001school board meeting uh for September 9th to order and we'll be led by the pledge of allegiance by Mr. Buckles and invocation by Miss Gilgard. Please stand. 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. >> Let us pray. Father, in the name of your son Jesus, we come this afternoon. God, first of all, before we ask for anything, let us thank you for what you've already done. Thank you, God, for the blessings of those who have served this district and have come to retire. God, we thank you for their services. God, we thank you for those that shared information for our district and looking at our students and the progress that
002has been made. God, thank you for the efforts of all of our teachers, our staff, God, as they work hard with our children so that they will be able to compete, God, when they graduate. God, we thank you even though at times monies may seem scarce, God, for those that work with our finances to find ways, God, to show uh our staff our appreciation. And God, we thank you for this board that works together diligently, God, to bring forth policies and procedures, God, that will help to govern and run this district. God, it takes all of us to make it work for the good. And so, God, continue to lead us and guide us in the way that you would have us to go and bless us that we may continue to bless our children
003and pour into them. We ask all this in Jesus's name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Miss Gillyard, Mr. Buckles. >> All right, we will move into our presentations and our retirey recognitions. Miss Whitehurst or There she is. You're recognized. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon, board. >> Good afternoon. >> It is um my pleasure today. Um, we have three retirees that are here that we're going to recognize, but I want to start out by recognizing one that's not here. Um, she had another commitment and she's not real sure if she'll be able to make it back for any of our board meetings, but we'll see. Um, so just in case, um, Miss Mildred Millie Whiteside, she re um retired from Melrose Elementary School as the executive secretary and she's been with the district for
00426 years. she had right at 28 in FRS and she is she's been a staple out there for a long time. So, okay. Um, so the first one, [Applause] I believe he's in here somewhere. >> Um, I heard he was Oh, there he is in the back. Okay. Um, Mr. Ted Hangle. Um, most recently he was at Interlarkin Junior Senior High School as a vice principal, but he has been in several of our schools serving our district for the last 25 plus years and a total of over 37 in the Florida retirement system. He had some from Penllis County before he came. So, congratulations [Applause] [Laughter] There is volleyball this afternoon. He looks like he's happy. >> I'm texting my daughter where you know I'm trying >> I would assume polka do good deal. [Applause]
005Our next retiree, Miss Judy Woodard from Transportation Central. She was our parts manager and she served the district for right at 26 years. [Applause] Congratulations. [Applause] >> And then finally today, we would like to recognize Mr. Artistis Allen. Most recently, he was at Mosley Elementary School as a head custodian, and he's served the district for the last 19 years. and he's getting to go ahead and retire now. [Applause] >> Genius fish. >> Thank you. Fish and preach, huh? >> Fish and preach. >> Our next presentation will be by the education foundation, uh, Miss Uet Jones. And I see Miss Joyce Oliver. Please come up and be recognized. >> Renee Huff. >> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Evette Jones and I am the chairman of the board for the education foundation of Putnham County. I
006have with me here today one of our board members, Mrs. Joyce Oliver. And we, the foundation, work closely with the school district to help fund educational programs and initiatives that help enhance the learning experience for our students. The foundation is committed to supporting the students and teachers of Putnham County. Our three focus areas are early childhood education, career and technical training, and then successful citizens. and we helped to follow the path of the district's portrait of a graduate. So, we would like to call up Miss Mrs. Renee Huff, director of career and technical education. And today we are here to present the Putnham County School District and Mrs. Huff um with the second round of funding we received through the rural career pathways grant and that focuses on creating and supporting career pathways. Miss Huff
007has been a driving force, and I know y'all already know this, behind the district CTE program. She works hard to ensure that these programs are relevant to the workforce and will prepare our students to be successful upon graduating. Um, she and her team, including Miss Amanda Bernie, because I've worked with her before in the past, have helped build and sustain some amazing CTE programs, and they keep adding to it. Um, it's amazing. And so I don't know if you Renee if you want to come up and kind of talk about some of the things that you've done because this is the second round of funding with the other funding and if you have any plans for this funding. >> I mean, we're just building on. >> Okay. Building on. So we will present this check
008for $4,500 to Putham County School District and Miss Renee Huff in the CTE program. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Thank you ladies. [Applause] I don't think so. >> Thank you. And uh we certainly appreciate all the support and the uh the hard work that the foundation board does. We will now move to our public comment. Do we have any cards? None. Okay. We will then move to uh our public hearing on adoption of amended policy uh um and the addition of the new policies as listed below under two and three. Can I get a motion to take up these policies? >> I make a motion we take up uh voting on these policies. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. So without objection that'll stand approved. And so we will go ahead and
009and start with the adoption of amended policy 5200. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we adopt D1, adoption of amended policy 52000. >> Second. >> All right. Have a motion in and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. M. >> Oh, go ahead. Sorry. >> Motion carries. Um D2. >> Mr. Chair, I offer a motion that we adopt D2 of new policies, staff AI policy, and student AI policy. >> Second. >> I have a motion in a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries unanimously. And D3. >> U. Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we accept item D3, adoption of bylaws and policies. 01 0 0131 0131.1 0143.1 01 64 0165 0165.1 0165.2 2 0165.3 1 2 1 0 1 3 62
0102 1 2 0 2 21 23 2 That's 2125 23 4 0 2 41 1 2 4 2 1 2 4 23 3 2 4 55 2 4 6 0 2520 28 0 43 point no 42104 2 5410.1 01 5460 That's on here twice. 724 and 9140 per NEOLA update volume 25 number two. >> I'll second that. All right, we have a motion on D3 and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. All right, we'll move to our consent agenda. And Miss Pickkins, we will start with you. >> I have nothing to pull. I had all my questions answered. >> Mr. Buck, >> I'm fine. Miss Gillyard, >> I'm fine. Yes, sir. >> M Wagger. >> Um, just E2 for a really discussion or questions. >> Okay.
011and and just uh and I'll pull G4 and five. They're kind of similar, but just for some quick comments and a comment quick comment by the staff. I'll take a motion for the uh balance of the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion for the consent agenda to be passed minus Say it again, Phil. What was >> uh E E2 and >> E2 G4 and five >> and G4 and five? >> Second. >> All right. I'd have a motion and second for the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries unanimously and we will go to E2. Miss Wagner, you are recognized. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Mr. Bowling. Um, and this is just probably me, but I was looking over it and then I
012just realized um today that this said for services rendered. This is the um additional services uh submitted by Casper Architects for the traffic study. >> That's exactly what it is >> in Melrose. And I just I I saw it on the agenda, but then as I was looking closer, it said for services rendered through May 31st >> of 2025. So has all of this already been done? >> It's been done. That's just the bill for the traffic study. >> Okay. And I remember we had spoken about that, but I don't recall getting like results. >> Final outcome. >> Yeah. >> Um we're still I mean we're still meeting. We have um an upcoming meeting I believe to discuss the results of the traffic study and start developing a plan around a site plan traffic plan
013around all of it. >> Okay. Yeah, that's that's what triggered. I just wanted to see where we were on that and uh but you will be getting us some information on that when it comes back. >> Absolutely. >> You good? >> Make a motion to >> make a Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we do um >> E2. >> Approve. Yes. Uh item E2. >> Have a motion for to approve E2. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Have a motion and a second to approve E2. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Carries unanimously. Real quickly on uh G4 and five, I had the opportunity this week and actually the pleasure to talk with uh our staff uh about, you know, the things that that I continue to
014read um in the paper and and comments that we get from our our association about um the increasing number of um mental health referrals that we're getting. And so I talked with Miss Simmons and uh you know, Miss Simmons, would you just repeat for the board because I want the board to be aware of what's going on, you know, what what our discussion was. >> Sure. Yeah. So, we talked a little bit about our mental health referral process. So, we get mental health referrals from all of our schools. Um, and when they come in, we kind of decipher through them if they go on to our mental health therapists or counselor case load versus whether or not they go out to Brave. Um, and they're through UF Health. Now, they used to be Flaggler. Um,
015and they're kind of like our care coordination, um, middleman, I guess you would say. And so, we refer through them. And, um, yeah, we get more mental health referrals every year. And I can actually say that our referrals out to Brave have tripled over the past few years. Um so and then of course over the time from 2018 when we started our program until um you know 2024 25 school year uh we've had quite an increase every year just to kind of give you a perspective I do have numbers pull that up. So 2018 2019 when we first started our referral number for the year was 382 students. Um, fast forward all the way to 2425, end of year was 607 students. Um, and then for this school year already as of today, we have
016116 mental health referrals. So, and you got to think we have um we have three licensed therapists. We have um three certified school counselors on staff. So really from more perspective, at any given time, our case loads when they're full, we can service about 150 to 160 students at a time. And so you see we're 600 some odd students. We have a lot. We have an influx. Um so we're doing the best >> repeat from >> Yep. Some of those are repeat that they picked back up for this year. So board that, you know, was um eye openening for me from the standpoint of, you know, with the declining enrollment, we continue to see, you know, a significant increase in numbers. And I think it goes back to some of the things we talked about
017in our workshop today. um you know the kids that that we are having to you know provide these resources for and the only funding for that comes from the Marjorie Stoman Douglas act and I think it was cut this year wasn't it? Um >> we didn't have a yeah we didn't have a a normal increase like we usually get an increase every year. So, uh, another important issue that I think that we need to bring to the attention of our association and then along with this program, Miss Drew, you want to talk a little bit just about the the alongside program? >> Sure. Um, we've had alongside it was we had it before I started. This is my third year. So, at least four years. This would be going on year four or five. We
018started out with a pilot program at Qi. >> A bit about the program. >> Yeah. So that the the actual program is um it's app based and the students can get to that on their Chromebooks. So it's on the desktop on their Chromebooks and it can be used as an intervention. So like a tier one and some tier 2 interventions where um maybe the child is um experiencing a breakup with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Maybe they're having some issues at home and they need to get to the counselor, but they can't get there just yet. Or maybe they're just upset and they can't focus on schoolwork at the moment because they're proverating on things. So, they're able to go and use this app. And what it does is it gives them kind of an outlet
019just to have a little timeout, a little cool down period, and they can um they can chat with what's called the llama. Um, and they can do journaling. They can watch some videos that kind of help decompress them. They can do mood trackers. There's certain things they can do on there. And just so that this is clear, when they do the chat, it is an AI chat. However, it's written by licensed clinicians. So, it's very limited on what they can talk about. And then if anything is said by the student that is concerning regarding self harm, it immediately notifies the district office staff, including myself. it it immediately notifies school staff like the principal, the guidance counselor so that that child can be we can reach out to that child immediately. So there are safeguards
020in place with it. Um but we've had um you know some good success with that being kind of a a first line of intervention until somebody can get to that kid and talk to them. And sometimes all they need is just a little cool off period. And we um we have some kids that have the app on their phone with parent consent and they can even utilize that on the weekends or at home. Um but mostly it's used on the Chromebooks kind of like a cool off type activity. >> And so if the student is in the classroom and this occurs, this trigger whatever it was, he or she goes to the teacher, gets permission, and then goes to the counselor. And if that counselor is doing something, they can start alongside right there in
021because you definitely don't want pulling it out in class doing it and disrupt, >> right? It's not to be used during instructional time, but it is directed by the teacher. And it's mainly seventh and eighth grade, but we do have some upper classmen that use it as well that need it. >> Thank you. Thank you both for for coming today. And I just want to say what a phenomenal job these ladies do and and um you know how important these contracts are that that we approve them and and you know get the outside help when we need it because uh the case load is significant for our on staff school psychologist and and our uh counselors and so this is Mr. chairman critically important >> and as you would work with Chris Dulan and and
022through the NEP and Panhandle the fiscally constrained counties if we're going to get more and more children that are handicapped in in our fiscally constrained counties because they can't afford to live in the other ones and uh that's just something you need to put in your notebook and share with >> I want to want to brag on these two ladies. They're also going to be doing a presentation in March, I think, on our on our mental health program, uh, I believe in Savannah again. So, people outside the district are recognizing the work they're doing. So, thank you all for all your >> Thank you so much. Thank you for the time. And chair will entertain a motion to approval on G4 and 5. >> I'll make a motion that we approve G4 and five. >>
023All right. Any discussion? Any questions? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carried unanimously. All right, board. We will move to uh our an emergency session. So, I'll adjourn regular session temporarily and we'll move into our emergency session. We have one item um uh under three number one. So, the chair will entertain a motion on that. >> Um Mr. Chair, I'll offer a motion that we approve item J1, out of state travel, Savannah State University fall 2025 career and graduate school fair justification explanation time sensitive. >> I'll second that. >> All right, I have a motion in a second. This, you know, another important uh component of what our staff does as far as the recruitment and and meeting with these uh potential teachers. Um and uh this college does an
024outstanding job. So, um, happy to see that they're going to be able to go. So, uh, any other questions or discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Motion carries. >> All right. We have no unfinished or new business. So, we'll move to board reports. And Miss Wagner, we will start with you. >> Okay. Um, just want to say, uh, thank you to Mr. Bowling for that information. I'm just kind of getting excited just like I'm sure um Holly was down in Crescent City as things start ramping up for uh the changes in our schools. Uh I just want to be as on top of that and I'm really I'm really interested to see what the traffic uh study has to say specifically because everybody in Melrose complains about the traffic as it
025is. So we're hoping maybe things will change for the better. Um, and I I'll keep this completely brief. I just did want to say thanks to um certain ones in the district here that uh tolerate my my OCD about um grammatical and and spelling and things like that. I'm I've really been on a roll lately. Some don't even know some things are coming. But uh I appreciate the support if if uh for allowing me to go through certain things to just try to make them even better as we present them to the public or to our employees. Um I do highly believe in um almost perfection as far as um documents go and it's just sort of a a thing for me and I've been met with nothing but yes tell us let you know
026yes anything we can do to improve the look the the the language anything um and not everyone in the world is as kind as that to allow uh those types of corrections. So I just wanted to say thanks. >> Very good. All right, Miss Gillard. just real quick, uh, got an opportunity to to watch the pulse. I had some downtime and so, uh, two of the programs really stuck out. The one on the fentanyl, I just was blown away with how lethal it is and how um, our young people need to be educated, even our parents, as to what's out there. Also, the second post uh report that got my fancy was uh the interview the superintendent did with K Kendall Asbury, uh the student from Putnham County that started out in in West Putnham
027and at uh Miller Intermediate, majoring in journalism at uh UCF and uh just went down there and made a difference. uh appeared on on Orlando's breaking news, just doing a phenomenal job and and very articulate and represented Putnham County. Well, I was just pleased with that. >> She's completed her I think that was video before she went to New York, but she's actually, if I'm not mistaken, has completed her internship with the New York Times. >> Wow. >> So, >> okay. See, that didn't come out in this particular one. So, you got to bring her back. Okay. You got to bring her back. Uh, also just want to mention uh to Mr. Weaver and give him another two thumbs up because he won't settle for one uh on his security program. As I'm walking in
028the mornings, uh I find myself kind of a self-appointed watcher of uh Brown and Pierce. And several days I've watched the uh I'm going to assume they're cafeteria staff because already school has started and they're coming in and they actually go inside that gate and they do not move their vehicle until that gate closes. It's very slow, but they do exactly what they're supposed to do. and just just want to commend all of our staff for doing uh the taking these extra precautions to make sure that our children and our employees are safe. And then on the organizational chart which you all gave us, you didn't just give us the chart, but you gave us who the people are that represent those particular uh jobs and coordinators and directors. I appreciate that. Now we know
029if in whatever area the person to ask for. And the final thing, thank God it's over. The vector safe school training. Oh my god. Every year. And the hardest one for me is that title nine because what I think is right, they don't think is right. I still think but it's multiple answers are right. They're wrong. >> They don't give me credit, but >> they want the one that they said is correct. I know. >> But uh um I guess I give this to you, Miss Susan. It's It's done. You can stick a fork in me. It's done. All right. I'm done. >> On time, too. >> They usually have to send it through. >> All right, Mr. Buckle. >> Um, first thing I'd like to do is congratulate Qi Roberts uh school for being
030highlighted by CBS News uh nationally for being one of the top high schools in America. you know, the superintendent could redistribute those kids in our high schools and our high schools would score higher on on this stuff that we see that's presented to us. And and and I know that the whole thing the state is doing is trying to declare failing schools so they can offer alternatives to public education. And you know, that's the world we live in. It started with Jeb Bush bringing the Texas assessment model that George W. had in Texas to Florida and it's gone, you know, as far as it can go now and they're trying to go further. But if you took these some of the presentation we saw from Jonathan Hanky today on subgroups title one numbers ratios of
031academic progress you'd have some of the highest performing title one schools in the in the nation or we'd we'd come up with different pockets because we did in past years when they used to they used to utilize that data for US News and World Report on some of the best high schools in America best schools in America. So, you know, it's we're we're destined to live through this stuff, but I just I was so proud of uh our students and staff at QI Roberts for being recognized by CBS News. I thought it was wonderful. And uh I could go on and on, but you know, people don't understand or don't want to understand. They just want to they want to make a a way to try to declare schools look bad so they can offer
032the alternatives. And then that just puts us in a further spiral. But my next concern is vaccine mandates and where we're going to be in our schools in the state of Florida. And I guess the superintendent will keep us updated on that. Uh but you know, with what I'm hearing nationally, and of course I'm not always the biggest fan of certain vaccines, but we're going to at some point have to figure out or or be directed, I guess. Rick, it would come from the governor's office probably at some point or the state board of education on what we're going to have to do, but that's something on the horizon that we're going to have to look for. And that concludes my remarks. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss M. Pickings. >> Um, thank you. Uh, last
033meeting I um expressed a concern about the traffic situation on Union and 308. And um, last week I met with and the it's called the OAC committee. Um, and Mr. Stout from public works at the county came over and I think it's going to be cleared up just, you know, it's going to work and, um, I appreciate all the thought that's going into it and I, you know, I'm sure some kinks have to be worked out, but I think we've got that problem under control. Um, I'd like to thank the education foundation. they have really really stepped up to the plate and done a lot for um Putnham County and and the school district. Um I went to the Take Stocking Children um the new student orientation. They enrolled 43 students. Um it's just a
034great program. I I can't encourage you enough to get involved in it. Um and then I'd also like to thank Renee Huff. Um, I think I texted her on a Thursday evening re relatively late and asked her if she could do a No, I emailed her um if uh she would do a program for Rotary. My husband's the president at um in Crescent City and she got back to me and on Tuesday. I mean, that's not a big turnaround. And I said, you know, Renee, maybe you could just do the one that you did at the FSBA conference and which I thought was really wonderful. And so, thank you so much for doing that. And I think it's really important. A lot of people like we take for granted that that the community understands and
035knows what we're doing extras. The CTE program, I consider it sort of an extra thing for our students. And um and so I'm just glad that the people in Crescent City, the business leaders in Crescent City have a little bit better view of what CTE is and who to contact if they have an idea or or you know any problems. So thank you so much Renee. And um I'd also like to thank uh or to congratulate Tim Ross um former student um on being named the interim head coach at Crescent City Football um on his first two wins and um I'm just I'm really excited for him. I listened to the podcast um with the coaches and um I guess Interlockan and Crescent City really didn't get into it then, but they did the other
036night on the field and it was a good game. Um, and I'd also, it's always good when you know the district that you represent, um, wins. So, um, I mean, it's not all about wins, but winning is a lot better than losing. Um, >> very competitive, Miss Pig. >> Yes. Yes. And, um, I'd also like to congratulate the volleyball team at Crescent City. They won the championship at the Bell Bell in Invitational Tournament um, this past weekend. And um I'd also just like to give a shout out to the New St. Paul Church. They do a um Jarvis Wright is the pastor and they have a program, a banquet where they they honor different um educators in our in that area, District One. And um they and they use that to raise money for scholarships.
037So the first year they gave one $1,000 scholarship. Last year they gave five $1,000 scholarships and their goal this year is 10 $1,000 scholarships. So I just love it when everybody, you know, gets together working for our students. And so Oh, and I really enjoyed the podcast with Kendall Asbury. Um, I actually coached her in Wreck volleyball and she had a very promising volleyball career as far as I was concerned. But she um, she went on to be in a lot of the drama presentations. Uh, >> but she I was smiling from ear to ear. I was just like she was she's something else. If we can find a journalism job for her in the county, that would be great. Um, she's going places though. And that's all I have. >> All right. Thank you.
038All right. Just very quickly, uh, I would also like to re reiterate the education foundation is just phenomenal and things they've been doing and continue to do and look forward to to that group. They have a wonderful group of people that that serve um and do do just a great job. Mr. Hanky did a great job today. Thank you so much. Um, you know, it's always very informative. Um, and he he has such a natural way of explanation. and he kind of reminds me of my old calculus teacher other other than I don't have to take any tests from him. But um you know really I think that it's important that we as a board understand you know the uh the metrics and then and then what we're dealing with and then understand also as
039you know Miss Simmons said that we do have you know a significant number of of students that have issues that that need help. Um um if you don't read it uh or you don't get it, let me know Chris Dulan's uh report and he he does them periodically, usually one or two or three a week. um because he's he's got tremendous amount of information in there and also places that that you can click on to to read some of these things that are happening at both the state and national level that I think it's you know not a long read just you know keep you informed about what's going on um especially with the uh the federal at the federal level with um the elimination I think of the education department there um and then
040finally I just want to say that there is co going around in the schools and and don't think just um my granddaughter had it. She had no effect and you know about kill me even though I've had the vaccination and I'm all for vaccinations by the way. Um and and remind everybody get your flu vaccination because it's really important and for your kids too. So all right, Mr. Holmes, >> I do have one thing u and uh by the way I argued with a number of my instructors that there should be more than one answer that was correct. Yeah, >> I don't think I wanted those arguments. The one thing I have has to do with um a topic that I have emailed all of you about and that had to do with the two
041land use petitions that the school district had before the city of Palaca. As you'll recall, that was for the 5.5 acre and the 9.9 acre parcels adjacent to Kelly School site. And uh as I think you know, we went forward with the annexation and the comprehensive plan change and the uh resoning of the 9.9 acre site now in the city. It's properly zoned for public uh facilities and grounds and would would be eligible for both city water and sewer without any enhanced fees. We held up on the 5.5 acre site because of uh some um questions and concerns that had been raised about uh annexation and its impact on some adjoining properties. Uh held up on it with the understanding that it would be and it was in fact set for uh the next meeting
042of the Palaca City Commission to avoid having to readvertise it. So at that last meeting, we simply continued it to a another date certain. That avoided us having to pay any additional fees for advertising or applications or anything like that. I just need some board direction as to how to move forward on that particular topic. And I will say, and Tom, you can correct me, but we do plan on on that five acres plan on putting u water facilities and that type thing out there. That that's going to be a playground and it's going to be a restroom out there for those kids. So, you know, we definitely need, you know, that needs to be in the city because of that reason. Is that correct? >> Correct. Our color play and restroom. So, >> but
043but all that will go in from the original city tap. So, that doesn't need to be in the in the city. So, what they'll do is the main tap that comes in at the Kelly Smith property. They just run the plumbing from all that. There's not going to be any new tap uh or new pipe from the city. It'll all be from the one central location. I personally, it's my district. I you know I'd like to recommend to the board we just withdraw that application uh for the time being. Um and you know just we we need to get a better understanding of the impacts that it could have to our joining property owners um with with some things that are are now being discussed. Um and I think that uh it's not going to
044affect the construction in any way, water, sewer or anything because all that's already there at the site. And thank goodness it is because we don't have to pay a new tap fee. >> Well, I think we need uh Mr. Attorney, give us some guidance. Do we need to uh bring that back to the board or what? Because I think that uh that's already going Is that not going to their next meeting, Thomas? >> It is. That's what Don just said. >> Yeah, I believe it is. I believe it's it's uh set for Thursday night if I'm not mistaken. Uh that would be their Is that their second Thursday? the second second Thursday in this month. >> It is. Yeah. >> Um it is set for consideration then. Now I can probably ask that it be
045continued for an additional time to another date certain uh or what whatever your direction is. I mean I just I need direction as to how to how to move forward with that. And I can answer any questions that well I I'll try to answer any questions you have for me. >> Just on some of the history I might get Susan to check the records. I I believe the school district ran city water and sewage out past where Walmart could tie in and maybe to Kelly Smith over the years, but I may be wrong, but it might be something that we talk about as we go into this process. You know, just >> we're obliged to do whatever the board says. Um, >> Don, you got any? >> Yep. Can it be decided now? Because it's
046not an agenda item. >> No, it has to be brought up. You're correct, Mr. Superintendent. It would have to be you'd have to bring it up as a um as an emergency item. >> Just in your conversations with the city, the local residents, and everything you know about the upcoming project. Is is will this affect it either way, one way or another, in your opinion? >> You Well, I mean, I I don't know. Uh that's a pretty pretty broad question. Um you know that we had already agreed to essentially based upon a boundary line dispute. We had agreed to to in essence reduce the amount of property we're going to bring into the city. Uh but it was on an on one of the sides of the property to recognize some some existing claims that
047some folks had and over a boundary line issue. Um the only the property is zoned and the comprehensive plan on it uh is not consistent with the zoning but it's in the county. Uh it you that could be remedied at any time. As far as water and sewer, as Mr. Buckles indicated, you might be able to operate off the tapets on the 9.9 acres if you put one there. Um, and quite frankly, the city would probably extend water and sewer to you anyway on its own line, but you'd be outside the city, so you'd pay a different rate than or at least water. I don't know about sewer. Um, so it's up, it's entirely up to you. It's 5.5 acres you already own. You know, you the 9.9 you didn't that's been purchased and it
048is annexed and in. So I I I'm not sure there's a huge difference either way. I know there's some folks who thinks that if it think that if it doesn't get brought into the city, then um they then the proposed land development to the south of it would not be able to connect to city water and sewer. But I've been advised by the city that's not true. Uh they're going to go ahead and extend water and sewer anyway. It's just be a different rate. It would be true that if it's not brought into the city that that that adjoining property to the south could not be brought into the city either and so any development would have to go through the county boards instead of the city boards. That is true. So I don't know
049whether there's a a real distinction there but but that part is true. >> All right. All right. Well, let me Yeah, let me take my board hat off and put my >> land use planning hat on and the one that uh I've gotten a lot of calls from numerous property owners in that area. Um first of all, this the city ran a tap for the original Kelly Smith school. They did. We paid for it. That's a 6 inch line. There's enough water there to irrigate a 100 acres. Um, so there will be no need for any additional city tap or anything to run pipe from that tap to the new school or any adjoining part of the school. So number one, it's not necessary. Number two, um, annexing that property in does then allow one
050of the adjoining property owners to then go to the city to be able to present a development plan. that would be that could be and I think would be inconsistent with the land use pattern that's occurring in that area now. And those are halfacre and larger sites. My property's not even a eighth of a mile from there. You know, I've got a house on four acres and and they're much larger. Um, every property out owner out there has called me not once, not twice, not three times, but 10 times. and I keep explaining to them what the process is. My recommendation, there's no need to annex the property for anything to do with construction or reconstruction of the new school. Um it's it's just a moot point. And so in order to see what transpires
051and and the count our attorney's right, they can still go to the county, but I feel much more comfortable with the county making the decision on future development in density to a school next to ours uh than I do with the city. And that's just the way it is. And so I'm adamantly opposed to annexing that that 5.5 acres in to the city. So, um I I do think we can take action under the emergency item to at least continue it for another two weeks and then bring it back to the board and us have a formal vote on on that. >> But now, uh Attorney Holmes, are you going Oh, I'm >> Go ahead. >> Oh, okay. Are you going to get with the city and have because you said they vote Thursday on
052it and have it removed from their agenda? >> Yes, ma'am. I I I wouldn't have it removed from the agenda. I would have them call it up and then continue it because if they call it up and then continue it to a date certain again there'd be no readvertisement fee, no new application fee, none of those things. If they just pull it off the agenda, then it'd have to be readvertised with the attendant cost. So yeah, there'd be no there. I don't believe they'll be re reluctant to do that. I don't believe they'll be resistant to doing that. I think it can be easily accomplished and I really don't disagree with anything Mr. Larry said in terms of I don't I don't I'm not aware of a critical need for bringing it into the city.
053It's just a board decision. So, you know, >> 5.5 >> procedurally we could bring that up uh put that on the agenda for the next regular board meeting. >> Probably would be good because like Phil, I have been contacted. I wouldn't say hundreds of calls, but I've had a few calls from people very serious not wanting they're worried about the lifestyle that they've have out there and they don't want it to change. And uh typical homeowner concerns, I get it. I mean, I understand. But >> if I understand the consensus, then it is that I just ask that it be continued again to a date certain. >> That's what I would give the board a chance to have it on your agenda and and discuss it. is that >> our our next meeting is the
05423rd, I believe. So, that would give them >> give the board a chance to entertain it. >> Okay, then that's that's all I'll do. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um and I have a list of reminders, but I'll tell you what, I'll ask Susan to email these to you. Just a lot of things coming the next two weeks and especially the college and career night if you can make that on the 18th. But there's some other things that um and and the budget hearing Thursday at 5:05 >> and then um just two things I want to point out. Um I was really pleased uh this past Saturday we had there's a gathering at the ravines of all the local authors that have been writing books in the area and I was just very pleased to
055see you know how many people are writing books in this area and really focus on literacy and and really u a lot of children book writers. Jarvis Wright was there. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> and u anyway, I was very pleased with that and >> hope you get a chance to go next year. They're going to do it again next year. >> Speaking of podcast, um >> I I actually interviewed Logan Cheetum if y'all remember Logan and she used to work for the district. She's just moved to California and she's actually going to be in a movie and which is going to be released uh very soon. It's like a Christmas movie, one of these Hallmark movies, but she's an actress and I interviewed while she was home and um anyway, I'm not sure
056when that comes out, but it's good to see our kids really excel like that. >> And by the way, we we are ramping up our podcast schedules um interviewing a lot of people in the district, outside the district, and I think I told you we're building a second studio, and uh our foundation is actually going to help us with some of the uh furnishings in that studio. And um we're actually going to have it with a live audience so we can interview people and you know have kids in the audience and that type thing. >> And we're also going to set it up where we can do some virtual uh podcast interview people outside our community, outside the state, maybe other superintendents. So we are really trying to ramp up the communications department and um
057hats off to them. They're doing a great job. So awesome. That's all I have, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Without objection, we'll stand ajourned.