001Good evening everybody. Welcome to the September 9th, 2025th school board meeting. I first like to say uh we have royalty with us tonight. I just want to welcome Dr. Jerry McGee. See you're looking around. You're looking around. It's you. So glad to see you back in Richmond County. Always glad to see you, Jerry. We have an existence of a quorum for tonight's meeting. Will this meeting please come to order? Will you lead us in a moment of silence and our pledge of allegiance? 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. >> Thank you, Mr. Bowwin. >> Back to you, Mr. Chairman. >> Board members, you have uh the open minutes from our
002August 12th and then our work session on August 26th. And I need a motion to approve those minutes. >> Make a motion. >> Have a motion by Mr. Ethridge. A second. >> Second by M. Tilman. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. Thank you. Dr. Pharaoh. Is our agenda looking good tonight? >> Yes, sir. No changes. >> All right. All right. So, under consent of the board, we will adopt the motion as is and we can go right on to our business. Miss Cameron Whitley, good evening. >> Dr. 26 awards starting with Richmond Early College, Miss Angela McDonald. Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to let me recognize two outstanding individuals who contribute to our school and make it a better place for all stakeholders. The Inspire and Excellence Award
003for classified member of Richmond Early College High School is Miss Michelle Butler. Miss Butler exemplifies what it means to juggle multiple responsibilities with grace and dedication. She has played a vital role in my transition to reach, consistently offering support to both faculty and students in any way she can. Her positivity never waver, even when faced with a flood of task. Whether it's managing attendance, handling fees, distributing laptops, or assisting with junior home room needs, her warmth and compassion make her beloved by everyone around her. Miss Butler's willingness to help no help knows no bounds. She never hesitates to step in whenever she's needed, embodying the spirit of the Reach family. It is a true privilege to honor someone so deserving of the Inspiring Excellence Award. Congratulations, Miss The Inspiring Excellence Certified Staff Member for Richmond
004Early College High School is Miss Anna Sanford. Am I supposed to pause? >> Keep going. >> Okay. Miss Sanford radiates positivity, kindness, and teamwork in everything she does. She is always the first to step up when someone is in need, whether it's a student or staff member. Her uplifting presence brightens the day of everyone around her, making her a cherished member of our school community. Over the summer, she dedicated her time to organizing and finalizing the details of a grant she received to create a pollinator garden on campus. This not only shows her commitment to her subject and students, but also her passion for enhancing our school environment. Miss Sanford is a true asset to Richmond Early College High School and is a privilege to work alongside her each day. Congratulations. [Applause] Sorry, I lied.
005>> Thank you so much. >> Okay. Okay. >> One, two, three. Closer. Thank you. Miss Talia Sweeney, good evening. How are you? >> Good. >> I'm great. So, you're here to present the outstanding secondary school math teacher, huh? >> Yes. >> Great. >> All right. Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Frell, and members of the board. It's my privilege to this evening to recognize an exceptional educator who embodies the very best of mathematics instruction. Each year, the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and NCDPI recognizes either an elementary or a secondary teacher for their standout work in math education as they realize the importance of highquality math instruction in our schools. This award allows us the opportunity to shine the light on some of our very own teachers who exemplify teaching excellence through everyday classroom experiences. Today
006we celebrate Blake Kelly. He's a seventh grade math teacher at Hamlet Middle School and he is our Richmond County's outstanding secondary math teacher for the 202526 school year. Here are a few thoughts about Mr. Kelly from his admin team. Hamlet Middle is proud to have Mr. Kelly as a dedicated seventh grade math teacher who fosters a classroom environment that promotes problem solving and collaboration, inspiring all his students to reach their full potential. What makes Blake Kelly truly outstanding is his ability to motivate students to excel in math. Mr. Kelly is not only a leader within his grade level but also a respected figure throughout the entire school community and his results speak for themselves. In the 2024 25 school year he set a very ambitious goal for 100% of his advanced students to demonstrate proficiency
007on the ELG and he was successful. While this accomplishment is very impressive, it is actually his character that truly distinguishes him. When unforeseen circumstances left his fellow seventh grade math teacher absent, Mr. Kelly stepped right up without hesitation. He supported the substitute teacher and he personally provided small groupoup instruction to those students, ensuring that their learning continued uninterrupted. And actually, I think he's had the unique opportunity to be to have a new partner every year since he started teaching, which really speaks to both his character and his commitment. So, as a recipient of this honor, he will receive a one-year membership to NCCTM, a personalized plaque, and recognition at the state conference, and his name will also appear in the journal and on the website. So, please join me in congratulating Blake Kelly, our outstanding
008secondary math teacher of the year. [Applause] You know, I want to tell you to scoot closer out like you like each other. >> Congratulations. >> Go ahead. Have our honorary retired people in the back. >> There we go. >> Daryl, there you go. Perfect. One, two, three. Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] Dr. Kate Smith got some great news concerning Winkit scholarship. >> Yes. All right. So, good evening, Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Frell, and members of the board. Last September, a year ago, um I received an email from Miss Heather Campbell at Wingut University. she wanted to inform me of a program uh that Wingut offers. And so we sat down, we zoomed, and the rest is history. And here we are. Uh Miss Campbell let me know that they had a donor uh who was interested in
009funding a college access and attainment program in Richmond County. And Wingot would offer free tuition to students who complete this program. And so now we're going to take a few minutes to share the information about the Wingut Wayfind program and our implementation in Richmond County schools. But before I get into the details of the planning, um I would like to take a minute and introduce some key people who are going to work with us to develop and plan as well as contribute financially to the partnership and the scholarship program. So first we have Miss Michelle Lancaster. She is the vice president of strategic partnerships for Wingit. Michelle has been instrumental already in helping us over the past year, help us plan a timeline, create an application process um and brainstorm how to make sure that
010our students are navigating this process in the best interest um of our of our students. Um we also have Miss Don Perry who has graciously agreed um to be our program champion facilitator. Um her role will be to support the mentoring process between the Wingut University students and our Richmond County students uh weekly ensuring that the program is impactful and supported for all students. We also have Dr. Jerry McGee, President Ammeritis of Wingut University and Mr. Danny Cadell. These are our generous financial supporters of the program for Richmond County school students um who have a focus and a passion for assisting students from their hometown Richmond County and supporting opportunities to continue the students education. And so without your contribution, this opportunity would not be able to be funded. Okay. So this is going to
011be great. Um and Miss May and I um we are going to be uh the ones who attend the meetings, make sure we track the progress, um problem solve with Michelle, um and just sort of communicate with Wing It. So, um this is the whole crew. I just wanted to make sure everybody um got to be up here while we talk about this. Um you all have a one-page flyer and it does explain the program. Uh this program is designed to identify academically promising students as early as the eighth grade um and put them on a clear pathway toward higher education. The Wing It Wayfind program focuses on first generation college students, those who may be the first in their family to even pursue a degree. The program creates opportunities for access, mentorship, and readiness
012to ensure that these students are not just encouraged, but fully supported along this journey. Students gain mentorship from trained Wingut University student mentors and they will take part in a college readiness curriculum that will begin in middle school for our first cohort this spring, our eighth graders. They experience campus life firsthand through visits, activities, and their families will receive ongoing support to better understand the college process. And so once a student completes the program, they will receive a tuitionfree scholarship to Wingut University. We do have a recruitment application. I've given you just a very small glimpse into that because we are still working on that process. U but it's behind the flyer. Um, beginning just this month, we will um begin sharing this program through the charge of Miss Terry, Miss Don Terry, uh, with
013students and families through messaging, and she will host a family informational night at each middle school. Applications will go live September 29th through October 10th. December 9th, our scholar winners will be announced. And so our version of this program will be named the Cadell McGee Scholars Program to reflect the gratitude for your invaluable contribution for our students. And so at this time I would just give you guys the floor if anybody would like to have any thoughts or share anything or any questions or comments. On behalf of Wingut University and our president, Rhett Brown, I would love to tell you how honored we are to be able to expand this program into Richmond County. So, we have offered this program for Union County Public Schools for about eight years. And so, this is our first
014foray outside of Union County. And so, we appreciate the partnership that we've had with this team and we look forward to seeing all the great things that your students are going to be able to achieve throughout the rest of this partnership. Thank you for having us tonight. >> Thank you. Yeah, I' I'd just like to say that uh both of us uh we blow a fuse. Uh we're brothers and we blow a fuse every time because uh my name's Cadell and his name's McGee. And so uh just to give you a little background, Jerry's father passed away at a very early when he was very well he was young and Jerry really never knew his dad. So, uh, our mother remarried and, uh, Jerry kept his dad's name, but we've never thought of each other
015as stepbros, never. Uh, and, uh, we wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for our parents. And we grew up in Robertdale, and I can't to this day tell you, uh, why they had the vision for both of us to uh, go on to college. Uh but it was never an option. It was never an option. And somehow they made it happen. And my reason for being involved in this is in gratitude to them for what they did for us because I shouldn't be standing here. But uh we hope we can help somebody else and pass it forward. And uh hopefully they'll do the same thing one day. But, uh, it's sounds like a great opportunity. Uh, and we can't save them all, but if we can save one, it's worth it. That's right. >>
016Thank you. >> Dr. Brown and I are very close. He worked in the uh, Heather Chamble Miller worked on one side of me and he worked on other side of me for a long, long time at Wingit. And of course, Heather's from here as well. But when we first had the idea for this program, uh there were a lot of naysayers because it was going to be very expensive and a lot of students going to drop out along the way. And we kept talking about upward mobility, upper mobility because we were all product of up mobility. So let let's do what we can. And as soon as this program started and it started enjoying a little bit of success, I immediately started thinking I know another place that would probably work. But when Dr. Brown
017and I have having our monthly lunch one month. I said, "Okay, are we ready to expand the program somewhere else?" And he said, "I think so. Are you thinking Asen County?" I said, "No, just a little further." So, obviously, I was always thinking about Richmond County. But, but we're so excited about this because we we were blessed, as Danny said. But, you know, there were a lot of kids at Robertdale and PD and Cordova and other places that were just as smarter, smarter than we were who didn't get a chance. And if we can provide eight or 10 young people a year a chance to to uh to live a better life and to get more education, then we want to do it. And we're excited about participating. So, thank you. >> I have heard
018about the program. I'm so excited that you're here and doesn't surprise me that you always remember Richmond County. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you y'all so much. Wayne gets true to my heart. I got a degree from there like I was telling you Dr. G. So, we are fortunate that people like you are coming back to Richmond County. So, thank y'all. And can we get a picture with y'all? Start this advertising. >> And I just want to add Robert Dale was true to my heart. So, that's what I grew up. I want to thank you for not breaking your roots on that as well. >> And if I could too, I I you know, I'm an alumni of Wing It and I'm just proud and I appreciate the partnership and
019know Dawn is as well. So, uh, go Bulldog. That's right. >> Come on y'all. They're going to have you there. deliver. One, two, three. Thank you. I can take the jacket off now. >> I'm going tell you one thing. That's impressive right there. I guess I don't >> You're I don't even need to finish. >> He made eye contact. I guess I don't need anymore. It's about right. Once everybody leaves, I talk. So do a good job. You'll put me at the right right part. >> Well, let's do it. Right. So now we're having an athletic update from James Johnson. >> All right. So I I I kind of prepared maybe Jimmy maybe I said I don't know did some notes a few days ago and I forgot what they said already. So I printed
020out but I I think as I was as I was kind of looking at what I put down a big thing was just growth and I think we've grown in some ways that are are maybe not measurable. Um you know and some examples of things I thought about were uh coaches communicating with with teachers and with the early college. I know that was a thing that Dr. Frell mentioned. We changed leadership there as well and uh just kind of letting those professors especially know because they operate a little differently and our coaches have started instead of waiting till an hour before the game send email some of them are are now even two days in advance and that was that was noticed at the high school as well because you know those teachers playing tests
021and exams and things and all of a sudden five kids leave you didn't know till the morning of that's that's tough on them. That was something that I think both staffs have appreciated at both of the schools that we draw athletes from. U you know, scheduling our scheduling and opportunities for our kids. We have a non-conference cross country meet this week. That's something that's not been done. We've had three non-conference tennis matches. That's something that that typically hasn't been done. Fortunately, all those were at home. So, so it was even, you know, even better for our kids. Um so, we're growing in a lot of those ways. cross country had a had a had a late change in leadership one the teams and despite that I think we're seeing a little bit of growth in
022numbers now some of them didn't like the leadership change and left I think they might be running a little harder than they were before coach Miller what I heard that first day he got out on the scooter and it was he was fully charged and he he chased him around and and gave them motivational quotes the whole the whole time they were running around the lake so I guess some of them liked it some of them didn't and then you know I thought something that was really neat this year that we did and it kind of shows some when I get to the end to show some growth in some other ways, but we scheduled like a rivalry week in Scotland where it's not a conference game anymore. So, we we made an effort with
023them to schedule as much stuff as we could we played football and kind of kind of hype it up a little bit. And uh during that week, they had a young man, a baseball player who viciously attacked by by a dog. And I don't know how it ended up, but it was it was not good. and uh with basically a day's notice, our student government jumped in at the football game and raised $300 to kind of help support him and his family. So, I thought that was, you know, something that a year ago we probably wouldn't have made happen was I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know the right people and I don't know if people were were on board with trying to do anything other than just get a Friday night
024and survive and then repeat the week again. So, I think there there's there's been a lot of growth there. U attendance has has been really good. You know, I talked with Dr. Frell some and Scotty was at the game last night. Dr. Carter and I talked some about attendance and some of our numbers. And without without going into a lot of detail, I'll just say Scotland played Dylan the first week of the regular season football at Scotland. U that's a pretty that's a pretty big matchup. They're 30 minutes apart. Two really good schools that play quite a bit traditionally. Our first JB game against Hogard from two hours away made half of what their first varsity game did. So I think we're doing doing really good attendance-wise. Volleyball's only played one match up in the
025new gym and part of that's because their crowds have been big enough we feel like we need to keep them keep them in the old gym. So I I've been really pleased with our attendance kind of across the board. Soccer's done done good as well and in facilities like obviously y'all been y'all been a very instrumental part. you know, whether it's people within the county office or or the board members, y'all been instrumental part of that. There's, you know, there's some other things that that are happening there that people may not know about while they may let let a group of gentlemen who essentially put in a parking area between tennis and the practice fields. So, there's some there's some upgrades happening that are even happening outside of this room that people may not notice.
026I think just continue to make our campus and our school and our athletic program better. So, we're we're growing and uh I think we're already in a good place, but but there's a quote and I know Scotty Baldwin likes it, so I'm I'mma give it to him. You don't have to be sick to get better. And I don't know that our program was sick, but I think it's definitely getting better. So, that those were kind of things I want to touch on. If anybody's got any questions or anything, >> one thing you didn't mention in that Scotland County rivalry week, we we beat every sport. >> It's not really a rivalry. We swept every cleanly JB, varsity, male, female, revenue, nine revenue. You you name it, we beat them. >> And most of them weren't
027that competitive. So that's that's always a good thing. I know we got a pretty much everybody in here's die hard Richmond County, so y'all understand what that means to us. So that that was good. I just hope they want to keep doing rivalry week, you know, so they can they can back out of it and we have five more games. Coach Johnson, I just say I I appreciate the work that you that you have been doing. I mean, I you know, I just like with other board, we see you, you know, out just like with the superintendent like all the activities. So, I really appreciate uh your work and the commitment to um working with our middle schools. Uh I know there's a lot of work that's going on there trying to, you know, um
028continue to bridge any gaps that may be there and trying to reach those kids and and get them ready for the high school. And I think it's growing um some things there. You know, I interviewed this job a couple times and both times we talked about middle school alignment. Um our ads are struggling with it more because of the people they rely on to do it. But they're they're starting to do eligibility the same way we do at the high school and that once everybody learns it, that'll help us because when children come from the middle schools to the high schools, all they're going to have to do is go in. If they've got active physical and all the paperwork's up to date, they can go to their account, they'll change LB Middle School to
029Richmond Senior High School and I have their paperwork. And so that that's that's going to be a lifesaver for us on our end. And that's something that we've uh we've helped the middle schools kind of pay for and and taken off of their plate in exchange. We'll we'll run a middle school track meet or two for them and kind of help them with that. Um middle school jamberees, we had we had volleyball last night, footballs tomorrow night, so we we'll have a three half game. Southern middle schools coming from from Southern Pines. We managed to get them to come down and they kind of didn't want to at first and uh Chad Hills there who who who a lot of us know and I worked with her middle school ad or one of them some
030when I was at Pine Crest. So we're able to convince them and hopefully we don't hurt them too bad and they'll they'll come back again next year but we'll see how that goes. So I think that that's that's been a good thing and and and I think they're trying to grow and get better too. We all we're all learning how to do it together. >> I was at Rockingham Middle School the other day. Um I'm I'm a volunteer uh golf coach there. There were 13 kids that came try out which we hadn't had 13 kids in the three years I'm out there. Um but it was a lot of football kids, a lot of volleyball kids. It was just great to see the numbers >> out there that day. >> We could we could grow
031those numbers or that's you know that's one spot where and we had to transition another late hire there and that's we lost a lot of seniors in girls golf last year. That's one spot where our roster our roster is a little smaller, but Jeff U called. We're playing at at Pinerest today at at number six in Pinehurst. And he called not too long after they got started. And one, he was he was pretty happy to see, you know, Kevin Wallace is is coaching that for us. And he said, "Well, how much you have to pay Kevin to get him out here." I said, "Whatever that supplement said on the contract," I said, but I said, "He actually came to me. He's been a really, you know, he's been a really good hireer in that spot
032and he understands the administrative side of things and has helped with that." And uh but Jeff was really complimentary of the the few we have out there, you know, being out there and I think we'll be obviously Pine Crest is always tough in golf, but we'll be a very competitive team in our conference against board. >> Well, James some coming. >> Appreciate what you're doing. Keep it up. >> Yes, sir. >> Go Raiders. >> Thank you. >> Facilities look great. We've got exciting things coming up. >> Take care of them. Got to keep go home. You go home, you come back, things look different all the stuff. >> I feel your pain. Good evening. >> Reach school county revision. Dr. Smith again. You're busy young lady tonight. >> Um, good evening, Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Frell,
033members of the board. We need your approval for a calendar change for REACH. Their graduation date currently is set for May 21st, 2026, and we need that move to May 22nd, 2026. Just move from a Thursday to a Friday night. >> I'll make a motion to approve the move as presented. >> Have a motion by Mr. Balling, a second. >> Second by Mr. Mason. Discussion. All in favor by saying I. >> All opposed. I guess graduation will be now May 22nd. Now >> you go again. >> Yeah. Look at that. Supportive community schools model in the sand hills. Dr. Kate Smith again. All right. So, good evening, Chairman Satderfield, Dr. Frell, and members of the board. We are excited to bring to you all and our community some news about a new school model that
034has the power to transform not just our school but our entire community and it is called the community schools model. Each of you has a folder with variousformational pieces and I'll go through a few of them in just a minute so that we all understand exactly what this will mean for our district and for Washington Street Elementary School. So, if I could first bring your attention to the community schools flyer um that is in your folder and it looks just like this. Um this flyer is veryformational. The North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, which was launched in 2023 through a grant with the Department of Education, aims to improve the academic, mental, and physical health of North Carolina students. Community schools are an evidence-based approach to improving schools identified as chronically low performing. Community schools are
035public schools that partner with families and community organizations to remove the barriers to student success through aligning supports through volunteers, medical clinics, basic need pantries, and other priorities. And so you'll see the real four pillars of this model at the bottom of page one. Community schools coordinator position. That position has been posted. The formation of a school advisory board that has various stakeholders that will participate. A family resource center and partnerships and programs to support our students. And so, as you all know, uh, many of our families in Richmond County face significant challenges. Poverty, limited resources, lack of access to basic services. And these things often stand in the way of student success. These barriers don't just affect academics. They affect attendance, behavior, health, and even the ability of families to feel truly connected to
036our schools. And so secondly, I provided you all in your folder with the Richmond County data card as well as the North Carolina data card to show you why this community schools approach is so necessary for Richmond County. I'd like to highlight for you all just a few data points that directly affect our students and our school data. pre-term born babies, children living in poor and lowincome homes, children in households that are food insecure, delinquency rates, and certainly children assessed for abuse and neglect. And without a doubt, I know that you all as either former educators yourselves, someone who works directly with children and families in another capacity, and who have immediate family members that are educated, that are educators. You all completely understand that county's access to resource and lack of resources directly impacts
037what's happening inside of the school. And so for this reason, partnerships and family involvement are hugely important for our students and staff. And so for this school year, we will pilot this community schools model in one of our schools, Washington Street Elementary School. Why do you ask Washington Street? Well, because we know that at Washington Street, just like all of our schools, we have teachers who care about kids and understand that there is a need to have more involvement from the community and families. And so, I'm going to let Miss Gunnels, the principal, speak at this time if you would like to just say a few things. >> Good evening. Um, I just want to say that we're grateful um for this opportunity. Um, you know, we operate as leaders with um just all things
038school improvement, right? Um, we rely on our community. Um, we would like to build that relationship with our community. I feel like our kids need that. They need that additional support. And I'd like for our community um to see us as a resource as well. Um, also strengthening our kids. So, academically that um and socially, emotionally. Um, we feel like that there needs to be that partnership. So um you know having an additional staff member who is minded around all things that we need based on the data that we collect the plan that's implemented and of course that school advisory board would oversee um all things that you know that that that team would um decide to implement and um again we're grateful for it and we appreciate any support. And I'll just say that
039um Angela Gallagher, our director of student services, she's from Scotland, so she didn't feel comfortable coming up after um the last presentation. I'm just picking on her. Um but no, she and myself will be the ones that will I had to get you, Angela. Sorry. She and myself will be the ones that will attend the meetings um monthly um with Miss Gunnels and with the leadership of the coalition to make sure this is implemented and progress is made and all the things. I have no doubt it'll be successful with Dena's leadership, >> right? >> It'll be fine. She'll be it'll be great. So, thank you for what you do and thank you for a great opening to Washington Street. >> I have two things. >> Yeah. One, the um All right. Well, I'm very supportive
040of this. I think it's excellent thing for our county. And I look at your bullets down on the first page. I'm a a real advocate for community support. So, I'm glad that on the the purple one where you've got student advisory board, you got community. That's so important. You got that we that you have them on that board and they are you have their I feel like if you get them on the board, >> they'll be they'll be in support of it. But, um it's a wonderful um program. Oh, I know. My other question was the person that we hire is it for one year? >> Did they tell us? >> That's my understanding of the roll out. They haven't talked beyond the one year. >> Yeah. I I I haven't heard anything >> ma'am.
041>> The program can continue. >> It can spread throughout the district. >> We can pull in more schools. Yeah. The Sand Hills region, as a matter of fact, I believe this year the the entire Sand Hills region is coming on board. >> That is correct. That's what that's what it looks like on the map. Yeah. So, >> great. >> Yeah. We're hoping to spread it >> again. We got to have community support and and I I just think that the things you hear in the community now when you go to events now, I think they're very positive to our schools. So, don't think you're having trouble with that. I just that would that made me excited to know that you are going to put them on the board. Thanks, >> Dr. uh Smith. Quick question.
042So um so with the the position that we have uh uh for this coordinated position the funds are coming from the Sand Hills organization for this position. >> It's actually coming from the coalition >> from the coalition. Okay. >> Yes. This is all a grant funded through the department of ed. >> Okay. Now uh is there like um how do we look at outcomes of of this program? Okay. So the the actual the people that come um that come here and meet with us and help us um sort of plan and organize all the things, they will be the ones that help us decide uh what it is that we want to achieve. Um and certainly the implementation of um the school advisory board, the implementation of a family resource center and the partnerships and
043programs that we um create this year are really the outcomes. Um that's what they are really looking for us to do is have community outreach, more family involvement, positive perception, um those kinds of things. >> And if I can just add to that also on the there's data collection that happens along the way and so they actually share with us that they have to report back to um their their there's their their resource of funding as well. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions for them? >> No, not for me, but if I would if I may give one quick um shout out. Um if you look at the map that Dr. Smith provided there, this opportunity is sprinkled across the state. You notice that when it gets to the Sand Hills region though, it's
044all of us. And the the shout out that I'd like to give is, you know, our regional director is Dr. Ron Hargrave. And we go to our monthly meetings and he does a lot to support us. And what he'll do, what what I have found that he does in advocacy for our school districts is, you know, someone will come and present a great new product or a great opportunity or a grant opportunity or something like that. And then Ron has absolutely no shame in saying we all want that. How can we make that happen? And so he deserves a lot of credit. I know he's not based in Richmond County, but he deserves a lot of credit for bringing this to our entire region. Um because he he pretty much said, "Yeah, we we'll get
045you to come in here and listen, but we're going to all have this opportunity, right?" And then they start trying to figure out ways to do that. So if you know Dr. Hardgrave and get an opportunity to say thank you for his advocacy for our district and this entire region. It's it's really um it's really impressive to watch what he's what he's able to do. >> Thank y'all. >> Thank you. >> Policies for approval. Delvin Angra. >> Good evening, 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 the 30-day review period. I would like to present these policies for adoption. Um 6220, operation of school nutrition services. 6330 insurance for state student transportation services 7100 recruitment and
046selection um personnel 7130 lure 7335 employee use of social media 7340 employee dress and appearance 7820 personnel files 9210 care and maintenance of grounds and outdoor equipment and 2302 remote participation uh in board meetings 2302 um has has um been submitted by Miss Denison um um and and reflects the feedback that that we were given during the last board meeting. >> I need a motion to approve the policies presented. >> So move a motion by Mr. Bowwin. Second. >> Second by Miss Orby. Any discussion? All in favor by saying I. >> I. All opposed. >> They are approved. Mr. on policies for review. Um, in board docs, you have a list of policies that we would like you to review for a 30-day review period. Uh, 3,400, Evaluation of Student Progress. 3420, Student Promotion and
047Accountability. 3620, Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations. 40 23 7233 pregnant and parenting students and employees 4040 7310 staff student relations 4240 73 >> I hate to do this but policies right >> yes >> um and I just I need some clarification got a couple of phone calls um concerning um a request to have a funeral on one of our campuses was denied and it's and they said it according to the policy it was not allowed. Well, as I read through the policy, I don't see where it's not allowed. As a matter of fact, we just allowed a funeral on campus in July. I know we've allowed funerals on campus back in when uh Miss Dina Crowder, one of our former students uh uh died in an accident. Uh we allowed a funeral to be held
048at Richmond. And I just need some clarification. Uh cuz what that was told is not written in the policies. Something about uh you have to be we're only renting to allowing um certain organization nonprofit organizations to rent our facilities. And um I just need some I think the public needs some clarification on why these individuals were allowed to have funerals. And I'm I'm referring to uh Nick uh >> Rat family. They're trying to they need clarification as why that these other people were allowed to have funerals and their their theirs were request was denied. >> Okay. >> Um I I can give you a little bit of information and I might need to um phone a friend over here in the legal department. Um but um so back I'm not sure how I'm not sure
049about the second funeral you mentioned. Now, the one that happened this summer >> that well two that was in 2000 19 2019 >> okay >> 2020 somewhere around in there. >> Okay. So, when I first got here, not long after I got here, there was quite a bit of discussion going on about whether or not funerals on our campuses should be allowed because apparently there had been um a shooting or a death here in the community and there was some fear of retaliation that might or might not take place at the memorial service and whether or not that would be on one of our school campuses. So that was and I don't know all the details of that but that was a pretty big discussion point. So at that time we actually at Therington Smith
050we were talking with um Steve Rosson and so we reached out to him and talked about what this policy should look like. Should we allow um funerals on campus at all campuses at all and if so should we put any kind of guidelines on that? his his recommendation at that time was to um to put certain things in policy and certain things in procedure to implement the policy. And so it was decided at that time that we would allow funerals and memorial services for current students and current staff members if it was requested. So like for example, the July funeral that took place at LJ Bell was a current fifth grade student. And so that's why that one was allowed. Um, so but as I was talking with Cameron Whitley this morning about just the
051just funerals and memorial memorial services in general, you know, I one of the things that I have on my list to me to to talk with Eva about actually is whether or not it should be stated in policy that we would allow um that we would allow it only for sta current staff members and only for current students because it does not currently read that way. Um we have just had that in procedure and we have denied a number of requests for people who were um making that request uh for noncurrent students and non-current staff members. And so um this this one for Mr. Ratliff is just kind of the latest one that just popped up. And so the other thing is and I don't have the exact language in my head but the other
052thing is there is langu my understanding is there is language in there about the nonprofit piece right >> and so >> yeah so your policy only allows rentals to nonprofits civic organizations charitable organizations and so and not to for-profit businesses and one reason for that is thestead act and not being in competition with for-profit businesses And so one thing that came up, as Cameron did mention this to me, is when a funeral home is seeking to rent your facility, like that's a for-profit business that wants to use your facility. And so that was another aspect to it. Um, but you're right, your policy right now doesn't mention funerals or memorials and you could certainly clarify that. Um, I shared with her the just a minute ago the Pquimman's County policy that I worked on last
053month and that was something that they specifically wanted to add. And so because Um, so they their policy specifically says current staff members or students, funerals or memorials can be held without charge. Um, so it's I mean it's the board's decision. I think part of the discussion is in some communities where you have like the largest cheapest space. It can become a problem if it's, you know, becomes known that that's available for for any funeral. But um yes, you could certainly add that to policy as like we make an exception for current staff members and students. >> Well, if it's a procedure that we're using, I would like to see that procedure put in the policy so at least our public will know what's going on. Don't have to like don't have a guessing game
054of why why or why not, >> right? and and but as far as the funeral home it goes, I think that's not a correct statement because when a family has a funeral, it's not the funeral home that's renting the facility. It's the family. The funeral home only is responsible for processing the body and maintaining the body. It's the family and the church that actually in this case for sure the church is reaching out to rent because they have a nonprofit and they're they're wanting to rent the facility in order to have Mr. Ratler's funeral. Um and those who you know Mr. Ratliff was a star football player here in Richmond County. Had the opportunity to go D1. Um I'm in a I'm in a chat with his former teachers at Rockham and all those teachers
055are just, you know, just memorize just going through memory lane and what a great person he was and it was sad what happened to him. But it's the church that which has a nonprofit that wants to rent our facility. It's not the funeral home. Only thing the funeral home does is transport. >> I'm sorry. But the funeral home did contact Cameron. >> Huh? >> That it was the funeral home that contacted Cameron to rent >> on behalf of the church. >> I don't know that. >> Yeah. From what I understand, >> the funerals can be done many, many ways. >> Yeah. But that was on behalf of the church. But I just I just think the public needs clarification and like Corey says, I think it needs to actually be written into the policy. Uh
056so there's no question or doubt about why this was allowed, why this wasn't allowed. But that was before you got here 2019 with Dina um which is also one of my former students and they were allowed to have the funeral at Richmond Senior High School uh which was a huge funeral. Um so and the family just didn't understand why one was allowed and other and they're being denied and so just needs that clarification. >> So Mr. Ingram, can we get that policy up and see if we can make those changes and put it into the next >> meeting if that's okay with everybody? >> Well, um, would this be in the policy if we talk about I mean, if we do it is still no charge. >> So, right now what your policy says is
057that it depends. So this would be considered assuming again that it's a either family or church and not profit not for profofit that they would be charged a rental fee and um custodial fees or if you know staff fees if they require staff and often they do >> they have to they have to have security they have to have custodians they have >> fee if they want to use the kitchen so yes there would be a charge >> unless unless you modify your policy to say that certain groups would not get a charge. >> Just to open a whole another can of worms on this, if it's in fact a rental, are they covered under our liability insurance or is that if it's a rental because or do they have to have event insurance? >>
058I think they're supposed to have their own certificate certificate of insurance. >> Any renter has to provide that. >> So it was done by a church. The church would have insurance hope. I think I think it was >> Saturday. >> I do think it since there's been some conversation that we might it needs to be put into policy so that we >> Yeah. And we had Yes. And there was quite a bit of discussion with Mr. Rosson at the time and and at that time it was agreed that we would leave it in procedure, but um it hasn't been it hasn't been well like anything else. It's not an issue until it's an issue. >> And so we um >> we just put it in procedure and to remain consistent, we have consistently denied anyone
059making the request that's um not a current student or staff member. and that and then this this morning when Cameron and I were talking about it, I said, you know, Cameron, I think I'm just going to run it by Eva and just make sure that she feels as because she was not our board attorney at the time just to make sure that she agrees that it should remain in procedure and not in policy because once it's in policy, it's a lot more clear. >> Did you say what you thought? Did you think it should be procedure or policy? >> Well, now that it's an issue, I don't think there's any harm in putting it in policy. I think that if it's in policy then either so the way it would read is for instance that
060um you know funerals and memorials for current students and staff you could put without charge um you know and then we would discuss how you want to clarify the rest of it whether you want to say you know only students current students and staff I mean it's your policy you can have whatever policy you want. >> Sure. >> Um but then unless you put in the policy that the superintendent can grant waiverss, anyone who wants an exception is going to have to come to the board. Now it doesn't seem to have come up much before. Um >> I go ahead. >> I know for me I I think I agree that it needs to be in policy that way. is black and white and then because when you're looking at procedures I mean that can
061sometimes put you in a gray area and so I think when it's in policy and it's clear in policy what the the rules and expectation is and it just it's easy for everybody to understand but I you know that's something we're going to have to think about because I mean you know I know for me if if someone wants to use the facility that may not be a current student or something like that I don't have a problem with using So, as long as it they go through the proper channels and of our policy because I mean you I'm thinking about this situation with this kid. I coached this this young man and like and this first I even heard about the issue with not being able to use our facility. To me, it it
062would be a major slap in if I'm putting myself in this family's position and and is if it was my own kid that contributed to this school system and and and due to the unfortunate nature of this kid's situation with losing a mother in a tragic accident that wasn't I mean just unexpected and then to have a life changing situation to turn him turn his whole life around. I don't have a problem with whether it's him or any other student that was a part of Richmond Senior High and their family using our facility. So, as long as they follow our processes, that's just me and I'm I'm I'm using, you know, using that as an example, but I always try to put myself in a sit in a person or family situation. So, but I
063do think we need to look at the policy and clean it up and make it clear and concise. >> Are the procedures on the website? >> No, I do not believe so. >> Okay. >> Certainly, the policy does authorize the superintendent to develop procedures and processes, application process, all of that. So, I don't think it's a problem that it's in procedure, but it is the board's policy and you can make it say whatever you want to. Does the community have access to the procedures? Is that they have access? >> If someone asked for those, we would give them, but we don't have them posted anywhere. >> Yeah. So, so that's why that's where the confusion comes in. It's not posted. So, they have no clue that this is procedure. So we need to put it
064out where that anytime they start to read about renting our facilities and these are the procedures and reasons, you know, I think it needs to be where the public can get their hands on to it and and I I I believe I'm I'm with Ronald on mostly everything. I do think that if if it's a current student or a current faculty member, I definitely think that we should be able to open up our facilities under the rental agreement facility that we have. Um I I I want to think more about if it's a past a past employee or a past student. Um, I just know that opening our facilities up constantly. It's a lot on the school administrators, the school as a whole, it could become rather big if one person sees it and more
065people see it. I'd like to see a little bit more constraint on that policy when we do it. But I do think we have to have something in policy that says we have that we we can do funerals. We won't have this gray area. We won't have somebody coming to us >> and keep the fees in place. >> Huh. >> We charge. >> That's something that we would discuss. >> Yeah, I think I to me that's something we discuss. >> Fe is $100 for a K8 auditorium and $200 for a high school. >> I mean I think that's reasonable. pays the custodian the security and all that because then we are paying that stuff and we not getting in the business of paying for that. Yes, sir. >> So, are you going to send we're
066going to look at the policy? I mean, are we deciding right now? >> I was just trying to get some guidance just where we where where we're, you know, where we're going with it. >> Yeah, we've updated this policy with the board since I've been here. Mhm. >> I would like to see event insurance defined in it too if that's not >> cuz that's from the liability standpoint. >> I didn't hear you. >> I would like to like to ensure that event insurance that it would be the responsibility of the using party to to provide their own event insurance >> regulation requires insurance if they're using it for athletics but not for other types of events. >> Slip and fall is a slip and fall. Okay. >> And I'm okay whatever the board decides. You
067know, I'm just one person making a comment, but and I'm okay with whatever they do. >> So, we're going to p make sure I'm clear. So, we're going to pull that policy. I guess Melvin superintendent email that to us was offer feedback, our feedback kind of like what we did with the >> I would let I would let Eva play around with that that policy for a little bit and maybe give us >> bring you maybe some options. >> Give us some options and then look at it and go from there. >> I think that's fair. >> But we we hold under the the procedure that Dr. Ferrell has in place for Richmond County Schools right now. >> Okay. Anything else? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Ingram. >> You thought you
068were getting out quick, didn't you? >> Comments from board members. >> Mr. Eth, you more than welcome to go first. I had an opportunity to to visit all the schools and it was interesting to see different people, different locations and have to remember where they were, you know, compared to what they were last year. Uh I also had the opportunity to go and watch the inaugural JV ball game and the varsity volleyball game in the new gym and see us successful over both of them. And then I I was able to go to the Scotland County game. I wasn't able to go to last game. Uh, another situation I had opportunity to go to, uh, Carson Oldm's funeral. I'm not sure exactly what what date Richmond County Schools started as Richmond County Schools, but I
069know it was in 1967. Uh, Carson Odum was the uh, principal at Hammer High School that year. He had uh, uh, Halterwonger WL Halterwonger had been there from probably 30 40 years and then he it went over to that year and also in that facility that year was George Whitfield as our our baseball coach and then uh but Carson got killed in a car wreck Tuesday a week ago but he also came to that we did a 100th anniversary and Carson came was one of our speakers. Uh, but I thought it was sort of interesting that it's right when Richmond County Schools started as as a one of the principles because, you know, at the time we still had four four high schools in the county and he was one of those. >> So, was
070Jerry? >> Yeah, Mr. Chair. I just like to just, you know, give some uh kudos to I know we've had a lot of back to school supply drives. I know um I' I've attended uh several of those, but I just want to give kudos like uh to churches, nonprofit organizations, to individuals um that um participated in that. Um even businesses. I know I went to one back to school drive where they were giving out supplies and even giving haircuts and um uh hairstyles and things like that to help kids get ready for school. So just want to say to to those that participated with that um really appreciate that on behalf of myself and the board. So thanks for telling >> I just want to say thank you to nobody for looking at me when
071he said the word haircut. >> See I didn't even think about I was I was done with it. I was done with it. >> I know I got I just there was one more shot. >> Anybody else? And as I said in our meeting, um just just makes me happy to know that our community is supporting us and I see a lot of it which I saw today. We had our um educational foundation meeting today with a it is up and running and it's starting a new year. I think we'll be very successful and um I appreciate them for their contribution to our um um for the meeting teachers >> convocation. Couldn't think of the word convocation, but >> got lots of good reports from that. Anyhow, they're already started looking at what they're going
072to do this coming year and um three new members and think we had like 12 13 members here today. So, it's off to a good start. And Taylor called me as soon as she left the meeting and she said that she was really excited about being on the foundation and she was excited and she said, "Thank Bobby Sue because she even called your name out and said that she was glad you were part of that that >> she will be an asset >> to our community." >> Yep. >> Anybody else? >> Let me say one more thing. I I want to say thank you Dr. Frell. Uh I think it was August 23rd, we had the prayer walk for the the school system and we had uh I think this year there were 17 different
073churches represented. Uh Bess was there, Bob was there and uh we had uh probably 200 people that came and walked on the campuses and prayed. And you know when we have tragic situations happen, you realize how important it is that people are praying for Richmond County Schools all the time. what what people have to go through nowadays in life. >> Thank you, Dr. Frell. >> That's more community support, Jerry. >> Community support there. >> And I just want to thank Dr. Frell's team, all the administrators, all teachers, all the employees of Richmond County Schools has been another fantastic opening >> and uh driving around campuses look great. So, thank you to Mr. King and his staff. So, uh everything's rocking and rolling and getting ready for Halloween already. Very true. >> Dr. Frell, your comments.
074>> So, um, I'll start out by saying, um, Mr. Gerard Merson was here earlier. I see that he has left now, but he asked that we introduc or to announce that the 17th annual John Cold Train Music Edutainment Festival will be taking place on Saturday, October 4th from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. And that's at 35. Is it Guyo Osborne Road in Hamlet? Is that right? Okay. So, um since he was not able to announce that, yes, that we do that. Um and yes, we've had a great start to the to the school year and so that's a a very exciting thing. Um and student advisory meetings have already started. I'm already um working with our students to um improve schools um for them. um had a great meeting with the LJ Bale staff this
075week to go through the PowerPoint that Ashley Dennis presented to the board, give them an opportunity to ask any questions that they had about uh the potential for the grant and and the construction that would um then come from that. And then um I wanted to I've included this in your uh weekly messages, but I want to make sure I remind everyone and just kind of share information and answer any questions that you have about the September 29th um uh visit with our state superintendent, Mr. Mo Green. He'll be in the area. We're going to start out at Richmond that day. give him an opportunity to see how the board and the staff here chose to spend esser funds um and on some on new construction and then um take him over to RCC and
076he'll get an opportunity to see what's going on with our early college. he'll get an opportunity to see what's going on with the um the uh Rig Hendricks facility and also there will be um some people from the county and potentially people from Amazon just talking about how they will you know come into the community and do things to support um schools and connect with schools. So that'll be a really um exciting event. He's he'll be here. We're going to start at Richmond at 8:15 and um we'll wrap up in the RCC cafe probably around 11:30, 11:45 and then he will head um on to another county to do an afternoon event. Um but I was excited that we were chosen as one of the first groups in the Sand Hills for him to to
077come visit. So, and thank you to those who are helping get that done. And then, you know, it's really it's always really nice to hear um the great things that are going on for our for the children in this community. I know you look at that report card that Dr. Smith shared and some of those statistics don't look very good. Um and I just want you all to know and I and I know you know this already, but just to be reminded that there are a lot of people in this school district working really hard to counteract some of those things that our children are dealing with. And you know, James Johnson's talking about the things that are going on with athletics, and I said this in one of your recent um in one of
078your recent uh weekly updates. You know, you all should be really proud of that stadium and the way things look and the work that's being done at some of our other schools just to make sure that um that we're putting our best face out there for the community. And then of course, great things like this um you know, the community schools model that's coming to Washington Street. what a great opportunity that is. And then the Windgate scholarship, obviously, I mean, that's lifechanging for for some of these children that wouldn't have an opportunity to go to college. So, you know, thank you to Kate for her work with both of those things. You know, Julian for his work with James Johnson and um athletics and all that and to to other members of our staff um
079doing all the things for all the children as much as we can. So, um anyway, just a couple things to point out to you. It's nice to it's nice to hear those those things when you're already dealing with the dayto-day, you know, that comes up in a school district. But, um, lots of great things happening here. So, a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to. So, thank you for that. >> Dr. Do we still have the diamond crew at the high school that Jim Jim Butler started? You know, I think W was a part of it where you have those volunteers >> that come in Montreal. >> That's still >> it's still going on. I think >> it's still going on. >> TK Thrower is the one that goes over
080there regular basis. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And of course we are we have I don't know if you all are you probably aware of this or or maybe have forgotten but you know we have um a couple of employees who um kind of roam the halls over there too quite a bit and help keep things under control and um just provide a presence because sometimes it's just you know I I said to someone the other day you know a police officer sitting on the side of the road even though I might not get a ticket but he causes me to slow down. >> That's right. >> So sometimes it's just that presence that makes a makes a difference. Uh yeah, >> thank you Dr. Frell. >> I need a motion to enter into close session
081pursuant to general statute 1433181A1 and A to discuss personnel. >> Have a motion by Mr. Ethners. A second. >> Second by Mr. Orsby. Any discussion? All for everybody saying I. >> All opposed. >> We are now in close session.