001Public comment, the following are the rules for public comment as stated in board policy 2310. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes per person. We'll be using a timer and will alert you when your time has expired. I would like to remind you that the board members generally will not respond to public comment except to request clarification. Once a speaker's name is called, they will approach the podium and state their issue. And then we will start the timer once they start speaking. The following are not permissible topics for public comment. Matters involving specific personnel or employees of the Board of Education including employment conditions or complaints about specific employees. Complaints about an employee should be directed to the human resource office for follow-up. Matters involving specific students in the school system including student disciplinary matters.
002Obscene or vulgar language will not be tolerated nor will conduct or language that disrupts the meeting or interferes with the board's ability to carry out its work. As the board chairman, I may immediately terminate any comments which violate these rules. And I will call names as they are listed that were listed through Jenny. And our first speaker is Mr. Brett Webb. Hello Brett. Thanks for coming tonight. >> Yes sir, thank you. Thanks for allowing me. >> Yes sir. >> Good evening. My name is Brett Webb and I'm a parent resident 294 Bear Church Road, Killen. I want to start by acknowledging something clearly. The challenges being discussed here today are not unique to this district. Across the state, districts are facing enrollment shifts, funding pressures, and difficult decisions. And I understand that this board and
003this administration are not in an easy position. But that is exactly why decisions like this must be handled carefully, transparently, and with all options fully explored. And as of now, I do not believe that standard has been met. >> [clears throat] >> I'm speaking on behalf of over 1,200 members of this community who signed a petition in support of Holly Ridge Middle School. I also submitted documentation outlining the impacts of this decision. That information is part of public record and is available for anyone in this community to There have been serious concerns about how this process has been handled. And the bigger issue is this. This is part of a larger, systemic problem affecting public schools across this state. And if that is not addressed, decisions like this will continue to happen. And communities like
004ours will continue to feel the impact. We've heard concerns about enrollment and funding, and those matter. >> [clears throat] >> So I think you all deserve a clear answer. What efforts were made to work with legislators in Raleigh and with our county leadership before bringing forward a recommendation to close the school? What we are seeing is a plan built almost entirely around reductions, not on solutions. If the only path being explored is cutting, then we're not solving the problem. We're simply managing the vertical. We heard that this is what needs to be done unless the study shows something completely different. But when that expectation is set before a study is complete, it raises a real question. Is the study being used to explore options or to confirm a direction has already been decided? And even
005when options are presented, if they all lead back to the same study and decision, that's not a full evaluation. That's heading in one direction. What we are talking about here is not minor. We've heard it because students are bused in ninth grade, they can just start in sixth. Every educator and parent knows the difference. Middle school children are at a completely different developmental stage. And we're talking about increasing travel time across one of the largest geographic areas in this county. And we talk about distance, a map-based estimate does not reflect [clears throat] reality. It doesn't account for bus routes, multiple stops, or the actual time that a child spends on a school bus. In this area, that matters. And we start discussing options such as athletics, we have to stay grounded in our priorities. Schools
006exist to educate children first. Everything else comes after that. So, this board has a choice. Stop and fully evaluate every option, or continue moving forward despite what has been a hasn't been addressed. Because if this is the wrong path, that responsibility is going to be clear. And this community is watching. Thank you, Mr. Webb. >> [applause] >> We'll now call on Mr. So, I take it no one can >> can't hear back here. I'm sorry. >> We just can't hear. >> Are the mics on? >> Mics are Mics are on. Yes, they are. But if you can speak up when you're speaking, that'd be great. If you want to turn a little bit, you can turn as well. Um our next speaker is Mr. Olivia Webb. >> Hello. Thank you for coming tonight. >> Good
007evening. Thank you. Am I projecting enough for everybody? Thank you so much. I respect your public service so much. Um I'm Olivia Webb. I'm from 294 Sara Church Road in Ellerbe. And this is about the school consolidation study. This board has a statutory obligation to place the welfare of children at the center of any consolidation or closure study. The language and data presented so far do not reflect that obligation. I've worked across public and private education and understand the trajectory of the school choice movement. Our General Assembly has made its commitment clear. Those who support school choice speak of expanding opportunity for all. Richmond County citizens have been told to prepare for significant economic growth. North Carolinians are told it is the General Assembly's responsibility to fund public schools. So, why is a single child
008in Richmond County in this unpresident unpresidented era of prosperity hearing about closing a public school at all? As parents, we have made our choice in our household. It's our community public school and it's 5 minutes from home. Our child is thriving. This is the choice that meets his needs. I have heard that phrase over and over. Isn't that the point of school choice? Somebody fund it. This board has a duty to advocate for all children at every level of government until public school options across all communities are stable. It is also your responsibility to ensure parents are fully informed and that standards of equity and access are applied consistently. The district's consolidation page invites the public to submit questions, but those questions are vetted and selectively answered. If a question remains unanswered, are we expected
009to stop asking? Assume it's not relevant or worthy or maybe it was a stupid question. That creates a chilling effect. Public trust depends on process. A timely, data-backed presentation tied to a petition of over 1,200 concerned citizens was not placed on this agenda. What message does that send? Internal studies produce internal results. If this can happen in Ellerbe, it can happen anywhere. The direction in which this board is being led concerns me. But I believe this is a teachable moment. Set an example. Raise your voice. And please, when you do, choose our children. Thank you. >> [applause] >> We will now hear from Michael Puckett. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, sir. >> I just came here to uh address a comment about moving that's the whole classrooms the students to Hamlet and Rockingham. I
010live uh uh uh about 3 miles outside of Ellerbe. And the bus comes by a little after 7:00. Or 26:55 and 7:00. He stays pretty average. And then he has to ride uh his route and goes back to Ellerbe. Now, unless the school is going to start later, each student is going to have to get up at least a half an hour to hour earlier to get the bus back to that site. Uh signal where maybe I'm overlooking it wrong. We're trying to get rid of the uh rural schools and move them all into the town of Rockingham and Hamlet. I mean, we're eliminating them. And I was trying to figure out what was the the purpose of uh getting rid of that school cuz it's it's a very good school. And it's very well
011maintained and all that stuff. We're trying to figure out if they move that out, what's going to happen to the structure? You don't want to have to pay for maintenance and all this stuff on a building that's not being used. So, it'd be like most other stuff in the county and here you around, they're going to demolish it. And I couldn't see the point in that. And the lot of students uh parents, I wish they'd came tonight because they, from whatever uh I've heard, are feeling the same way. It's going to put more of a stress on the students, but it's going to put a stress on a parent, but it's going down and put a stress on the students. And you put a stress on a student, uh their grade level goes down. If
012they get where they enjoy what they're doing and uh mix standing together, they're happier and their grades go up. And it just uh I don't know if there's something about y'all to see you can help make it where uh this doesn't happen. So, thank you. >> Thank you, MR. PUCKETT. I'LL LET YOU FINISH. OUR BOARD HAS AN EXISTENCE OF quorum and call this meeting to order. So, I ask that we lead us in our Pledge of Allegiance and our moment of silence. >> Please stand with me and join in a moment of silence. Thank you. And now we will address our Pledge of Allegiance. >> 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 all. >> Thank
013you, Mr. Hornsby. And it is Mr. Hornsby's birthday today. >> Oh, happy birthday. >> I'm happy to have you. >> Board members, you have the open minutes from our March 10th and open work session on March 24th. You have them in front of you and I need a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Mr. Tillman. >> Second by Mr. Mason. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. Those minutes are approved. >> All right, you got a microphone? Have you got a microphone? >> I do not. >> We can't hear. >> You can't hear? >> That's it. >> Mr. Superintendent, are we Is it agenda okay? >> Agenda? Yes, no changes. >> All right, so there was no changes to the agenda and we will approve
014that under consent of the board. And our first order of business will be through Ms. Camera Whitley, our Inspiring Excellence Awards. >> Good evening, Chairman Satterfield, Dr. Farrell, members of the board. It's always fun to kick off our meeting to celebrate some of our incredible staff. Tonight, we will start with Dr. Gardner at Mineral Springs Elementary School. >> Good evening. Mr. Satterfield, board members, uh it is a privilege to recognize Ms. April Smith whose quiet strength and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact every single day. She is a kind of teacher assistant who steps in wherever she is needed, often before anyone even has to ask. She's always ready to help whenever and wherever needed. She brings calm, care, and consistency to every classroom she enters. Her love for students is evident in all that
015she does. She supports them with patience, encouragement, and understanding, while also holding them to high expectations, challenging them to grow, achieve, and become their very best. At the same time, she is an incredible partner to the teacher she works alongside. So much so that when you go into her class, you won't know which is the teacher and which is a teacher's assistant. That level of commitment and collaboration speaks volumes about her professionalism and heart. Beyond the classroom, her dedication extends to her family and to the broader school community she so faithfully serves. She gives of herself, fully balancing responsibilities with grace and compassion. She is, without a doubt, a true blessing to our school and a shining example of what it means to serve with excellence. So, it is an honor to present to you,
016Ms. April Smith. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> You have family? Yes. Come on, family. Y'all need to come on up here. Come on up. >> [laughter] >> Get on up here. Come on. It's good. Yeah, just a little bit for me. All right. One, 2 3. >> [applause] >> Next, it is a true honor to recognize Ms. Heather O'Toole, our media specialist, whose flexibility, positivity, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our school. Heather is someone you can always count on to step in wherever she is needed, as well. She's pulled small groups, she's helped in classes, she even took on a classroom for several weeks when we needed help in a pinch. She meets every challenge with grace and professionalism. Heather brings learning to life through the engaging
017and innovative lessons she creates in the media center. By blending literacy and STEM, she sparks curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and inspires a love of learning in every student she serves. Her creativity and passion make the media center a place where students are excited to explore and grow. Beyond her work, Heather's joyful spirit shines brightly. She is always positive, always encouraging, and always lifting others up. Her presence is a is truly a light in our school, and her impact reaches far beyond the media center. Heather exemplifies excellence in every sense of the word, and it is with great pride that we recognize her with the Inspiring Excellence Award. HEATHER, >> [applause] >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> OKAY. >> THANKS. >> [snorts] >> All right, you guys. 1 2 3 Congratulations. >> [applause] >> AND NEXT WE HAVE MS.
018MONICA Robinson at Hamlet Middle. Good evening. Mr. Howard Estridge is custodian at Hamlet Middle School. You know there are people who come to work and then there are people who become the place. Howard Estridge is Hamlet Middle School. He doesn't just mop floors, he sets a standard. He doesn't just empty trash, he makes sure everything around him is worth keeping. Need something done? He's already on it. And somehow, no matter what you throw at him, he handles it with a smile and ease. He can somehow do more work part-time than most people complete in an 8-hour shift. I have known Howard for many years and two things have never changed. His heart for people and his unmatched ability to clean a building. He is, without question, unforgettable and irreplaceable. The kind of person you don't
019hire, you inherit. The kind you don't manage, you just try to keep up with. And somehow, he has managed to follow me from Ashley Chapel to Hamlet Middle and I don't think I could shake him or he could shake me if we tried. So, I present to you Mr. Howard Estridge, inspiring excellence at Hamlet Middle School. >> [applause] >> And he even wore his Hamlet Middle shirt. >> [laughter] [laughter] [applause] >> Next I would like to recognize Mr. Ralph Butler, who is seventh grade science and social studies teacher. As a team leader, Mr. Butler doesn't just manage, he leads and supports. His colleagues don't follow him out of obligation, they follow him because he's always in the trenches, beside them, often before them, ready to work. Students in his classroom are present and engaged, and
020he knows their names, their stories, and their struggles. He sees the whole child, not just a grade. Parents trust him because he has taken the time to earn their trust through every phone call made and every update sent through Class Dojo. What sets him apart though is something more rare than skill, it's character. He is the first to give credit and the last to take it. He shows up every single day with the quiet dependability that students and staff have come to count on. He models excellence without seeking recognition, never needs the spotlight, and yet stands as a living example of how one person can make a difference. Thank you, Mr. Butler, for inspiring excellence at Hamlet Middle School. >> [applause] >> We will now hear from Melvin to talk about the Crime Stoppers poster
021contest recognition. >> Good evening, uh Chairman Satterfield, fellow members of the board. Uh this evening I am pleased to present our Richmond County um Crime Stoppers board. They're going to come and join me. Um We have a president president Chuck Cobb, um Renee Chriswoski, Teresa Goodwin, and Chief um James Caskey from the Hamlet Police Department. Um and they partner with us to put on um our Richmond County Crime Stoppers poster contest. Um and so through the collaborative efforts of the students and teachers um um we were able to put on the poster contest this year, and we're just very proud of what we were what we got from our school students this year. Uh the poster contest provides students across Richmond County schools an opportunity to visually communicate the importance of crime prevention, responsibility, uh
022and the partnership with law enforcement. This year's contest uh we saw strong participation from our middle and high schools, showcasing not only artistic talent, but also um thoughtful engagement with positive community values. Um I would like to recognize uh Karen Good, um um who works with our art teachers, um and as well as the Richmond County School, um, middle and high school art teacher. They did an outstanding job for leading this effort, um, and encouraging such a meaningful involvement from our students. And so, we just thank them for their commitment and their, um, they empowered us to be able to make all this possible. So, at this time, I would like to, um, present our, um, Crime Stoppers poster contest winners. Um, and so, I think we have them in order, so they're going to
023come get their poster. Hopefully, they're here. Um, but if not, I know, um, their art teacher's here. Um, so, um, our first place winner is, um, Carolina Flores. She's a, um, 11th grader at Richmond Senior High School, and her teach, uh, art teacher is Lonnie Jasper. And as you can see, she did a beautiful job. Um, our second place winner is Aneema Owens. She's a 12th grader from Richmond Senior High School, and her art teacher is, uh, Lonnie Jasper. >> [applause] >> Third place winner is Lydia Ellerby. She's a 12th grade student from Richmond Senior High School, and her art teacher is Lonnie Jasper. >> [applause] >> Uh, and we have an honorable mention. Um, Kelby Morrison. She's an eighth grader, uh, from Hamlet Middle School. Her teacher is Ambrosia Denim. Um, again, we want
024to commend these students for their creativity and their commitment to promoting safety and community awareness. I want to thank you, uh, to Crime Stoppers, our educators, uh, and these students uh, for their great work. And their work's going to be featured in the promotional material from Crime Stoppers, as well as on the t-shirt. And so, they're going to look really, really nice. So, we just thank you all. You all are wonderful artists. Thank you so much. Oh, I forgot to mention there's there's a monetary component to this. You get a prize. I think the $100 for for first place. I think $75 for I got it right. $75 for second place, third place 50, and I'll mention 25? >> Yes. >> Oh, there Oh, picture. That's right. You want us to go to the right
025camera? >> Yeah, if you could. That's good over here in the middle for Everybody take a big step this way. Okay. Chuck, I can't quite see you. >> [laughter] >> Is that better? >> Yeah, I think we've got everybody now. All right, 1 2 3. Perfect. Congratulations. >> [laughter] >> Oh, thank you, Laura. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> 16 >> Can everybody kind of clear out? >> Okay. >> We will now hear from Dr. Farrell uh about the proposed community athletic complex. >> Yes, so um thank you for um to Mr. Derek Howell and and Dr. Hal Schuler for being here tonight. Um we've invited them to share some information uh with the Board of Education and community about the Richmond County athletic complex. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Dr. Farrell and and Chairman Satterfield and
026the board um Um again, my name is Hal Schuler um and I appreciate the opportunity to get a chance to talk and speak to you. I I represent what we're calling the Richmond County Athletic Complex Group, which which includes in our board members, I'm going to introduce them, Chairman Derek Howell, who's going to speak also with me, Ronald Tillman, who happens to be on your board, Brian Malcolm, Vegas Jackson, Mary Kate Lamoth, Mary Kate's here, uh Coach Earl Nicholson, Nikki Wells Smith, Coach Tanika Reeder and Jean Wait. Let me give you some background. Our board began meeting or getting together about 3 and 1/2 years ago. You know, it takes a lot of time to get people together and and talk about something like this. But we were discussing the possibility of establishing an athletic
027complex for youth, travel teams and community members. I've got to mention Dr. Will Cooley initially reached out to us regarding a 119-acre parcel of land that we that he acquired from the C.F. Smith Group. Of course, that's Kenneth and Quality Robinette. Which he believed would be an ideal location for the complex. This land situated off Highway number one north is very close to Moore County. And approximately a a half mile from the racetrack. Dr. Cooley secured the property while we we worked on obtaining the necessary funding for its development. Although he's played a significant role, he's not he's not an official board member. Uh but notably, Will has dedicated numerous hours to volunteer work in clearing the land and demolishing that old broom factory. And I wanted to give him a a shout-out because of
028his work. Our plans are starting to come together after all this time. Since receiving our 501c3 identification a couple a couple of years ago, we've been actively pursuing fundraising opportunities. Currently, we're writing grants and engaging with various individuals and organizations to to discuss the facility. One of our first steps was to erect a sign along US 1 that announces future site of Richmond County athletic complex. I'm sure some of you seen it. We also plan to meet with each municipality in our county to ensure no community's left out as this facility will benefit everyone. I want to read you our mission statement. We spent a lot of time figuring out what this was, which captures our goals. To foster healthy competition, reduce the burden on government by offering essential facilities, and ease neighborhood tension through
029team sports. We aim to create a safe space for supervised after-school activities that guide our youth away from negative influences. Furthermore, we are committed to providing a pathway for children aspiring to reach the highest levels of of athletics as a feeder organization for our middle and our high schools. Having visited facilities in North Carolina and other states, I know you wondered, and I often wondered, too, why not us? Why can't we have something like that? This is to present a great opportunity for our community. I'm here to inform you about our group and our plans. Just trying to let you know. Once we get more detailed on all the aspects of the project, we'll come back with more specific plans. I hope the board will endorse our vision. And I appreciate your time. I want
030to now introduce our board chair, Derek Hal, to discuss um some other goals. >> Yeah. So, I didn't I didn't realize we're going to have so many people here today, and I'm not that great at speaking. So, bear with me and uh just pray for me. Good evening. My name is Derek Hal, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to speak with you today about a vision that's been so close to our hearts. The need for a sports complex to serve our entire county. For many years, this dream has lingered. We all know it has. Um fueled by the understanding that our youth deserve more than what they're currently being provided. A group of passionate citizens has united in this cause, driven by a shared commitment to uplift our community. Our goal Our goal intends
031extends beyond creating a sports facility. We seek to foster an environment that nurtures both the athletic and academic growth for our children. It's very important. And you know, I'm I'm going to stop there and say it's something that's needed in our county. And uh we do have a four you know, we have a group of people that are very passionate about that. Many of our youth come home to empty houses after school, often facing challenges that it can feel overwhelming. Some lack the guidance that need to excel in their studies, while others find themselves drawn to pursuits that may lead to down risky risky paths. We deeply emphasize emphasize with emphasize empathize with their struggles and recognize the vital role that support and opportunity play in their lives. In response to their reality, we aim
032to create a safe space where education and athletics intertwine. Our program will provide not only access to technology and digital learning, but also wide array of sports, offering comprehensive approach to develop. We aspire to ignite the passion for learning and teamwork, empowering students to find joy and purpose in both their studies and their athletic pursuits. Together we can build a nurturing inclusive community where every child feels valued. And no child left behind. And I you know you know I I can't talk about this enough in our community. Uh we've seen you know uh in recreational sports a downhill spiral uh and also you know our community struggled. And you know our kids and it's this is this is a big thing for us and and we know a lot of people we can see that
033they they're worried about our community and this is this is part of what we're doing. We want to provide programs and activities that give all children a chance to participate in sports and educated educational initiatives regardless of their background. Inspire every child to explore new ideas and develop their skills in a supportive environment. Offer free and low-cost and and I I want to emphasize this. I want everybody to understand this is this is going to be free for our kids in our county. We want it to be free and it's going to be funded by travel sports. That's that's how we're going to get it done and we can do it. This group of people we've done too much studying. We know how can we know it can go forward. Um so that's that's a
034big thing I want people to understand and I want to get that that word out. You know, this is not nothing for you know, for us to make money out of. This is something for us to help our community and be positive. Um We want to ensure that the facility is accessible to children with different abilities, provide sports and recreational options for everyone. We want to collaborate with schools and enhance existing programs offering additional resources and opportunities for children who need them most. Creating a welcoming community space where children can come together, make friends, and develop sense of belonging. Involve local at athletes and mentors to inspire children offering guidance and encouragement to preserve pursue their dreams. The idea behind the complex is not to interfere in any way with programs already in place with
035the municipalities of our county or Richmond County schools. But to support and enhance already existing programs so that all children have additional opportunities to be successful and make dreams come true. I want to thank you for having us today and if you got any questions, I would love to answer them. >> I have a question. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Could you be more specific with travel sports? That's how you said it would be funded. Tell me exactly what you mean. >> So if you see your brochures I I put them >> The one we just got. >> Yes, ma'am. So, if you'll open up to the middle part, um it's it's pretty much it's got every sport it's that's out there. Uh we want to build If you'll see There's a building there that's uh
036letter E. It's It's in red. It's at the top left-hand corner. >> Okay, got you. >> So, you know, a lot of us know that basketball and uh volleyball, baseball, football, travel sports is expensive. I mean, you know, I take my kid out of town. And And I said out of town. So, it's a big issue. You know, we have a lot of people that go out of town and they spend a lot of money. And we know what kind of money comes in through travel sports. So, you know, it's it's a big deal. And why should we take our money somewhere else while we can't we just put it into our community? And then we'll be able to pay for things like we're talking about. And the first phase of this this whole deal
037is going to be that letter E. And it's going to be a 100,000 square foot building with [snorts] a 6,500 foot addition onto the side that have computer labs and also a library and classrooms. And we we've already spoken to the county commissioners about how we would deal with transportation, and art is going to be an avenue for that. So, it will be it's a good deal. I mean, we we've got some We've got some good things going. And we've got a lot of people talking about it now. And you know, it's it's going to take a community. I don't want to just I don't leave Hamlet out. I don't want to leave Dobbins Heights out. I don't want to leave Ellerbe out. I don't I don't want to be just about Rockingham. We don't
038I I'm saying I We don't We don't want it just be about one municipality. We don't want to hurt anybody. We just want to help. And, you know, listen. We deserve it. Our community deserves it. Uh we've been talking about it what for 15 almost 20 years now? And the thing is is you got to stand up and do something. You know, this this started out a dream. And, you know, just couple guys get together and and, you know, talking about it and then here we are. And we have the property and you know, we just need all the support of the community. But, that was a that was a great question. >> The school system will have no part in the future. >> No, ma'am. Uh now, I will tell you this. We've met
039with Amazon. Uh we have another meeting with them in another week. They they did tell us that they are uh partnering with with the school system. And they actually loved loved our idea. And they said, "As far as construction, they were not going to be part of the construction. But, afterwards, they would pick it up and they would help as well." So, you know, we we've got a lot of avenues. And there's a lot of grants that we can go after. And that's one thing that we we saw that was very important to be a 501 because we could go after those grants that are needed. >> Amazon has definitely shown that they are going to be a friend to Christian County, a friend especially to children. I think it's so important. And it's so
040important that we put as much emphasis on our children as we possibly can because they they are our future. >> That's exactly right. >> What we do for them now is so important. I appreciate your concern in athletics. I do know I've had grandchildren and grandchildren involved in sports. And I have been very involved with travel sports. And it will rob you. It is very very expensive. >> Yeah. >> So, when you say it that it is free to our children, I thought it never was free for me. >> Right. Right. >> It was all the hotels, it was all the >> No, they got to pay a fee. >> and the tournaments and so forth and so on like that, the restaurants, the the meals. You know, the weekend, if you stay on a
041Friday Saturday night, it's very very expensive. >> That's right. That's right. And now let me back up and now the the deal about being free is the afternoon programs. That's what's going to be free. Yeah, that's what's going to be free. And the thing is, listen, there's kids that are missing out on things like And and there's no telling what's out there, you know, athletes or educational-wise. I mean, >> [clears throat] >> we just need to reach out and this is an avenue to do it and we need everybody on board. We want everybody >> Well, I've heard lots of good things and and I and I know that the board members are very very They're concentrating on this and that's very important and I appreciate all the time. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Anything for
042our children? >> Yes, ma'am. Any any more questions? >> I just want to thank you for all you guys. >> Our fishing at pond. >> Well, I I tell you this, we are going to be able to go after some conservation grants for that and we are going to do some conservation there as well, so. And I don't I don't know we'll we'll get there. >> I'm too old to run, but I can still cast. >> We'll get there. And see, that's another thing, you know, uh we done Ducks Unlimited, uh you know, being Scotty was part of that and we've done a lot of stuff for the kids and there's there's so many avenues that we can use this thing for. I mean, it's a no-brainer. So, but anyway, I I really appreciate you
043guys' time and uh you know, keep doing what you do. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> We have construction updates with Mr. Steven Camp. >> Do you want to turn the sound up? >> field trip with the members of the board. Just want to give you some updates on our former Knight Academy relations to elementary. We're just doing all the things, painting, cleaning, we're doing floor, we're finishing, new playgrounds are being installed. Installed some new awnings here from the main building to the gym building, some sidewalks. The exterior doors, some of the doors were peeling, the paint was peeling, so we're stripping those down and priming and painting those. The marquee sign out front, we're getting that repainted. Um so just just all the interior stuff, starting to work on exterior stuff. Um
044the safety [clears throat] vestibule, the wall that'll go in right inside the lobby, that should start work by the end of this month. Um Uh the fencing after the playgrounds are in, the border and the mulch and all, we'll go back and add fencing around the playgrounds. We've also installed a few new sidewalks Uh we're building out two new flex spaces in the old weight room Um to be used as flex spaces, there'll be two about 600 square foot spaces in that area. >> [clears throat] >> Um All the whiteboards, bulletin boards, uh the little cork strips for hallways, we've placed an order for all that stuff, so all the classrooms will have all new whiteboards and Uh we've been working with technology department to All the technology that is at LJ Bell now will
045come over to to the former Knight Academy. So we've >> [clears throat] >> been working on the logistics of getting all that taken care of. Uh our second stakeholder meeting will be next Wednesday the 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at at the school. So we're just having all parties involved, uh know, in the move and principals Uh and just everybody put their, you know, their thoughts and everything on the table to make sure we don't don't miss anything and, you know, we've been working through this, so we'll have those meetings monthly up until the time school starts. Any questions? >> Is there any concern that it won't be ready by the 26th, 27th start? >> Not sure, not that I'm aware of, so we're we're, you know, I meet with with our staff, you know, at
046least twice a week and we just go down the list and check it off things as we're completing them. As anything comes up, we add it to the list and we just working through it, so at this time I feel confident that that we'll be ready. >> Thank you. >> All right, so out at the high school, uh as you know, we're doing a partial roof replacement over the CLC hallway area and D pod. I was out there yesterday, it's coming along very very well. Um unfortunately, we haven't had any rain, but it's been fortunate for the roofing project, so they they've had good weather and they're they're moving right along with that, so they should finish up at the end of May. Out there at Atlanta. Uh the running track at the high school,
047we had a punch list walk through at the end of March and um so the the track's been turned over to us for use and it's my understanding they have a big track event tomorrow, I believe. They're setting up for that today, so that'll be their first big event on the new track. Um oh, the striping looks nice and crisp and clean and it's a really nice circle running circle. >> Track event happening Have a track meet today at home. >> Today at home? Okay. All right. Um Rockdale Middle School auditorium remodel project, um we've got everything lined up for that just as soon as school's out. We'll start removing the seats. Um we've got it set up to put some of those seats on GovDeals for sale. Got the painters lined up. We've got
048new carpet that'll go in at at the end. Got a company lined up that'll come and clean and polish the concrete, reseal it. So, uh again, as soon as school gets out, we'll we'll get started on that project and get that over with soon. As far as the new L.J. Bell replacement school, uh we secured a contract with Moseley for the architectural services. Um we're working with Moseley to get like the survey um geotechnical and traffic engineers, all those people on board and and get the wheels turning on that. Um we're working on the logistics of the move from the existing L.J. Bell out to the former Ninth Grade Academy. Um so, working through that. And uh the CM at risk um we had submissions for that. We got the interviews at the end of
049March. And we'll be making a recommendation after that. >> [cough] >> All right, Todd. Any questions about construction? >> The um at Richmond Senior High, when they were putting the new gym in, they kind of a lot of stuff on the ground that they did not expect to find. Now, L.J. Bell is 70, 80 years old. How do we make sure that doesn't happen? >> Yeah, on an existing site, unless you completely clear the site, you know, and dig up everything, there's there's always that chance. I mean, Moseley has done this for many many years and uh the CM at risk company that we're bringing on, they've they've done the same. They've done a lot of projects. So, we'll you know, clear the site of the existing building and whatever remains, we'll use GPR, ground
050penetrating radar, and you know, a number of things just to do the best we can to to try to mitigate any kind of unknowns. >> I have a a comment about the um Rockingham Middle School auditorium seats. I know we've talked about it and I hear you say that they won't put it on for plus. Um is there any way on either journal and the uh observers here tonight? Is there any way they can make sure they put that in the report so that people that won't I've had people to ask me, you know, if I want to buy one, how do I do it? Isn't that the way we're going to do it? >> Yes, ma'am. Um >> Can we Can we let the public know >> Yes, ma'am. I'll I'll talk to Ms.
051Whitley and she can do a public announcement or website or you know, our Facebook page or something. Yeah, we'll we'll be glad to do that. Yes, ma'am. >> And we haven't made a decision on how we're going to publicize the brick. Did we talk about selling the brick and the seats at >> We we have not got to that point, no. I'll make a committee about that. >> Well, it looks like we are well on our way. We finally got the track done. We finally had some nice weather to get that track done, which we've been waiting for a while. And the baseball field looks really good. The grass is starting to green up. Football field looks really great. Soccer field looks really great. >> [snorts] >> So, he's really putting in the good Thank
052you for your work on that. Uh let's see. We want to do construction manager at risk recommendations. >> Yes, sir. So, we we put out an RFQ for a CM at risk. Um we had four responses to come back. Uh the responses were due on the 16th of March. Uh so, Dr. Farrell, Dr. Carter, and I reviewed those and we actually interviewed all four responses that we had to the to the RFQ. So, we we did that on the 31st of March. Ashley, Mosley, and Steve and actually so all of us attended the four interviews and after discussing the different criteria and after the interviews, we are recommending Bordeaux Construction for our CMAR. So, I did I did want to say that Bordeaux has eight current projects with Mosley. So, they they worked with Mosley
053several times. They've had 200 Bordeaux has had 241 total K-12 projects in the company's history. Uh Bordeaux has 23 North Carolina public school clients that they work with in North Carolina. >> [clears throat] >> Uh Bordeaux has a robust safety program. I was very impressed with their safety program. Um they've built They actually built the Richmond County's courthouse about 12 years ago. Um They've worked successfully worked through four North Carolina public schools grant projects to build new schools. Um they use a program called Matterport. It's a lidar laser scanning device. So, they'll go in the existing building and the buildings that we're going to keep and they'll scan everything. It's three-dimensional scans and what it does they put it in a system so when you're trying to do renovations, it I mean it's just it's
054real time and it's real dimensions. You know, there's there's very It leaves very little room for error. So, if you're saying well, we're going to run new piping through the ceiling or whatever, I mean it shows structural members. It's just a very new technology that again was very impressive. Um Bordeaux also shared with us that one of their recent projects, they had 163 of their fifth graders or of the district's fifth graders be involved in a project on the site. So, that they they would come out and visit the site certain days. You know, the site would be shut down for a period of time. They would come out, walk site, look at the site. And those fifth graders actually went back and did a project with popsicle sticks to build a model of it.
055So, they were very engaged. I was impressed by that that that engagement. And they did share with us some information about historic tax credit revenue that we can take advantage of on this project. So, that that's very intriguing to us and we'll be, you know, finding out a more little more information about that. So, in our recommendation for CM at risk for our new LDAV replacement school was Bordeaux Construction. >> So, you've heard from Mr. King the recommendation to approve select >> Bordeaux as our construction manager at risk. >> Where did you say they were from, Stu? >> They are out of Raleigh, I believe. Yes, out of Raleigh. >> I'd like to make a motion. >> I have a motion by Mr. Ethridge. Second? >> Seconded by Mr. Tillman. Any discussion? >> Did they
056give any priority to local subs? You know, that's that's fairly important to me is is getting local people involved and >> They did. And you know, as we all know, we're a very rural area. So, there there's probably going to be very few subs that can manage that that volume of work. But they they did actually say that, yes. If there's anything here that they, you know, they can utilize, I mean, obviously they get a better price if they're local and and to help support the community. >> I'd like to keep as much as I can as close to home as we can. >> I agree. >> I know that at the School Board Association, I think myself and Mr. Tillman, I think you might have been there. We heard them do a presentation and
057they were they did a really good job. So, good. Any other comments? All right. So, we have motion, a second by Mr. Tillman. All in favor by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. Appreciate what Thanks, Stephen. Mr. Ingram, field trips. >> Good evening, Dr. Farrell members of the board. I just wanted to bring to your attention for information of of field trips that are in board docs. I just want to go over you viewing and just for your consideration. Um so, I just wanted you to know that they're in board docs for you to look at. >> Thank you, Mr. Ingram. Thank you. >> There was just one what in there? The senior trip? >> Yeah, the senior trip for 2016-2017. >> Yeah, I just saw one. So, I wanted to see if there
058were more that I missed. >> Facilities >> optimization and long-range planning, Dr. Farrell. >> Yes, sir. Thank you, uh Mr. Satterfield. Uh before I began uh the presentation tonight, I want to take a moment to share a few things both with the board and with the members of um of our audience tonight. Um board members, as you all know, I tend to reflect on my decisions um that I make and constantly ask myself how I can do things better. Um you also know that I own my mistakes and learn from them moving forward. Um looking back on the presentation from the March 24th project work session, I realized there is something that I probably should have handled differently. Um during that meeting, I shared the option of potentially closing L.B. Middle School and consolidating our
059middle schools. But I did but I did not fully explain all of the other options that had been considered or the discussion and work that had gone into evaluating those options. I focused on LB Middle School because consolidating middle schools was was one of the next considerations identified in the facility study that we had done several years ago and the option that appeared most viable to explore. As a reminder, the facility study identified several consider considerations related to the use of our facilities and ways to address aging buildings and long-term cost savings. Over the two years we had the past two years, we have already acted on several of those including moving ninth grade to Richmond Senior High School which was one of the recommendations or considerations rather from the facility study. Repurposing the ninth
060grade academy facility to replace an aging elementary school. And applying for the needs based public school capital fund grant to rebuild a different aging elementary school which turned out to be LJ Bell. Consolidating middle schools was the next consideration identified through the study. Looking back, I understand why that created concern among many of the people in the room tonight. And frustration from some in the community and may have given the impression that no other options were being reviewed. At that meeting that work session, I requested your approval to conduct a study to consider closing LB Middle School not obviously approval to actually close it. In the when we conduct a study, we would look at all of the factors and I'm going to talk about a few of those tonight and bring all of that
061information back to you so that you have all of the information in front of you to consider whether or not you would approve and and actually we wouldn't know whether we would even make a recommendation at that point until after the study was completed. And so to you I want to apologize and to the the LRB community I want to apologize for not taking more time during that presentation to explain the full context and the other options that had been discussed. And I know that you all did not know that I was going to say this tonight but I felt like it was an important thing to say to to everyone. One very simple fact in all of this is that we in Richmond County schools like many other districts in North Carolina have a
062budget issue. Right now we are spending around $1 million from our fund balance each year just to make our budget work and that fund balance has dropped just to under $2 million. At the at the same time 105 of the 115 school districts in North Carolina are experiencing a decline in enrollment which is leading to a loss of funding. At our last meeting our board attorney also shared that every district she represents is currently closing schools. Other than the night freight Academy the last school closed in Richmond County was 9 years ago and we have lost about 1,000 students a little more than 1,000 students since that school was closed and we are projected to lose slightly over 100 students for the 26-27 school year. My goal for the presentation tonight which is probably the
063presentation I should have given on March 24th because it includes other options for you is to share some additional information with you about what has already been reduced or cut, information about the different funding sources and other options for reducing costs with the goal of saving approximately $1.5 million per year. And one of the things that I don't have on this um on my notes here that because I didn't know that was going to be stated tonight, but Mr. Webb made a really good point during his public comment. And that was that advocacy at the state level is extremely important. We have a lot of support locally from our commissioners and our county manager in the in helping to fund a number of things and we are very grateful for that. Any local district is
064going to be limited though and our biggest cuts right now and reductions are coming from the state. It's a little more difficult to advocate with state leaders, but we certainly certainly are open to being a part of that. So Mr. Webb, I appreciate you bringing that up tonight because it is an important important thing for all of us to continue to advocate at the at the state level. So with that, I'll start with with my presentation tonight. I'm going to walk you through some slides. So starting with this one a couple of years back we recognized that we had a funding problem coming and are they able to hear? >> I was asking. >> Are you all able to hear okay? Okay. Okay. Maybe that's just maybe that's my mouth is too big. Um but
065if you do need me to speak up just stop me and and I will absolutely do that. But a couple of years back we started reducing positions because I recognized in in partnership with our finance officer and members of our team that we had some some funding issues coming coming to us. And so I worked in schools for a long time. Most of my career I spent half of my career as a school principal in three different schools. And the one thing that I know I would have said as a school principal is if budget reductions are needed, they need to be done at the central office and not the school level. I would have absolutely said that, and I would have beat that drum all day long. And so, I practiced what I preached,
066and we started with reducing any positions that became available at the um central office, and we started reducing those positions and reassigning those duties and not filling those positions. And you can see here um some examples of that are the director of secondary math and science, and you see an average salary and benefits there. Um and that's what you will see in all of these is an average salary plus the cost of benefits like health insurance and retirement and all the other things that we pay that employees don't see in their in their paychecks. But, um we reduced the director of instructional technology, a part-time technology uh technician, an admin assistant in child nutrition, also an admin assistant in federal programs, and a director of program improvements for a total of approximately $345,000 in central
067off- central office staff reductions. Um and we will also um include, and you'll see this a little later in the presentation, there were some reductions in instructional coaches that we also considered. Although they serve at the school level, we considered those um central office uh reductions. Um and then of course, when we moved ninth grade to Richmond Senior High School and closed the ninth grade academy down, um you can see we reduced a bookkeeper, a data manager, one assistant principal, two custodians, an EC teacher, an EC teacher assistant, um and at Richmond Senior High School >> [clears throat] >> one additional teacher assistant. And so, we were able to reduce approximately $275,000 in uh spending when um when that happened. And we continue to look at every vacancy that comes up and with with the
068team to make sure that if we need some we will have to fill, but if we don't have to fill it then we are are looking at ways to not fill that and reduce it. So looking at the next the next slide, of course, once I reduced at the central office year one year two it did start to impact our schools. We were at a place where I couldn't reduce at the central office anymore without impacting service to our schools. And you can look there and see at East Rockingham we reduced $298,000 worth of positions, Monroe Avenue almost 85,000 Fairview Heights 78,000, L.J. Bell close to 121,000 West Rockingham 79,000, Mineral Springs 100 almost 157,000, at Washington Street 241,000, and then an interventionist that served all elementary schools at approximately 74,000. And so those were
069some impacts that directly um or some reductions that directly impacted our K5 schools. If you take a look at the next slide, you'll see at Ellerbe Middle School we reduced approximately $157,000 in positions, Hamlet Middle School 202,000 Rockingham Middle three almost 314,000 Cordova was almost 157,000, and at Ashley Chapel approximately $63,000. So we have been continuously over the last two years reducing positions. No one lost their job. This was done through attrition, which I'm going to explain in just a moment, but if you look at the next slide, you'll see that all of those positions that we've reduced across the district, which has touched every department at this point, um is just shy of $3 million. And so, um this is not money, unfortunately, that came back into our budget that we could spend. What
070this did is keep us from spending more out of our fund balance than we already would have spent or already did spend. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about this walking down the hall to come to this meeting, if we had not reduced these nearly $3 million in positions, our fund balance would already be in the negative and we would be like many of the school districts that have been on the news, um for having no fund balance and unable to um keep their their budgets moving forward. So, um unfortunately, more cuts um and reductions are coming with the 26-27 school year. One of the things that I did is go out and share with all of our staffs at staff meetings what I referred to at that time, um as the million-dollar
071challenge. What I didn't know is that it was about a three or four million-dollar challenge because it seems that every time we reduce a million dollars, the state reduces us a million dollars in funding. We're losing approximately 770,000 dollars in funding for the 26-27 school year based on the loss of enrollment in in the school district. So, more cuts are coming, unfortunately. Um we have worked with our principals on that. Um we are reducing We are continuing to reduce some teaching positions. Uh program enhancement, which is our art, music, and PE, we're reducing two of those uh for the 26-27 school year. Um we're reducing two nurses, two school social workers, um and and so on. So, that funding, of course, is all if you'll move on to the next slide for me, Cameron. Um
072that is all based on average daily membership or student enrollment. And how it is calculated is the state takes two takes enrollment counts at two specific points in the school year, and they use the higher of those two numbers as far as our student enrollment um as the district's allotted um average daily membership. And why that matters is that most state allotments are tied directly to our ADM. And fewer students means fewer funded positions, and of course, um fewer dollars. Unfortunately, we are funded on the number of students enrolled in our schools and not on our needs. Um we talk about that all the time in in our um in our meetings and not on the number of schools that we um operate. And so, the next few slides are going to um provide some
073information on how the state distributes funding a lot funding through allotments, either position allotments or dollar allotments. Um unfortunately, we are taking a hit and in both of those for the 26-27 school year. And if anyone is um I noticed that some of you are taking pictures, and that's totally fine. We're going to post this um to the website so that you can have access to this um PowerPoint um after the meeting tonight. Um the state allotment examples, you know, there are, you know, position allotments are classroom teachers. So, for example, they say that you have um X number of students at your school, and we are allotting you one teacher for every 25 students. And when they do the math, this is how many teachers um we are the state gives us. Um and
074then, of course, um another example is like um the needs-based capital grant, which you've heard mentioned a few times tonight. Um and that's the grant that we applied for with the $42 million um to rebuild LJ Bell. Those position allotments and and those grants, of course, come with guidelines that where, you know, we might say things like, "Well, let's take that $42 million and do these other things." We can't do that or we would lose that lose that funding. So, just making sure that there's a clear understanding about that. On the next slide, you'll see there are some other local and federal funding sources, local being capital outlay. So, for example, I mentioned that our county commissioners and county manager are very supportive of our of our efforts um primarily through um through our teacher
075through funding our teacher supplements, but also through providing capital money for taking care of our buildings and our facilities. And then there's local sales tax is also one One of the questions that I've been asked is if you have the money to redo or the the baseball field at Richmond Senior High School, couldn't that money have been used to fill teacher positions or to not consider closing a school? And the answer to that is no. There are certain guidelines that we have to use and that was one of the things that that money could be used for. And so, then there's federal money, of course, through career and technical education. There's EC funding and and Title I funding. I mentioned to you all that We'll go to the next slide, Cameron. I mentioned to you
076all that our board and our leadership we have remained committed to not implementing a riff. We do have a riff policy, which is a reduction in force policy, but we have very fortunately, we have been able to Um, a district with approximately 1,100 employees, we have been able to, um, to reduce teaching positions because of retirements or resignations. Um, same thing with other positions, child nutrition, maintenance, and and so forth. And so, we have not had to, um, uh, send any employee home, um, because of any of these reductions. And of course, we we certainly hope to continue and plan to continue, um, to to do that. So, they have been, um, just all reduced through attrition, which is when people leave, we don't fill the positions. And we do, unfortunately, sometimes have to transfer
077people from one school to another because of different, um, levels of student enrollment. But, they do still keep their job with Richmond County Schools. Um, and so, thinking about cons- school consolidation and going back to that for just a moment. Um, one of the things that, um, in the facility study, and I I believe that facility study is out there in our minutes. It should be. But, if anyone, we can also, um, publish that to what to the website in case you desire to see that and you have not seen that. But, one of the things that, um, they recommended is on our next slide or the things that we could consider. And that was, um, to, um, conduct a closure study for West Rockingham Elementary School. Um, the reason that was, um, in partnership
078sort of with the recommendation for the Ellerbe Middle School closure [snorts] study, which I'm going to look at on the next slide. But, um, when you look at the option for West Rockingham. So, we have 17 classrooms out there at West Rockingham, 294 students. One of the biggest issues that we would face if we were to try to close, um, West Rockingham or any elementary school will be the class size law, 115C-301, um, which is, if you look down at the bottom of that paragraph, um we are required by law to not have more than 18 students in a kindergarten class, 16 students in a first grade class, 17 students in a second grade class, and 17 students in a third grade class. And so, um that because of that classrooms that might have been
079empty are are not necessarily empty across the district. Now, if the board chooses at some point to conduct a school closure study for West Rockingham, we would look at all available spaces throughout throughout the county in our K-5 schools. This option would require adding more classrooms at the new LJ Bell while construction is going on, which could eliminate some of the other things that are planned for that school. It would also require redistricting and likely have significant impacts on our current attendance zones. And so, that is one of the but that is one of the considerations that the recommend that the that were that was presented to us in the facility study that we did a couple years ago. Another one was the was the to conduct a closure study for LB Middle School. You
080can see that LB Middle School currently has 193 students. This option would also require some redistricting. Now, you know, if you look at the middle school capacity chart that's right there, which was in my last PowerPoint as well, you know, someone pointed out that all of the students from LB Middle School could go to Rockingham Middle School and fit based on nothing but numbers. And that is true, but we would have to look at travel time and and and other things before it was determined that they would just go to one school. So, it would require some redistricting as well. Right now, I did not mention this so much in our last um in the in the March 24th meeting, but right now LRB Middle School has a part-time art, part-time media, no assistant principal,
081no instructional coach, no testing coordinator, teachers um are currently have as much as three preps a day, and Title II and Title I uh funding is used to provide a teacher that is not provide teachers that are not um provided through the state allotment to kind of keep LRB Middle School operating. And and and of course I did share with you all last time that they're still we're even with all of that reduced, we're still spending approximately $1,700 more per student annually at LRB than we are at our other middle schools. And so that is those numbers alone, and I accept I'm talking numbers alone, and I know there are other factors, but the numbers alone are what caused me to bring that to the board um to conduct that closure study first um because
082again, as I said, it seemed at that time like the most viable option. Again, with many other factors to be considered. [snorts] Looking at the next slide, this was not in the in the facility study necessarily, but one of the things that we could do is consider relocating the Ashley Chapel Educational Center, which is our alternative school. We are the district is still required to operate an alternative school, but it could be relocated onto the campus of a middle school or some other school. Ashley Chapel would continue to operate as its own school. It would just be in a separate area of the building or on a separate area of the campus. Um some cost-savings potential would be um you know, some support positions could potentially be eliminated or shared. Um instructional and administrative positions
083would need to be retained for the school um to continue. And um a consolidation study, of course, would better identify any other potential savings, but those are the um three potential um considerations the board could have for closing an actual building, West Rockingham LRB Middle School, um or Ashley Chapel Education Center. Um obviously, looking at the next slide, one of the biggest factors is transportation. I know that some board members have expressed concern about um the amount of time that students living in LRB in the northern part of the county would be on buses. Um obviously, that is um always a major consideration. Um you know, one of the things that we've talked about quite a bit is um you do you do have to keep in mind that if a student, like so for
084example, let's say you all we we conducted a West Rockingham closure study and a student at West Rockingham was currently on the bus for 14 minutes going from his or her home to the to West Rockingham, then you add to that 7 minutes to go from West Rockingham to LJ Bell takes the bus ride to a total of 21 minutes. I just I say all of that to say we we can't forget that students at all of our schools are already on buses for some amount of time, um but certainly um closing any of these schools would increase that. And so, um I just want to make sure there's that there's that that that's clearly understood. There's all There's also express routes that can be considered in a study. So, if a you know, if
085a school or or students are picked up pretty far from the school rather than making a lot of stops along the way, um they would do an express route into um into their their or to their school, which just saves time. But again, we don't have any real numbers on any of that. Um it's just something that um that I want you all to to be aware of. And then, taking a look at other possible reductions because the board has sort of charged me for that looking at all of the potential uh reductions. And so, we have brainstormed and um and listed the ones that we have. So, looking at the next slide, um one of the things that has been done in a number of our school districts is the reduction of assistant principals.
086Um so, take for example, um there was a school district that spent all of their fund balance. And one of the things that they did was cut one assistant principal from every school. For us, um what we would be doing is looking at the reduction of eight positions. Um that would be one from Richmond Senior High School, one taken from Rockingham Middle School, uh one taken from Cordova Middle School, one taken from Ashley Chapel Education Center, one taken from Monroe Avenue, one taken from Mineral Springs, and one taken from Washington Street. And then, there would be one that would have to be taken from either LJ Bell, Fairview Heights, or East Rockingham, depending on the enrollment in those schools at um at the time. So, um looking at the next slide, um the we have
087already significantly reduced the instructional coach positions um throughout the uh district. Um these positions are funded through Title I federal funds designated exclusively for supplemental support in high poverty schools. So, while reducing these positions would create savings, it is limited. That savings would be limited in its use. Um but we um we have reduced five of those already. Um eliminating the elementary or K5 ISS positions would save the district $119,667. So, that is um another thing that could be considered. And then um another thing that has been considered is the consolidation of athletics. Um you could look at all county middle school athletics where you would eliminate your middle school athletic directors, reduce middle school coaching supplements, and reduce athletic facility maintenance costs. Um and so, you would have a Richmond County middle school football
088team and a Richmond County middle school baseball team, and it would not be a Rockingham and a Ellerbe and a Cordova and a Hamlet. Um at the high school, um you could also reduce um athletics by um eliminating any uh sports that are not self-sustaining. So, if an athletics funds its own supplements for all remaining sports, that would reduce travel expenses for eliminated sports, and reduce facility maintenance for eliminated um sports. Of course, this is another thing that would that would require a significant study in order to determine the exact amount of savings and exactly what all of that would look like. But in the in the spirit of bringing all the options to you, um regardless of how viable they are, um I I had to in I had to include this one. And
089so, thinking about next steps, which is the final slide, um we will update our school consolidation website to share information. This information, the facility study that was completed, and then we will also um we will also allow feedback just like I have reached out to you all to ask you to make any suggestions that you have um for other ways that we have not thought of to reduce funding. Um and we will absolutely um give due diligence to any suggestion that is made because at the end of the day, my goal is to save $1.5 million annually so that we do not deplete our fund balance and so that we are not in a situation where we are um not able to um continue to operate efficiently. Um and then um on that website also
090where this um PowerPoint will be shared, we will also um give the community a place where they can um make any suggestions that they have um and we will certainly um give due diligence to those as well. And so um tonight I'm not asking you for any action at all this evening. I'm asking you to take this information, think about it, share any additional options that you can think of with me within the next few weeks, and then come back to the May Board of Education meeting prepared to discuss this and take any action that would be necessary to consider any of the other options. So right now, the action that you all have taken at the last meeting was to approve conducting a school closure study for Ellerbe Middle School. We have completely pumped
091the brakes on that um so that we had not we had not started it and we do not intend to start it until now that we have presented all of these options to you. Um and then when we come back to the main meeting, the LRB Middle School closure study is still approved by the board. Um, but if we were going to conduct a school closure study for say West Rockingham or Ashley Chapel or any other school, then we would have to of course have that approved by the board and that would require action from you. And so with that I'll answer any questions that you have. >> I'd like to make a motion that we would reconsider our um motion to close or to do the study on LRB school so we can talk
092about it some more. As you stated in your comment, it was surprised us. I would like to revisit it. I'd like to include some of the other studies if we're going to study instead of just one. Can you back Can I make that motion? >> You can You can make that motion. Um you would be asking to undo the board's previous action by reconsidering it. Um, under Robert's Rules, it says you need 2/3 >> [snorts] >> of those present or a majority of the full board and you have the full board here so it would be a majority. So, because the study hasn't been finished yet, you can ask to reconsider that, yes. >> I can't hear the the audience can't hear you. I'm sorry. >> Do you want me to start over? Yes, it
093is possible to make a motion to reconsider um a prior action of the board since that action is not been completed yet. >> So, I can >> Or I was going to say What's your motion, Bobby Sue? >> To reconsider >> Okay. >> the motion. >> So, to be clear, are you asking that the board discuss it more or that you undo the action that you took? >> Well, actually I'd like to undo it, but I think we need to discuss it first. We made the decision to to close or make the closing study. >> Yes. >> I understand. >> Yes. >> But Dr. Fair was very honest and let us know that all the other information should have been presented at the same time, which I appreciate very much. We have a packet full
094of options. And I hate to I'm Do I need We've already second the motion. >> Well, and I was I appreciate that. Excuse me for interrupting. >> by Bobby Sue. >> Okay. >> Seconded by >> Either one of us. I was going to say >> in the discussion part. >> Okay. Because I want to say I really was seconding a motion for a study. Because it's all about I'm doing my personal Bible study right now is on Proverbs about gaining wisdom. And I think we need all the wisdom we can get. And that is what I I was seconding was a motion to find out more about what our options were. >> And that's kind of that's kind of where I was, too. I mean, that's that's the reason why I even made the motion
095to do the study. Was to get more information about what our options were as far as uh you know, what was the best option that we could have as far as closure. But but at end of the day, you know, I think um and I've said this before, we're going to have to at some point going to have to make some tough decisions, period. Whether it's the elementary being closed, whether it's West Rock, we're going to have to >> I don't want to make any of these cuts. Well, I mean Because of it >> decisions have to >> If not, we're going to be in the same situation that other school districts, and I can speak of a school district in South Carolina where the state had to come in and take over their school.
096I you know, and and you know, this is tough. I mean, it it's tough. I see it on both sides. But at some point, what I'm saying, at some point we got to figure out what the best option is for for this for this county. Because at the end of the day, we got we're still held accountable to the taxpayers here. I don't want to be in a situation where 3 years or 2 years from now, all our fund balance is gone, and now we got to ask the county or ask some the state comes in to take over our school. That's poor to me, that's poor management on our part as board members. >> That's why we need all the information. >> Absolutely. And I appreciate I appreciate you superintendent giving us all this
097information. And this thing and I've always said, I'm big on transparency. Always have and every board member here, I would say that you all are, too. And I And I think like and I've always said this, even with, you know, every superintendent that we've hired, I've always said, my thing would be is being transparent. The good, bad, and ugly. I think people can accept things when even if it's if it's not good, they can at least accept, okay, at least the person was straight up, was honest, put everything out on the table, and and they can kind of deal with that a lot better. You know what I'm saying? And so, um so, I appreciate appreciate all this information. And I mean, the information that that we knew about from the facility study all the
098way up to this point, the community didn't know anything about it. And so, I do appreciate that we're all going to put it on the website, everything that we discussed, all the PowerPoints, everything needed to be put out there so the community can see, so they can ask questions, and just be transparent. And And I appreciate superintendent for for doing that. >> Yeah, and of course, the only thing that I would say to you, Mr. um it it is yes, you are absolutely right. All of these things have been in our meeting minutes. >> They have. >> The facility study was in our meeting. It was a public It was shared during a public meeting. The the PowerPoint from last week, all of that has been shared in a public meeting. And so, you know,
099we I guess we didn't package it up and put it in in a in one place, but none of these things have been done in a in behind closed doors. All of these things have been shared in in public meetings. And so, yes. So, just to just to be clear about that. I know I know you know that. >> you know, I agree with Mr. Tillman. The bottom line is is that with all the information you've given us tonight, which you've given us a ton of information, we are still going to have to do studies on all of that stuff. You know, the more data, the more information you have is the better better decision that we're going to have to make. And we're going to have to make something, whether it's school code closure,
100whether it's personnel. We're going to have to make something. So, I don't know why we would stop that study when we're probably going to come back and say, "Let's do a study on West Rockingham. Let's do a study on assistant principals. Let's do a study on all the other things that he said that we could cut." Um and also do a study on redrawing lines. We have a great opportunity here with building of L.J. Bell with the $42 million we have in in the in the lottery money, building a school for us, and we can try to make that build that is as big as we can. And we've already got preliminary numbers on it. So, we have several more million dollars that we can spend on that project. And I don't know offhand how
101much it is to add a classroom to the building, but we still could add classrooms. And then once that happens, if we do, then we can consolidate some elementary schools, close a school down that way, and still have enough space to meet the classroom reduction law. So, I'm I'm I'm not sure that I'm for saying no to the LRB study, cuz we're eventually going to have to study all of this that he has presented tonight. >> I have to say is we're going to stu- we're eventually going to study it. And he said he's not going to do it till the summertime. So, why don't we just put that on pause and then come back and then just do one vote on what we want to do later on. And just leave that level playing
102out there because nobody's doing anything with it anyway right now. >> So, we need to table it. >> So, if we're not doing anything, we need to >> Well, so the decision that was made at the previous meeting was to ask the administration to do a study and bring it back to you. >> Right. >> Which I think would have been what in the summer at some point. >> Yeah, we wouldn't have started it right away. >> And so, at which point you can receive that study and take no action or take some action or ask for a different study, you know, so the only action that was taken was to ask them to do a study. If you Right now, we have on the table a motion to reconsider that action. That would undo
103it. So, then there's no study happening. And then you can give them different instructions about what you want them to study. But, to be clear, the motion that's on the table would be to not even study it. >> So, if I may expand, I was quick to second it, but I'd like to expand on what I said a little what I why I second it so fast. In light of the I'm not going to call it new information, in light of these new options, I would like to see the motion to amend the study to be all encompassing where it wasn't so polarized just towards Ellery. When we were given this initial option, the study was just for Ellery Middle School. So, I would I would I would second it just like it is, but
104I would also make a motion to amend where it's all encompassing because I would like to see us exhaust all resources before we close the only middle school on the northern end of the county. I would like to see all options. >> Okay, well, what's the >> So, wait, we got some >> [laughter] >> we got some motions going on. >> Well, LET'S JUST LET'S >> LET'S JUST HOLD on a minute. If we're if we're >> So, so right now, you seconded her motion. So, if you would like to change your motion, then you can. And and see if he'll otherwise it stands as it is which is undo it and then you would have to make a new motion >> That's to include all of this. That's what you're saying. >> I I would
105like to make I would like to make a motion I second but I would also like to make a motion to amend that to include to be all encompassing of every option and exhaust all resources before we polarize one school. >> Would she have amended her motion? >> So either she has to take agree to the amendment or you all have to vote. You have to get a majority to amend. >> I think the first motion you have to do that. >> I want to know what you what our assignment is with this to May the 6th. >> Okay. So >> that date is. >> Okay. So So what I've said is that I brought only one option to the March 24th work session and that was to request the board's approval to conduct a
106closure study for LRB Middle School. And what I've said is my bad. I should have brought all the options at the same time. And so what I'd like for I'd like for two things to happen. I'd like for the board to process all this information that I've shared tonight, the additional information. Um and I would like for you to come back to to let me know within the next few weeks if there are other things that should be included, you know, kind of a hey have you thought about this? And then I will bring a comprehensive list back to the board in May that will include all of these things, anything that you all come up with, and we're going to put a link on the website so that the community can say, hey have
107you thought about this? And so then we come with a full comprehensive list of options and then you all would um would decide yes, go forward and do a study on one, two, three, four, five things, but don't do a study on five, six, seven, eight things. And um and in the meantime, we will not be doing any of the work to start the study for the LB Middle School closure study. >> And I see no reason to recent. If we're not going to do it. Which I that's what I my motion is. >> Right. And then and then when we come back may you make your list. >> Well, what what would be unfortunate I think is if you rescinded it tonight and then turned around and voted it in May to do the
108study for the LB Middle School closure. That's why I feel like kind of just pausing and and just considering all these things, knowing that we're not doing anything with the study at this point. Anyway. >> So, if you >> What's the difference in pause and >> table in it? >> So, under Robert's Rules, if you make a motion to table something um to a certain date, you would you would give the date when you want it to come back. Um but what the superintendent is saying is yes, you've asked for a study. He wasn't even planning to start it before the next meeting anyway. >> That's right. >> And he's giving you his word he's not going to. >> Yeah. >> Um and so is it at the next meeting you could then you could
109then decide to withdraw that study or you could vote to add things to it. >> That's right. Yes. >> You got to make sure do you want your motion to stand? >> Yes. >> All right. So, you have a motion to to resend the LB Middle >> Right. Which is a blank slate for us. >> A blank slate. >> And it's seconded by Mr. Baldwin. >> And second stands as as the motion was presented. >> Okay. So, move. Any other discussion? >> So, we're not So, we're not even talking about like um the other studies. This is just >> rescinding that, which we're probably going to turn back in and do it again. With all the other things that Dr. Farrell has given us So, that's why we Since motion's here, we're going to vote
110on it and do it that way. So, we are voting to rescind All in favor by a rescinding the schools study closure of Elvey Middle School Raise your hand by saying Raise your Raise your hand if you if you're for it. Four four have and against. Yes, it's four three. So, right now it is Rescind. >> Yep. Back to the blank slate. >> So, now we have to come back and go through all of this again. >> And any other >> We've got to go through all this anyway. >> We do, but we're going to We're going to We're then we're Okay, this is what we want to do studies on. So, I don't want to give anybody any ideas, but we will come back and look at all this information and move forward. But,
111as we all know, like Mr. Tillman said, something's going to have to give, guys. We're under $2 million. And we've got How many we got allotted for next year in our fund balance to to meet the budget? >> right now. I'm probably going to use about 700 something of it now. >> So, let's just say $900,000 in our in our fund balance next year. Okay, all of this study All of this study, we will not close a school probably till the following school year. So, it's 2 years out. So, then to meet that budget, we're probably going to have to have another five or six hundred thousand dollars. Yeah, cuz we're going to have to have a million dollars without without cutting positions. So, you got to be careful about Losing jobs, losing schools. This
112This is so important that you can make sure you have to do our homework to make sure this is right. >> I just Let me just say this. I just retired from a school system. I just retired from the school system down in South Carolina where the board failed to act and make a decision. So, the state came in and took over. And the state The state cut closed schools that the community didn't want to be cut. So, either we're going to do it or the state's going to do it. Because it's going to happen one way or another. We as a board, the people in the community can make the decisions on to what schools will be closed [snorts] or to consolidate or we can keep kicking the can down the road and let
113the state come in cuz once we go into the red the state's coming in and taking over and the state's going to make the decision. Whether you like it or not we won't The community won't have any say so. We won't have any say so. The state will make that decision based upon the numbers only. They won't consider how far the bus got to travel. They don't consider any of that. They only consider the numbers and whether you have the money to keep the school open. I just retired from a system that is going through that right now down in South Carolina. The state is in their system and in the and their district office fired a whole bunch of people. They fired a whole bunch of people because the district office wouldn't make a
114decision and the school board failed to make a decision to the point where they went so far in the red, I think it was $6 million in the red. They're $6 million in the red. So, the state came in and took over. And the suggestion that the um superintendent had made, that's what the state went with. And she had made a suggestion of closing two schools. The community down there raising cane. >> [clears throat] >> So, the board decided to go with what the community want. State came in and said, "No. We're closing them." So, either we're going to make the hard decisions based upon the data that we get in, or else we're going to let the state, we're going to let somebody from outside the county come in and tell us what's best.
115>> Let me get all the data. Thank you. >> Thank you. No, no, no. Thank you. Um just so the board understands, so our homework for next month is to bring back ideas to Dr. Farrell about what types of studies we want to do. Cuz we can continue to kick this can down the road, but until we give the man some work to do, we're not going to know what to do. >> And contact me with any questions about any of the things that I've shared because >> I have I have sent I have sent a list of things to to Dr. Farrell just to think of. >> I hope you guys have done that as well. Because that's the only way we can try to save money. And if that's closing an elementary school
116or a middle school or cutting positions, it has to be done. So, that's our homework and hopefully at the next board meeting we can come back, give him some direction because June comes with graduations. He's got other work to do. So, he can to to find some time to start this work over the summer, so we can meet the needs of of his information moving forward, because it's going to take him and his staff quite a while to do this. So, we just need to >> Scottie's >> No, the motion the motion carried as presented. I I >> We appreciate your uh you bringing that to us tonight. >> I do appreciate all the work this good information, too. Go back and review for them. >> About frail surplus, please. >> All right, before I
117jump into surplus, let me give a little credit also. I didn't do this presentation by myself. Don has done a lot of work on this. Cameron Whitley's done a lot of work on this. Other members of my team, so thank you to you all for um getting all this information together so that the board can consider it. Um surplus items for April 2026, requesting to be placed on GovDeals. Um we have a 2005 Ford Taurus, a 2006 Ford Taurus, a 1995 Ford F-150 truck, a Chevy bus engine, and a um Chevrolet activity bus, requesting your approval to list those on GovDeals for sale. >> I'll make that motion. >> Have a motion by Mr. Ethridge, a second. >> Seconded by Mr. Mason. All in favor by saying aye. >> Aye. >> All opposed. They are
118up for sale. Board member comments. >> Well, uh new playground equipment's over at LJ Bell, and it's really looking nice. I know they had a bulldozer come there one day, and they moved so much dirt, it's amazing amount of dirt, and it still got a lot of dirt over there. The uh I saw the walkway that goes through the gym now, where there used not be a walkway, with overhang, which is going to be nice for the students. And then I had an opportunity this time I've never had before. I was able to go to a wedding of one of our teachers. And most time I've been going to the death of students or death of faculty, but I was blessed this past Saturday to go to a wedding. Just thankful for that. >> Thank
119Mr. Etheridge. >> I'd like to make a report from the educational foundation. Um y'all asked me to We met today, had a very good meeting. I'll remind you of the clay for it's a fundraiser for May the 1st, and I really hope that you'll help support it. They are working really hard in the school system, and I wanted to let you know You asked me to go back Ronald with your suggestion that I asked to um that they fund for computers at the high school. They have asked for years. Catherine. >> Right there. >> Did you get a request today to ask >> Not yet. >> I haven't heard anything, but I'll be glad >> Not yet. >> Okay. Well, they are they were very positive, and they are very open to >> I'll tell
120you. >> funding some of the computers for the high school. So, be sure and I will get make sure that she gets back with you and makes that happen any of that. So, I hope that we will um support the May 1st uh clay shoot, which is our fundraiser. Um Well, the school we had Arts Alive, we had good attendance at the Arts Alive and band, art, course did a great job, and um I want to give a shout-out to the um State Employees' Credit Union. Uh Farrell, I didn't know if you were going to [clears throat] tell about this, but they had the reality of money for the class for the ninth graders. Do you want me to wait when you >> No, you go before you get >> Anyway, I worked it. It
121was great. It's for all the ninth graders in Richmond County. And they come and give you a two-day [clears throat] um Well, it's like a seminar, and and each every single ninth grade student will go to the to the different um stations um and learn how you know, they're given a certain amount of money and they have to spend it on apartments and cars and they quickly learn that $70,000 won't go but but so far, but anyhow, that was very good and I that was all put on by the um state employees credit union. Ben Mercer was there and all of his staff, so it was a really good really good two days. And then naturally, I've been to a lot of the athletic events this month. >> Thank you, Mr. Hornsby. Anybody else? >>
122Uh Friday night, Richmond Raider band put on a fundraiser at the gym. Had wrestling with purpose there. It took me back to my childhood. There was a couple times when I wanted to jump in there and do the you know, fly off the top rope, but that was really good time. Successful fundraiser for the band, so I hope to see those guys back in the future and I think they have plans to do some some other fundraisers for some other departments. Uh over the next year or so, so thankful for them and everybody from the band that helped get that going. >> Thank you, Mr. Bowlin. >> Let me say one more thing. I know I think it's Thursday night at LJ Bell, they have the STEM night. And also Mineral Springs, they have the
123STEM night on Thursday night. And that's something you need to go and see. >> Thank you, Mr. Edwards. >> I got to attend the final community visit to Leak Street and I that was a nice thing and I wanted to just again thank Dr. Farrell and his staff for holding those community meetings. I think they've been so good to just get out information and let the communities ask questions and voice interest about things that are important to them. So, thank you for doing that. >> The people that was there, they were very appreciative of us coming and the staff Dr. Farrell bringing his staff and school board members being there. So, yes, I I agree with that. I hope we can continue that in the near future. Anybody else? Dr. Earl? >> I don't have
124anything else tonight. >> Fair enough. I need a motion to enter into closed session pursuing a North Carolina General Statute 143-318-11A1 and 6 >> So moved. >> to prevent the disclosure of confidential information, student or personnel records, and to discuss personnel matters. >> And I also move. >> Motion by Mr. Earl, one second. >> Second. >> Favor by the horns, we all favor by saying I. >> I. >> We are now in closed session. >> Mhm. >> by Mr. Baldwin too. >> Second. >> Approve the personnel report going to second by Mr. Ethridge. All in favor by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> Nay. Nay. >> Okay, we got six yeses and one nay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anything for the good of the cause? I do say those things as
125I said before because I do think that we need to move forward. We don't need to kick the can down the road. So, I hope that everybody looks at all the stuff that Dr. Farrell did tonight. And we come to some type of decision, consensus decision of we want to what we want to do and what we don't want to do. If it is just looking at West Rockingham and not LB, that's great because if that offers us the most savings and the best way to save our county, I'm in it. If it is there to say do away with all these assistant principals, which I hope that is not the case. But if that's what this board decides, I'm okay. But I do not want to give anybody false hope and I also want
126to make sure that we look at every rock under every rock to make sure that we are not at that $600,000 threshold that Don says we're going to meet in a year and a half. I just don't want to give anybody false hope. Because it is my it's my thought process after that really good presentation by Joe tonight that in order for us to make the best the most solid decision for this county that we he does it all. He does every study. And so I apologize if I was upset, but that does not mean anything about y'all cuz I still love every one of you. >> Let me tell you You still got to say what you want to say. >> Let me say it. Go ahead. >> Now, I'm going to say my
127my whatever I board meeting is. I am not for not I think we everything I agree with everything everybody said except Daryl's. I am not brownie point. I have a strong strong commitment to keeping communities. I have all my life community schools. And I I want to see every single thing and if we get just like Corey said, if you got ideas, if you want to add to the list of studies, then now's the time to do it. And I want to look at everything and I don't want anybody to think that we have singled you out and to me that's what we did at our last board meeting. We singled L V out. I was on the way. >> Well, my problem >> You weren't here to talk about it to discuss it, Daryl,
128so >> My problem is >> giving you a chance to to to discuss it. >> is is that he clearly before you made that motion, he clearly stated that even though you guys approved for the study to be done, he wasn't going to do anything with it until he had a chance to look at all the other stuff that he presented tonight. >> All right. >> He clearly stated that. >> So we can still >> So therefore therefore that that motion was not necessary. That's what I'm saying. Because he's not going to do it. He wasn't going to do anything with it. He said he wasn't going to do anything with it. So, therefore, that motion wasn't necessary. That's just my personal opinion. >> And see, I look at it the same I look at
129it the same way, too. I I'm just being transparent honest, too. I mean, I didn't see the need in that motion, either, because he did state that he uh that uh that he he wasn't going to do anything with the study. I I just think I just say this, you know, we say this before. You know, take our personal feelings out of it when we get ready to make these decisions and make the best decisions, you know, that's going to be the best interest of this school system and for the taxpayers. You know, I I'll be I'll be one to tell you I'm a big advocate of Ellerbe community. I I you know, and and and and then and I I've been in meetings and and have suggested things like that. But at the end
130of the day, I realize with me, at some point, I got to make a a tough decision regardless if it's Ellerbe, if it's West Rockingham, if it's Ashley Chapel, whatever. I'm going to have to make a decision because if not, and Scotty, you say this all the time, this is a saying, kicking the can down the road. I can't continue to kick the can down the road knowing what the outcome is going to be financially if we don't act. And I'm trying to use my concept as far as how would I handle things if I'm in my house and I find out, okay, I got I'm spending out more money than that's than was coming in. I got to make some adjustments. I got to make some tough adjustments. And so, that's where I'm looking
131at it. You know what I'm saying? >> I'll just respond. I think that all anybody that voted for that motion to be rescinded tonight simply wants to do is explore all options before we before we zero in on anything. I think that was the entire I don't think it was done to anybody's opinion. I think it was just to explore everything. >> But he's he's already giving you that option before you made the motion. >> But we had so many emotions and talk going on. I mean, I think >> everything off their chest. Go ahead, man. >> Well, I'mma say this, and I'mma be done. I remember when Rohanen Middle School and Rohanen Primary up for being closed. It's the same situation. The people over in Rohanen area didn't want Rohanen Junior High School closed.
132Rohanen Primary, they were raising hell about not closing their schools. But they But the the board had to or or or go into the financial ruin. Well, now we're faced with that same kind of decision. Hoffman School. Hoffman on the hill that's one little school up there in Hoffman. >> That's my school. >> And they shut that They shut that down. You think the people of Hoffman want to lose their school? No. So, sometimes hard decisions have to be made. But my only problem was, Dr. Farrell had put He said he put He pumped the brakes on it. And we're going to look at everything and we're going to come back and discuss it on May 1st. So, that motion shouldn't never came up. >> Well, the thing about it was it passed 4-3. And
133as it is, it is okay. We move forward. People say what they got to got to say cuz we got to stay as a cohesive unit here and move forward. And as long as everybody gets out and is ready to move forward and to look at what Dr. Farrell is giving us to do. >> I just want to save $1.5 million now. >> And what's the best way to do that? What's the best way to do that to affect the least amount of people? Because I could see I can see this board in the future just say, "Let's just do this. Let's just say, Hey guys, West Rockingham might be a pretty good idea." And I know we're on TV right now, so everybody's going to hear this cuz they're going to hear it one
134way or the other. Okay, we're building a new LJ building. Let's just make that bigger, and then we're going to redesign all redesign all the road maps of Richmond County. And so, these kids will now go to this school that were going to this school. So, we're going to make all those kids change. So, I just believe in cost benefit maximization. Which is the way we're going to save the most money. Okay? Not harming as many kids in our public. And I don't know what that is, cuz I don't want to see the numbers. But, are we going to affect 6,000 kids in the entire district? We going to affect the western part of the county and West Rockingham? Northern part of the county? We going to affect Ashley Chapel? So, we've got to do
135something. And I please just be prepared. That's all I ask. >> Quick question. Have there been any comments any discussions say like with our representatives, you know, being involved in Craven? I mean I mean I know they hadn't passed a budget, but I mean to get some kind of support from our legislators, I mean they mentioned it today. That would be something that I mean we might want to look at. >> Yeah, I I did have a conversation with one of them. Um and the the I don't feel comfortable speaking for the whole of the state of North Carolina, but I but I will say that you know, I I let me put myself in in one of their shoes. How would I ask for support for my district? Or for a district that I
136represent when 105 districts are losing enrollment and losing funding. That's the That's the hard part for them. I mean, it's a it's a much >> [clears throat] >> it's a much bigger issue I think than that. You know, those guys are both very supportive of us. Um I'm not sure that their hands aren't tied on this one, though. Yeah, it's it's just I mean, it's the declining enrollment. I mean, we've talked about lower birth rates, we've talked about, you know, the vouchers, we've talked about um home school, we've talked about virtual charters following COVID. I mean, it's a it There are a lot of different factors, but a lot of school districts are losing just losing enrollment. >> And they're losing a lot of money. Schools or school systems are losing a lot of money
137from those virtual schools that they have started cuz they had to put so much money into them and so many kids are there now. They can't keep funding them. >> Try to narrow in the study for every I mean, any school or has um Who Do you have somebody in mind that to talk to about the population? Um enrollment >> Like >> improved >> expected population growth or decline? >> Our economic development. >> I mean, that could be part of the study. Yeah. >> I don't >> Is that predictable? I mean, can they predict I don't And maybe they can, I'm not sure. >> look at the residential property build permits in Beaufort and northern end of the county and see what the growth looks like there. That'll give you a good indication. >> That's
138right. >> Well, I I hope that's looked at when we >> Yeah. >> when we get the stuff. >> Absolutely. >> Anything else? >> Appreciate what y'all do. Let's go to recess into closed session. >> Another motion to return to closed session. >> I'll motion to return to closed session for superintendent's evaluation. >> Motion by Mr. Ball and second by >> Seconded by Mr. Hornsby. All in favor by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. Thank you.