Nottoway School Board - Monthly Meeting

001Good evening. I'd like to call the Thursday, November 13, 2025 regular Nawway County School Board meeting to order. We will have a moment of silence followed by prayer if you choose to pray with us and then we will be uh privileged to have the uh honor guard bring in the colors. [Music] Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you tonight. We thank you for this day and for this moment in time. We thank you tonight for our school board. Thank you for our superintendent, our clerk. Thank you for the members of the media. Thank you for the citizens, the students, the staff, the principles, the ROTC that are here tonight. Thank you for our student liaison. We thank you for your mercy, for your wisdom, for your grace. Thank you that you continue to allow

002us to live in a free country where we can make decisions and do the best that we can for our students. We thank you for all that you've done and what you have promised in your word that you will continue to do. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. >> Amen. And >> amen. [Music] Forward. March. [Music] Guard present colors. >> Be so kind as to say the pledge. 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. Y color right side mark. [Music] >> I have a motion to approve the agenda. So I motion um that we approve the agenda with one amendment. I request that we add board member conduct

003to the open agenda session. [Music] >> I have a motion to approve the agenda as amended. [Music] >> So move second. >> Second. >> Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I. uh awards and recognition highlights. Dr. Martin. So, good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Our school highlights this evening are coming from Crew Primary School. They are going to be showcasing the implementation of structured literacy and they're actually going to be leading a lesson for you this evening. So, Mr. Paige, I will turn it over to you and your your kiddos. We will um so thank you Dr. Martin. Thank you school board. We typically do something that's real fun and exciting. Um you can watch that on on uh Facebook. You know we we do do a lot

004of good learning here. So that's what we're going to try today. Can't promise it's going to work. Uh they're a little environment. It's going to be funny and they're cute. So it's going to be funny. We wanted to showcase some of the uh instructional pieces that we do. uh you know we do have the third highest scores in region 8 uh because we have fun and because we do stuff like this with instructional uh so this structure literacy is uh designed for kindergarten first and second grade this is a first grade class Miss Badger's class she has I think seven students and we asked some of the second graders to do it too but they don't want to come out of retirement so it's going to be just all first graders uh so if you

005don't mind can we kick you out of the way so we can set off if you don't mind. Thank you. Thank you. You guys come on in. >> Thank you. Miss Bad, come on in. >> Oh, boy. [Music] And this is uh Ellie. She's a sixth grader helping out this badger's daughter. Say your name. Say hi. Say it to everybody else. >> Okay. This is Prince. >> Hi, Prince. Say hi. >> T. >> Christian, what's your name? >> Christian. >> India, say hi. >> Say, look at them. Say hi, India. >> Daisy, say hi. >> Hi. >> Say hi. >> Hi. >> So, we're just going to watch this board up here. Okay. Every turn facing this way. Okay. Should I have >> Yeah. One of the big questions we keep getting asked over and

006over again is like where's the spelling list from parents? So this is where we get spelling words. So this is how we practice that skill instead of sending rope memorization words home. So that being said, ladies and gentlemen, do I have your good strong listening ears on today? >> Yes. Okay. Where the boards go first? >> Up in our left. >> Settle down. Where at? >> Okay. Would you like to be an honorary first? >> Yeah, sure. >> Honorary first grader. >> All right. So, we've got our good strong listening ears on. Let's get practicing with some uh warm-ups that we uh have already done. We've practiced these. We know them. We're going to start with Aha, it does work. Yay. We're going to start with, let's see, blending some onset rhymes. So, repeat these

007sounds with me. Blank. >> Blank. >> What is it? >> Okay. Say, let's do this one. Cing. >> Cing. >> What is it? >> Good job. How about if I found it s >> How did you know I didn't say a F sound? >> Cuz you Cuz you put your tongue on your teeth. >> On my teeth. So we know that's a th right. Okay, let's keep on moving along. So let's try this one. >> We're moving this fast. Guys, got your eyeballs on that board? I would like for you to read the graphims you see. You ready? >> Here we go. M >> or good sh W [Music] A. >> Good job. We are going to blend some of these words. These are words that we have practiced already. Follow the arrow and please

008say the sounds as we go. Please don't leave them out. All right. Ready? >> Sing. >> Good job. F sing [Music] block flush. >> Nice. [Music] >> Good job. >> Nice. Drink. >> I think I heard you change that sound a little bit. We have been practicing with open and closed syllables as our skill this week. Remember, a syllable is a word chunk with one vowel sound. A closed syllable has one vowel letter that makes a short vowel sound. And an open syllable has a vowel that's not followed or closed up. So that open vowel can get right and say what? The long sound. Right. >> So like with this one, >> robot robot. >> Nice. The first syllable row, we see that open syllable. The second syllable bot, we see the o, we see

009the closed short vowel sy, right? Okay, you ready to try this skill now? >> Yes. >> Okay, let's do a read. We'll learn it all. >> Robots. Robots. >> Humid. Humid. Program program. >> These are first graders, y'all. >> Begin. Begin. >> Open. Open. Protest. >> Good job. We we also have written portions. We're doing sounds, but in the interest of time and everybody tonight, I think we're going to move beyond that. Thank you so very much. >> Thank you parents for coming. Thank you. Thank you for bringing them. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, go ahead and grab your honorary first. [Music] Come on. >> That's a lot of pillows there, Tanner. >> Oh, yes. >> Yes. I took a paper. [Music] >> That might be tough to beat, but JTC program highlights Dr. Martin.

010So yes, they have a lot to live up to now, but I'm sure they're going to do an excellent job following the first graders. I am excited this evening to have our high schools NJRTC program share about their reestablishment of the program. uh we kind of went through a period there where it was not uh fully functional and I can tell you that through the dedication of senior chief parent and chief Lynn, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that we have an active program and that it's successful. They're doing great things. So I wanted them to highlight some of those successes that they have this evening. >> All right. Good morning everybody. My name is Chief Lynn. I'm a retired hospital corman. Uh I'm going to apologize now. I can't stand at the podium. cadets

011do a brief and uh beat them up about standing in one single place being able to move around the room and know the information that's on your slides. Okay, so if we could go to the next slide, the first slide. Uh basically this is the mission of ROC in a nutshell with all of these words. We're trying to make them the best version of themselves and the best citizens that they can be. Okay. Um what do you call it? We are not, if you go to the uh the page right after, I'm going to kind of blend them together a little bit. Uh we are not uh boot camp, okay? We are not a place for students who cannot control their behavior. We are not here to to deal with that. Okay? Basically, what we're

012here to do is we take kids who have a plan, who either want to be in the military, they want to go to college and are seeking military scholarships, they want to be involved in the community, they want to learn about leadership, whatever it is that they want to do, that's what we're here to help them do. Okay? You'll see also on here, we are not military recruitment. If you ask any one of our cadets, they'll tell you Chief Land doesn't care what you do when you graduate high school. The only requirement is that you have a plan that's not spending the next 25 years in your mama's basement playing video games. Exactly. And I stand by that. Uh if there's a nonc student who's interested in joining the military, I'll be more than happy

013to talk to them. But uh trying to recruit my cadetses that doesn't happen. Okay. Uh so soon parents going to take over from here real quick. >> So good evening. Thank you for this opportunity. Um, so this year our numbers are looking better. Uh, right now we're sitting at 54 cadetses, which is about 11% of this total student body for the high school. Last year we closed the the uh the year out with 36 cadetses. Um, so again, we saw improvement there. Uh, we have dropped about nine uh students uh thus far throughout the school year. Some of that was conflicts with um scheduling. Some are just um they're not uh adhering to the the the standards that uh are put forth through the program. Um the breakdown as you can see uh we have

014more females than males. We have 31 females, 23 um males. Of the uh different uh levels being naval science one through four, the bulk of our cadetses right now are NS1s. And of the NS1s, 22 of them are eighth graders. So the eighth graders are saving the program right now because in the past we've needed 10% of the student body or 100. Uh the Navy has changed that it's 50. So right now the magic number is 50 which we're meeting. So we were on probation. We are no longer on probation as of this year. All right. However, comma, if we decrease the numbers, we go back on probation. All right, so that's kind of the breakdown. It's right now pretty much saving this program. All right, which is a good thing. Um, as I mentioned,

015the curriculum. So, the curriculum is produced by Naval Service Training Command, which is uh headquarters uh in Great Lakes, Illinois. uh they have a curriculum board that reviews the curriculum yearly and in fact this year we we uh have updated naval science 2 and three curriculum. So, as I mentioned, it's broken down in naval science one, two, three, and four. One and four are unique in that only firstear students can go into naval science one, and fourthyear students need to be in naval science 4, two, and three. We can play around a little bit. So, we can mix naval science 2 cadets with naval science three. The curriculums are different. However, so I teach naval science two and three teaches one and four. So what I do is I take some some material from the

016NS-2 and the NS-3 curriculum kind of just combine. That way the students aren't getting the same material if they were NS2s that they got last year. So um so that's pretty much the breakdown of the uh curriculum. in the curriculum. If you go back just really quick, the NS1s, they're learning what it means to be an NJRTC. We the first part of the year, Chief spends a lot of time on how to properly wear the uniform, career planning. Um, he does leadership uh and military drill, things like that. Twos and threes, they get more into the leadership. Uh, the cadets start doing leadership within the the unit. So they they're cadetled uh leaders. Um and we get into naval sciences and military uh law and things like that. Naval science 4, which chief teaches again,

017that's where the cadetses are leading other cadets. So they're leaders within the the the program. All right, next slide. >> All right, so good and bad. Uh we've already covered some of this. We got an increase in enrollment. Our new resources here chief is uh FAA 107 qualified for drone operation. Um we have drones in the afternoon. Uh we also have a marksmanship program. Um I have five students right now who are participating in that. And then down at the bottom um sorry I can't read that. Uh we've taken some extra I'm not wearing my glasses. Uh we've taken some extra trips this year. Uh last year um trip money was was very scarce. We've gotten a little bit better this year, so we've taken a couple extra trips. As far as the bag goes,

018um there was a gap with a certified naval instructor. There was a substitute last year, but the substitute doesn't have access to the naval programs or the Navy money that certified instructors do. So those gaps uh caused a significant drop in the program. Um, I I'll be blunt. Uh, I've heard from no less than 327 people how great the program was back when um, Master Guns and uh, I can't remember his name, but when >> they were here. Uh, this we're not going to return to that overnight. That is just not going to happen. And I will argue that on the Navy side till I'm blue in the face. But um basically uh that gap is what we're trying to overcome now. Um last year you guys talked about that extracurricular activities um is not

019where we'd like it to be. So afternoons we do drill, we do marksmanship, we do drones. We also have orientering which is like uh we give cadets a map and a compass and they go out into the woods and find different points. It's basically land navigation. Um, and there's also a brain brawl and there's a couple other teams that are on the horizon right now. Marksmanship and drones are two big ones and we have about a maybe 5 to 7% participation rate right now. We like to boost that up, but the afternoon stuff is completely separate from the school day stuff. You don't get extra points for showing up in the afternoon. You just get extra experience and uh stuff like that. So, change you got the last. All right. So, last slide. So, how

020do we accomplish our mission? So, again, just to highlight some of the things, classroom instruction, that's a big part. So, the way we set our classes up, Monday and Tuesdays, we do um instruction. Uh Wednesday, if the kids have us, then we do uniform inspection and drill. And then Thursday, Friday are PT days. So, PT is is one of the requirements that the Navy puts forth that we have to do. Um, same with the the uniform. The kids have to wear the uniform at least one time a week. So, uh, we we uh do uniform inspections. Uh, community service. We're still um quite frankly frankly we we're still working on getting more community service for the for the cadetses. Um, keep already talked about the extracurricular uh teams. some of the orientation visits that we've

021already done this year. We've taken the kids to the US Naval um academy. We went to the uh we did a tour. Uh we did a football game. The kids that went loved it. Uh we've gone to the NAS Oceanana. Uh we went to the air show. Took about what 20 kids down to that. Um we do the D-Day memorial. some of the future trips we're looking at this spring, taking the kids up to DC, going through the Navyyard, maybe visiting Arlington and some of the monuments up there, just give them some perspectives of of the monuments. And then uh end of year uh we'd like to do a formal uh military ball this year uh that teaches the kids um basically formal how to act formally in a in a setting um outside of

022say like the prom or homecoming or something like that. It's more formal. Um there's guests, there's a award ceremony. Um we do so there's the ceremony part and then there's the we we let the kids have a little fun too. So there's a dance that follows but it's it's a more formal setting. So those are pretty much some of the highlights. I think that was the last slide. The last slide just says questions. We have two cadetses with us this evening. We have Cadet Moore and Cadet Griffith. Cadet Moore is our exo. And then Griffith is our command uh senior chief. So she's our senior enlisted. Any questions? That concludes? >> Yes, sir. >> Uh if any of your cadets uh go on to join the Navy after graduation from high school, do they get

023any rank consideration? >> So they do. One of the benefits, there's plenty of benefits which we just didn't have time to highlight, but um so if a cadet goes through the program two years for the Navy, they go in as a E2. If they do three years, they go in as an E3. So that's substantial going against their peers, they're going in as an E3, which is a substantial amount of pay as well. So, those are the benefits. There's a ton of benefits for college. Uh, for kids that are not really meeting academic standards. Um, there's a program which is called the MPP. It's a preparatory program where they go to school for a year, they get the um the the math and the English that they might be lacking in, and from there, if

024they pass that, they get an automatic bid into um uh RC scholarship. So there's a lot of benefits. Those are just a few. >> Thank you. >> I would just like to say thank you. I think this is vitally important. >> Me too. >> For our community, for our schools, for recognizing um an appreciation of our servicemen and women. So thank you. >> I'd like to reiterate that as well. Yeah. I I I came through the RTC program under Commander Ross and Master Gundy and Lieutenant Commander Tayon in '94, the second year of the program. And um we just say I'm old. I believe you're older than me, sir. But those are some of the best best times. And and I think y'all when y'all look back on y'all, it'll be some of the best

025times. I mean, like you said, it's not a recruitment tool, but it teaches life skills and it's it's such I appreciate y'all dedication and and it's not cuz I know it's not easy, >> but I appreciate y'all. But, um, those that were some of the best times I had coming through the program with Commander Rose and Lieutenant Commander Tayon and Master G. Great times. I just want to add for y'all, they um senior chief parent and chief Lynn, they have done a fabulous job of trying our program AND constantly advancing and trying to work things. Um we've had conversations about what their future of their program looks like and so we do fully support their program and those initiatives for our students and making sure that we have a viable program. Thank you to them.

026if if you would be so kind as to ensure that we understand what your financial requirements are. >> Okay. So, for the most part, the curriculum is paid for through the Navy. It's uh the program is funded through title 10 money. Um so, our salaries are through title 10. uh half of our salary is paid from the Navy, title 10, and then the school provides the other half. Um, as far as the trips and things like that go, some years we have orientation money, some years we don't. It's just >> progress allocation. The reason that I ask is we're we're getting close to the budget season and if we know then we have an opportunity to try to work it work work work with it >> as opposed to not knowing and guessing so that

027if we have good information then that's >> if you don't mind I' I'd like to rain check that I I want to check and make sure what we are and are not allowed to accept because I don't want to I don't want anybody to get in trouble. I don't want >> There's also restrictions everybody else to get in trouble either. >> We >> so we don't encourage getting in trouble either. I >> So most of the units or most of the units that I've dealt with, senior chief and I both have had experience in other units, they do fundraisers and that fundraising, the money that comes from fundraising is what they use for the orientation trips cuz like senior chief said, basically what happens is you take the trip and pay for it and the

028Navy reimbures you if there's money. If there's not money, you eat the trip. If there is money, congratulations. You get paid back. But, um, the cadets are going to start doing some fundraisers this year. So, it's time. We're That's part of the We need to get back to where everybody else is, where we need to be. So, >> I'll address the cadets. If you have a fundraiser, see me money. I will give you some. >> Let us know. We definitely be glad to help. As far as the uniforms, curriculum, books, everything, flags, the equipment we need on the dayto-day is provided by the Navy. >> Correct. >> I spent three years in that in the service, so I know what it's like a long, uh, before he was born. >> That's a few years ago.

029>> So, so, uh, if you have fundraisers, see us. >> Yes, indeed. >> We're here to help. >> We'd be glad to help. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for this evening. >> Yes, indeed. [Music] >> And forgive me the army jokes. >> Yeah. No, it's all good. >> Don't worry, sir. [Music] >> That's delegations from the public. I'd just like to remind everyone that the board uh listens. We do not normally respond. Uh if there are actionable items, we take that into consideration this evening. We have Mr. Cruz first. [Music] >> Good afternoon, members of the board and um Dr. Martin. Getting my good side, Billy. I hope I hope uh yeah I know all of you who know me um but for the public record and uh the

030audience uh who may be unfamiliar with me. My name is Thomas Cruz and I'm the chairman of the Nomi County Democratic Committee. As all of you know except perhaps um board member Michelle Duncan who participated by phone. I was at your work session uh where I could not speak formally. Um I'm here tonight to make my voice heard regarding the property at Ingleside in Burkeville. I want to request that the board surplus the building back to the county and I want to discuss the reasons why I believe that this is in the best interest of both the board and the county. I also want to address some comments that were made at the work session by some members of the board. Mr. Abbott uh at the work session used the word leverage to describe the

031school board's position regarding the property at Engleside. And while I strongly disagree with that position, I do believe it was he was voicing um the sentiment shared by what I believe is the majority of the board. I believe that it is uh a deeply misguided sentiment because the board does not possess the leverage that it thinks even if this board had been allowed to sell the Engleside property. Do you I mean do you believe that the board of supervisors knowing the political circumstances they face in this moment would have given the board the funds from that sale? I asked you to search your heart, your mind, and your spirit to answer that question because I don't believe given the uh particular political circumstances facing the board of supervisors at this time that most of that

032money, if any at all, would have been uh made its way back to the school board budget. However, even if you saw every penny, it still would not cover the cost the school is facing. I'm not here tonight to tell you that you're wrong about the challenges facing the school system. I believe that those challenges are real, and I want to stand in solidarity with you over them. we are not on opposing sides on that matter and I want to be an ally in the future in helping advocate for the needs of NA County public schools. I also believe that the school uh that the board needs to um speak more loudly about its needs not just not just to the board of supervisors but to the public because most of the public does not

033know the challenges that the school system is facing. That being said, you do not have the leverage in the situation. Your leverage is entirely with the public and you're going to lose the public if you take actions as stewards of a public property that harms the very public that voted you into office. 400 families, not individuals, families, many uh of whom who have children in this school system depend on feed, which operates uh out of the property at Engleside. Does any member of this board believe that the children going the children going hungry is going to be good for the school system? The property in Engleside is also the sole polling location for district 1, which is Mr. Outlaw's district and the second highest Republican voting district in in the county. If this property is

034closed down, where are those folks going to vote? Are we going to reopen the polling precinct at Burkeville Fire Department uh and have everyone in uh District One vote there? What about early voting for the folks at the end of that end of the county? Are they going to have to drive all the way to Blackstone to vote early? Of course, the county itself has use for the property because, you know, they're they're they're doing major renovations over there at the courthouse complex. So, to the best of my knowledge, the county would like to have this building uh have this property uh setting aside, of course, the fact that the county has also been using the building for some time as the general registars's office. I am of course aware that the building needs considerable

035renovations and repairs, but that's not this board's problem. I'm asking members of the board to consider what is what in what is in the best interest of the folks of Namib County and this board is being at war with the board of supervisors in your best interest is shutting down this building which is going to result in the closing of district 1 polling precinct and effectively shutting the doors to feed more for 400 families in the best interest of the county. I asked this board to be good stewards of the public property at Anglesside to surplus the building back to the county and I want to thank each of you for time. Thank you very much. [Music] >> Good evening. Um, I'm speaking today because of my concern about the issue going on at Perk

036School. I'm very concerned and after attending your work session, I came more concerned. I'm going to start my speech off a little bit with Matthew 16 since we got a lot of Christian supposed to be Christian at the board is tell you plain and simple. Don't go for the wolf and sheep clothes. And what it don't say, don't become the wolf yourself. Then I'm going to go to James 4:17. I'm going to read this exactly. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fail to do do so, for him is his sin. And I'm going to close up with Proverbs. The will of a fool is right in his eye, in his own eyes. But the wise person accept advice. And the point of me saying all this, I I really think and I'm

037now I'm not a talk friend. It's a lot more. Some of you are caught up in something that you have no part of it, including you, Miss Miss um Green. >> It's a personal thing going on with the school board. Too political. I'm not going to go into detail. Anyone want to ask me, I would talk private. Last time I went in detail, Mr. Outlaw call me a liar. There's Mr. Outlaw reputation against my reputation. So y'all decide who reputation is truthful. My thing is this. What you I'm glad the kids are gone cuz when I saw him walking in, I was afraid. Why are they going to hear at your school board your session? I didn't hear the word kids. One time when one of you all said something about the floor building falling

038down on even when we were leaving out the building. Mr. Abbott, you took a you took it on yourself to holler. You going to get out January the 15th. What was that for? What was that for? It's personal. It's about the p the people. That's our building. You and our real estate agent. You know what? When the school board when the board of supervisor made that decision not to sell the building, Mr. Abby, no disrespect, you supposed to stood up, said you don't want to sell it, give us the money. Case closed. Does that make sense? If they don't want you to sell it, ask them for the money. But what what are we going to accomplish? Some of the language I heard, not bad language, cuz Charles, I was shocked with you, brother. That's

039not the Charles I know what I saw at that board meeting. Okay. You're a better man than that, brother. Okay? I love you. You're better than that. Don't let other people influence y'all to be something you are not. To some people up on this board, that's all they got. You got family. You got people that love you. You don't need that hate. Don't let that hate get up in you, man. Please don't do that. It was so much hate in that building. It was sad. It was sad. Don't let people It's too political up here. I would I I'm not going to go that way, but I'm not going to be political. Last time I was here, Mr. Outlaw call me a liar. And no disrespect, I ain't calling the name. Some of you don't

040even qualify if you on the school board cuz you're not role model. You leaders. Y'all leaders. This young lady is a leader. Y'all influencer lady. Did you see the video on Facebook of Miss Alo? Honestly, did you >> young lady? Did you >> Don't address her. >> Don't ask her to ask her. Okay. >> Don't do that. >> Sir, you're addressing the board and not on the board. >> No. She's a student liaison. That's okay. >> Did you see the video? >> Yes, sir. I did. >> Were you impressed? >> I will. >> Yes or no? Thank you. Were you impressed? Nobody impressed. Is it going to be addressed or was it his personal opinion? Mr. Mr. Ash, the point I'm trying to make is you all are at a higher standard than the regular

041citizen. Am I right? What he do or you do, you do, you do, you do, the whole board get the recognition for it. More important than the kids' welfare is your reputation. Y'all, we look we can't have stuff like that. It's not good for us. And I know and Mr. All me and you got a lot. We me and you think a lot in common. A lot of things you agree I agree with. I don't think kids avoid going a girl bad from I mean you you're not a bad person. I'm quite sure you're not. And I'm not trying to be mean or disrespectful, but some that the the the language you all had at that that meeting I was at. How you going to get money from your daddy if you make your daddy

042mad at you? I I promise you. I talked to a couple of supervisor. I think that y'all need to you need to you need to lower the temperature and work. [Music] I'm done. I mean, and but thank you for having me. And like I told you, Miss Martin, I really am sorry about your father. He was he Everybody talk bad about Frank. He was a good guy though. He Okay. Thank y'all. >> Thank you, >> Tucker. After that, I don't think I have too much more to say, but thank you for allowing me to speak. Um, I'm just going to disregard this paper and I'm sorry, young lady, for you to be pulled into that. I am here on the issue of the Engleside property uh 507 Engleside known as the Burkeville Elementary School. I

043for one and hope that I am speaking audience and in my opinion that you can't get sued for cuz everybody has one. So what I'm saying today tonight is my opinion. There is no need to close that school down. In my opinion, I think it's a personal vendetta against members of the school board. And it has been since Mr. Reynolds went into that building. That man's resume was so impressive. Three or four of you all could have combined yours and it wouldn't have been as impressive as his. He's qualified. He's been a gentleman. And he's done a good job. And that's what it's all about. Now, I'm basing this on my opinion. When they announced in the work session of the school board that the board of supervisor said that you couldn't close the school,

044the first thing out of Mr. Abbott's mouth was we still want them who out of there by the 15th. Now, you might want the registars's office out of there, but the feed more is collateral damage. That's all it is. That place services 400 families, not people, in need of food and assistance. Have you ever been in a classroom and you looked out at your students and you knew three or five of them didn't eat anything because there was nothing there to eat? Have you ever walked up to that child and slid a dollar in their pocket and said, "Eat lunch today." I have. Some of you in here might be recipients. And if you look around, I think I taught half of you in here and up here. Don't get caught up in the hype.

045This is a personal vendetta politics which has no place on the school board. You are here for the kids. And if you're concerned about the kids, you will work to be make sure that the kids are fed and ready to learn when they come to school. Now, if the board said that you couldn't sell the building, what's the purpose of setting it down? Are you going to just let it sit there and go to waste, or are you going to maintain it, pay the maintenance? If it's a building that can be used, why don't you use it? Source it to the board of supervisors. Now, as far as need and money, did you give them a budget? Dr. Martin list all these things that had to be done. Now, they didn't just crop up. They

046have been needing to be done since 3, four, five years ago. So, when you did your budget, why didn't you put it in there? Mhm. So don't come making up something now that you need the money. The board does not know what you want the money for. So if you had put it in the budget that these are the things that you wanted done, maybe you would have gotten a little bit more money. And my two guys, don't ever take the fall for nobody else's thoughts. If you don't start thinking on your own, the sheriff's going to have to pull me out cuz I'mma come up there and get you. >> Always think about >> think on your own. >> That's one thing you got to worry about. >> Okay, I better not be better

047than that. And I I I think you think you're trying, >> don't be pulled in the hype of others. And I am adamant and I in my opinion this is all political. If it was just about them saying we can't sell it, why would you even mention I'd be out there by January 15th anyway? If you can't sell it, let them stay in there until you find what you're going to do with it. I got a shed out behind my house. If you want that to sell, you can do that. But let the Bville Elementary say that so it can house feed more. I'm more concerned about that. That lady got so many big freezers that she can't even find another place to put them in to keep her food and she's been looking. We've

048been trying to help her find a place to go. There is no place to go. So when you go to bed at night and think you deprived 400 families of food by displacing them, sleep well. I pray for you. [Music] Thank you for letting me talk. I'm here not just as a parent with children in your schools, but as the citizen directly involved in the recent, deeply unsettling incident with one of your board members, Mr. Bill Outlaw. The events that took place on my property have gone far beyond simple political disagreement about a school board building sale. They speak directly to a severe breach in professional conduct and a disregard for the safety sanity of the citizen's home. Regardless of who the citizen is, what titles they hold, how outspoken they are, or how many

049hats they wear, school officials should not show up at their home the day after speaking against a school board of initiative. I wish to draw your attention to the very standards that each and every one of you publicly agreed in this room to follow. The Virginia School Board Association Code of Conduct. The actions I experienced personally appear to violate several key ethical clauses that are meant to protect both the integrity of this board and the citizens you serve. Rules that I believe that may be violated include number one upholding and enforcing all laws, state regulations, and court orders. The conduct of my property was not just inappropriate. It resulted in a formal trespassing charge being filed with law law enforcement. Not to mention other charges that could have or may still be filed like harassment,

050disorderly conduct, and the big one, violation of my constitutional rights under the color of law under the first amendment. In intimidation by an elected official against a citizen for exercising their rights to free speech on a matter of public concern violates the first amendment of the US Constitution, the Virginia Constitution, and the Civil Rights Act of 1871 and 42 USC 1983. The second rule I believe violated encouraging open two-way communication and respect for the public. You guys agreed to that. There is no respectful two-way communication when an official comes on your property uninvited, places a political sign in your yard without permission and yells at you about schoolboard business. That is harassment, intimidation, plain and simple. Refraining number three, the third rule, refraining from using the board position for personal or partisan gain and avoiding

051the appearance of impropriy behavior in my yard was an abuse of the I'm sorry, I've lost my place here. It was a it was abuse of the stature stature that comes with being an elected official. It created a clear appearance of impropriy by attempting to use that position to intimidate a private citizen over a public land transaction. And rule number four, remembering that an individual board member has no legal authority outside this board meeting. Mr. Alo was no doubt acting as an individual on my property, but his title as a board member hung heavy over the interaction, especially when he started yelling about school board business from the night before. He had no authority to be there or behave in that manner. And finally on this topic, if any of you think it's okay for

052your colleague to come to a parents home uninvited, yell at them in front of their children, and call them names in front of their children, who by the way attend your schools, curse the Lord in front of my children while doing it, then why did you even adopt the VSBA code of conduct as your own in the first place? If you believe that's okay. I'm wondering if it was just a formality. Remember this was done the day after I spoke in opposition to a schoolboard initiative to sell the Burkeville school. The Burkeville school was mentioned. My also I was told that I was physically irresponsible because I'm a How many people in your school is a renter? Speaking of the Burkeville Elementary School, it's not a pawn in a chess match or leverage as you

053call it. You just can't afford the building surplus and it makes sense and you can do it tonight and take the burden off your books. Stop saying the lights will be cut off January 15th because we all know in Virginia a landlord cannot cut off or change locks or turn the power off without an eviction taking place regardless of how much notice you provide. And lastly, can you even evict the county? You know, my research says no. So, what leverage do you actually have? I hope you guys will address this matter with your board member. Thank you. Appreciate it. [Music] Senator Allen, thank you board for allowing me to speak tonight. Um, I agree with a lot of other speakers. This is purely political and it's been going on for 5 years. Um, Sunny Abbott

054and be outlawed. They have a problem with the electoral board. Um, this has been going on so long that this is not even my opinion. I bought receipts. So, one thing, Sunny Abbott wants the electoral board out of here because he couldn't finish his term because he got in an argument and he went out in the parking lot and he quit. Um, he also resigned from being the office of election because in open session he had taken election tape that comes out the voting machine. He took it home with him and he pulled it out during open session. So, I'm allowed to legally talk about this. But he thought we were >> May I say something? >> Sir, um secondly, um me and Bill have had beef for a while to the point that he

055has come to the electoral board meetings and and have been so out of order that I had to call the police on him. That has been documented as well. So when people said that this is political, I believe them because why I left before the last meeting that y'all had at the Nawway school board when he said you still have to be out by January 15th, I didn't hear that cuz I had left. But I was at the board of supervisors meeting when the board of supervisors um decided that y'all couldn't sell and he said that you still got to be out by the 15th on my way out. Secondly, this man started this process without you guys. Okay? He started it without you and then he brought you in later. And that's why I

056asked you the last time I stood right here, what was the real reason behind this? And this man has a history of being dishonest. What he wants is the electoral board out. And what he would really, really, really like is power. And one thing I can tell you because I have it right here and his signature is on it because he wrote the state board of elections on me. Why? Because I wouldn't tell him where I was working, where I was employed. So this man wrote the state board OF ELECTIONS. CHRIS PIPER, his signature is on. Y'all can keep this cuz let me see because I would his signature is on. He sent it to the state board of elections because and he wanted me removed off the board and because he was trying to

057speculate where I worked because at the time there were he got a whole committee together to figure out where I worked so they can harass me and then to say it is a lie. I have witnesses that were actually on the committee in this room right now. The second thing he did, he told a lie and wrote it to Judge Cell about an incident that occurred on election day. and he and he said what I did and he said um the police were called the police doesn't didn't even make a record a a real record of what happened and then he signed it and sent it to Judge Sull. BUT THE THING ABOUT it is MR. ABBOTT WASN'T EVEN THERE. THIS MAN HAS a history of making things up to go against this to go

058along with his agenda. And that's why I'm telling you, when this man decided that he wanted to to sit on the school or sell the school, he didn't do it with the children in mind. He did it with his own political agenda. And I got I brought receipts because I don't like people talking trash about me and then not letting me know because when you like like when they write letters to people and they didn't know that the clerk of the court was going to send me a copy of the letters. I'm I'mma say it to your face just like I want you to say it to these children faces when they have to go to school hungry or when their parents can't eat or when the kids can't eat. These are your kids. Like

059I got kids in public school system. I can't afford to put my kids in private school system and then come to a public school board meeting and talk about I don't I don't care if these kids eat or not because that's essentially what you're saying. So when you're following somebody like a lot of y'all are you make sure they have the right meaning or the right motive behind what they're doing because at the end of the day your vote is going on public record and the citizens will see everything. It's it's documented. Okay. And I know that I done made some people mad, but guess what? Keep living. You going to make people mad, too. Y'all have a good day. >> All right. I need a motion to approve the consent agenda. Items A, B,

060C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a motion that we move items H and I to close session as they deal with personnel issues. [Music] can't be discussed in open session. [Music] You would have to uh let me modify the motion then for the consent agenda. uh A B C D E F G [Music] and J eliminating H and I [Music] we'll have to do a separate motion to modify the agenda to move session. Is there a second? And the closing that's the pleasure of the board. >> I apologize. I was talking with Dr. Martin. Could you please repeat that? Chairman, >> basically the consent the consent agenda except for letters

061H and I the student discipline issues. I motion that. >> No, it's already been motioned with this. Look for a second. >> I apologize. Um I second that motion. >> Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I will need a motion to amend the agenda to move consent agendas H and I, which are student discipline issues, to close session. >> So moved. Wait a minute. I'm I'm I'm confused now. >> I got all y'all don't got me all confused. >> What are we doing now? What we doing? Cuz we don't got all mixed up. >> So there's a discipline. Um there is H and I two student discipline um items and Mr. Outlaw is requesting to move it to close session. Move it out of the consent agenda

062and move it into the close session >> so it can be discussed >> because we're not allowed to discuss >> that motion has been certain discipline issues in public. So I will ask again is there a motion to move consent agenda items H and I which are the student discipline issues to close session. >> Is there a second? >> Any additional discussion hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> I >> heard enough eyes's action items. Approval of travel uh for the superintendent, Dr. Martin. >> Yes, sir. Uh members of the board, I am requesting approval this evening to attend the VAS Vaspo winter conference in Richmond January 5th and 6th and also to attend the region 8 superintendence meeting scheduled for January 21st. I have a motion to approve approval of

063Dr. Martin attending those two activities. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Approval of the updated division uh literacy plan. Dr. Martin. >> Before you this evening, you have the updated division literacy plan. The plan was reviewed by the Department of Education with minimal feedback for corrections. They did ask that we clarify some testing schedules for screening assessments and denoted several uh and denote to several requested individuals within the plan which has been done. This plan does require bianial board review and approval and an updated link has to be posted on the website once it is approved. So, I'm requesting permission to approve the updated literacy plan this evening. >> I hope everyone's had an opportunity to review that. Uh, I'll need

064a motion to approve the division's literacy plan. >> So move. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? [Music] >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> There are no non-action items at this time. Information items. Dr. Martin, instruction and professional learning updates. So, um to give you a couple of highlights this evening. You were able to see our elementary students in action earlier with some of the literacy that they've been doing, but um it's been busy and we're continuously working to improve our instructional outcomes. Our focuses so far this year have been on the use of highquality instructional materials across the division. We have refined implementation of HMH um into reading at the K through five level. uh we have done very well with implementation of HMH into literature

065at the secondary level. Um the teachers really like the program, have embraced it and are implementing it and are seeing good things in the classroom. We're continuously implementing Zern K through 8 and we even use it at the high school and a couple of our algebra classes because they have some skills in there that they can work on. And then implementation of Lexia at all levels across the division. Um we continuously work on alignment of our tier one instructional practices. Um we are much better aligned than where we were, but we're continuously working on that and we're moving into tier 2 interventions to really tailor and support needs for individual students. Um we are continuously using evidence-based interventions in math and reading instruction and a big focus of ours is continuous progress monitoring and followth

066through with weekly PLC's and data review. So, one of the things that I really wanted to note in the most recent bowels data that came out that did a comparison of um student performance from last year at this time to performance this year at this time, uh 27% of the students improved performance on the vowel screener from this same point last year. So, when I say that 26% of students were in the low risk compared to only 16%. So, we have three bands that we look at with valves. We have a high, a medium and a low. So high being the greatest need. Um so we have increased the number of students that are in our lowrisk for this from last year at this time to this year which also tells us that our reading

067implementation and strategies are working with our students because we are seeing gains. Our high risk decreased from 47% of our students in the fall of last year to 37% of our students this year. So, a lot more of our students are moving into that moderate range. Um, and then we're our goal is to get them into the lowrisk range. So, those strategies that have been putting in place, what you saw earlier with structured literacy that's going on across the division, they're working with our kids. We're seeing significant improvements thus far with just one year of implementation. Uh, typically it takes multiple years to see your huge gains, but we're moving the needle in the right direction, which is great. Uh this data shows the work our teachers and our students are doing across the division.

068Um it doesn't happen without their dedication to the process, their willingness to accept feedback. Um there's increased alignment as I shared and teachers are teaching. They are up. They are moving. They are teaching. Students are engaged. Um it's funny, Mr. Wilson and I had a conversation the other day. the the bells or the we were having problems with resetting the bells when the time changed but we had to end up turning the clocks off alto together in the high school and he looked at me said let's not turn the clocks back on he said because nobody looks at the time in the classroom now and before you would have this set as we all do oh we're looking at the clock what time is it teachers are teaching from beginning of the class period to

069the end and students aren't looking to get up oh I got five minutes left in class because they don't know what time it is and you can't have your cell phone out anyway so there's nothing to tell tell you what the the time is, but they've seen the impact of some of those practices in the classroom. So, really focused on teaching and learning. Just a couple of highlights on professional learning. We are continuously tailoring our PD um throughout the division. We had two division PD days where staff come together since the beginning of the year on a variety of topics and our learning has included um professional learning for teachers and school leaders, coaching and support for building administrators, focusing on data to improve practices. Uh we have our note lead group which is a

070leadership development program. We have 10 people in that and that's going very well with them. All of our instructional staff have participated in PTY training on bullying. So, every single staff member at our last PDA had to participate if they had not already attended one of the sessions in the bullying training. Um, I cannot speak highly enough about Tina Norris and the job that she has done with our staff in training on bullying and cyber bullying and and what it looks like and and how do we handle and deal with things. And she did a presentation um for the for the community one evening as well to help explain those topics. Um, so every time she comes out, it's I mean, you learn something new each time and how to combat things and how to

071work with things. Um, we all of our sped teachers have participated in IEP goal writing training. There's been multiple focuses on our students with disabilities and our sped teachers and ensuring we have the right supports going on in the classroom. Training to support diverse learners in the classroom to meet their needs. Of course, I've highlighted the reading training at multiple levels. We provided collaboration between teachers and grade levels for them to be able to come together and have conversations about what works, what's not working, what do we need to modify, where do we need to to look at things that are going on, classroom management training, uh connect and canvas training, using AI in the classroom, interactive notetaking, uh professional learning on the new Spanish textbooks for our Spanish teachers. they were excited when they

072got their textbooks and to have a dedicated training just for them as to what they need to do. Um, new and beginning teacher program supports and then of course we always have our principal and AP monthly professional learning meetings where they get some tailored training just for them and what they need. Um, principles select who attends those trainings based on specific criteria and what their areas of focus is. So, who really needs it, that's who's coming to the trainings that we have. some of the things that we have coming up. Um, of course, we adopted the new mathbased textbook for 6 through 12. So, the teachers were very eager to get those in their hands um and start exploring with them and using them in the classroom. And so, they will have actual training on

073math and how to use those and implement them. Um, that's coming up in December. We also have um some focus section sessions on elementary and secondary training, classroom management um and using ZR to tailor learning for dis for students with disabilities. How do we use our programs to make sure that we're meeting the needs of all learners in the classroom? Um so I will say that schools are working collaboratively to increase the rigor and student success. And just before I came in, I was going to highlight to you about the junior board of education where they had approved the new test scores um with the increased rigor. But then everything that I had put together kind of got thrown out the the window in one sense uh regarding the performance and the implementation time frame.

074So the proficient and advanced scores have moved up. We're moving from a 400 cut score on assessment to between a 440 and a 448 somewhere in there. So that increased rigor, that increased uh performance. However, what I will add that changed today was the board did approve a 4-year phased in model with a temporary approaching performance level that is removed at the conclusion of the 2829 year. This year is actually a preparation year and the proficient cut score will stay at 400 for the ones that are currently taking it. At the start of the 2627 school year, the new cut scores will be implemented alongside temporary approaching performance levels. So we have an idea of where we are and where we need to work to push our students further. Uh the temporary approaching performance level

075shall count as a pass on all reading and math assessments which includes those into course assessments until we start with full implementation. Uh students that are retaking an so must meet the passing score and the effect at the time they originally took the test which is good. So if I didn't pass it on the first go but I originally took algebra 1 I have to meet the score whatever the time was when I took the first test which is is a good thing because we weren't sure what that was going to going to look like. Um, students that have already demonstrated proficiency on a high school end of course assessment or earned their verified credit in middle school or high school will not be required to retake an assessment. There was some up in the

076air about were they going to have to retake this assessment again. Um, and of course they're going to put out new student reports in the school uh spring of 26 for parents and the school division so they kind of know what these expectations are and where we're going with it. Um, so that's kind of where it is. Of course, it's ever changing and you put down one thing and you go to something else. So, I just wanted to give you an update this evening on a couple of those things. >> Thank you. >> Uh ENTC report, Mr. Jala. >> Yes. Under the leadership of Principal Slidzinski, ENTC continues to shine. Uh they had salon after school uh yesterday. And is that going to be a weekly thing on Wednesdays? It's the second Tuesday of every

077month. >> Say again. >> The second Tuesday of every month. >> Second Tuesday of every month. And at least one joint board member uh showed up and had their hair done. I don't know if that was a male or a female, but it at least. So, let's get out there and support these kids. I mean, they're doing a fantastic job. Uh the culinary uh class will be hosting a Christmas dinner. uh they will cater it and it will be done as though they were catering clients and this will be for the uh staff at ENTC. So that's a practical application of what they're doing and that's I mean that's really heartwarming. Uh all all teachers from ENTC attended the election fair at Nawway County. uh the trunk or treat. I know at least Miss Lezinski

078was there and passed out uh candy on behalf of ENTC. And with all of this said, I think, you know, they're doing a great job uh new classes and it's a shame that we don't get uh coverage from the local news media about uh what all is is being done at ENTC. [Music] >> Thank you, Mr. Outlaw. Uh the uh governor's school in Miss Duncan. >> Um yes sir, Mr. Chairman. So the governor's school recently had a meeting. Um there is new branding. So there is now a mascot for the GSSV Griffins. Um the next round of voting will um be how the Griffin will look and the school colors. So it's exciting. um they've been busy creating inventions and they actually created a skit to sell that invention and they did it uh like

079a Shark Tank style trying to sell their invention. Um there was been a various outings including Virginia Fine Arts Museum, Edgar Edgar Allen Poe Museum. They will be touring DC in April for their senior trip. There are exams coming up the second and third week of December and currently they are sending out parent emails and the next parent advisory committee is Tuesday, November 18th at 5:30 via Zoom. >> The SEAK report, Miss Duncan. >> Yes, sir. Um, so recently we did have um >> last week I think. Yes, last week we had a SEAK meeting. Um, I am encouraged by it. Um >> Monday, >> oh Monday, yeah, this week. Okay, weeks running together. >> Um >> the review in this um meeting was effective communication, a variety of ways to communicate. I am excited

080because we have a chairperson in place now. um could be incorrect, but I haven't been involved in the SEAK prior to my time on the board and I believe this is the first time that we have had a chairperson other than a schoolboard central office member. So, I am excited about that. I applaud the work with Dr. Martin, with Dr. Gravely, with um Dr. Lewis um and all others involved, Miss Amanda Atinson, Miss Dolphin's folks for the work on getting the information out about the SEAK. Um again, I'm encouraged by it. The next meeting is February 10th at 4 p.m. virtually. If you're interested in attending, anybody can attend. To become a member, you need to have a child with an IEP in Nawway County Public Schools, but anybody can attend. um contact schoolboard office

081and someone can assist you with getting access to the meeting. >> Thank you. Uh the student liaison, Mr. Avery. >> Good afternoon. So, we have college trips coming up. We had SVCC for seniors and the VA field trip today for seniors only. Coming up November 18th, we have the UVA field trip for seniors. And on November 20th, the long live field trip for juniors. On December 2nd, seniors and juniors will continue to do it to Christopher Newport University. Uh college rep coming up on November 17th is the Bond Sorus College of Nursing Rep, and that's for seniors. The band on December 9th, they will have their winter concert at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. And they're also having a bingo fundraiser in the Nway High School cafeteria. The doors open at 1:00 and the games

082start at 2:00 p.m. and it's $20 a ticket if purchased in advance and $25 a ticket purchase at the door and that's on November 16th. The theater cafe students will start hosting a harvest meal on Thursday, November 14th. And students will be shopping and preparing for these meals. The parents of these students are invited to attend the harvest meal with their child. And on Friday, November 7th, the Nawway NJRO OTC presented the colors during the Veterans Day ceremony at Richmond Veter Veterans Medical Center. Testing for the 10th grade students will take place on December 3rd and December 4th. That's for the workpiece. And fall so testing at Nawway High School will begin on Tuesday, December the 9th. We have a principal advisory committee that Mr. Wilson has put together and we are hosting a Polar

083Express movie for the elementary students. You can take one and pass it down. >> Sure. >> That's our flyer for it and it's December 19th at 600 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Athletes, we have some great achievements going on right now and Bradley Hamilton won state cross country with his time of 15 minutes and 45 seconds. holding the title of Virginia High School League class 2 state champion. Golf ended not too long ago and Colton Lewis got district player of the year and he also got all district. Carson Beck got all district and all region and Cameron McDaniel got all district and all region. Our volleyball team won the first round of the regional tournament against Thomas Jefferson and on the second round they fell short to Amelia in the second round of regionals.

084Grayson Skinner got first team all district, Willow Austin got second team all district and Lraine Wilson got first team all district and they'll be recognized next month at the schoolboard meeting. The varsity football players, they play on November 14th at Armstrong at 700 p.m. for their first round of regionals. The school lastic bowl's last match of the regular season is December 1st and then winter sports tryyouts are beginning. The winter sports include boys and girls basketball, indoor track and wrestling and their picture day will be on December 1st. And that's all we have. >> Good. >> That was thorough. >> There was a lot. Yes. >> Thank you. Uh our superintendent report, Dr. sir. >> So, just a couple of things to share with you this evening. Uh, first, I want to thank our substitutes

085that we have. Um, they are dedicated to our school division and we appreciate them picking up opportunities and ensuring that instruction continues even when other people have to be out. And that's when I talk about substitutes, I talk about substitute custodians, bus drivers, teachers across the board. Uh, we are cafeteria workers. We're very appreciative for them to to step up and and come into our buildings and help out. and we're always looking for more substitutes. So, I encourage people to to apply and and have them on your list for the next board meeting. But, um, the next thing is I cannot praise our staff enough. And when I talk about our staff, I'm talking about all of our staff for their commitment to the school division. They are amazing and hardworking. Um, I spend a

086lot of time in the building and we have a lot of dedicated staff across the division. Our drivers just just everywhere. Um, our principles and assistant principles have completed over 500 informal classroom observations from the beginning of the school year until now. That means they're in the classrooms a lot. They're out in their buildings a lot. The knowledge of their buildings and progress has been very evident in our quarterly progress meetings. So, we're over halfway through our our quarterly progress meetings where principles come in and have a discussion with us about what's going on in their building, what are their needs, what are our areas of focus. We talk about discipline, instruction, attendance, the school environment, budgeting, human resources, and the other supports. And it is very evident that they know their buildings um both

087the principles and assistant principles. They are good collaborative teams that are working together and one can finish the other one's sentence in the in the meeting. So they know what's going on which is great. Um the conversations in those meetings are just that it's a conversation and that's what we we tell them when they come in. It's not an I gotcha. It's a conversation because we are in the work with them to make sure that our schools are improving and where we need to be going and what our focus needs to be. Maybe they don't think that when they come in, but that is what it is. We like to pick with them a little bit, but that is truly what it is. It's a conversation. Um, and it is a collaborative effort and it

088it really talks about those supports. What else can we do? Um, they leave the meeting with two final important important points that they're going to focus on. And one of those is that we ask all of them. So, those of you that don't know, you can go ahead and prepare for yours when it comes up. But what does success look like when we come back to the table in January? So you know where you are now, but what would you tell us in January that success is going to look like from now until January? Um and then the other thing is for them to determine some key takeaways of areas of focus. Um so they have been very I think very beneficial for them. They've walked away with some ideas and some supports and and

089we have ideas and supports as to what we need to go back and look at so that we can help them more. Um, and then just finally, as we approach the upcoming break, I want to take a moment to share my deep appreciation for our entire Nawway County Public Schools team. Each day, they show up with dedication. They're resilient, and they have a commitment to doing what is best for our students and families. NCPS is a family that supports each other, lifts each other up, and works together to ensure that every child feels seen, valued, and capable of success in our schools. So it is my hope that each of them, our staff, our families, everyone finds time over break to rest, recharge, and enjoy the time that they have with family and friends. We

090are thankful for the work that they do each day. >> Thank you. Thank you. Matters of schoolboard interest, uh, currently there isn't a work schedule set for November or December. November 19th through the 21st is the BSBA annual convention in Williamsburg. And now for other uh Mr. Row. >> Nothing at this time. Mr. Jam, Mr. Wilson, >> not at this time. Miss Duncan. >> Um yes, thank you. Um it's going to be extremely brief. Um, we all know that we've had a very la rough month previously. I implore everybody to put the past behind us and move forward in a positive manner putting the students first. I also want to thank everybody who has been involved and working for the students. I do see a difference um I see a difference in um curriculum. I

091see a difference in enthusiasm. Nothing is ever 100%. But I see a difference. And if you have any issues or concerns, do not bottle them up. Go to your administration within the schools. If you feel like you're not being heard, take it up the chain. Your voice is very valuable and I'm speaking to the public. Your voice is valuable and it needs to be heard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Mr. Outlaw. Nothing at this time. Uh I have uh just uh one reminder uh and that is for the board and we need to take into consideration at some point in time what I will call the midyear evaluation of the superintendent and how we're going to conduct that. We need to take that uh under advisement determine how we're going to approach that.

092That's just a reminder because this is November and uh December, January, it would basically be midterm. Uh may I have the uh closed meeting? >> Um Mr. Chairman, I believe that we um amended our agenda or have an uh open discussion on board member conduct. >> Oh yeah. I I don't have >> It's >> Yeah, we did at the beginning of the meeting. >> Yeah, we we we did. >> Okay. Uh not sure how to >> I believe Miss Duncan has something she wants to say about that. >> Go ahead, Miss Duncan. >> Um thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, first let me preface this by saying everything that I am about to say is in no means an attempt to degrade um, disrespect [Music] um, or anything of the sort. Um, trying to choose my

093words wisely and remain respectful. There's four concerns that has happened over the last 30 days that has me deeply concerned as functioning board members with integrity. Um, we've had some of it was brought up by public comment, some of it was not. And my purpose for speaking about this now is because I would like to feel the pulse of the rest of the board. Um I would like to know moving forward how we're going to adjust or pivot if the board feels necessary. Um we have one instance to where there was one board member speaking for all of the members without member approval. We have um a school board member who accosted verbally a board of supervisor member. We have, of course, as everybody well knows, the the trespassing, the the intimidation. Um, and we

094have lack of integrity at a board of supervisors meeting. I have no problem with spelling each and every one of those out. Um, Mr. Abbott, when you replied to um, Mr. Coleman on the email that was addressed to the chairman and initialed Mr. Chairman and the reply was that it is not a schoolboard issue. It's a personal issue. I feel like that that was that should have been handled a little bit differently. That should have been at the very minimum said my personal opinion is rather than a blanket statement. The lack of integrity um has to do with the shouting out over the crowd on recording for all members to see that regardless of the board of supervisors decision Mr. but wanted to make it known that we still have power, that they still have

095to be out. That is not integrity. And our VSBA does say that we are to uphold the utmost integrity. How can we expect this of our students if we can't expect it of ourselves? Um the verbal accosting of a board supervisor memory uh member it has been verified that Mr. Outlaw went to a member of the board of supervisors and told him that he has leaped up. That is not integrity. At no point in time should we put ourselves above anybody else. We are representatives of this county. we're representatives of this school and we need to call ourselves to a higher standard. Um, and then of course we have the the behavior of the trespassing and intimidation. And I I want to hear the thoughts. I want to hear I don't know. I I I

096just need it on the table so so we can understand and then move forward with my children. If they do something and they misbehave, we have a conversation and then we talk about how we're going to fix it. Ignoring the behavior does not fix the behavior. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I uh um I need you to explain a little more in detail some of the other uh innuendos that you've provided. >> Okay. Which ones? We'll start with the first one. >> Forgive me. I don't know exactly. I didn't have an exact list that I had written out. I just >> number one speaking for all board members. That was >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Charlotte. So, [Music] there was an email that was sent by Billy Coburn on October the 18th to um

097Mr. Outlaw's school email that says, "Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to give you an opportunity to comment on an incident last night around 6:00 p.m. involving Mr. Outlaw in front of Chris Page's house. Mr. Outlaw appeared to place a Sears sign in Mr. Page's yard without permission or town right away, which is also prohibited. There was quite an unpleasant exchange captured on video and Mr. Outlaw, I've been told, has been charged with trespassing. Thank you and your attention to this matter. Billy Coburn, courier record. The reply was made by um Mr. Abbott's school email that says, "Mr. Cobwin, please accept my apologies for the late reply. Excuse me." And it was done on October 22nd. I've limited web time. What you outline is between two individuals. Has nothing to do with the school board.

098Coming from a schoolboard email being addressed as Mr. chairman. That makes it an official response from the school board. >> No, it makes it my response. Doesn't make it an official response. I did not say I was speaking for the board. >> Correct. But it does it also not say >> Well, I'm answering your question. It was addressed to me. >> Yeah. >> Billy, >> was this done on the school board's email account? >> Yes. >> Okay. Billy Culver always addresses the chair and as I see it until something happens through the courts at least my limited understanding is uh people are innocent until proven otherwise. So as far as I was concerned it was between two individuals. It wasn't something I was going to adjudicate at that time because I didn't know all of

099the circumstance and I was not about to get into a a detailed discussion of anything with the editor of the newspaper. Now, if you find that objectionable, so be it. Our um governance norm and protocol says a single board member will not represent the board without the consent of the board and board members making personal statements in any format including speeches, articles, social media posts should clearly state that these statements are in their opinion and not the position of the board. >> So I I Okay. I I apologize and put my opinion. [Music] That's certainly what it is. Well, >> sir, I understand that. Well, apparently not because you're bringing it up here. >> Well, that was the purpose of this is for clarification. >> And yes, I did mention January 15th. Whose date is

100January 15th? Who made that decision? >> Board. >> So, it wasn't Sunny Abbott's date, was it? Sunny Abbott didn't pick January 15, 2016 as a date. Are >> you speaking to the response at the board of supervisors meeting when it was yelled out over top of the cheers? >> However, it was yelled at I don't yell at the board of supervisors. >> No, sir, you don't. Um, but it was yelled out over top of the cheers in banter, sir. And that is what I'm referring to. Not that you specifically specified the date, but the fact that your voice had to be heard over top of everybody else who was cheering. That we were denied the right to sell, not the fact that the particular date that was chosen. If you you may recall that when

101this board met with the board of supervisors, at least three of them, there were there was a an understanding that they were going to give us permission to sell a building reduced to writing. It wasn't said out loud, but there was that impression. So when it went before and we were asked to do two things, hold a public hearing and do a resolution. The board held a public hearing, did the resolution, provided all that information to the board of supervisors as requested, went before the board of supervisors, and they voted differently than what was discussed in our joint board meeting. [Music] I was, I guess, in a word disappointed. But the January 15, 2026 dates been brought up several times here tonight. It's not a Sunny Abbott date. We would have selected a Sunny Abbott

102date. It would have happened months before, >> June the 30th. >> So, I I I respect that. It was more about um the need to yell it over top of the cheering crowd and about the integrity that you know the question is was that called for? >> Somebody could say it's a lack of integrity or not. I don't yell at the board of supervisors. I don't rate my voice carries. I'm pretty sure people in the back row can hear my voice and I'm not on speaker. I don't have one of those voices. >> Okay. >> Thank you, sir. I have a question to whomever might have the answer. We don't discuss personnel issues concerning staff, students, anything like that in public. And I'm wondering, my question is, are any of those protections afforded to school

103board members? And as we've seen from the public, they have openly crucified uh many of what much of what was said is not true. Some of it is true, but uh and and I don't believe we can infringe on their free speech to say what they want. I think it's in very poor taste, especially when we have comments that have absolutely nothing to do with any schoolboard issue and cannot be cons. Nobody's imagination uh could tie the two together. I I think that's inappropriate. But again, uh you are allowed free speech. Uh so are school board members with the school board afforded any such privilege of having personnel issues discussed in closed session? >> You want my opinion? >> I don't know what's is there a legal foundation or I don't have any idea. >>

104I just got an opinion because we were voted in. We're not part of that staff right there. >> I know. >> We are voted in by these people right here. >> So, in my view, I think it's it's okay because we're not >> We're not personnel though. That's just me. That's just an opinion. That's just we're not personnel. We we we were voted. That's it. I appreciate you. >> Crucify us. >> There's nothing. >> What are we going to do? >> I hadn't thought of it in that light and I >> I'm just saying. >> Let me ask this question. Miss Duncan, do you think your four points have been answered? >> Um I do believe that two of the four points have been answered. Sir, >> and and may I dig up something from

105history real quick? Miss Duncan accused me of taking kickbacks through the school board member alliance and other organization that I belong to. >> Yes. So I did make that question. I didn't make an accusation. I did make that question which was within my rights. >> Okay. >> Clear. I'm not in any form or reason trying to attack anyone. These are questions that have come to me by the citizens that they want answers for. >> I'm just trying I'm just trying to resolve I'm I'm trying to help resolve the four points you made. >> Point number three. >> Um the other two points that I have um >> let me answer it this way. If one of them has anything to do with the court or legal obligation of one citizen against a board member, that's

106not going to be discussed here tonight. >> Yes, sir. I respect that no court proceedings proceeding should be discussed. That is a matter for the court. However, it is a matter for our board when it comes to one of our members bringing schoolboard matters business onto a private citizens public property. >> Whenever that happens, when all of that is adjudicated, then we'll be able to take that up as a board. >> Yes, sir. I respect that. Um, and then the verbal accosting of a of a board of supervisor member by a school board member [Music] Um it was that Mr. Outlaw and it has been verified by multiple sources that Mr. Outlaw went to um >> to >> yes Mr. to board of supervisor member that he did not vote to sell to allow us

107permission to sell the school and told him verbally you have bleeped up f and these things I I I I don't want to get into the legalities of it but it speaks to our integrity that we are to uphold that it speaks to everything that we are supposed to do numerous times in our code of conduct and our norms and protocols it talks about that all of our actions should be to the benefit of the students. And my question is the the answer I'm looking for is how are these actions beneficial to our students? And if it's not, let's fix it and move forward and and put it to bed. Can I ask a question? Why did you I mean, did you do that or did or why did you do it? I'm just asking

108a question. This is about the second time I heard it answer it. >> Okay. I'm just asking. There have been so much >> so many untruths here. I'm not saying that was true. >> Everybody's a liar. There have been so many untruths said here tonight. I'm not going to >> and I understand that and I do understand that. But like I said, it was brought to me too that uh that it was said and I have to agree. We have to maintain a certain conduct. So if you did it, we need to fix it. But if you didn't do it, how will we know what I mean? What? We need to do something about it if that's the truth. That's all I'm saying. >> What are you going to do about it? >> I don't

109know. But we need to probably need to talk about it. If you did that, that's the thing. That's all I'm saying. I'm not trying to get into that. But if the if the people are saying that, then then something might be wrong. That's all I'm saying. [Music] Are there any other issues? >> No, sir. But I do want to thank the board for the opportunity to discuss this openly and collaboratively and respectfully. Um I'm I'm very I truly am thankful for that that we were able to have that discussion. >> Well, I'll reserve comment till later. I I need the balance for the uh close meeting. >> Oh, shoot. I just put it away. I apologize. One moment, please. [Music] Closed meeting resolution. Um, pursuant to section 2.2-3711A of the code of Virginia, I move

110that the board convene in a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the following specific matters. A1, the consideration of personnel for A 15 appointments. Four substitute teachers, one intern lead custodian, one custodian, one lead network administrator, one instructional assistant. Title One, two bus drivers, one substitute assistant track coach, one substitute football head coach, one EPI instructor, elementary, one EPI instructor, ESL, and one assistant girls basketball coach. Bformational, three resignations. C. Three retirements, one business technology teacher, one EL teacher, and one food service worker. D one salary adjustment English learner family and language access liaison to e family and data le um liaison f um two student matters oh excuse me personnel matters would be two student matters and that's it so and the >> and pursuant to section two do okay I apologize thank

111you pursuant to section two do 2-3711A A3 the discussion of consideration for real property. >> Heard the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.