001together this evening as a body, as a community, and to do the business as it relates to our children and what's best for them. We pray Lord that you would be with our proceedings tonight. That you would bring wisdom, that you would bring discernment, that you would bring calm, respect, and clarity in all the deliberations that we have this evening. We pray Lord in all of this that you would be glorified. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. >> Amen. I aliance 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. Good evening and welcome to the August 11th board meeting. Um, at this time I would ask for a motion to approve the consent agenda and
002meeting minutes. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Guthrie. Do I have a second? Seconded by Miss Powell. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, we will call for the vote. motion carries. Seven in favor. All right. The next item on our agenda this evening are district highlights. And we've got Mr. Brian Bohannan. >> Thank you, Dr. Mr. Wimberly, Mr. Dhy, board members, uh, very excited. Two great district highlights this evening covering some outstanding staff achievement. Uh, first, I'd like to welcome Dr. Priscilla Johnson, principal of Joseph R. Pai Elementary School for highlight number one. Good evening, school board, board chair Wimberly, Superintendent Doherty. I am so proud to announce that Shannon Cruz, um, an absolutely outstanding educator at Jopay Elementary School, has been awarded a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Award for 2526 by the US
003Department of State and the Fullbrite Foreign Scholarship Board. This is an award that only about 800 folks in the US are awarded a year. As a Fulbright teacher exchange recipient, Miss Cruz will participate in a f a fall course on global perspectives in education. She will attend a fullbrite symposium in Washington DC with fellow educators. She will travel overseas for two to three weeks in 2026. I think she's choosing India. And she completes a capstone project focused on advancing global education in our schools. This honor is especially meaningful to me as about 10 years ago, 15 years ago, I was able to travel to Ghana, West Africa as a student at Charleston Southern University with a fullbrite scholar award winner. It was a completely free trip that was over $2,000 and a college student couldn't
004afford it. It was a journey that forever shaped my life and the trajectory of my educational career. I know firsthand the transformative power of stepping into another culture, into building connections, and returning home with fresh perspectives that enrich not only our classrooms, but our entire community. Please join me in congratulating Shannon on this amazing opportunity to represent our community and our school district on a global stage. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Incredible. Up next, I'd like to welcome Miss Deb Dhy, our assistant director of instructional technology, to talk about a great trip that her team took this summer. >> Thank you for you this opportunity, Madam Chair, Mr. Majority board members, we'd like to celebrate our IT team. Doorchester District 2's incredible team of instructional technology specialist proudly presented the district at ISTY Live 25 in San
005Antonio. One of the world's largest educational technology conferences with over 14,000 attendees. This team showcased DD2's innovative practices to a global audience through multiple successful presentations. Their microlearning magic session highlighted a creative, flexible approach to professional development, while a live demo with partner Screen Pal demonstrated how screen recording tools empower teachers districtwide. They also presented a poster session on DD2's implementation of a digital learning environment, ensuring students and teachers can connect in creative, meaningful, and tech enhanced ways. From the Alamo to the expo floor, the team shared DD2's innovation story with pride. So, we'd like to congratulate our outstanding IT team, Jenna Bohannan, Brittany Carter, Tama Dunn, Patrick Dunn, Tiffany Tate, and Lisa Hulahan for elevating teaching and learning on an international stage. age. [Applause] Amen. [Applause] Congratulations [Applause] IT team. This concludes tonight's district
006highlights. Another proud day on team Dorchester. All right. The next item on our agenda this evening are board committee reports. And we will start with our policy committee. Miss Bates. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh we don't have any policies for today. We just have a list of our upcoming meetings for the school year through December. So, as you can see, they're up there. Um and that's all we have for today. >> All right. Thank you very much. Next we have our finance committee, Mr. Guthrie. >> Yeah, look forward to having a finance committee meet in two weeks and we have other list of meetings throughout the year. >> All right, very good. And then facilities, Mr. Farnsworth. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Nothing to report from the from the actual committee tonight. Uh
007you can see our upcoming committee meetings um for future dates. And then we do have information, of course, that Mr. Dhy will be presenting to us for facilities a little bit later in the meeting. So thank you. >> All right. Thank you all very much. So as you can see we have the policy finance and facilities committee meetings set for the remainder of the year. So board members if you will just make a notes of those on your calendar. It's great to have that done ahead of time for us. So thank you all for that. All right. Next item on our agenda this evening are public comments on agenda items. Um so just to reiterate um the um our policy regarding our public comments. Um public comments on agenda items should um speakers may address
008only items printed on the agenda for that particular meeting. Speakers are required to complete a sign-in card five minutes prior to the beginning of the board meeting. Speakers will be recognized by the chair to speak for no longer than three minutes. The board has set aside 20 total me minutes for public comment and speakers must remain behind the podium at all times and must not remove the microphone or other equipment from their location at the podium. And if um you will please go up and around um as we've done for our other public comments in the past. So if you'll just come down that aisle right there when your name is called. Thank you so much. So this evening we do have one public comment on an agenda item and that is Mr. Jason Brockert.
009I did bring a printed copy of the agenda just so I'm sure that I'm staying on the agenda. Excuse me. I would like to speak on agenda item seven, the superintendent's report. But similar to what I've said before, um this comment is about the structural impossibility of any citizen doing this in an informed way. Everything that's printed on here is the same thing that's available on the website. So, without being able to see the presentations, I can't really intelligently comment on them. Tonight's agenda asks the board to take action on a policy committee item, but of course, we already heard that there were no policies to take action on. But that's that's what it has on the agenda. The agenda itself states that documentation has been provided to all board members in advance to ensure
010an extensive and thorough review, but the public doesn't get anything to review in advance, however, non-extensively. My question is pretty simple. I'll rephrase what I've done before. Why has the public, the community that you are elected to serve, not afforded the same basic respect of a thorough review prior to coming to the board meeting? So, one of the things in the agenda is approval of consent agenda and meeting minutes. I've actually recently brought this up that public comments are no longer summarized on the meeting minutes doesn't really lend itself to transparency as I've said before. So you've approved meeting minutes from the last meeting but I'll tell you that my comments from the last meeting just say that there was one comment. So, my comments have been reduced to a number without substance per the
011board agenda and policy. I would like to comment on the board chair's report, but I can't review anything to comment on it. I would like to comment on the first days of the school year, but all I have is update on the first days of the 2025 2026 school year. Maybe I could comment on the resolution authorizing the issuance of GO bonds through SCAGO. Except I would have to do extra work to find out what that even entails. I have a bullet point that says you're going to talk about that, but I don't have anything to review. The public does not have anything to review. So it is impossible to actually comment effectively on agenda items. So with that, I would like for DD2 to break the silence on youth suicide. Thank you. Good night.
012Thank you, Mr. Brockert. All right, the next item on our agenda this evening is our board chairs report. And so board members, as you can see, we do have several upcoming um events and conferences listed. Um Miss Wanda has done a great job here of listing our conferences and giving us the dates and also letting us know when the registration deadline is for each of those. So that will be very helpful in planning. So, if you will check your calendars um and let um Wanda know if you are interested in attending the the conference or seminar is listed and she will be happy to get you registered. Um any questions regarding that those dates? Okay. All right. Great. Well, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Next item on our agenda this evening is our
013superintendence report. >> Madam Chair and the rest of the board, we have several items that we'll discuss this evening. Uh the first is the kind of the first days of school and just wanted to update you on the first three days and uh we had a great first three days. Uh our team puts out a district leaison in which we all go out and visit schools and uh one thing we did notice throughout the the year was all our campuses were clean. We had a great vibe going through all our buildings and a lot of them were calm and very positive atmosphere. This is the first time we were fully staffed in a lot of our buildings which is really created to that. So again, great first few three days. Uh transportation overall good. We
014did have some issues with our special education transportation was not up to our standards. So we're reviewing that to um improve those process and procedures. Um we are fully staffed with 160 drivers and three subs. Um the first day we had six uh sub or six bus drivers get six. So we had to do some double back routes. So that created some issues for us uh for some of the arrival and uh pickup times. And so then moving on, uh, food services, that's been a good transition to Airmark. Um, they're still hiring cafeteria workers and monitors at this time. Um, you can kind of see the participation the first day, 3,200 meals. The second day, uh, 4,700 for breakfast, and then lunch, you can see again about another 1,200 uh, the next day and lunch.
015So, we're excited to see those numbers increase. Um we did have an issue at one of our uh high schools last week um where we did run out of uh our meals and we had some alternate be able to give students and so we're able to meet with airmark and they're very responsive uh to get a 10% to 20% over the total number of students so that does not happen. Also, we have put together a star of a school uh staff survey and that will be done through the thought exchange that was sent out last Friday and then we'll report back out on that um on August 25th. So, that'll go out to all of our staff which includes about convocation, professional development, and those things. And then the next thing we put on here
016is uh we have changed the Beach Hill parent pickup line. That has changed. Um why did we do this? We had an issue um providing emergency access to East Edestto Middle School. And you can see this that's a picture of the East Edestto Drive going back uh next to Beach Hill. That area we had too many cars. We could not get emergency personnel back there. And so this is why we had to change a new traffic pattern. Um so we have about approximately 1.5 miles off the road to keep traffic off Highway 160 off Highway 61 and also the access to East Edestto Middle Schools open for emergency vehicles. And so, um, our times are continuing to get better in the morning for drop off and also for pickup. So, we are excited about that.
017And then the next thing we're preparing for, as you know, if you're you're you're watching the weather and you live here in the low country, um you know, we see something that's spinning out there and uh and so uh we are here busy trying to get ready if we do have to have an inclement weather day. Um, again for the board to know, we have three makeup days and those makeup days are in the second semester of our calendar and then we can use five e-learning days at our discretion um for inclement weather. And so all of our schools are preparing to do a mock e-learning day for one day this week or early next week. And again, just again that preparedness and making sure everybody knows uh kind of where we're going to go
018dust off those plans and communication to parents that something does happen like this. And so, um, again, just trying to make sure we're prepared when we see that. And also, I have one other item to kind of go over with you, and I'll have Mrs. Katie Barker talk a little bit about enrollment counts and kind of where we're at, the 135 day count last year, and she's going to kind of go over some of those. Um, so, Mrs. Barker, >> good evening. Thank you for having me tonight. As Mr. had already said. Um I am just here to kind of share our projected numbers versus the number of students that um have shown up so far. We we look at registration numbers throughout the summer. We look at withdrawals. Um but really now that the
019doors are open and students are here. You can see starting from day one last week all the way through today, our numbers continue to increase at each level, elementary, middle, and high. we are still slightly below our projections. Um, which I would say is pretty typical for about where we are now. It's usually closer to that 10day mark where we will get back to where we really are anticipating. Um, I will say that we have Sand Hill where we know we have a lot of growth and East Edestto are our two schools that we are well not well above above above projections more than just a couple of students. We did plan for that um allocation wise, but overall we feel like we're in a good place. We'll continue to monitor these numbers. Our schools
020are working so hard calling, following up with those students that haven't come to school yet. If you look for day four, which is actually today, you'll see kind of a big increase. Sometimes families are just more used to a Monday, even though we communicate that a lot. Also, Charleston County starts school tomorrow and Berkeley County starts school on t on Wednesday. So, we're anticipating seeing another big spike there. So, just wanted to up you update you on where we are so far for number of enrollments for students. >> Thank you, Mrs. Barker. Any questions that the board may have on any of that information? >> This is a question. So, for the uh mock e-learning date, that doesn't count against our total to five, right? That is correct. It does not. >> No. Great question.
021So, basically what a students will do is learn how to log on, have their login, especially for our elementary students. And so, they'll be able to do that. Sometimes our teachers will trade classrooms to see, okay, students know how to access information on Schooly. And so, that will take place not like a whole week, but just maybe a half a day so they know how to do that. So, great question. If there's no other further questions, uh, we'll invite Mr. Joe Debbney of the YMCA up here. Um he's going to talk uh to you a little bit about a partnership and we're very excited to bring him up here today to talk a little bit about a membership and be able to partner with the YMCA for employees and this is all employees uh possibly
022being able to give a discount um for family memberships. So, Mr. Debney, we really appreciate you taking the time uh to come up here and speak to this. Thank you. >> Thank you all for having me and thank you for your service on the board as well. Um my wife was a former teacher of this school district and so it's a great opportunity that we believe we could continue this partnership with the YMCA and the school district. So, just kind of going through some of the information, we believe that we can come out to your facilities, um, do community health programs for your teachers, um, for your staff, and this kind of goes into all of the different ways that we could continue to increase the health um, initiatives that you might have, but then
023it allows us to bring these community health programming to the school board. Um, and sort of in these things, it gives us on this slide, it tells us a lot of the different things that the YMCA offers. We have three branches in the community, but we also have many more things that we go out into community to do. And this allows uh for us to even do some of those group fitness classes on campuses um for the school district, for some of the teachers in the different schools depending on where we want to do that. But then it also kind of gives a uh drop down of all the different opportunities that we have within each facility. Obviously just a few blocks away we have the downtown facility, but then just down the road we
024have our sports facility that we're getting ready to groundbreak on uh which has childcare and outdoor pool. But then out in the ponds community, it's a very smaller uh facility akin to what we have at downtown. But this allows us to kind of go through all the different opportunities that we have and what we can bring um to you all as staff, teachers, schoolboard members, anybody that's associated with Doorchester District 2. Um but I can go into any detail that you would like me to do. Mr. Doy. >> Yeah, Mr. Debney. I think the big thing is going to that slide that talks about the memberships and employer contribution. And this is something that we'd asked the board tonight to take action on, but you can kind of see in in that slide. Uh Mrs.
025Thomas, if you could kind of go to that slide. Um if you can see there, you can see that uh the employer contribution for a family, a young adult, an adult, a senior, family plus one, and senior plus one. You can see it ranges from $5.28 a month uh to possibly $15.68 a month. Um however if you look at it you look at the standard rate but if we go to the corporate um you know instead of paying $78 it goes down to $62 and you can see what we would be paying and the employee would be paying and in the Y does especially the big thing with the YMCA doing it this way there's no joiner fee am I right Mr. Debbie on that. And then also our employees would have access to any
026of the sports programs uh for their children. Uh anything else that would be included in that? >> Yep. Swim lessons, group exercise classes, all of our community health programming. Um any of the stuff that we go out into the public to do. Um we have a whole volunteerism arm that we would would obviously welcome school board u participants, staff, teachers to be a part of that. Uh we just posted this week is our annual campaign week and we talked about how we build beds in the community for kids that don't have beds. Those are types of programs that we would enjoy to have more volunteers come into. You don't have to be a YMCA member to do that, but it certainly helps. >> And when we look at this and uh when Miss Beignet and
027we we sat down and we're talking with Mr. Debbney, we're looking at, you know, what is the cost of this for the district? We're looking about around $130 to $150,000. um that we feel like we can afford when we're talking about retention and recruitment for staff. We feel like this is a a very nice thing to be able to offer, especially when you're looking at the health and wellness uh for all of our employees. This is not just for teachers. This is for every employee, bus drivers, um aids, cooks, anybody that uh works for DD2 can take advantage of this. And so, um when Mr. Debney approached us about doing this, we thought this would be a great way to to be able to give back to to our employees. And so, u, Miss Manet,
028I don't know if you had anything else to add, um, to that, but uh, any other questions that we could entertain from the board, but we just felt like this would be a great partnership. >> All right. All I have is a wise crack. So, you're offering pickle ball lessons. Can you actually affirm that I'd be able to play pickle ball? >> Jim, I'll play pickle ball. >> Okay. Very good. Now, in all seriousness, so uh from a district standpoint, our contribution to this would be $130 to $150,000. I assume that we have contemplated that in terms of the funding that we have. Okay. >> Yes, sir. Uh and one thing we talked about, we had some unencumbered funds. We felt like this could go toward our employees. This would be a great benefit. >>
029Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> All right, board members. If there's no other questions at this time, I'd ask for a motion to approve the district's participation in the YMCA corporate membership program as presented. >> Motion made by Miss Bates. Do I have a second? Seconded by Miss King. Any discussion or questions? All right. >> Okay. Yes. Um, is this a commitment for a certain period of time or >> this is just a one year for right now and we'll go year to year on this especially when we look at our funding if this is something we can continue to do but we're just going for one year at this point. Yes, great question. >> Well, that's a wise decision to do it that way. >> Great question. >> Actually, I have a question too
030that is there a cap on the number of me who are allowed to take advantage of it? No. Okay. No cap. All right. Great. All right. Any other questions? All right. Hearing none, we will call for the vote. >> Motion carries. Seven in favor. Thank you, Mr. Debbney. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Debney. Now, we'll bring up Miss Manet. She's going to talk a little bit about two items. A resolution of authorizing the assurance of go bonds through Skaggo and also the intent toward bid for Oakbrook campus building uh envelope project. So, Miss Manet, >> thank you. Um good evening, Madam Chair, board members, Mr. Dhy. Um yes, the first item that we bring tonight is um to ask for resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of not to exceed $37.5 million of general obligation
031bonds through the SKGO program. Um we do this every year. This is to help pay for our annual um installment purchase revenue bonds that were issued in 2013 and 2015 and refunded in 2023. Um and this is um the payments on those. Also, it is um for the 22.9 22,993,000 that was included for um in your board packet for the capital projects. Um $1.7 million was part of the $12 million that y'all authorized um in the capital as in the capital plan for three years. We asked for 12 million last year, this year, and next year. Um the projects actually totaled up to the anticipated amount of 11,736,000 and then the remainder remainder would be 11,257,000 for the additional items listed. Um so this evening we are asking for your um approval to authorize a
032resolution for the sale of those bonds which will be at the end of this month. We would get the funding in September. Madam Chair, I make a motion to accept the resolution as presented by Midday. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Farnsworth. We have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Seconded by Mr. Lee. Any questions or discussion? >> All right. Hearing none, we will call for the vote. Motion carries. Seven in favor. >> Thank you. Um the next item that we have for finance is for the um approval of the um intent to award a bid for the Oakbrook campus um for Oakbrook Elementary and for Oakbrook um middle schools, I'm sorry, for their exterior um exterior wall repairs, I'm sorry. Um the information was loaded into your packets
033and um it was confidential because it was low bid and and We did not contact the contractor until the board would approve this. So, if you um would be so kind to approve this bid so that we can continue working um Oakbrook Elementary and Oak Brook Middle School for their exterior wall renovation that was part of the referendum. >> All right, board members, at this time, I'd ask for a motion to approve the intent to award for Oakbrook Elementary and Oakbrook Middle School building project as presented. >> Motion made by Miss Bates. >> Second. Seconded by Mr. Lee. Any questions or discussion? All right. Hearing none, we will call for the vote. >> Motion carries. Seven in favor. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. The next item we have on the
034agenda is the um annexation behind Greg Middle School in Somerville High School, ball fields in blue. And I'm going to let turn this over to Miss Rhonda Grace. And this deals with 911 and emergencies. So Mrs. Grace, thank you. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. With the extension of the Berlin G. Meer Parkway finishing up, staff members of Dorchester County started to look at some parcels that were connected to the Berlin G. Meer Parkway for the 911 emergency response service. And they reached out because they identified two parcels you can see that are marked in blue on your map there. Um they total a little over five and a half acres. They're currently under the jurisdiction of Dorchester County and Dorchester County has asked that we annex it into the town of Somerville. Everything shaded in
035green around it is already in the jurisdiction of the town of Somerville. So, they're simply asking that we would go through the process to annex those two parcels um to make the 911 emergency response more cohesive. >> Just a quick question. What does the orange color indicate? >> The orange is actually Dorchester County at their planning um at the town of Somerville Planning Commission, Dorchester County actually requested annexation of four parcels that they have running along the Parkway. But the orange that you see there is Dorchester County. >> Uh, excuse me. I just want to make sure. So, looking at the map, it it does not look like it, but we are not giving the town access to anything else to annex based on this. Correct. >> No, sir. We would still retain the land.
036Um, and I apologize. I don't know that I stated it's right there between Greenway Boulevard and the Serbot High School ball field. It's a little hard to see on the map um at the Greg Middle School campus, but nothing would change other than the jurisdiction being the town of Somerville. >> Any other questions? Thank you, Mrs. Grace. >> Thank you. >> All right, board members, at this time, I'd ask for a motion to agree to the annexation of the property discussed into the town of Somerville from unincorporated Dorchester County as presented. So moved. Motion made by Miss Bates, seconded by Miss King. Any questions or discussion? Okay. Hearing none, we will call for the vote. >> Motion carries. Seven in favor. The next item we have on our agenda is our facility report and Mr.
037Tony Souls and Mr. Jeff Smith will talk a little bit about our referendum projects and how those are going. Um there's quite a bit to update there and also some of our capital improvement projects. So Mr. Souls, >> good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board, Mr. Dhy, uh things are going well at Sand Hill. Pretty much all of our projects are on track. Uh it's been a little wet for the past 10 days or so, but they're trudging along. Um doing pretty good through the mud. Uh on Sand Hill, uh the second floor slab is in. They're doing uh going up with the uh masonry walls on the interior and uh then they'll close up the exterior and then they'll start the waterproofing uh as soon as the masons get through with all the
038all the uh structural block. Uh at Somerville Elementary, the addition stated last time the uh demolition is completed back there to a point where we don't need a land disturbance permit. We still don't have those. We're still waiting for uh word from the town of Somerville, the MS4. There is a a discussion going on as to how we're going to treat the storm water leaving the site. So, we're we're we're trying to work through that, but uh we we'll be through that probably within the next week or so and and and get that uh sto the uh permitting for that job going and completed. Uh Ashley Ridge High School, uh the renovations out there going well. The the the first phase one is complete. We're we got a verbal uh approval to use the space
039that we did this summer. We we took two large classrooms, divided those classrooms. Now we have four regularsiz classrooms and they're being used as we speak. Uh the start of phase two is is coming up uh as soon as we get all the permitting and and construction documents. They have been submitted to OSF and as soon as we get those approved, we'll start on phase two. Uh, Summerville High School gym schematic design, as you see, has been submitted to OSF, and we're just waiting on the the queue to come around for a review from OSF. At Fort Doorchester High School, the fieldwork is done. The schematic design is about completed, and they should be submitting that to OSF sometime this week. And and we're hopeful to get that one going as quickly as possible. Uh
040like I say, the the field work is just in progress. It it's actually completed today. They went out last week and did some geotech shots and uh they're wrapping that up. Uh for the other CIP construction, Oakbrook Middle School, they've got all the steel framing in for the roofing at Oakbrook Middle. All the block work is done. Uh they're that this project too is trudging through the mud trying to make as much progress as they can. It's not as bad as Sand Hills. Sand Hills that's pretty muddy out there. But uh this one is they're waterproofing is in progress. They're going to spray those walls as soon it dries out enough and continue on with the roof decking. The elementary school, as you can see in the the bottom photo, uh they're ready to pour
041the slab. They're just waiting on the weather to present an opportunity to get that done. uh the retention pond and the outfall for that retention pond is completed and the bus maintenance facility. We're still working with uh our architects, our design folks, and the contractor to coordinate the construction on that and hopefully we can start the actual construction on that sometime around the first of the calendar year 2026. Any question on any of those projects? Mr. Smith, >> turn over Mr. Jeff Smith talking a little bit about what's happened uh this summer. So, uh if you've not been in some of our buildings, uh a lot of them got a big facelift and so Jeff's going to talk a lot about that. >> Good evening. So, um yeah, we had a couple projects done this
042summer, maybe I'd say, but um I just want to highlight some of the bigger ones. Um the Newington Elementary project where we did all the abatement of the transite panels in the hallways and pods. Um little bit of a before and after all mostly after we pulled the panel so you can kind of see how much area was actually affected by the uh project. Um I think the project went well. Turned out well in the end. It was uh I got a few more gray hairs than I had before getting through it, but um a lot of a lot of um learning on this one and so we're being getting prepared for next summer when we actually tackle all the classrooms which is going to be much more in depth and much more involved. See?
043Whoops. Got it. Um, Flower Town, same thing as you can see from the pictures. You know, we did the same exact scope of work there. Um, a lot of things came up that we didn't plan for originally. You know, we didn't realize we'd have to replace all the outlets in the whole school because they were um out by about a quarter of an inch and some of that old wiring was uh frayed to say the least, but it's all been upgraded and changed out now. So, that one actually turned out well as well. And then another one that we're pretty proud of that turned out really nice is the DevO middle school courtyard. As you can see from the aerial that Mr. Mr. Bohannan took for us that uh it turned out very nice and
044uh the students were able to have a nice space to occupy on the first day of school. And let's see just a little update on some things that are currently ongoing. Um my my the bane of my existence will be the No, I'm just kidding. We actually have all of the vestibules installed and they are going to be installing the remaining because they had to put them in and then obviously come back and measure for glass because it is a uh resistant glass, not a bulletproof glass, but a bullet resistant glass. So, it's uh all the glass is in place at the three sites and so those are getting installed starting tomorrow at Fort D Elementary and Windsor Hill. Roofing is ongoing. It'll probably carry out through I would think October break at a minimum,
045maybe till the first part of November. But we've got a good plan working around the campus with Mr. Nutter. So, that was going well. We've got four other roofing products that are in design uh that will hopefully be, you know, coming being complete in the next month or so. And we also have the Beach Hill, Austin Middle School, Newington, Flowertown ceiling grid projects. So, those have already been designed. We've got building approvals from OSF. It's now going to be a point where we're going to put out through procurement probably in September. So, we have plenty of planning time because it's going to be, like I said, a major scope of project at those those campuses. Um, doing all that that work this summer. Maybe dividing it up into two summers. Not not quite sure yet,
046but hoping to get a big chunk of it done this summer. Uh, Summerville High School, we have a restroom upgrade project where we're going to be replacing all their uh sinks in their group restrooms as well as uh adding hand dryers in all the restrooms. So, that's actually kicking off tomorrow after school. They're going to start working on the handryer portion. The sinks were a long lead item and when we awarded it it was in July. So we don't expect those to come until probably late September, early October, but we'll coordinate doing that after hours and uh weekends and things of that nature. The AMS DMS restroom upgrades, uh our staff engineers in the process of designing that now. So we're hoping to get that out for bid probably October time frame. Oops. That's all
047I had. unless anybody has any questions about anything specific. >> Any questions for Mr. Smith or Mrs. Souls? Mr. Souls, thank you for all your your work. I know you guys have been very very busy. So, thank you for this. >> Thank you. >> I don't have a question, but I just want to say um I have a very special feeling about Alustin because that's where I spent my elementary and middle school years. Believe it or not, that's where I would have graduated prior to um integration. And I went over in that building the other day for the first day of school and it was just beautiful. I mean, removing those lockers made a world of difference. The kids have a greater access in the hall to move and the colors are just wonderful. Now,
048I've been to some of the other schools as well and they all are beautifully cleaned and look so good. And so I'm just imploring our children, our students to help the custodials out by picking up after themselves and making sure if they drop something, they pick it up and not wait on the custodial folks to do it. But um if you have an opportunity to visit our school, try to get a pass and do so because I'm amazed and I've heard other folks that come into our district talk about, you know, how much they appreciate being here. So, we want to keep it that way. But, um, kudos to you all. You did a great job. When I first saw all the work that had to be done, you know, in your head, you go
049like, but guess what? I have to bite that back. It was good. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Any uh any updates on ponds? >> Um, no, at this time we do not have any update on the ponds at this time. We're still in kind of status quo. have not heard anything from the developer or the county. Um, again, we've got all our permits. Everything's ready to go. Have not not heard anything um since I think the county was trying to do some things as far as annexation, those types of things. Not heard heard anything. >> Had to ask. >> And the last item we have on the agenda would be the student recommendations. >> All right, board members. Is everyone okay with proceeding with these student enrollment recommendations in open session? Um,
050>> go ahead, M. >> I did have a couple questions, so I think we may have to go in for a short one >> for for the the ones listed under the under this >> transfer. >> Yes. Okay. Yes. Okay. All right. Well, we will hold on. Um, >> you know, there's only two. >> Excuse me. >> This is a separate list. >> Oh, okay. >> Like the We can hold and vote on all of them after executive session. >> That's fine. All right. We'll just hold and vote then. So, all right. Um, is that everything, Mr. Dhy? >> Yes, that's everything I have. Um, Madam Chair. >> All right. Great. Excellent. Um, then at this time, we will move to our next agenda items. Um, is our public comments on non-aggenda items, and we
051do have several this evening. Um I am going to go over our procedures um for these public comments. Um public comments are welcomed. However, the board will not take immediate action or respond to public comments at this meeting as board members are without authority to act independently as individuals in official matters. Public comments should not include gossip, defamatory words, or abusive or vulgar language. Any person wishing to address the board must submit a comment card five minutes prior to the start of the meeting. That has been done. Comments must be regarding programs, policies, or procedures and should not and should be, excuse me, should be issue oriented. No specific names are to be used in public comments. Comments regarding an employee or student will not be heard in open session. Groups addressing the same topic
052should select one speaker. Comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker, up to 20 total minutes for comments on agenda items and 20 total comments on non-aggenda items. Commenters must remain behind the podium during their public comment period and must not remove any items, including the microphone, from the podium. The board reserves the right to terminate any presentation which does not adhere to these guidelines. And then please um as I mentioned earlier proceed up and around um to reach the podium. And um if if you believe that your your comment um might not um follow these procedures um you certainly are still welcome to come up and just make sure that you stay in line with the procedures that as I read. All right. So our first one this evening um is Mrs. Melody
053Shabala, Dr. Wimberly, Mr. Doherty, and school board. I am Melody Shabala. I'm the proud assistant principal at Joseph Rai Elementary School. And I just wanted to say that despite what may be said here or what has been said on the internet, JPEGs embodies three very important characteristics. Diversity, inclusion, and love. I have had a front row seat to the amazing and inclusive culture that our principal has single-handedly cultivated due to her leadership. In the last three years, our school has brought back awards ceremonies, increased parent involvement, developed a new PTA, a strong SIC committee, celebrated students big and small with merit Mondays, elaborate PBIS celebrations, and multicultural awareness week. She's refreshed hallways, lobbies, and conference rooms, and raised test scores so that so much so that we received an excellent honor school report card. this
054past year. Our staff is happy. Our students are happy. As soon as you enter into JPS, you can feel the love for our children. It's palpable. None of this would be possible if it wasn't for our principal. Her passion for her job is unmatched. I say all this only because a lot of negative has been said about this school and many of our principal decisions and her character has been questioned. I can assure everyone here and anyone who is listening that our principal is the best principal, mentor, leader, friend, and overall person that I know. Despite what some may think, she is careful and meticulous over the people that she hires. Short story, 16 months ago, I had a baby. Not long after that, I was doing a reference call for an old colleague and
055the principal had asked me if I would want my child to be taught by the teacher I was recommending. It jolted me. I hesitated. I think so, I responded. Being a new mom, this was something that I hadn't pondered before. This year, without a doubt, I would trust any and all of our staff to teach my child. I stand by this comment. I stand by our staff and I will forever stand by Dr. Johnson. Thank you for your time and allowing us the honor of working and learning from a leader who demonstrates how to handle hardships with grace, dignity, empathy, and love. Thank you, Miss Shabala. All right. Our next comment is Alexander. I'm sorry, I'm having difficulty reading your last name. Went. Is is that correct? Wyatt. Uh, first name Alexander. Um, okay. Perhaps
056here is no longer here. All right. Um, so how you think the name? I don't want to miss somebody. >> Yeah, I mean >> by it definitely Alexander. >> Okay. All right. We're going to move on then. Okay. All right. Next we have Morgan Grady. Thank you members of the school board. My name is Morgan Grady and I live within the Somerville School District. I would like to start out this speech by saying that I think we can all agree that we want our children to be safe, happy, and healthy at school. As we all know, some things have been posted online that is diversive and defamatory to say the least. Um, and one of the big things that has been a topic of conversation is their education. To give you some context, I graduated
057from Savannah College of Art and Design with my BFA in 2023. So I can say that I know a few things about this college. It is a very high intense college where we complete four to six projects every single quarter for 10 weeks. We have three quarters every 10 week or excuse me we have three quarters every year for a total of four years. Um one of the first things for one of the first and last things that are required of us is to market ourselves. social media, business cards, emails, all of that separate. Um, just to showcase our art. I think that we can all agree that we've done some crazy things in college and to have that be used against us in our future careers is absurd. And again, how I mentioned we
058all want our children to be safe and happy in schools. Um, and if you think that non-binary or gay people are an issue here, they are not. They are not trying to undermine that. They are not. Um, in case you didn't know, the leading cause of death between children under the age of 16 is gun violence and school shootings. And while these teachers will teach you how to say your ABCs, draw within the lines, read at a accurate level, they will also put their lives on the line to protect your children. And I don't think it matters whether they are non-binary, gay, Muslim, straight, whatever, because they will be taking care of your children. I implore you to not listen to the comments that are posted on social media because the voice of one is
059not the voice of all. And lastly, if you're not mad about any of this uh and you're not saying anything, your silence is complicit. Um and so yeah, if you have any other questions, I am more than welcome to meet with any of you um because I've got the time. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Grady. All right, our next um public comment is Mr. Mike Montai. All right. Good evening and thanks for having me. Um, it's a privilege to be here and um, for a lot of reasons. Um, I appreciate everyone in front of me and the educators behind me. And for those that aren't here or those that are watching online, it's the spouse of a retired teacher from D2 with two kids that have graduated here. But more importantly, my father-in-law was the
060principal in this building in 1969. And when it moved where it is today in 1970, he was the principal there. So, it's got kind of a unique connection, but I'm here to advocate for the softball program at Somerville High School. Um, I'm a behind thescenes guy. Um, but I like to get things done and I like to help get things done in a cost-effective way. And I've been able to get people together and do things to save a substantial amount of money because I do understand where we are as a district financially. But we've been playing the long game on a on a softball field facility for no particular reason and I can't explain it. There's probably folks here that can. Um I think the coach would be here to advocate for that as well,
061but unfortunately she couldn't attend. But um the district committed $100,000 to a bleacher project three years ago and in The booster club was asked to pay $50,000 extra dollars to get it done. In conjunction with that project, we built we being the friends of the program built a backs stop. That's it didn't cost the district anything. It's about $150,000 project. We're trying to get a concession stand press box built. We've had two bids out. Both have been cancelled. And there no restrooms at that facility. And by the way, talking about a team that has back-to-back state championships and a really deep run last year, um, I would just say we got to find a way to get something done out there. It's a priority. It's real low on the food chain with you're talking about
062schools and safety issues and things like that. And I understand that, but there's a way to get it done. and the school. I'm just here to I'm just here to ask you to commit to get this done before the kids come back to play in the 26 season, which you can get it done by February 1st of 2026. If you'll make that a goal, that'd be great. Um, and I'm just here to be a part of it. Uh, and I appreciate your time, and I'll yield my time to the next person. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Monte. All right. And the next our next comment is um Mrs. Cynthia Johnson. Johnson. A little short. So, I'm going to bring this down. Whoever's coming after can bring it back up. Good evening, uh, president, school
063board members, and superintendent. My name is Cynthia Johnson. I am a mother of two boys, one at Oakbrook Elementary, the other just starting sixth grade at Rawlings Middle School, the arts. I'm here with my fellow mother, Kadishia Stokes, who is also a mom of two boys. That's how we met um at Oakbrook Elementary and Oakbrook Middle School. It was actually Miss Stokes that encouraged me to come here and it's our first school board meeting, but she's actually interested in becoming a teacher. So that's why she wanted to come here and she will she'll be great. But the reason why I'm here for public comment is really to thank you and the district for um implementing the free meal program this year. This is something that helps all students, all kids, and especially the families and
064the parents who it may be a hardship to be able to afford um to pay for those meals. Now, all kids are able to get that nutrition that they need to learn. And I just thought that was such a big thing that you all did. So, thank you. Um I also just want to give a shout out to Oakbrick Elementary. was such an amazing it's such an amazing school, great staff, great principal. Just want to give that shout out to them. And then lastly, we look forward to a great school year. Thank you all for your service. And I hope this is this is our first, but I hope this is not our last. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Miss Johnson. All right. And that concludes our public comments for this evening. All
065right. So board members, at this time I would ask for a motion to convene into executive session for student enrollment recommendations as well as for personnel related matters. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Guthrie. >> Seconded by Mr. Lee. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> I am so sorry. >> I know sometimes they get stuck in that. >> Was there Am I >> Well, somebody told me that he was here. All right. I am sorry, Mr. Moore. I apologize. Um, we found it. So, Mr. Brooks Moore. Thank you very much. I know y'all are probably tired of hearing me, but u I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak. I want to wish each of you a very positive and productive school year. I just hope and pray that the parents of
066this district realize how blessed they are to have their kids in DD2. As you know, I was a principal here for years. It's a great district. I have a daughter who is a principal also. I'm here tonight to place in consideration again the name of Mr. Charlie Stutmire for one of the new schools. Um I am very persistent and and uh I'm going to keep placing his name until the uh decision is made. But Charlie was administrator in this district. He was also a school board member. He served eight years, received more votes at the at large districts than anybody in the history of this school. He was a national distinguished principal. He was uh president of the South Carolina Administrators Association. And I don't have time to list all his accolades, but uh Charlie
067was an administrator who was not only respected, but a lot of administrators, and I can speak from experience, aren't loved sometimes, but he was loved and respected by his teachers, by his board members, by everyone in his committee. And Charlie, in all my years of knowing him, never used his vision as an excuse. Charlie Stuttomire only has 20% of his vision. His latter years of his experience, he fought Parkinson's disease. He could have stuck his head in the sand. He could have surrendered, but he stood forward. And he served the children of South Carolina and this school district. And I can't say enough of those accolades. He to me is a principal's principal. He is a teacher's principal. He is a man of integrity. He is a man who I think deserves not only myself
068but a lot of other people to have a school named in his honor. Now, I don't know what it takes to get a school named in your honor. and I don't have to worry about that myself. But if Charlie Stuttermire doesn't qualify, I'll yield to anybody else. He is a credit to this school district, to this community, to integrity, to professionalism, and everything that education stands for. Again, thank you for this opportunity and I want to thank each of you for the time you put into this job. I ran for your job. I didn't get elected, but I do respect you and I thank you for what you do every day for our kids. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Mr. Moore. >> All right. Um, Alexander, do you want to tell me how
069to say your last name? I apologize. >> I'm sorry. >> Want. Okay, you can come on up. >> Yes, come on up. Good evening. My name is Erica. Um, I'm speaking on behalf of my family, neighbors, and other families um that attend one of our DDT DD2 schools. We have deep and valid concerns about a brand new firstear teacher who is showing some violent tendencies towards children saying they please don't discuss any specific teacher in your public comments. >> I didn't say a name. I didn't say a name. >> Okay, >> go ahead. You may continue. Um, they're showing this this teacher who is still employed also decorated their new classroom. >> Okay, I'm I'm sorry. I'm going to interrupt you again. Please don't discuss a specific um employee or personnel issue in the public
070comment. Um, okay. >> You can you can keep your comments broad to a certain issue if you'd like to proceed. Well, then I guess I will just state that there are public violent and sexual opinions that are being portrayed that should not be portrayed in any schools, especially ones that are for four to 10 year olds. Um, we have spoken to the board in regards to everything Um, all I'm just asking is that we understand that she's on paid leave. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just ask that you review some drawings before making any decisions of what's happening at certain schools. Um, once you post things to social media, it's a digital footprint and whether that is a display of your work or those of others, it's there to stay and it's kind of scary.
071um even if even if it's just meant to be the way you express yourself. And I ju I just think that that just needs to be viewed. And if you saw the photos or any photos that those are happening, um it's just it's just kind of scary and concerning. And without going into further detail of specific people, um I mean I know that you guys have all received multiple emails, so I'll leave it at that. >> Thank you, Miss Want. [Applause] >> All right, that concludes our public comments for this evening. So board members, at this time I would ask for a motion to convene into executive session for student enrollment recommendations as well as personnel related matters. >> So moved. >> All right. Motion made by Mr. Guthrie. >> Seconded by Mr. Lee. Any
072questions or discussion? >> All right. Hearing none, we will call for the vote. Miss Powell. All right. Motion carries. Seven in favor. We are in executive session and we will return. to return to open session. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mr. Guthrie. All right. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, we will call for the vote. She said yes. Miss Powell said >> yes. All right. Motion carries. Seven in favor. We are back in open session. All right. Board members, at this time I would ask for a motion to approve the student enrollment recommendations that were included under the superintendent report. >> Motion made by Miss Bait, seconded by Mr. Guthrie. Any questions or discussion? >> Just fix the uh the title of our superintendent on the one. >>
073Yes, absolutely. All right, we will call for the vote. All right, motion carries. Seven in favor. >> All right, board members, at this time, do we have any additional motions? >> I'd like to make a motion to overturn the district's decisions as to enrollment requests for the below students FC and CN. All right. Motion made by Miss King. Do I have a second? >> Seconded by Miss Bates. Any question or discussion hearing? None. We will call for the vote. Motion carries. Seven in favor. Okay. Board members, do we have any additional motions? >> I would like to make a motion to uphold the district's decisions to enrollment requests for all other presented appeals. >> All right. >> Thank you. Motion made by Miss King, seconded by Mr. Farnsworth. Any questions or discussion? Okay. Hearing none,
074we will call for the vote. Motion carries. Seven in favor. Mr. Farnsworth. Motion to adjurnn made by Mr. Farnsworth. Do I have a second? >> Seconded by Miss Bates. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, we will call for >> Yes, ma'am. You do. >> Only if you're voting. Yes. Motion carries. Seven in favor. We are adjourned.