always ready to guard and defend it." Unquote. Daniel Webster. Good evening, Dr. Lacader, elected school board members, parents in the Pit County community. I am Julie Anderson and I am the chair of Moms for Liberty. We are official now as the 21st chapter in North Carolina. I have some of the members here with me also this evening and we haven't even become public yet. We may now as Moms for Liberty, our main objective is to be the watchdog for our for over parental rights and our children's education as well as anyone within the district with questions and concerns. We also help parents, guardians, and others by amplifying their voices through education of current policies and laws to achieve the most important goals and end results. Parents, grandparents, educators, and community members have
031been and continue to join Moms for Liberty across America to exercise their rights while defending liberty and local government. We're happy to launch the Pit County Chapter to help parents who feel isolated or shut out to be heard and understood. After all, our priority is our children. and for them to receive and achieve an optimum education. Parents demand a seat at the table as they defend their boundaries in curriculum, subject matter, and education. Moms for Liberty does not shy away from government overreach. We work to empower parents and the organization is committed to holding elected officials accountable while we focus on preserving our founding principles of our nation. This being limited government, personal responsibility, and individual liberties. Pit County Moms for Liberty has a brand new web page. It's still in the works, but we
032are up. It is moms forliberty pitgmail.com. Anyone can be in contact with us using this. You can also go on to the mumsforl liberty.org to look any a lot of things up if you want to and search Pit County. We are now officially on the American map of the states. I'm asking parents, grandparents, guardians, aunts, uncles to get involved. Let's not regret being a bystander, especially concerning our children's education, health, and welfare. We, all of us have a role to play. We are all important in this mission. So, it does require a concerted effort as a whole. And I leave you with this. It is not is it not better to come together to discuss issues and potential issues before it grows and we find ourselves at the kitchen table feeling powerless like we have
033no voice and we're overwhelmed that you cannot make a positive change. So I ask let's do this together Pit County and thank you for your time. Thank you. [Applause] At this time we'll go to our consent items. Items our board meetings from March 2526 proposed local budget reading horizon purchase and all confidential items agendas March 24th close session and personnel report. Have a motion. Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor raise your right hand. Motion carry. New business. We have resolution board of education opposition to partisan school board elections. Is there a motion? Second it. Any discussion? Allen. All in favor of the motion raise your right hand get all their names. All oppose. Thank you. We have to record all the names. So we'll make sure the secretary
034got purchase of vape detectors from lockstep technology. Is that you Mr. Aaron? All right. Good evening. Um, we have with our settlement fund, um, already installed the vape detectors at our middle schools. Um, we have bid out and through a very complex bid process, um, evaluated the 105 devices that we need to do our high schools. Um and I say very complicated because each product of these that these companies are representing they have different offerings. Um so we had to kind of go through and determine what was not just the best for the district in terms of the device but also what was the best in terms of the total project installation. So, we are seeking board approval to contract for a 5-year subscription um with Bridge Tech Solutions LLC doing business as Lockep Technology
035Group to purchase the Triton vape detectors, the what's called the Triton Ultra model um for $140,437.50. And one of the reasons I want to say that we selected those versus some of the other options that you see is the Ultra device that is sold by Triton. It allows us to daisy chain four devices together. Um, a lot of the hal devices that appear to be lower cost are only two and because of that um there's a lot difference in the installation cost for us related to wiring. So it will be a much lower installation cost with this device um long term for the entire project. So um there's any questions on the award or the reason these devices are at what school? These devices will be at all six high schools. Okay. Um, so they
036will be in all the restrooms and the locker rooms. And these devices, one thing that will be different than with these as these devices continue to improve um versus the middle schools is in addition to the vaping and some of the other um offerings, it also will detect THC. So in case some don't know why we have those detectors, can you explain to us why we have Certainly. Um the we're joining with local health officials with the with the stop the the vape campaign, but we are also um looking not just to educate, but to prevent to to use these more as a a teaching tool. Um anytime it's activated um a text is sent um to school administers administration um and the SRO and it's not to get anybody in trouble. It's really to
037educate them to to stop the habit. It's also to um prevent from the lawsuit um that we had with the with class action lawsuit. It's to prevent damage to the school buildings themselves. Um before we installed these, we were having a lot of issues particularly in the middle schools um related to students when when a staff member would come into the restroom, they would flush the vape pen. The vape pens do not flush well. Um, so we were having a lot of plumbing clogs, sometimes two or three a day at the same school. Um, because of that, once we installed these devices as a pilot program at one of our middle schools, the number of calls for that school dropped to two for the entire year after that. So from one or two a day
038to two for the year, that's more like what we're expecting. So the devices have been proven to definitely um not just aid in in the educational piece for the students but also aid in protecting the buildings themselves from the damage that occurs from the devices. Motion wait motion to approve purchase. Motion to approve. Is there a second? I second it. Justin discussion. Let me Yes. And Dr. Lassa may be on this. How about repeat offenders? Do we have any policy to where because I mean if kids find out that nothing's ever going to be done, behavior may not change in the school. So we've uh we are working on um a model and we talked about this uh Friday Dr. Matkins and I actually were there where instead of giving students um hard consequence on
039the first incident being able to talk with them and work with them in understanding why vaping is harmful. Uh this has been implemented at Ebacco Middle School. That's what I mean I'm aware of the program. Lan Warren started it. It's amazing. Yes. with a grant grant fund. Yeah. Um and they've seen us tremendous reduction beyond like 50% in terms of offenders with vaping. And so we're hoping to expand that across the district. Um as you know, we'll apply the code of conduct. Um if those things don't work, we do have a code of conduct that we will apply, but we're working on making sure that uh educating students on why this is harmful uh to their own health has proved to be a lot more effective. I understand. Yes, sir. You're kind of that you
040can I got I got a question more about money. Oh, good. Yes. Um, so the thing about the repeat offenders, it's not like they're trying to be a behavioral issue. It's an addiction. So that's one of the reasons why we wanted to move to more education because we have to recognize that some of these kids at very young ages are getting addicted. So that's where and if we just punish them, we're or send them out of school, we're not really we're treating the not the problem. So, I appreciate what you're doing. All right. More on the bid here. So, the the 140,000 that's for 105 units plus the 5year subscription. That is correct. Do we know the cost of the subscription after um so the subscription beyond the initial five years? No, I do not
041at this time. Um you know, when we get to the renewal period, so we'll hit that for the middle schools in three and a half years. And when we when we hit that we will um I will say and I just to clarify all of these are being purchased from the from the settlement fund right um so yes follow up do we do we know the lifespan of the detectors I've been told that they're like a smoke detector which means that you know they'll have a 5year they they have a 5year warranty um and I would expect that if they're like a smoke detector then between seven and 10 years they would require replacement and based on the way the technology is continuing to improve. When we get to that point, there be something more
042advanced, but we won't have to replace the wiring that goes with them. Any other discussion? All in favor of the purchase of the vapors, detectors by hand. Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you. At this time, we're going to our closing comments. We have our superintendent, Dr. Steve Lacid. Uh, thank you, Mr. chair. Uh good evening to everyone and good evening to our board members. Uh I would first just like to start with um you know ch parents have their children and uh it is always heartbreaking when uh they sometimes leave a bit too soon and uh we have two students that we lost uh last month. A South Central student Jir Green and a DH Conley student Taheenem Bell. Um, so I ask that you keep those families, uh, in your thoughts and prayers, as
043well as we did lose a teacher last month, uh, media coordinator, uh, Miss Sharon O'Neal at South Central High School. So, please keep those families, um, in your thoughts and prayers. Um, it's never easy to lose someone that you love. Uh, however, we are thankful for, uh, the work that those schools have done to support those families. Uh this Monday mornings uh typically are very full mornings with senior staff meetings uh where we start and as a superintendent I get to hear all of the wonderful things that's happening in the week as well as all the problems uh that are and challenges uh that are upcoming. But this morning uh we started with something wonderful with our legislators and schools week because this is legislators and schools. And so we were fortunate to have both
044of our legislators with us this morning. Uh, Representative Brown is still here with us today. Uh, Representative Reer, we also had our local elected officials, our county commissioners with us today. Um, seeing the great work happening in our schools in addition to uh, our board members being present. We started at preK and people were able to see, our representatives were able to see the importance of early childhood education, uh, the benefit of that. they saw our students who uh were had some challenges in terms of being non-verbal and the support that our teachers were giving and providing those students. And then we journeyed over to Elmherst Elementary and saw our dual language program where they were all mesmerized by the fact that our students were not only bilingual speaking it, but they were able to
045write it and was able to say, "Benos, good morning." And just was so excited to see our dual language and dual immersion. And very soon in that conversation, you heard commissioners and our representatives say, "Wow, our students are prepared for the workforce because they have a skill that others may not have." And that's what education is about. As I've been sharing with you all as a board, as early as K2, they saw that for those students. And then we journeyed over Pittney Community College to the tech academy um where they were able to see what we're offering architectural tech technology, engineering systems, industrial systems, heating and air, uh biotechnology, and next year they're adding mechanical engineering and electrical engineering at PCC. This is all for our students at no cost. Um I'd like to thank
046Dr. Far, the president at Pete Community College for waving this school, this next academic year, uh our student fee. So there will be no student fees for um our students who go and that's not just at the early colleges but those students who are taking those career and college promise courses. That's the partnership that we have and so I'm grateful for Dr. Far and I'm grateful that our legislators, our board members um and our local elected officials, our commissioners um were able to see the work of all this right in our public schools. Um, and I'm proud as a superintendent to be able to be in a district where we're able to showcase the wonderful things that we're doing. We're by far not perfect, but we are doing fantastic work and doing right uh by
047our families and when we make mistakes, we're able to work through them and fix them. So, I just want to express my gratitude to our representatives uh for joining us today and seeing the fantastic work happening in our public schools. Uh our listening tour concludes this tomorrow night at six o'clock in the Farmal Central uh attendance area. So we look forward to seeing everyone in Farmville tomorrow night. Um and we look forward to celebrating uh on Friday at the Burrows Welcome North Carolina teacher of the year announcement. We are rooting for Miss Rachel Kandaso who is a finalist for teacher of the year for the state of North Carolina. and uh fortunately she will be the first if she's the individual that's pick the first teacher of the year that Pit County has had statewide.
048So we're just rooting for her. We're excited for her. And so um we're just excited about the things that's happening in Pit County schools. And again to the board, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. Um I do so humbly and I do it with excitement about the future and what we're going to do for the children and our staff in Pit County Schools. Mr. Chair, that concludes my comments. Thank you. Um, board member will start with Amy, but one time I get to start first and Dr. Lasser stole my thunder. Everything he said, I was I was going to mention had all that. Anyway, so I do want to echo it was a really um great time this morning going on the legislative tour and um of course starting with the prek
049program with Satie Salter Elm Purse and then ending up at PCC Tech Academy and although I've been PCC employee for 17 years, it was nice to be able to actually walk around campus with a different hat on and be able to see other departments that I don't normally go to and see. So, it was very nice to see all the students, um, high school students taking all those technical courses. Um, also I was going to mention the listening session because of course that's although it's not my district, it's my neck of the woods. That's where my children go to school and um, I know a lot of people in that area. So, I'm really excited about being at that one tomorrow night and be talking sharing the stage with Mr. Johnson here. And then um,
050one thing you did mention, so I got this one on you. Um the we also have the roar soore and explore um event going on at Downey Pickley Stadium on April 10th which is Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00. That's being put on by the JH Rose attendance area Eastern Elmherst South Greenville and Wall Coats. And that's should be a really great event. So anybody can come out to that. Um they're going to have all kinds of different activities. So I really encourage you to get out there and see what's going on. It's going to be a neat act neat event to see. So if you can try to make it out there. Um, congratulations to all of our winners today. We had quite a few of them between the Battle of the Books competitions and
051I wish I could get some of those Battle of the Books. They're always during when I'm teaching, so I can never get to those. But, um, Battle of the Books, of course, media coordinator, Mr. Cedric Blow, all the Dr. Cecil, you know, everyone that was getting recognized tonight. It's great to have all these recognitions and it's just great to see once again all the great things that are happening in our school system. So, I'm very, very excited for all of that. I guess I'll conclude with that. Okay. All right. I'm going to echo everything they said as well. Um and try to save my three minutes to get through some other items I have. Um also congratulations to Dr. C. So I don't Did you say okay? Sorry about that. Um thank you to uh
052the Moms for Liberty and to Robert O'Neal for speaking tonight. Uh Mr. O'Neil, I I know you didn't have enough time, but keep coming back and keep fighting for your kids because that's our job as parents. Um, thank you to Representative Brown for continuing to stay through the meeting. Uh, this month is autism acceptance month and District 4 for has a lot of great things going on. Sug Bundy is um they have Altastic Week next week. Uh, different days are different events. And then on the 17th, we have a golf tournament going on. And then on on the 18th, no, I'm sorry, the 18th is the golf tournament. And the Altastic Extravaganza is the 19th at the Babe Ruth Field in Farmville from 2:00 to 5:00. Um, Faulland also has Donuts with Grown-Ups going on
053this Friday, uh, starting at 12:30. So, that's a pretty cool event. Uh, if you can make it, please go and be a representative for the kids. Um, Sug has started something called the MIB, the men influencing betterment. And I think it's a great program. I was actually included in the text, but I was unable to make the event. Uh, but what it is is a man, you're you show up, you can wear all black suit if you want to to look like the MIBs. You're opening doors for the kids to get out and you're just providing them a positive influence to start their day. Um, SUG also has pizza bingo going on Friday from 6:00 to 7:30. Uh, I also wanted to say thank you to the transportation department, the principles, and the bus drivers
054today with the quick storms that popped up. I I saw multiple posts uh just in District 4 that said, "Hey, the buses are grounded for a few minutes." And while it may seem like an inconvenience, the the safety of our kids should always go first. And I believe that was a um a huge accomplishment for our department. Um, I also want to say that I am I'm a coach as well and I was a softball coach first and I want to say that I am so proud of the former Central and Farmer Middle School softball programs for after everything they're having to endure this year, not having a home field, not being able to practice on a home field. while it doesn't seem like a lot is a huge disadvantage and these girls are still
055winning and still winning big and uh really showing out for Pit County. Um 30 seconds is not enough to go on this last subject, but the House Bill 302, I'm not going to say a lot on it. I put my thoughts on Facebook and it's public under Justin Eastwood, so feel free to contact me if you want a statement. Um, but everything's up there on how I feel about it and uh, Representative Brown, I appreciate the way you stand on it as well. That concludes my comments. Thank you, Jess. Jenna. Um, great. Thank you. Um, so I'll start off with the things that are really exciting. A lot of people already touched on them, but JH Rose has their performance of Mama Mia this coming weekend. My son is the sound guy, so uh, things
056don't go well with the microphones, you can come and talk to me, I guess. but he is really excited about it and these kids have put a lot of heart into it and I know we'll see Miss Mary at the JHS this weekend. She's all excited. Um but if you want to go there are tickets um available and Friday night at 7, Saturday at 2, and Saturday night at 7. So it's just a great way to support the kids, the arts um and JHRO. So please, please consider coming. Um, as far as the community of Bash on Thursday night, one of the things that some of you may not know about me is is I have a deep heart for people with sensory needs. So, years ago when I was at ECU, I worked with
057a colleague and we got a sensory room and then a sensory trailer together. And what the sensory trailer does is for kids who get overwhelmed um at events, it gives them a place to sort of calm. It's a very calming. Now, not all kids with sensory needs need calming spaces. Some need the big input kinds of like bounce houses. And so when we're at football games, we're right by it. And some kids will walk right past us and go to the bounce houses. And we'll get some kids, little on up to teenagers, and even some adults will come and just want to sit in there. Um, and so I've we've got a it worked out. We have some wonderful volunteers helping us to make sure it gets to the event Thursday night. So, I want
058all our families to know that there's a space for you and your children to be able to come and enjoy because sometimes families have to make really tough choices and and I don't want that to be a night that you have to miss. So, we're really excited to bring that. Um, Representative Brown, thank you so much for everything you do. Um, you know, one of the things that I too have commented on my Facebook about with this House bill is is I understand the intent is to try and make sure that our voters come and vote, but I campaigned and I got a chance to meet the most amazing, caring people in Pit County. And the people who come to vote are informed and they are so passionate about our public schools. And it's okay
059to have different opinions. That's absolutely fine. But what I'm a researcher by heart and when I dug into this, there is no research that converting this to a partisan board is a good thing. As a matter of fact, it drives down the number of amount of money we have per pupil, increases teacher turnover, increases suspensions and expulsions. um there it does not improve academic outcomes and while it might bring more voters to the polls, there's no evidence that they're informed about the schools. So, I would like to see us think outside the box and find other ways to get people to vote and to be informed about our schools other than voting straight ticket. Thank you. Thank you, Kelly. Um there's so many things to talk about. This is such a busy time of the
060year. Um, so figuring out where to start can be a lot. Um, I first want to start with celebrating our teachers. We have, um, been able to celebrate so much excellence in our classrooms because of the incredible educators that we have in Pit County Schools. Um last week we got to celebrate many teachers who completed their national board certification um which gets them a pay raise from the state but also um just increases their already excellence in the classroom and the um the instruction that our students are getting. Um so I want to celebrate them um and thank you Pit County Schools for how we support those teachers doing that work. Um and I also want to celebrate um the new Dr. and um the new Dr. Neil over at Welcome for defending their dissertations
061last month and um they did that because they know um the importance of of excellence for themselves leads to excellence in their teachers and in the classrooms and um they deserve to be celebrated so much. So um let's continue to celebrate them as well. Um the arts is so important. I'm excited to go to MMA Mia. I was able to celebrate our all county musicians um who our students from elementary all the way through high school who have worked so hard and the are the best of the best and it's so exciting um when everybody's able to come together and see our unified county and how beautiful um that art is um and I have a rising sixth grader who um is so excited to join band next year and part of it's because of
062that um which is just really exciting to me as well um so thank you to all of our um arts educators um and all the work that they do. And you you know I have a special heart or a heart for our librarians and our media coordinators. I have been at every single Battle of the Books because I love books. I believe in stories and how students see themselves in stories and learn um how to how to maneuver this world through through stories. Um, and watching the students work together during Battle of the Books and read stories and have conversations is just the most beautiful thing to me. Um, I I absolutely am Winter Green's biggest fan, but also Shakad and Innovation Early College and every single um school that was there. It was it's
063just so much fun to celebrate students. Um, and then real quickly with the the partisan election too, I agree with you, Miss Anderson, that um we need to stand up for that for government overreach and and I think that this is one of those government overreach pieces of um we are here to govern locally and our local politics does not um always align with the the the national um talking points of some of our primary parties and um and we we want to serve our students and that's what we are all here for. Um and we will keep doing that in this system um because we're committed to that. So thank you. Thank you Kevin Amanda. Thank you chair. Um so like everyone else I want to echo congratulations to all the amazing things that
064our students and our instructors are doing. Um I too am very proud of our readers as an English professor. I've made a career of it. Um to Mr. O'Neal. um if he's still here, uh we hear you. And our mission on this board is to make sure all of our students have access to public education. So that is very very important. Um and to Miss Anderson, um I agree, uh conversation is the best way for all of us to have our needs be heard. So uh I agree with you and I look forward to speaking with you about that. Um, what I would like to do is give some shoutouts to the amazing things that are happening in our district 8 schools, which I'm biased towards. Um, so Innovation Early College High School, you saw
065their Battle of the Books team. Um, but they also have a quiz bowl team that will compete for states in April. And their math club will also complete uh compete for states in April. Over at Eastern, they have a lot to talk about. Uh, teacher of the year, Emily Sims. Custodian of the year, Mickey Fields. School nutrition worker of the year, Amber Wilson. Uh, principal sets was invited to attend the state of the state address in Raleigh by Governor Josh Stein uh where her school Eastern was uh acknowledged. And then, yes, the Roar, soar, and explore event on the 10th um out at Dowy should be wonderful from 5:00 to 7:00. Over at Wall Coats, their Battle of the Books team made it to the final six, and they have also added several new opportunities
066to join academic teams, both Math Mania and the Science Olympiad. Finally, last but not least, uh a CMF seventh grade student, Jaden Jaden Barnes, was selected as a recipient for the Victor Ebell Junior College Scholarship. This assists high potential students with limited financial resources in their pursuit of a post-secary education. If he maintains his excellent grades, uh he can receive $20,000 to help pay for college. Um now, with my remaining 40 seconds, I too would like to briefly uh explain why I also oppose the legislation to make our board partisan. Uh the key thing is that I do not think we should ever conflate a board member's core values with their party affiliation. We are all independent thinkers who educate ourselves on the issues. Uh and we always have the goal of doing what's best
067for our students. Um my colleague Jennifer Hodgson did some amazing research. Uh and I'm just going to quickly list some of the things she said. Uh, a partisan board has a lower lower likelihood of female candidates being elected. The majority of school boards are nonpartisan. Un he always takes extra, so I'm going to take a little extra. Uh, unaffiliated voters. How will they have a chance to be elected? And according to Ballipedia, over 90% of school boards are elected without any party labels. Sorry to take that. I was learning from you. Yeah, but when you take extra time, you get extra time. Isn't that right, Mr. Chair? Oh, start that timer. Yeah, start this time. First of all, um I want to just acknowledge all the excellence that we uh celebrated again tonight. Mr. Chairman,
068there's probably one person out there in the audience that we neglected to mention. Where is our director of athletics for county? Paul Cornwell, stand up. Welld deserved along with everybody else. I uh I'm, as y'all know, most of you know, I'm very very partial to career technical education, being a career technical educator by profession as well as a farmer and different things. And uh it's very very important that we continue to recognize those young people that are involved in career technical education. They're going to be our future plumbers. They're going to be our our future manufacturers that work in factories. They're going to be our people that make things again. And as our country goes back to retooling and to re-industrializing, it's going to be vital, absolutely vital, that we prepare a workforce. And these
069young people uh with the with the uh excellence that we have and those teachers in those programs are doing an outstanding job uh preparing for our future. Um, I think I would like to recognize Miss Anderson. Thank you for putting together that mom's for Liberty. I think it's very, very important, very vital that we understand the importance of, you know, all of our communities and all of uh our customers. And part of our customers in Pit County schools are our parents and grandparents and guardians that look after our young people. And so it's important that we do that. And then I know with 47 seconds I don't have a long time to be able to talk about the uh partisan bill. I support that bill. I support that bill for a lot of reasons. one,
070it does give voters more information and yes, transparency as to who they're voting for. You got people moving into Pit County from all over the country and they want to know as much as they can about those individuals that they're going to be putting in charge of the future of our young people. and having the label Democrat or Republican is one more way that you give more information to those people. And I'll stop there. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mary. Thank you, Chairman. First of all, I'd like to begin to say that Representative Ernestine Brown and to Dr. Lasser board members, county commissioners, all that was traveled today on the bus. Just want to say it was a great time visiting Sadi Salter, then moving on to Amherst and then concluded at Pit Community
071Technical Academy. We had a great time. We rode that bus. At first, we were hot. I don't like close enclosures. Um, but we got hot and where's Dr. Roach? She told the bus driver, "You got to do better." and he fix he fixed it and we and we got cool y'all. But it was a great time. It was a great ride. Um just want to say it really was a great time. So I just want to echo that. Um the kids you all you have been proud of them. They really represented so well and I was happy because I got to go back to Amherst Elementary School. Claudia Harris, raise your hand. Claudia and I taught together. She taught my babies. I taught her babies. and it was great to see her here tonight. So,
072and I said, "Claudia, guess where I went today?" She said, "Where?" I said, "Back to Amherst." We had some great time, didn't we, Claudia? I also like to do spotlight on all our um kids and our teachers who were recognized this evening, especially the CTE winners, the battle of the books, the media coordinator of the year, Mr. Blow, Dr. CISA. Congratulation. Um, I am a proud person that represents the J Rose attendance area. Very proud. Can you account to that? I love my area and I serve District One with everything I have. So, I want to invite you all, which others have already done, to our community bash. And I'm happy to tell you all that I'm so happy that I decided to sponsor one of the booth. And as an educator, my booth is
073going to be site words. All the kids have to do is spin, get the site word. I made them so they could get them right. They can they'll pick a treat, whether it be a little toy or a piece of candy. So, I'm happy to let you know as um a former well continue to be teach as a teacher. I came up with a game and I had somebody make me a pin wheel so that I could have fun with the kids. And last thing, please. Oh, Mr. O'Neal. He's gone. But I want him to know I support I support him. And the last thing I never gotten this for you all. I like last thing I want to say is please join us tomorrow at Faro Central on our last listening tour. We want
074to see these two on spotlight. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. All right. Um start out with the media center and media coordinators. that media center in a school in a school is the hub of that school of a learning center and it's so important that our media centers look inviting and I know we've had several to be refurbished and they look amazing and uh it really uh excites kids and you know with the kids going to the uh to the media center it's very important that they have a media center coordinator orordinator that's there that helps direct them and helps them with uh different subject matter that they may be working on because many of our kids go home to no books and no one to take them to Shepher Memorial Library or anywhere. It's
075in that media center and uh I appreciate all of those. Uh and then uh Mr. Cedric Blow, I'm appreciative to him. Congratulations to him and this also can if he could would win can end up being a federal um recognition. Correct. And so that is really something great from him. Uh and then of course Dr. Cissa, director of federal programs and those federal programs we got to have somebody that will stay on top of them or we'll get ourselves in trouble. And I feel uh that we have a great person that is uh involved with that as well as going through that aspiring superintendent uh program. And then uh the two students that we have we lost as well as uh Sharon O'Neal. They've already gone, those families have already gone through something that is
076just to rip their hearts out and it's not going to be something that they going to ever get over, especially those parents that have lost their kids because that is just not the normal way things go. And I just pray that the Lord will be with each one of them and give them hope and let them know that one day they will see their kids again. Uh finishing up, I you know, I'm in support of the partisan bill and I'm not going to rehash that all out. I thank Dr. Rita for introducing it and I hope it's passed in the Senate and it's not going to have a bitter impact on the kids. I've got four grandkids expecting one grandkid in May for number five and none of them have come home and said, "Papa,
077are you Republican or Democrat?" I haven't heard it. All they care about is what's happening in that classroom. That's it. Thank you. I would like to thank each of you for attending our meeting tonight. Congratulations to all who received recognition. To our board members, thank you for being who you are and having such concern for all of our students, all of our teachers and staff. This board may not always agree on matters, but we do come together for the good of all. Let me take this time to thank our school resource officers. We did not have them when I was in school. I guess we were we were all right. But they are a great value. They are a great value to help keep our schools safe. And that is one of the number one
078things we want to do is to keep our schools safe. I was honored today to be a part of the legislator's tour lunch. Uh it is my hope that out of all we do, we keep the students, the teachers, the staff, we keep them all first. We as a board have districts that we represent, but when we meet, we come together on behalf of all schools and all students. And so, it is good to be a part of a board that is concerned and show that concern and what they do for all the students of Pit County. I do want to thank Beth for being our tour guide today. She did an outstanding job. That is all I have tonight. Motion to adjurnn. I move to second. Who second? Mary say. Yes. Any discussion? All
079in favor raise your right hand. No sir. Motion pass. We all journ.