Richmond County School Board Work Session (March 24, 2026)

001Yes, you want one. >> We have an existence of a quorum this 20 March 24, 2026 school board of education meeting. Please call this meeting to order. Miss Schuler, >> would y'all please stand and join me for a moment of silence? Thank you. And salute the flag, please. I pledge 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. I should have asked y'all to please remember, but Boo Simmons, um, a long time Raider fan, that's Tara Hancock's father and, um, Brooke Marsh that teaches at Mineral Springs, her dad, he passed away Saturday. Bruce Simmons. >> Oh, yeah. >> Mr. Lieutenant, you okay with the agenda? >> Yes, sir. >> Under consent, we will adopt the

002agenda. >> [clears throat] >> And our first business item is Miss Dawn Jordan. >> Good evening, Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Frell, members of the board. um you have um before you hard copy and a um one on your computer of um the proposed 2627 budget. So the first item we'll talk about will be the uh 2627 proposed capital outlay budget. That is our sales tax budget. That one is um it's pretty much stays the same of the 2 million 2 million $5,500. You'll notice last year there was an increase um of 1,ion33106. That was due to um extra funding that we received from sales tax money for the baseball field um and the track for this year. Um the baseball field has been complete. Um I know the track is um still in progress, but that

003is um Stephen gave us if anybody has any questions um on that budget. That's just um that's the one that we use it and request it back. We just have the budget and as we use it every month, we request the funds back from the county. Okay, the next one is the regular capital outlay that comes in the monthly allocation. That's 423,500. That has remained the same. I went back to 2014 that was increased $50 at that time. So, this one has remained the same. So, we've been working within this budget. Um this is the money that they do give us. If we do not use it every year, it will go back all of it. It does go back into fund balance um for capital outlay which has been able to help us some

004with some projects. The next one you'll see is I just wanted to give everybody a question right here. John, if it goes back to fund balance, is that noted >> and and we know it? I Yes, we've had to you we used some last year and we've allocated some in capital outlay fund balance this year to use um for remember we weren't sure if we were going to get our esser money back so we have had to use some of that for that project >> I have a question um >> the purchase of vehicles I mean I see where it's 158,000 for both 25 26 and 26 27 so have we bought like new vehicles I thought like um we've kind of gotten away from that and folks were driving their own vehicles again. >>

005No, this is for maintenance trans uh m all the the school vehicles. >> Um so we do have um I think this year we have a couple trucks and transportation's getting a new vehicle. So >> it's spread amongst everybody. That would be an SRO vehicle. That would be technology. any of those vehicles, >> cafeteria vehicles that >> um Yes, actually they were able to purchase some of those with co money back during co some of those vans they were actually they bought a van that last year with their own money too. So they did do that. >> Don, how long do we keep these these vehicles? How many miles do they have? Stephen, >> we don't really have a criteria for that. We just try to rotate them out. You are finally just maint with

00622 employees just now cycling out of old body style vans and trucks and stuff. So, um we purchased Mr. Parson's a new truck this year. His truck is a 20 11 or 12 with almost 300,000 miles on it. So, you know, he he drives a lot. So, we got him a new vehicle. Last year, we got two two new employees because the grounds we took over doing the grounds from last So we we took on two new people in our department. So our spare vehicles went to those folks. We out of 22 people, we have to keep a couple of spares on hand because somebody's vehicle is always down or being serviced or something. >> I know I know that state patrolman they go like 75,000 they get a new one which you know they

007they need a new one. >> Yeah. Now, we already have some 14 15s and 16s with 110 120,000 miles. >> Let's give it 300. >> And as far as the school resource off, you mentioned them. Their vehicles are all in good shape. I know I >> they are all road worthy as far as I know. I mean, I think there has been some discussion with Dr. Carter and Mr. about some technology replacement vehicles, some SR replacement vehicles, and we do need to come up with a strategic plan for a a complete cycle. You know, you don't buy a couple every year and you we've got 22. How many ever sro and then technology? I mean, probably 40 vehicles, you know. So, we we definitely have to keep on rotation of purchasing vehicles. >> You have

008a few that 200,000 I guess. Um, you know, so that would be once they get over 200,000 it probably best to start thinking about replacing them. I think that's the rule of thumb is like you get over 20,000 you might need to start looking. >> He's saying 20,000,000 miles. >> Oh, I thought I [laughter] car >> do SR not SRO do driver's education cars come out of this fund too? >> Okay, they come up they what fund do they come out of? >> He buys that with driver's ed funds. He he has not bought a car for a while and he actually bought one last year. >> He bought um a little Camry. >> No, Corolla. Little Corolla, wasn't it? He bought that for driver's ed, but he they had not purchased a car in

009a while. >> So, >> they don't get a lot of money. I know students are charging. It's about $120 something thousand dollars that that they've gotten and you know between driver's ed the instructors and so >> and all your money goes to personnel. >> Yes. >> And gas. >> Yes. Personnel. >> We ought to buy some straight drive. We we wouldn't have as many kids on the road. >> All right. >> Okay. The next slide is the public school building capital fund. I just this I got this straight from DPI's website and these are all of the different lottery funds and I just wanted you guys to have a um you know just to see what we had. Um the first column is the ADM fund. That's a corporate tax fund. That fund is no

010longer in use. I mean or they're not putting any more money into that fund. They stopped contributing to that in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 and nine. They diverted funds from that. We had not tapped into that money. If you'll look since 2012 and 13 until last year, we did tap into that for the roof project at Rockingham Middle School. Um we ended up using 388765 for that. We have applied this year for of that to be a partial roof replacement at the high school. There is a match with that. We're matching it with the sales tax money. Um, so instead of like that roof replacement project is actually um just tell you what it is at high school. It's going to be $557,900. We're only having to match it at $139,475. And

011then we're going to use the sales tax money. And that has been approved. um that just has not been transferred. It's transferred to the county and then as we use it, we draw that. Uh it's the same concept as the sales tax money. Um the lottery fund, the second one is what the county we're using for debt service right now. That can be used for school construction only or debt service. So right now all we've been pulling on that every year is the interest for the county. We draw it down twice a year for them to pay all the loans for the debt service they're paying back for us. Um the next one is the needsbased lottery fund. You'll notice they we don't normally have money in here, but since we got that grant for

01242 million, they have already put uh once we got it in I think I said it was November, our 24 months period [clears throat] starts. So they have deposited 27 million in there towards that project. And then the last column is the what we call the RNR, repair renovations lottery fund. That one can be used for classroom facilities being the main word for that. Anything to do with the classroom facilities, enlargements, improvements, repairs to existing buildings, systems, renovations, equipment purchases. Um last year, you'll see we drew down 1.5 million when we weren't sure we were going to get that esser money back. So, we were able to pull that money down. I did use 773 of that. I'm returning 726 360. They just haven't made that pull back yet. Um, so we actually are hoping,

013we put in another request to use 588,000 of that for renovations for um the 9th grade academy and Rockingham Middle School auditorium. So, we've just got to send in some more documents so that we get that. And there is no match to that. That is just our money that once they approve it, um, every year they deposit into here and interest is posted four times a year in all these funds. >> Just wanted y'all to get a little idea of what our lottery funds look like. >> I'm just curious this grant money that they've already put in. >> Can you get interest on that? >> Yes, we'll get interest on it when it >> will be a lot. Yes, you'll it it posts four times. So when it posts, we should be able since they've

014already deposited, we should get interest on it. Um the next is the budget all funds 20 2425 versus 2526. Um page seven you've got a chart and it has um between 24 and 25 the difference in monies received in each fund. Fund one being state, two local, three federal, four capital outlay, five child nutrition and eight other. And a total you'll notice we had 112 [clears throat] million more 112 plus versus 97 million in 2526 that's due we lost the er money. You notice that was about 10 million right there. So it was gaining in some funds and losing in um when that money was used. The next Just a pie chart just tells you where all of our funds the percentage in 2526 where it's allotted. Um 60% of our budget is state, 12%

015is local, 12% is federal, 6% is capital outlay, 6% child nutrition, and 4% is other local funds. Just lets you know where the majority of our money is. several years ago. Did fund was fund three higher than fund two federal dollars or is it come down that much or >> No, I don't think so. I think it's been now during ESSER of course. Yeah, >> it was. But other than that, I think it I would have to go back and look at that, Corey, but I'm not really I don't think so. >> Fund three, it's $1 million difference. That's what it is. >> That's all that would be money, right? >> Yes. This next slide is state allotments fund one. I just wanted to give you guys a look at um 2425. These are just

016the main cate initial allotments and categorical allotments um that we got. The first column is 2425 and these are you'll see it says classroom teachers we allotted 291 in 2526 they allotted us 286 they cut us 5.5 positions next year they're going to cut us 5.5 more teaching positions >> where are you um >> I see what page >> page 10 >> just and I just wanted to see the trend of that the first column is what we got in 20145 the second column is 25 26. The third column is the difference between 24 and uh 26. And then next year is what we are projected. These are our planning aotments that we've received as to what we're going to get next year. >> I see line or PRC 001 is where you >> tell

017you what they are, what each one is. Some are dollar positions, some are position allotments. Um >> and that is projected based on the total ADM that we have. >> Yes, our ADM reduced last year 144. Next year is and and that is that is fixed already because they're funding in a rears now. Used to they used to do technical adjustments after we got the best one and two. Now they're doing funding in a rears. They started that last year. So we know this is what we're getting funded on. We know this is how many children we're getting funded on is 6,250. >> So that 10 day first 10 days >> they have to report it but that's going to be used for next year. The best one of two. They take PMR1 and PMR2

018the best one of two. Those first two months of school that's how they're going to fund us next year. >> When did they change that? >> Last year. It just means that you you already know what you're going to be getting so you can plan and you don't have to all of a sudden they give you an aotment and have to come take it back >> because that's what happened a lot of times is that >> yes what would happen is they would give you all these positions by plan and saying okay well your your projections did not come to be that >> so they're not will come and take a teacher after 10 days of school >> no they're not going to do that anymore where they have done done that in the past

019they will not do that that's what the funding and a rears lets you know ahead of time this is what you got. The problem is is if we get more kids in than we anticipated, we don't get enough. >> Well, there is a fund for that. But I I can't remember what the threshold would be for you to have the growth piece. And the data for North Carolina is most every district has gone down in ADM. There are very few that have gone up. >> Really? >> Wow. the majority of school districts have lost >> enrollment. So, but that's just something I just wanted you guys to have a look at the state piece because that affects everything. The state affects the local and everything. So, okay. So, let's get on to the local budget

020and then you've got >> So, why is the enrollment going down? Is that because their kids are going to other um 105 children in charter schools and about >> of that 80s something are virtual charter schools. >> Um you know >> so I wondered if students were going to other type schools or was just the number of children going down. >> I mean >> they're in the virtualmies. They're um there was one that started last year that has like 27. That was a brand new one last year. is actually in Apex. >> I walk during the day and these children are all out in the street. They're homeschooled. >> Yeah. There's homeschool, there's that. >> And then Robert Del is getting ready to sort of fourth and fifth grade, I hear. >> So that will

021affect us also. >> So what is the total amount of monies that we're spending on those kids that are homeschooled or virtual? >> We're paying a cost. >> Well, we get the reduction in ADM if they're homeschooled. We don't pay out anything um to them. Charter schools, we do we have to give them a portion of our local money. This year I paid out um last year I paid out 89,000. It's going to be over 100 this year. >> Does that count around average what you pay out what we pay out each year? >> It's it's going up every year. >> Okay. >> Well, last year too they changed how we do virtual schools and I have to give them the same amount. used to be a reduced amount. You gave virtual schools like 87

022something dollars a month. Um I'm averaging per kid $130 something dollars a month. I mean per child um that I give out. >> So these number for how many kids we have that are in Richmond County that are >> the only thing I've got are the charter schools. That's 105 >> 105 >> I won't have any, you know, the ones that go anywhere else because I don't pay anything for them. The charter schools have to send me their rosters every month and then I pay them from that. >> You said we had some virtual or >> Oh yeah, there are three. There's NC Cyber Academy, NC Virtual Academy, and this Pine Springs. Pine Springs, which is an Apex, which is a very nice school. I looked it up. I was like, I'd like to go

023there. It was really nice. >> We have how many doing that? >> 27 there. >> And that's not counting all the all the private schools that are not >> charters. Okay. Up there 2425. Um that is our budget versus our actual revenues that came in. Notice our budget was 11 and 9004. This is local 11 me 904236. Our revenues that came in were 10,346. That's because I had appropriated 1.6 million in fund balance. I didn't include you don't include that as coming in. So that was our revenues for last year and the 2425 expenses page 15 that tells you you'll see that Ronald you'll see that 700 which is called transfers that's the charter schools that's what I did last year so the salaries 40% employer benefits 16 so 56 6% of our local budget

024is people salaries and benefits. Um 34% is purchase services. Um 9% is supplies and materials. Then we have just a small percent of capital outlay. It's just a capital purchase that we would make. We that varies from year to year. We don't typically have much of that. The next is a graph between 23 24 and 2425 actual expenses. It's the increase from 2425 for this. You'll see the difference in salaries benefits. I've tried to put a little underneath it to let you know what was under each category. So that that 300 series is the one where it has our utilities, our telephone, our insuranceances, um all of that. So that that goes up every year. >> The next slide is the 2425 revenues versus >> Can you go back once? I'm sorry. Go back one

025slide. >> Where you want? >> Just one slide back. >> Uhhuh. >> Um license fees and equipment. [clears throat] That's pretty big difference right there. Well, that was one year we had to do. We um I looked back to kind of see what that was. That was a purchase where we've done some golf carts. Then we had to do some I think some licensing. We had to get some licenses for vehicles. I think that's under that. Um you know, we had to get uh all of those. There's the fees for that. >> Um so that was that was the difference. >> I'm saying 7,000. Yeah. >> That can be pretty pricey. [laughter] There's your charter school just went up $13,000. Wow. >> Like I said, I'm on track for over 100 this year. >> $13,000.

026>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So, this is where our expenses last year were 11,557 26273. Our revenue was the 10,346 29692. We use 1.2 to in fund balance. I was able to use a little bit of esser last year but um not a lot. So that's why that was not quite as two slides is the fund balance historical data. This goes back to 2015 just to kind of give you an idea. It's a 10ear span. um where we had been putting in, putting in, putting in and then you know using then we went to Esser and we got to save some money and then as Esser starts going away we start using more. So, now we've got the 2627 funding needs. You know, nobody's got a budget. Nobody's even going to come back

027in session, I don't think, until April 21st. Um, but this is what I kind of pulled some other districts to kind of see what they think that they're averaging maybe a 5% teacher increase with, um, steps, um, principles, non-certified personnel, um, which includes, um, central office, superintendent, assistants, um, supervisors, directors, maybe hopefully a 3%. And I only put in right near now the retirement rate this year was 24.67. I put in a 1% increase. We haven't heard um I don't feel like the insurance I've I've heard they don't feel like the insurance is going to go up. Last year the insurance went up $400 per person. Went from $8,95 to $8400 per person. Um, so we they feel like that they made enough adjustments last year that maybe that one will not go up because

028that was a big hit to everybody that increase. We identifi identified funding needs for next year. um an increase for teacher supplement, the increase for payroll, increase for other projected fixed cost, the implementation of the salary study for teachers and >> Teacher assistance, sorry. Yes. And we want to talk about um the vice replacement for the high school. You know, years ago the system went to a one one and all the elementary and middle schools, they've been able to replace using title one funds. You know, they get the title one funds and so they've got they work with technology. They tell them the age of all the computers that they've got in their building. So, they work really well with their they've got a really good replacement plan. They feel like they're in a really

029good place with the elementary and middle schools. So, that's not a problem. But the high school does not get title one funds. So that's where um there is a need for um we've never developed a replacement plan for those. But let's look at the supplements first. Um I know you know we get the state supplement money which is great. It helps out our county tremendously, our teachers. Um there's a supplant factor in that. So you know one year couple years ago, we didn't ask the county. We felt like we were in a really good place. Well, then they came back out in 2425 and said, "We're going to hold these counties to the supplant rule that you have to go back and what it means is total non-state funds expended for supplements for teachers in

0302020, 2020, and 2021. divided by the total state and non-state funds expended for salaries in 2021. You divide those two out and you get a percent. We can't go below that percent. Meaning if our county stopped funding it, we might could get by with one year, but then the next year they've got they want to see that the county is doing their part to keep funding that state supplement. So if the counties aren't doing their part, then they're going to say you're supplanting and you're using your state money to make up those local dollars. So we can't do that. So last year we went to the county and we requested a 5% increase where in previous years we' done 10. 5% is still going to keep us above that percent that we have to maintain.

031I'm sorry, but before you go on, >> will you go back? I just have a question about the device. >> Okay. Well, I'm coming later. I'm coming later with that. >> I got more on that. It was just >> You want me to wait for my question on that? >> I got more because I might I might answer it in there. That was >> to get it too, >> huh? [laughter] >> I'll let you forget it. I promise I won't let you forget it. >> Okay. So the next the next slide is the um I did a projection with a 5% increase in local supplement. On the left side you see that's the 20 526 supplement schedule. On the right the 2627 with a 5% increase that would cost the count we would need funding

032to do that of 80,9280. That's for the 5% increase. The next slide is for a 10% increase. I still think with the 5%, remember, we're still in our our percent back to 20 2021. We're still good on that. Um the 10% increase would be 140. Mhm. [clears throat] >> That's an increase on top of the amount that you already >> We would have to request that, >> right? >> Mhm. Yes, ma'am. >> So, the next one is is um we try to do this to tell you kind of where we are with our surrounding counties. This tells you the local piece. The bottom is the local piece. The top is um how much each county gave out in their state supplement. We're still We've been in third place. for a while, but we're maintaining our

033third place. Uh it's Scotland, Lee, um Richmond, Montgomery, Moore, and Anson. [snorts] We were able this past year to increase that supplement because it was about 4,500 the year year before. This year it was 47. could go down next year because our funding is going to go down. But because we use that as a retention bonus and pay it twice a year, you know, you have to be here at a certain point to get it. So if you don't stay to the end of the year, you don't get that second half of it. So every year I have to kind of project how many employees we're going to have to get the first half to half it out and then you may get a little bit more in the second half because you may have

034some lead. I hate to ask this question and you might have already said it, but is there a way that the state could take away that state supplement away? >> They could. >> I think it would be hard now because I really think that um it it's really I think it's really truly helped us with retention. We used to have people county hall. I mean it it was constant. I think that that helps. I don't think that's all of it. Um, I do think that that has helped in retention. >> What worries me is that if they're going to if if the governor is going to offer these raises like he says he is, of course, but you know, everybody's got to approve it, where's he getting the money from? >> Okay. Is he is

035that shell game again? >> That's usually how it goes. You lose something. >> We've been in this business too long, you know. So, you know, again, if you look at the blue, we're still we're still second from the bottom >> at local supplement. >> And yeah, that's the thing is is we don't need that that green to go away. >> There's been no talk about that, but but when something like this happens, it's a last minute thing. >> You know, there for a while, we didn't get local supplement raises. It did not increase from um 0809 until there was because that was a freeze on everything >> about a 15-ear period. >> Yeah, there was a huge period. So, we're >> Yeah. >> Oh, they've done tremendous last couple years. >> Well, and I think

036that's a that's a big thing for the county commissioners. You know, they said they that's a big they want to be able to do this for teachers. this um where I said I project a 3% increase in payroll that would cost with benefits um 125,2758. The next slide slide is the fourth phase of the salary study implementation for teacher assistance. It will be 676,4462. That actually came down a tad from last year because we have um decreased some positions. It was 69.9 some last year. So that did come down just a little bit. The next slide will be your child nutrition child nutrition assistants have not um gotten on the new salary study. The managers and assistant managers went first. They went two years ago. I think they went but they have to support their

037own increases. Since then, Child Nutrition has not been able to pay us indirect cost. So, they're not they were not able to pay us indirect cost last year and they are not able to pay us indirect cost this year. So, that would have to be what they will have to be able to fund this. >> When's the last time they did pay indirect cost? >> Two years ago. Well, after this year. Um, but then they have to have two months of operating and they were really close this last time, but it wasn't quite enough to do that. But they've made a lot of changes also. >> What do they have to do to improve that? I know that they there's a for every meal that goes out for breakfast or whatever, there's a little stopping

038for that. Is there is there a way to help? >> Well, they've tried to increase participation. They have uh tried to get more kids come in for breakfast because the more people they get through the line, the more they get reimbursed, you know, and then you've got to get all the components of the meals. Um they could they tried to do more alle cart sales that would help their um I I think they're working on that. They do snacks in the afternoons for the athletic programs. That's one thing that they can do to get more money. we've reduced by greatly the amount of people that are working in it. >> Our um labor hours were really gone down a lot. >> And wasn't there a I mean I'm trying to figure out a way to

039Wasn't there a time where it was kind of mobilized the breakfast side where they would kind of take it out to the corridors? >> They would take it to the classrooms. That was a lot during COVID. They did that. They they took it and did it mobile. Um, some schools don't really >> We're tracking it right now. We're about 7% higher last this year than we were last year. >> We're working hard at it. The food service people have done a great job trying to work on it. The the there's about two other things we can do, which would be reduce more people, which we're got them really tight right now, or we can reduce the quality of the food and that's about it. >> So, all the kids don't go through a breakfast line

040then? All elementary school kids go through? >> Most do. Most of the principles are really good about making sure they do that. >> And the ones >> I mean even at the middle schools >> or they're doing it out in the >> not in every case but most >> they're they've Rene's tried to do incentives with the schools to try to help boost that. >> You say they were taking them to the classroom. >> Sometimes they take them in the classroom. Most time they meet them in the hallway. They have carts and as they come by they check them off and they go on down the hallway. Uh it got to be a point last year where it was so messy in the classrooms that teachers really really didn't want to do it, but the

041principles have talked them into it and they're doing it for the most part now. The next one I wanted to give you um is historic historical data of the county funding. Um, I wanted you to see how I don't have I started at 20 20 2021. I get confused saying that and in 2122 it was just a $136,000 increase. 2223 it was 283. And then 401, if you notice those last three years, we they've really stepped it up. they they have really made a lot more of an effort and um you know I think that's because they're in a better place that they feel that they can do that and they you know said thanks for being so patient with us um but they're really trying to they're really open to this. The next page

042is 2526 the local budget revenues. This is how I have the budget on this year is for 11,751605. Notice I did appropriate a million dollars in fund balance to get us to there. Um and we're we're on track on our fines and forfeiture sales tax came in a little lower. Um you know every e rates come in all these are are tracking pretty good to come in. So I'm I'm hopeful. The next is our expenses and this is these are all the categories of where our expenses are and that's the 11 million751605. Anyone have any questions? Okay, this is where you guys have to make a choice. These are all the needs that we identified. We identified a 5% teacher supplement increase or a 10% teacher supplement increase. 3% payroll increase, that's 125. I've got

043two different things on here for the 3% fixed cross cost increase down at the bottom. If you'll notice, I just wanted you guys to see this. Our insuranceances went up from 24 256 almost $160,000. So that had to be diverted from somewhere in that local budget to pay that insurance. and it went up over 100,000 the year before that also. Um, so those are steady going up. We had such a huge increase. Zach's calling me at night that night going, "Dawn, you know, I'm so sorry. This this is the best I could do." Um, it's just the rates have all gone up. Um, one is our workers comp really went up. Once you get that mod rating, we're on it for three years and we're on our second year of that high rating to come

044back down before they will re-evaluate that one. Um, but so what I did is I put if I did the increase of 159,000, half of that would have been half of that cost would be 79. A third of that cost would be 53,000. If you wanted to put that in addition to the fixed cost, you could either do just the fixed cost of the 158,420 or with a third of the premium increase of 21156. And then now we're on to the device replacement. So, what I want to talk about that is Katherine has got a couple of little scenarios about the device replacement. We all know that this teacher assistant county asked us last year it was so high. Could we wait till this year for that? That's a large request. Um, these computers is

045to get them on a device replacement. It would be $450 Chromebooks that we would have to get and that would be about $27,000. We're going to have to get a replacement plan to do that every year for the high school. So, that's got to be done. They're going to do it like every year, replace a grade and just keep it on that replenishment program. Right now, Katherine has um this year has purchased um warranties. It's a warranty program. She paid like $30 for every device that was purchased in all of last year and this year. So last year they got a grant. They got a thousand computers with that grant. It was a $400,000 grant. Well, within six months all those computers started breaking because they were of course not good quality. She's able to

046use that grant. I mean those warranties is working for those computers that but some of them they can't fix. So they're going to give us the money to replace them. But of course they're more expensive. So we did get that last year. They were able to get those for the high school. So that's why it's not as bad as it would be. Another option would be for about $60,000 next year. She thinks she she can convert some of the older devices that we have into Chromebooks, which it just is just the guts. They convert it. So, you've got the hardware on the outside and then you've got the guts that she's just replacing on the inside. That should get us through another year if we wanted to defer that [clears throat] replacement till next year.

047Does that make sense? >> It does. To me, it does, but I'm not I personally am not interested in that. >> Yeah. >> Because your your quality you don't know what the quality is going to be like. >> Well, she said they've been really good. I had a conversation with her. Um, but I'm I'm just putting it out there for you just so that um, >> you know, all of our options, >> right? >> What was the cost of all the repairs? You probably don't have it, but was the cost high for all the repairs? >> Yes. And it was getting harder and harder to find the parts, the screens, the parts. So now with the warranty, we don't have to mess with it. They replace it. >> And are are these these are computers

048that are going home or they staying at school? >> The Did I do that? >> Okay. [laughter] >> Um the ones that they bought last year, those thousand, they had to be able to go home if I'm not mistaken. That was in that grant because, you know, previous to that, we had stopped them from going home. Um, but they actually had to be able to take them home to get that grant. >> So, we did an was it last year we did the increase in technology fees >> couple years ago. Made it $30 a person. >> Where does that does that help this end? >> Yes, it does. Actually, that money the schools collect that money. It comes over here at the end of the year and that is in a local technology fund that

049when she has to buy parts and she has to make replacements, that's what she's using. But we're we're using it at pretty good pace now. Not as bad this year because of the warranties, >> right, >> that she purchased, but I mean that was a a good about a $30,000 chunk she paid if I'm not mistaken. Can't remember exactly, but for those warranties. And how long are the warrant what's the term of the warranty? >> Three years. >> Okay. >> So, she said I will definitely go that route from now on. >> That seems reasonable. >> Um yeah, I think it was $30 per device. I think Well, that would be right if it was a um thousand computers. $30. >> That would that would be right. She did it on those. >> And the

050cost of computers, it looks like it's $460 a piece, I think. When she first did this, she did at 422. I upped it to about 460 because I Googled because she gave me this and she said, "I'm glad you did." She said, "Because they're steadily every week they're going up." So, cuz we had a big order for the schools and she was able to get a discount by getting all the schools in there and doing one big order, everybody doing it together for the um elementary and middle schools that were doing computers. So, she's trying to get another one for another round of them to do that. Um, because it does by buying in bulk, they're giving us a better discount, but they said it's just continuing to go up. >> So, that was what

051it did that answer any of your questions? >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> I'm going to ask my question anyway. [laughter] >> Okay. >> All right. Because I can't remember back how long it's been, but do you remember when we had that big mess with computers? I can't even remember exactly what happened. >> They were catching. They were blowing up. They're catching all that. >> Oh, yeah. We got rid of all those. Those were those HP. >> I thought we made a plan right then. We worked on it. >> Well, I mean, we've just never had the funding to fund that plan. So, where is the plan? >> Well, the plan is to to replace 500, 450, 500 computers every year. That is the plan. So all that you've been saying the grant and

052all that did >> that did help. Now that grant helped that went ahead and gave us a thousand computers. So that gave us a >> All the other ones were bad. You just replace those bad computers. >> They Well, didn't they come in and do something? HP came in and worked on those. >> Don't y'all remember? >> Did I said I don't >> There was something that they were able to do for some of those and replacing some drives. It was something about the piece. There was some little piece in those computers that HP um somebody from HP came [clears throat] here and was supposed to be looking at those. >> It was only like 300 and something that you did though, wasn't it? >> Yeah, it wasn't it wasn't as many as you thought.

053And I'm pretty sure we bought we bought some too out of um Medicaid cost reimbursement money. We were able to buy about a hundred out of that that replace some of those. >> Okay. So those plans that Catherine had made there super nothing that plan years ago is >> now Catherine just got in this and >> yeah I know >> so >> that was me that was when we talked about it prior to that >> to to me this is just us having conversations >> $27,000 in the re in the scheme of things is not a lot. But since this initiative started 12 years ago, it's been a mess because they first started without a replenishment plan. >> Mhm. >> Then the computers got bad, burnt up. Now the ones we had for the grant,

054which were great. We had a grant. Thank you. Thank you. But then they turned out to be junk. What are we getting for our $27,000? Are we going to have enough money to outfit it? Are we going to have enough money every year? Because once we start down this road, are we going to have $27,000 every year to replenish? >> She did say she's heard there's of course there again Robin Peter to pay Paul that state has talked about that because it's it's it's an issue in every district the replenishment process. Why can't we just keep computers at the school or let them use at the school? >> Did not have um now I do know with that grant they had to be able to take them home if I'm not mistaken. >> I I'm

055pretty sure that yeah that >> Well, have we used that grant? Is it gone? >> Yes, it was $400,000 and and I know we maybe have not Mike had ordered the computers and they probably weren't the best, but he was probably getting the most that we could. Computers were fine until COVID hit and then they started mass getting them out of there because everybody was doing remote learning and all those that we bought during that time which we did purchase went apart. >> They weren't any good. >> Well, you've done a great job doing this even though you're not the technology. [laughter] >> She's writing the checks. >> Yeah. >> How often I'm trying >> How often can they re we reapply for the grant? I mean, I know we've said >> I don't know.

056That's not one I know much about. Um, Jill Bucket. >> Yeah, it was the one time Jill Buck wrote that grant, didn't she? >> Yes, Jill Buck wrote that grant. >> And then the other question, is there any other I guess where we could pour this $27,000 out of another uh funding source to pay for these uh computers in our budget? I don't know with what we're already getting cut. You know, we could probably use some low wealth or at risk, but I'm getting ready to get cut. Um, now we got a good chunk extra of low wealth this past year, but every year we're getting cut in at risk, which of course is where we have our SRO's and all that. They're cutting us $421,000 in [clears throat] low wealth. Last year they cut

057us 300,000 in that risk. So it's getting harder and harder to do that. >> So yeah, next year in at risk they're going to cut us another $73,000. >> I hate to say this, but how about Amazon? >> I mean, it seems like that's my answer to everything. Um yeah, >> I know that they are using them a lot for um STEM things and um you know they are helping with a lot a lot of things, playgrounds. [laughter] >> It's it's a needed thing. I I get it. But you know, once the budget's approved and the county helps out, you know, if we don't get what we want, we can cut somewhere. >> Yeah, absolutely. [clears throat] I We could do a lease, too, but the lease is just about the same price as that.

058I remember Mike looking in that. And with that, you are um you're doing you're you're committing to buying this many computers for either four or five years. So, you've already made that commitment, which is And I don't know. I think there's just a mixed bag of districts doing both things. I'm not really sure, but I know that some are doing lease and some are not. Bobby, so this kind of question, but do you think RCC Foundation would be willing to give us certain uh some money each year towards this? >> Absolutely. I think that is very good, but they're not going to give us 200, >> right? Well, something is better than nothing, you know. >> That's very good. >> I mean, yes. >> I mean, I said yes very generously, but I I I

059will certainly >> because at least I mean, they can help defay some of the costs. Every little bit helps. >> That's what we did at first when we first started u the foundation. That was the basis of it was computers. I mean technology not this. >> We bought all the smartboards for the classroom. That's very >> Dr. Fair. I know this is totally you know this is not part of the budget but can can we can we kind of get a plan together for our district about bringing computers home? Who brings them home? Who doesn't? I know we have some, but can we refresh that in the coming months so we can just have our board know what's going on with the computers at the high school and all that? >> Yes. So, what do

060you need from us on? What I need you to do is Cameron can you know that looks like that's 1.5 million but you're not going to choose all of those like you're going to choose the local 5% or 10%. You're I want you to rank those in your order of what y'all want to pick to send to the county. >> Same answer for every year. Ask for everything and hope for something. >> But you don't want to ask for a 5% and a 10%. So you want to rank 10% level something is one. >> Yeah. >> And here's a question because simple math says if 5% is 80,928 then 10% should be 160. >> It's not really when you're talking about the retirement piece that's in there. When I'm looking at it that that's where

061it is. If you look at the true cost like of just the supplements, but then you're doing that with a 1% increase and that that takes it off a little bit. Yeah, because it made me go back and do it again and I'm like, "Wait a minute." But it is right here. But it's that >> if you went back and did it again, I feel better. >> It is. >> Teacher assistant raise has to be high because I mean they're the only ones that haven't gotten it and we promised them it's coming. >> Yeah. That's we're committed to that. >> Oh, absolutely. And and the county knows that's coming. >> Yeah. And that can be one too like >> or one or two, whatever. Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean, we've got to do that. >>

062And then we'll probably have a 3% payroll increase. >> Yep. >> Um that's kind of what we ask them for every year and they did fund that last year. Um >> you probably said this, but I didn't. What amount of supplement increase have they given us? Last year was 5%. >> Mhm. >> Because we we went down five cuz they were doing the salary study. They typically do 10%. They had been doing 10%. Um but we were trying to get all the that in and giving them a little bit of a break. >> And we're asking for a lot this year too with teacher assistance. >> Yes. That's why they asked us that if we could hold off one more year on that one. >> 10%. >> Oh no. On the teacher assistance. That's why

063we this year >> I feel like we always ask for a lot >> to me. [laughter] I think high device replenishment would be the last one. I'm just trying to >> because they will ask me when we go in there, they will say um if you had to rank these, >> you know what what do you need the most? They'll say you know what if you know because then that that's how they present it. So they can say okay we want everything but what do you really really really need? >> Everything. >> I know I know it. So, you would choose for the um 3% fixed cost either the 150 or the 211. >> So, it really comes in on five line items, right? Yeah. >> Well, you know, man, I'm going to ask them

064more and let them decide whether or not they can give us what we request. I I wanted to give you both those options. I felt like with that increase in insurance, that's why I really I felt like that was I mean it hurt my feelings really bad last year when I got that bill when it went up that much. I mean it just when you're trying to cut and you're trying to do so good and then that's not anything we can control. >> Right. Correct. >> I mean that's nothing. It it went up everywhere >> and I think they kind of understand that wouldn't be. [clears throat] >> So the 211 would be four. >> So that puts the request. If you take the Do you want to leave the computers in this? The request

065now is 1.3. >> You told us to rank them, didn't you? >> I told you. I can I will put anything you want in there. When we go, we will put it put it in there. >> So, basically, you >> and we will rank them that way and we'll say this is how our our board, you know, rank this. >> We had to choose between >> and I put them in there and they'll ask us. I won't put the blank in there for them, but I'll tell them. >> We had to choose between nine and line nine and line 10, which we did. >> Yes. >> We had to choose between line 12 and line 15. >> And what was our total request asked of them last year? Was it around the same? We are

066not bringing that in here. But I can tell you real quick >> how quick >> they gave us 600 600 and some uh last year. So let me see here. >> Cuz last year they didn't give us the um the fourth phase of the salary study. >> They just didn't give us the TA, but they gave us everything else we asked for. half to make it from three years to four years. >> They Yes, they did. They um see right here. >> I'd like to see last year's cuz Did we get a payroll in Did they do the 3% payroll increase last year? >> They did. >> Well, no, we didn't get it, but they funded it. But then I didn't ask I didn't know they were going to go up $400 per person on

067hospitalization last year either. So we didn't get it. >> We they gave it to us but the state did not pass it. Does that make sense? >> So did you have to give I mean I don't know how to say it. Did you give it back or >> I mean could could you say that to them? >> Well we could say that we did. We had to use it for um our request >> our request last year was 1 million3 but 696 of that was for the fourth phase of the salary study. So they gave us a 5% teacher supplement increase, a 3% payroll increase and a 3% fixed cost increase. And then they gave us um the salary studies that we did implement were all remaining classified staff, custodians, um bus monitors. That's the

068ones we did >> for a for a total of what? 1.3. >> No. >> Well, we got 600. If you go back to that what we did, it was 600. But Don, >> so so you're saying that they gave us more than 600, >> but we didn't use it. >> No, they gave us 6 and 44 292. [clears throat] We requested 1.3, >> but the 676,000 for the fourth phase of the salary study was the >> the TA part of that. >> It was 696. >> And I agree with Ron what Ronald says about you and Scotty. You ask for everything you can ask for, but if we're going to ask for that $676,000 for TAS, do we want to keep it at the five 5% this year? They've been good stewards to us and

069we need to we need to be good. >> If you do the 5% for teacher supplements, we're still within our percent for no plan. >> We're still okay. kind of makes it look like we're trying to work with them, too. >> We're also trying to give our teachers everything they they deserve. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Deserve everything. >> Well, since but you have to remember since last year the the tax base in the county is now in effect to triple over the next 8 to 10 years. And that's recognized, too. >> True, true, true. Good point. >> And see, I'm stuck on the table. I mean it's I mean to some I mean it may not seem like a lot but to that teacher >> it's a lot. >> And especially you look at that

070gas price high, grocery prices high. I mean >> I'm stuck on 10. I mean letting them decide if they feel like they need to reduce it. I mean, it's it's only $60,000 more dollars than a 5%, >> which isn't I I think when you show it that way, it makes it a little easier to to digest, you know. And I'm solid with that. I'm good with that. Anybody have any comments, questions? Are we okay with that? I'll make a motion to present this as request or as presented to the county. >> I have a motion by Mr. Baldwin. A second. >> Second by Miss Orangebeby. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I. I. >> All opposed. >> Thank you, John. >> Well, one more slide. This is just I just did this so you

071would have got you'll see um I took our the 25 you'll see the 2526 um revenues that we have and then Cameron's going to put in um if we get that figure as requested what the budget will look like next year. That one's a little bit off. >> Yeah. Look, I I was showing her I'm like, "You've got to do this. You got to figure this one out." She's >> There you go. Good job, camera. >> Yeah. And notice I'm I'm going to try, but you're not approving the budget now. We don't know what it's going to be next year, what they'll give us, but you know, I'm trying not to appropriate as much fund balance. >> And I think the fact that the that it looks like the fund balance is that well's running

072dry, too. needs to be driven home. >> I mean, they see it. I mean, they they do they see that also. So, I mean, um, we're trying to do our part, you know, reducing central office, reducing everywhere we can. Um, but you know, when costs keep going up too, it's like last year we cut a guidance counselor. They cut us a guidance counselor. You know, it's it's like we try to get ahead and then they just knock us back down. >> So, let me ask this question. This probably use fair. So, like I know we work hard on like like once a person retire, leave, we repurpose positions and save have had have had a lot of savings. So, what happens with those dollars? Do we move them over? Where do those funds go? You

073don't really save when you have somebody retire if they're in a position a lotment >> because a position is just a position regardless of however much you make. >> Wow. >> So that we don't really have a savings in that. >> If we don't replace then you know that helps when they reduce our positions we're not having to absorb it with other funds. Um, >> and that's what I, you know, that's what I thought we had been doing like whenever we didn't replace the position. We just repurpose it to maybe reallocate certain duties to other people to do. We have been the >> we do unless it's like a teacher, you know, that type of thing. We don't um >> problem is what Dawn just said. Um, in very simple terms is it it every

074time we cut something, the state cuts us something. And so it's a wash. I'm going to go over that a little bit with you guys actually in the next part of the open session [clears throat] presentation. Um and and also don't forget they're cutting us five more positions next year. So what is the position? $50,000 each. What is >> about 70 something? >> So so 70,000. So five that's 350,000 >> $79,000 is one position. >> 350,000 right here. state's cutting us. >> Yeah. >> So, if we don't lose those positions through attrition, >> we're just not be able to fill positions. >> Yeah. >> And that hurts. >> I think it's really good. It just, you know, the fund balance part is scary. >> We've been talking about this. >> Well, since three finance officers

075ago. That's how long and you know and see that person was here back in what 10 years ago. >> So I would hear it all the time and it's thank god Esther came. Well no I glad I wish Esther didn't come but Esther helped out a lot. >> It did >> and we just don't have that anymore. We just got to you know we cut that 800,000 in half. >> I know. And I don't know what the answer is. >> I hope not. I don't think I'm going to use the million that I appropriated this year. You know, we used 1.2 last year. >> I'm thinking maybe 700. >> See, I think that's fantastic. >> I mean, we're trying. I'm I'm looking at it and I'm trying, but it it's it's a moving target. Just

076every month I'm inching that way and we're just um just trying to do a lot. Everybody Dr. Frell's done a lot. >> Oh, yeah. The million-dollar sweep stakes, I guess, for better terminology. Uh, you know, if we can save some out of that, that's great. And we have to and because it is scary, like Scotty said, >> but thank you for the presentation and appreciate you doing that. Thank you for answering all our technology. >> That's right. C, >> can we take about a five or six minute break, Dr. Perl? Yeah, sure. Okay. before I jump into uh this is kind of a two-part thing and so before I jump into my presentation, Stephen King is actually going to talk about um something also related to facilities optimization. >> Good evening, Chairman South, Dr. F

077members of the board. So we recently uh received the results from a third party cleanliness inspection on our 13 uh facilities. This inspection was based on uh 13 criteria. Um they looked at the entrance, the lobby, the main office, the teachers lounge, uh the faculty and student restrooms, uh the halls, custodial closets, classrooms, media center, gym, cafeteria, equipment, and just an overall safety check. So u this was on a fivepoint scale, A B C D. And so we had four A's, three B's, three C's, and three D's. So our average average overall was a C. So, nobody wants to be a Z student. So, what what do we do from here? Um, so we would circle back to look at the custodial services coordinator that we talked about probably six, seven months ago. Um, so

078to give you a little background, we have 71 current custodians. 24 of those are fulltime, 47 of them are part-time. So, these 71 custodians report to the principal that they're in their buildings. But unfortunately, these custodians don't really have a designated knowledgeable, experienced manager. I mean, they they got principal they they rely on, I guess, to to help them if they have a question. They can call our office. You know, we don't get a lot of requests, but you know, the principles are doing all the principal things in the school and so they're having to oversee the custodians. So, we just seen this as a shortfall and we got all these custodians that really don't have a go-to person. So, uh so several months ago, we identified this need for a a coordinator that we

079call it to be a go-to person to work alongside our custodians. Um um somebody that's done custodial work that knows what a clean room, you know, how to how to strip wax floors and you know when there is a problem, you know, to be able to identify that there's a problem. How we fix that problem, you know, and you have whether it's a material problem, the chemicals of equipment, or is it a labor problem? Is it is it person doing the work and how we how do we fix problems and how and this person would need to support the principal when things aren't getting fixed, you know, aren't going the way they should and the buildings aren't clean as they are. How how they can for the principles and replacing the staff when when they

080don't perform. So last year in the maintenance department, we had an energy man full-time position for energy manager that retired and we had a vacant electrical position. So we didn't uh we we did some restructuring within our department u reassigning some task mentioned earlier uh to some our existing employees. So we just did some rearranging. We did not replace that full-time energy manager. We did not fill that electrical position. So, after these these changes that we made within our department, um we took um just did all the math, the budget number we had, what we were paying out. There was some slight increases to people that got additional tasks. We uh earmarked $21,000 towards this custodial coordinator person. And we were hoping that well ear marked that 21,000 and we were still in the black

081by 30 29,000 so almost $30,000 after all the rearranging didn't fill those two positions reassigned task gave a little bit of increase uh to the people that got the additional work earmarked this money to to try to get a coordinator and we were still to the good almost $30,000. So, our hopes were that we could take our 21 out of maintenance, put it with some funds from custodial budget and get a full-time person, somebody that would be, you know, would fit fit the field. But unfortunately, even then and now, custodial budget is is well within the red. So, we we we said maybe we just do a part-time and and we tried that and unfortunately that just that just didn't work. I mean, for for a number of reasons, but mainly we felt like to

082be a fulltime. So, I'm here to see if we can figure out the to present to you how I think we could fund this full-time position. So, after talking to Don, this position would be with benefits would be about $60,000 a year. So, if we use the 21,000 we had already here, Mark almost 30 that we were in, you know, in the black, that's um right at $50,000. 50,248. So if we were to create this position, $60,000 position, we have about $50,000 in in our budget that we could use. It would cost us about $10,000 to hire this person. However, I believe if we got the right person in this full-time position over these 71 custodians that don't really have a go-to person, um I mean, I think the $10,000 would be a great investment

083to get our buildings from a a C up to we'll go with a B+. So, you know, ultimately we would like to have an A. Plus, I think, you know, the right person could help manage what's going on in the buildings as far as saving um chemicals and products that we're using. Make sure they're they're mixing them right and using them right and using them properly. And I mean, I I don't see why overall the custodial labor couldn't be streamlined. If you've got the right person managing them, you know, that that should help the labor cost. So, I really feel like again, if we had the right person, it would easily absorb that. training would be part of it as well as all that stuff. >> Yeah, this would be a working coordinator. I mean,

084my vision would be the person would spend a day a week maybe in a rotation going to all the schools, going in the mornings and just seeing what's going on in the buildings, working with the head custodians, all the custodians, you know, meeting with the principles and when things are going fine, maybe they only spend a day. the next location. They may have spent two or three days and they're just being in a rotation, being involved in um the inventory of the custodial supplies, placing the orders, delivering the product, and and then the summer being over the the facility cleaning and the floor care. somebody that that can manage and lead the teams, whatever that looks like, whatever, you know, they see fit to, you know, whether it's a team effort or doing it using

085the custodians at each location. So, um I'm here tonight to see if you know if you think this is a viable thing. [clears throat] I told you a little bit about funding. We think there's definitely a need. Um we've had the third party come in and there's we definitely want to get our buildings cleaner. I think that's been Dr. Frell's vision and mission, so to speak. Um, >> mission is a better word. >> Mission. Vision. It started as a vision, now it's a mission. >> Now it's a mission. Yes, sir. >> So, to get our buildings cleaner and um we we have a job description written up for this. We wanted to bring it to you tonight. So, if it's approved, we can get it posted, do some interviews, and possibly, you know, have somebody

086in place for recommendation at the next board meeting. And this kind of sparked my my interest. We recently um did some interviews on Monday for another position in our in our department of general grounds maintenance person and we interviewed somebody that was that could potentially fit this deal. Now I don't we bring him back in for interviews after it's posted but this may or may not be the right person but um I think with the right person you should definitely make >> Stephen. May I say one thing? I I hadn't thought about the savings and um uh cleaning products because I know that's something that has been a bit of a struggle for us is making sure that they're diluted appropriately with water and those kinds of things. [clears throat] The other thing that I

087just thought of is um we are paying a third party person to come in and inspect, right? And so um would this person be able to do the inspections instead of that third party? I >> I would or no? >> I think the short answer would be yes. I would probably recommend that that person we we continue to do those inspections and this person go maybe tag along with them. >> I see >> for a cycle of that to see exactly how they're doing it, what they're working with, what kind of software program. >> You've seen the report. >> I have and they're outstanding. Yes. >> Detail report. >> Yes. >> And I I guess I was just thinking we're taking some of those things closer to the $10,000 and then it's a no additional

088cost to the district. Okay. Do we still have Sandra? [snorts] I think you know I'm talking. >> Sandra is our sales representative with Sephil. Now we use about three different companies to buy product from but is our primary supplier. >> Does she not check when she sells it that hey you're using too much or you certainly aren't using? >> No, she just comes by once a week and you know checks in if we have a problem with a >> So she doesn't >> No sales reps ever going to tell you you're buying too much? [laughter] >> Yeah. Well, no. I mean, she did she did put us on to the new chemical dispenser that we saw. >> As long as we've used her, >> ma'am, >> as long as we've used, she should be able

089to give us advice. >> She's a she's a good partner for us. >> She is. >> Yes. >> Will this will will they will this person have full authority over the custodians or will the principal still have it? Did you all work that out? Because you know how sometime sometimes principles are territorial with their school. Yeah. So my I guess my vision for that is if you work in a bu school building, you report to the principal because having been a principal for a long time, >> if you worked in my building and you didn't report to me, I didn't I wanted them to find you an office somewhere else. And so um and so with that said, I think a partnership is what our principles desire. They want to focus on instruction and in

090teaching and learning in their buildings and they want they want to be involved in this but they want someone who can partner with them to help them navigate all that and so I see it as a partnership. Yeah, that's what I mentioned earlier. You know, this person in my my mind would support the principal and you know, if there was a problem with with an employee, how do we how do we go about how do we how do we approach that? And even when evaluations are being done, this manager could be there with the assistant principal or principal who's completing that evaluation to make sure that it's accurate there. >> So this person fall would fall under your you' be his d his or her direct supervisor. Correct. >> I thought about that. Um our

091office manager Melinda is actually when we did some rearranging her part of her title was custodial services admin manager. So she she places all the orders. She maintains the inventory in the warehouse. You know she fields all the work order requests that has anything to do with custodial supplies or dispensers or anything. So this coordinator could I guess you know be under my direction and just work with Melinda to answer your question I would think. Yes sir. [clears throat] >> So I think that would be need to be established. I mean so you know just not an independent person just going to school. I mean need to have some person need to answer for somebody. >> Man that's that's the same way I was going. Just my biggest one of my bigger concerns is the

092accountability standpoint. Who are they answering to? And you know what does what does it look like when you have a 15 to 20 year custodian that that has somebody new come in and now is telling them what to do and how to do their job and how is that going to be received? >> Well, that's the problem right there. That is the problem right there because if we have a 15year veteran custodian and their school is dirty, that is on them and that is on the principal. Tot's horn. We never had dirty schools. Never. So, we can spend all the money we want, but if principles don't start evaluating these custodians the right way and start having meaningful relationships with them as they clean their schools, they're going to continue to have dirty schools. And

093that is totally on the principal. That now guys, that'll chat me in a heartbeat. But there's no reason why we should have a dirty school. None. I've said in my piece >> and I think >> I agree with everything you said. >> I I heard heard that that I think it's also almost like the MTSS process for our students that are tier one, tier two, and tier three, right? Some of our custodians are definitely tier one. Some of them need more support. And so I think that would be a a piece of this as well. >> But is another person telling them what to do support in their eyes? Well, I don't know that it's really telling them what to do. I think the vision for this is that they come in and help identify

094and help them to and some of them might need to be told what to do. I mean, just being real honest. And so, because you know, we've we've tried the old model of telling them and it we still have an average of C and some D schools. And so how about looking into a company? >> That's that's kind of where I kind of look at. I mean is that was going to be my other question. Is it going to be a internal external you third party person coming in to do it versus a inside somebody from the inside doing because of the point that you brought up um about like uh you got a a person that's been a custodian for 20 20 years. Now they got a person that's coming in that's only got

09510 years or five years less years than the person that's going to create a problem or could create a problem. >> Yeah. A very wise superintendent once said to me that there are people with 20 years of experience and a year and people with one year of experience 20 times. >> Yeah. >> People need to do their jobs. >> Bottom line. >> Totally agree. And then you mentioned about it falls on the principal. So what happens if it's a school that's filthy that that's dirty? How is the principal being held accountable as well as the custodian? I'm with you. I am with you. But I I think our board is here to support what what you recommend we'll do. But we're not going to tolerate having 3D schools next year. We're not going to tolerate

096having 3C schools next year. We want clean schools. That's all we're going to say. You guys figure it out the way you want to. I'm good with it. But we're not going to have dirty schools. >> And I I do think this is the next best step in in where we're heading and then, you know, where we go from there. But this if if done right, um this could this could be exactly the the thing that we need. >> Yeah. And I mentioned early on, I mean, it's got to be the right person. It can be a challenge. You know, >> you got somebody that's been doing it for 20 years and they may not want to hear that they need to do it a different way. And I would like, you know, to get

097an update kind of regularly to the board as to where we off the schools kind of like what we've done on other projects that we've had where, you know, you've come in and reported out on on where we are with certain things. So, I would like to see that to kind of know where we are with the schools. >> And how deep does it go, Stephen? Is it is it deeper than just mop and broom? Is it also peeling paint and stuff like that being identified to be corrected or >> I don't know that that was in the report because that's it's not really a task that a custodian would would know [clears throat] that you know we >> I'm saying that position if if that position were to were to come to fruition is

098that something that they could help keep an eye on because >> well I mean it takes about two two and a half days a month And then if you do the rotation 13 school a day or two >> you've got the whole month. >> Yeah. I mean time you in the summer would be you know wide open doing and stuff. So the only thing I would ask the superintendent and you do is that you meet with custodians and say this is the way we're going to run this thing. Let everybody know up front this is what it's going to be and then let them make the decision if they want to be a part of it or not. >> I like that. >> Let them know. Let them know this is what's going to happen.

099So if we have that 20-year custodian with a 10ear guy, veteran guy that's going to come in and kind of be their quote their boss, they're going to have to know up front this is the way he's going to do it. either get on the bus or walk beside it >> and a signed piece of paper saying that I identif I understand and identify this person is going to have this position and that >> I'll be held accountable at that point. >> And then also Dr. Frell just as you're evaluating principles each year and and your staff is that school cleanliness is a part of that evaluation. >> I think the principles need to also be a part of that meeting with Mr. Without a doubt. >> And and be honest with you, have one

100meeting, all of them come in, take a work day, take whatever you want to do. They all hear the same thing, the same way at the same time. >> Have the principles or the principles were invited to the u the custodial training this past summer and most of them attended. I I recall >> at this point schools know their deeds. Not yet, >> but they will. >> They Yes, they will >> after this meeting. >> Well, they No. Well, there was I mean, I'm just tackling the alligators closest to the boat that was coming. >> I'm glad y'all are doing something about it. So, thank y'all for doing something about it. It's just it's sad that we we've gotten here. >> Was that a motion item to approve the position tonight? I can't make a

101motion on the chair. >> I'm asking if it was a motion item. >> Yep. That will it will be. >> It will. >> If somebody makes a motion. So, you need a motion to approve that position. >> Yes, sir. >> It's not going to cost us anything else. Any more money? >> $10,000 >> maximum. >> $10,000 this year. >> This year. >> And what about next year? The budget. >> You'll have your budget next year. Watch, Steve. >> He's not filling these other positions. That's what he's >> true. Like we just had a part time position at the high school that not going to feel >> even know that the the custodial budget or custodial salary budget is in the red every little bit helps. Like I said, I think if I really do think

102if you would get the right person, you know, you may not realize in the first year, a year or two, the savings and the chemicals and just the the efficiency of of the custodians in the building and just going from hopefully a C to an A, having the buildings clean. So, you know, what's that worth? Is that worth $10,000? >> Without a doubt. >> Yeah, for sure. Again, I just want people to do their job. I make a motion that we accept the recommendation as presented. >> I have a motion by Mr. Tilman, a second. >> Second by Mr. Eths. Any further discussion? >> All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. >> Can you keep us updated on how this is going? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you for your work. So, um,

103when Dawn was up there presenting, you know, she talked a lot about cuts and, um, that we've made. And so, I'm going to kind of continue along that path a little bit with you, um, for the next few minutes. And you just saw a a a graph or chart that looked very similar to this. Um, I want to take just a minute to kind of click through them to make sure to kind of drive home a point of where we where we really are. and from where we have come. So in 2019, which was prior to COVID, um you had about $3.1 million in your fund in the fund balance for the school system and they they usedund about 110,000 of it to um balance the budget, so to speak. In 2020, you were in

104a pretty similar situation. um 3.1 million and used about 42 to 43,000 to balance the budget. >> Of course, CO happened that year and then 2021 comes and you jumped up to 4.6 million because you put 1.5 million in fund balance because you know those were the beautiful days when you couldn't spend all the money, right? All right. And so then in 2022 you were at 4.8 million in fund balance and you added because you added 210,000 that year. 2023 comes and the price of everything starts going up, right? And um COVID money starts to go away. Uh the state is holding us harmless at that point, right, Donald? um you drop down to 3.7 uh million in fund balance because we used about a million a million dollars that year. 2024, the things that

105Don has shared with you over and over and over again, insurance is going up, retirement's going up, utilities are going up, everything is continuing to go up and um and ESR money is starting to go away. And we are at 2.8 8 million in fund balance because we used 98,000 to balance the budget. And then in 2025, all of those things continue to go up. The state has now they are no longer holding us harmless. And so the things that we um with holding us harmless with ADM and those kinds of things and we are now down to 1.6 million because we used 1.2 to balance the budget. So, our auditors have been standing in front of us telling us this for the last couple of years. Um, we are not unlike a lot of

106school districts that are in a very similar situation. Um, but um, this is the one that I'm concerned about and so um, I want to share um, a little more information with you tonight. So, reduction initiatives that we've had. So some just some examples uh we implemented TIMS um fully which parked 12 of our buses and increased our efficiency rating from 76% to 90%. That's a funding that's money saved fuel um driver hours and all of that. Um the exceptional children's staff which we know has um the needs continue to rise. Uh Dana Mitmire and her staff along with Dr. Smith have done a great job of working to reduce positions. Um, and they have been able to reduce 10 positions in our exceptional children's staff. Um, program enhancement reductions, that's your art, music, and

107PE. We have reduced 2.5 positions there. And at central office, we have reduced nine positions. And those are >> Did you take make that go forward or did I do that? I did. Sorry, I did that. I'm just playing with the clicker while I'm talking. Um, reduced nine positions at C central office. Um, the informationational technology director, program improvement director, um, an admin assistant for federal programs, an admin assistant in child nutrition, director of K5 math and science, one interventionist, and three instructional coaches. And I have a a copy of this for you all. I just completely forgot to give it to you. Grab one more that way. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Um, at the school level, you know, of course, closing 9th grade academy and sending nth grade to Richmond, we reduced one

108assistant principal, one data manager, one bookkeeper, two custodians, one teacher, and one teacher assistant. um other school reductions across the other campuses. We've reduced 12 teachers, eight teacher assistants, one school counselor, one assistant principal that was split between two schools, and a halftime media coordinator. So, while I do not have dollar figures assigned to that, you know that that's a lot of cuts, right? Um from a from a financial standpoint. Um so, we we do all of that and then we get the aotment for the 2627 school year and the state takes $75,000 or reduces us by $75,000 in either positions or um funding. Just to give you an example, we went to the state um allotted or the formula that the state gives um funds teacher assistance to us and we reduced eight teacher

109assistance last year. You saw that across the district and then this so we got ourselves in line with the state uh formula and then this coming year they're taking $17,856 from us. That's more teacher assistance that we either have to reduce or fund some other way. And you can see the others, the classroom um teacher reduction, $84,000 in central office reduction, um one program enhancement teacher, one school health personnel, and you can see um the low wealth supplemental funding. All of that totals up to $75,000 which takes up a lot of the money that we had um that we had reduced in positions that we were cutting. [clears throat] And so where do we go from here? Um and so um just talking about some drastic measures that have happened in some other districts. Um,

110[snorts] I used some of these as examples when I went out to school staff meetings to share with them like some of the budget issues they were facing in some other school districts not so very far from here where they said every school will lose one assistant principal. If you have four, you go to three. If you have three, you go to two. If you have one, you go to zero. That's almost every one of our schools. If we had to take drastic measures to save money, almost every one of our schools would go down to zero assistant principles. Eliminate elementary ISS positions. Um we have talked about that. That would of course increase student days in out of school suspension and reduce their time in school. um as um because even though you know

111the teams have done a lot with um behavior management this year through let's go learn and you know Daniel Meeks and some of the other people that are working toward um regulation of student behavior. Um they still sometimes we still need in school suspension and out of school suspension. Um another drastic measure would be to reduce or eliminate all instructional coaches. Um, we have already reduced three instructional coach positions. Um, Dr. Smith and her team are looking at ways to continue to eliminate um, some of that to save money. And then some other districts have also gone to shared media coordinator positions where there's one media coordinator for every two schools rather than what we have, which is one in every school. And again, I'm not saying that we're going to do these things. I'm

112using these as examples of drastic um measures that some other school districts have had to take because their fund balance has been completely depleted and they just and when the money's gone, right, Don, the money's gone. Um and so that that brought us back to um a discussion about the facility study objectives that we had. Um and of course that was to coordinate an assessment of utilization of facility capacity. um to conduct an analysis of the bleachers at Richmond Senior High School, which fortunately are good for now. Um to conduct an assessment of all elementary school playground structures to ensure that each met certified playground safety inspection standards and to make recommendations for consideration by the Richmond County Board of Education regarding future facility use and expenditures. So taking a look at our historical ADM

113looking at across the last 10 years from 2017 to 2026 we have lost approximately 1100 students in our school district and we are still other than 9th grade academy still operating the same number of schools that we were um with those 1100 students um still still present and so uh part of the study of of course um talked um Jim shared some information with us about um some elementary school options. He said option one was to promote efficiency and cost savings. Should um we should consider giving um to close one of our older schools and relocate to the nth grade academy building once those students are re relocated to the high school. So we can check that one off the list. We've done that. We're repurposing for LJ Bell for a couple of years, but

114ultimately we will close down the Monroe Avenue facility and move um all of Monroe Avenue students and staff over to the current 9th grade academy building. Option two, should consideration be given to closing the smallest elementary school and redistributing those students to several adjacent attendance areas? Our smallest elementary school is West Rockingham. And option three, another scenario would be to close two aging facilities and construct a new school. And this could be strategically located to redistrict um students from multiple existing schools. Problem with option two is class size law. And so it's hard to take um even our smallest elementary school and redistribute those students across the other elementary schools because of the class size law. We just um can't make them all fit. Even though in just a minute you're going to see that

115there's some there's some capacity there, but that it just won't work out, we believe. And of course, the other one is to close down two aging facilities and build a new one. We just got the facilities needs grant to build rebuild LJ Bell. It's, you know, two or three years out before we can apply again and we have, I would say, a more immediate need um where funding is concerned. And so when you look at that capacity across our um seven elementary schools um that is a capacity of about 48 um seats, right? Um so and of course 295 uh students at West Rockingham, but we still couldn't get um with class size law make that make that work. Um he gave us some middle school considerations. Uh, one option was to close Ellerby Middle

116School and redistrict students into the remaining three middle schools. Another option was to close two middle schools and construct a new middle school. And he said that competitive grants are available. We know that, but again, we just applied for and got that grant. And so it would be a number of years down the road before we could exercise that option. Um, another option was to combine districts into two middle schools, which would be the cost of building two middle schools. He was just go he was really dreaming high and had us at the range of$125 to $150 million to build um two new middle schools and close down the four that we currently um have. And so and I'm not really sure that's necessary anyway. Some of our middle schools are in pretty good condition.

117>> Get a brand new one. >> And so yeah. And so um and then um uh facility expansion at existing middle schools would require a study to determine needed space. and that's about adding on to um to some of our current uh facilities. So those were the um options that he gave to us for consideration for middle school. And that's looking at our middle school capacity. Um across Cordova Middle School, Hamlet Middle School, and Rockingham Middle School, you have um an additional 385 um seats. Of course, Elry Middle School is our smallest middle school. >> [clears throat] >> The current reality at our two smallest middle schools, which would be LB and Cordova, of course, is uh limited course selection. So there are smaller enrollment limits and that li smaller enrollments limit the number of

118course sections that can be offered. Um and this is not talking necessarily about dollars and cents. This is talking about um what's available to our students. program enhancement, um part-time art media coordinator, once a week instructional coach, um and some other staffing, um issues, athletics participation numbers can make it difficult difficult to consistently field teams for um every athletic program. We had some combination teams um this current school year. When I go out and meet with our students during student um advisory, I hear things like our electives, these are quotes pulled directly from the minutes. Our electives are very minimal. We really don't have much. Um and another one was was we only have either band, music, or computers. I mean, that's really our only option. spoken like a true seventh grader, right? And then

119of course a middle school parent um um an elderly middle school parent said, "It's like we're always on the second burner, but our kids are just as important." And what that so what those people are really saying is we want the same things at our school that you have that the other that students have at larger middle schools and certainly we think that they deserve that. Um the problem is is that um is how to pay for that. And so that's a dollar figure. Anybody want to take a guess what that dollar figure represents? Come on. It'll be fun. >> Cost per day. >> Okay. Cost per day. >> It's right down there. >> What's that? >> I think the answer >> there you go. Yeah. [laughter] You're reading ahead and using your notes. Exactly.

120>> So that is we spend approximately $1,700 more per pupil at LB Middle School than our other three middle schools um annually. >> Wow. >> That comes out to be about $330,000 um annually um at LB Middle School because of the declining enrollment. And so when you're looking at the staff at Ellerby Middle School, for example, you have a bookkeeper and you see the cost, data manager, custodians, child nutrition, SRO, guidance counselor, media coordinator. Thank you to uh I know Don and Cameron work very hard on getting these numbers together to present and I appreciate that. But you see that the potential savings with staff brings you down to uh $1.4 million. the potential savings with the facilities, um the utilities, water, custodial supplies, service contracts, phone, internet, security, alarm, maintenance, lawn, gas, all those

121things is an additional $192,000, bringing the total annual savings if we were to close Elby Middle School to $1.6 million. and consolidate that would consolidate us into three U middle schools. Other potential savings, you avoid capital investments like roofing, windows, doors, HVAC, um sitebased contracts, technology contracts, accreditation, inspections, and so forth. Uh there are some potential costs, of course. Um fortunately, most of those are one-time costs. um there would be a relocation and redistricting cost because we would have to have some assistance getting some redistricting done because I'm not an expert at that and I would want to make sure that was done correctly. Uh building closure closure preparation of course and moving costs those are one-time um costs and transportation is estimated about an increase of about $40,000 annually and $40,000 is a long

122way from 1.6 6 uh million. And so the next steps um would be to conduct a comprehensive school closure study which would include a full financial analysis to determine the true long-term savings of consolidation as all of our numbers are estimates. Uh comprehensive review of academic programs, athletics, and student opportunities. A detailed evaluation of redistricting scenarios and enrollment balance. identification of one-time transition costs and operational impacts and development of a potential transition timeline. And I bring all this to you because um I know that schools are sacred places, but when I think about all of this, when I think about the savings, cost savings, when I think about the what our students are saying that they need and want. Um what our parents are saying that they need and want. Now, they're not saying they

123want their school to close. I want to be clear about that. They're they want the things, right? But what I'm saying is, and what you've heard here tonight is we can't bring the things to them and continue to be um operating financially um efficiently. And so, you know, my I guess my sort of closing statement is a building is important. I absolutely get that. But our students need more than a place. They deserve pathways and equitable resources. And so what I'm asking of you all tonight is to not to approve the closing of Elby Middle School and and I want to be very clear that we're not talking about the 26 27 school year. I'm asking you for permission to move forward with conduct with with getting together the school closure study so that you

124have not just estimates but real numbers and real information that I can bring back to you once that is done for your consideration to um move forward with closing middle school after the 26 27 school year. And I do have one other thing to say. I I know I know this is an an emotional issue. Anytime you close a school, it is I know that it's also a business issue and um and as as the superintendent of this school district, I feel obligated to share this information with you and to say to you that this is what we need to do. Unless the clo school closure study shows me something that is completely different than what I'm thinking it's going to show. This is what we need to do to provide opportunities to our students

125and to get us more in line with being financially efficient. So my [clears throat] question um I know you know you want to kind of talk have have so what happens as far as a conversation with those folks that live in the elevate community at some point it's got to be some kind of transparent >> oh yeah >> um transparency in letting them know what position we are in financially >> and the reason why we're kind of thinking along these lines >> yes >> so they can kind of maybe absorb it a little it better if this is the route we going to go. Yes. >> Yeah. So, Eva reminded me that um we that part of a school closure process and if you want to speak to that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, part of

126the process by law is you have to do a study which is being described and also have a public hearing. Um, and while there's not a prescribed order that those and both of those have to be done before the board can make a decision, there's not a prescribed order, but often it's helpful to have the study first so that because the study won't be public and so the for the community to have that to receive that information and then hold the public hearing. It's also common to have the public hearing at the community instead of in the boardroom. Sure. People from that school, you know, >> um, Those are two things that would have to happen. >> Yeah. And so we just haven't gone down any of those paths yet because um you know if

127I come here tonight and share this estimate with you in this recommendation and as the and if if four of you say we're not we're not we don't want to talk about that anymore then um I'm not we're not going to spend our time getting that study together. We're going to try to I guess look for other ways to save money. But um although that's getting real real slim, but um if if you all do approve us to move forward with the study, then we will do that and all of these things will be planned out and we will be very transparent with them. And my thinking was that we get the study done first because that's going to produce all the facts, right, and that we can share with the people of Lerby of

128that community because again, I I know it's important. I I do. >> Yeah. I just, you know, I just wish it I know we had had some discussion some time ago, you know, um, you know, I really would like and I know, you know, they came with recommendation, but I still think in that community building u if at some point if we can get a grant and build um have both the middle school and the elementary school joining together at one school. To me, that makes sense. >> Yeah, it it does. Um, I I would say to you for your consideration, it's not going to solve the problem at the middle school. We'd still have to staff the middle school. We'd still have athletics, the same athletics concerned. We'd still have the same programming concerns.

129Um, they would just be in a different building on the same campus as I guess Mineral Springs if you made that a K8. >> The sad sad reality, this Ronald is you go back to a couple of Dr. feral slides that we have lost, 1100 kids >> and lost millions of dollars in funding. >> Yeah. >> But as a county, as a school county, school county, we have not done anything anything to help ourselves until we did a facility study last year and started doing something with schools, >> right? >> So that's the bad reality of being stagnant. >> And when Dr. F shows because I'm seeing this for the first time, too. So, I'm trying to take all this in, too. But [clears throat] >> yeah, I kept this a secret. >> Yes, he

130did. You're very good. You probably good at Christmas time. >> It's a It's a It's a hard thing. It's a hard thing. >> But saving that much money, and let me say this. I was a principal of LB Middle School, so I know what those children don't get being at a small school. I know what those teachers don't get being at a small because they can't plan with anybody. They can't do the things that they want to. And unless we're going to find money somewhere else, we've got a choice. We can either do a study or we can drastically cut positions and people will start losing their jobs because that's the only other way we can do it. Or we can get rid of SRO's or we cannot buy computers for kids. There's got to

131be we cannot continue to function the same way we've done. And even this was in Hamlet or East Rockingham or Rockingham that we had to close the school. I'd say the same thing. We've got to figure a way out to not get that fund balance any lower than it is because as Dawn says, costs are going to continue to rise and we can't keep on doing what we've done. We've lost what, $3 million in two years in fund balance and Some hard decisions will have to be made. >> Yeah. >> And you know the busing is $40,000. Those kids are going to be busted tonight to the high school and ninth grade anyway. >> So we start in sixth grade. See the only you know you only thing you know that I you know just

132kind of thinking you know they going to have a longer ride from what about a kid that lives up near Mangum Xway up that way and that's got to drive all the way back into Rockingham. All that's got to be taken. >> That would be part of the whole study. >> And some of those I know when I was at Lerby, some of our kids actually went to Hamlet. So the law the lines can be drawn where some of those kids will go to Hamlet. Some of them will go to I guess Rockingham and I don't even know I don't know how those lines would go in the map, but there's professionals out there to figure out the shortest bus routes. And that's part of the study that you can find that Dr. Farrell would

133find. >> That's my biggest concern. Richmond County is 479 square miles and the bulk of that is on the northern end of the county where it goes up and hooks that left going to Mangum. From the Mangum Community Building to Rock Middle is 23 miles. It is a 30 minute drive non-stop, no traffic. That's charging a parent an hour a day to take a kid to school and pick them up from school. The financial side, I completely understand. I just I have a very hard time with that with charging a parent with an hour a day. Some parents don't have it to give >> and even a kid getting up have riding the bus having to get up a lot earlier than what they already get, you know, having to get up, you know. So,

134it's just and I get it. This is tough, but this is really tough. And I know financially, I mean, we're if we continue to go down the path we're going, we're going to be in a bad it's going to be pretty bad. So, we got to make a decision on what to do. >> My thing is I just for me, we need to put everything on the table. I'm a transparent person. Let the community know, okay, this is what we're up against. This is where we are and this is this is kind of where we want to move. I mean, and it's going it's going to be ugly. I mean, people are mean, I'm just I'm just thinking of those kids on the getting on the getting up earlier and getting on the bus to

135ride in Rockingham or wherever we re uh reassign them to school. That that bothers me. >> And just to continue on the long range, go first. >> I'm sorry. Unless you >> No, I I I want to know the the um sounds like the problem or I I see all the financial problems but I don't I want every child to get the same thing. I I that is I think everybody's desire but I want to know in this study is there any way you could figure see that at the high school all those children that are seniors that don't go to school they go straight they don't go to Richmond Senior High School they go to RCC I have had so many of them say I don't step foot in Richmond Senior High so all

136those teachers that are assigned to do all the extra things for those children. What are we doing with them? I'm just throwing that out. Is there any way you could use those teachers that am I making any sense? I mean, do you see what I'm asking? What are those teachers? >> I guess students in their class. So, I guess the first thing that we would have to bring you is what the actual enrollment is at um at RCC for our for our students at Richmond Senior High School. Um >> maybe I just talked to the ones that go directly to RC. >> I think that might be I think that could be some of it. I don't know that that's all of it, but I think that could be some of it >> because what

137it sounds like what you're asking is do we have teachers sitting at Richmond Senior High School with no students and just having two and three blocks of planning and that does not happen >> or have 10 or 11 children in I don't know. I just say is there any way to use any of those teachers the resource teachers the um >> I don't think so but we'll we'll definitely include that in the in the study. >> I'm sorry. Yes, sir. Mr. Ballwood. >> All right. Well, I'm going I'm going to go ahead and open the can of worms. So, this line item is facilities optimization and long range planning. >> West Rockingham was talked about in this with the declining ADM. West Rockingham's elementary school. This is why I'm so adamant that we try to

138get as much square footage at LJ Bell Elementary School and get as much quantity as we can because West Rockingham's going to be the next conversation and if LJ Bell is built properly, you can you could combine West Rockingham very easily to LJ Bell. So, I know it looks like I'm just targeting tearing the auditorium down. That's not it at all. My primary concern is is having a quality school and having the quantity to be able to potentially grow student wise there. >> And also, and you make a valid point, Scotty, because then you can redo the the lines just not for middle school, but you can redo the lines for elementary school and convert some of those kids to Washington Street, East Rockingham, 9th grade, uh the new Monroe Avenue. Well, I was going

139to ask in the study in having to look at redistricting for the middle schools, would that also give us the ideas of redistricting for the elementary schools? >> I think that definitely could be a part of it. Yes, >> because these district lines badly need to be cleaned up. >> They they they do. There's some that split properties halfway down the parcel >> and we talked about that the initial facility study that that once we got everything done we would need to go back and look at redrawing lines. I'd like for that to be part of the study is like if possible to look at the elementary lines, >> but you would but you would also probably need to do it with the thought of West Rockingham possibly being next. >> What does the study

140look like? Dollars and cents >> for West Rockingham. >> No, no, no. For for this study that we're talking about. >> How much it cost for the study? >> Anybody know what the costically? >> Yeah, I was say >> it doesn't cost. You know that doesn't take the best the staff to >> Okay. So the staff will do all the work. >> Just free us for me. >> So again, this is just to start a process. This is not saying anything. We have a long way to go in this, but we just need to give Joe some direction on it to start the work because it's a lot of work. So that's the motion that would need to be made just to start the work to see where we go. And you're not really saying

141a particular school right on >> El You're saying Elry Middle. Yes. You're saying Middle. >> Yeah. We have >> It's a study for El Middle School. >> That's right. >> Now, what you're not saying right off the bat is that you're going to vote to close it. >> You're voting tonight just to do the study >> to do the study to determine whether or not you're >> Yeah. >> Because we still have to do that. still have to go to the community and talk to the community. We still have a lot of things to do yet. >> Well, I'll make a motion to at least do the study to look at the numbers and see what we have. Since we're not making a decision on closing the school, I don't have a problem with looking

142to see. >> I have a motion by Mr. Tilman. Second. >> I'll second for the study. >> Second by Miss Schuler. Any further discussion? Our vote will be by a raise of hands. Okay. So, all in favor of the motion, raise your hand. All opposed. So, we've got to do a study now. [snorts] Again, I want to make sure the public is aware that this is just to do a study. This has nothing to do with saying, "Oh, LB Middle School closing." It's not. It's trying to see that if the numbers that Dr. Frell has come up with and his staff are true numbers and then where do we go from there? Okay. Dr. Phil, you have anything else? not for open session. >> So, let me ask this, Corey. So, once we do the

143study, get the the information, when will the conversation start far as like letting the community know that we're doing it? Because I mean, to me, that's where I think people need to know. They don't need to hear from the the streets, >> right? I think what we would need to do, and I'm not overstepping you, am I? I I think what we would need to do is once we get to get the information back and can can go through it, >> I think we would have to give the community enough notice and multiple ways of them knowing when when that meeting would be and we would do it somewhere in the LB community, >> right? So they could come ask questions, have their questions ready, so forth and so on because that's what the law

144states is that we have to give them that that opportunity. So again, that's going to be a process. It's not going to be, okay, we're going to do it this Thursday night. It's going to be it's going to be scheduled and everything will be done because the one thing you don't want to do in a school closing study is you don't want to be hide. you want to be out front doing all that >> and that's been my we closed four schools in the county I came from. >> Yeah, we there are I mean there are a lot of school districts smaller school districts in particular closing schools right now. You know, I talked to a a former colleague of mine. She retired a couple of years ago and she closed four while she was

145superintendent in her district. I mean, it's just I mean, the this the way I the way I explained it to someone recently is the state funds us based on ADM. We can educate those children in eight buildings or 18 buildings, but we have to find the way to fund all of the other things that the state's not giving us money for when you've got, you know, a school at half or less capacity. that all of the districts I said are closing schools right now and um part of it is declining birth rates actually um I think 105 out of 115 school districts lost ADM last year >> and the demographers have showed that even though the state is growing um people are having fewer babies >> and I guess with the study you guys also

146look at okay transportation as far as what time like a kid riding a bus >> what time you know the time that they would have to be transported. >> Yes, we would do that. Yes. >> We're in a se season of tough leadership decisions. Tough leadership decisions. I am waiting for the general statute. I did not have the general statute in front of me. You got it. Okay. Uh so we need to go in close session under general statute 14331811A1 and 6. I need a motion to go in close session. So move have a motion by Mr. Bowwin. Second second by Mr. Ethridge. All in favor by saying I. All we are now in close session.