001if we're ready. All right. Good evening, everyone. It is 5:36 PM and we will call this meeting of the Wake County Board of Education to order. It is July 15, 2025. We started our meeting early this morning at 8:00 a.m. where we uh reviewed and adopted our consent agenda before launching into our board retreat. We have concluded our board retreat. We have concluded close session and we are rec we are reconvening over here to continue our official business agenda. We do have a quorum today. We have seven members present. Uh two members are out of town, but we will go ahead and conduct business. At this time, I'd like to ask everyone to please rise if they are able to recite the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United
002States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. So members, if you have had an opportunity to review our meeting agenda, you will see it is very brief today having gone into bit session as at 8:00 a.m. this morning. Um, however, we may have an addition to it. Uh, Vice Chair Swanson. >> Yes. And Mr. um Reynolds, please forgive me. I make a motion to amend the agenda to add under um recognition board A to also add um a B to that uh the order of the long leaf pine an additional recipient uh for Dr. Ston who is also here and I also have that letter and I will read that at the appropriate time. So I just want to
003add that to the agenda as well. So, we have a motion from Vice Chair Swanson to to um amend the proposed agenda for tonight to include a second order of the longleaf pine recipient and to extend those honors. We couldn't have got you here otherwise we had to surprise you. You know that. And we do have a second from Miss Rice. All in favor of adoption of or let's say all in favor of amending the agenda first, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Our proposed agenda has been amended. All in favor of adoption of the amended agenda, please say I. >> I. >> Oh, wait. Technically, we need a motion. I heard one from Miss Rice. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Um, I'll do a motion
004from Miss Rice to adopt the amended agenda. Second from Miss Edmonds. All in favor of adoption of the amended agenda, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Great. So, thank you all for coming. Again, this is a very short meeting. Um, but it is a very special meeting. Um, one of the first things we want to do this evening is to um begin with some recognition items. We are starting our meeting by honoring an order of the long leaf pine recipient. The order of the longleaf pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the governor of North Carolina. On behalf of the board of education, Miss Jacqueline B. Ellis was nominated by its leadership for the Order of the Longleaf Pine, North Carolina's most esteemed civilian award. Miss Ellis's distinguished 30-year
005career in education exemplifies her unwavering dedication to the students and educators of our state and I will add especially of our district here in Wake County. Miss Ellis began her educational journey in Greenville, North Carolina where she demon Greensboro. Oh, we got a typo. Sorry, Miss Ellis. Green. >> It is Greenville. Okay. Got a Greensboro resident trying to claim you. You see what that's about? began her educational journey as a teacher in Greenville, North Carolina, where she demonstrated an exceptional commitment to student development and to academic excellence. Her passion for education has led her to administrative roles, leadership roles, including serving as a middle and high school principal in Chapel Hill Carro City Schools, where she was recognized for in her innovative leadership styles and dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments. expanding her impact. I
006would argue Miss Ellis took on district level responsibilities as a district level administrator in Durham County where she implemented strategic initiatives to enhance educational outcomes in that county as well. She further served locally here at the Wake County Public School System in several key capacities. Middle school director overseeing curriculum and instructional strategies to enhance student achievement. Western Wake area superintendent providing oversight and support to schools in the western region, a special region I will say. Uh ensuring they meet high standards of academic performance and equity. Assistant superintendent of human resources leading efforts to recruit, develop, and retain highquality educators and staff, thereby working to strengthen our district's human capital during her tenure. And then ultimately the role many of you know her in where the role she was serving when I joined the board was
007as our chief of schools. Since 2018, Miss Ellis has excelled in this role, guiding the district's academic programs and initiatives to ensure all students receive a superior education. Throughout her career, Miss Ellis has consistently maintained high expectations for excellence, understanding that students often surpass their perceived potential when challenged and supported appropriately. You might see some of these concepts in our learning model. She has been instrumental in implementing programs and strategies that encourage students to strive beyond their limits, fostering a culture of achievement and resilience. And we went through some times that required resilience, didn't we? Beyond her formal roles, Miss Ellis is deeply committed to the professional growth of educators. She actively coaches and mentors new teachers and principles, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the diverse needs of our student
008population. Her mentorship has been instrumental in cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within our schools. Miss Ellis's career is characterized by her unwavering dedication to all children, her strategic vision, and her compassionate leadership. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to inspire educators, to engage communities, to assist wayward board members. I just want to throw that out there. And most importantly, of course, to improve student outcomes. In recognition of her outstanding contributions in education to North Carolina, we the board of education wholeheartedly recommend Miss Jacqueline B. Ellis for the order of the longleaf pine. Her legacy of service and leadership has left an indelible mark on our state educational landscape. And I'm happy to say that that nomination was accepted. And we have today for presentation. Vice Chair Swanson has here the Order of
009the Longleaf Pine that we would like to present to you, Miss Jacqueline B. Ellis. [Applause] no >> and Miss Ellis, we would never put you on the spot. This is your moment. You may enjoy it how you choose, but I do know Vice Chair Swanson does have some remarks he would like to add. >> Yes. And I also just want to recognize Representative Johnson Hustler um who also played a key role in this as well. So thank you representative Johnson Hustler for your support and also Miss Chief Ellis I still refer to you as Chief Ellis. Thank you for all the work that you have done and continuously doing to mentor students and teachers and principles and we are grateful for your work and we have we will see the impact of your work through
010all the thousands of folks that you have touched and the lives that you don't know that you've touched that you've touched through your work. Thank you so much for the work that you've done and continuously doing for all of our students. >> Thank you, Miss Ellis. All right, with that you you are free. Do do we have I'm sorry, Ber Swanson. >> Do you want me to go to Dr. Well, >> couldn't have done it any better. Wouldn't change one thing. Um, a lot of people poured into me, students, staff, families, um, central services, superintendent, board members, great teams. And I have to leave with chief of school with being the chief for chief of schools. an incredible team of area superintendent and executive leadership coaches and senior directors um throughout the seven years I
011was in this role. And so what I would say is that that level of dedication and commitment only comes only come when you are working and doing something that you are very passionate um about very dedicated to and you just it's just the dream for me and I um continue to coach as um Mr. Um, um, Swanson said, I um, coach first year principles and APS across the state. Something I'm very proud of to be associated with NC Papa and to be associated with NC Peak. Um, being able to do all the things that I I love. And so when everyone asks me, you know, do you love retirement? I get to say emphatically, yes, I do love it. But I know that the only reason I love it the way I do is because
012I still continue to get a taste of what makes North Carolina special, what makes public schools special, and it's because every student matters, every family matters, and everyone can produce at superior levels. And I am so honored and so grateful that you um Wake County Public Schools, but Wake County Public School Board would um be as thoughtful um and supportive as to recommend me for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. I can't say any more than that. It's just to say thank you. I spent most of my career here in Wake County and I never thought that 30 years ago no one would have no one could have convinced me that I would be standing here today and being a part of Wake County Public Schools for the number of years and in the
013number of roles that I have um been. And so thank you. I appreciate and respect all the people here every day and the work and the heart and the drive that you all do. And so I stand here because of the people in this room and all the principles, assistant principles and people who I know would love to have seen this this happen. And so I thank you and I appreciate you and you all have a lot of hard work to do in a very um difficult time. And I think about you every day. So keep up the great work and you're the right people to do the right work. Thank you. >> Thank you. And so at this time, what I'd like to do is uh turn the gavl over to Vice Chair Swanson
014to handle the uh recognition of our next recipient. >> All right. Well, thank you, Chair Heggery. Um, dear Governor Stein, on behalf of the Wake County Board of Education, we are honored to nominate Dr. Tammy Sexon for the Order of the Long Leave Pine, North Carolina's most prestigious civilian award. Dr. Sexon's 34 and a half year tenure within Wake County Public Schools exemplifies her unwavering dedication to educational excellence and community service. Dr. Sexon's journey began as a classroom teacher where she inspired countless students through through her innovative teaching methods and genuine care for their development. Her exceptional leadership skills led to her led her as a role as an assistant principal and principal where she was able to foster inclusive and high achieving school environments. As the founding principal of Ren Road Elementary, Dr. Ston
015demonstrated visionary li leadership by establishing a school culture centered on academic excellence and community engagement. Her efforts have left a long lasting impact where Ran Road Elementary continues to thrive as a testament to her foundational work. In her capacity as the Western Wake Area Super and in her capacity as the Western Wake Area Superintendent, Dr. Sexon has been instrumental in implementing district-wide initiatives, mentoring emerging leaders, and advocating for equitable education opportunities for all students. Her influence has been pivotal in shaping the strategic district of the strategic direction of WCPSS, benefiting students, educators alike. Students and educators alike, excuse me. Dr. Sexon's career is characterized by her integrity, compassion, relentless pursuit of educational equity. Her contributions have not only elevated the standards of education within Wake County, but has also served, in my opinion, as a
016model throughout the state. In her 34 and a half years of service to the students, educators, and community of North Carolina, we wholeheartedly re recommend Dr. Tammy Ston for the Order of the Longleaf Pine. This honor would be fitting would be a fitting acknowledgement of her profound impact of public education. And we are also glad to say that the governor has also acknowledged this and we will be presenting this to you. Dr. Saxon didn't know it was going to be a two for one. [Applause] Dr. Ston, >> I know we didn't give you you much time to prepare. >> Thank you. Thank you for this recognition. um 34 and a half years in the same district who has served me well, who has helped to raise my son who is now um in his second
017year medical school at UNCC Chapel Hill. I can vouch for the education that I provided, that the employees provide, as well as what we do every day to meet the needs of our colleagues and staff members in this district. Little did I know, little old me from Nash County, would ever be standing here receiving this honor. I'd like to thank my colleagues and the parents and students who have allowed me to support their children's growth over the years. The principles in the western area are phenomenal and I appreciate them letting me walk beside them as we did great things for kids. Wake County is an awesome district. for anyone who does not know you, your child, as well as everyone else you can recommend will find that they are here for you. We support kids
018and oh, I guess I'm retired. We at Look, as a community member now, we support everything that Wake County does. And again, I appreciate this honor. Yes, I am surprised and I'm honored and I will be forever grateful for a county. Thank you. >> Thank you [Applause] >> again. We're so honored that, you know, Miss Ellis, former Chief Ellis, Dr. Ston could join us here tonight. We know it was sort of short notice. We thank the rest of you that have come out to support these wonderful leaders in our district. When we talk about coaching, just look at the fruits of your coaching tree and the wonderful leaders you've produced and we look forward to seeing their contributions as well as honoring honoring the contributions you all have given us. So, thank you so much.
019Um, next on our agenda, we have an information item. Um, and I'd I'd like to present this. This is an update about the WCPSS Angel Fund with a special recognition of BAPS BAPS charities. Those of you who maybe you you're familiar with BAPS work in Western in Western Wake County or maybe you've seen their work countywide or maybe you've seen it in other communities. Um BAPS Charities is a global charity active in nine countries across five continents. Volunteers drive these efforts. They dedicate a portion of their lives in selfless service of others both in their local communities as well as globally. Their annual Walkr run events raised thousands of dollars for local charities in their communities. Here in Western Wake, we've participated in uh the Runwalk before to benefit breast cancer, to benefit a number
020of very just important causes. Um, here in Wake County, BAPS Charities dedicated their 2025 Charities Walk to the Wake County Public Schools Angel Fund. The event was held on May 31st, 2025. I'm proud to say I was joined. Miss Edmonds was there. Vice Chair Swanson was there. And your superintendent, he showed up dressed, ready. He could have he could have done the race twice uh in the time that it took us to to to walk it once. Um, so it was a wonderful event. an update on the success of this event um is um warranted. I know it's it took a little bit of time to get everyone together after the event, but we're joined today by Mr. um Vernon Patel from Paps Charities who is here with some special guests and we'd like to
021recognize him for some remarks about the angel fund in the event. Mr. Patel, >> have them come with me talk. But uh let me start off by saying you know thanks a lot uh you know we we have been wanting to do something with uh our school um and the board and the wonderful job that you guys are doing and for the longest time uh you know Chris uh board member chairman Chris uh Hagerty physically he has been a friend and he introduced to most of you guys uh us to most of you guys and he introduced this uh this idea of uh partnering for Angel Fund and And we were also looking for avenues or where we can kind of you know give back. Uh I know you guys have come to our uh
022Diwali celebrations where we have our kids kind of lead that event and and you know that this was a way for them to see how they can give back and so we got them participating in uh this event as well. And um you know going back to the earlier point you know looking for that partnership between BAPS charities and local committees and and you guys gave us that uh platform. So we wanted to thank you for that opportunity and we look this as the starting of uh where we want to take this partnership right. So in the future we're looking at different avenues where we can partner with uh you know the school county board uh to obviously angel fund would be one of those we'll continue supporting um but looking for other avenues where
023we can partner with you to you know lift our communities up um you know um outside of that um even if there are opportunities that are not with this charitable events that we do if there are other avenues where we can partner partner then you know definitely let us know. Also want to thank you for uh you know all of the other help that you've been providing for you know community use and all of that where we can help our communities grow and kind of you know give the spirit of have give them the spirit of giving back to the community. So with that, I'll let the others if they want to kind of add a few. >> No, we just wanted to thank you so much um for supporting and we actually thought we
024would bring one of our own Wake County student here to present the check since it was for the student. Um so thank you again and of course we look forward to more partnership. >> Yeah, thank you so much and thank you for everything that you all do. >> Thank you all so very much. We are so deeply honored and grateful for your support. What we'll do is we'll take a brief recess and then we'll get pictures so we can get a good picture of you all together with the check. Thank some of our guests that are here for recognition. We'll come back after the recess. We'll conclude with public comment, but we'll go ahead and just take a quick break now so that we can uh you know honor our guests and take care of
025this matter as well. All right. Thank you all very much. And we'll stand in recess. Yeah. [Music] [Applause] >> Thank you so much. this young man down. So good to see you. >> This guy is like too much. >> Hi. >> You too. Nice meeting you again. Hey Chris. >> So good to see you. Thank you for coming out today. >> Good to see you. Hey Lisa, can you take one with >> I just want you to hold that for >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> Oh, sorry. We'll come on. >> I'm sorry. I told us to come back here. >> The seal would be nice, but I know. Thank you. [Music] I take it really hard. >> All right. [Music] That's what you want to see.
026That's what you want to see. >> Everyone Where did they go? [Music] Thank you so much. I really hope I hope it's okay. I hope it's okay. [Music] I just can't believe she was so I was like I love that she was like the Yes. >> For you. Look, I don't even I'm only I'm only in the photo to my baby brother. There we go. >> How are you doing? like my LA. [Music] You ready? All right. >> Jackie, I'm so happy. [Music] I told her I said that your should All right. Checking. They want they want the whole board. >> We'll we'll do we'll do both of you and then we will release you on. >> All right. Glad I wore my PJs. Just let >> you know I was [Music] Jennifer said he
027would give me another [Music] coming back. Keep hold of it. >> All the problems. I said all the problems. for me. She always responded in such >> am I think about that all the time. I'm still trying to get these before the August 5th meeting. So Margaret's doing the regular internal routing. So like a photo and then once that's done, I'm going to create original. >> We may be adding sending it up tomorrow, you think? >> Well, um, in the next couple of month, it's in docuign now making it. >> Okay. >> It hadn't prop up to me yet. So >> probably not. >> All right. And >> are you around between now and >> all right? One, two, three. >> We need Miss Rice. >> Thank you. Rice anywhere. >> We don't need ago.
028Do we got one, two, three, four, five? >> All right. We're going to take a moment and come back to order. Thank you all for giving us a chance to celebrate with some of our honores tonight and some of the families. Um it's always wonderful to see that kind of just you know genuine heartfelt expression of um of emotion and thanks for some wonderful leaders that we've had in the district. So um we thank them for coming out and joining us tonight. So next we'll move to our public comment period. You all know the precy that I usually read. I'm afraid if I read the whole thing it'll last longer than the actual comment period. So, what I'll simply say is the Wake County Board of Education meetings are conducted for the purpose of carrying
029out the official business of the board. Persons who willfully interrupt, disrupt, or cause disturbances at an official meeting may be directed to leave by the presiding officer. Members of the audience should show respect for speakers by refraining for allowed comments and other disruptions. Disruptions by any person or persons of a public meeting will be subject to action in accordance with general statute 1431817. We do have two speakers tonight uh who have signed up for public comment. We'll start with Mr. Joseph Deon who will be followed by Miss Geraldine Ashimi. >> Well, the the board majority must be glad that HB 636 died in Senate committee. So you can keep stocking school libraries with books that can't contain graphic descriptions or illustrations of sexual activity. One of the lamentations that I heard during the debates was
030that HB 636 would allow lawsuits for $5,000 if school review committees rem failed to remove sexually explicit material. Legal set settlements appear frequently on the board agenda. Last time there was one for $265,000 to parents on behalf of their minor child. In 2023, there was a settlement for $685,000 for a horrific case of sexual abuse. I will not say the graphic details but just tell you it it was aberrant and and gross. I was deeply disturbed just reading it. So imagine the trauma to the poor 11year-old. If you were concerned about lawsuits for $5,000 that you could easily avoid by simply following the statute, how much more you must be worried about preventing lawsuits for more than 100 times that much. Therefore, I have provided the board with citations to the work of Carol Shakeshaft,
031professor of education at Virginia Commonwealth University, who has researched sexual abuse by school employees for nearly 40 years and has served in as expert witness in over 400 cases. She writes about the patterns of behavior that abusers commonly follow and also the school cultures that enable them. One abuser strategy is to normalize talking and joking about sex to desensitize students as they probe for vulnerable victims. I just can't understand why some of you don't don't see that sexually explicit books in libraries and classrooms could create opportunities for potential abusers to start down that path. So, I don't think you should cheer the defeat of HB 636. You should adopt the main part parts of it in policy 42 uh40 anyway. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker will be Miss Gerald Dean Ashami. >>
032Thank you. Good evening. >> Well, I just came from a place this morning that where I'm not very cheerful. I just came from the Juno detention center this morning where I learned with our 91,000 behavioral incidents for 200 last year whatever that 80% of the children in the detention center never have had any type of mental health services. 80% had at least one disability. 60 to 65% qualified for three or four. So I asked for some data. I just got it today. But I have a little bit of data of my own. one. Again, I'm going to come back and I'm going to talk about the 14% of children with disabilities, which these kids were part of, uh, who had IEPs, but they were 38.9% of your suspensions and expulsions. And as an advocate, I
033know very well that about 80% of them were suspended for their disabilities, but supported by the school system. I want to talk about lawsuits. This gentleman just talked about some lawsuits. Let me talk about some. How about $2 something million dollars that you just spent for what? Litigation behind children who had IEPs. $480,000 for compensatory service services. this homeschooled prison cycle that you all are creating. And I don't know what's going on because for one, I can't believe I just said to this young lady here said, "I I can't believe for one thing that you care about children, particularly children who are poor." We've I've already had that experience with the with us shutting down Silk because you didn't want to hear the complaints about the children that were poor or the children that were
034had disabilities. That's you don't don't want to hear that. You don't want to hear that. I just can't get it. I I don't I don't get it. I I do get it. I do get it. There is nothing, Dr. Taylor, that you have done that you said you were going to do. Nothing. Not nothing. I may not get chance to say everything that I got to say today, but I'll be back. I'll be back. And I'm going to be back again. And I'm going to be back again. And I'm going to be back again. And I'm going to be back again. But this is not the only place that I'm gonna show up because I'm sick of these children, our children who have special needs, who are our kids, our kids, the poor folks kids
035being cycled through this school system into the uh into the prison system. I'm sick. >> Thank you. Your time has expired. That concludes our public comment period. At this time, what I'd like to do is entertain a motion to approve the HR recommendations made in close session. >> So moved, Mr. We have a motion from Vice Chair Swanson to approve the HR recommendations. We have a second from Mr. Hershey. All in favor of approval of the HR recommendations, please say I. >> Is there any opposed? All right. I believe unless board members I'm mistaken. >> I make a move >> that we we are done with our agenda. And I heard Did I hear a motion? >> Mr. Chair, I move to adjourn. >> We have a motion for adjournment. A couple motions for adjournment.
036I'll take it from Vice Chair Swanson and a second from Mr. Hershey. All in favor board members of adjournment, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Hope not. All right. Thank you. We stand ajourned. Thank you all so much for all of your hard work today. It was a long day, but I think it was productive and appreciate your service. Thank you.