001Thank you. Okay. when I travel. You couldn't wait. You already had >> I appreciate it. I know. all for uh being here this morning and thank you to Joe and his staff for a wonderful Christmas uh breakfast. Had a great best participation ever. >> I like this. >> We're in the dark. >> It's Christmas. >> He just need to turn off his light. Turn on all of them. >> We're ready now. Right. We do have the existence of a quorum. Bring this meeting to order. >> Mr. Tilman, good morning. >> Good morning. How are you? All right. All right. Please join me for a moment of silence. >> Thank you. Um, please address the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
002one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> I know Dr. Frell mentioned this at our breakfast this morning, but you know, Richmond County Schools lost a valuable, wonderful soul last night in Miss Amy Brown, who was a 29-year veteran of Fairview Heights, had the same classroom all 29 years, just retired last June. Um, and we are sorry and sad for the loss. I met Amy 40 years ago when I got here. Um she was friends of the family and uh just a true soul. She will be sorely missed. And if you look on Facebook of all the pictures people are putting on Facebook with her and children and employees and parents of Richmond County schools. What a gem. What a gem of a person and will leave a a lasting legacy
003with her memories in Richmond County Schools. So just wanted to mention Amy Brown this morning. Uh board members, you have uh the minutes from our last meeting. Um and I need a a motion to approve those minutes. Make a motion. Motion Mr. Es. >> Second from Mr. Mason. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I opposed. >> Thank you. Dr. Fair, any changes to our agenda? >> No, sir. >> Then we will get right into it. Thank you. and we will meet with one of our good friends, Mr. Ashley Dennis from Mosley. Good morning. Thank you so much for coming and congratulations. You helped us. >> Congratulations to you guys. >> This is really good. Thank you. >> Actually, you said I'll never forget at that meeting. >> She told me, >> you said, "I'll
004see you next week." >> I thought, "Oh my gosh, she just said, "I'll see you next week." I know that's what she said. >> She called me and said, Corey, yeah, she said she's going to see us next week. She knows something. SHE KNOWS SOMETHING. >> I JUST OH, she >> I didn't know, but I'm glad that it was a it it it predicted something. So, um again, thank you for letting me be here. Congratulations. Uh the very first step is really that congratulations to you as a board, to you as a community. Um, this is huge news to be awarded this grant and it creates endless possibilities for uh Richmond County Schools and LJ Bell. Um, so you might be asking me what are the next steps? Um so the next steps are going
005to be selecting your delivery method. And why that is important is um you have to make this decision because then our your second step is going to be issuing RFPs um or RFQS uh to uh select either your designer or your design build team or or whatever. But the general statutes and your policies require you to make that decision before before that next step starts. And those RFPs and RFQS are very different on what delivery methods are out there. I know that your board council has provided information. I'm glad to um step a little bit into discussing the different delivery methods, but when you issue for um a designer and then a um a CM at risk or construction manager at risk, um there's not a lot of going back if you decided to go
006a different direction. if you decided to go a design build um direction because then you would basically have to cancel those and then move forward with a different one because in a design build your designer and your contractor are coming to the table together and so those two um RFPs are different and that is the reason that these two steps are important in sequence. Um, I'm, you know, being, uh, aggressive with what I would say, you know, your next steps are, and I'll get into why I have those dates up there, but selecting that delivery method and then issuing that, um, RFPs, uh, take time and no, we're not going to go forward. Does anybody else have control? Because I don't. Um, I see a cursor. >> There we go. >> All right. So um
007the next step would be awarding the project. So when you issue those RFPs or RFQS um and that's uh requests for proposal or requests for qualifications. Um there is a time with that. So you have to have them out for a while. Um you can't just issue them and the next day request them because there's time for all parties to put information together. You want people to be um uh groups like your designers and your contractors taking time and being thoughtful about what they're putting together so they can answer your questions and give you information that allows you to make educated decisions on um who you bring to the table. Um there's also a portion where you may decide that you want to interview um create a short list and interview. So that's going to
008take time to to do that as well. So that's why the duration pushes you into probably that March time period of 2026. Um and then obviously there's negotiation and issuing that notice to proceed to have them start moving forward with um the design. And then um as we've talked about before with a project this size, your design is going to be about a 12-month duration. Um we'll we can touch on a little bit of some of the things that we can see with uh different delivery methods that may could shorten that but um really that will put you into that March 2027 am working again and this timeline is not something new you've seen this was in my last presentation to you as a board um but I wanted to show this to kind of
009explain some of those dates that you're seeing ahead because we all know that school starts when school starts um you're not going to start school late just because the school is, you know, let's start in October. Um that's just not going to work. And so making sure that the school is ready when the yellow bus is run is the most important thing. And so um when we have the duration of design and then the duration of construction, you're wanting to make sure that you have everything ready so that it's actually ready a little bit before. So you have time to move furniture in. You have time for teachers to get acclimated, the principal to get back into figuring out where everything is and how things are going to run on a daily. So um all
010of those things need to happen. It's unfair to try to turn a school over on this the day that school opens. So all of those things as we work back start dictating some of the deadlines. Now nothing is to say that you can't push another year. Um this is obviously aggressive and just something that has been presented before. So I don't want to put this to the wayside and say well now let's talk about 2020 82 29 uh school year or sorry 2930 school year. Um but I think this is important to explain what is possible especially since the awards for the grants did happen in November like we had hoped for and maybe anticipated. So um all right. So, I kept this really short and sweet. Um, so if you have any questions for
011me, I am glad to answer them. Um, otherwise I will say my adus and merry Christmas. >> Ashley, just one I have one question just can you go back to the timeline? >> Yes, absolutely. >> So, you you use the word aggressive, but it's very manageable. Correct. >> Yes. And I say aggressive just because it does make you as a board start making decisions today, right? um or you know at your next board meeting. There's not a lot of let's sit around, be excited, throw the confetti. It is let's start making decisions so that you can move forward. >> That's that's what I hope our board will do. But yes, I think the timeline's great. >> And you mentioned some information that was in more depth that we get. Did I miss an email from
012somebody? Because I didn't >> about the delivery methods. We're going to do it later today. It's another presentation. >> Okay, never mind. You haven't seen it. >> Okay. I was afraid I'd missed something. Okay. >> Later in today's >> Okay, good deal. >> Ashley, just I just want for behalf of the board just thank you for what you all have done, what Mosley has done for us. Um I know you were a big part of us getting the grant because you helped us do it along with Stephen and all the administration here. Um thank you so much. Uh this is something that Richmond County Schools, as I said before, has been looking a long time for and so thank you very much for what you've done. >> Well, thank you for letting us be a
013part of it. It was uh a great success to get to this point and we're we're glad that we could be um team members with you on that. >> Let's keep the success train moving forward. >> Exactly. >> All right. >> Thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Merry Christmas. Stephen King interior painting. Morning, Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Pharaoh, members of the board. Um, a couple things just starting out with our construction updates for our projects in progress. Uh, the high school and baseball field project. Uh we met last Friday with the engineer and the uh construction company and walked through. It was a rainy, messy day. Um but it was good. It was a good time to see if the drainage and everything they the grade they put on the field was working
014and it was for the most part. There was one little section right uh on the first baseline that that needed some attention. Um and they are working on that. But, uh, all the irrigation's in, all the drainage is in, the sods in, the warning tracks in, the infields in. Um, so now it's just a matter of of letting the sod take root, and it'll be ariated after the first of year, probably top dress to fill in with sand and, you know, and some of the gaps and um, so that project's coming along very well. Any questions on baseball field? the running track project. Um the rubber material was delivered on the 21st of November and unfortunately the contractor experienced some um problems with their equipment. They had some breakdowns and some issues with that. Um
015but in their last email uh to me on the on the 3rd of this month, they said that they'll be back the 15th. So this coming Monday, they should be on site to get started on installing the rubber running surface. Um, and weather permitting, that's uh that should run 15th through right before Christmas. Hopefully uh you know, barring bad weather, rain or extreme cold, they they should finish it up right before Christmas. >> There there is a temperature limit that they can put the rubber down, right? >> There is 50° and rising is what they told me. So that, you know, this time of the year, >> yeah, it's tough to do. It's going to be, you know, fingers crossed on that. Hopefully, we can get it in. >> But we'd rather wait. >> Oh,
016yeah. Yeah. And they they they know better. I mean, the materials that they use just won't bond and won't I mean, it's nearly impossible to do, you know, if the weather conditions are not correct. All right. Moving into ninth grade academy. Um the renovations to make it back to the elementary school. So, I think I mentioned to you the last board meeting, we had several HVAC pipes in almost all the rooms. There were 28 rooms that we found um the pipes were just corroding and just felt like it was a good time to to have those pipes removed, new piping put in, new insulation, new cut off valves so we could isolate things when we have to work on them. That part's been complete. Um we've got a company that coming in that will reinsulate
017the pipes and we'll make a metal chase uh to go over the pipes. The pipes previously were encased in in the concrete block wall. We had to tear that section out. So, we're just going to put a metal covering over it so we could access them in the future if we had to. We uh issued RFP for the general renovations for the school, which is um several classrooms uh prek and EC. We had to put bathrooms back in the classrooms. Some of the um construction and demo projects. We only received one bid for the general renovation. So, a couple of things. We we put it on our website. We contacted some some local companies. We when we received just the one bid, I reached out to our other local contractor, Southern Builders. Hawks Builders is
018the one that submitted a bid. So, I reached out to Southern Builders said, "Hey, you know, this is before the bidding ended." I said, "Are you anticipating bidding?" and they said unfortunately they were going to have to decline just based on you know their current workload. But I just want to make sure everybody was aware and you know had had a chance to bid. So we did only receive one bid from from them uh in the amount of $92,179. So that PO has been issued to them and since it was under 500,000 we were not required to get but one I mean we weren't required to get three or more bids. So everything's been settled there. Any questions on that? >> I like that we're reaching out to the local companies and just kind of
019urging them to bid on stuff because it it does it is unsettling to only see one bid, but when you know you reached out and said, "Hey guys, this is open. Come take a look." If they come to the table, they do. If they don't, at least we know we did the right thing. >> So, thank you. Thank you'all for doing that. >> So, their work uh is planned uh they're planning to start this coming Monday as well. So, then we put out RFPs for interior painting. Um, we did receive three bids on this. Um, Cable Painting, Hannes Painting, and New Life Painting did on this. And this is in your board docks. So, what what we anticipated doing was actually trying to give some of the work to all three major painting contractors in
020town for one to to divvy up the work, but also to help move the project along faster. Um, unfortunately, one of the contractors uh bid amounts was just very very high for whatever reason. So what we did was took the other two contractors and and divvied up the work. Um kind of divided it in hallway sections. So we'll have two contract two separate paint contractors on on site. Uses painting $58,500 and New Life Painting is $48,531. Those POS and contracts have already been issued. Stephen, I just have a question about about those uh two um agencies that we selected. Now, as far as like uh how about history u past history of work that they've done, have you >> HS painting uh are the ones that painted the gym at the high school recently? They
021painted the lobby upstairs and downstairs at at the gym. New Life Painting is a company that painted all the exterior athletic stuff this past summer at the high school. both as contractors or contractors we we use frequently. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> And they were they were good to work with, especially when that paint didn't adhere to the walls. >> Well, that was actually a company that Muter Construction had hired. >> Okay. See, there you go. >> I'm not That was Buffalo painting out of >> You don't see anymore somewhere. >> Well, Stephen, the gym looks great. >> The old gym. >> Yeah. Yes. The old gym. The picture in your old didn't I mean, all that's just been done. >> Yes, ma'am. We painted all >> I think it looks great. >>
022The decal. We had a time getting down. We finally got that down. They painted that. They painted outside the in the lobby area all the way to the cafeteria on the bottom floor and then all the way up um past the CIC towards the media center. All that's been freshened up. New rubber base and paint. Yes, ma'am. >> The bathrooms are down on the on the bottom floors. Nice. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And one last question still I'm I'm hoping is uh do they do warranty on their work? I mean, is that written into the contract as well? >> It is. It is. Yes, sir. And and I had I met uh before we put out the RFP, I met with a shirt a local Sherman Williams paint representative and he and I walked the
023building at 9th grade academy and we um tested the type paint on the wall and he actually um put out a packet basically telling them, okay, if you've got a metal substrate or concrete or drywall, this is the preparation you need to do. This is the primer you need to use. is the paint you need to use. So they and that was included in in the RFT that they are to follow those those guidelines from Sher Williams. >> All right. Thank you. >> Um so continuing at night academy. So we've got the heat and air pipes fixed. We got general renovations getting ready to start. Interior paint getting ready to start. Uh I issued a RFP for playgrounds. Um you know we had to put playgrounds back there. We did receive three bids on those.
024Um, we haven't done I just got those in on Tuesday. So, I'm still kind of going through those and reviewing those and I'll meet with Dr. Frell, Dr. Carter and and you know, our team to to figure out what what's the best route um economics and and what we're going to get for for the dollars we want to spend. And we we'll try to get something by the next board meeting so we can get that placed. And I don't see any reason why we couldn't go ahead and put playgrounds in. and they're outside out of the way. Go ahead and get that portion knocked out. Then we'll follow up with um whatever sidewalks we may need to add to accommodate the playground, whatever fencing we need to add. Um and then in in the school,
025uh as you'll see, this basin here is a black dark color base. At 9th grade academy, it's like a tan color. Just the running the buffers, running the mops, it just it looks bad. So, we're going to remove all the base in the school. uh it'll make painting a better job and and go back with a darker color like that. So that that's a pretty major job. So we'll put that out for bid as well. Um that's where we're at on the project for 9th grade academy. Any questions? >> I'm just glad to see it's getting done. I know you are too. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Stephen. Ashley, I mean uh Eva, I need some help right here. Um we had two public speakers come in. Um, they were
026supposed to speak at the front of the meeting, but they have come in since then. Um, do I have to get approval for them to speak now since it's out of order or >> Yes, I think a motion to amend the agenda to move public comment. >> So, we want I just need a motion. If you want the speakers to speak, we would need to have >> I'll make a motion to amend the agenda to allow the public speakers to speak at this time. >> Have a motion from Mr. Ball and a second from Miss Schuler. Any discussion? All everybody saying I. >> So, we'll move them here right now. Um, the following are the rules for public comment as stated in board policy 2310. Speakers will be limited to three minutes per person. We
027will be using a timer and will alert you when your time is expired. I would like to remind you that board members generally will not respond to public comment except to request clarification. Once a speaker's name is called, they will approach the podium and state their issue. The following are not permissible topics for public comment. Matters involving specific personnel or employees of the board of education, including employment conditions or complaints about specific employees. Matters involving a specific student in the school system, including student discipline disciplinary matters. Obscene or vulgate language will not be tolerated, nor will conduct or language that disrupts the meeting or interferes with board building carry out its work. As a chairman, I may immediately terminate any comments which violates these rules. And our first speaker is I hope I'm saying this
028right, sir. Essco Vladimir. >> Esco. Yeah, that was really good actually. >> Good morning. How are you >> doing? Well, that was the best one thus far. >> You had a educational for me. How about that? >> All right. Well, my name is Esco, everyone. Um, I'll keep this short and brief. Hi, I am the chairman of Pipeline and Pantries, which is a food donation and transportation service for low-income families. Uh, every day in this county, children walk into the school carrying a burden that we can't always see, hunger. National research shows that students miss meals, their grades drop, their ability to focus declines, their emotional well-being suffers. One long-term study showed that 21 students found that food insecurity, their scores dropped significantly lower in both reading and math. Two very important areas. Right. Another
029student showed that skipping one meal increases stress, irritability, and poor classroom behavior. Hunger is not just a health issue. It is an academic barrier. both the barrier that we can remove and PTP plans to remove or at least minimize. Pipeline the pantries was created to ensure that no student enrichment county falls behind because they don't have food at home. Our mission is simple. connect surplus food, community donations, and emergency resources sent directly to the families who need them quickly, quietly, respectfully, and consistently. By doing this, we support the work of our schools who are already doing and extending their services to support their students. Well, this will cover the weekends, the school breaks, and when the students are the most vulnerable, holidays. Pip the pantry strengthens our schools by strengthening our families because that is
030the foundation of a school system. When children walk into a classroom nourished, they learn better, they behave better, they believe in themselves more. And when families know food is one less thing to worry about, they are better and able to support that child's education. This is not a charity, everyone. This is a preparation for those students. Nutrition is essential to learning as teachers, textbooks, and technology are. Every meal we provide is one step higher and one step stronger for mental development, health development, and a more resilient school system. Richmond County has the opportunity to lead in that with pipeline the pantries PTP and to show that our commitment to education begins with the meeting of basic needs of every child and those are basic needs. The true test of a community everyone and a town
031that makes up a city that makes up a state that makes up a nation is not our ability to fight. We don't lack in that area. The true test of a community is our ability to show empathy. Thank you. If anyone has any question, I'll be more than happy to ask. >> Jessica, have you got any plans to to maybe partner up with Backpack Pals or anything like that? Have you had any conversations with them? >> Roll term? Yes. The initial phase of what I'm trying to roll out is the ability to at the at the very minimum holidays are where we see the biggest hurt. The biggest hurt. So if we can focus those resources on getting meals directly to those families and uh holidays, Christmas, um breaks, those are the biggest things we're
032going to try to tackle first. I have a three-year budget I already set aside what it's going to look like. It's kind of intensive, but it's very well needed. We've already partnered with OK Nails with local transportation for Hamlet to get senior citizens to and from food banks for free. They're going to do that for free. Now, we are going to compensate them because I don't want them doing it for free. They should get something. Maybe it's not as much as they would normally make, but something. So, they have offered to do that. Now, if you go from Hamlet to say Ellerby, they're going to only charge $10, which is amazing. and they're going to pick up all those scenes at one time and take them up there and then bring them back. They don't
033have a disability um transportation vehicle. We're going to try to help with that. And that's the other part of PTP. PTP doesn't want to be the transportation, nor do we want to be the uh food bank cuz they do what they do well. Food banks know how to run. Transportation knows how to run. The problem is they can't do what they do well and do the administrative arm piece. And that is where PTP steps in. We're going to make sure we solidify that funding from the big boys that they can't fight with and then I'm going to go out and make sure they have those funds. So let's say for instance they have a vehicle and that vehicle goes down. That vehicle is normally used to pick up food or maybe pick up elderly people.
034We're going to offset those maintenance costs or maybe we pay it all or maybe we'll pay a portion of it but we're going to get that vehicle up and running as soon as possible. We're also going to make sure they have the volunteers either that's one of our paid volunteers. I have one employee right now that will go out and help with the food bank. go help uh with the transportation. That's where we're going to fill in the gap. We're not to be be the end all be all. We're to be the the arm that supports them. So, we don't want to interrupt their transportation job. We don't want to interrupt their food pantry flow. We want to be that gap that fills in. >> Looking forward to watching the process. We thank you. >>
035Well, it came from one of your retired teachers. the idea because we were talking about school system in ranking and I said well this is where Richmond County ranks he says yes but you know in those rankings there's a lot they had to do and those families are part of it I said I totally agree with you in order to get in order to strengthen that what would you think and she said I don't know I said well we started at the home the foundation you know a a person who goes out and robs someone they didn't start out because they woke up one morning and say I want to go rob and rob it was a need right it's typically a need and typically there three funament me on knees that I've always told
036my daughter I'm going to make sure she has. She's not going to be hot. She's not going to be cold and she's not going to be hungry. You take care of that and a person can jump off that foundation and be successful. Well, that foundational piece right there is Rocky their life and rock the life is going under Rocky. >> Thank you very much for coming and sharing that with us. Thank you. Thank you, >> Gerard Morrison. >> Morning, sir. Good morning. >> Appreciate y'all amending the uh agenda. I got a little mixed up and thanks Jennifer and Miss Rush for letting me know about the meeting change. My name is Gerard Anthony Morrison, founder of the John Cold Train Music Edutainment Festival. We bridge education with entertainment in 21 counties primarily. It's uh 13
037in North Carolina, 8 in South. First season of gratitude is not just limited to Thanksgiving and February. It's year round. So I want to thank you all, school board, staff, administrators for coming, been consistently coming. So glad to see that growth um in here. Other thing um Rockingham Middle cuz I even though I did it there, I also want to make sure we do it publicly. Curtis Swallow that that superior rating that they earned at Carol Winds did nothing but come home and show the same standard. So he and his team with the Rockingham Middle band. Can't thank them enough. And the 35 students and the staff that helped. Everything went smoothly. As I stated there, I was at the Congressional Black Caucus. Curtis and I had never even met until the day of cold
038train. But logistically, he did everything he said he was going to do. We did what we did and everything went smoothly. So, as I stated then, Mr. Superintendent and others, uh, Mr. P personnel director, excuse me, no budgets. Uh, not an easy thing to talk about now, but in due time, please make sure they get compensated. And also, um, Mayor John Hutcherson Rockingham, his son did an outstanding job in classical and ragtime music. The, uh, cooperative extension, Carol von Cable, she sung my favorite things and two other selections. So, we went across the board as far as genres of music. um had poetry by Linda Ross and my new sister Shabetta. But uh it's good wholesome event. I want to encourage people to come out. Next year is going to be special even more. All
039special, but next year especially cold train will live here will be he will be 100 years old next year. So please mark your calendars October 3rd. I don't know if there's a mic but October 3rd, first Saturday in October every year at the faith center. Um, also for I'm going to run rapidly through this one right here. Please pray for Jamaica heading to the Caribbean this weekend myself, but uh Charlotte Street where I grew up. We've got um what what I say the most diverse street in Hamlet right now. We go from Chuba to Mexico to Nicaragua, uh Jamaica, and of course, you know, right here from all over the world. But um please pray for them along with the other countries like Palestine, Ukraine, Somalia, Nigeria, Venezuela and world peace. I know it sounds
040generic, man with some of the climate where things are right now. Civility with each other and peace. It's not just words. Let's make sure we walking it like we're talking. Um challenge you want to do county. >> Last one. >> That ain't good. Uh go have it be 10 seconds later. >> You got it. Thank you, brother. Mr. Chairman, sorry. >> Yeah, we we negotiate. >> Thank you. >> Challenge Richmond Senior High and other high schools. Anybody familiar with Quincy Jones and Jimmyi Hendricks? Some of y'all may be young enough to remember those folks. Garfield High School, they went almost every year at Lincoln Center in New York where Win uh S is. And he came here from M Mr. Matt JW Mass died. I'd love for us to set that standard for jazz and
041other ones for the rural areas because usually goes to urban. But if we could follow that model and uh start resourcing the for that and the last part is um basketball season. Y'all usually don't hear me talk about sports, but my favorite pastime is basketball. And when I was looking at different things going on, we know about Paul McNeel, but Ben Henson, um, Clay Scott, my classmate, the I can read my notes, Mr. Chairman. Uh the late Azra Elby from Rockingham in Lee Street, the late Grayen Coington and Tommy Taylor who refers blacks from Hamlet to be all American in basketball and Mitchell Bristo with ENT with me. Priscilla Lisa Henson, her brother Ben Henson, Kim Samuels, Pam Morrison who got in the Hall of Fame, Ellie McDonald, my other classmate. But the different activities
042coming up, beefing up the basketball programs because we talk about football a lot. We talk about b I mean uh baseball and soccer is about to get a new stadium, excuse me, new naming. But uh let's not forget basketball and all these things. That's outdoor court. But thank you all. Thank you for what you do. Appreciate y'all and happy holidays. Good Christmas to Hanukkah. And again, what we can with the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. Let's keep achieving and bless everybody. >> Thank you, Gerard. >> Mr. Superintendent, is that time naming of the soccer field? >> Yes, sir. Um, at the November board of education meeting, our athletic director, um, James Johnson, and one of our teachers and coaches, um, Chris Larson, came and, uh, proposed to you all that you approved
043naming the soccer field, um, after a longtime coach at Richmond Senior High School, uh, Benny Howard, and you all tabled that discussion for, uh, your December meeting. And so, we're at your December meeting. Does anybody have any comments that they want to make? >> I do. Um, in the since all this has has came about, I have since learned that we have two facilities at Richmond Senior High that have been named outside of board policy uh under a previous administration. I won't call names for that. Um, and it was not done the right way. So I would have I would just tell you all I would have a very hard time going against naming this one when they have gone through the proper protocols and done the right thing. If we shoot this down then
044we just then in my mind we would need to take the other ones down because they were not done the right way. Um so my idea would be to approve this one and retroactively approve the two that have been named already. The two facilities that have been named already which I believe are the softball field and the batten cage. Yes, sir. >> Um, I think that starts a clean slate. If policy needs to be amended and adjusted after that, I think that there's the opportunity, but I have a hard time telling someone no when it was done the wrong way and it's hanging there. >> Well, my concern is like um you know, nothing to um the folks that the facilities have been named for, but I guess for me is we don't have a
045set criteria. I mean I mean we can go down the list. some of former coaches um community folks that could potentially be named for facilities. Um I just for me I just I think I mean you make a good point about trying to you know go back and approve I for me I'm just I'm a little iffy on that one. I just I just have concerns. I mean because all right we do that then next step what if somebody else come with someone else to name a facility after I just think it needs to be some processes you know I get it you know form administration they missed it but I think there needs to be a process of um how are you going to um elect a person to be named I mean what
046are they going to have certain credentials as far as championships it's just some things that need to be put in place to allow for consistency That's just kind of where my thoughts are >> and I agree with you wholeheartedly, but I think that you have to clean the slate before you get to that point. I think that you have to have it you you've got to have a platform to build on. So, right now we have this on the table. We have to eat it before we move on to the next meal. And I think the next meal is getting the policy adjusted. Do you have a And I would rather it not come to this board. I think that it should go to a committee just like the Hall of Fame banquet is, you
047know, this the selection for the Hall of Fame. I'd love to see it go that way. And and I and I see that as being more appropriate. I mean I like I said I mean we can't do anything about what has happened. You know that what's done is done. We can't go back. We can't go back say well we're going to remove the name uh that's currently on those two other facilities. We can't do that. I just I think if we if we do this today and approve uh the naming um of this person on that field then we're going to create even bigger problem with what if ne the next meeting somebody else bring another name in here and say okay I got got a person I want to name a facility out we
048have the history of Richmond Senior High School goes back what 50 years over 50 years and and the people that have gone through that school system and and just not not just not coaches and athletes, it's administrators, it's teachers, it's custodians, it's bus drivers, you know, it's it's it's endless. And who is to say that this board or a board is there to select who was going to be something's going to be named after, you know, are we going to then go into the track or we can go into the baseball field, the football field? We're going to go into the biology system. uh biology center at the high school. Um I just think we would hurt a lot of people's feelings in this. I think that's why we have the Hall of Fame now.
049>> And I think that's a big thing. And going back to what Mr. Bowwin said, what what has happened in the past has happened in the past. And it's not the fault of those people who those things are named after. that they're up there. It's not their fault. And I'm not going to take their name. I would not want to take their name. And I would never vote for that to take their name down. I had nothing to do with it. And who who is Cory Sandville to say you take your name down? So I I've got a hard hard problem with that. >> And understand, I'm not saying take the name down. I'm saying retroactively approve it so that everything is un that is is right with board policy >> and it's a fresh
050start. I'm not saying go snatch the names down, but it was done outside of policy, so in theory it could happen. >> I'm very conflicted, of course, because you know um and when um they first brought um Coach Howard's name, I was like, "Oh, that's awesome that, you know, I I think everyone would agree that Benny has great attributes that he's done for Richmond County Schools." But then I didn't think about the side of but how do you what do we do about the people that are left out and of course one of the facilities is named after a family member of mine and I didn't even know about you know we just celebrated that accomplishment for her but didn't I didn't know the process of how that was decided. So I am very conflicted
051on um where I stand on this because I see the good parts but I also see difficulties. So I really don't know. I think B hit and Ronald definitely did on a a very important factor. There wasn't a process and I think there needs to be a process and I'm not sure I was even thinking about Eva. Is that something that the board wants to tackle? Because I agree if you start naming every single field I mean I have even since this has been out I've had how about our math department it is wonderful and I thought oh my gosh oh we're going to start naming math department which and y'all know I love athletes but this is important too but I'm just not sure that the board that should be our job to decide
052what a field or what a building um should be gained. Eva, do you have a >> Well, >> yeah. >> I mean, there's no law on this, so it it's whatever you decide. I think when it certainly when it comes to buildings or something like that, it's common for it to be the board. Um, and I think that's where we got stuck with your policy is it uses the word facility, but then in some places it uses the word school. So, it's like, is it just about naming a whole school or any physical facility? Um, I think the benefit to having it be something more than just a principle is that it is a decision that outlasts any individual. Um and so you at least want there to be some checks and balances because you
053know any decision that is made you know if a principal decides they want to agree to name the media center after someone and then that principal gets another job the next year but that media center has named that for decades you know and so it is worth having at least some level of consideration and input But um and and this you know some I think that some places just kind of decide that we're not going to do it at that level because I will say there is to it seems like there's a difference between naming something the John Smith media center and having the high school media center that has a plaque in it memorializing a librarian named John Smith, you know. So naming a facility, even if you choose not to name a facility,
054there's nothing to stop from having some sort of plaque display things like that. >> I think before we do, if we're if we were to decide to u name facilities, I think we have to come up with criteria. I think it's very important to establish criteria uh uh before you decide to put anybody's name on anything. I mean by and one of the criterias is letting the public know that we have the the intention of naming the soccer field. Well, there might be some other people that want to submit some names and by using criteria, you can eliminate or select those individuals who qualify to have their names put on there. All right. So, we've got one name that's been submitted, but have we really put it out in the public and given the public
055or other school members opportunity to submit other names and then we use the criteria to select a name if we choose to do that. So, but I would say until we get the criteria down on how we're going to select if we're going to select names to go on facilities, buildings, or whatever. I want to know what's the criteria because I don't want to use a different criteria every time a name comes up or a different facility comes up. We need to use a specific criteria for this whole situation if we're going to name buildings after I mean name buildings after individuals. So my question is what's what are the criterias that are being used to name a facility after um a building. I give you example, uh, Rockingham, um, middle school football field. I
056won many, many, many championships out there and I worked there for teen years. I was a assistant principal there for several years. So, was my wife want to submit my name? Just because I worked there and I won championships out there, does that qualify me to have my name put on that field? But I because I guarantee you as soon as you start naming fields, somebody's going to want that Rockingham Junior High School field named after somebody. It might be named after what's there for you. >> Yeah. And and it goes on and on and on. But we're going to do this. Let's make sure we have a criteria that we can say justify. Well, this is the criteria we use and this is the person that was selected based upon the criteria. But right
057now, I don't think we have a criteria. >> We do not. >> Can I Can I make a motion? >> I make the motion to not name anything in honor of an an individual in Richmond County schools. That's my motion. something I'd like to do with the two past situations that we've done because we can change that that we need to put a plaque on both those locations in honor of them individually. Then I start thinking about Vivian Hilton. Vivian pastor in the hall. She's been at the high school for 40 something years. She won't have a plaque or or something named after her. So I think we need to get to the point that like I say I make the motion not to name anything in honor of an individual in Richmond County schools
058talking about a school building or a field those type of things. But I think we need to go to the point that we do the the hall of fame. We need to put people's names in the hall of fame teachers coaches and say hey we want to recognize you for what you've done for Richmond County schools. I thought as I walk down the hall, De Feb Feb Heights today where Amy's room is have a picture of Amy Brown in that room in honor of I mean you're taking this much space. But right now I don't think we need to do anything as far as changing. It should be Raider soccer field, Raider Stadium, Raider softball field, Raider, you know, baseball field. just keep it that because that's what happened when we did these four schools
059in 1973. We consolidated Richmond County schools and that's what we're trying to do is keep that raider nation alive. >> So you have a motion right now to not name anything after anyone >> as long as clarification I know discussion. >> Yeah. I just wanted to make sure that was >> So does that mean even previous where we've already named buildings and >> I'm talking about the thing now with the soccer field but I think and I would make a motion to come back and change and put plaques for uh Wendy and plaques for Paula at that field and recognize them that way but not be have it the field because have it called you know Raider softball feel. >> I think that would be two different motions. >> Yeah. >> I just want to
060do this motion to start with. >> May I ask a question? >> Um, is it fair to say that your motion is to make it the policy of the school system that we would not name >> name? Yeah, I would make that motion. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, the administration would have to bring back something to us next time. >> Yes. >> So, that that would be the motion then. The motion would be >> well I mean I think if the motion is starting today that's okay. We would have to subsequently update your policies but um >> but does his motion even cover the it does cover the soccer field >> if that is his intent which is what I understood. >> Okay. Yeah. I have a motion by Mr. Ethridge to not name anything
061after anyone in Richmond County schools. Got a second. Well, I definitely think we need clarification. I um as Daryl said, we've got to have some some guidelines and also agree. How do you take something away from somebody? >> But we are not doing that right now. >> That is not that >> is not part of the policy. We are just saying that moving forward right now we are not naming anything any facility because our policy states you can't name buildings after people if I'm not mistaken. >> School buildings. School buildings. So we're just saying we're not naming facilities after anybody. We're not saying anything that's been done previously. We are moving forward right now. >> Okay. And if that motion is seconded and approved, then we don't need criteria because board policy prevents us from
062naming anything anyway, if that makes sense. >> So yes. So essentially the result would be and we would bring this back to you, but the result would be that this is the policy of the school system to not name schools after individuals would change schools to facilities. >> So we have a motion by Mr. Mr. We have a second. We need to move on. >> I second. >> Have a second by Mr. Mr. um Mason. Do we have any further discussion? I I feel like we're punishing the people who did it the right way by accepting this. So, thank you for going through the procedures and doing your presentation. We're now going to change policy to make sure that that doesn't happen. Thank you. I don't I don't like that. Well, I would say that
063like I said before, we had that one name submitted, but did we reach out to other individuals in the county to see if anybody else wanted to submit a name along to compete with that one name, >> but that wasn't part of the policy. Whatever the what they did it exactly how it was supposed to be done by the rules, by our rules, they did it. And now we're changing the policy so that they can't do it. >> Well, I I I still say that if we had this intention, I'd still say the community should have been notified and maybe there's somebody out there that want to submit somebody else's name. >> So, let's make that the policy going forward. >> Um, and and give them the opportunity to do it the right way. >>
064I agree. And then we once again have to use criteria to select. Um but to just take one name and not give the community the opportunity to submit other names, that's the issue with me. I mean, if you if if we gave the community opportunity to submit another name to compete with the name that has been submitted and nobody else submits a name, I'm good. I'm good. But if if there's nobody I mean, but we need to to make sure that the community had opportunity was aware of what this is going on and this is about to happen. And if there is another name to be submitted, submit it. We'll have that conversation. >> But with this current motion, that's completely off the table, right? Because it'll never it will not happen again until policy's
065changed. >> that the policy will state that no facilities can be named after. >> So that's off the table if this policy goes through or if this motion goes through. >> Right. >> Well, also, let me say this. This is not anything against the presentation we had last meeting. I think Benny Howard should be nominated for the Hall of Fame, Richmond Senior High Hall of Fame. He coached there for 30 something years. Great faculty member, one of the finest men you'll ever meet in your life. So, this has nothing to do with Benny. It has to do with being fair and equitable to everybody. >> Well, can we come back um and go along with with Jerry's um idea of putting doing the plaques? I like the um if we wanted to >> Yeah. later
066on. But and if Richmond Senior High has four four plaques out there for four coaches that have been out there, so be it. If Rockingham Middle School has plaques all over the PL, that's that's great. But we are not naming any, you know, we we would not be naming anything after anybody. And I think that's that would be on them to do that. And and that that would have to be in policy. If they want to put a plaque out there, they can put a plaque out there. That's that's the school. >> Or like in I'm using for example in the situation with we had a big Raider supporter um forget his name, pastor. He was um football. >> Jacobs, >> they got a a statue sitting outside or memorial sitting outside. So there's other
067avenues that can be used, I'm assuming, um >> to kind of um offset, you know, um having to name a bill. I just think like when you start and there's nothing against like um the person that's that that that's been recommended or anybody. I just think when you start naming a bunch of building, it creates a problem at some point if you don't have some kind of standard guidelines for the criteria. Because I can sit here and think of many other folks that have come through Richmond Senior High School and contributed and could easily be named after a facility or a field or whatever. But then and I'm sure there's others, you know, that I might not be thinking of. I just, you know, it just puts us in a situation where and now we're
068going to spend our time trying to, you know, name facilities after people and it just creates a problem. And I I mean, and I I don't have a problem like with Jerry's motion. I I guess I just need clarification. Are you saying no naming of facilities period? I motion not to go back to >> Not to go back, but just today. Well, I want to agree with Corey that um there's not a finer person to be any and he's every soccer I mean even he was even volunteering at some point. So it is definitely not against people who could find a finer person and a advocate of Richmond senior high soccer but >> it was just a name that came up when when we when we heard about learned about this. >> Okay. So we
069have a motion by Mr. Ethridge, a second by Mr. Mason to not name facilities after individuals. All in favor by saying by raising their right hand. All in favor by raising my right hand. >> All opposed same like sign. So it is the two. Now, let me also say this is that, you know, whatever this schools want to do about plaques and all that, we can revisit that as well. Um, there's some great names are out there now that have been put posted on things and uh that's just not my place to say that they be taken down, which I would hope that would never happen with a plaque put up. So, that's my piece. So, we can move on now. School improvement plans. Kate Smith. >> Good morning, Chairman Siderfield, Dr. Frell, and members
070of the board. Um, at this time, I would like to ask for your approval in each of the schools improvement plan for the 2526 school year. >> Need a motion to approve the school. Make the motion. A motion by Mr. Eth. >> Second by Miss I think I heard Miss Orsby first. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I. I. All opposed. >> They are approved. >> You next for community schools partnership. >> Yes. And so also before you all in Warox is theou between Richmond County Schools and Duke University um on behalf of their clinical research institute with that position of the school um community schools coordinator. Just rem uh reminding you all that thisou does discuss the structure and the process for implementing um this whole community schools concept which is aimed at
071improving teaching and learning for students at Washington Street. Um it does outline the roles and the responsibilities of this position for the community schools coordinator as well as how we will operate with Duke. Um, we've let our board attorney review it and we are ready for you all to allow us to move forward with the adoption of thatou so that we can begin the work. >> So, we need a motion to approve theou for community school partnerships. >> Have a motion by Mr. Baldwin and a second. Second by Mr. Tman. Is there any discussion about all favor by saying I? All opposed. >> Short and sweet. >> Thank you. EC contracts, Miss Jordan. Good morning, everyone. Um, you should have before you an addendum to the AMN healthc care contract that was previously approved for
072173,000. This is increasing it to $220,000 due to um our OT resigning and we're having to contract that service out for the remainder of the year. So um Dana wanted I know it's a $47,000 increase but wanted to bring this to you. Um it's going to be a balance about out what we were already having to pay out being an employee for the second half of the year. always stinks of go contract rather than employee. >> I know. I know. But she's looking so be hopeful. >> Carlson. I have a motion to approve the EC contract. I mean, I need a motion. Make a motion. Motion by Mr. Edidge. Need a second. >> Second by Miss Orangebeby. Any discussion? >> All in favor by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed is passed. >> Okay.
073Next you have budget amendments 135. Um budget amendment one is an increase in state funds of 43 673. I can't even say that right. $43,673. I can't even talk today. Um >> budget amendment number two is for local funds. It's an inner funds transfer between the revenue account. So there was no increase there. Um budget amendment number three is an increase in federal funds of 6,728959. That's our grant year six allotments. We just received um an increase um in funding four which is capital outlay funds of 116,666. That's for the lease school bus purchases. We received that money from the state. Um budget amendment um five is an increase in other local funds of $277,6252. >> And I'll be glad to take any questions you have. >> Make a motion to approve the budget amendments
074as presented. Motion by Mr. Bowwin. Second second by Mr. Mason. Any further discussion? All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. They are passed. Miss Jordan. >> And before I call Mr. Ingram, I I just want to say that during the discussion, previous discussion, I made I said the wrong thing to Scotty about take the names down. He never said that. He was about putting names up. So, I apologize about that. You corrected me right away, though. >> I'm pretty good about that. >> I'm not mad at you. I'm not disappointed. >> I understand. That hurts even more. >> That's why parents wrote my person. >> Exactly. But I just wanted to make sure that we we do that. >> And that's one thing I love about this board. You know something? We could
075disagree till they come home, but we are still friends and get along with each other. No, I'll be waiting on you in the park. >> Um, you sure you want to come up with policies now, Melvin? >> I'll take a chance. >> Everybody loves you, Melvin. >> That's good to know. Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Pharaoh, members of the board, and board docs, you have a list of policies presented last month for review. This being the conclusion of 30-day review period, I would like to present the policies for adoption. 3101 dual enrollment 3220 technology and education in in the educational program 3225 4312 7320 technology responsible reuse 3226 4205 internet safety 3227 7322 web page development 3460 graduation requirements 4050 children of military families 4130 discretionary ary emission 4150 school assignment 4152 unsafe school choice transfer 4318
076use of wireless communication devices and 6560 disposal of surplus property >> need a motion to approve those 12 policies that Mr. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Can I have a question? Yep. >> Um the surplus property policy here >> um requires you to bring anything to the board to declare surplus that's worth more than $500. >> That's right. >> We have talked before about whether you want to increase that um because that's a very lot of very small things to have to bring for board approval. Um >> what's typical here? >> I know 5,000. Oh, so I can tell you as a superintendent, I am not comfortable with 5,000. I think that if I am going to be disposing of property belonging to the board of education, I don't I don't feel comfortable with an
077amount that's $5,000. >> I feel like the board should approve that if it gets and so part of the reason it has remained 500 is my own comfort level. um just because I, you know, I'm a policy follower and um and I believe in keeping the board informed about things. I don't like surprises to them. And so um I I guess I'd be comfortable with it going up a little bit, but not to $5,000. >> How long has it been 500? >> Well, previously there was no we didn't have a bottom number. We didn't have a minimum number. So this is a adjustment that was suggested by board attorney to put a ball number because that would be in line with what the policy was intended to >> just like say they have an old
078mower or something and they just want to put it on gov deals or it needs to be scrapped even that they would have to bring a list of those items to the board every time. And so the idea was some stuff is so small that the board doesn't really need to be >> and we we have some of those on this. Um but I do like the the fact like superintendent said he likes to bring things to to the board. I think transparency is always a positive thing for all of us. Um so I'm making a motion that we accept the policies as presented and we can if need to make modifications later we can come back and make it. >> Have a motion by Mr. second. >> Second by Mr. Baldwin. Any further discussion?
079>> All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. Allies are >> I was going to say $2,500. >> I was kind of thinking about,000, but000. >> Ronald had such a convincing argument. >> I just know that it doesn't belong to me and so I'm very cautious about getting rid of it without your approval. It's very good. >> All right. So then we have uh Milton, you have any field trips or anything or >> Oh, no damn boy do. >> Okay, good. Thank you. Surplus, Dr. Frell. >> Well, this list list would be much shorter now, but the current list is um we have a 2018 Ford F-150 crew cab uh uh vehicle that we need to surplus and um sell the deals. CTE has a dishwasher and a microwave and central office has two
080letter boards or directory boards that we are replacing with TVs. One outside this um boardroom and one down at the other end of the hallway and so I would request your approval to list those for sale. >> A motion motion motion by Mr. Edwards, a second by Mr. Tilman. There any further discussion about it? All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. >> We can sell those items. Okay. Dr. Frell, construction method options. >> Yes. And I'm going to defer to our board attorney, Eva Dubes, for that. >> Um, is it okay if I just sit here? >> Sure. >> Um, board members, we're going to talk about the different options that you have for construction of your new school. Um and I think the idea is that today we will I'll give anformational
081presentation about methods. Um we do have a close session today. So for legal advice like looking for some advice about which one what we've seen which one has worked best what the potential liabilities are. We're going to do that closed. Um but factual questions about how this one works or how that one works. We'll do an open. Um, and I don't think we're asking you to make a decision today, but to consider this information and make a decision at your next meeting. Okay. Um, I see. So, there's three major construction delivery methods that we're going to talk about. And the first one is single prime which is what you use for your most recent projects which is your traditional the way anybody builds a big building. You hire a designer through a what's a request
082for qualifications. So based on qualifications they design you a building and then you put it out for bid for a general contractor and the general contractor would include in their bid the their major subcontractors. Um, and then you know, you as the owner are sort of directing the general contractor throughout the construction process. And so the the benefits of this, you as the owner are exercising the most control, I'd say, of any of these. Um, you're fully completing this design before you seek a contractor. Um and you are then when you're doing when you're putting out contracting for bid, you are doing a costbased selection. So you are choosing your general based on who has the lowest what they call responsible responsive bid. So the lowest bid that actually meets your your criteria and that
083you've determined that they're actually qualified to carry out what they say they're going to do. Um and it's sort of the least complicated in that way. Um the the drawbacks can be it is the most work for the owner because you don't have a you know you sort of are the manager of your construction. Um because the design is all done before you hire the general contractor. This is probably based fun. You're you're design you're not getting builder input during the design phase. You know that like well prices of that are really high right now or this might work better. And then when the builder gets the design, you know, they're not necessarily having been part of the design phase. Um, so more questions can come up. It can be longer because you're doing all
084of your design phase, then putting out forbidden, and then doing all of your construction. And that can obviously can add to more costs. And because you're choosing your contractor ultimately based on the lowest bid, you know, that gives you less control over choosing the highest quality. The next option we'll talk about is construction manager at risk. And this is something that was added by the general assembly to our options, I don't know, 15 or 20 years ago. And um is it a method you can use once you have reviewed all the options and determined you have to sort of publicly determine that this is the best method as opposed to single prime that we just looked at where it's just you know you just do it because it's the default. Um but part of what
085we're doing today is comparing the options. So the way CM at risk works is you hire a construction manager um rather than just directly hiring a general contractor. And so first you would hire a designer. Um but almost immediately you then put out an RFQ for a construction manager. So that's also qualification based, not necessarily price based. You choose the most qualified and then you negotiate a price with them. Um and if you can't get a fair price from the most qualified, you can go to the next one. Um but you don't have to choose the cheapest construction manager. You can choose the one that you think is best qualified. Um so then through the design phase, the construction manager is at the table and is having input um on the design and they have
086that back and forth, but they're no but they but they're separate entities. Um they don't work for the same company, the designer and the construction manager. And then once the building is designed, the construction manager costs it and gives you a guaranteed minimum price. And this is sort of what people remember about construction manager at risk is I'm sorry guaranteed maximum price. Um and then once you have that guaranteed maximum price, you know, the construction manager carries the risk of things costing more than than was anticipated. Now, there's always going to be change orders. There's always going to be things that came up that you weren't expecting. But usually the construction manager price, guarantee maximum price includes contingencies. And so it's our experience that it's very rare that anyone would need to go over that
087maximum price because there's usually, you know, it's it's designed to have allowances for the normal changes. Um, so again, the advantage in transferring some risk to that construction manager, um, you have a price up front before you start construction. um your construction manager is then the one who's putting out putting things out to bid and so you know that is helpful your staff aren't having to manage these um RFPs the bidding process the sealed bids the back and forth of the biders which can be very time consuming but the construction manager does have to follow a lot of the same public transparency procedures like they still have to use sealed bids the bids are still public um in in selecting subcontractors and you are the you know that maximum guaranteed price is important. Um and
088it reduces the amount of times they have to come back to you for change orders. Um but you still have a separate designer and construction manager. So, um there's some tension there that can actually be to your benefit because if there's, you know, if the designer if the construction manager sees an issue with the design, they're sort of raising that and and it's getting resolved through that process. um because they are um you know they're they don't have a profit motive to um brush those seem at risk. Um the other thing is if you get the guarant if you get through design you get your guaranteed m maximum price and it's too high you can negotiate and or say we need to go back to the drawing board and change this design. You know you
089don't have to accept whatever comes out after the design process or you can say this isn't going to work. We're going to have to put it out for bid and and use a different method. Um, and the the whoever you hire as a construction manager, you know, they are construction, but they're not, for the most part, they are not allowed to do the work themselves. So, again, they have a motive to choose quality subs. Um, they're not getting that um profit themselves if there's like corners cut. And then again, you have the builder involved during the or the construction manager involved during the design process. So, some of those things can be worked out up front. So, there should be fewer change orders. Um, and this isn't a method that you would use for small
090projects. You know, there's there's a reason why it wasn't used for your more recent where you had sort of three smaller projects. Um, but it it works well for a large project like a new building. And then you have design build. Design build is um where you hire one company to design and build your school. Um and so you you know you upfront are hiring one company or one team that includes an architect, a designer, and a general contractor. So, the advantages of this, obviously, it's simpler um and potentially a little bit less work for staff because you're just hiring one entity and then you're handing it over to them. It can move faster um because design and construction can happen at the same time. Some of that can happen with CM at risk too
091because you have your construction manager already in place. You know, there is some level of construction that potentially can start while design is still ongoing. But design build in particular. And so this is like if you're building Walmarts around the country, you would might use design build where you know you want to get in soon as the site's ready, you want to start even if you're still figuring out, you know, some of the details. Um, and you know, you're sort of have an emphasis on on cost control. I think some of the drawbacks, less owner control because, you know, the day-to-day things that come up that we saw in your recent projects, you know, well, this isn't going to work. Builder says this isn't going to work. Um, they're raising it with the architect. the
092architect is maybe has an argument back and there's that tension there that may and and we as the owner are involved and so we know how that was resolved and we know what's in that building with design build they're just going to talk amongst themselves figure it out the owner may not be part of that discussion and so you have less control over what you know the details dayto day what goes into your building you may get the end product and not have as much knowledge. Um, and there's not like, again, you don't have a separate designer and a builder. So, no one is in there representing the owner, right? They're working together. Um, this is something that was made available by the general assembly a few years ago, but because it's somewhat disfavored just
093because of the potential to um have less uh public agency control, you have to do a little more steps to use design build. Um the board has to um make findings on several which we would do in a subsequent meeting on several um specific things in the law. You have to determine that we are able to adequately and thoroughly define our project prior to issuing our RFQ, that we are able to get this done within our time constraints, that we have the staff and the um expertise to manage this process and stay involved because the risk with design build is that that the owner will sort of be sidelined. And so you have to sort of declare publicly that that you have the staff to ensure that doesn't happen. Um so those are the methods.
094Um I will note that you know if you have so let's say there's a group that does design build but they're not it's not one firm. they can also both, you know, put in to be a construction manager and designer. Um, and so, you know, you may get some of the same entities bidding or putting in for RFQS regardless of this. The design build also is not a costbased selection. It is again a request for qualifications. You know, it it's we went when we went to the Greensboro uh conference, they did a session on design build and that's >> design build firm did a session. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I thought, well, you know, this is this is really cool stuff. And then you start investigating it >> and thinking, okay, I got you now.
095So, >> yeah. I mean, there are, like I said, there's projects for which I'm doing an addition on my house. I'm going to do design build. But I know that it's going to reduce my amount of control. But I know that I don't have time to manage it and I don't have a Stephen King. >> But that's also the CMR. It you start investigating and thinking what what's great things it could do for our district, especially with a set number that we have to have 44 million. Yeah. We can't go over that. >> That's right. any of these because of your well not so much with single crime but with design building we see them at risk like they're going to know how much money you have >> right up front >> right >> um
096but but yeah there is a little more you would have more control over those details with the CMS >> am I wrong in saying that it almost looks cut and dry I'm g just looking at at the advantages and considerations which we're gonna call good and bad basically >> so the design bid build had six good advantages uh had nine bad considerations. CM at risk had nine advantages and only had four considerations are bad and design build was six and seven. So the kids would do that and everybody who has kids looked at me funny when I said that. Um, but I mean to me everything makes sense about CM at risk because our projected cost right now from what we've seen is so close to our budget cap that we really need that accountability
097in there. That GMP, that guaranteed maximum price, we have to have that. Um, in the in the past work that we've seen in the capital improvement projects that we've done, something as simple as, you know, there was not wiring in the bathrooms for the automatic uh sinks for deposits, the change orders. It seems like CM at risk eliminates or at least reduces a lot of that. Am I fair in saying that or is it >> Yes. Um yes because they would have been looking at the design all along the builder and also um you know with CM at risk you have that guaranteed maximum so to some extent things come in above that aren't you know that were contemplated in the design that's on them. Now, if things come in under budget, you do like
098the way the fee usually works for the construction manager, you set it at the beginning. And so, if things come in under budget, you still get money back. you know, they still make their same fee, but they don't what's one thing that's sort of relevant is the CM doesn't make less if the project comes in under budget because they're still guaranteed their fee and so they don't have an incentive to have the project be more expensive. >> So, there's more accountability. I like it. And with this budget, you know, we don't want to give any money back. That that money was awarded to us. So, we want to use all the money we can we can use, you know, simple stuff. Who was in that design? But me, you were you and I were in
099there together, weren't you? >> Yeah. Like I said, there are there are projects and for which and owners for which design build, you know, fits what they need, but it is we would say more advantageous to do CM at risk for a school specifically. >> So if we went with CM CMR, let's just say that we want CMR and where would Stephen King fall into this? So certainly working well the design phase would be similar to what you have been doing right as far as um >> you know that phase would be the same um and I'm kind of turning to you because I wasn't as involved in the recent projects but I mean you'd still be overseeing daytoday talking to the construction manager is my sense >> you're going to be our point of
100contact I guess. Once the design's complete and construction or demolition starts, I would be on on site as owner's representative, you know, working with the construction manager if that's the one we chose. And, you know, any issues that I that I saw that, you know, we would document and and just kind of be the eyes and ears of the owner, the district dur during the entire project, right? So, would it be beneficial to to move on that today so that we can go ahead and get RFQS out >> if everybody feels comfortable there? >> I I'll say I'm not ready to move forward. I like to look, you know, because I may have some more questions I might want to send to Stephen and to to Eva. >> I mean, I think the plan was
101at next month's meeting to definitely have make a decision by then. um so that we're making the best decision I guess for the school district looking at the cost cuz I mean I you know I always I'm even thinking about with the the last three projects we had we had those issues some issues there particular contingency and I just want to make sure that I'm clear with my understanding >> Sure of um the liability on on the on their part the constructor's part and then ours because I don't want us to get short changed at the end and I'm like Corey I want to make sure all the money that we get through this grant is spent I don't want to send anybody back >> and I don't know because of where we are in
102the year were you to take advant like I don't know that you would really get anything done faster because you're not putting out any art fees >> and just to for clarity reasons the design build that's what we did on the three previous projects >> so which to me I don't think we would even want to include in our decision making because the architect and your contractor are just not speaking and I do not want that to go there again. I wouldn't want that for anybody and it comes just down to the design build and to the CMR and the goal was to um make sure that everyone on this board is very well educated about your options or the options and then in January we would actually bring a recommendation um for a selection
103of one of these methods to you. Um, but then you would be you would have an opportunity to ask questions of the board attorney in here. When we go into close session for legal advice and then think about it over the holiday, come back together mid January. We make a recommendation and then you all either support that recommendation or say no, we want this one. >> Yeah, that's that was the goal for today. >> And Stephen, usually the RF RFQS that we would send out on this because we'd have you we would it would take about a month, right? So, we're we're set for March. If we go through this process, January, we come back. We have a determination. I think this the line that the timeline said March that we sent all that stuff
104out, February, March. >> Yeah, we would we would need help from our attorneys putting that together. So, you I don't know what their case load looks like going into the holidays, but I think March would be >> manageable. Yes, sir. Does the board is the board okay with the timeline that Ashley presented to us before? >> I think that's what we need to work towards. >> Even though it was aggressive because I even asked her, you know, you heard me. Um, I do think that's what we want to do. We want to >> 2028 open that school. >> And that was mainly my reason for asking if that, you know, three weeks may make a difference. But but if we could all be on the same page on that as we move forward on this
105timeline because you think about it, what is this 2026, >> hopefully the board remains the same and then you know in three two years later we got three more people running again. So I would like to see this project completed with all these folks still here who started it. So, so if we have that in mind and say yes for that timeline, then we can move forward and go from there. So, y'all do your homework on this. Um, I would suggest if you have any questions about the three um to reach out to Stephen. Is that okay, Stephen? And then if we have questions, maybe we can just make one phone call to Eva. Okay. >> Yeah. And well, we have uh also Rod available to to join us in close to talk about um
106you know, like sort of what happens when it gets sticky with these different >> and Rod will probably have a a thought process for us. Rod, this is what he does, you know. So that's great. Any other questions about this, y'all? Anybody feels good about >> Okay. You have anything else? You have anything else? Okay. Let's see where we're at. Motion to close. >> Yeah. Uh motion. You need a motion to enter into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 1433181A16 to prevent the disclosure of confidential personnel records and to discuss personnel matters. >> Make motion. >> Motion by Mr. Ethridge. >> Second by Mr. Still all in favor by saying I. I. All opposed.