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[0:37] Good afternoon. We like to call the meeting to order. I'm calling on, um, Mr. Coats for the pledge, please.
[0:49] You join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
[0:54] I pledge allegiance.
[0:56] Flag the United States of America and To the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[1:11] I have a moment of silence.
[1:31] Thank you.
[1:41] Hello again. Um. We now have the recognition of our volunteer of the month. Before I go with the volunteer of the month, let let you know that our.
[1:57] May employee of the month was unable to join us this evening, so we would look forward to recognizing them during our June meeting in High Point. I may volunteer the money. We will begin tonight meeting recognizing I may volunteer the month. Will Mr. Aubrey Gerhart please come to the podium? I probably mispronounced that last name, but you can correct me. We are so proud to recognize this, Aubrey for his outstanding service and dedication to Pella Hampton Visual and Performing Arts school and community as a devoted father and active volunteer. He has consistently shown up for students and staff in meaningful and impactful ways. He has. He has generously volunteered his time at the Scholastic Book Fair, chaperoning field trips and supported school celebrations such as Kings and Queens Dance and the Black History Month Wax Museum. What truly set him apart is he had a very quiet spirit, quiet generosity and unwavering commitment to students. After learning that financial hardship prevented some students from participating in field trips and special events, he began setting aside a portion of his own earnings to help cover costs for the classmates in need. He hath also provided Easter baskets, but we didn't get one. Two families experiencing hardship and helping ensure students feel supported and included. Through his compassion and selflessness, he has helped create opportunities for students to fully participate in the experience that make school meaningful and memorial hits action exemplify the powerful impact that carries and dedicated volunteers have on our school and community. We sincerely, sincerely thank him for his leadership and lasting difference he continues to make in the lives of students and families. As a GCS volunteer the month he was awarded $50 gift card courtesy of Toyota of Greensboro. And at this time, I would like to invite board member Alice Rouse to present him with a certificate of recognition. On behalf of the board.
[4:39] Sir, would you pronounce your last name for me? Gothard. Gothard. Uh, from one dad to another. Thank you for setting such a standard for all of us to follow in your involvement in your kids education and their school and supporting so many and the Guilford County Board of Education Certificate of Recognition is proudly presented to Aubrey Gothard. The May 2026 volunteer of the month in recognition of your outstanding dedication, generous contributions of time and talent, and unwavering commitment to supporting the success of our Pillar Hampton visual and performing arts community. Signed by Doctor Whitney Oakley, our superintendent, and Dena Hayes, our chair.
[5:22] Thank you.
[5:42] I'm truly honored and honestly, a little surprised to recognize that the Guilford County Schools Volunteer of the month. You know, when I first heard the news, I thought it was some kind of mix up because my daughter's name is Aubrey as well, and she gets all kinds of awards, you know, But honestly, it all just started off like, you know, me trying to be a present father and volunteering and everything that she does and be present. But, you know, after a while, it became very rewarding to be at the school and encourage the students and help with the faculty. I want to thank Miss Self, her teacher, for creating an amazing environment for the kids in her class and Doctor Peebles for her leadership. But honestly, you know, these little moments in volunteering are just great for me and my daughter. So these are the moments I can remember forever. Thank you.
[6:27] We would like for you to come up so we can shake your hand along with your family and your school family. Thank you.
[7:16] And.
[7:28] I.
[7:32] Thank you.
[7:35] Thank you.
[7:41] Thank you. That's my BPA family. Finally, we will take a few moments to recognize our employees for the outstanding work that they do to support students and families. Traditionally, teachers, principals, school nutrition workers, and other school based roles are celebrated individually during the month of May. GCS recognizes that those roles are essential to the school district along with the employees, including custodian bus drivers, technology services administrators, teacher assistant, and so so, so many more. Therefore, we proclaim the month of May as GCS Employee Appreciation Month, and we invite staff and parents in the community to celebrate our GCS All Stars, namely any GCS employee who are doing great things to support the district's work. GCS Employees Appreciation Month will give the district and a community an opportunity to say thank you and show educators and school employees the respect they deserve not just this month, but every month. At this time, I like to call on board member Napa to read the proclamation into the record.
[9:10] Thank you.
[9:11] And it reads GCS Employee Appreciation Month starting May of 2026. Whereas traditionally, teachers, principals, school nutrition workers, and other school based roles are celebrated individually during the month of May, and whereas, Guilford County Schools recognizes that those roles are essential to the school district, along with many other GCS employees, including custodians, bus drivers, technology services administrators, teachers, assistants, and so many more. And whereas, in the spirit of true teamwork, we want to not only thank our teachers, but also thank the employees who work together to help help our children thrive in the classroom and beyond. And whereas a full month is needed to demonstrate to the community at large the significant impact GCS employees have on students, families and fellow staff members in Guilford County Schools. And Whereas, GCS Employee Appreciation Month will give the district and the community an opportunity to say thank you and show educators and school employees the respect they deserve. Now, therefore, the Guilford County Board of Education does hereby recognize May 2026 as GCS Employee Appreciation Month in Guilford County Schools and calls upon staff parents in the community to join us in celebrating our GCS All Stars, namely, any and all GCS employees who are doing great things to support the district's work. Signed this the 12th day of May, 2026 by Dena Hayes, our board chair and attested by Doctor Whitney Oakley, our superintendent.
[10:58] Thank you. We are now at public comment portion of our meeting. When I call your name, please come to the podium and state your name for the record. You will have three minutes to share your comments. When the amber lights comes on, you will have 15 remaining seconds to wrap up your comments to protect students and personal confidentiality. Please refrain from mentioning any student's name or staff by name. If there are any concerns, we will follow up on with a senior staff personnel outside of the boardroom. If anyone in the audience wishes to show support for the speakers, you may do so by waving your hand in first person and the only person we have. So I now call on Miss Angela Williams.
[11:52] All right.
[11:57] All right. Good evening. All. Um, for those that don't know, my name is Angie Williams. I work for Operation Excel. Um, if you're unfamiliar with Operation Excel, we provide after school academic tutoring, social emotional learning, and mentorship enrichment programs for Guilford County. We have seven sites located in five different schools and two community centers all over the county. And I just came through, really to tell you about our, uh, the things that are happening currently right now. Um, I went to one of the meetings recently where they were where migraine was talking about the North Carolina Achieving Educational Excellence, uh, program. And so it started me thinking, and I thought, you know, so much of what we do, um, helps support kids in those roles where they need a little extra help, um, to meet their benchmarks, to do the things they need to do. So we provide not only do we provide these, these, um, services for free, but we also provide transportation and meals for them when they get there. Um, we do a monthly parent cafe where we provide a full hot meal for the families themselves and, and do a lot in the community. So the things that I wanted to share with you is that I have left invitations for you guys, for our students showcases in the spring. Um, they're in the next two weeks. They're at each site. Um, you'll have the opportunity to see our students hard work and action, including their real world impact with their Stem projects. Um, we, you know, please feel free to give me a call so that we can have a personal kind of tour there. We are in the process of enrolling for three steps ahead, which is our summer program. It runs for six weeks from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help to help parents take.
[14:02] The contractual agreement with engineering pay for design of Ferndale Middle School. Bond deferred capital HVAC replacement project. The contractual agreement with Mechanical Maintenance incorporated for the Southeast Guilford High School gym HVAC replacement project. The contractual agreement with Comfort Systems USA for the Southwest Guilford High School Gym HVAC replacement project. The contractual agreement with Metalworks Mechanical Contractors Incorporated for the Northeast Guilford High School HVAC unit replacement project. The contractual agreement with Triad Roofing and Company, Incorporated for the Johnson Street Global Studies Roof Replacement Project, and the contractual agreement with Beacon Incorporated for the Southern Guilford High School Fire Alarm System installation project, and that concludes this evening's consent agenda for your consideration.
[14:49] Madam chair, I'd like to pull. Item a motion to adopt the rest of the consent agenda. Items a, b, CDFGHIJKLMNN.
[15:06] Okay.
[15:07] Um. Ready for a vote for a through d and f through n.
[15:15] Napper.
[15:16] Yes.
[15:17] With.
[15:18] Yes.
[15:20] Wellborn.
[15:20] Wellborn.
[15:21] Oh.
[15:22] Wilson. I'm sorry.
[15:28] Yes.
[15:30] Diane.
[15:32] Yes.
[15:33] Jenkins. Yes. It's a vote of 7 to 0. Um, e.
[15:39] We have Dina. We can call on Dena.
[15:41] No.
[15:43] Amendment.
[15:47] Thank you.
[15:51] Board member Hayes is now on the call for the vote. Now is 8 to 0. Okay. Um, letter E?
[16:00] Yes. I'd just like to get an explanation as to where these particular lottery funds coming from.
[16:08] Tyler's coming.
[16:09] Up.
[16:39] Okay. So this is not the DPF fund monies.
[16:42] This is not the repair and renovation fund that is distributed in the 500,000 that goes to specific product programs. The eligibility for this will allow us to use for those. However, this is the funding that has historically gone to debt service.
[17:00] Move the item.
[17:03] Okay. Ready for vote.
[17:05] Second. Irby. A second.
[17:10] Yes.
[17:11] Wellborn. Yes. Charles. Yes.
[17:14] Smalls.
[17:15] Yes.
[17:16] Jenkins. Yes. Oh. I'm sorry. Um. Miss Hayes.
[17:21] Yes.
[17:23] Okay. Motion passes 8 to 0.
[17:32] Now we have comments from the vice chair. Good evening and welcome. The student assignment window is now open. Families would like to family, to a light for their students to transfer to another school. May request reassignment from 2026 through 2027. School year reassignment requests are considered based on the availability of space, transportation, logistics, and program availability. To apply for reassignment, visit our website and click on Choose and Enroll, then neighborhood schools, then reassignment process. It is also time of the year to apply for a bus transportation. June 30th is the last day to submit the Transportation Request Form to be guaranteed service on the first day of school in August. June 20th is the last day to submit your transportation request form to be guaranteed service on the first day of school in August. Visit our websites to learn more and submit a request. Please note that most current writers would not need to resubmit a request form for transportation. If a student is currently assigned to the bus stop and is utilizing the stop. They will not need to apply. However, if your home address has changed, please submit the form. We want to thank our local sports team for allowing students to attend a game this year. This includes two baseball games with the Greensboro Grasshoppers and for the first time, a Greensboro Goggles hockey game. I know, Miss Nappa. Love that. Thank you for supporting our schools and our students. We are closing in on the year, so I want to encourage all students and staff to stay focused, get some rest and study hard. Thank you. And this concludes my remarks. I will call on Superintendent Miss Oakley. Doctor Oakley.
[20:01] Good evening. Congratulations to southwest Middle, who placed second in the state for the battle of the books competition. We're super proud of these students for immersing themselves in reading and for working together as a team. That's a really big accomplishment. Graduation season is upon us and we're celebrating our graduating seniors on social media. Please visit the YouTube channel to see dozens of college decision day videos. We'll also be sharing some longer profile stories of our outstanding graduating seniors in the coming weeks, sharing the many ways that they're fulfilling not only the Guilford Guarantee, but also workplace experiences, college credits, industry credentials. If you want to highlight an amazing GCS employee, May is a really good time to do so. Guilford County Schools always celebrates employees in May through a campaign called GCS All Stars, and we invite the community to get involved with us. If you want to submit your own GCS All Star, just share the person's name, title, a short writeup about their impact, and a photo with us for use on social media. You can find the form through Let's Talk or through our communications web page or on our website. We also want you to mark your calendars for Stem Fest. We're really proud to join Honda Jet and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this annual event. It's happening on May 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Coliseum Fieldhouse. It's a free event that has interactive exhibits and hands on activities in robotics and coding and other Stem fields. Look for more information on the website and through Peach Jar. And finally, it's not too late to register for summer arts camps, so visual arts, music and theater camps will take place weekly from June 20th 2nd to July 30th. There's summer camp opportunities on our website under Beyond the Classroom section. I also want to be sure to congratulate the school leaders who were approved by our board tonight following the consent agenda approval summer transferring to new schools in summer. Newly appointed congratulations to Elizabeth Calicut, who will be transitioning to Gillespie Park Elementary, Tokes Wall to Guilford Elementary, Nicholas Dickson to Mendenhall Middle. George Green to Nathaniel Green elementary. Alex Wertz to early college at Guilford. Karen Williams to Kerns Academy at High Point Central. Jennifer Vigo Prieto to Kirkman Park Elementary. Maggie Dowling to Millis Road Elementary, and Jennifer Cooper to principal supervisor. We're very proud of all of these staff members. And that concludes this evening's remarks.
[22:28] Thank you. We're now at committee reports. I'll call on Bill Smalls for the committee report for policy.
[22:41] Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. At our April 22nd meeting, the Policy Committee voted to publish four policy recommendations for for 30 day public comment period from May the 12th through June the 11th. The policy revisions reflect our continuing comprehensive legal review. The policies with proposed revisions are new policy seven, 710 membership in Professional Organizations. Revised policy 772 of Political Education Activity and Materials, which is proposed to be renamed Employee Political Activities Revised Policy, 3620. Student participation in extracurricular activities which is proposed to be renamed Extracurricular activities and student organizations, and the repeal of policy 3621. Student participation in interscholastic athletics. This content has been merged into policy 3620. As a reminder, you can view all the revisions in detail on the Policy Committee report on the board agenda. They will be featured on the GCS websites and social media.
[24:11] Channels after this meeting. These policy recommendations will come back to the board for consideration at the June meeting. After the public after the public has had a chance to give input. That is the Policy Committee report.
[24:28] Thank you.
[24:37] Now we'll have, um, board members comments. We'll stop miss Irby.
[24:44] Yes.
[24:44] Good evening everyone. Um, I just want to start off by saying that I had the opportunity to speak with, um, some teachers in regard to student dances and participation by parents, and there is a view that says that students will have more fun at these events because their parents are not present. And it caused me to question what type of fun is being allowed when a parent is not around that students do not feel comfortable. Um, and having more fun, you know, they're not going to dance, they're not going to do these things because parents could be present. And I just kind of beg to differ in speaking with some students. And they actually said, no, I actually enjoy having my mom around. I actually have fun with my parent, so I do know that that is something that is in the water and thinking that our students are not going to have a good time without their families and their parents being present at these types of events. I also believe that more eyes during an event at school helps to keep everyone safe, and keeps the standard of the expectation even higher. We need more eyes at these types of events, so I hope that, you know, I don't know if there was a study that was done, possibly with students that said that kids are not going to have much fun at a dance or anything like that. Um, I don't know if it's certain schools that have this type of thinking, but I do think that as a district, we want more parent engagement and there is nothing my child should be doing at school that I should not even know about. I don't know what teachers are allowing kids to do outside of dance and have a good time, but I do think that it's something for us to think about when we're not allowing parents to participate where their children are. And in that type of engagement, if I'm paying my money for my child to participate in anything, then I believe that I have a right to definitely be present at every event that is happening at school. And that is just something that I think that we need to think about. I don't know if it's happening at other schools, but it did happen and that is something that was said to me, you know, at a particular school. So I hope that that's something that, you know, can be discussed. Um, maybe through parent Academy or just thinking about how we engage parents and when we're not engaging parents, um, in a real way for our students. And again, congratulations to those that have been promoted to new, becoming new principals in the district and Southwest middle for battle of the books.
[27:44] Thank you.
[27:47] Miss Napper.
[27:50] Yes, I.
[27:50] Did love going to the gargoyles game. Doctor Oakley got to drop the puck. I got to ring the bell. It was a good time. Parent involvement. So that was a nice field trip for everybody. I got to sit there and sit there and aggravate my kid for a good couple hours. Um, that said, the field trips are seem to be winding down because now we are looking at the end of grades, AP exams, all those fun things. Um, if you're, you know, you've got a few, you've got to figure out where all the pieces fit, like me. Get them in bed, get them fed, get them woke up in the morning because the next few weeks are going to be kind of long ones. And we all got to keep it together and keep it ready and help the teachers power through to the end for our little darlings. And then we can all take a breath for a few minutes and then summer starts. It's fun. Graduation seasons also here. Congratulations to everybody moving on out of Guilford County schools will miss you guys. But the numbers that I'm hearing as far as scholarships and graduations, just the first numbers coming in are amazing. Our graduates lead and it is fantastic to see. Um, I would like to take a minute and to say a specific thank you to the page Alumni Association, Walter Page Walter Hines Page High School has had a facelift this year. Like you would not believe the major improvements have come from Guilford County Schools. We've worked on their auditorium, on their library, on their bathrooms, on their HVAC systems. Meanwhile, the alumni association has been cleaning, pruning, painting, rebuilding, reworking. Page is turning into a fantastic work of art. Um, you know, I'd love to see the graduates leave the school better than where they found it. And I'd love to see our new students coming into a school better than where it was left. So thank you to the page alumni for that. Um, and other than that, we just got a few weeks left, parents and summer is coming at us nice and hot, so I don't know. Go, canes.
[29:48] I'm getting towards the end. And again I just encourage everyone to, uh, push hard to towards the finish line. That's our students and our staff. I know it's hard for everyone. Stay strong and finish strong. Um, we're looking forward to the graduations. We want to see everyone's great success. We know we have a lot in Guilford County, and we always enjoy our graduations. So I want to say, uh, we're proud of all of you. I'm hoping for a budget real soon, like real soon. I have been engaged in some conversations, and I have high hopes that we're going to push forward. Thank you.
[30:33] I.
[30:33] Will.
[30:34] Build on the theme of budget. Um, appreciate, uh, board member Napa's comments about page and the alumni Association and even as we commend them. Um, I think we also have to interrogate a system that requires that kind of alumni engagement to improve a school. Um, our schools continue to be underfunded and to be misrepresented by our legislature. Uh, and we have to work constantly and tirelessly to improve that so that we don't have to create these temporary stop gaps. With that said, it is good to see that there is some progress on a budget in Raleigh, at least a framework for a budget released today. Um, we are hopeful that that will continue and include meaningful, real progress and raises for our teachers. And I think those that should be commended most for that progress are our educators and our teachers themselves, who united and raised their voice and use that kind of, um, will and and, um, public, uh, well, frankly, shaming people into doing the right thing by gathering on May day. May 1st. It was good to be there. I know some of us were able to hear that call from the GC and others that invited us to march with them. Um, it was good to be there for May day, uh, to feel the pulsing energy from our teachers to see the how inspiring the work that they do to see so many of our students there right alongside of them. I'd say a highlight for me, and a story that I brought back occurred towards the end during the rally portion. Um, when a child was lost and there was an announcement from the stage that Nathan was lost. And how long do you think it took those teachers to find Nathan? About a second and a half. And so let's do what we need to do so our teachers can keep finding our kids.
[33:37] Now, there are a lot of reasons for this. And, you know, I think some of them are pretty self-evident. So I'm not going to belabor that. But right now, the perennial siren song of lower taxes has raised its head again. If this was such a wonderful remedy for all of society society's ills, you know, why is the wealth gap basically accelerated, widened over the last 45 years? And why has despair become a national sentiment? Um, it's a siren song and a lot of a lot of instances.
[34:24] The current siren song has passed the North Carolina Senate, and that's the moratorium. Supposedly, it's a one year moratorium on the tax assessments that came out. The tax assessment doesn't automatically mean a race that gets worked out through a process, through the county commissioners and the county commissioners are elected. So, you know, the system can correct itself. But when we have this one year moratorium, what do you think is going to happen next year? My betting is it'll be extended.
[35:44] Paul.
[35:47] First, I want to give a report from the North Carolina School Board. Association. Uh, policy committee met yesterday. Planning committee met today. And the planning committee is asking for recommendations for participation in the um state conference, which will be the second week in November. Um, I'm going to if the superintendent has no objections, recommend Guilford County, because I'm very proud of what Guilford County has to offer. Uh, one of the areas that they're interested in is how we've been able to maneuver construction of all of our buildings. I mean, when I'm listening to other school districts talk about how they haven't built a school in 20 years, and they want to know how. Uh, I think we have the expertise because I think Doctor Monken, the superintendent, can, you know, probably tell you how to build a school in your sleep now. Uh, so and there are other programs that we've offered that we do that I think that we could offer our expertise at the state level. So I wanted to bring that report. Secondly, I want to thank Weaver for allowing me to be there. Uh, art studio, uh, uh, presenter for April. Uh, we ought to be very, very proud of our students. The the, uh, the, um, audience decorum was excellent. But what would you have expected at Weaver? Uh, I mean, and I'm not saying that because I was the presenter, but I do appreciate the way the students listened and engaged and seemed to enjoy what I had to offer. I also want to thank Pilar Hampton for my t shirt. I put it on immediately because it was the right size, so I appreciate them getting it to me so it would fit. I also want to let you know that the Downtown Greenway is finished. It has taken us since 2008, and I've been on that committee since its beginning, when then-Mayor the late Yvonne Johnson appointed me to that committee. So we're talking about a period of 18 years and for me, two different elective boards. The ribbon cutting will be Saturday at 11:00 at 501 Guilford Avenue. And you can go to the Greenway, the Downtown greenway.org/grand
[38:10] opening if you want the maps and the where. I would suggest that you get there early so that you can find a parking space. But I do want you to know, since I've been there from the beginning, that a lot of people probably don't know that Jones Elementary actually submitted the first artwork that is on the the the end of the Greenway that's next to Gate City Boulevard. And then Gillespie contributed and so did Swan. So I tried to make sure that our schools, uh, see the benefit of being involved in this 4.5 mile greenway. And if you haven't had a chance to walk it, uh, they also for our senior people, uh, have, um, uh, go karts that will take you around if you can't walk or run the greenway. But, uh, this has been a we expected to finish this in ten years, and it's taken 18 years to finally do this. And it was not. It was funded by private donations. So I think it's something that we should all, as I used to call it, it was the hug around Greensboro, the downtown of Greensboro. So I'm very proud to have been a part of that and want to thank Daphne Saunders and all of the folks who worked on this project for the last 18 years. Uh, and that ends my comments. Thank you.
[39:37] Motion to adjourn.
[39:38] It's Hayes.
[39:41] Thank you. I'll save my comments for our in-person meeting in June. And I just want to thank all of the appointments Doctor Oakley mentioned, and looking forward to seeing our students and staff and workforce. And you all added graduations.
[39:58] Thank you. Um, I had the opportunity to speak with Representative Tracy Clark at our North Carolina Legislators School Week, and she asked the question, what do you need? Well, that was very simple to me. What I need and what we need is to get a budget passed. And we need it now because of the fact it's embarrassing to be the only state without a budget. So that was my question in a short form. Also, I attended the American Indian Town Hall. It was simply amazing. Um, I saw how the numbers have grown at. Last year it was 3000, um, students. And this year I'm sorry. Native native literacy live with 3000 and this year was 4200 that it grew 1200. And they had the same school based training and the same cultural classes. So it's a lot that they are doing to make sure that the students, um, get an education and also graduate. May day was phenomenal. And I thank Ebony Burnett for assisting. Um, we had a nice ride to Raleigh and and back, but it was also special because it was my mother's 91st heavenly birthday. So, um, I make sure that I honor her also. But second of all, it was around 10,000 people there, so I'm sure there's about 100,000 that was either on the TV or watching, um, by YouTube. And we had someone from our organization to speak. Sean to Richards, she is a National Educator Association director, and she was phenomenal. She spoke with authority, um, confidence and power. It showed that she was a true advocate for public schools, and she's very knowledgeable about the public work. Um, happy belated Mother's Day to all the mother, the mother's figures. You may not birth a child, but all the kids that you come in contact, um, look up to you as their mother. Lastly, I would like to thank many organizations who held interviews for the senior students in Guilford County schools. Um, the number. Uh, that's going up, and I, um, I love it because my granddaughter can stay at my pockets and I want to get a shout out to her, because last Sunday, she won Miss Jabberwock. Which means that my pockets can stay a little bit full instead of empty. And I don't have to ask Doctor Oakley for a loan. But with that, I say thank you very much and have a good night. Waiting for adjournment, please.
[42:46] Thank you to adjourn second.
[42:48] Okay. Um. Roll call.
[42:52] Napa. Yes. Wellborn. Yes.
[42:56] Coats. Evans. Fall. Um.
[43:02] Jenkins. Yes. So thank you. Have a good night. Be safe.