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Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, and welcome to Leading Education. We're happy to have you on school. We have four committees meeting today. We have the Auxiliary Services Committee, the Student Support Services committee, the policy Committee and the legislative committee. We'll get right into things.

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I'd like.

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To call the Water.

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Cooler.

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Committee. Um, Jacqueline Brown with the chair myself, Susan Golden. We start with 1.02. Let's consider adoption of the agenda.

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We'll make a motion to amend the agenda by adding additional business as needed.

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A second.

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Thank you. Linda.

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How do we adapt or do we move on? 1.03% approval. February 9th nine, 2026 A Service Committee meeting minutes.

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I make a motion to approve the minutes with a special shout out to Linda, because they're the lowest I've ever seen.

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Second.

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Let's.

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Listen to some special regulations with the government.

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Yes, ma'am. Good morning everybody.

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Good morning.

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Uh, I'd like to welcome, uh, Matthew Johnson up. He's going to have. We're going to start out with our operations employee of the month for January and February. All right.

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Good morning board.

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Good morning, Doctor Gracie.

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Um, we're going to start with January. Make sure I get the right nameplate. My first time doing this. I'm gonna read this. So this time, if Nikki, we call her Nikki. If you'll come up at this time.

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Nikki McPherson.

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Nikki is one that does not like the limelight. She. I told her she didn't have to speak, so she's only going to speak for ten minutes, right? So we're going to present her with the January employee of the month. and I want to say a few words, and I wrote them so that I wouldn't ramble. Is my distinct honor. Stand before you this morning to recognize an individual who represents the very best, the county's dedication and spirit. Miss McPherson Nikki has been a cornerstone of operations for just over 25 years and the world of constant change. She has been a North Star as a resident timekeeper guru. She has recently been tasked with the transition, transitioning us to a new system, a feat that can be daunting for even the most tech savvy among us. Yet she didn't just manage the change, she mastered it. She's approached every technical hurdle with a smile, unmatched diligence, and a fierce determination to ensure the system worked perfectly for every single employee it serves. But her technical skills are only half the story. What truly sets Nikki apart is her Approachability in her bedside manner. In a world of administrative operation, it is rare to find someone who can balance high level precision with genuine empathy. She is a colleague who never brings you a problem without a solution in her pocket. She doesn't just process paperwork, she supports people when she isn't being our workplace superhero. Mr. McPherson. Mr.. Miss McPherson is a true adventurer. She likes to travel, explore new places, and most importantly, spend quality time with her cherished friends and family. Now, I do have to mention one small mystery for the board to investigate. The record says that she has been with the county for about 25 years, and been happily married for 30 years. However, Mr. McPherson Nicki maintains that she's only 29 years old. She hasn't really said. We haven't quite figured out how that math works, but giving her tireless energy and her youthful spirit. We aren't about to argue with her. Thank you, Nikki, for all that you've done and all that she does. We have almost 200 employees and she helps manages all that they do on a daily basis. I really, truly appreciate her.

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All right. Thank you Nikki. All right. Now, our February employee of the month is Miss Deborah Brewer. If you'll come up.

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Again, she is not one that wants the limelight, but it is my privilege this morning to recognize a woman who serves as a calm, steady heart of operations. Deborah has been and is a cornerstone for asset operations. She is one of our maintenance dispatchers and she sits at the center of a whirlwind. On any given day, she's the one hearing about emergencies, reading urgent work reports, work orders, and managing logistics puzzles that keep our buildings running. It's a high pressure role that requires constant multitasking. Yet, Deborah is the person you go to for a moment of peace. If you're having a bad day, no matter what is breaking down or what deadline is looming, she always has a smile. What truly defines Deborah's character, however, is her incredible team first mentality. Recently, our department was faced with a gap in staffing due to some health issues. Deborah didn't just help out. She stepped up and took on an entirely second role without any complaining. She. I never one time heard that's not my job or that's not in my job description or I can't do it. She saw a need. She stepped into the gap and she simply got it done. She does the work because she cares deeply about the district and the kids that are impacted every day by what we do. When you ask Deborah what she loves about her job, she says it's because she likes and lots of people she works with every day. She certainly knows how to hold her own. As the youngest of seven children and this this explained a lot. She is the youngest of five older brothers.

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Right.

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Now.

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And one older sister. It's no wonder that she has the patience and grit to manage nearly 200 men.

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So that wasn't.

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Supposed.

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To be that funny.

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Whether she navigates maintenance crises at her desk or heading out on her own personal adventure, Deborah brings a level of excellence and heart to this county that is irreplaceable. Deborah, thank you for your 20 years of being a steady hand as we rely on and congratulate you for being February's Employee of the month.

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Thank you so much.

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Now, I'd like to invite Mr. Mario Cesar to come up. We have our housekeeping schools of the month.

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Good morning everyone.

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Good morning.

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In the famous words of Mr. Matthew Johnson, he knows protocol. Good morning Ward. Good morning, Doctor Gracie.

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Good morning, everyone. Great pleasure. I'm going to invite elementary to come to the front. The principal, uh, Miss Perkins and also interim custodian, Mr.. Mr. Williams. We're doing also we're doing January and February. Recognition? Yes, ma'am.

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Appreciate it. And Mr. Blue, who was the supervisor in Columbus, was the supervisor. We're doing we're also doing too much. We're recognizing the schools, the winners for January and February of this year. We have, uh, two schools represented in January. Uh, elementary school category and also the secondary school. And then we have, uh, we have a elementary school category for February. Right. So it gives me great pleasure again to recognize, um, Collier Elementary as the Winter elementary School category for January. Mrs. Larissa Perkins is the principal. Mr. Darrell Williams is the interim head custodian. The head custodian is currently on vacant, the position is vacant, and Mr. Williams is doing is doing a great job. Mr. Rory Blue is the supervisor.

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Mr. Darrell Williams is from. Of course he Wayne Collier Elementary. He has been employed with CCS and Collier for two years. He takes pride in his duties and responsibilities. That answers the school environment to make sure the school environment is clean, safe and welcoming for students, staff and families each day. Interests and hobbies. Uh, he's interested in outside work. He enjoys spending time with his family. He also loves sports, especially football. He's a dedicated fan of the Washington Commanders.

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The Washington Commanders fan.

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Glad he didn't say Dallas Cowboys.

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Mr. Perkins, Mr. Williams, the Certificate of Appreciation is awarded to see Wayne County Elementary in recognition of housekeeping. School of the month. January 2026. Congratulations.

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Thank you all. Thank you so much.

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Ramsay Street.

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Master Lawrence Miles is the principal.

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Always sharp. Thank you. Come on up. Miss Somerville is the assistant supervisor of social services. Mr. Ronald Graham is the head custodian. The Ronald Graham, head custodian at Ramsay Street School. I've been a custodian at Ramsay Street since 2024. I first started working with CCS back in 2021 at Pine Forest High School, and as the second chef employed since being employed employed with CCS. I've developed a great skill, developed great skills and friendships with the staff and employees of CCS. My hobbies consist of cooking, reading, and exercising. My biggest accomplishments this year is receiving this recognition that we're receiving at this term time again. The certificate reads the same certificate of appreciation as awarded to Ramsey Street High School in recognition of housekeeping school of the Month of January, 2026. Congratulations. You're doing a great job.

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Thank you.

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All right. Last but not least, for elementary school category Wynnewood Elementary. Will you please come to the front?

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You are.

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Of course. Miss Jones's principal. Head custodian is miss. I'm going to mess up. Are you.

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Missing person?

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You see, I wasn't messing up, man. Esther Perryman is the head custodian in Dawn, doing a great job. Uh. For course.

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Miss Perryman.

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Where am I going to start? She is the head custodian, of course, at the school, and is doing a great job. She has been employed with CHS for eight eight and a half years. When our new principal arrived, she sat down with me and clearly outlined her expectations and vision for Warren Wood Elementary. She emphasized that cleanliness was paramount. that when anyone pulls onto our campus, they should immediately see excellence both outside and inside the building. She took the time to walk the entire school grounds with me, reinforcing that first impression matters that our environment reflects our pride and commitment to our Knight Scholars, and this is why they are the recipients for the month of January. Because principals, our leadership does matter. So we appreciate that taking the time to walk the grounds with your head custodian. Accomplishments and awards. Promoted to custodian 3 in 2025. Interests and hobbies. Interests. Um. The decorations. Um. Decorating. Designed for weddings. Birthdays. Hobbies. She likes to watch Westerns. Sounds like my father in law. Gunsmoke. Action movies and spending time with her grandkids. She also is a minister and she loves blessing people. Yeah, I'm gonna give my blessing for that.

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Alright. Mr. Gary Godwin is my lead supervisor for social Services, and he's also the supervisor over. Warren with Certificate of Appreciation, again is awarded to Warren with elementary school in recognition of housekeeping school of the month for February 2026. Congratulations. Since you're so proud.

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So thank you for that.

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Thank you. Can we give them all?

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Recognitions. Thank you. Finally, for recognitions, we'd like to call up mrs. Beth Maynard. We're going to do our cafeteria of excellence for the month of January and February. Got a little making up to do today.

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Good morning.

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Good morning. Good morning.

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So from our first recognition this morning, I've asked Mary MacArthur Elementary School to join me. They are our January cafeteria of excellence.

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Cafeteria manager is Miss Denise Carpenter, principal Miss Lisa Gillespie, who nominated them for this award. Miss, uh, Miss Gillespie gave a very thorough, uh, two page nomination, but I'm going to abbreviate it for you. Miss Carpenter is an excellent leader. Quiet, poised, professional, and deeply committed to our children. She models calm consistency and set the tone of excellence that her team follows daily. Despite several staffing transitions, Miss Carpenter and her team continued to operate and operate with excellence, ensuring that every student is served a nutritious meal with care and efficiency and love. Even when faced with limited staffing and quick schedule changes, they pivot seamlessly without interruption to breakfast or lunch service. Their teamwork and flexibility are unmatched, and our students never go without the meal they need to learn. Children learn best when they have access to filling healthy meals, and because of our amazing team that happens twice a day, every day, every week. As the principal of Mary MacArthur elementary, I am proud of this team's hard work, dedication, and genuine love for our students. They are true school nutrition heroes who make an incredible Impact. I would also like to add to Miss Gillespie's comments that Denise overseas is another one of our managers that oversees two schools. While she's making this all happen at Mary MacArthur, she's also overseeing Glendale Acres Elementary School. She's a veteran manager with us. We're very proud of her and appreciate all she does to support her is her child nutrition supervisor, Miss Krista Johnson. And we thank you for all that you do.

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Thank you.

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So we.

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Can bring you.

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In.

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I'd also like to express my appreciation to Miss Gillespie. Uh, when we went out to surprise, uh, Miss Carpenter, her team with this award, Miss Gillespie showed what a culture she develops in her. In her school of whole school, family, that the whole school came out to surprise the cafeteria and celebrate with them. It was it was amazing. So thank you for that.

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Congratulations.

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For our February capture.

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Excellence, we have 80.

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Miller Elementary.

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School.

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Education.

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So.

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E Miller is our cafeteria of excellence for the month of February. The manager here is Miss Tamela mason. But she was nominated by first grade teacher Kimberly Whitfield. But Miss Hannah Gray was very enthusiastically Supportive of this nomination. The nomination reads while this may be part of her job description, the moment you walk into the cafeteria, you feel a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff greets each student with a verbal hello and a smile. In my opinion, this creates an environment where students.

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Are supported.

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Respected, valued and most importantly, seen. Our staff consistently demonstrates exceptional care, maintains high standards of cleanliness, and remains deeply dedicated to our school and students. Every day they prepare healthy, nutritious meals that help our students learn and grow. The manager ensures that all field trips requested are fulfilled on time and when asked, the team willingly prepares meals for curriculum nights, serving staff, students and families without complaint and always with a smile. I also enjoy reading the positive messages written outside of the cafeteria door where the menu is displayed. For me, it's the simple things that mean the most providing encouragement, spreading positivity, building connections and showing patients. All while serving healthy meals with a smile and a safe, warm and welcoming environment. I can endorse every one of these comments. Chandler is one of our most enthusiastic managers that decorates. She does it with love and hearts. Every time I visit her school, she's got a whisk me out to show me. Show me all the environment that she has created with love for her students.

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To come see the castle she's created, right?

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This is National School Breakfast Week, and many of our cafeterias have been transformed into castles to celebrate the quest for school breakfast. And I will tell you, I have no doubt that hers.

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Is thoroughly decorated.

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I saw pictures where they turned the entrance into a full castle, which is amazing. So please stop by and see the wonderful decorations and enjoy! So congratulations Pamela, We appreciate you.

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Thank you.

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That concludes my presentation.

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Thank you.

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Thank you for. That time. We love getting in front of our elected officials. Um, uh, getting some of our our top employees. I wish we could pull everybody up, but thank you for being able to let us do that for you this morning.

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Thank you. Moving right along. On top of the 2026 2027 work on ice cream products, which I like to point out, but.

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I'm going to come back up for the ice cream.

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I approve ice cream.

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Ice cream.

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We did get.

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A.

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Good taste sample of it. I will have to say it's pretty good.

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Pretty good.

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Was that of help if I brought me?

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Yes, yes.

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Go ahead. Afternoon. May not have done it.

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All right.

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So, what I have before you today is our our bid results for, uh, ice cream, uh, snack items. Um, it's a combination mostly of dairy based products, but there's a few fruit based products in there. It does meet our the USDA smart Snacks guidelines for all the cart sales in the cafeteria. During this bid, we requested that the successful vendor provide freezers to store the ice cream. Only one out of the three submissions included freezers. So that is the bid that we are recommending approval to award. That would be Glacier Point LLC.

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I'll make a motion to approve Glacier Point LLC. The ice cream products for 2627 second.

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Refresh.

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Are you a razor pan?

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Thank you.

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Thanks, bear. No. Ice cream sandwich is still popular.

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Absolutely. As is. We've got cold fruit pops. Fudge pops. Come on down.

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Yeah. I'd save up my money back to school for ice cream sandwiches.

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I'm about 7.

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Or $0.33 now. Pretty cost. Good.

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Okay. I'm ready. Okay, let's go to 1.06. This year is ending February 9th, 2026. Approval to transition into a unified school to a traditional calendar before the start of the 2027 2028 academic year, and allow it to remain on the year round school calendar.

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I moved to.

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Approve.

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Second less budget.

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We'll see if I bring.

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You here. That's unanimous. Thank you.

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1507. Consider other committee concerns. Rescind the February 9th, 2026 approval. Does that know that?

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Well.

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From the.

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Context, Paula Jones I'll make the motion. This Chair. I just want to get some context on this that, um, we're it looks like we're going to approve a few moves that were made last month that made more sense, stemming from the fact that Kevin Coleman visited Pauline Jones. You know, we haven't used it as an elementary school for over ten years. And when do you expect when a tenant has something, you don't use it for ten years. It's going to be in bad shape. But Fayetteville Tech was obviously a good tenant. And Kevin Kevin said it was in great shape. And um, you know, it would not serve us well to to get rid of that building. And therefore that precipitated a few moves that seemed to make more sense to the committee. And that's where we are today. Um, just trying to get the best possible outcomes for the entire district. So with that, I'm going to make one motion, and then Doctor Jordan's going to follow up with two motions to move some pieces around that might make more sense. So I make a motion to rescind the February 9th, 2026 approval that the former Portland Jones Elementary School buildings be demolished, and that the pass will be statutorily transferred to Cumberland County, Cumberland County, so that the campus can continue to be used by Cumberland County schools. That's the motion I second.

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Discussion.

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Any discussion? Anybody disagree?

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No, I think it's.

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1.08.

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Um, consider.

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Rescinding the action taken by the Cumberland County Board of Education on February 9th, 2026, approved regarding the reassignment and renaming of the Ramsey Street High School to Douglas Berry, Middle North. Before the start of the 2026, 2026 2027 school year and that Ramsay Streets High School instead be reassigned to the Pauline Jones Elementary School.

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I'll second that.

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Any discussion? Any discussion.

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That's okay.

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And, Linda, I don't see this one on here.

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Yeah, we just said it out loud. Okay.

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Um, the second thing that I bring it to the that we bring it to the table is consider rescinding the action taken by the Cumberland County Board of Education on February 9th, 2026. Approval regarding the district staff relocating Ogilvie Wilkins High School to available space within Douglas Burke High School, and that Algebra Wilkins High School instead be reassigned to the Douglas Byrd Middle North building Any discussion.

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Second. Any discussion on that? That Northfield is the island drive.

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It's the island drive.

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That building there where we're originally talking about putting, um, Ramsay Street. But since it's now vacant, we're talking about putting Algeria Wilkinson in that building.

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And I just want to say that is a great to me. That's a great place for al to be, Wilkins. Because they need that space.

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Okay. Um. You second. I did. Okay. Let's vote. I'll raise your hand.

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That's your name?

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Now, are we moving to.

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One. That's it. Um. That's it. No. That was the new agenda. Correct. Okay. Any other comments? Can we adjourn this committee?

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Okay.

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Oh, the virtual academy.

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Okay.

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Got one more.

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Well, I wanted to help. I wanted to make a concern and concern. Um, I want to talk to Kevin, just as, uh, now that we've moved out the information from Douglas Berg. Um. Would you. I mean, I'm just asking, was talking about the virtual Academy. Um, would that be a good fit to move over into that space, or. What do you think? Uh, can you let the board know? Because, I mean, that was something that we.

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So, for my opinion, um, we were talking about moving into two high schools, one being 70, first one being Douglas Byrd. Both of those. Um, I believe now that the Douglas Byrd area has been removed out, I think my opinion to you would be that we would instead of moving the virtual academy in the 71st, we would move the virtual Academy into Douglas Byrd. A couple of reasons why. One, they have a separate a separate building. It makes it much easier to provide a separate school setting at Byrd, as it does at 71st, 71st that we can do separate entryways, like we said, separate signage and so forth. But it would be in the main part of the building. I think it's just set up for that, um, to be able to go into bird. And when the virtual school students are there, we could bring them in and test them there. When they're not there and they're at home working virtually, then we would obviously set up permanent office space for the people that report daily there at Douglas Bird. So that would be my recommendation moving forward.

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I'm wanting to ask about, um, rescinding, um, email. I think it's wonderful. But where will the students, um, transition to if, uh, and Chesnut is not made available to them for a year round or in the other, um, year round school with the children. Go if they want to, um, transition to year round. Just one race.

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There. There is no feeder pattern at this point. Going forward with Anne Chestnut. So the motion would just be in the elementary setting. Obviously, if the board wanted me to go back and take a look at trying to, you know, I'm working at the pleasure of the board, so I'll definitely take direction from the board if that's something we need to look at. But at this point, um, as it stands, Miller would be where year round ends.

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With the West.

146
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I'll just comment on that. I mean, it's a fair question. The approval now is to the recension is to, you know, appease the email folks with a K-5 solution for year round, which was important to those parents and teachers. The J had said the cost. You know, the additional cost of year round in that one. Building just a standalone program is probably between 1500 thousand dollars more to offer that program. So the, um, in the big scheme of things, there's not a lot of money, but, um, in the context of our entire budget. So the committee felt that it was okay to leave it there. I think, you know, obviously we've got way too many. Still, we probably have too many middle schools. So I would just say whether it's a curriculum committee or, uh, a future committee, do a deeper dive into what our year round offering is that, you know, as we've known, the Chestnut and Ross are 50% capacity. So, um, I just think it's an issue that needs to be taken up, uh, later and decided those are my thoughts.

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Um, well, my mom always said, if you, you know, come to the table with a solution or whatever. But I was thinking, as we move forward, you know, like you said, we don't have a feeder school or whatever we're talking about closing down, but, um, maybe thinking about doing a school within a school. I know Miss Warner said that before a school within a school. Um, so we might want to look at, you know, maybe if we could do, you know, overlapping the schools, maybe doing a school within a school and then, you know, having two different schools one year round, one whatever, and then we can occupy that space to fill up one school, um, and maybe taking, um, as they say, Red cross or because we didn't say we were going, Reed Ross would be our feeder school, maybe turning some of that into the, the classical school, the idea of classical school, but then also feeding it over to the feeder school because they, the parents do have to, um, bring their kids so we can figure out a way to make that merge, um, within maybe a scoop. Like I said, a school within a school looking at one of our middle schools that's not filled to capacity or something like that. Um, I'm just a suggestion. Like I said, it is not nothing in stone. We we all hear discussing different things, and, uh, you know, but we was talking about putting Wilkinson, Douglas, Byrd. So why not putting the middle school in the middle school? If we if we want to do that and, you know, we had to figure out logistics, but, you know, you never know until, you know, we start playing around with it. And then that way you could keep your both of your year round schools and things like that. So I mean, that's just something that we can. You know, just a suggestion. Um.

148
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You know, and I was just saying I didn't get it, but it's okay.

149
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No. Madam chair.

150
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Apparently I'm a slow learner.

151
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You're not a slow learner. Thank you. May I? Yes. Um, explain that to us a little bit further because she didn't get it. And I'm trying to understand. Are you talking about using keeping in chestnuts, building where it is, but still utilizing our base?

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They've already said we're not. We're. Well, we're not ready to agree that chestnut building is not going to be there. So I'm saying, for example, I'm going to use Lewis Chapel as the as the go to school. Okay. So you will have Lewis Chapel and you will have an chestnut in one school.

153
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And that one school would be.

154
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What it'll be their separate identities. It'll be two separate identities.

155
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Which building.

156
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That's what in Lewis Chapel, because we already said that and and I, I and I understand that when I went and did my research on chestnut, it has great history. It has a wonderful history. But the more I'm thinking where we're doing both. You know, I, I would love to keep Anne Chestnut because of the history, um, that it has for, um. uh, African Americans, you know, they say they I talked to many people. About this situation. I went out and asked the public about, you know, what, you know, their thoughts and stuff like that. And they said that this was one of the schools that that was the only black school that they had in the county for African Americans. And people used to go to come from all over the around the county, Spring Lake, Hope meals and some even outside of the county to go to the school. So I understand the history of that. But as a board, I would kind of I we already voted that this building needs to be closed. Um, so with that being said, you have to come up with a solution. So I would love for you. I want year round school to stay. So as I'm thinking about year round schools thing, I'm thinking about how can I make it better? I'm always thinking about the kids. So to put a school inside of a school to me would make sense because you can use, like I said, Louis, I'm just using this as an example. Louis chapel, a Douglas Byrd and fill up the school. You can do half and half and, um, you know, so I, you know, you probably have to work out some of the logistics about it, but, um, you know, it's just a, uh.

157
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And I you said that you've talked with people. Well, there's several of us who people have come to us as well and students, because that's what it's all about. The students, they want to stay actually, where they are. And I had one child that almost made me cry who came to.

158
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See me cry.

159
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Please don't close my school. Please don't close my school. And I know for some you may say, well, that's not what it's about. I didn't.

160
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I did not vote to close that school. My my suggestion was to keep it open. So as you're talking, you need to be playing on the hearts of the ones who said that needed that, wanted that school closed. Because to me, it's a rich history. And so with that rich history, I did not want that school closed. I'm always thinking about kids.

161
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So you're just the messenger. I'm bringing us the information. I'm.

162
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I'm. I'm not bringing them. I'm trying to figure out a solution to keep the name alive. That is my. That is my thing. Okay. Solution. Solution. So I'm just, you know, know your my. All the kids can't go to.

163
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To.

164
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Lewis Chapel because it's too small. We had talked about splitting them up. My thing is, can't we continue with the same subjects of the kids that were in the year round? They still continue to take those. I think it's language arts and different languages that can't be done at two different schools. And chestnut was built in 1958. That was the year I was born. And I don't care if you know. I am 68 years old. My grandson did go to chestnut. I like year round schools, but year round schools is fading out all over the United States. And the simple thing to me is to continue to with the subjects, they just, um, slowly transition to a year round school and I don't care. People know that. Yes, I am one of the ones my grandson went to and chestnut, he enjoyed it. But I think with.

165
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The amount of work to do.

166
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Yes, it's if things have been taken care of years ago, maybe. Yes. And I have been to the school several times and I have walked around it all. My concern is keeping our children safe and warm. Um, don't want no rain to be be in the hallways like it was when I was working. I want our kids safe. I don't want them to have their parents. You send them to school and they come back home sick. They come back home sick because they they're either burning up or they're cold. My mom and yes, mom.

167
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How about stop? Yeah, well, like I said, I just.

168
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Um. Thank you.

169
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Um.

170
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Look.

171
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There's there's were a lot of complicated moves. Uh, the objective we're trying to reach was to become a more efficient school system so that more resources can be spent on the children we do have, and not on nine campuses that are half occupied or worse. So I get the the emotions that are coming on the back side of these decisions, but I, I've suggested that E Miller, because it's a relatively low cost to the District to keep it open as a wind, and then take a more measured approach and let staff look at some other options later. You can't do all this at one time, it's just not feasible. So I would just the folks in year round know that, you know, there is an end at fifth grade at this point in time. They can make a choice. And then let's take a, you know, ask staff to make a more measured approach and recommendations of what some of your round options are, if that's what the board wants. Realizing that the two we've gotten our 50% full. Thank you.

172
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This is great.

173
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Um, I was thinking the Ann Chestnut might be in bad shape, but it's valuable laying there and we say, um, we need $14 million to do what needs to be done to bring that school up to par.

174
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Yes, ma'am.

175
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And so, um, when it comes down to the, uh, land. That is the valuable land that is on there. Then 14, $14 million is nothing when it comes to the. What was it, the 809,000 that it needed to build all of the other schools up to capacity?

176
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809 million.

177
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$809 million to to do that and 14 million out of that just doesn't seem like it's a lot to me to keep the history in, you know, not just the, the history but the value of that land. See, and if you can sell the land for a dollar, if you can give it to the county commissioners for a dollar, then it seems to me that we don't have a problem with the money. You know, when we say we are saving money for the school system and everything, I just can't get it. You know that if it takes $14 million. Why can't we do what needs to be done?

178
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I want. I'm sorry.

179
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That's okay. Just one comment. When you give the the building, the property to the county commissioners and they sell it in turn, that's the money that we're getting back in our budget. It's kind of a wash. Whereas if we went and sold it, we probably would have to put it up for bid and we'd get whatever the low bid was or high bid was, because that's the way it's worked. If you do it this way, then what happens is we're asking for for additional money this year. That's where that money comes from. It comes from this exchange of properties a lot of times. But, um, personally, I think we're spending a lot of time over something right now that, um, you know, we never did answer the one I requested. It's one of these three that you started conversation on. So we're going around circles. So my first question was one what about Virtual Academy? If we're not going to take that on, then I just say take it off the list. But this other information, I think, um, we need to move on. That's my opinion.

180
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Um, Miss Williamson, we're going to move on. Okay. And I think.

181
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The crux.

182
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Of this for me is our declining enrollment.

183
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How many students I'm looking at looking for J. Because he's the.

184
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Overall we're down over 1200 for the whole district. 1200 from the year.

185
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And that's from year to year.

186
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Yeah, from last year.

187
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I think.

188
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That's.

189
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Enough.

190
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And I think again, we're operating the same.

191
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Number of buildings.

192
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And we're going in we're spiral and and I believe we're going to come out of that. But it's going to take a while. So continue to do. And that's what I'm saying. I don't I don't see how we can continue every single thing, the status quo, if you don't have.

193
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The amount coming in to to continue to do what we're doing.

194
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We're going to end this. But I'm not. Oh, no, she was saying, can you go ahead? She was talking about the virtual Academy. I'm sorry he didn't finish it on the Academy.

195
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Well, I was just I wanted to go back and just for record that that was $809 million identified as need. But we were funded at 300 million. So that's the money that we're talking about is three. That's just such a large gap. And we had to prioritize based on that seven year plan. I just wanted for clarification on that.

196
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Did you want to do something short?

197
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Sweet. Um, everyone keeps saying that, um, when it comes to the year round schools that our buildings are. Well, student enrollment is under 50%. Well, the math isn't math. And when I'm looking at Angelina, you're looking at functional capacity. 87874. Current enrollment at 501. That's over 50%. So what are we talking about? Under 50%. That's one. Um. Number two. Everyone knows my stance. You don't want to take a choice away from the parents. Year round is important for them. So I believe in chestnut. Need to stay. Okay. That's it.

198
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And that's it for you.

199
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I did want to say one other thing I do. We were talking about the numbers and stuff. I, I wanted to know why we were doing things. Why did we take massive hill off their list? I mean, it is in randomness, and it is probably the oldest building around here, isn't it? Yes, because I know when I first came here 50 years ago, it sure wasn't new then, you know? So there's just some little things going on that I just can't seem to put into place. If we're going by numbers, then that should be where we should have started.

200
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Probably.

201
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I mean, I can speak to Marcy Hill since I come up a couple of times. The reason Marcy Hill was pulled off is because we needed Reed Ross as a swing space for E.E. Smith. So if we're ever going to build E Smith, we need Reed Ross to do that. So when you have two classical high schools, either Reed Ross needs to close and offer the Marcy Hill or Marcy Hill needs to close and offer it to Reed Ross. So that was why the van.

202
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So why it would be it'd be bad to Hill.

203
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Because.

204
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When we would not have a suite space, we wouldn't have a place to put the students in. Smith. That was the reason why.

205
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I put a record. It's not if we built this correct. Let's close this down right now. 1.11 was on our journey.

206
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Student support.

207
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Good morning. Good morning. I put all my stuff up here.

208
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Man.

209
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Michael just came up there. It's moving slow. Okay.

210
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All right. I called student Support Services committee to order Dolores Bell. Chair Jacqueline Brown, Greg West, and Susan Williams. 101.2 consider adoption of the agenda to adopt. The motion was made by Susan Williams and second by Jacqueline Brown. Let's vote.

211
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That's unanimous.

212
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1.03. Consider approval of February 9th, 2026 student Support Services Committee meeting minutes.

213
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Moved to.

214
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Approve. Seconded.

215
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Also approved by Susan Williams. Second by Jacqueline Brown.

216
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Last vote.

217
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104.101

218
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.04 consider approval for proclamation to declare April 2026 as the month of the military Child.

219
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Thank you.

220
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Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.

221
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We have Mr. Isaac Rancourt, military family, and you are here to present this item for us today. Good morning. Good morning.

222
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I'm here to provide an update on the military connected support and monthly military child proclamation. Uh, we're in line with our strategic priorities. And in Cumberland County schools, we are serving over 14,000 military connected students with the short list of schools being the top percentage of military connected students.

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As a military liaison for Cumberland County Schools. My role is to support military connected students and families through transitions, relocations, and deployment related challenges, provide guidance on the policies of Cumberland County schools, and provide information on the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission. You like that picture up there?

224
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Um, I lead the Military Family Advisory Council and Military Child Task Force, both with strength and collaboration between families, district leadership and community partners.

225
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Our students are further supported through partnerships with Fort Bragg School Liaison Officers and military family life counselors, ensuring both academic and social emotional needs are addressed.

226
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Our Local Action Plan outlines targeted strategies to improve transition processes and staff awareness district wide.

227
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I'm proud to share that Cumberland County Schools has earned the Purple Star Award for the sixth consecutive year being our legacy year, demonstrating our sustained commitment to understanding and supporting our military families.

228
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Uh, we're excited for our month of the Military Child event that will be held on April 30th from 6 to 8 at Seger Stadium. Home plate heroes. Um, we're going to have food, music, uh, games for the kids and families. Fireworks. As of this time, we have all veterans groups scheduled to skydive in. It's going to be a fantastic event celebrating our military children. We also have our spirit week coming up, where we'll have our Spirit Week themes, where each school will participate. And on Friday, April 17th, we'll have our purple update, where we ask everybody in Cumberland County to wear a purple to recognize the strength of our military children.

229
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Um, we've accomplished a lot this year working with, um, our local installation and our schools, and we have some important dates coming up, as you can see. Um, we have a task force meeting on the 27th. Everything that I stated before with the spirit week. Purple up day. Purple Star Awards will be given out on April 24th in Raleigh. Our month of military child event on April 30th. And our Cumberland County School Mental health fair on the ninth. At this time, we ask for approval of our month of the Military Child Proclamation.

230
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Make a motion to approve.

231
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Second.

232
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The motion was made by Mr. West. The second by Mr. Williams.

233
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Let's vote.

234
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That's your name? I have a question. Yes.

235
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Um. With the. What's going on in the Middle East? I know Fort Bragg is probably not primarily involved, but our our students are facing deployed parents and most of this current situation.

236
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I haven't heard any status of deployment based on this situation at this time. Obviously, we're always facing deployments and dealing with those. Um, but I haven't heard anything on that currently. Okay.

237
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Thank you. Well, we'll keep you posted. If we become we get information and.

238
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I know y'all on top of it. So that's that's fine. Just like the school safety. I asked Mr. Young about making sure we're vigilant as ever right now.

239
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Okay. 1.05 consider approval for proclamation two. Declare month. Declare March 2026 National Child Abuse Prevention Month. And today we have.

240
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Mrs. Christina Smart, who is a counselor. So I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We started talking.

241
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About counselor.

242
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Just to weapon me off. Um, who is a social worker from Grace Creek Middle School and our 2025 social worker of the year. So we're.

243
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Here today, along with Doctor Scott. And in absence of Miss Storey, who was unable to be here today. So.

244
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Okay, so April is, um, national Child Abuse Prevention Month. The purpose of the month is to raise awareness, promote prevention and emphasize that child abuse is preventable. It highlights the importance of strong families, supportive communities, and early intervention. Child abuse can affect the long term effects of physical mental health of our children, their academics, and their academic success. Child abuse affects children of all ages, backgrounds and communities. Prevention focuses on the risk factors and strengthens protective factors before harm occurs. Prevention starts with support. Our families thrive when they have positive parenting skills, strong social connections as access to mental health support when needed in stable housing, security and child care. Stress does not cause child abuse, but it addresses stress, which increases the risk. Support reduces that risk. Everyone has a role. Protecting our Children is a shared responsibility of families, schools, neighborhoods and communities. We all play a part. Schools are often a safe place on where where we first see the concerns. Educators are often trusted adults and they may notice the warning signs before others. Educators are working hard to create safe, supportive environments, build trusting relationships with their students, and they report concerns promptly and appropriately. Reporting concerns is not about blaming. It's about protecting our children and providing help. Most parents want to do what's best for their children. Child abuse prevention is not just a one month focus. It's a year round commitment. When communities support families, children are safer. We need to learn the risks, speak up with concern and support our families. Together, we can help ensure that every child grows up safe.

245
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Thank you, miss Mark. And so we are seeking approval of the proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

246
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I move to approve.

247
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Second.

248
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Miss. Sorry.

249
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Miss Williams.

250
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Make the motion, Miss Brown. Second one.

251
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Yesterday.

252
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I was calling you, Mrs. Wisdom.

253
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There you go.

254
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That's your name?

255
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Okay, 1.06. Consider approval of the 2026 CCS and partnership for Children Agreement, NC pre-K amendment number two.

256
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And Mr. Sean Ross, our pre-K coordinator, is going to share information about this agreement and give a brief overview of our program.

257
00:58:03,601 --> 01:03:15,067
Let me get pulled up to the chair. Hi, everybody. Your table here. Um, so as Doctor Chalmers mentioned, I'm going to go over just a very brief overview of pre-K and then talk about the actual contract. So is our alignment with the strategic priorities. Um, so this little graphic and information that we put together talks about what our classrooms look like. And, uh, we operate 46 classrooms in 35 elementary schools, and they're all operated under the CDP title one pre-K Standards and Procedures. Um, of those 46 classrooms and 35 elementary schools, we have 29 of them, 29 classrooms in 21 elementary schools that also operate under the North Carolina pre-K program requirements. So what's the difference? Um, if you look at the eligibility portion here of this little graphic. All of our classrooms are under title one and title one. pre-K serves the most academically at risk students who live in this community. Cumberland County, NC pre-K serves the most financially at risk students in the community. So what we do in our program and our office is we place children into the classrooms and into the programs based on title one eligibility and then follow up with the NC pre-K eligibility. Um, in our 46 classrooms, we have currently 770 students. We have 47 teachers, 46 teacher assistants. We've got one school that has a 5050 split with some semi-retired teacher, two semi-retired teachers. Um, but each classroom has either 16 or 18 kids in them. One teacher, one teacher assistant at all times. Looking at the programming, our classrooms follow the North Carolina Foundations of Early Learning, and we utilize the creative curriculum curriculum objectives for our students and the long and the short of it, our program. It's a play based program. Our kids engage in play centers and free play throughout the day, and that's how they get their learning in. And they learn pre literacy skills, pre math skills. But most importantly, they learn those social skills, functional communication skills learn how to communicate with each other. Social skills is big. They basically they learn how to be students in school. So any questions or concerns so far? Okay so I can't leave here without plugging our enrollment drive. So we're currently taking applications and we're prioritizing any application completed through March 31st, 2026. All families can apply through the application portal, which you can get to off of our website. The Cumberland County Schools pre-K website or let's get enrolled comm takes you straight there. And then I put our office phone number up there. Any families have any concerns? So the applications actually open year round. But we are prioritizing through the end of end of March and our children. I didn't put this on the last slide, but all the kids in our program, they have to be four years old on or before August 31st of the school year for which you're applying. So now for the contract, um, NC pre-K or the partnership for children, which is the contract administrator for North Carolina pre-K in Cumberland County, um, offered us an additional, uh, allotment of slots or for our kids that are in the program. I mentioned on that first slide that we have 29 classrooms. In those 29 classrooms, we have a total of 464 children for which we can deem eligible for North Carolina pre-K and receive funding. Um, we previously we're at 433 or currently at 433 are allotment through North Carolina pre-K. Um, the partnership for children offered us an additional 31 slots from January through the end of May or five months. So at a grand total of, an increase of $76,880 for this school year. And I did just discover that middle, um, dollar amount is actually incorrect on that slide. I apologize, that falls on me. I missed it a grand total for this school year, up to 2,224,500 or 200. 2,000,002. 24. Five. 60. And the contract has been presented to us. And I'm asking for your consideration for this contract. Are there any questions?

258
01:03:15,067 --> 01:03:16,767
Yes. Mr. Watson, what's the.

259
01:03:16,767 --> 01:03:22,868
Help me out with the backing up a few slides. The 464 number you just refers to the 770, right.

260
01:03:22,868 --> 01:03:50,501
So 464 kids are in our 29 licensed childcare classrooms. Um, the rest of the children are in the unlicensed title one classrooms. So you don't have to have a childcare license to operate pre-K in a public school in North Carolina. So you only need the license if you're, um, in consideration for these extra funds or state funds.

261
01:03:50,501 --> 01:03:53,067
But the outcome and the experience is.

262
01:03:53,067 --> 01:03:58,367
The exact same. We have the exact same experience no matter what class type of class you're in.

263
01:03:58,367 --> 01:04:23,567
So help me make sure I'm thinking right on this. Sure. So we've got 13 grades. We teach 48,000 divided by. That's 3600 per grade. If they're evenly spaced, we have 3600 kids per grade. 770 in the 3600 is 21%. So 21% of our kids theoretically are experiencing pre-K services with us.

264
01:04:23,567 --> 01:04:24,267
Correct.

265
01:04:24,267 --> 01:04:29,801
That kind of that back of the napkin. There's 770 a year.

266
01:04:29,801 --> 01:04:34,000
Yeah. 770 in our in our classrooms. And that's our maximum based on our firm.

267
01:04:34,000 --> 01:04:36,767
Those are spread across multiple ages. Or is that.

268
01:04:36,767 --> 01:04:39,801
That's just the one. That's the year before kindergarten.

269
01:04:39,801 --> 01:05:06,601
So seven 73,600 is 21%. So I've always contended that if our kids come to us better prepared before kindergarten, we're ahead of the ball, that many are behind and we're behind the whole way. We're tracking behind from the beginning. So I was just wondering what the if 22, 21% participating in pre-K is, is a good number or needs to be more and how would.

270
01:05:06,601 --> 01:05:07,901
I just want to think about it.

271
01:05:07,901 --> 01:05:17,701
Ideally, we would want all students to participate in pre-K. Ideally, yes.

272
01:05:17,701 --> 01:05:29,167
It's just a way to get them. You know, we're chasing them in fifth grade and eighth grade trying to catch up. Um, so anyway, I thought a discussion there. Thank you. Okay.

273
01:05:29,167 --> 01:05:32,601
Any more questions?

274
01:05:32,601 --> 01:05:40,367
On what is an improvement process? So maybe you went over it. What is the improvement process for getting these children?

275
01:05:40,367 --> 01:06:55,968
Um, a good question. We, uh, we advertise through we are we we're partners with the partnership for Children and Head Start, and they do a lot of recruitment in the private childcare programs, and we also advertise out through, um, we did a media release. Uh, Doctor Whitley's team, Miss Renata has done the weekly phone calls. Um, we we help advertise out into the childcare community as it is. Um, I've been I was on the radio yesterday when I recorded a radio interview yesterday for 107.7. I believe it airs Sunday morning. Um, we're going on again for another radio station next Friday morning. Um, and we just put the word out. It's word of mouth. It's advertised. Oh, we've got yard signs at every elementary school. Um, big posters that we put up at the schools elementary, middle and high school And we're kind of a known commodity right now in the in Cumberland. We've got applications to go through a lot more than 770.

276
01:06:55,968 --> 01:06:57,767
So thank you.

277
01:06:57,767 --> 01:07:02,767
Do we handle a thousand. Could we handle a thousand kids and how would we pay for it?

278
01:07:02,767 --> 01:07:13,267
J thanks for funding. It's a funding opportunity. So we're only funded for that. So then if we wanted to expand, then we'd need to bring more money or cut something to do that.

279
01:07:13,267 --> 01:07:14,367
Madam chair.

280
01:07:14,367 --> 01:07:15,667
Um.

281
01:07:15,667 --> 01:07:20,000
Um, does this number include the, um, suspicion these students also, or.

282
01:07:20,000 --> 01:07:21,267
Is that the.

283
01:07:21,267 --> 01:07:23,400
No, this is that's a that's a separate.

284
01:07:23,400 --> 01:07:25,801
That's a separate issue for the four year olds. That's a separate.

285
01:07:25,801 --> 01:07:28,367
Do you see pre-K numbers are not included here. That is separate.

286
01:07:28,367 --> 01:07:35,167
So it does that. But your numbers say they do three and four. Or do we do three and four. Yeah three.

287
01:07:35,167 --> 01:08:05,167
Go ahead I'm sorry. Yeah. We do three four and five and e c pre-K. Um, and a lot of our kids are served out in the community. Um, they come in, there's a playgroup that they come into. And then there's our EC classrooms for three through five in the elementary schools. Um, those aren't included here. And that's, you know, that's under EC services. This is where under federal programs. Um, but we do have EC kids in, in our program right now.

288
01:08:05,167 --> 01:08:06,868
So they do have a have.

289
01:08:06,868 --> 01:08:16,367
Well they they come in they're in our program entirely. And if they're served there, we uh, there's special EC folks that come in and work with them in our program.

290
01:08:16,367 --> 01:08:19,267
Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you.

291
01:08:19,267 --> 01:08:20,467
Doctor Hales.

292
01:08:20,467 --> 01:08:22,868
Okay. Have you tried.

293
01:08:22,868 --> 01:08:25,167
Conducting parent.

294
01:08:25,167 --> 01:08:25,567
Small.

295
01:08:25,567 --> 01:08:40,100
Groups in the densely populated area? Maybe finding a place, or maybe use a school to invite parents in to explain to them what pre-K is all about, especially in areas where we have.

296
01:08:40,100 --> 01:08:41,767
Quite a few.

297
01:08:41,767 --> 01:08:44,467
Schools parents.

298
01:08:44,467 --> 01:08:45,367
You know, we.

299
01:08:45,367 --> 01:08:49,467
Face to face with the parents in case they have questions to ask.

300
01:08:49,467 --> 01:08:57,267
Uh, we're actually do we have the communications bus I'm going out to?

301
01:08:57,267 --> 01:09:03,467
Put me on the spot. I can't remember where I'm going in a couple of weeks with the communications bus.

302
01:09:03,467 --> 01:09:06,667
Um, tell the free.

303
01:09:06,667 --> 01:09:09,267
Look, and I'll look at my calendar real quick.

304
01:09:09,267 --> 01:09:11,667
Yeah, but I know several areas.

305
01:09:11,667 --> 01:09:28,467
Yes. Yeah, I'm going to. There's one is in Spring Lake and one is at a rec center. And if you give me two seconds, I'll pull it up and tell you, um.

306
01:09:28,467 --> 01:09:32,167
Oh, Cumberland County Department of Social Services, we're going.

307
01:09:32,167 --> 01:09:33,167
Okay.

308
01:09:33,167 --> 01:09:43,601
And as far as a parent meeting in our office, uh, we haven't done that yet specifically. that's something we can definitely consider. Well, I'm.

309
01:09:43,601 --> 01:10:02,000
Looking more at doing it in different schools that have populated areas. That's not not your not the office. But you know, so people can get to the school to discuss and find out different, you know, information that they need to make that decision.

310
01:10:02,000 --> 01:10:06,701
We haven't done that in the past, but we'll certainly take a look at that. That sounds like a lot.

311
01:10:06,701 --> 01:10:09,000
Sometimes you have to bring these things to the parents.

312
01:10:09,000 --> 01:10:09,400
Absolutely.

313
01:10:09,400 --> 01:10:15,100
Or at least give them an opportunity to come before you so they can ask questions. Okay.

314
01:10:15,100 --> 01:10:21,167
Yeah, that sounds like a viable option. Definitely. I'll definitely talk about that. Thank you. Welcome.

315
01:10:21,167 --> 01:10:22,567
Yes.

316
01:10:22,567 --> 01:10:32,000
So at 770, we're fully that's what we're funded at. I guess so you're at 100% of our funding. So it's really not a recruitment problem. I guess you've got a waiting list.

317
01:10:32,000 --> 01:10:32,667
Yes we.

318
01:10:32,667 --> 01:11:03,601
Have. So okay, so your marketing efforts and recruiting and getting word out is working. It's a funding problem and a commitment problem to. You know, put our resources to our kids before they get to us. So they're more kids have a better chance of being a grade level A on day one. Um, and we've been having a conversation kind of about should that be an initiative of ours to put more resources there?

319
01:11:03,601 --> 01:11:08,367
Great. I think that's a great idea.

320
01:11:08,367 --> 01:11:09,367
Uh, Mr. Bracey.

321
01:11:09,367 --> 01:11:09,667
I would.

322
01:11:09,667 --> 01:11:10,367
Love.

323
01:11:10,367 --> 01:11:10,667
Doctor.

324
01:11:10,667 --> 01:11:12,767
Chalmers, Sean, to see.

325
01:11:12,767 --> 01:11:13,400
What Mr. West.

326
01:11:13,400 --> 01:11:23,100
Says has me thinking. What would that look like from a cost perspective for thousands of students? When we look at teachers, teacher assistants, can we meet and just, yes, have this conversation us?

327
01:11:23,100 --> 01:11:24,267
J yeah.

328
01:11:24,267 --> 01:11:25,467
We would love to do.

329
01:11:25,467 --> 01:11:25,667
That.

330
01:11:25,667 --> 01:11:29,968
We would love to have the conversation about expanding and providing this early learning for more kids.

331
01:11:29,968 --> 01:11:31,267
Yes, yes.

332
01:11:31,267 --> 01:11:46,367
Yes, you get them in front of them and we start exposing them to literacy early, exposing them to math concepts. I think it will close whatever gaps they will have. That's a conversation I want to have sooner.

333
01:11:46,367 --> 01:11:46,801
Yes.

334
01:11:46,801 --> 01:11:48,000
Thank you.

335
01:11:48,000 --> 01:11:48,767
Thank you. Good.

336
01:11:48,767 --> 01:11:52,467
Thank you.

337
01:11:52,467 --> 01:11:56,400
Thank you.

338
01:11:56,400 --> 01:11:57,000
Yes, ma'am.

339
01:11:57,000 --> 01:11:58,567
Yeah.

340
01:11:58,567 --> 01:11:58,968
Any more.

341
01:11:58,968 --> 01:12:01,968
Questions?

342
01:12:01,968 --> 01:12:02,601
Okay, I need.

343
01:12:02,601 --> 01:12:03,801
A I'll make a motion.

344
01:12:03,801 --> 01:12:06,801
To approve 1.06.

345
01:12:06,801 --> 01:12:18,767
Second. Uh. Uh, Mr. Williams made the motion, Miss Brown second.

346
01:12:18,767 --> 01:12:24,601
Let's vote.

347
01:12:24,601 --> 01:12:26,100
Okay.

348
01:12:26,100 --> 01:12:27,801
1.077.

349
01:12:27,801 --> 01:12:30,767
Consider other committee concerns, which you do.

350
01:12:30,767 --> 01:13:35,267
I do, and thank you, Miss Bell. Um, I do have a couple of time sensitive information items that I wanted to share with you. And so Doctor Scott's going to come for the second. But for the first one, I do want to let you know that we are partnering with the City of Fayetteville and the Housing Authority to serve as the educational partner for the Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant, um, that they are submitting to implement the merkerson transformation plan to transform targeted public public housing called Merkerson Townhomes and the surrounding neighborhood. Um, we have worked with the city previously to submit this grant back in 2023. They did not get the grant back in 2023. So this is a resubmission of the grant. And so we would come along as an educational partner to support the families and the children that are in that would be impacted if that grant is achieved. And those that area down the end of Merkerson Road by Merkerson Townhouses is transformed. So just wanted you all to be aware that we are working with the city to submit that grant for the second time.

351
01:13:35,267 --> 01:13:37,000
Okay, great.

352
01:13:37,000 --> 01:13:42,300
Doctor Scott also has some time sensitive grant information she needs to share as well. Alright.

353
01:13:42,300 --> 01:13:42,868
Good morning.

354
01:13:42,868 --> 01:13:44,400
Again. Good morning.

355
01:13:44,400 --> 01:13:46,667
So we received something called the.

356
01:13:46,667 --> 01:13:47,868
Title five.

357
01:13:47,868 --> 01:13:48,501
Sexual.

358
01:13:48,501 --> 01:16:56,100
Risk Avoidance Education grant. It is a grant that's actually received by DPI. And we are a sub grantee of those funds. So they select lease shoes each year to receive those funds in collaboration with DPI. The amount that Cumberland County Schools would receive this year is $70,000 in order to receive those fundings. There is a memorandum of agreement that requires the board chair's signature. That memorandum of agreement outlines what the expectations are. So, for example, um, again, the grant really belongs to the federal grant that really belongs to, DPI, so DPI would transfer the funding. They provide training, they collect data. They submit that data to the feds to meet those program requirements, provide technical support to the district for the early hour. Part of it would be to coordinate program, to collect that program data and provide it to DPI to assist with things such as when the Youth Risk Behavior Survey is conducted. Every so often, if Cumberland County Schools is selected to be one of those districts that we would participate in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, they also have like an annual summit where they provide training and the ideas that we would send a small team to participate in that training. So, um, don't be, I would say thrown off by the sexual risk avoidance education. Um, this grant, we've used it to fund things like the last time I was before you, I spoke about Bounce Back and Sparks. The small group counseling programs, we fund, those kinds of things using this funding. All of you have participated in the Children's Mental Health Fair. The fourth annual event is coming up this year. These are the kind of things that we typically find with the SRA funding. This year we have something coming up called I matter Strong Girls, Strong Voices. Um, this is a like a little mini conference for, um, fifth through eighth grade girls in the Southview attendance area. We wanted to start small and just try it out in a attendance area. There are breakout sessions um, around empowerment, resilience, that type of thing. Uh, the counselor at Hope Mills Middle School, Miss Tanisha Dumas, is a rock fellow, which was a natural national recognition that she received. And the I matter concept was actually taken from the rocks and the opportunity to implement it here. So in order to so that our funds can be drawn down so that I can pay my bills for the children's mental health fair and the the I matter event, uh, schedule more training for bounce back facilitators sparks those kinds of things. Um, we're bringing this information to you to request the board chair signature on the memorandum of agreement.

359
01:16:56,100 --> 01:17:04,000
Yes. Good question. I can't remember if this this the survey. Consider the students and the teachers or does it or.

360
01:17:04,000 --> 01:17:05,000
The UFC's behavior.

361
01:17:05,000 --> 01:17:10,501
Survey does it? It's students. It's your students. Okay. All right. That's what I was thinking. I couldn't remember what you did.

362
01:17:10,501 --> 01:17:11,067
Yes, ma'am.

363
01:17:11,067 --> 01:17:12,367
Just do this. Mhm.

364
01:17:12,367 --> 01:17:30,801
And so we just wanted to bring that information because we needed to share it. But it was because of the way that it failed. We couldn't get it on the committee in time, but we needed it before the next meeting. So we will be asking Miss Musgrove to sign that. But it is to receive those funding, that funding to move forward with those programs.

365
01:17:30,801 --> 01:17:31,868
They need to vote.

366
01:17:31,868 --> 01:17:35,868
I don't believe there needs to be. I think it was more information.

367
01:17:35,868 --> 01:17:36,868
It's just information.

368
01:17:36,868 --> 01:17:39,100
It was information.

369
01:17:39,100 --> 01:17:40,167
Okay. All right.

370
01:17:40,167 --> 01:17:41,567
Congratulations.

371
01:17:41,567 --> 01:17:52,868
Thank you. Thank you. Okay. 1.08. This committee is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

372
01:17:52,868 --> 01:17:54,000
Good morning. I'd like to.

373
01:17:54,000 --> 01:17:56,267
Call to order the policy committee.

374
01:17:56,267 --> 01:17:57,267
The members of Doctor.

375
01:17:57,267 --> 01:17:57,667
Mary.

376
01:17:57,667 --> 01:17:59,567
Hills, Jacqueline Brown, Deanna.

377
01:17:59,567 --> 01:18:00,100
Jones, and.

378
01:18:00,100 --> 01:18:00,467
Greg.

379
01:18:00,467 --> 01:18:04,000
West. I will entertain.

380
01:18:04,000 --> 01:18:04,667
A.

381
01:18:04,667 --> 01:18:05,868
Motion to consider.

382
01:18:05,868 --> 01:18:06,567
Adoption.

383
01:18:06,567 --> 01:18:06,868
Of.

384
01:18:06,868 --> 01:18:07,868
The agenda.

385
01:18:07,868 --> 01:18:11,467
I'll make a motion for a second. Okay.

386
01:18:11,467 --> 01:18:19,267
Motion was made by Miss Jackie Brown and seconded by Miss Deanna Jones.

387
01:18:19,267 --> 01:18:29,601
Let's vote.

388
01:18:29,601 --> 01:18:31,100
Thank you.

389
01:18:31,100 --> 01:19:02,601
Item number 1.03. Consider approval of January 6th, 2026 Policy Committee meeting minutes. Do I have a motion to accept a second? The motion was made by Jackie Brown and seconded by Miss Deanna Jones. Let's vote.

390
01:19:02,601 --> 01:19:03,901
Thank you.

391
01:19:03,901 --> 01:19:19,000
Item 1.04 consider approval of Revised Policy 3101 dual enrollment for 2026. At this time, I'm going to turn it over to our board attorney, Mr. Nick Soca.

392
01:19:19,000 --> 01:20:44,567
Thank you, Doctor Hales. Um, before you, you have your Google enrollment policy, which has been on the books in one form or another since 2010. Um, this covers all of the opportunities for our high school students to enroll in college, University, um, community college, uh, technical classes outside of the Cumberland County schools, per se. And the changes that we're bringing to you today. Um, were recommended by the School Boards Association. They're really just kind of housekeeping changes. You see the reference to the Career in College Ready Pathway, which is a, um, program and initiative which has been added at the state level. And we've adopted. And then you also see down below these references to state board policies, the CAC 000 and the next one down and the next Paragraph. Those are recently adopted or revised state board policies which govern the whole dual enrollment structure statewide. So we're just bringing this policy up to date. It's been reviewed by Mr. Lucas, and he's fine.

393
01:20:44,567 --> 01:20:49,501
Are there any questions or concerns?

394
01:20:49,501 --> 01:20:54,267
This is a consider item. So we need to vote.

395
01:20:54,267 --> 01:20:55,868
I make a motion.

396
01:20:55,868 --> 01:20:56,200
To.

397
01:20:56,200 --> 01:20:57,267
Approve.

398
01:20:57,267 --> 01:20:58,000
The revised.

399
01:20:58,000 --> 01:21:01,367
Policy 3101 through enrollment.

400
01:21:01,367 --> 01:21:02,300
Second.

401
01:21:02,300 --> 01:21:19,267
Okay. The motion was made by Miss Deanna Jones and seconded by Mr. Greg West. Let's vote.

402
01:21:19,267 --> 01:21:30,868
Thank you. Item 1.05 consider approval of Revised Policy 3220. Technology in the Educational Program 2026.

403
01:21:30,868 --> 01:23:57,767
Thank you, Doctor Hales, this is, um, sort of your base policy, which governs many different aspects of your technology program here in the school system. The main changes that we are bringing to you today, there are two, uh, well, there's also some language there that's been highlighted. Um, this is recommended language from the School Boards Association, just that, you know, we always seek relationships with businesses and grant opportunities to assist with, um, funding our technology program. But then the, the required language, um, which is required by our recent statutory changes down to the bottom of page one continues over to the top of page two. Um, and this is just setting out some very broad, um, considerations that the district needs to take into account anytime that we buy new technology resources. And you can see the reference there to cost flexibility and life cycle. And that's as required by G.S. 115 C 102.1. The other um change uh to this policy. I want to highlight to you, if we go to page uh three, the bottom half of that page as originally written, and this is another one of those policies that that dates all the way back to 2010, when we talked about professional development for our staff involving technology. Um, it referenced the technology director as being in charge of that. But in order to update this thing and really make it consistent with the way we're operating now. For one thing, we've changed the name from professional development to professional learning, but we've also made it clear throughout that for purposes of professional learning, for staff with regards to technology, it's our director of professional learning, Miss Pearson, who's really over all this now. It's not Mr. Chris Young. I mean, obviously he's a key part of all of this, but is Miss Pearson and her group that drive our professional learning opportunities here in the district? So we've made that change and that was all.

404
01:23:57,767 --> 01:23:58,467
You know, review.

405
01:23:58,467 --> 01:24:09,501
All grade staff this time within the curriculum and academics department. We asked for approval on that.

406
01:24:09,501 --> 01:24:09,901
Okay.

407
01:24:09,901 --> 01:24:13,968
Are there any comments or questions. Miss.

408
01:24:13,968 --> 01:24:18,467
Thank you for naming the person because that was my question. Who was the Director of Professional learning?

409
01:24:18,467 --> 01:24:20,767
Correct? Yes, ma'am.

410
01:24:20,767 --> 01:24:25,601
Are there any other questions or concerns?

411
01:24:25,601 --> 01:24:29,467
Okay. We need to vote.

412
01:24:29,467 --> 01:24:30,868
Do I have a motion?

413
01:24:30,868 --> 01:24:35,667
Yes, ma'am. I'll make a motion to approve the revised policy. 32. 20.

414
01:24:35,667 --> 01:24:37,868
A second. Okay.

415
01:24:37,868 --> 01:24:53,868
A motion was made by Greg West and seconded by Miss Deanna Jones. Let's vote.

416
01:24:53,868 --> 01:25:07,067
Thank you. Item 1.06 consider approval of Revised Policy 6310 Organization of Student Transportation Services for 2026.

417
01:25:07,067 --> 01:27:07,100
Thank you, Doctor Hales. Um, as you can see, this is just kind of a short policy that basically, up to this point says that, you know, we're going to operate student transportation, um, consistent with all applicable law board policies, etc.. Uh, what's been added, um, is some language that says that we obviously we can develop administrative regulations as necessary to implement this policy, but that's a given given the way your policy manual has always been set up. Superintendent always has an authority to develop administrative regulations. The real meat of the the change that appears here. Um, and where we we do need your approval is the very last paragraph which says that going forward, all job descriptions, rules, regulations and policies relating to student transportation must be posted on the school system website. Um, and obviously I've been back and forth with Miss Harden, uh, about this. And she's in the process of working with communications just to update the Transportation Department section of the website to get all that information up there. This is really kind of an obscure change. It was not incorporated into any, um, general statute, but you can see that reference down there to 16 NC, AC that's the North Carolina Administrative code. And so, um, you had folks from, you know, DPI and Dot sitting around, um, and uh, working on revisions and that resulted in a change to the administrative code, which is not something we always think about or look to, um, to drive more policy. But in this case it does. So, um, that's just a, that's a new state requirement. And we're going to be compliant.

418
01:27:07,100 --> 01:27:12,701
Are there any questions or concerns?

419
01:27:12,701 --> 01:27:16,267
May I have a motion to approve?

420
01:27:16,267 --> 01:27:23,400
I make a motion for approval of revised Policy 610 second. Okay.

421
01:27:23,400 --> 01:27:43,267
The motion was made by Miss Diana Jones, seconded by Greg West. Let's vote.

422
01:27:43,267 --> 01:27:44,400
That's unanimous.

423
01:27:44,400 --> 01:27:45,601
Thank you.

424
01:27:45,601 --> 01:27:56,801
Item 1.07 receive the North Carolina School closing procedure. Board policy and general statutes. Presentation.

425
01:27:56,801 --> 01:28:04,567
Thank you, Doctor Hales, and thank you for the opportunity to share this information. Thank you also to Chairwoman must make.

426
01:28:04,567 --> 01:28:06,167
Her input.

427
01:28:06,167 --> 01:30:02,567
In bringing this information to you all and to the public today, because I think in light of all of the, um, uh, actions taken by the board recently with regard to facilities, um, it's there's so many moving parts, there's so many legal requirements, it is easy to get lost in the weeds and for there to be some confusion or misunderstanding. So we want to try to, to bring clarity, um, to this subject today. And it's particularly relevant, um, in terms of the motions that were approved by first by the Auxiliary Committee and then by the full board back on February 9th. And I'm going to refer to some of those as we go through. I know there have been some revisions and changes to some of those actions today, but what I'm going to talk about has not changed. Okay. So it's still, you know, this is the direction that the board has given staff moving forward. So we have, uh, a school closing procedure that's, uh, incorporated in your board policy, but mainly driven by the North Carolina General Statutes. Here's your board policy 9400. It's just one of those sort of general policies, um, that says that we'll the board will consider sale and disposal of board owned property as authorized by law. Um, and then it says that the board is guided by its commitment to students, um, to provide appropriate facilities and to use its resources in the fiscally and environmentally sound manner. And then it refers to the applicable general statutes. And that 115 C 72, that's going to be the one that I'm going to talk about most today.

428
01:30:02,567 --> 01:34:36,767
Okay. So one 1572 115 C 72. It's called the consolidation of districts and the discontinuance of schools. That's the title. And this is a statute. I was mentioning this to Mr. Johnson um, before the meeting today, this statute, the history behind it and its predecessors, it goes all the way back to the Great Depression, when North Carolina school districts were strapped for money and they were scrambling for ways to, you know, continue to serve students and to keep schoolhouses open and to keep paying their teachers. And so, one of the things that they looked at in those days was consolidation of schools back when we had lots of little small country schools scattered all over the state. And, um, local school boards found it necessary for economic reasons, budget reasons, to close some of them and consolidate them into, you know, sometimes newer buildings and sometimes just bigger buildings. And when this statute refers to consolidation of distance, that's old fashioned language. Talking about, um, the, the school attendance zones that were set up for those. It's not talking about closing, you know, like the Cumberland County schools or the Sampson County School. Not that kind of district, just the districts around individual schools. Um, so we we've had this process, you know, with some revisions for decades. And I want you all to to understand from the beginning that, you know, this is one of those processes or procedures is not something that the superintendent can just start or that Mr. Coleman can just set in motion. This requires board action, and that's what was taken with respect to a number of schools back on February 9th. Um, just to kind of keep my head straight and, and keep up with the direction that that we as staff has received, I keep this little cheat sheet with those motions printed out close to me at all times. And, and if you go back and you look at a number of those motions that were passed ultimately by the full board on February 9th, you'll see language to the effect. And I'm just going to read from one. This is about Manchester Elementary School. It says it's a motion to activate the statutory process to reach a final decision regarding the possible closure of Manchester Elementary School. Okay. So I read that as an attorney and actually I've been through this process before in other counties, and I and I and I go to my statute and then I say, okay, the board has directed us as staff to begin this process. There is no final decision on the closure of that particular school, because the general statutes say, you've got to go through all these steps that I'm about to cover with you guys, but you got to start somewhere. So those motions on the ninth began this process. And as I mentioned in the second bullet, you know, again, there was no final decision to close anything on that day. It's just a if you read through a number of these is to begin this process. The other thing that I want to point out is this is about school closure and consolidation. This is about closing a school for all time. You know, the the official number at DPI comes off the books and those children are assigned to, you know, another school or maybe to a new consolidated school somewhere. This is not talking about relocation of a school or a program. So when we had the discussion earlier about relocation of Alger v Wilkins from its current site to Douglas Byrd North, that's a relocation. Alger B Wilkins will continue. You know, it's just going to be in a different place.

429
01:34:36,767 --> 01:38:47,400
Okay. So let's get into the heart of the process. And and this is just it's laid out in the statute. These are just the steps in this order. First there has to be what they call a thorough study of the school, which may be closed. And if y'all recall back, uh, when we went through this process. Lillian black. Donna fields was in Matthew's position at that time. She compiled this big notebook. She worked with a local architect to evaluate various aspects, and she also drew heavily on our existing facility studies, which we had, um, prepared as required by the state. This time around, we have the very thorough study from MGT that we can draw on. But again, just touching base with Matthew prior to this, uh, meeting today, you know, he's going to continue to work with a local architect just to make sure that that all of the technical requirements of the thorough study are met. And then you see that one through five. Those are the factors that are specifically mentioned in the statute. All of that has to be addressed somehow in this. In my mind, it's a notebook because that's, you know, that was kind of the final work product that we've always had. But of course, we can, you know, share that digitally through the website as well. Um, so you see geographic conditions, changes in school enrollment, obviously inconvenience or hardship to students. Um, cost of providing, you know, the new facilities and then it's it's open ended. You know, again, such other factors as the local board may want to consider. So you got to do that study first once the board. You know, now that the board voted the way it did on February 9th, you know, we're on this thorough study. Okay. So then once that thorough study is complete and compiled, it needs to be made available for your public and community to review. You know, for some reasonable period of time. The statute doesn't specify how long. Um, so I just I put in there a reasonable period of time because that's kind of the default under the law. Um, after there's been that review period, then there has to be a public hearing. That's a special meeting called by the board for the sole purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed closure, and because it's a public hearing. You know, although we always comply with open meetings law, I miss these are, you know, posting notices of all your board meetings. This one has to have even more notes. You know, it has to actually be published in a physical printed newspaper for two weeks and those kinds of things. So, um, you know, and that's what we've done before here in Cumberland. You know, again, Lillian Black is just an example I go back to. So you have that public hearing you hear from citizens who come and share public comment. And then after you've done that, the statute allows you to actually make the final vote on closure. So, um, you know, where we are right now is, um, on a variety of these schools where at the beginning of the process of doing that thorough study and then, you know, you can I mean, ultimately the the timing on these steps, you know, we're going to look to the board for guidance. But then we also are cognizant that one of the motions adopted on February 9th was, was the empower staff to come up, you know, with a schedule that that made sense in terms of available funding and, um, resources and that sort of thing. You know, what? Order to. To approach certain things.

430
01:38:47,400 --> 01:40:23,467
So, you know, then the logical question is, you know, well, what happens after the board actually makes that final formal vote to close a school? Um, the board then needs to make a separate determination that the property is surplus for all possible uses, um, by the Cumberland County schools. I mean, for example, um, like Pauline Jones, we've talked about that this morning. You know, there hasn't been a Pauline Jones Elementary School for some time, but the board back then obviously made a decision that, you know, we're not going to do anything. You know, we want to keep it and, and, you know, for educational purposes. And, and we were able to, you know, partner with FPC for a long time to, you know, give them a good, um, facility that they could use. Um, and so, you know, that that decision of whether or not a property is surplus that's driven by ultimately, um, begins with a superintendents recommendation. But, you know, the board, at the end of the day, in its sound discretion, has that decision, um, as to whether or not it's declared surplus. And if the board does declare a piece of property surplus and makes that determination that we just don't need it for any educational reason anymore, then it's offered to the Board of County commissioners.

431
01:40:23,467 --> 01:41:28,167
So again, just recapping the key required steps under 115 C 72 a board vote to begin the process. Okay. That's what happened on February 9th for a variety of of schools. Um and then the thorough study, some public review period of that study, the public hearing, the actual final formal board vote on closure. And then you address that question of is it surplus for school system purposes? And if so, there's a way to dispose of it. And please, you know, I've done a lot of talking, but I absolutely welcome your questions and comments. And I and I hope, you know, my prayer going into this is that we all kind of gain greater clarity, um, from looking at this.

432
01:41:28,167 --> 01:41:48,200
Are the any questions comments I would ask you, Nick, are there two from what I was reading, are there two form public forums that we must have. Or are you considering the public review period and the public hearing? Because I thought I saw two formal hearings.

433
01:41:48,200 --> 01:42:13,000
Good question, Doctor Hales. The statute only requires one. Okay. But again, you know, whether or not there's another one or how, you know, any other opportunities for public input. I mean, that that's always in the board's proof. I mean, you know, I'm just laying out what the statute requires.

434
01:42:13,000 --> 01:42:13,667
State.

435
01:42:13,667 --> 01:42:14,767
Yes, ma'am.

436
01:42:14,767 --> 01:42:16,767
Yes, ma'am. Okay.

437
01:42:16,767 --> 01:42:35,167
Just my confusion was with this was I'm glad you did bring this, because, um, when I was reading the the things that we was pushing out to the public, it said final. Final? Final. Um, the information said final. So, um, so.

438
01:42:35,167 --> 01:42:35,400
To.

439
01:42:35,400 --> 01:43:09,901
Me, if I was a parent, when I see final, I think there's nothing else. You know, there's nothing else I could do. So I think it's just the wording of how we worry things. So, like, if I didn't know this, like you said, I'm glad you did my scraper. You did. And this to our attention. Because like I said, when I saw it, I was like, final. So that means there's nothing else we need to do. So there is another. There is a lot of process that needs to go on before we we move on. So, um, I'm just just we need to kind of maybe change that on that.

440
01:43:09,901 --> 01:43:11,701
Well.

441
01:43:11,701 --> 01:43:34,901
You know, again, I defer to Doctor Whitley and his team and I have absolute confidence in them. You know, my understanding is that our information that was pushed out, I think it I think it was accurate, but I think that there are so many moving parts, so many different motions. And there were some things that that were fine.

442
01:43:34,901 --> 01:43:35,167
Yeah.

443
01:43:35,167 --> 01:43:42,968
That were because they didn't require, you know, all of this stuff. Yeah. Like, um.

444
01:43:42,968 --> 01:43:54,267
You know, a decision on allocation of remaining new construction funds or some of those relocations that we talked to. Now, y'all revisited one today. But but that but.

445
01:43:54,267 --> 01:43:57,767
People don't read that. People don't read that. So they just they just.

446
01:43:57,767 --> 01:44:02,868
So you know, I don't I mean, I don't, you know, I mean, we're not perfect. And there's all.

447
01:44:02,868 --> 01:44:03,267
I know in.

448
01:44:03,267 --> 01:44:27,267
Other ways to, to do and communicate things. But I, I do think, um, it was, it was just with the sheer volume of decisions, it was really easy to get to. Yeah, to get off track. And that's why I say, I mean, you know, if I didn't have this little cheat sheet that I carried around in my black folder, I couldn't keep up with it every day.

449
01:44:27,267 --> 01:44:28,067
So, yes.

450
01:44:28,067 --> 01:44:35,467
We just need to make sure we let go as we communicate, we just let them. Yes, ma'am. Public. No, that is not fine.

451
01:44:35,467 --> 01:44:40,267
There is a process and procedures from the state level.

452
01:44:40,267 --> 01:44:42,467
Yeah, the state level is required.

453
01:44:42,467 --> 01:44:43,267
It's quiet.

454
01:44:43,267 --> 01:45:05,601
And also. Yeah. And I'll just point out, just to kind of tie off that conversation that, you know, like the motion that I read from those motions acknowledged that. I mean, there was some recognition that it couldn't be final. Final. It was just kind of let's begin the process sort of thing.

455
01:45:05,601 --> 01:45:05,868
Okay.

456
01:45:05,868 --> 01:45:09,868
So anyway, Miss Jones and then of course, met the chair.

457
01:45:09,868 --> 01:45:11,501
Um, just want to clarify for.

458
01:45:11,501 --> 01:45:11,667
The.

459
01:45:11,667 --> 01:45:12,267
Public.

460
01:45:12,267 --> 01:45:15,667
So when you say public hearing is a public hearing.

461
01:45:15,667 --> 01:45:16,100
Per.

462
01:45:16,100 --> 01:45:16,868
School.

463
01:45:16,868 --> 01:45:17,501
Yes.

464
01:45:17,501 --> 01:45:17,868
Okay.

465
01:45:17,868 --> 01:45:20,901
Yes.

466
01:45:20,901 --> 01:45:24,267
Thank you. Yes.

467
01:45:24,267 --> 01:46:03,400
With looking at the frequently asked questions. And it says what does statutory process mean? A statutory process is a set of steps required by North Carolina law. When a school closes, consolidation or disposition of property is being considered. The process includes required notices and public engagement before the board's decisions are made. So did they leave out? Um.

468
01:46:03,400 --> 01:46:18,267
I think I think that's that that is absolutely accurate, Madam Chairwoman, in the sense that that statement that you just read was talking about all this stuff that I've just covered.

469
01:46:18,267 --> 01:46:20,567
Yeah. So. So do we do it in order?

470
01:46:20,567 --> 01:46:35,000
Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Again, these votes, legally speaking, on February 9th in many cases just directed staff to begin this process.

471
01:46:35,000 --> 01:46:36,200
That's all to begin.

472
01:46:36,200 --> 01:46:48,267
Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. The word that appears it is says several times in here. Activate the statutory process to reach a final decision.

473
01:46:48,267 --> 01:46:49,901
Do you have a question.

474
01:46:49,901 --> 01:46:52,501
Doctor? I'm sorry, Madam Chair.

475
01:46:52,501 --> 01:46:53,200
I just wanted.

476
01:46:53,200 --> 01:47:02,000
To reemphasize that's what we have communicated. We've used the board's motion and we've used the terminology. Activating the statutory process.

477
01:47:02,000 --> 01:47:02,601
As.

478
01:47:02,601 --> 01:47:35,267
So it was shared. There were some things at that meeting that were final in that the board had made a decision that did not require public input. And so I do think that that's where maybe some of the confusion with the information on the site was accurate, has been accurate and is accurate. And we followed up with FAQs to try to explain. It's just when you have 18 motions, is a very complicated, complicated topic that we're working to make sure everyone understands. Thank you. So the information is accurate. I just want you to confirm we didn't say everything was fine.

479
01:47:35,267 --> 01:47:36,467
Okay.

480
01:47:36,467 --> 01:47:43,767
Thank you, thank you. Any other questions? Comments?

481
01:47:43,767 --> 01:48:08,300
That was one of the reasons why I kept saying that. It is a complex process. I had already looked at it. It is a complex process. We can't just automatically say, and people in the community are saying, well, we're hearing that it's a final, it's final, its final. It is not final until we go through all of the steps of the process. According to the state's guidelines. Thank you.

482
01:48:08,300 --> 01:48:09,167
Yes, ma'am.

483
01:48:09,167 --> 01:48:18,467
Are there any additional questions or comments?

484
01:48:18,467 --> 01:48:35,400
All right. Since there are none for 1.07. Are there any other 1.08? Consider other committee concerns. Are there any additional committee concerns?

485
01:48:35,400 --> 01:48:43,901
If not, I consider the policy. Committee adjourned. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.

486
01:48:43,901 --> 01:48:51,701
At this time, I'd like to call to order the legislative committee. Finally, we have another meeting.

487
01:48:51,701 --> 01:49:00,267
Jackie Morris, chair Dolores Bell, Jacqueline Brown and Doctor Carrie Jordan are the members of the committee. Do I have a motion to adopt to consider adoption of the agenda?

488
01:49:00,267 --> 01:49:01,601
The motion.

489
01:49:01,601 --> 01:49:22,968
I second have a motion by Miss Brown and a second by Doctor Jordan. Let's vote.

490
01:49:22,968 --> 01:49:50,100
Next, I have a motion to approve the minutes of our last meeting minutes. I second have a motion by Jackie Brown, a second by Doctor Jordan. Matt, shall we vote?

491
01:49:50,100 --> 01:49:53,767
That's unanimous.

492
01:49:53,767 --> 01:51:18,601
Next item on our agenda is to discuss plans for a legislative breakfast and North Town Legislators and Schools week. You notice that the week is April 13th through 17th. However, when, um, Miss Caesar was looking at dates, what she was trying to select would be dates that they could actually come to Cumberland County and meet with us. So Mondays and Fridays are the better dates for them. Um, Mondays, because they go into session Monday evening and Fridays because they're usually not in session. The other reason that I asked, um, was, uh, for Douglas Byrd High School is there's been lots of questions about the restructuring of schools. What is that? What does that mean when you have, uh, your state bringing you money to. And I think the question is there also to promote, uh, the programs that are at Douglas Byrd. Uh, they do have an excellent food service class, which is what I was hoping we'd be able to schedule would be let the students in the, uh, staff there provide the breakfast so it wouldn't be a catered event. It would be a a bit, uh, done by the school and then have an opportunity for them to see the school and if possibly either, uh, take a look at all three of those campuses at the same time, especially, which we're trying to repurpose. Um, the former elementary school. Um, I bring that to you, and I know that, uh, a survey was sent out on those dates. Uh, Miss Cesar, were we able to find out when it was available for bird.

493
01:51:18,601 --> 01:51:20,300
Friday, March 20th.

494
01:51:20,300 --> 01:51:21,467
Or Monday.

495
01:51:21,467 --> 01:51:23,467
March 23rd.

496
01:51:23,467 --> 01:51:38,267
Okay, how would those look at yours with your schedules and? Is that something you want to continue with? And if there's not, if you've got a better idea, I am fine with it. I just thought this would be an opportunity for us to share what we're doing, uh, to provide better instruction for our students.

497
01:51:38,267 --> 01:51:40,901
So March 20th. And what was the 23rd?

498
01:51:40,901 --> 01:51:43,267
23rd? Yeah.

499
01:51:43,267 --> 01:51:43,667
What time.

500
01:51:43,667 --> 01:51:44,167
Would that be on.

501
01:51:44,167 --> 01:51:44,267
The.

502
01:51:44,267 --> 01:51:44,701
20th?

503
01:51:44,701 --> 01:51:45,300
It would be.

504
01:51:45,300 --> 01:51:46,868
From 38.

505
01:51:46,868 --> 01:51:49,200
30 to 11.

506
01:51:49,200 --> 01:51:50,100
It's going to it's.

507
01:51:50,100 --> 01:51:51,000
A hard stop at 11.

508
01:51:51,000 --> 01:51:52,868
I have student voices in here.

509
01:51:52,868 --> 01:51:55,901
So yeah, I doubt it last that long.

510
01:51:55,901 --> 01:52:01,868
I could leave you. Could you get permission? Okay.

511
01:52:01,868 --> 01:52:03,200
Okay. Okay.

512
01:52:03,200 --> 01:52:03,801
Sounds good.

513
01:52:03,801 --> 01:52:05,100
Which which.

514
01:52:05,100 --> 01:52:05,767
Would.

515
01:52:05,767 --> 01:52:08,300
Be thoughts on the dates? That's a Friday and a Monday.

516
01:52:08,300 --> 01:52:10,868
So for sure, Friday is the first choice.

517
01:52:10,868 --> 01:52:14,801
Fridays their first choice. Okay. That's the 20th.

518
01:52:14,801 --> 01:52:15,667
20.

519
01:52:15,667 --> 01:52:17,467
How is that going to? Would that work?

520
01:52:17,467 --> 01:52:18,167
Yes.

521
01:52:18,167 --> 01:52:23,067
Stuart. Is there anyone. Oh my God. Oh, no. No. That's fine.

522
01:52:23,067 --> 01:52:23,767
Let's do it. Friday.

523
01:52:23,767 --> 01:52:24,000
Yeah.

524
01:52:24,000 --> 01:52:24,200
Oh.

525
01:52:24,200 --> 01:52:30,367
It's Friday. Friday. Work for the committee. Is that. How does the regular board feel? Is that going to work?

526
01:52:30,367 --> 01:52:30,801
I'll make.

527
01:52:30,801 --> 01:52:31,868
It.

528
01:52:31,868 --> 01:52:32,267
What day.

529
01:52:32,267 --> 01:52:32,467
Is.

530
01:52:32,467 --> 01:52:33,000
That again?

531
01:52:33,000 --> 01:52:35,467
Next Friday will be March 20th.

532
01:52:35,467 --> 01:52:36,467
20th at eight.

533
01:52:36,467 --> 01:52:38,100
3330.

534
01:52:38,100 --> 01:52:40,267
At three 3211.

535
01:52:40,267 --> 01:52:56,367
It will probably be. Just depends. It might be in the food service line. They have enough room in those between those two classrooms that usually that's what they do. But if not, I guess just leave it up to the school and then we'll work with the school as far as what it's going to look like.

536
01:52:56,367 --> 01:52:58,167
Um, but.

537
01:52:58,167 --> 01:53:07,000
And this would be we're just inviting the General Assembly or we're going to do the county commissioners also.

538
01:53:07,000 --> 01:53:08,200
Uh, everybody.

539
01:53:08,200 --> 01:53:08,367
I.

540
01:53:08,367 --> 01:53:08,601
Think.

541
01:53:08,601 --> 01:53:12,667
Do everybody, everybody then. Yeah.

542
01:53:12,667 --> 01:53:18,167
We might as well do everybody. There's good opportunity. Kind of like we did the last, last occasion.

543
01:53:18,167 --> 01:53:23,000
Good opportunity to get married.

544
01:53:23,000 --> 01:53:24,367
Commissioner, is Mayor.

545
01:53:24,367 --> 01:53:25,000
Mouser.

546
01:53:25,000 --> 01:53:25,167
About.

547
01:53:25,167 --> 01:53:26,567
You federal people.

548
01:53:26,567 --> 01:53:27,767
Uh, your team.

549
01:53:27,767 --> 01:53:29,200
It's our main roster.

550
01:53:29,200 --> 01:53:30,200
Uh, send it out.

551
01:53:30,200 --> 01:53:41,868
Yeah, let's send it out to the everybody. Send out to everyone. That way we get lucky and get. The more participation, the better for us. Especially when there's different funding.

552
01:53:41,868 --> 01:53:42,167
Grant.

553
01:53:42,167 --> 01:53:43,868
Fundings coming available to.

554
01:53:43,868 --> 01:53:51,767
You said the best you did. The mayor's and the council. I mean, all three counties. That was the mayor's, the the the mayor's in all three counties.

555
01:53:51,767 --> 01:53:53,300
The um.

556
01:53:53,300 --> 01:54:02,567
As far as the the probably not mayor's probably just the just those that make decisions for us. Uh, everything above us.

557
01:54:02,567 --> 01:54:02,968
Okay.

558
01:54:02,968 --> 01:54:03,167
That's.

559
01:54:03,167 --> 01:54:03,567
I was just.

560
01:54:03,567 --> 01:54:15,300
Wondering. Yeah. That way we'll have we'll have the county commissioners, uh, the North Carolina General Assembly members for Cumberland County and then our representatives to the federal government as a courtesy and invitation to them.

561
01:54:15,300 --> 01:54:16,167
Cool.

562
01:54:16,167 --> 01:54:19,100
Does that work?

563
01:54:19,100 --> 01:54:24,667
Um. What time? 838 3838.

564
01:54:24,667 --> 01:54:25,701
Douglas. Byrd.

565
01:54:25,701 --> 01:54:26,567
Okay.

566
01:54:26,567 --> 01:54:26,901
March.

567
01:54:26,901 --> 01:54:27,567
The 20th.

568
01:54:27,567 --> 01:54:27,868
March.

569
01:54:27,868 --> 01:54:33,667
The 2020. Somewhere out there. Okay.

570
01:54:33,667 --> 01:54:42,501
Um, anything else that you would like to. Uh, I guess we next thing on our list. Do I need a motion for that? Can we just go with consensus on that one?

571
01:54:42,501 --> 01:54:42,767
Oh, yeah.

572
01:54:42,767 --> 01:54:47,100
Okay. All right. The next thing we have is to, um.

573
01:54:47,100 --> 01:54:47,467
Request.

574
01:54:47,467 --> 01:54:48,701
Yes. Okay.

575
01:54:48,701 --> 01:54:53,701
Are we going to have an agenda? We're talking points before we go into that.

576
01:54:53,701 --> 01:54:54,000
Yes.

577
01:54:54,000 --> 01:55:28,067
What I thought we could do is get something by then. We'll have something in reference to, uh, our our budget that we've got a preliminary budget. We've also going to have some things that we can find out between now and then to kind of give you guys talking points, but then also to as we prepare the gin to find out from Principal Williams what are some things that he thinks would be good highlights for their school. There's several things that they've accomplished recently with some of their programs. That would be a good thing that, you know, they're not offered everywhere in Cumberland County. So those would be the ones that we want to highlight there.

578
01:55:28,067 --> 01:55:32,267
We don't let them do it without second. Thank you. Yeah.

579
01:55:32,267 --> 01:55:40,567
And that was the other thing is the tours because he can they can take you on just that tour of those new programs like they're 3D printers and that that lab.

580
01:55:40,567 --> 01:55:41,067
Wonderful.

581
01:55:41,067 --> 01:56:08,467
There's several things right there that would not mean a hike. It would just be like a horseshoe kind of deal. And then if they wanted to, we could we could also entertain something over, if nothing more, just for our board to go look at the the North campus, because I think many of you haven't been in that building. It's, uh, and as it's going to be repurposed, I think it'd be perfect for you to see exactly what facilities are there. It's everything. It's a regular school because it was Byrd Elementary. All right.

582
01:56:08,467 --> 01:56:09,467
So, uh.

583
01:56:09,467 --> 01:56:13,067
Any other questions or concerns in reference to that day?

584
01:56:13,067 --> 01:56:21,367
Yes, sir. You have anything? Madam chair, do you have anything? Madam chair, do you have anything?

585
01:56:21,367 --> 01:56:27,567
It was a bird out. It was start out as Iron Drive Elementary became Byrd Elementary, and then it became. You could walk.

586
01:56:27,567 --> 01:56:28,367
From.

587
01:56:28,367 --> 01:56:29,667
Kindergarten all the way to high.

588
01:56:29,667 --> 01:56:30,567
School when.

589
01:56:30,567 --> 01:56:36,000
It originally opened. And each of those buildings were added over time. But, um. Yeah.

590
01:56:36,000 --> 01:56:37,067
So now.

591
01:56:37,067 --> 01:56:37,167
You.

592
01:56:37,167 --> 01:56:37,767
Got more.

593
01:56:37,767 --> 01:56:42,167
More knowledge.

594
01:56:42,167 --> 01:56:52,868
I guess always the school Board Association puts out a legislative agenda, and maybe there might be a few points on there that are relevant to us. So I know you can't throw everything at them.

595
01:56:52,868 --> 01:56:53,868
Yeah.

596
01:56:53,868 --> 01:56:55,467
Yes, sir.

597
01:56:55,467 --> 01:57:14,901
Madam. Committee chair, we can go ahead and send out again for you all to see your legislative agenda that you adopted last year. Yeah. I mean, the fact that there wasn't a state budget this last year. Yeah, I you know, it it's probably all pretty applicable.

598
01:57:14,901 --> 01:57:16,901
And we can tweak it based on that.

599
01:57:16,901 --> 01:57:17,501
Too.

600
01:57:17,501 --> 01:57:18,567
Especially with.

601
01:57:18,567 --> 01:57:19,267
The.

602
01:57:19,267 --> 01:57:26,968
Current needs and requests that we want to do for county commissioners. Some more information there too, I think.

603
01:57:26,968 --> 01:57:28,667
Do you have any questions?

604
01:57:28,667 --> 01:57:30,968
Any questions? None. Okay.

605
01:57:30,968 --> 01:57:44,801
Alrighty. All right. Next. Um. Uh, we have a I move to, uh, go into closed session to preserve the.

606
01:57:44,801 --> 01:58:13,000
Confidentiality of matters protected from disclosure. Persuaded to G.S. 115C-3 19 and 140 3-3 1811 A1. And preserve the attorney client privilege to persuade it to North Carolina. G.S. 143 three 18.11 1183 I second. Okay, and we have a vote.

607
01:58:13,000 --> 01:58:20,868
This will take only a few minutes, so we're not going to leave this room.

608
01:58:20,868 --> 01:59:08,868
I consider other committee concerns. I had asked, just out of curiosity. I had asked, uh, Nick about the policy that do we have a policy for Cullman County schools, especially the high schools, in reference to concession stands and concessions? There's been some issues between there's different policies at different schools. Um, and that's probably going to be brought to our attention because of, of travel time when you have to go somewhere and you want to take food in a gym and they tell you no, because they don't bring in outside food or there's items that they're not they're not being sold in some schools because they've gone through and maybe found out from health department, they can't sell this or that. And then there's just, you know, different. Different policies at different schools. And so I asked if he could look.

609
01:59:08,868 --> 01:59:09,467
In.

610
01:59:09,467 --> 01:59:22,267
And see if we had any kind of such policy. Um, but the main thing is if he can bring that back to us because spring sports. Getting ready to start. And I know that the issue has been through basketball season, which is, you know, we're on.

611
01:59:22,267 --> 01:59:24,100
The.

612
01:59:24,100 --> 01:59:49,200
The we've got still got some schools involved, but we don't have all the schools involved with concessions right now. And my thoughts on concessions or that's one of the biggest ways that these athletic boosters, uh, make funds to promote the things that are needed that that school can't pay for. And so I don't know if we've got to make sure that we don't put limitations, but we also got to make sure we're doing it fair and equal for everybody. So.

613
01:59:49,200 --> 01:59:49,767
Yes, sir.

614
01:59:49,767 --> 02:00:34,367
Um, Miss Warner, just, uh, to add to that and for my sake, in terms of clarity, My understanding was that there may have been some situations in the county where parents of student athletes were wanting to, you know, share some, you know, let their student athlete bring a bag lunch or a snack or something with them before they competed or while they're waiting or whatever, and that that's where maybe we had a friction point with individual school expectations about no outside food. Um, is is that really one of the main issues that we need to address?

615
02:00:34,367 --> 02:01:07,067
Uh, you have a JV and varsity teams traveling, and then what happens is they're going to the younger kids are going to be on that that trip for a long period of time. Parents bringing in food for that child that was playing ball. I know that, uh, my past experiences have been that we would provide the cafeteria a lot of times so that the visiting team could, you know, the parents brought food in or whatever. I don't think that's happening. I just think there's some things that have occurred that have made people feel like they weren't, um, being treated fairly. And plus the kids.

616
02:01:07,067 --> 02:01:07,767
If you.

617
02:01:07,767 --> 02:01:09,667
If you didn't have a concession stand.

618
02:01:09,667 --> 02:01:10,467
Made.

619
02:01:10,467 --> 02:01:29,901
Uh, the hot dogs and the nachos and the pizza and, but the expectation was because we played over here, they had that. But you go over here and they have no food. Um, and the parent goes down the street to Hardee's or McDonald's and brings back food. That's been an issue. Um, and I guess the main thing is it's probably not something we need.

620
02:01:29,901 --> 02:01:30,567
To.

621
02:01:30,567 --> 02:01:47,501
We just need to make sure our high schools, uh, probably maybe talk to each other and find out how they're addressing it so that the main issue has been between our schools, not between traveling to another county schools. It's been with us. Between us.

622
02:01:47,501 --> 02:01:48,501
Okay, so, Madam.

623
02:01:48,501 --> 02:01:49,367
Chair, yes.

624
02:01:49,367 --> 02:01:58,400
So what you're saying we truly need is a policy that's consistent across the entire county with the schools.

625
02:01:58,400 --> 02:02:41,200
Maybe not something quite so limiting, but just make sure that we have a conversation between our schools about good PR, because I think that's the main thing is how you deal with these student athletes. I understand them not want everybody to bring in outside food, but if you're bringing it in for your if you're a parent, bring it in for your child, then that should be understood. That kid's been there since they played JV ball, and they're going to be there until the varsity game's over. Maybe. Um, but anyway. But that's the main thing. It's just that conversation. And maybe it might just mean having the conversation with the athletic county athletic director to talk to them and see where they are in that. Okay. Alrighty. Any other concerns?

626
02:02:41,200 --> 02:02:43,367
No grief. This has.

627
02:02:43,367 --> 02:02:48,501
Been such a short committee meeting for us not to have so many of these meetings, but, uh, we'll call this meeting.

628
02:02:48,501 --> 02:02:48,501
Adjourned.