[00:00:01]
CLOSE CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY BEAUFORT COUNTY.
[Call to Order]
THE BEAUFORT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 13TH, 2023.THIS MEETING IS BEING CONDUCTED BY A HYBRID VIDEO CONFERENCING AND IS ALSO BEING LIVE STREAMED BY THE COUNTY CHANNEL.
PARTICIPATION WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN FIVE AND FIVE 30 THIS EVENING BY SENDING AN EMAIL WITH YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER, AND TOPIC TO ROBIN.
AND THAT'S ROBIN WITH A Y CUSHINGBERRY@BUFORT.K12.SC.US.
YOULL RECEIVE A PHONE CALL DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS WHERE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SPEAK AND ADDRESS THE BOARD FOR A MAXIMUM OF THREE MINUTES.
ON ISSUES WITHIN THE BOARD'S DOMAIN, THE FORM IS LIMITED TO 30 MINUTES.
IF YOU'RE IN PERSON, YOU MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD FOR A MAXIMUM OF THREE MINUTES ON ISSUE WITHIN THE BOARD'S DOMAIN.
EACH SPEAKER MUST FILL OUT A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD AND PLEASE SEE THE BOARD CLERK FOR THE CARD REQUEST FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC.
COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THIS EVENING BETWEEN SEVEN AND SEVEN 30.
THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT NO LATER THAN 9:00 PM THE SECOND FORM IS LIMITED TO 15 MINUTES.
IN THE EVENT THE BOARD IS NOT FINISHED ADDRESSING ALL ITEMS LISTED ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE TOMORROW EVENING, JUNE 14TH, 2023 AT 6:00 PM TO FINISH THE AGENDA ITEMS,
[Executive Session]
WE NOW NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.EXECUTIVE SESSION TOPICS, RECEIPT OF LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING TWO PENDING CLAIMS AND ONE POTENTIAL CLAIM PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION THREE ZERO DASH FOUR DASH 70 82.
SECOND ITEM, EMPLOYMENT MATTER REGARDING PERSONAL RATIFICATION REPORT PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION THREE ZERO DASH FOUR DASH SEVEN A.
ONE THIRD ITEM, DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSE CHARLES PERRY PARTNERS INCORPORATED CONTRACT G M P GROSS MAXIMUM PRICE AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AT RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION 30 DASH FOUR DASH 70 A TWO.
NEXT ITEM, DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSE CHARLES PERRY PARTNERS INCORPORATED CONTRACT GMP AMENDMENT NUMBER EIGHT, PHASE ONE FOR SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AT RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION THREE ZERO DASH FOUR DASH SEVEN ZERO A TWO.
NEXT ITEM, DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSE MB CON CONTRACT G M P AMENDMENT NUMBER 41 FOR NEW FIELD HOUSE REMAINING ATHLETIC SCOPE, PUBLIC ADDRESS INTERCON AND CABLING FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION 30 DASH FOUR DASH 70 A TWO.
NEXT ITEM, DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSE THOMPSON TURNER CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT G M P AMENDMENT NUMBER 46 FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER PURSUANT TO CODE SC SECTION THREE ZERO DASH FOUR DASH SEVEN ZERO A TWO.
AND LASTLY, DISCUSSION OF NEGOTIATIONS INCIDENT TO PROPOSE THOMPSON TURNER CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT GMP AMENDMENT NUMBER 47 FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE AT OKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PURSUANT TO SC CODE SECTION THREE ZERO DASH FOUR DASH 70 82.
UH, COLONEL GEIER AND MR. EARL CAMPBELL.
ANY DISCUSSION MR. SMITH? UH, YES MA'AM.
CHAIR, UM, WHO WILL BE GIVING US LEGAL ADVICE AND, AND EXECUTIVE SESSION? WE HAVE, UH, MS. CARTILAGE, OUR, UH, SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTORNEY? YES, SIR.
AND WE ALSO HAVE, UH, MR. MITCHELL GRIFFITH, WHO IS A SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARD INSURANCE TRUST ASSIGNED ATTORNEY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, PLEASE SAY AYE.
[00:05:01]
AYE.SO, UM, CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME HERE WITH WHO'S, UH, ONLINE? WE HAVE ELIZABETH AND WILL WE HAVE IS CHLOE OKAY.
UM, ANGELA? THE MOTION CARRIES EIGHT ZERO.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SAFE? DON'T PROVIDE EASY ACCESS, ESPECIALLY TO NARCOTIC MEDICATIONS.
INVENTORY YOUR MEDICINE CABINETS, ESPECIALLY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SAFELY, DISCARD, OUTDATED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS PROPERLY.
DID YOU KNOW BEAUFORT COUNTY HAS MANY LOCATIONS FOR YOU TO DISPOSE YOUR OUTDATED OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS? BEAUFORT COUNTY IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.
THE COUNTY CHANNEL, YOUR SOURCE FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, FROM COUNTY, COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL BOARD AND LOCAL EVENTS, THE COUNTY CHANNEL WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE.
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF THE COUNTY CHANNEL SCHEDULE, GO TO BEAUFORT COUNTY SC.GOV, SCROLL DOWN AND CLICK ON WATCH NOW.
AND CHOOSE YOUR SELECTION FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF MEETINGS, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS.
IT'S THE COUNTY CHANNEL AND WELCOME TO THE BUTT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BUSINESS MEETING OF JUNE 13TH, 2023.
THIS MEETING IS BEING CONDUCTED BY A HYBRID VIDEO CONFERENCING AND IS ALSO BEING LIVE STREAMED ON THE COUNTY CHANNEL.
THE BOARD HAS JUST MET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE ARE NOW BACK IN PUBLIC SESSION.
[Action as Necessary or Appropriate Regarding Matters Discussed in Executive Session]
AS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE REGARDING THE MATTERS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? YES, MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE, UH, SIX MOTIONS, UH, TO, UH, BRING BEFORE THE BOARD.UH, MOTION NUMBER ONE, I MOVE.
WE APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR EMPLOYMENT LISTED IN THE MAY 1ST, 2023, MAY 31ST, 2023.
PERSONNEL RATIFICATION REPORT.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND VOTE? RIGHT SECOND, THE MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE.
THE SECOND MOTION IS I MOVE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER SEVEN FOR RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE WITH CHARLES PERRY PARTNERS FOR A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE OF $2,705,887.
MR. SECOND, THE MOTION DISCUSSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ANY NA AND ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO IT'S I BELIEVE, UH, NINE, YEAH.
SO THE MOTION CARRIES MR. SMITH MIDDLE CENTER, NOT HERE.
OK, MADAM CHAIR, ITEM MOTION NUMBER THREE, I MOVE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER EIGHT FOR RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PHASE ONE, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE WITH CHARLES PERRY PARTNERS FOR A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE OF $931,824.
OKAY, SO THE MOTION CARRIES, UM, 9 0 1 MADAM CHAIR.
MOTION NUMBER FOUR, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE A AMENDMENT NUMBER 41 FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL, REMAINING ATHLETICS, SAFETY,
[00:10:01]
SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE WITH MB CON CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED FOR A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE OF $5,648,747.UH, THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY INGRID INGRID BOATWRIGHT.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
A AYE, UH, ANY NA AND ANY ABSTENTION.
SO THE MOTION CARRIES, UH, 9 0 1 MADAM CHAIR.
MOTION NUMBER FIVE, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 46 FOR HILTON HEAD ISLAND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE WITH THOMPSON TURNER CONSTRUCTION FOR A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE OF $2,751,971.
ALL RIGHT, MS. CHLOE GORDON, SECOND THE MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
9 0 1 MADAM CHAIR, THE LAST MOTION I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 47 FOR OKT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SAFETY, SECURITY, AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE SCOPE WITH THOMPSON TURNER'S CONSTRUCTION FOR A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE OF $3,098,428.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY EARL CAMPBELL.
DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AND, UH, EXTENSIONS THE MOTION CARRIES 9 0 1.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS, UH, VICE CHAIR GEIER FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION? NO, MA'AM.
[Approval of Agenda]
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA, WE NEED APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.SO MR. EARL CAMPBELL MAKES THE MOTION, MR. CARLTON DALLAS SECONDS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ANY, UH, STATE, ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO THAT PASSAGE UNANIMOUSLY 10.
[Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence, Statement of Media Notification]
STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.PLEASE STAY STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
BECCA MADIN, A STUDENT FROM BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT APRIL 18TH, 2023, AND HE PASSED AWAY MAY 27TH.
THE MEDIA HAS BEEN PROPERLY NOTIFIED.
[Points of Celebration]
TO POINTS OF CELEBRATION, DR.UM, THIS EVENING UNDER POINTS OF CELEBRATION, WE HAVE, UH, QUITE A FEW ITEMS AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE, UH, WE TAKE OUR TIME TO CELEBRATE.
UM, WE'LL BEGIN WITH OUR CHARACTER EDUCATION AND THE CHARACTER ED FOR, FOR MAY.
UH, UH, IN THIS CHARACTER ED PROGRAM WAS FORMED TO SUPPORT PARENTS' EFFORTS TO DEVELOP GOOD CHARACTER IN THEIR CHILDREN.
AND TONIGHT WE'RE CELEBRATING THE CHARACTER ED STUDENT OF THE MONTH EXHIBITING THE CHARACTER TRAITS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND COOPERATION.
RESPONSIBILITY IS DEFINED AS BEING ACCOUNTABLE IN WORD AND DEED.
COOPERATION IS DEFINED AS THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO THE SAME END STUDENT OF THE MONTH.
AS WE KNOW, WE CELEBRATE THEM FOR NORTHERN BUFORD COUNTY AND FOR SOUTHERN BUFORD COUNTY.
AND WE WILL BEGIN TODAY, THE STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR NORTHERN BUFORD COUNTY.
AND THAT IS ARMANI HUTCHINSON, A RECENT BATTERY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE.
AND HERE TO INTRODUCE, UH, INTRODUCE HER IS HER PRINCIPAL, MS. ARD.
THIS IS ARMANI HUTCHINSON, A REACHING RECENT GRADUATE OF BATTERY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL.
[00:15:01]
UM, ONE THING THAT I WOULD LOVE TO HIGHLIGHT ABOUT THIS YOUNG LADY IS JUST SHE IS THE EPITOME OF A QUIET LEADER.UM, EVERYTHING ABOUT HER, SHE GIVES 100%.
SHE HAS EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMICS, UM, ROLE MODEL BEHAVIOR, EXCEPTIONAL ATTENDANCE, AND SHE'S A VARSITY ATHLETE AS WELL AS WORKING A JOB WHILE KEEPING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE.
EVERYTHING SHE DOES WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE.
AND SHE TRULY EPITOMIZES RESPONSIBILITY, BEING ABLE TO MEET ALL OF THOSE OBLIGATIONS VERY EASILY, IT SEEMS, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE AT TIMES THAT SHE HAD TO JUGGLE SOME THINGS BUT NEVER SAW HER SWEAT AND SHE ALWAYS GAVE A HUNDRED PERCENT.
SO WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING SHE DID FOR US AS A SCHOOL AND THE EXAMPLE SHE LED FOR OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS.
OUR CHARACTER ED, UH, STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR SOUTHERN BUFORD COUNTY IS CHRISTIAN VASQUEZ, A FORMER FIFTH GRADER AT OK ATE ELEMENTARY.
AND HERE TO INTRODUCE CHRISTIAN IS, UH, MS. LEESE, THE PRINCIPAL AT OKAT ATE ELEMENTARY.
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH CHRISTIAN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND HE IS ALSO A QUIET LEADER.
HE HAS TAKEN ON THE ROLE IN OUR MORNING NEWS CREW AND ALWAYS LOOKS FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES.
IF THERE'S EVER A CHANCE IN SCHOOL THAT YOU NEED SOMETHING DONE, HE'S ALWAYS LIKE, I'M HAPPY TO DO IT.
HE SHOWS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CLASSROOM, IN HIS READING, HIS ACADEMICS, AND HE IS ALWAYS LOOKING AT FOR WAYS TO MENTOR OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS AS WELL.
HE HAS A WONDERFUL BIG BROTHER AND I KNOW HE MAKES HIS FAMILY VERY PROUD IN ALL THAT HE DOES.
HE REPRESENTS ATE WITH THE VERY BEST IN LEADERSHIP AND HE WILL DO GREAT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
HEY, THE NEXT ITEM, UH, THIS EVENING IS OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR.
UH, THIS IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE POINTS OF CELEBRATION AND TONIGHT WE HAVE THE HONOR OF RECOGNIZING EACH OF OUR SCHOOL'S TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR.
THE PROFESSIONALS THAT WE RECOGNIZE TONIGHT WERE SELECTED BY THEIR PEERS, WHICH MAKES THEIR AWARDS EVEN MORE SPECIAL.
ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT, WE SUPPORT EACH OF YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND SO, IF YOU'LL PERMIT ME, I WILL MOVE THROUGH THE LIST ANNOUNCING THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR FOR EACH SCHOOL.
THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS GLORIA MICKEL AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS PIKA MULLIGAN AT BATTERY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL.
THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS KAREN TOMAN AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS LATRICIA BROWN AT BEAUFORT ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS SUZANNE DEVAL BLANK AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MYRTLE THOMPSON AT BEAUFORT HIGH TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS MEGAN STEVENSON, AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS ELENA SIMMONS BEAUFORT JASPER ACADEMY FOR CAREER EXCELLENCE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS KIM MCGUIRE AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS DENISE HAN AT BUFORD MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS AMY EDWARDS.
OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS TER HAMILTON AT BLUFFTON ELEMENTARY AND E CCC, OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
IT'S KRISTEN SIEBOLD AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS DEBORAH ALBERT AT BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS ANDREW BARNWELL AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS LAURA PUMA REJO AT BLUFFTON MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS TO SMITH AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS ANN JONES AT BROAD RIVER ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS LOURDES RUDE AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS TONY BUTLER AT CUSA ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS APRIL BRYANT AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS JENNIFER CHASTAIN AT HE MCCRACKEN MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS LISA LUCAS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS SAMANTHA KRUGEL AT HILTON HEAD CHILDHOOD CENTER.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS DANNY BOTH AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS FLORIDA BARROSO AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS TARKIN BEST, AND
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OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MEGAN BURKE AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND IB ELEMENTARY.OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS ANN JEANETTE OLANDER AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MARSHA SIM AT HILTON HEAD, ISLAND MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS HALEY EASTER AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS SARAH AL AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND SCHOOL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS MARK SADLER AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS FAA AIKEN AT JOSEPH S SHANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS DANA WILLINGHAM AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR REGINA HOLMES AT LADIES ISLAND ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS CARRIE ATKINS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS TIKA GREEN AT LADIES ISLAND MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS ALEXANDRIA BRIT AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MAUREEN MURPHY AT MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS JAMES KING AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS JULIE GALEY AT MC RILEY ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS DORIS BESHIR AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MYRA DE MAYO AT MOSSI OAKS ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS AMANDA FREEMAN AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS JOHN WEBSTER OGLE AT OKT ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS CHRISTINE LANCASTER AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS JENNIFER WILLIAMSON AT PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS SARAH REED AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS ELIZABETH SAUER AT PRITCHARD ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS KAYLYN KISH AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS SURRAY ORTEGA AT RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS RANDY HARMS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS EDDIE RODRIGUEZ AT RIVER RIDGE ACADEMY.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS JESSICA FOXWORTH AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS DR.
PETER MCCRAY AT ROBERT SMALLS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS TIMOTHY KELLY AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS TANISHA BAAS AT ST.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS MICHELLE WASHINGTON AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS NADIA GANTT AT WILL BRANCH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS JOSH FERGUSON AND SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS LORNA LAMAR AT WILL BRANCH ELEMENTARY AND JJ DAVIS EARLY.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS SHALANDA SIMMONS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS DEANNE EVANS AT WILL BRANCH MIDDLE.
OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS GWENDOLYN ATKINS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS TOYA WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT.
OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS AMY MOONA IN THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR IS MONIQUE WALLACE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
ANNA LES BILINGUAL LIAISON AND DISTRICT OFFICE RECEPTIONIST WHO IS OUR SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR IS MARIANA SU SLO AT PRITCHARD V ELEMENTARY.
I CONGRATULATE ALL OF THESE EDUCATORS, TEACHERS SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR.
WE COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
THE NEXT ITEM ON POINTS OF CELEBRATION IS RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY WORLD AND STATE ROBOTICS COMPETITION RECOGNITIONS.
AT RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY WE HAD TWO WINNING ROBOTICS TEAMS, ONE AT THE VEX IQ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND ONE AT THE VEX IQ SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
AND HERE TO INTRODUCE THE TWO WINNING TEAMS IS RIVERRIDGE PRINCIPAL MR. BRIAN REMAN.
AND I SEE MR. ERIC MORMAN, WHO IS THE TEACHER WHO WORKS CLOSELY WITH OUR ROBOTICS TEAMS. SARAH, GOOD EVENING.
UH, COULD WE HAVE ALL OF THE STUDENTS COME UP THAT WERE PART OF THEIR TWO TEAMS THAT ARE PRESENT TONIGHT AT RIVER RIDGE ACADEMY? WE LOVE STEM EDUCATION, UH, NOT ONLY DURING THE DAY BUT AFTER SCHOOL.
AND ONE OF OUR BIG AFTERSCHOOL STEM PROGRAMS IS OUR VEX IQ ROBOTICS, UH, CLUB TONIGHT WITH US, WE HAVE TWO TEAMS FROM RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY.
UM, AND WE HAD MORE TEAMS THIS YEAR THAN WE'VE HAD IN ANY OTHER PREVIOUS YEAR.
UH, LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE QUALIFIED AT T TEAM TO THE WORLD EVENT AND THIS YEAR WE ACTUALLY QUALIFIED THREE RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY TEAMS TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT.
UM, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US.
OUR FIRST GROUP, OUR GROUP OF GIRLS INCLUDE LUCY MORMAN, RILEY BRAHAM, AND BAILEY COX.
THEY ARE TEAM 9 8 99 G THE ARTEMIS BOTS THIS YEAR AT THE VEX IQ SOUTH CAROLINA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
UH, THEY WERE THE ROBOT SKILLS CHAMPIONSHIP, UH, CHAMPION.
THEY HAD A TOP COMBINED PROGRAMMING AND DRIVING SKILLS
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CHALLENGE SCORE.UM, THEY ALSO WERE THE TEAMWORK CHAMPION, A FIRST PLACE TEAMWORK CHALLENGE ALLIANCE.
AND THEY ALSO RECEIVED THE EXCELLENCE AWARD, WHICH IS A TOP ALL AROUND PROGRAM AWARD.
THEY DID AN AWESOME, AWESOME JOB THERE AND THEN ALSO CONTINUED THEIR SUCCESS AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN DALLAS.
OUR NEXT GROUP, OUR GROUP OF BOYS, WE HAVE JACKSON KRA, ETHAN OWLETTE, BROCK COX AND FINN MA.
THEY ARE TEAM 9 8 9 9 F THE HAMMERHEADS.
UH, MANY OF THEM RETURNED BACK TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR, SO THEY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE LAST YEAR.
THEY EARNED A SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD IN DALLAS AT THE VEX IQ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
AND THIS AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A TEAM THAT HAS EARNED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF THEIR VOLUNTEERS AND PEERS.
UH, AND THIS IS A BALLOT AWARD.
SO OTHER TEAM MEMBERS, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION VOTED FOR THESE YOUNG MEN, UH, TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD.
THE KEY CRITERIA IS THAT THEY ARE COURTEOUS, HELPFUL, AND RESPECTFUL, BOTH ON AND OFF THE ARENA.
UH, THEY INTERACT WITH OTHERS ON THE GAME FIELD.
IN THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDLY COLLABORATION, THEY DEMONSTRATE RESPECT AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP EVENT STAFF, OTHER TEAMS AND SPECTATORS.
AND OVERALL, THEY ARE EXTREMELY ENTHUSIASTIC THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE EVENT.
SO LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
OUR WILL BRANCH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRACK STATE CHAMPIONS AND BRADFORD THOMPSON IS A BOYS DISCUS STATE CHAMP.
AND SO DURING THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR, OUR WHALE BRANCH, EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRACK TEAM WAS CROWNED THE 2023 CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONS AND BRADFORD THOMPSON EARNED THE TITLE OF THE BOYS DISCUS STATE CHAMPION.
AND HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENT IS WILL BRANCH EARLY COLLEGE COACH BRAD TERICA.
SO BEFORE COACH TER, CHUCK COMES TO MIKE AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE TO, UH, THANK EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING THESE YOUNG LADIES.
UH, THEY ENDEAVORED TO ACHIEVE AT A HIGH LEVEL.
UM, THIS HAS BEEN THEIR MANTRA FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.
UH, THREE YEARS AGO, UH, THEY WERE STATE RUNNER UPS, UH, LAST YEAR STATE CHAMPIONS.
AND AGAIN, THIS YEAR THE BEAUTY OF THIS GROUP, NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL BEAUTY, IS THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ALL SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS AND FRESHMEN.
SO THERE'S A VERY, VERY STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THEY'LL BE STANDING HERE BEFORE YOU AGAIN ON NEXT YEAR.
OUR HEAD COACH IS MR. BRAD TACHU.
UH, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF HIRING COACH TACHU, UH, MANY MOONS AGO BACK IN 2011, I THINK IT WAS HIS FIRST SCHOOL YEAR.
AND, UH, I INTERVIEWED, IT WAS A PHONE INTERVIEW.
I ASKED HIM A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT TRACK AND FIELD AND I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT IN WHAT I WAS HEARING FROM HIM.
UH, HE'S WORKED EXTREMELY HARD WITH THESE YOUNG LADIES AND WITH OUR TRIKE PROGRAM.
AND AT THIS TIME I WILL PASS THE MIC ON TO, UH, COACH TARA.
CHUCK, UH, THANK YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FOR HAVING ME BACK UP HERE AGAIN.
UH, AGAIN, HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE BACK, UH, NEXT YEAR.
UM, WHILE I APPRECIATE CAVE, UH, SAYING ALL THAT FOR ME, UM, I DIDN'T ACTUALLY GET TO RUN.
IT IS ACTUALLY A CREDIT TO ALL OF THEM.
UM, SO I'M GONNA INTRODUCE ALL OF THEM TO YOU.
UH, STARTING WITH MY YOUNGEST AS A FRESHMAN ADAMS, I HAVE TWO SOPHOMORES, GRACE BING, AND I HAVE THE BIRTHDAY GIRL TODAY.
17 JUNIOR ISHA BARTLEY AND BIRTHDAY GIRLS TO BE TOMORROW.
AND DESTINY PRIOR, JUNIOR AND JUNIOR.
[00:30:09]
RIGHT IN FRONT.BEFORE THE TEAM EXITS AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER.
AND AGAIN, HE HAS ALWAYS, UH, LOOKED OUT FOR THE BEST ENTRIES OF THE WORLD BRANCH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS, UH, OF WORLD BRANCH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MR. CAMPBELL WITH A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD MEDAL.
MR. CAMPBELL, UH, DIDN'T TELL YOU, BUT HE RAN THE 400 IN RECORD TIME.
NEXT IN POINTS OF CELEBRATION AS A LIFE VAC DONATION.
ONE WAY OUR COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATES THEIR APPRECIATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IS THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS.
AND TONIGHT WE RECOGNIZE A DONATION OF 40 LIFE VAC KITS.
ENOUGH FOR EVERY SCHOOL FROM VIMA DESAI.
WOULD THE DISTRICT'S, UH, NURSE MS. ANDREW, UH, COME FORWARD AT THIS TIME? AND MR. DESAI, IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD AS WELL.
UM, ON BEHALF OF ALL THE SCHOOL NURSES AND ALL THE STUDENTS, WE TRULY, TRULY APPRECIATE THIS GENEROUS GIFT OF LIFE AT KITS, UM, FOR EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS.
UM, IT IS CAN SAVE A STUDENT, A STAFF MEMBER, ANYONE THAT IS CHOKING.
NEXT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE, UH, HEAR A LOT ABOUT AND WE TALK A LOT ABOUT IS THE WORK THAT OUR FINANCE TEAM DOES, UH, HERE IN THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE.
THEY DO AN OUTSTANDING AND AN EXCELLENT JOB.
THAT'S NOT JUST MY OPINION, THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED WITH THE TYLER EXCELLENCE AWARD.
RECENTLY, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED THIS TYLER EXCELLENCE AWARD AND OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, MS. TANYA CROSBY AND COORDINATOR OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS, MS. SHEILA BIRCH, IS HERE TO TELL US ABOUT IT.
OKAY, I JUST NEED TO TALK A LITTLE LOUDER.
I JUST WANNA TELL YOU A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE AWARD, HOW WE ACHIEVED IT, WHAT OUR GOALS WERE, WHAT OUR NEEDS WERE.
AND, UH, SO YOU MAY ALL BE FAMILIAR WITH THE WORD MUNIS.
MUNIS IS OUR MUNICIPAL INFORMATION SYSTEM.
IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS INTER ENTERPRISE E R P.
IT IS THE FLAGSHIP E R P SYSTEM FOR TYLER TECHNOLOGIES OUT OF PLANO, TEXAS.
UM, WE UTILIZE THIS SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR FINANCIAL, UH, PURPOSES, PAYROLL, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND OTHER OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS. UH, HAVING BEEN A PART OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT TEAM, UH, FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MUNIS, I HAVE SEEN THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM EVOLVE OVER MANY YEARS AND IT'S HAS SUPPORTED OUR NEEDS VERY WELL.
OVER THAT TIME, HOWEVER, UH, THERE WAS A NEED TO MOVE TO THE CLOUD AND THAT WAS VERY, HAS PRESENTED ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH HURRICANES SHUTDOWNS DUE TO SNOW OR OTHER WEATHER, UH, EVENTS.
AND, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PANDEMIC.
UH, SO THE NEED TO WORK REMOTELY WAS VERY EVIDENT.
UM, AND SO THIS SYSTEM, UM, THE SYSTEM WE'RE
[00:35:01]
MOVING TO, WE HAVE MOVED TO IS CLOUD-BASED AND ALLOWS US TO DO THAT.UH, SO JUST BECAUSE WE ARE EVACUATED OR NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN A PHYSICAL BUILDING, THERE STILL IS AN EXPECTATION THAT EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID 3000 OF THEM THE MOST IN, UH, OF ALL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY AND OUR CONTRACTORS WHO ARE WORKING ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROJECTS AS WELL.
SO THIS, THIS MOVING TO THE CLOUD WAS VERY NECESSARY FOR US.
UM, MASSIVE SAVINGS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED IN THIS, UM, THIS MOVEMENT AND THIS IMPLEMENTATION.
UH, WHAT IT DOES IS TAKES THE WORKLOAD OFF OF THE TECHNOLOGY STAFF AND THEY'RE ABLE TO REPRIORITIZE, UH, THEIR DUTIES, LOOKING AT, UM, UH, DIRECTED AT CYBERSECURITY AND OTHER ISSUES.
AND SO IT'S REALLY IMPROVED OUR ACCESS, UH, STREAMLINED OUR APPROVALS OF, OF HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF APPROVALS AND IT'S REALLY BEEN A HUGE BENEFIT TO US.
AND THE TYLER STAFF RECOGNIZED THAT.
UM, AND I HAD ASSIGNED TO MS. BURTS, UH, AS THIS BUSINESS SYSTEMS COORDINATOR, THE TASK OF FACILITATING THIS IMPLEMENTATION AND, UM, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON.
BUT, UH, SHE'S GONNA SHOW, TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW WE, UH, HOW WE IMPLEMENTED THAT THE TEAM TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THE TEAM AND, UM, AND KNOW THAT THIS WAS A NOMINATION FROM THE TYLER ORGANIZATION, NOT FROM WITHIN, WHICH IS TYPICALLY HOW WE DO IT.
SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AND, AND, AND HOPE YOU WILL BE TOO.
FROM JANUARY TO JULY, 2022, A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAM, A B C S D EMPLOYEES WORKED DILIGENTLY ON THE MIGRATING OUR TYLER ON-PREMISE SERVER TO TYLER CLOUD-BASED ENVIRONMENT.
ALONG WITH THE MIGRATION, THE TEAM ALSO UPGRADED OUR FINANCIAL SOFTWARE TO THE LATEST VERSION OF ENTERPRISE E R P, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUNIS ENTERPRISE.
E R P IS THE MECHANISM FOR ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, APPROVALS AND REPORTING FOR OUR DISTRICT.
OUR E R P SYSTEM IS UTILIZED DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY BY APPROXIMATELY 360 USERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THE PROJECT TEAM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTING PROCESSES, DEVELOPING AND CRITIQUING WORK INSTRUCTIONS AND TRAINING ALL PERSONNEL ON THE NEW VERSION OF SOFTWARE.
AS I WORKED WITH THE PROJECT MANAGERS WERE TYLER TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.
THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH OUR PROFESSIONALISM AND THE RESPONSE OF OUR TEAM.
ALL DEADLINES WERE MET AND ALL TEAM MEMBERS SHOWED THE WILLINGNESS TO TACKLE ANY SITUATION HEAD ON.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM WITH HARD WORK AND FOCUS.
WE ACCOMPLISHED OUR GOAL BASED ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE B C S D PROJECT TEAM.
THE DISTRICT WAS AWARDED THE TYLER EXCELLENT AWARD FOR 2023 ON MAY 8TH, 2023.
TANYA CROSBY AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO ACCEPT THE AWARD AT THE TYLER CONNECT CONFERENCE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IN FRONT OF 4,000.
TYLER ENTERPRISE E R P CLIENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE B C S D PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS.
NOT ALL COULD BE WITH US TONIGHT, BUT THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.
COULD YOU COME UP PLEASE? KATIE ABAR BUSINESS SYSTEMS. DIANA BAKER, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.
ASHLEY CROWLEY, HUMAN RESOURCES.
MARY DORSEY, FINANCIAL CAMPUS SPECIALIST, A K A BOOKKEEPER FOR THE FOR THE SCHOOLS.
JENNIFER HAMLIN, PROCUREMENT AND BUDGETS.
MATTHEW HUNT, HUMAN RESOURCES.
ALEX KO TECHNOLOGY, BRANDY MAJORS, OPERATIONS.
MARGARET MCCARTHY PAYROLL, LORI MOCK FINANCE, RICHARD O'CONNELL TRANSPORTATION.
CYNTHIA PHILLIPS BUDGET, KAYLEIGH YER PROCUREMENT.
AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO TANYA CROSBY, WHICH WAS OUR PROJECT SPONSOR.
OKAY, AND THIS BRINGS US TO ONE, UH, FINAL RECOGNITION THAT WE WANT TO DO IN POINTS OF CELEBRATION TONIGHT.
ONE OF OUR SOUTHERN BEAUFORT COUNTY HIGH
[00:40:01]
SCHOOLS RECENTLY COMPETED AT THE DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION CLUBS OF AMERICA, DECA INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, BRINGING HOME THREE WINNERS AND ONE STATE OFFICER HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE AND TO INTRODUCE HER FIRST PLACE WINNERS AND THE STATE OFFICER IS BLUFFTON AYE, DECA ADVISOR AND BUSINESS EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR, CAROLYN NEWT.I ALSO SEE PRINCIPAL DANICA OVER THERE.
AND SO IF YOU WOULD ALSO COME FORWARD, WE APPRECIATE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AGAIN AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE WE WERE HERE LAST YEAR FOR HAVING AN INTERNATIONAL WINNER AND THIS YEAR WE TOOK IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.
I TEACH BUSINESS AND MARKETING CLASSES AND OBVIOUSLY THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE PARENTS THANK YOU DISTRICT OFFICE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND OF COURSE AND ALWAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD.
SO LET US BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING, WHICH WAS OUR, UM, OUR STATE COMPETITION THAT WAS HELD THIS PAST FEBRUARY.
WE TOOK JUST OVER 17 STUDENTS.
IT WAS CLOSE TO 20 AND EVERY STUDENT THAT WE TOOK PLACED AT THE STATE COMPETITION.
AND NOT ONLY DID THIS YOUNG LADY HAVE A COMPETITIVE EVENT, BUT ON TOP OF THAT SHE WAS ALSO RUNNING FOR STATE OFFICE.
AND WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS YOUNG LADY IS SHE JUST MOVED TO BLUFFTON IN AUGUST, LIKE A WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL FELL IN LOVE WITH THE WHOLE DECK OF PROGRAM AND EVERYTHING THAT IT STANDS FOR.
AND SO I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
MS. SANTANA PINA VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING FOR THE STATE OF DECA.
I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO MEET US AND REALLY SEE WHAT DECA IS ALL ABOUT.
WHEN YOU SEE, WHEN YOU LOOK DECA UP ONLINE, IT SAYS OUR MISSION STATEMENT, DECA PREPARES EMERGING EMERGING LEADERS IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT, FINANCED AND MARKETING.
WHEN I STARTED THIS YEAR, AS DR.
NUDE HAD JUST SAID, I STARTED OFF UM, NOT REALLY KNOWING ANYONE.
I WAS NEW TO THE TOWN JUST A WEEK BEFORE AND I WAS ENROLLED IN DR.
I IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE WITH DECA AND DECA HAS NOT ONLY PREPARED ME FOR MY FUTURE AND COMPLETELY CHANGED MY CAREER PATH, BUT HAS ALSO PREPARED ME FOR HAVING A DECA FAMILY.
UM, THESE TWO STUDENTS HAVE BECOME MY DECA FAMILY AS WELL AS THE 45 OTHER MEMBERS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE OUR NEXT YEAR TAKES US AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL COME BACK HERE WITH EVEN MORE INTERNATIONAL WINNERS NEXT YEAR.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, UM, FOR THE BEAUFORT COUNTY FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I HOPE YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AS AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE THIS YEAR.
HOW MANY OF YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL WROTE A 25 PAGE BUSINESS PLAN ABOUT THE SCHOOL STORE THAT YOU JUST OPENED IN AUGUST? THAT'S WHAT THE CHALLENGE WAS AND WE WERE TOTALLY UP FOR IT.
AND SO WE GOT GOLD CERTIFICATION FOR OUR BRAND NEW SCHOOL STORE CALLED OF COURSE THE CAT DEN.
THESE THREE STUDENTS UPON RECOGNITION OF GETTING GOLD CERTIFICATION HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND IT TRULY IS INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES FROM ALL OVER OUR INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.
THEY WERE ONE OF 378 TEAMS WHO WERE THEN COMPETING TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY PROMOTED THE CAP DEN.
NOW UNFORTUNATELY, AUBREY RAZZLE, WHO IS ALSO PART OF THE TEAM COULDN'T BE HERE.
I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH PALMETTO GIRLS STATE, THAT'S WHERE SHE IS.
SO, UM, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET ME INTRODUCE THE TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM, EMILY HENDERSON AND ORRY SARR.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT A BUNCH OF THINGS WENT INTO THIS PROJECT.
WE SPENT EVERY SATURDAY COMING UP WITH PLANS, MEANING AT SIX O'CLOCK FOR TWO MONTHS STRAIGHT.
AND WE ALSO MET ON WEDNESDAY EVERY MAY FOR TWO
[00:45:01]
MONTHS STRAIGHT.AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT A BUNCH OF THIS CAME TOGETHER AS A RESULT OF OUR LOVING COMMUNITY.
WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT, WELL, TO BE FRANK, OUR ADOPTIVE MOTHER RIGHT HERE,
NEWT, I WANNA NOTE THAT WE ALSO MADE SEVEN GRAND WITH OUR SCHOOL STORE, EVEN WITH A BUNCH OF LIMITATIONS, EMILY HENDERSON.
SO AGAIN, WE HAD A LOT OF LIMITATIONS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A CASH REGISTER, WE DIDN'T HAVE A DEDICATED ROOM TO HAVE OUR SCHOOL STORE AND IT WAS INSIDE OF ANOTHER CLASSROOM.
HECK, WE WERE ONLY OPEN FOR TWO HOURS A DAY,
UM, WE DIDN'T HAVE FOR A LARGE PART OF THE YEAR A CREDIT CARD PROCESSOR.
WE DO HAVE ONE NOW, BUT IT'S JUST A QR CODE.
BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT WE DID HAVE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE HAD A LOVING DISTRICT AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY WHO STOOD BEHIND US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
AND WHEN WE WALKED IN BEFORE COMPETITION AND WE SAW 377 OTHER GROUPS, SOME OF WHICH HAD MADE 30 PLUS THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHO HAD JUST EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE WERE DEFINITELY THE UNDERDOGS AND IT'S DEFINITELY A BLESSING AND A PRIVILEGE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE WHAT WE ACHIEVED.
AND I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE BLUFFTON HIGH DECK CHAPTER WHEN I SAY THAT THIS IS A WINNING STREAK, THAT WE PLAN TO CONTINUE
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND I'M EXCITED FOR ALL OF US TO SEE WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGHOUT THE NEXT YEAR AT BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL.
RUNNING A DECA PROGRAM AT, UM, BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL.
IT TAKES A VISION AS WELL AS EXECUTION AND WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR AMAZING PRINCIPAL, MS. DENISE DONICA.
UM, NEXT YEAR WE ARE GOING TO CALIFORNIA.
WE HOPE TO AGAIN HAVE YOUR SUPPORT TO DO SO AND MAYBE WE CAN CONVINCE MS. DONICA TO BE A CHAPERONE.
THANK YOU AGAIN, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
THIS, UH, CONCLUDES OUR POINTS OF CELEBRATIONS.
I DO WANT TO ASK, UH, MS. CROSBY IN FINANCE AND MS. BREWER IN COMMUNICATIONS TO TAKE NOTE.
YOU HAVE SOME POTENTIAL FUTURE EMPLOYEES IN FINANCE AND MARKETING RIGHT OVER HERE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM THAT WAS RECOGNIZED TONIGHT.
WE HAD A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION FOR ALL OF YOU.
[First Public Comments]
OUR AGENDA ARE THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS AND UM, I WILL REVIEW BRIEFLY THE RULES FOR SPEAKING DURING OUR COMMENTS SESSION.CONFINE THE COMMENTS TO ISSUES WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF THE BOARD.
YOUR TIME WILL NOT EXCEED THREE MINUTES AND THERE'LL BE VISIBLE AUDIBLE TIMING DEVICE THAT WILL BE USED.
PERSONS MAY NOT YIELD YOUR TI THEIR TIME TO ONE ANOTHER.
IF YOU'RE IN PERSON, YOU COMPLETE THIS CARD INCLUDING PROVIDING YOUR TOPICS THAT YOU'LL BE UH, SPEAKING ON.
AND THAT'S KIND OF THE BASE BASICS.
SO WE HAVE, UH, SEVERAL P SEVERAL PEOPLE IN PERSON TONIGHT AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE SOME OR AT LEAST ONE ON THE PHONE.
SO FIRST WE HAVE REVEREND LORI BAN AND SHE'LL BE SPEAKING ON BOOK BANDS.
I AM THE REVEREND LORI LOBIN AND I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION.
I SERVE THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF BUFORT, WHICH IS A G L B T Q WELCOMING CONGREGATION.
TODAY I'M WEARING MY CLERGY SHIRT.
I DON'T ALWAYS, AND I'VE GOT MY RAINBOW PEN ON BECAUSE IT'S PRIDE MONTH.
I HAD TO RUN OUT FOR LUNCH TODAY AND WHEN I WAS PAYING THE CASHIER SAID, I REALLY LIKE YOUR PEN.
I'M JUST REPRESENTING FOR PRIDE MONTH, RIGHT? AND SHE REPLIED, I WISH I COULD WEAR ONE, BUT I CAN'T HEAR HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.
YOU MIGHT RECALL THAT I SPOKE A WHILE BACK ABOUT HOW LIFESAVING IT WAS FOR A YOUNG PERSON I KNEW TO BE HANDED, HANDED A BOOK THAT HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE TRANSGENDER.
THERE'S A QUOTE FROM AUTHOR NEIL GUYMAN THAT I OFTEN THINK OF.
FAIRYTALES ARE MORE THAN TRUE.
NOT BECAUSE THEY TELL US DRAGONS EXIST, BUT BECAUSE THEY TELL US DRAGONS CAN
[00:50:01]
BE BEATEN.FAIRY TALES, ROMANCES, BIOGRAPHIES, ESPECIALLY BOOKS WITH DIFFICULT THEMES AND HISTORIES OF PEOPLE WITH MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES.
THEY'RE ALL NECESSARY BECAUSE BOOKS DEALING WITH DIFFICULT THEMES GIVE PEOPLE HOPE AND TELL THEM THAT THEY CAN ENDURE AND SURVIVE AND EVENTUALLY THRIVE.
IT'S CONCERNING TO ME THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT TO STEAL THESE STORIES AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM THE MOST.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY, LOOKING FOR A WAY TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN THRIVE AS A GAY PERSON LOOKING FOR A WAY THAT THEY CAN THRIVE AS A TRANS PERSON, A BIPO QUEER PERSON, A PERSON WITH FAMILY VIOLENCE IN THEIR BACKGROUND.
PLEASE DON'T BAN ANY MORE OF THESE STORIES.
AND A BAN IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PERMANENTLY REMOVE A BOOK FROM THE SCHOOLS.
BECAUSE FOR SOME, THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IS THEIR ONLY GATEWAY TO LITERATURE.
YOU KNOW, I HOPE THAT CASHIER HAD ACCESS TO BOOKS OR AT LEAST A PERSON WHO HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND WHO THEY WERE, WHETHER THEY WERE G LGBTQ PLUS OR NOT.
I DID LIKE TO SEE THEIR GREAT SMILE WHEN THEY SAW MY PEN.
I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO WEAR THIS PR WITH THIS PIN WITH FEW REPERCUSSIONS.
SO I WEAR THE PIN FOR THAT CASHIER FROM MY LATE SON WHO WAS TRANSGENDER, AND FOR ALL OF MY SIBLINGS OF THE RAINBOW WHO MAY NOT HAVE THAT PRIVILEGE OF WEARING THEIR COLORS.
AND I EVEN WEAR IT FOR YOU BOARD MEMBERS, YOU HOLD THE KEYS TO KNOWLEDGE AND FREEDOM IN YOUR HANDS FOR SO MANY.
REBECCA BRU SPEAKING ON BOOK BANDS.
FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THAT WE'RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS.
SOME OF US ARE PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS OR EDUCATORS.
SOME ARE ACTIVE IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES.
WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND DIFFERENT CONCERNS.
I HAVE SOME SPECIFIC CONCERNS.
MY UNDERGRAD DEGREE IS IN EDUCATION AND I BELIEVE IN THE ROLE OF EDUCATION THAT IS TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO THINK, NOT WHAT TO THINK, BUT HOW TO THINK.
MY OTHER DEGREES ARE IN THEOLOGY AND AS A PASTOR AND A THEOLOGIAN, I DO NOT SPEAK WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY, BUT AS ONE WHO SERVES OTHERS, EQUIPPING THEM TO THINK DEEPLY AND THOUGHTFULLY AND FAITHFULLY TO OPEN HEARTS AND MINDS.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THESE STUDENTS KNOW THAT ANYONE WHO CLAIMS TO SPEAK WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY ON WHAT ANOTHER PERSON CAN OR CANNOT READ OR THINK OR LEARN OR LOVE IS SIMPLY TRYING TO CONTROL THEM.
SOME OF YOU NO ME, AS THE AUTHOR OF TROUBLE, THE WATER BASED ON THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF OUR OWN ROBERT SMALLS, HE'S BEST KNOWN FOR COMMANDEERING A CONFEDERATE GUNBOAT, LIBERATING HIMSELF AND OTHERS IN A LIFE OR DEATH PURSUIT OF FREEDOM.
BUT HE WAS ALSO A TRUE SERVANT LEADER.
AND IN HIS LIFE AS A LEGISLATOR, HE FELT FOR ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HE HAD LIVED THE REALITY OF BEING TOLD WHAT HE COULD AND COULD NOT DO, BE READ AND THINK AND LEARN.
HE KNEW THAT WAS WRONG AND HE KNEW THAT THAT WAS AN AMERICAN.
HE PURSUED THE BOLD, CRUCIAL, AND INCLUSIVE VISION OF FAITH, FAIR AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN.
IF YOU'RE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING, I'M CONFIDENT HE WOULD SAY, LET OUR CHILDREN READ.
BECAUSE AN ATTACK ON BOOKS IS ULTIMATELY AN ATTACK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION AND BY EXTENSION ON THE DEMOCRACY PREDICATED ON THAT EDUCATION.
IT'S BEEN SAID BEFORE, BUT I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.
IF WE'RE AFRAID THAT BOOKS WILL CHANGE OUR THINKING, WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF BOOKS, WE'RE AFRAID OF THINKING.
AND WHY IN THE WORLD SHOULD WE BE AFRAID OF THINKING? OUR MINDS ARE WONDROUS MIRACLES.
THE ABILITY TO THINK IS A SACRED GIFT.
THIS GENERATION OF STUDENTS WILL BE LEADERS AND PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS IN A WORLD THAT MOST OF US CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.
THEY MEAN WITH THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY TO CREATE VALUE, OPPORTUNITY, AND HOPE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR BIG, BEAUTIFUL, COMPLICATED FAMILY OF HUMANITY.
THIS GENERATION WILL CHRONICLE YOUR LEGACY.
[00:55:01]
KNOW THAT ROBERT SMALLS WAS A CHAMPION OF EDUCATION IN THE SERVICE OF DEMOCRACY, AND THEY KNOW THAT THE ROAD OF BOOK BANNING LEADS TO THE OPEN GATE OF FASCISM.NEXT WE HAVE EP RODSKY AND TOPIC IS SUPPORT FOR, AND I BELIEVE IT'S BOOKS.
WHEN I WAS, UH, 12 YEARS OLD, I SNUCK UP TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE AND FOUND A BOOK CALLED 30 SECONDS OVER TOKYO.
IT WAS VERY, VERY DISTURBING, BUT I JUST KIND OF PUT IT AWAY UNTIL I HAD A OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD AND I MADE JAPAN MY FIRST STOP TO GO TO HIROSHIMA AND TO PRAY FOR PEACE.
I LEARNED COMPASSION FROM THAT BOOK.
I AM A WOMAN, LESBIAN, MEDITATION TEACHER, AND WILLING TO WALK INTO THE UNKNOWN.
I COME TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR CURIOSITY, IMAGINATION, SKILL BUILDING, EXCITEMENT TO LEARN, INQUIRY, DIVERSITY, COMPASSION, OPENNESS AND FREEDOM, TRUTH AND EXPANDING THINKING.
THE NEED TO LIMIT BOOK ACCESS IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE IS PAINFUL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
WE LIVE IN A, IN I T A I INTERNET YOUTUBE WORLD.
IT'S ALMOST COMICAL TO TRY TO LIMIT BY BOOKS.
AS A GRANDMOTHER AND A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, I HAVE EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY BOOK BANNING, MAKING ME VERY SAD AND VERY, VERY FRUSTRATED AND LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT MY GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN HAVE INFORMATION TO EXPAND THEIR PERSPECTIVE.
SCHOOL IS A PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE, EXCHANGE IDEAS, LEARN TOGETHER, AND KNOW MORE THAN THEIR LIMITED COMMUNITY.
SINCE WE ARE ALL CONNECTED ETERNALLY, WHEN YOU BAN A BOOK, YOU ARE STOPPING AND MAKING NARROW THE FLOW OF LOVE AND HARMONY IN THE WORLD.
PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU'RE, UM, MODELING TO THE CHILDREN OF THIS COMMUNITY WHAT YOU WANT TO TEACH THEM.
THANK YOU ELIZABETH FOSTER ON BOOK BANDS.
GOOD EVENING BOARD MEMBERS AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT.
SO EVER SINCE EFFORTS TO CENSOR LIBRARIES RECENTLY BECAME SO COMMON ACROSS THE NATION, MANY ADVOCATES OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM HAVE BEEN QUICK TO POINT OUT INSTANCES IN HISTORY WHERE OTHER GOVERNMENTS HAVE OVEREXTENDED THEIR AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO BAN BOOKS.
THE NEW ENGLISH CANNON WAS BANNED BY THE PURITAN GOVERNMENT IN 1637 FOR ITS CRITIQUE OF PURITAN POWER STRUCTURES.
HARRIET BEECHER SOW'S UNCLE TOM'S CABIN WAS TARGETED FOR ITS PRO ABOLITIONIST MESSAGES AND DURING THE HOLOCAUST, ACCESS TO GERMAN STORIES THAT EXPRESSED SYMPATHY FOR JEWISH PEOPLE OR PAST FISTS WAS PROHIBITED.
ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS COULD BE IMPACT IN AN ARGUMENT ABOUT THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY PUSHED FOR CENSORSHIP.
BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE A DIFFERENT ROUTE BY CITING ANOTHER MORE RECENT EFFORT TO BAN BOOKS IN THE UNITED STATES.
IN 1975, A PARENT GROUP IN NEW YORK REQUESTED THE REMOVAL OF NINE BOOKS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES ON THE BASIS THAT THE BOOKS WERE ANTI-AMERICAN, ANTI-CHRISTIAN, ANTI-SEMITIC, AND JUST PLAIN, FILTHY QUOTE STATING THAT QUOTE, IT IS OUR DUTY, OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS FROM THIS MORAL DANGER AS SURELY AS FROM PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL DANGERS.
END QUOTE SOUNDS FAMILIAR, DOESN'T IT? THE SCHOOL BOARD ULTIMATELY ENDED UP REMOVING ALL BUT TWO OF THE BOOKS.
TWO YEARS LATER, A GROUP OF DISGRUNTLED STUDENTS WHO FELT THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS HAD BEEN VIOLATED, SUED THE DISTRICT AND TOOK THEIR CASE TO THE SUPREME COURT.
IN A FIVE TO FOUR DECISION, THE COURT RULED WITH THE STUDENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A QUOTE WITH YOU ALL FROM THE CASE'S MAJORITY OPINION QUOTE, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE BROAD DISCRETION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL AFFAIRS, BUT SUCH DISCRETION MUST BE EXERCISED IN A MANNER THAT COMPORTS WITH THE TRANSCENDENT IMPERATIVES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
WHILE STUDENTS' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS MUST BE CONSTRUED IN LIGHT OF THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY MAKE THAT ENVIRONMENT ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF SUCH RIGHTS.
[01:00:01]
THE COURT EXPLAINED THAT AMERICANS RIGHT TO THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH INHERENTLY INCLUDES THEIR ABILITY TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AS WELL AS EXPRESS IT.BECAUSE SCHOOL LIBRARIES ARE A PLACE OF VOLUNTARY INQUIRY, IT WAS DECLARED THAT THEY ENJOY A SPECIAL AFFINITY WITH THE RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH AND PRESS, AND THEREFORE THE AVAILABILITY OF BOOKS COULD NOT BE RESTRICTED SIMPLY BECAUSE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DISAGREED WITH THEIR CONTENT IDEA.
JUSTICE BRENNAN CONCLUDED THAT SCHOOL OFFICIALS MAY NOT UTILIZE THEIR POWER TO REMOVE BOOKS FROM SCHOOLS BASED ON NARROWLY PARTISAN OR POLITICAL GROUNDS BECAUSE DOING SO WOULD RESULT IN AN OFFICIAL SUPPRESSION OF IDEAS.
I LEAVE YOU ALL WITH THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE OF ISLAND TREE SCHOOL DISTRICT V PICO AND THE REMINDER THAT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE SOCIAL, MORAL, AND POLITICAL VALUES WILL ALWAYS COME SECOND TO YOUR OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF BEAUFORT COUNTY STUDENTS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
AMERICAN YOUTH HAVE FOUGHT AND WON THIS BATTLE BEFORE, BUT WE ARE BY NO MEANS AFRAID TO DO SO AGAIN.
THANK YOU, MILLIE BENNETT ON BOOK BANDS.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MILLIE BENNETT AND I SH I STAND BEFORE YOU NOW NO LONGER AS A BUFORT COUNTY SENIOR, BUT BUFORT COUNTY GRADUATE.
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY REFLECTS MY SEVEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN OUR BELOVED SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ADVANCE OF TOMORROW'S E TOMORROW EVENING'S MEETING OF THE BOOK REVIEW COMMITTEES AND IN THE INEVITABLE APPEALS WHICH WE'LL FOLLOW, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A REMINDER TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS OF HOW NARRATIVE WORKS AND WHY IT MATTERS.
THE DRIVING POINT OF ANY STORY OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS CONFLICT.
IN FACT, WE ARE TAUGHT THIS AS YOUNG AS FIRST GRADE WITH A HELPFUL AND RECOGNIZABLE GRAPHIC.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU REMEMBER TH WHAT THIS GRAPHIC LOOK LIKE, LOOKS LIKE, BUT IT IS RATHER SIMPLE.
IT STARTS AS A FLAT LINE, THE EXPOSITION THAT TURNS INTO A STEEP SLOPE.
THE RISING ACTION, THE POINT OF THE VERTEX BEFORE IT FALLS IS THE CLIMAX.
AFTER THAT, THE LINE TURNS TO A STEEP DOWNWARD SLOPE KNOWN AS THE FALLING ACTION AND THEN FINALLY EVENS BACK OUT INTO THE RESOLUTION.
THE REASON I WANTED TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORIES ABOUT THIS ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LESSON IS BECAUSE OF A COMMENT THAT WAS MADE AT LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
IT WAS COMMENTED BY A COMPLAINANT IN FAVOR OF THESE BOOK FANS THAT QUOTE POSITIVE STORIES.
LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT THAT END QUOTE.
THIS COMMENT IS RIFE WITH IGNORANCE, BOTH FOR ITS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF STORIES AND ITS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD.
A STORY CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT THE NEGATIVE, JUST AS LIGHT CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT THE DARK OR SILENCE, WITHOUT NOISE.
AND JUST AS A LIGHT OF A CANDLE CANNOT BE SEEN WITHOUT SHADOW, HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE IN EVERY GOOD THING ABOUT HUMANITY IN OUR WORLD CANNOT BE SEEN WITHOUT THE EXISTENCE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT IS HAPPENING.
WE TALK ABOUT DRUG USE, VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE NARRATIVE OF HUMANITY BECAUSE WHETHER IT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE OR NOT, THOSE THINGS ARE IN OUR PAST, OUR FUTURE AND OUR PRESENT.
YES, WE CAN TALK POSITIVELY AND NOT MAKE EVERY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEGATIVITY OF OUR WORLD, BUT BOOKS ARE NOT EVERY CONVERSATION.
THEY ARE THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
THERE ARE A WINDOW FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW AND A VOICE FOR PEOPLE WHO DO.
WE LEARN CAUTION FROM CAUTIONARY TALES.
IT IS ONLY THE ADULTS WHO SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THIS LESSON.
BANNING THESE BOOKS FROM OUR LIBRARIES DISCREDIT OUR STUDENTS' INTELLIGENCE NARROWS THEIR WORLDVIEW AND WILL LEAD TO MORE OF THE DRUG USE, VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE THAT WE SO WISH TO AVOID.
THESE BOOKS, EDUCATE THESE BOOKS, SAVE LIVES.
AS A QUEER WOMAN, I WAS FORTUNATE TO FIND BOOKS THAT ALSO TOLD MY STORIES AT A TIME WHEN I NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND WHO I WAS.
THESE BOOKS DESERVE TO REMAIN IN OUR LIBRARIES BECAUSE KIDS LIKE ME DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AND SEEN AND VALUED IN OUR SCHOOLS AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING AND HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.
UM, SCHOOLS CAN'T TEACH US EVERYTHING ABOUT LIFE, BUT SCHOOLS CAN GIVE US THE TOOLS AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS TO TEACH OURSELVES.
UM, AS WE WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF EDUCATION, EVERY SUBJECT IN SCHOOL LEAVES OUT CURRICULUM IN SOME WAY.
IN SCIENCE, WE DON'T DISCUSS QUANTUM RELATIVITY IN MATH.
THERE ARE COUNTLESS EQUATIONS THAT ARE LEFT OUT IN ENGLISH.
WE REALLY DON'T COVER JOURNALISM AND IN HISTORY.
I DON'T THINK I'D HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO OVER EVERYTHING THAT WE DON'T LEARN IN HISTORY.
THE POINT THAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT IS THAT WHEN SCIENCE LACKS QUANTUM RELATIVITY, THE LIBRARY SUPPLIES.
WHEN MATH LEAVES THAT EQUATION, THE LIBRARY SUPPLIES.
WHEN ENGLISH LEAVES OUT JOURNALISM, THE LIBRARY SUPPLIES ONCE AGAIN AND WHEN HISTORY LEAVES OUT STORIES AND FACTS, THE THE LIBRARY SUPPLIES ONCE MORE.
WHAT YOU CANNOT FIND IN HISTORY BOOKS YOU WILL FIND IN THE LIBRARY IN CLASS, WE DON'T LEARN ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF IMMIGRATION OR WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE EXCLUDED BECAUSE OF RACE, NATIONALITY, GENDER, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
[01:05:01]
IN CLASS WE DON'T LEARN ABOUT COPING WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR CHILD ABUSE.WE DO NOT LEARN EMPATHY FROM STANDARDIZED TESTING.
WE LEARN EMPATHY THROUGH STORIES, THROUGH READING.
MY FAMILY, MYSELF INCLUDED, WERE THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE.
THE PERSON NOT BOOK RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WAS A NARCISSISTIC MAN WHO WAS HOOKED ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
AGAIN, NOT A BOOK, NOT A TEACHER'S PERSONAL SELECTION.
IT WAS AN UNEDUCATED, UNMEDICATED DRUG ADDICTED NARCISSIST.
I DID, I DIDN'T LEARN HOW TO COPE WITH THAT IN CLASS, BUT I LEARNED HOW TO COPE WITH IT THROUGH BOOKS.
I COULD HAVE TURNED OUT JUST LIKE THAT PERSON STRUNG OUT AND ABUSIVE, BUT I DIDN'T BECAUSE I HAD ACCESS TO BOOKS AND ARTICLES THAT SHOWED ME HOW I COULD BE GREAT.
EARLIER TODAY, I CREATED A SURVEY FOR BLACK BOYS TO TAKE THAT WAS CENTERED AROUND THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH POLICE BRUTALITY, HARASSMENT, EACH OF THESE BOYS AS A STUDENT AT IN BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ONE OF THE QUESTION, UM, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED WAS, HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN THE EVENT TOOK PLACE? THE YOUNGEST AGE WAS FIVE AND THE OLDEST WAS 16 AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EXPERIENCED POLICE BRUTALITY OR HARASSMENT, AND THE AVERAGE AGE WAS 11.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM SAID THAT THEY, THAT THE EVENT TRAUMATIZED THEM IN SOME WAY.
THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY, THAT THEY KNOW POLICE ARE HERE TO PROTECT US AND WISH THEY HAD A GOOD, GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.
THESE WERE RAW TESTIMONIES THAT WE DON'T LEARN IN CLASS, BUT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THESE STORIES THROUGH BOOKS SUCH AS THE FREEDOM WRITER'S DIARY, UM, OR THE HATE YOU GIVE IF YOU'RE A KID OR STUDENT IS HOME READING.
UM, INSTEAD OF PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY, THEN YOU DID YOUR JOB AS A PARENT OR AS AN EDUCATOR.
I WISH THAT MY BROTHER AND HIS FRIENDS WERE HOME READING ABOUT THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DRUGS RATHER THAN FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY.
IGNORANCE AND ELITISM ARE THE ISSUES.
BLAIR BENNETT ON INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM.
I AM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR FAMILIES AGAINST BOOK BANDS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD TONIGHT.
WHEN THE CURRENT CHALLENGE TO 97 BOOKS IN OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIES WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED, MANY INCLUDING MYSELF, WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD.
HAVING GROWN UP IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT HAS A DEEP REVERENCE FOR LITERATURE AND EDUCATION, I NAIVELY THOUGHT THAT THE RIDICULOUS CHALLENGES TO INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM SLEEPING IN OUR COUNTRY COULD NOT POSSIBLY TAKE HOLD HERE.
HOWEVER, THE SAME MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN THAT BEGAN WITH MOMS FOR LIBERTY IN FLORIDA TOOK HOLD AMONGST A SMALL SEGMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS ITS OWN HISTORY OF FRIVOLOUS ATTACKS ON PUBLIC, UH, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE MOMS FOR LIBERTY PHILOSOPHY OF WEAPONIZING FEAR TO ACCOMPLISH RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL GOALS MADE ITS WAY FROM FLORIDA AND THE DARK CORNERS OF THE INTERNET TO TY OVER THE SUMMER WHERE LOCAL MEMBERS PLOTTED THEIR ATTACKS ON INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM, LIBRARIES, EDUCATORS, AND THEREFORE OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO CLAIM TO BE CENSORING BOOKS IN THE NAME OF STUDENT PROTECTION SEEM TO HAVE ERRONEOUSLY LEARNED FROM THIS LOCAL SUMMER TRAINING THAT SOWING FEAR BY LAUNCHING AGGRESSIVE VERBAL ATTACKS ONLINE AGAINST STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IS AN ACCEPTABLE WAY TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.
THE COMBINATION OF MOMS FOR LIBERTY'S ANTI DIVERSITY STANCE AND THEIR EXTREME TACTICS HAVE RECENTLY EARNED THEM THE DESIGNATION OF AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT EXTREMIST GROUP BY THE SOUTHERN PO SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER.
THE COMPLAINANTS LIKE TO CLAIM THAT THEIR CHALLENGES ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH MOMS FOR LIBERTY, BUT DENYING THE LABEL WHILE COPYING AND PASTING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE NATIONAL PLAYBOOK AND AFFILIATED WEBSITES DOES LITTLE TO DISPEL THE CONNECTION.
SEVERAL OF US CAME TOGETHER IN DECEMBER TO FORM THE TRULY GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION FAMILIES AGAINST BOOK BANDS.
WE HAVE GROWN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO BE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF OVER 300 MEMBERS.
WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR THE THINGS WE BELIEVE IN INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM, TRUE PARENTAL RIGHTS.
DO NOT SEEK TO FORCE A NARROW-MINDED AND STUNTED EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY ON EVERY FAMILY IN THE DISTRICT.
THE EQUITABLE RE REPRESENTATION OF NORMAL HUMAN DIVERSITY ON LIBRARY SHELVES, RESPECT FOR OUR ESTEEMED EDUCATORS AND LIBRARIANS AND THE EDIFICATION OF OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY.
WE HOPE THAT OUR CONTINUED PRESENCE AT THESE MEETINGS WILL NOT ONLY BE A POSITIVE COUNTER TO THE DARK AND DIVISIVE NATURE OF THE CENSORSHIP MOVEMENT, BUT ALSO A POINT OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE LIBRARIAN'S, TEACHERS AND BOARD MEMBERS AND STUDENT ACTIVISTS TO THE COMPLAINANTS.
YOU SOUGHT TO SCARE AND DIVIDE US WITH YOUR TACTICS.
BUT YOUR SCHEMING HAS ACTUALLY RESULTED IN THE BIRTH OF AN AMAZING COMMUNITY THAT IS ADVOCATING FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND SOCIALLY JUST AND EQUITABLE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL.
IF YOU ARE HERE TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION, PLEASE STAND WITH ME NOW IN SOLIDARITY.
MARY FOSTER, PROTECTING ALL CHILDREN.
[01:10:08]
GOOD EVENING.THE EFFORT TO REMOVE BOOKS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT THE BOOKS OR ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN.
IT'S ABOUT CONTROL AND AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THE VERY FREEDOMS ON WHICH THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED.
IT'S AN IDEOLOGY THAT CELEBRATES THE USE OF BULLYING AND EVEN VIOLENCE TO GET DESIRED RESULTS.
IT'S AN IDEOLOGY BASED ON MAKING LIFE AS DIFFICULT AS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OR EXIST IN THE WAY THAT SOME THINK THEY SHOULD.
THE PEOPLE WHO FILED THESE BOOK CHALLENGES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS HAVE ATTACKED TEACHERS, PARENTS, LIBRARIANS, STUDENTS, AND MANY OF YOU, AND NOW THEY'VE BEGUN TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER.
SO TONIGHT I'M SPEAKING TO YOU AS THE PROUD MOTHER OF TWO AMAZING YOUNG ADULTS, ONE OF WHOM IS TRANSGENDER.
THERE IS SO MUCH I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT WALKING THROUGH THIS AS A FAMILY, HOW MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO I TOLD MY SISTER, I JUST DON'T REALLY GET THIS WHOLE TRANSGENDER THING AND HOW ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN I AM NOW THAT IN THAT VERY MOMENT GOD DESIGNED OUR FUTURE AND FAITHFULLY WALKED ALONGSIDE OF OUR FAMILY.
HOW TERRIFYING IT WAS TO LEARN HOW MANY TRANSGENDER YOUTH HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND EVEN ATTEMPT SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE IN HOMES OR COMMUNITIES THAT DO NOT ACCEPT AND AFFIRM THEM.
HOW INCREDIBLY BRAVE AND STRONG MY SON IS AND HOW HIS SMILE AND LAUGH ARE TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.
HOW MY DAUGHTER FOUND HER VOICE AND HER PASSION WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT HER BROTHER AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM ARE RIDICULED, DISPARAGED AND MUCH WORSE, AND HOW SHE HAS ALWAYS STOOD BESIDE HIM WITH COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE.
WE DO NOT BELIEVE BOOKS MADE OUR SON TRANSGENDER AND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN HE IS A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD.
WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY GET TO DECIDE WHERE HE USES THE BATHROOM OR WHY THEY EVEN CARE AND WHAT PRONOUNS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR HIM.
WE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE SO FIXATED ON WHAT IS OR ISN'T INSIDE OTHER PEOPLE'S PANTS.
BUT WE KNOW THIS IS COMPLEX AND CAN BE CONFUSING.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MY PERSONAL INVITATION TO EACH OF YOU.
CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR YOU NEED CLARIFICATIONS OR YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN MORE FROM A REAL FAMILY WHO HAS LIVED THIS EXPERIENCE.
THE VOCAL MINORITY SUPPORT THESE BANDS.
SPEND TIME PUBLIC MEETINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACKING THE YOUTH BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEEK OUT AN OPPOSITION TO THEM.
THEY NAME STUDENTS IN FOIA REQUESTS AND THEY MAKE DEGRADING AND FRANKLY DISGUSTING COMMENTS TO PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGE THEM.
THEY POST MEMES WITH GUNS AND THEY OPENLY THREAT VIOLENCE TO THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH THEM.
THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POLICIES ALREADY IN PLACE THAT GIVE THEM FINAL SAY OVER WHAT THEIR CHILDREN CAN AND CANNOT ACCESS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CONTROL ALL STUDENTS AND THAT ISN'T FREEDOM TO THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS WHO CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO VOTE TO RETURN BOOKS TO SHELVES.
I CHALLENGE YOU TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER WITH WHOM AND WHAT YOU ARE ALIGNING YOURSELVES.
AND I URGE ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO LISTEN TO AND LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT AND CONTINUE TO USE YOUR POSITION TO PROTECT AND DEFEND ALL STUDENTS.
NEXT WE HAVE JEFF BAKER ON OPPOSE THE BOOK BAN.
JEFF BAKER OPPOSE THE BOOK BAN.
GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS JEFF BAKER AND I LIVE IN DOWNTOWN BUFORD.
I FIRST WANNA SHOW MY RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SPOKEN AT THESE MEETINGS AND THEIR DECISION AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS' DECISION IF CHOSEN TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE AND FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE BUBBLE, LIFE CAN BE PERILOUS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT, WHEN YOU LOOK THROUGH THE BUBBLE, YOUR VIEW CAN BE DISTORTED.
AND WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE CLEARLY, YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE VIEWING.
AND WHEN YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, YOU BECOME FEARFUL.
AND WHEN YOU BECOME FEARFUL, YOU BECOME BIASED.
AND THAT BIAS CAN OFTEN TURN INTO ANGER AND REGRETTABLY TURN INTO SOMETHING WORSE.
IS THAT HOW WE REALLY WANNA LIVE? THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SPOKEN HERE HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO BE SHELTERED IN THE BUBBLE, BUT RATHER WITNESSED AND EXPERIENCE THE FULL BREADTH OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HUMAN BEING.
AND YES, SUBJECT TO THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE, MANY OF THESE EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE ARE GREAT.
SOME ARE GOOD, SOME ARE BAD, AND YET SOME CAN BE TERRIBLE.
[01:15:01]
THAT RANGE OF EXPERIENCES OPENS UP CHOICES THAT CAN ONLY BE MADE BY LIVING OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE.AND AGAIN, I THANK THE STUDENTS FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WISH THEM ONLY THE BEST AS THEY MOVE FORWARD IN CONDUCTING THEIR LIVES.
NEXT WE HAVE ROBIN LIEBENBERG BOOK REVIEW AND I'M SORRY I CAN'T READ THE NEXT WORD.
THREE ITEMS IN THE NEWS STRUCK ME IN THE LAST WEEKS.
ONE
S PLC SIDED THEIR BOTTOM AGAINST INCLUSIVITY IN SCHOOLS DRAWN FROM AGE-OLD IDEALS ROOTED IN WHITE SUPREMACY IN THIS DESIGNATION, SPECIFICALLY THE ISSUE OF OUR HARD HISTORY TOPICS SUCH AS RACISM OF LIVING, ALL MENTION OF THE L LGBTQ COMMUNITY, WHAT THESE 97 BOOKS WE REVIEWED ALL YEAR REPRESENT.
I RECOMMEND MEETING ITS ANNUAL REPORT, 2022 YEAR IN HATE AND EXTREMISM.
FOR DETAILS MUST NOTE, THERE WERE THREE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD WHO REGULARLY VOTE THEIR AGENDA WITHOUT COMMENT.
WHY? TWO? ONE BOARD MEMBER POSTED A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF HERSELF JUNE 2ND WITH A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT WHO ALIGNS HIMSELF WITH THIS HATE GROUP.
SHE SPOKE AT THIS EVENT AT THE BASE WITH A SUGGESTION TO TEXT FREEDOM DISPLAYED ON IT.
HE IS REGULARLY PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE LEADERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION IN THIS HOME STATE OF FLORIDA, OR THE GROUP GERMINATES THEIR HATE.
HER POSTS MOVE WELL AWAY FROM THE NONPARTISAN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD POSITION.
WHEN FOR COUNTY HOPE BOARD MEMBERS DISPLAY, SHE PORTRAYS A VIGOROUS ALLEGIANCE WITH THEIR POLITICAL POSITIONS.
ON THAT SOCIAL MEDIA POST, SHE SAYS ENERGIZED AND READY FOR GREAT AMERICAN COMEBACK.
WHAT IS IT SHE WANTS TO COME BACK TO? WHAT DOES HER CONSISTENT WILL VOTE ON? COMMITTEE MEMBERS CARE FOR REVIEWING AND SUBSEQUENT SUGGESTION THAT THE LIBRARY KEEP THESE BOOKS MEAN THAT INCLUSIVITY AND FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS MUST BE ERASED FOR THAT COMEBACK TO HAPPEN.
QUALITY STATE EDUCATION RANKINGS, PARAMETERS SET UP BY WALLET HUB US NEWS ONE REPORT WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LAST WEEK, SOUTH CAROLINA REMAINS FRIENDLY IN THE BOTTOM 10.
SETTLED AT NUMBER 44 THIS YEAR.
WE RANKED LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE IN ALMOST ALL FACTORS.
THE STATE LEG HOUSE LEGISLATURE WORKING FOR COUNTY ADDRESSES ANY OF THE ISSUES THAT FEED THIS ABYSMAL PERFORMANCE.
THEY ARE PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT TEST SCORES, READING TEST SCORES, COLLEGE READINESS, AND TWO YEAR COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES.
IN ALL THE MEETINGS I HAVE ATTENDED HERE THIS YEAR, I HAVE NOT HEARD THE BOARD DISCUSS ANY OF THESE ISSUES WHEN WE STOP SEATING TO HATEFUL EXTREMISTS AND AGENDA AND GET ON WITH THE WORK OF HELPING TEACHERS TEACH THE CU CHILDREN OF BUFORD COUNTY LANGUISH.
SO BOARD MEMBERS, WE HAVE, UH, HAD OUR 30 MINUTE, UM, ALLOTMENT THAT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS.
THERE ARE STILL, UH, THREE IN PERSON AND ONE ON THE, UH, PHONE.
AND WHAT IS THE BOARD'S? WILL MADAM CHAIR AT THIS TIME MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAND THE REST OF, UH, THE, THE REST OF THE, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, SO MR. SMITH MADE THE, UH, MOTION TO CONTINUE THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION FOR THESE, UH, FOUR ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS AND MR. EARL CAMPBELL.
UM, SO WE CONTINUE ON WITH THE COMMENTS.
NEXT UP WE HAVE REVEREND ROY TRIPP, UH, BOOK, I'M NOT SURE THE NEXT WORD.
[01:20:01]
I THANK THE BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME TO STAND BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING, AND I'M HUMBLED TO BE AMONG SPEAKERS WITH THE ELOQUENCE THAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR.MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PORT ROYAL.
I AM A RESIDENT OF BEAUFORT AND I SPEAK FOR MYSELF ONLY THIS EVENING.
THREE OF THE TENANTS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ARE AS FOLLOWS, SCRIPTURE, TRADITION AND REASON.
REASON PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART FOR US AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE AND AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH FAITH AND REASON CALLS UPON US TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ABILITY TO THINK FOR OURSELVES IS PART OF, WE BELIEVE THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS THAT ALL OF US AS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, HAVE CERTAINLY THE RESTRICTION AND THE BANNING OF INDIVIDUALS TO READ BOOKS, FLIES IN THE FACE OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF REASON AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.
IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS, PARENTS WHO FEEL THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD NOT READ CERTAIN BOOKS, THEN BY ALL MEANS THEY SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR TO THEIR CHILDREN THEY SHOULDN'T READ THOSE BOOKS.
SHOULD THERE BE CERTAIN BOOKS THAT HAVE, UH, RESTRICTIONS PLACED UPON THEM THAT NEED A PARENTAL, UH, PERMISSION FOR THE CHILD TO TAKE THE BOOK OUT BECAUSE OF CERTAIN GRADE LEVELS, THEN THAT'S CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDABLE.
BUT TO BAN A BOOK FLIES IN THE FACE OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT REASON EDUCATION EXPERIENCE IS ABOUT.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT AS BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, THAT BEING CREATION DOESN'T STOP AT OUR NAVEL AND RESUME AT OUR KNEECAPS.
THAT PART OF OUR IDENTITY IS UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE EXPRESSING BEING PART OF A LOVING GOD IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
IN MANY WAYS THAT, UH, SOME MAY BE ABLE TO RELATE TO AND OTHERS MAY NOT.
BUT IT IS STILL PART OF BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
THE BANNING OF BOOKS IS THE BANNING OF IDEAS.
AND IT IS A VERY SHORT AND SLIPPERY SLOPE TO SAYING YOU CANNOT SAY CERTAIN WORDS.
YOU CANNOT EXPRESS WHO YOU ARE.
YOU WILL BE MINIMALIZED, YOU WILL BECOME OTHERS.
BANNING OF BOOKS IS BASED ON FEAR, NOT REASON, NOT THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF OUR CREATOR.
SO I URGE THE, UH, BOARD TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE WITH DUE DILIGENCE, WITH REASON, WITH UNDERSTANDING AND ALLOWING THE VOICES OF MANY INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF AGES TO SPEAK.
NEXT WE HAVE PATRICK PERIMAN, PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
RODRIGUEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
PATRICK PERIMAN, FATHER OF TWO BEAUFORT HIGH GRADUATES, ONE OF WHOM HOLLAND FOUNDED DELO DIVERSITY AWARENESS LITER YOUTH LITERACY ORGANIZATION.
AND I'M ALSO THE PASTOR AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
TONIGHT I WANT TO OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR BUFORT COUNTY STUDENTS AND PERSPECTIVE AS A FAITH LEADER WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION, EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTS.
FOR GOD GAVE US A SPIRIT, NOT A FEAR, BUT A POWER AND LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE, BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR.
THE PROPHET ISAIAH POINTS TO A TIME OF RADICAL PEACE.
WHEN THE WOLF AND THE LION AND THE LAMB AND THE CALF ARE ALL TOGETHER AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM, A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.
THAT IS WHAT I HEARD AND LEARNED AND WITNESSED IN COMING TO THESE MEETINGS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
STUDENTS TEACHING US, I QUOTE FROM THEIR WORDS, READING BOOKS TEACHES YOU WHAT NOT TO DO AND WHAT TO DO.
READING GIVES YOU A STRONGER SENSE OF EMPATHY.
AND EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A BOOK THEY CAN IDENTIFY WITH THAT WAS WRITTEN BY AN AUTHOR WHO LOOKS LIKE THEM.
OUR STUDENTS ARE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTING WITH COURAGE, DISCIPLINE, THOUGHTFULNESS, AND FAITH.
TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD
[01:25:01]
GO, AND WHEN THEY ARE OLD, THEY WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT.SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEACHERS, PARENTS, COACHES, LIBRARIANS, AND PASTORS WHO HAVE TAUGHT THESE STUDENTS.
MY FAITH WARNS ME AGAINST PUTTING STUMBLING BLOCKS IN FRONT OF CHILDREN, STUMBLING BLOCKS LIKE SHAMING, THREATENING, PROMOTING FEAR, SHAMING BLOCKS, LIKE ATTEMPTING TO ERASE IDENTITY, SANITIZE HISTORY, OR TEACH THAT WE OUGHT TO REGARD CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WITH FEAR OR SUSPICION.
FRIENDS, OUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING US AND LEARNING VALUES FROM OUR BEHAVIORS.
THEY ARE BEING TAUGHT WHO BELONGS AND WHO SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED OR WELCOMED EFFORTS TO REMOVE BOOKS FROM PUBLIC SPACES OR A VIOLATION OF FREEDOM.
FOR FREEDOM YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE.
DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELVES AGAIN TO BE BURDENED BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY, SLAVERY TO FEAR, SLAVERY TO HUMILIATION, SLAVERY, TO SHAME.
WELCOMING STUDENTS TO ENCOUNTER DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT OR EVEN DEEPLY TROUBLING CONTEXTS GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT DIFFERENCE IS NOT INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND MAY ALLOW THEM TO CONFRONT THE EVIL THAT HUMANS ARE CAPABLE OF IN PAGES, PAGES THAT ARE SAFE, PAGES THAT ARE OFTEN SAFER THAN LIVED EXPERIENCES.
MAY WE NOT PROVOKE OUR CHILDREN, BUT RATHER TEACH THEM TO DO JUSTICE, LOVE, KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY.
GRACE AND PEACE TO ALL OF YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE ATHENA SCHMIDT, TOPIC BAND LITERATURE.
GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
I AM A GRADUATE OF THE HILTON HEAD, PRIMARY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOLS.
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO ATTEND DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
UM, WHEN I, AFTER I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN 2007, I PROUDLY REPRESENTED BUFORT COUNTY, UM, AT THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR IN 2004.
AND PROUDLY IT REPRESENTED, UH, HILTON HEAD MIDDLE SCHOOL AT THE READER'S DIGEST, UH, VOCABULARY, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POWER, UM, CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2002.
I WAS PROUD TO REPRESENT YOU FOR COUNTY.
I WAS PROUD TO BE SOMEWHERE, UH, THAT CHALLENGED ME TO HAVE TEACHERS THAT CHALLENGED AND EDUCATED ME.
UM, I WAS IN THE IB PROGRAM WHEN I THINK IT FIRST GOT DESIGNATED, UH, GAVE THE TIME AND THE EFFORT, AND I HAD A WIDE BREADTH OF SELECTION, UM, OF LITERATURE TO CHOOSE FROM.
AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM THESE STUDENTS HERE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY WANT.
THE FACT THAT I NOW AM THE SECRETARY OF THE LOW COUNTRY PRIDE ORGANIZATION, WHICH WAS ONLY FOUNDED IN 2019.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHERE WAS THAT WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL? WHERE WAS THAT WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? YOU GUYS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLE.
YOU GAVE ME A GREAT EDUCATION.
I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THE JOB YOU HAVE DONE, BUT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW UNDER-PREPARED I WAS IN KNOWING MYSELF AND HAVING STRENGTHENED MY MYSELF AND BEING ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF IN SITUATIONS AND, UH, BE PROUD OF WHO I AM AND STOP TRYING TO COVER THAT UP AND STOP TRYING TO BE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE WANTS ME TO BE.
THEY HAVE THE INTERNET, THEY'RE GONNA GET TO IT ANYWAYS.
YOU'RE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME.
YOU ARE ONLY TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL BAD ABOUT THEMSELVES.
AND I AM PAST THE TIME WHERE I'M GOING TO ALLOW ANYBODY TO MAKE ME FEEL BAD ABOUT MYSELF.
UM, I WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE AGING WITH H I V, UM, ONLY 30, 40 YEARS AGO, THEY WERE RESONATED TO DIE, RIGHT? BUT NOW THEY'RE LIVING TO 80, 90 YEARS OLD.
AND THAT'S WHAT I RESEARCH AND THAT'S WHAT I STUDY.
AND WITHOUT LITERATURE AND THEMES LIKE THESE, WE WILL NOT HAVE THESE YOUNG WOMEN SEE THEMSELVES TO BE A SCIENTIST, SEE THEMSELVES, TO BE A RESEARCHER WHO CAN DO THESE THINGS AND COMPLETE THESE THINGS.
SO DO NOT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM THESE KIDS.
[01:30:01]
VIA PHONE.AND ROBIN, PLEASE REMIND THEM TO STATE THEIR NAME AND TOPIC.
UH, DAVID, THIS IS, I'M CALLING YOU FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES IF YOU WOULD STATE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME AND YOUR TOPIC.
ARE YOU READY? GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
MY COMMENT, MY COMMENT IS THE BOOK REVIEW POLICY.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, DR.
RODRIGUEZ AND STAFF, THANKS FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.
FIRST, A LINE FROM THE BOOK IDENTICAL, WHICH I REVIEWED LAST MONTH.
THE GIRL IN THE SWEET SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS NINE YEARS OLD AND SHARES A BEDROOM WITH HER TWIN SISTER.
IN THE BOOK BOOK, THE DAD WENT INTO THEIR BEDROOM.
I QUOTE, HE LIFTED HER GENTLY SAT HER DOWN ON THE BED BESIDE HIM.
THEN HE OPENED THE SNAPS ON THE FLY OF HIS FLANNEL PAJAMAS.
IT STOOD UP STIFF AS A STALAGMITE.
THE FATHER SAYS, SEE HOW MUCH DADDY LOVES YOU? SHOW ME YOU LOVE ME TOO.
OK, SO THAT'S JUST A LITTLE SAMPLE FOR YOU FROM A BOOK THAT I REVIEWED WITH FIVE OTHER PEOPLE.
UM, THIS BOOK IS NOT CURRICULUM AND THIS IS A BOOK THAT WAS SELECTED BY A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN TO GO INTO THE LIBRARY.
I SERVED ON MY SECOND REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR IDENTICAL FOR THE BOOK IDENTICAL.
STRATAS ARBITRARILY DECIDED SHE WAS GOING TO PUT THE BOOK UP FOR ANOTHER REVIEW.
IN THE VERY FIRST REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING, WE WERE TOLD A BOOK HAD TO HAVE A MAJORITY OF VOTES TO BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL.
THE BOOK IDENTICAL WAS CHALLENGED BY A PARENT, AND THE COMMITTEE DEEMED THAT IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE ENOUGH TO GO BACK INTO SCHOOL.
AND YOUR MEETING LAST WEEK, YOU CONCURRED WITH OUR FINDINGS AND YOU UPHELD MY COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS THAT IT DID NOT DESERVE TO BE BACK IN SCHOOLS.
THE WORST THING IS THE BOOK IDENTICAL, JUST PLAIN SUCKS.
I'M SORRY, THAT'S THE MOST ACCURATE WORD TO DESCRIBE IT.
I MEAN, IT'S TRULY A STEAMING PILE OF, YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE I SAID WHAT I SAID.
YOUR CHIEF INSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER'S BEHAVIOR VIOLATES DISTRICT CONDUCT POLICIES AND A MODEL BOOK REVIEW POLICY.
VIOLATING DISTRICT POLICY IS A CONTRACT.
VIOLATION IS GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION, IS A REMINDER.
THE BOOK IDENTICAL OFFERS ZERO SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGES SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS.
PEDOPHILIA, DRUG USE, PROMISCUITY, UNDERAGE DRINKING, AND SELF-MUTILATION.
NOT EVEN YOUR SEX EDUCATION CLASSES TEACH PROMISCUITY.
UNPUNISHED SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS WHERE THE VICTIM SEE NO JUSTICE AT AT ALL.
AS IS THE CASE AGAIN, IN THIS BOOK, THE ATTACKER IS NEVER ARRESTED OR HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR.
SO MATTER OF FACT, IF THAT BOOK GOES TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE, AND I THINK IT WILL, I'LL FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AGAINST DR.
STRATOS PERSONALLY AND I'LL TAKE THIS AS FAR AS LITIGATION IF NECESSARY.
ALRIGHT, THAT CONCLUDES OUR FIRST, UH, SESSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
[Chair’s Report]
AND WE'RE ONTO THE CHAIR'S REPORT.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING AND BRIEFLY SPEAKING AT ALL.
SIX BEAUFORT COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS.
THIS YEAR, WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HOLD ALL THE GRADUATIONS OUTSIDE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL FOOTBALL AND TRACK STADIUMS. THE CEREMONIES INCLUDED EXCELLENT SPEECHES BY THE VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN PRINCIPLES, AND SUPERINTENDENT AND WONDERFUL MUSIC BY STUDENTS SOLOISTS AND BANDS.
TOP STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED AND HAVE ACCEPTANCES TO HIGHLY SELECTIVE COLLEGES, INCLUDING BOSTON COLLEGE, CARNEGIE MELLON, DARTMOUTH, DUKE, GEORGETOWN, M I T, UNITED STATES, NAVAL ACADEMY, U PENN, AND U UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
THE EXCITEMENT AND POSITIVE ENERGY OF THE GRADUATES IN THE CROWDS WAS VERY UPLIFTING GRADUATES BEAMED, AND KINDLY THANKED THOSE ON STAGE AS THEY RECEIVED THEIR DIPLOMAS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH AND EVERY GRADUATE OF THE CLASS OF 2023.
A COUPLE OF BOARD MEMBERS AND I, AS WELL AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT ATTENDED THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE
[01:35:01]
RECEPTION SPONSORED BY THE BEAUFORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.WE THANK THE CHAMBER FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE BEAUFORT COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, INTRODUCING LEGISLATION, GRANTING FISCAL AUTHORITY TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION FROM BUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL.
NEXT, WE'RE ONTO OUR COMMITTEE
[Committee Reports]
REPORTS AND FIRST UP IS ACADEMICS AND WE WILL HAVE CHAIRWOMAN CHLOE GORDON REPORTING.ON MAY 24TH, THE AC ACADEMIC COMMITTEE, UH, MET AND WE WILL PROVIDE A SUMMARY TO THE BOARD.
MARY STRATUS AND HER STAFF PRESENTED SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIVE RE REGULATIONS FOR THE COMMITTEES TO REVIEW, INCLUDING ISS ONE, INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES IS 36, TEXTBOOK SELECTION AND ADOPTION ISS 49 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND DIPLOMAS.
ISS 53 TEACHING ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.
A PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN ON TEXTBOOK ADOPTIONS, AND THIS WILL BE COVERED IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
AS WITHIN THE ACADEMIC COMMITTEE THAT WAS CONDUCTED ON THE 24TH OF MAY, WE PRESENTED ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AND MRS. MCKINSEY WILL BE BRINGING SOME QUICK SUMMARY.
I DO WANNA GIVE A QUICK UPDATE TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS.
AS WE NOTE, OUR ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS ARE DEVELOPED BY WITH, WITH COMMITTEE AND INPUT FROM GROUPS OF WITHIN DIVISION AND SOME IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE MANY MEMBERS COMING FROM OTHER DIVISIONS AS WE UPDATE OUR INSTRUCTIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS.
OUR PURPOSE THIS EVENING IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A QUICK UPDATE ON THOSE REGULATION UPDATES.
Y'ALL KNOW ME, SO I'M GONNA TRY REALLY HARD TO BE SHORT AND SWEET.
I ASK ONE FOCUS ON INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
WE BASICALLY MADE ONE CHANGE TO THIS ONE AND IT WAS IN SECTION TWO.
AND WE JUST PUT IN THIS STATEMENT TO KIND OF TO PROTECT OUR TEACHERS.
AND THE TEACHERS MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS DETERMINED BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT IS INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROVISOS IN ADDENDUMS TO STATE REGULATIONS.
AND YOU DO HAVE THE FULL COPIES FOR OF THESE I 36 IS TEXTBOOK SELECTION AND ADOPTION PROCESS.
WE MADE TWO REVISIONS TO THIS ONE.
SECTION THREE, WE CHANGED, UH, WE ADDED BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL NOTIFY PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE LOCATIONS OF PUBLIC AREAS.
UM, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE STATE DID PUBLIC REVIEWS DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT WAS HALTED.
IT HAS NOW STARTED BACK AND WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THAT BACK IN THE REGULATION THAT WE'LL NOTIFY THE COMMUNITY OF WHEN THOSE HAPPEN.
THE OTHER ONE WAS, AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE, ORDERS MUST BE PLACED WITHIN A 30 DAY PERIOD ONCE THE BOARD HAS APPROVED THEM.
BUT JUST MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THINGS ARE IN OUR STUDENT'S HANDS IN A TIMELY MANNER IS 53.
THERE WERE FOUR CHANGES MADE TO IS 53, AND ALL OF THEM ARE THE SAME EXCEPT FOR ONE.
SO THE ONE THAT IS STATED THREE TIMES IS A STATEMENT THAT BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL ALIGN WITH THE REGULATIONS AND PROVIDES US OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
THE FOURTH CHANGE IS FOUND IN SECTION FOUR, AND THAT PROVIDES OUR PARENTS AN OPT-OUT OPTION OF ANY LESSON.
AND OUR LAST ONE IS, IS 49, AND THAT IS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.
THIS IS ANOTHER FAVORITE OF MINE.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ADDED PERSONAL FINANCE, SO WE CHANGED, UM, THE ELECTIVES TO 6.5 AND ADDED A 0.5 PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE IN SECTION TWO.
WE TOOK OUT THE FORMER STATE REQUIREMENT OF KEYBOARDING.
[01:40:01]
THE SAME THING.WE CHANGED THAT FOR OUR ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM FROM SEVEN TO 6.5 AND ADDED THE 0.5 PERSONAL FINANCE.
AND THOSE ARE OUR ADDITIONS FOR IS 1 36, 53 AND 49.
AND BASIC, AND BASICALLY THESE WERE JUST UPDATES TO THE BOARD, CORRECT? YES, SIR.
UM, IN, IN TERMS OF UPDATES, DO YOU MIND TELLING ME WHERE ARE WE AT WITH THE, UH, BRIEFER COUNTY STUDENT I, IN REGARDS TO THESE, UH, IN, IN REGARD IN REGARD REGARDS TO THESE UPDATES? SO, MR. SMITH, PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU, SO I THINK YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR MOUTH A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE.
UM, DID YOU HEAR ME? I SAID, WHERE ARE WE IN, WE IN REGARDS TO THE BEAVER COUNTY STUDENT, UH, IN TERMS OF THESE UPDATES? I WAS LOOKING FOR THAT.
UH, CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE ARE WE IN REGARDS TO THAT? I FOLLOW THE BEAVER COUNTY STUDENT.
YEAH, SO PROFILE WAS BEAUFORD COUNTY STUDENT IS NOT AN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION, BUT WE CAN'T PROVIDE AS A PURVIEW OF THE BOARD A PRESENTATION ON THAT.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION, SIR.
BUT WE WEREN'T PREPARED TO DO A PRESENTATION ON THE PROFILE OF BUFORD COUNTY.
SO WE CAN TAKE, TAKE THAT UP AT ANOTHER TIME.
BUT THANK YOU IN COR INCORRECT.
AND I'M JUST SAYING I WAS LOOKING FOR THE PROFILE JUST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I'VE BEEN ASKED BY A COUPLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF WHERE WE STAND WITH THAT AND WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON.
AND I THINK, I THINK NOW WOULD BE DEFINITELY BE THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO BEING THAT Y'ALL HAVE BOUGHT AND BOUGHT SOME UPDATE TO UPDATES TO US CONCERNING SOME OTHER THINGS, BUT THAT, THAT FILE, THAT FILE PRETTY MUCH IN THAT STILL IN THAT FAMILY KEPT CATEGORY.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE POINT WE'RE BRINGING THAT FORWARD TODAY.
SO I'M NOT ASKING FOR A UPDATE TODAY, I'M JUST, I'M JUST FY I PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.
SO WE'LL NEED A PORT OF ORDER.
YEAH, I JUST WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT.
NEXT WE HAVE, UM, DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR REPORT, CHAIRWOMAN GORDON? YES IT DOES, MADAM.
SO NEXT WE HAVE REPORTING FOR OPERATIONS IS, UH, CHAIRMAN, UH, COLONEL GEIER.
YESTERDAY WE HAD A, UH, FUN-FILLED OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING.
AND I HAVE MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.
A NUMBER OF, WE STARTED OFF WITH MR. ING PRESENTING INFORMATION AND REQUESTED ACTION FROM THE BOARD, DECLARING PROPERTY UNNECESSARY AND UNSUITABLE FOR EDUCATIONAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE, UH, PURPOSES.
THE KEY POINTS, THIS IS ABOUT 19.5 ACRES OF PROPERTY ON CHEROKEE ROAD THAT'S ON THE WAY TO HABERSHAM.
IT WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2ND, 2000 ABOUT THE SALE OF THAT PROPERTY.
UH, AND I WANNA REPORT THAT THAT PROPERTY HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE, UH, AS AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOR SOME TIME.
THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN LISTED IN THE FACILITY'S MASTER PLAN AS NOT NEEDED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
THERE HAVE BEEN INQUIRIES INTO THE POSSIBLE SALE OF THAT PROPERTY.
AN APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN ORDERED, PROPERTIES PURCHASED AFTER 1952 MUST BE APPROVED BY THE STATE THROUGH THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.
AND THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES REQUIRES A MOTION DECLARING THE PROPERTY UNUSABLE.
THEREFORE, MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE, BRING IT UP HERE, THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE A RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT CHEROKEE ROAD PROPERTY FOR SALE DUE THE PROPERTY BEING UNNECESSARY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT FACILITIES PLAN.
AND DO WE HAVE A SECOND? VICTOR NAY MA MADE THE SECOND ON THE MOTION.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FURTHER EXPLAIN? YES.
ALL OF THIS IS SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO USE, IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE PRICE OR ANYTHING ELSE, BUT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS BEFORE WE CAN TAKE ON A BID TO SELL THE PROPERTY.
[01:45:01]
IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR, UH, JOE FRAZIER ROAD OR ANYTHING.IT'S GOT A LONG, UH, AREA CORRIDOR TO TRY TO GET TO THIS PROPERTY.
IT WAS PURCHASED AS A PROPOSED SCHOOL NEAR THE HABERSHAM AREA.
THAT SCHOOL IS NOW AT MINK POINT.
I MEAN, NOT AT MINK POINT, BUT OFF OF, OF, UH, SAVANNAH HIGHWAY WHERE THE OLD, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THE DISTRICT IS, THAT'S RIVERVIEW CHARTER SCHOOL.
SO THIS IS SIMPLY A RESOLUTION SAYING, WE'RE NOT GONNA USE THIS PROPERTY.
WISNESKI, JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
UM, THE, THE RULE THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER, IS IT FACILITIES AND LAND OR JUST FACILITIES TO CHARTER SCHOOLS FIRST IS THAT, CAN SOMEONE CLARIFY? I B I BELIEVE THERE'S A REQUIREMENT THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER FACILITIES.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT APPLIES TO LAND.
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET CLARITY.
SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT STAGE.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO OFFER THIS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A FACILITY ON THERE.
SO YOU WERE EXACTLY CORRECT ABOUT THAT.
AND THE PURPOSE OF, OH, THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION IS TO THEN ALLOW, UH, IT TO BE SOLD.
UH, UM, I GUESS ON OUR WEBSITE, ONCE WE KNOW THE, UM, THE APPRAISAL, THAT'S JUST THE NEXT STEP.
BUT FIRST WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE STEP OF SAYING WE'RE NOT GONNA USE IT.
AND THAT'S ALL THIS RESOLUTION DOES.
UM, MR. SMITH, AND THEN I, I HAVE A LOT, LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND, AROUND, AROUND IN THIS.
I MEAN, I JUST, I RESPECT, UH, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S, UH, OPINION.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I, I, UM, I I, AND ALSO, I REMEMBER US ATTENDING A MEETING A WHILE BACK THAT STATING THAT I REMEMBER I THOUGHT THE POLICIES COMMITTEE SAYING THAT, UM, THERE WAS A TIMEFRAME ON PUTTING THINGS ON THE AGENDA.
DID WHAT THAT WAS, WAS THAT NOT, UH, I CAN ANSWER THAT.
THAT'S COMING FORWARD, UM, FOR FIRST READING TONIGHT, SO IT'S NOT POLICY YET.
AND, AND MY, AND MY SECOND AND MY, AND MY SECOND THING IS ALSO, UM, IN TERMS, IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, UM, HOW, HOW DO WE REALLY KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE, THAT, THAT WE, THAT WE NOT WANNA MAKE UTILIZATION OF.
ESPECIALLY WHEN, WHEN WE ARE, WHEN WE ARE GOING OUT FOR BOMB REFERENDUM AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WE HAVE A NEED FOR FACILITIES TO PUT STUFF LIKE, UM, OLD COMPUTERS AND WAREHOUSE, AND HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THAT LAND COULD NOT HOUSE THAT? SO, I MEAN, SO DO WE REALLY KNOW? ARE WE REALLY SURE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T WANT? I MEAN, BEING THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALREADY OWNED VERSUS HAVE TO HAVING TO PURCHASE THIS, GOING ON THE BOND REFERENDUM.
UH, AND, AND IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE, SO THERE'S A LOT OF, THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT I DON'T HAVE WITH CLARITY ON.
AND DUE TO THAT, TO, DUE TO NOT HAVING THAT INFORMATION, UM, I DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION BECAUSE OF, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAXIMIZING ALL THINGS THAT ALL, ALL THINGS THAT WE HAVE AND WE'RE UTILIZING WHAT TOOLS AND WHAT, WHAT BUILDINGS AND WHAT LAND THAT WE DO HAVE, UH, IN, IN TERMS OF, UM, MAKE SURE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING ANY EXTRA PRESSURE ON OUR TAXPAYERS.
SO DUE TO THAT, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION TONIGHT.
NEXT, UH, MR. DALLAS, AND THEN IT WILL BE MR. CAMPBELL.
UM, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE, THE PROCESS, ONCE THIS IS APPROVED, UM, SOLICITING BIDS, ARE WE GOING TO ENSURE THAT IT IS MORE THAN JUST SINGLE BID RESPONSES THAT ARE ENTERTAINED OR WE'RE GOING ENTERTAIN OR REQUIRE MULTIPLE BIDS? MR. DALLAS? UH, THERE IS, IT'S BEEN ON OUR WEBSITE FOR SOME TIME.
UM, AS ANY BID COMES FORWARD, WE WILL PRESENT THAT TO YOU.
IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE BIDS, WE'LL PRESENT THAT TO YOU AT THIS TIME.
I JUST, I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE INTERESTED PARTY.
IF THERE ARE OTHER PARTIES THAT COME FORWARD, I'LL BRING THOSE AS WELL.
AND WE WILL BRING THAT TO YOU IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW AT THAT TIME.
SO, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT BIDS THIS TIME, BUT I'M, WE, IT IS PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE.
UM, BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA GO SOLICIT BEYOND THAT, IF THAT'S, IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
SO NEXT IS, UM, MR. EARL CAMPBELL.
UM, IF, IF YOU, YOU REMEMBER, UH, SOME YEARS AGO WE WAS DISCUSSING THAT SAME, SAME PIECE OF PROPERTY AND THE AIR STATION WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE FLIGHT PATTERN.
SO WE COULDN'T BILL ANYTHING OUT THERE ANYWAY.
[01:50:01]
THAT'S THE REASON WHY.KY, TO MR. SMITH'S POINT, UM, IN REGARD TO, YOU KNOW, THE DISPOSAL OF THE PROPERTY.
I KNOW IN THE PAST WHEN WE'VE SOLD PROPERTY, WE'VE USED THE PROCEEDS TO OFFSET OTHER LAND PURCHASES OR OTHER PARTS OF, UM, IDENTIFIED REFERENDUM PROJECTS.
SO I'D HOPE THAT THE BOARD KIND OF, JUST FOR THE NEW MEMBERS THAT ARE UNAWARE, WE'VE DONE THAT IN THE PAST AND THAT HAS HELPED TO OFFSET THE TOTAL ASK OF A POTENTIAL REFERENDUM.
SO HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE, IF WE GET A GOOD OFFER ON THIS, WE CAN DO THE SAME.
I THINK ALSO THAT IF, IF WE DIDN'T GET AN OFFER THAT WE WANTED TO ACCEPT, WE'RE NOT OBLIGATED TO SELL IT FOR SOMETHING LESS THAN WHAT WE THINK, UH, IT'S WORTH.
MR. SMITH, UM, SO IF HEARING WHAT MR. CAMPBELL JUST SAID ABOUT BEING WITHIN THE FLIGHT, UM, BEING WITHIN, WITHIN, WITHIN THE, THE, THE FLIGHT, THE FLIGHT PATTERN, UM, I ONCE AGAIN STILL, UH, HAVE MORE QUESTIONS.
SO I'LL, I'LL ALSO BELIEVE THAT MR. OUTING STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS INTERESTED IN, IN, IN, IN BUYING, BUYING THAT, UM, AND BUYING AND BUYING THIS LAND.
IS THAT WHY, WHY THIS LAND HAS BEEN BOUGHT BEFORE? BECAUSE I BELIEVE I'VE ASKED LAST TIME, WHAT'S THE PROCESS AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD IN IDENTIFYING THESE PROJECTS? SO, UH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE SECOND PROJECT THAT HAS CAME FORWARD THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND THAT SOMEONE IS INTERESTED TO BUY, JUST FOR THE RECORD, TO PUT THE TEETH IN IT.
THE LAST ONE WAS ON THE, UM, ON THE FUSS ALLEY, AND NOW WE ARE HERE WITH THIS ONE HERE.
SO I, I'M JUST A LITTLE AT ODD AND LITTLE UN EASED, UH, WITH, WITH HAVING PROJECTS BROUGHT TO US AND THEN THEN THIS METAPHOR.
BUT, UH, YOU CAN ENLIGHTEN ME WITH THAT.
SO, TO ANSWER YOUR FIRST QUESTION, YES, THERE, WE ARE AWARE OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PRO THIS PR PROPERTY.
AS FAR AS THE PROCESS, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSES.
ONE FOR PROPERTIES PURCHASED PRIOR TO 1952, AND ANOTHER PROCESS FOR PROPERTIES PURCHASED AFTER 1952.
THE DUSKY ISLAND PROPERTY WAS DONATED TO US IN THE 1920S.
THIS PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED IN THE TWO THOUSANDS.
AFTER 1952 REQUIRES US TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE, WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THE OFFER, WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THE APPRAISAL, WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT THE BOARD HAS, UH, UM, PASSED A RESOLUTION TO SELL IT, AND THE STATE WILL APPROVE OUR SALE.
ONCE Y'ALL APPROVE IT, THEN THE STATE HAS JURISDICTION OVER IT TO SAY YES OR NO.
ON TOP OF THAT, IT HAS TO GO IN FRONT OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THEY WILL REVIEW IT.
AND THEN THERE IS A PROCESS, I WOULD SAY A THIRD PROCESS.
AS MS. WASTI JUST MENTIONED, IF IT ACTUALLY HAD AN EDUCATION FACILITY ON IT, WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OFFER THAT TO CHARTER SCHOOLS PRIOR TO OFFERING IT TO ANYONE ELSE AND ALSO TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
SO I GUESS TO SAY THERE ARE THREE PROCESSES OUT THERE, DEPENDING ON THE DATE OF THE PURCHASE AND WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS A BUILDING ON IT.
I WOULD ALSO JUST LIKE TO REITERATE WHAT MR. CAMPBELL SAYS.
UM, IT, WHAT IT IS CALLED IS IN THE AQ ZONE.
AND I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT AQ STANDS FOR, BUT THOSE ARE AREAS THAT THE MILITARY, UM, HAS DEEMED THAT THEY DO NOT WANT DEVELOPMENT IN, AND THIS PROPERTY IS IN THAT AREA.
SO WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BUILD A SCHOOL ON THIS PROPERTY.
UM, AS IT IS, AS AND, AND, AND AS WELL AS THAT QUESTION THEN, THEN THAT BRINGS ME TO THE, THE QUESTION.
UM, IN, IN, IN TERMS OF EVEN GETTING INTO ANY, UM, OF, OF, OF SELLING, OF SELLING THIS PROPERTY, THEY'RE THE FIRST COUPLE THINGS THAT STICK OUT IN MY MIND IN TERMS OF THAT WE SERVE A LARGE MILITARY PO UH, WE SERVE A LARGE, UH, MILITARY POPULATION HERE.
AND AS WELL AS WE'VE HAD PROGRAMS THERE THAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WORKING WITH THE MILITARY AND HAVE, WE HA HAVE, HAVE WE, UM, AND IN TERMS OF THE DISTRICTS BEST INTEREST, HAVE WE, UH, OPENED OUR NET TO SEE, UH, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GONNA GET THE, THE BEST AMOUNT OF MONEY IN TERMS OF IT A AS IN THE PER THE PERSON WHO IS, WELL, BASICALLY I'M TRYING TO GET AROUND AND SAY, IS THE PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING IT, IS IT, IS IT THE MILITARY? UH, MADAM CHAIR? YEAH.
AND THE, THIS PROPERTY IS VERY, VERY CLOSE TO HABERSHAM.
HABERSHAM GOT A WAIVER TO BUILD THERE.
AND HABERSHAM IS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WITH SOME, UM, SOME TOWN HOMES THERE AS WELL.
THIS PROPERTY, WITH THE ZONING AND REQUIREMENTS THAT THE COUNTY HAS AGREED TO, TO SUPPORT THE AIR STATION, WILL NOT ALLOW HIGH DENSITY HUMANS TO LIVE THERE.
BECAUSE IF AN AIRPLANE HAPPENED TO GO DOWN ON APPROACH OR TAKEOFF,
[01:55:01]
IT COULD CAUSE MASS CASUALTIES.SO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING MORE THAN PROBABLY SOMEBODY'S FARM.
SOMEBODY'S GONNA PROBABLY RAISE CROPS ON IT.
THAT'S ALL THAT REALLY, IT COULD BE.
THERE MAY BE A WAREHOUSE PERHAPS, BUT YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET A GOOD INSURANCE KIND OF, UH, DEAL ON ANY HIGH VALUE ITEM IN THAT FLIGHT ZONE.
THE MILITARY WILL NOT PURCHASE THAT LAND.
AND THE MILITARY, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU, THEY WILL NOT PURCHASE THAT LAND.
IT'S NOT, THAT'S NOT FOR, IT'S NOT EVEN A POSSIBILITY.
SO, ROBERT, CAN I ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION? SO, AND MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID SINCE THIS IS A, UH, UM, AN AFTER 1952 PURCHASE THAT NOW THIS, ONCE WE VOTE, THE STATE HAS AUTHORITY OVER THIS BOARD AS TO WHETHER, WHETHER THE SALE GOES THROUGH OR NOT.
SO THEY SAY, WELL, YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT OFFER OR DOES MS. CARTILAGE CAN AN ANSWER THAT MAYBE Y YOU, YOU WOULD ONLY BRING TO THEM AN OFFER YOU'VE ACCEPTED.
AND THEN WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE PAPERWORK AND THEY AGREE WHETHER THAT OFFER IS GOOD ENOUGH OR THAT WE CAN ACCEPT IT.
THE STATE HAS FINAL AUTHORITY OVER THAT.
UH, BOARD MEMBERS, I DON'T HAVE THE STATUTE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT BASICALLY THERE IS A PROCEDURE THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW.
WE HAVE TO PRESENT THE RESOLUTION, THE APPRAISAL, THE DOCUMENTS, THE SIGNED MINUTES, IT GOES TO THE STATE BOARD, IT GOES UP ON THEIR AGENDA, AND THEN IT GOES ONTO THE AGENDA'S APPROVAL OF SALE PROPERTY.
SO THEY DON'T DICTATE ABOUT THE PRICE, BUT IT'S A STATUTE THAT REQUIRES THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVE IT.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO WITH THE BOROUGHS AVENUE PROPERTY.
THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
ALL RIGHT, MR. ALICE, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTIES ASSETS.
UM, I WOULD FEEL BETTER IF THE RESPONSE HAD BEEN, WE ARE WILLING TO GO OUT AND MAKE OTHER SOLICITATIONS TO INCREASE OTHER THAN A SINGLE BIDDER.
SINGLE BIDDERS HAVE A NEGATIVE PERCEPTION.
A, THE MARKETPLACE, HOW DID THEY KNOW IT WAS FOR SALE? DID THEY GET EARLY INFORMATION? AND THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS I THINK WE HAVE TO AVOID.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH SELLING IT, NOT QUESTIONING ANYBODY'S ETHICS OR ANYTHING.
I'M SAYING LET'S JUST AVOID ANY PERCEPTUAL DAMAGE BEFORE IT EVEN COMES TO FRUITION.
I, I, I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY FINE.
IF WE WANT TO SOLICIT, UH, AFTERWARDS, WE CAN DO THAT.
IF THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DO, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.
AND I THINK I, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MR. UH, MR. DALLAS.
UH, HE SAID IT SO PARTIALLY, UH, THAT'S, THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT, UH, UH, HERE.
UM, I'M LOOKING TO SEE WHERE WE GO AT FROM HERE IN TERMS OF THIS AND WHEN THESE COME BACK FORWARD AGAIN, THAT WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE AND THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT PROCESS.
UM, WHAT'S MOVING FORWARD? I CAN'T GUARANTEE YOU YOU'LL HAVE MORE THAN ONE.
I CAN ONLY GUARANTEE YOU WE'LL GO THROUGH A SOLICITING PROCESS.
WELL, THAT, THAT PROCESS, EXACTLY.
THAT SEEMS TO, UH, BE THE DISCUSSION.
SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE, A MOTION THAT'S DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
UH, ANY NAYS? ALL RIGHT, MR. SMITH? YES.
AND ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO WE HAVE THE MOTION CARRIES EIGHT ONE AND TWO NINE, UH, PRESENT FOR THE VOTE.
THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME THAT.
SO IT SHOULD THEN BE, YES, SEVEN.
MR. OTTING ALSO INTRODUCED, UH, AT OUR MEETING YESTERDAY, MR. ERIC CLAUSSEN, WHO'S WITH, UH, BUFORT COUNTY, WHO PRESENTED A REQUEST ON THE BEHALF OF THE BUFORD COUNTY OF AN EASEMENT, UH, FOR THE SIDEWALK INSTALLATION ALONG BOX ELDER AND RED CEDAR AT RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THE MAJOR REASON, A SAFETY ISSUE FOR CHILDREN WALKING TO SCHOOL.
UH, THE BUFORD COUNTY WILL COMMIT THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE WORK AND THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK.
THE SIDEWALK ON RED CEDAR WILL BE LOCATED ON THE ROAD ROW, R O W A CONSTRUCTION
[02:00:01]
EASEMENT IS NEEDED TO INSTALL THIS NEW SIDEWALK BOX ELDER.THAT ROAD THAT GOES TO RED CEDAR ELEMENTARY IS A PRIVATE ROAD.
THE SIDEWALK IS LOCATED ON BEAUFORD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY, AND THE WORK WILL OCCUR ON BEAUFORD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY.
THE FINAL SIDEWALK ON RED BOX CEDAR WILL BE LOCATED ALSO ON BEAUFORT COUNTY PROPERTY AND WILL BE OWNED BY BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE FINAL SIDEWALK ON RED CEDAR WILL BE ON BEAUFORT COUNTY PROPERTY AND WILL BE OWNED BY BUFORT COUNTY.
WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR IT, BUT WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING OR CLEANING IT.
BASICALLY THE PROPERTY THAT'S ON OUR, OR THE SIDEWALK THAT'S ON OUR PROPERTY.
AND SO THEREFORE, I HAVE A MOTION.
AND THE MOTION IS THE, THE SCHOOL BOARD EXCEPT THE EX, EXCEPT THE 10 FOOT CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY LINE OF BOX ELDER AND RED CEDAR FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A SIDEWALK BY BEAUFORT COUNTY.
THE MOTION THAT'S HERE, YOU SAID ON THE PROPERTY LINES WHERE THE MOTION SAYS OFF THE PROPERTY LINES, SO WHICH IS IT ON THE PROPERTY LINES? OKAY.
UH, AND JUST FOR CLARITY, WHEN YOU SAID THE BEFORD COUNTY WILL PAY FOR, FOR IT, YOU MEAN BEFORD COUNTY COUNCIL WILL, WILL, WILL PAY FOR IT.
BEAUFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT APPROVED BY THE BUFORD COUNTY COUNCIL WILL PAY FOR THIS.
I, I JUST, I JUST WANNA BRING CLARITY, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN PEOPLE SAY BEAUFORD COUNTY COUNCIL, SOMETIMES THEY MEAN THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THEY MEAN BEFORD COUNTY COUNCIL.
SO I JUST WANNA GET CLARIFICATION FOR ANY LISTENERS WHO, WHO WAS, WHO'S PAYING FOR IT.
NOT THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
UM, IN THE PROPOSED IMAGES, IT HAS SOME GREENERY AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND YOU MENTIONED THAT WE'D BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING IT.
I JUST WANTED TO ASK ROBERT IF YOU THOUGHT THAT THAT WOULD LEAD TO ANY INCREASE IN OUR LANDSCAPING COSTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THAT AREA? OKAY.
ALL IN FAVOR OF, UH, THE MOTION THAT'S DISPLAYED, AND I'LL LET ROBIN PUT IT BACK UP THERE.
UM, IS MS. HAY ON OH, AND MS. GORDON? OKAY.
SO I THINK THAT WAS UNANIMOUS WITH IT'S, UH, EIGHT ZERO.
THE NEXT ITEM HAS TO DO WITH 8% CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS.
A YEAR AGO, A MOTION WAS PASSED BY THE BOARD.
IN FACT, IT WAS ON, UH, JUNE 8TH, 2022 THAT THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO THE FULL BOARD THE F Y TWO Z 2024 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AS PRESENTED IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 25 MILLION USING 8% FUNDS.
THIS YEAR, THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, UH, BELIEVES THAT THE 8% MAXIMUM, UH, AMOUNT SHOULD BE 30 MILLION GOING UP FROM 25 MILLION LAST YEAR TO 30 MILLION THIS YEAR.
AND MS. CROSBY, IF YOU WOULD TALK TO US ABOUT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF GOING FROM 25 MILLION TO 35, $30 MILLION OR 8% FUNDING FOR NEXT, NOT THIS SUMMER, NEXT SUMMER.
UM, SO, UH, WITH US THIS EVENING IS ALSO FORNY HEISER OF BO BEAR FOREMAN, AND, UH, SHE AND I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
AND SHE'S, UM, I'M GONNA OFFER SOME INFORMATION, SOME BACKGROUND, SOME HISTORY AND, AND OTHER GUIDANCE FOR YOU AS WELL, AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS, UH, BUT FOR ANY IS ALSO HERE AVAILABLE TO, UH, LEND ANY SUPPORT AND, AND, AND IN HER EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TOPIC AS WELL.
SO, UH, OUR LONG, LONG-TERM DEBT PROGRAM FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT TO PROVIDE CONSISTENT AND, UH, CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO FUNDING OUR CAPITAL NEEDS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
UM, THIS YEAR WE DO HAVE, UM, A RECOMMENDATION FOR A 30 MILLION, UM, A LIST OF CAPITAL NEEDS.
UM, THE UNIQUE PART ABOUT THIS YEAR IS THAT THERE IS, WE HAVE SEEN AN
[02:05:01]
UNPRECEDENTED RISE IN TAX REVENUE IN THE DEBT SERVICE FUND THAT EXCEEDS OUR GROWTH PROJECTIONS.SO YOU, YOU'VE, YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THE GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY, UM, AND ESPECIALLY, UH, WITH REASSESSMENT, UM, LOOMING AS WELL.
UM, AND SO IN MEETING WITH LAST WEEK, AS WE PROVIDE, UH, MONTHLY PROJECTIONS OR, UH, EXCUSE ME, MONTHLY ACTUAL REVENUES TO OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, BRIAN RIK, UM, MR. NEEK, UM, REVIEWED THOSE, UM, ACTUAL PROJECTIONS OR ACTUAL REVENUES, AND HE HAS ADVISED US TO INCREASE OUR BORROWING FOR ONE YEAR IN THE 8% PROJECTS.
AND SO THE REASON FOR THAT IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR MILLAGE WILL STAY AT THE 36.3 MILS THAT WE ESTABLISHED FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE, UM, PASSED THE LAST REFERENDUM.
AND IT ALLOWS US TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL NEEDS THAT WE, WE DO HAVE IN THE DISTRICT, UM, MANY OF WHICH ARE LARGELY CAUSED BY INFLATION.
UM, SO REDUCING ANY FLUCTUATION IN MILLAGE RATES IS VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, AND SO AT THAT LENDS TO THE CONTINUITY OF OUR PROGRAM AND THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR ENTIRE DEBT PROGRAM.
UM, SO I LOOK BACK ABOUT, UH, 15 YEARS TO SEE WHAT THE HISTORY WAS, AND I COULD SEE THAT, UM, IN 15 YEARS AGO, WE WERE AT ABOUT A 10 MILLION, UM, CAPITAL PROJECTS, UH, APPROVAL AMOUNT.
UM, AND IT FLUCTUATED DRASTICALLY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
AND THEN IT STABILIZED BETWEEN 10 AND, UH, ABOUT 1315, UH, STAYED AT 15 FOR A FEW YEARS, MOVED TO 20 FOR FOUR YEARS, AND THEN WE MOVED IT TO 25 LAST YEAR.
SINCE THEN, WE HAVE SEEN INFLATION THAT IS COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF.
UH, THE INFLATION HAS, UM, OUR, OUR C P I OR CONSUMER RIGHTS PRICE INDEX INFLATION RATE WAS 8%.
BUT THAT C P I IS ONLY FOR SHELTER, FUEL, AND FOOD, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN, NOT SEEN ANY DECLINES IN THOSE COSTS IN THE LAST, UM, IN THE LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THERE, UH, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT WE'VE SEEN DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASES IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
AND WE DO EXPECT ANOTHER, AT LEAST 5% INCREASE OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
SO THAT HAS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE FOR US, AND I THINK IT WOULD SUPPORT AN EFFORT TO INCREASE THAT 25 MILLION TO THE 30 MILLION IN ORDER TO FUND, UM, UH, FUND PROJECTS.
IT STRETCHES OUR PROJECTS, UH, A LITTLE FURTHER THAN THEY WOULD AT THE CURRENT COSTS.
UH, WE'RE SEEING LABOR, LABOR RATES STILL VERY HIGH.
UH, LABORERS ARE DEMANDING A HIGHER WAGE IN EVERY INDUSTRY, AND THE NEEDS ARE GREATER, UM, BECAUSE THE COSTS ARE SO MUCH HIGHER.
UH, ALSO ON THE DEBT SERVICE SIDE, UM, JUST A LITTLE HISTORY THERE.
WE INCREASED, UH, THE MILLAGE IN 2019 AS WELL DUE TO THE REFERENDUM FROM 31.7 MILS TO 36.3.
WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, IT'S ABOUT A 4.6 MIL INCREASE IN DEBT SERVICE.
UM, SO THE FI LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN IS TO MAINTAIN THAT MILLAGE FOR THE 2023 REFERENDUM.
SO WE CAN, UH, TOUT A A NO MILLAGE INCREASE IN THE REFERENDUM, BUT WE ALSO INTEND TO, AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO, IF OUR PROJECTIONS RING TRUE, THAT WE CAN POTENTIALLY HOLD THAT MILLAGE RATE STEADY FOR THE NEXT REFERENDUM AS WELL.
SO IT IS NOT JUST A A A FOUR YEAR PLAN FOR US, IT'S A, IT'S AN EIGHT YEAR PLAN, WHICH WE ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE STATE.
WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN TOLD WE WERE ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF THE LENGTH OF THE PROJECTIONS AND THE PLANNING THAT WE ARE ENDURING COMPARED TO OUR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE STATE.
SO STABILIZING THE MILLAGE IS REALLY ONE OF THE CORE ELEMENTS OF THIS LONG-TERM DEBT PROGRAM.
AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT REDUCES PUBLIC CONFUSION FROM A FLUCTUATED MILLAGE.
UM, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION, UH, IS TO, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH 30 MILLION IS, UM, THE RIGHT THING FOR US AT THIS TIME.
UH, JUST THERE IS A BOARD POLICY, WE'RE GET RELATING TO BOND RATINGS.
MU MUST STRIVE TO HOLD OR IMPROVE THOSE BOND RATINGS AND THIS, UH, UH, STABLE RATE LENS TO CONTINUITY, UH, IN THE PROGRAM.
UH, ALSO OTHER THINGS THAT ARE FACTORS ARE STRONG ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, HEALTHY OPERATING FUND BALANCE, CONTINUITY, AND LEADERSHIP IN, IN THE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BUT A, A STRONG, CONSISTENT, LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN FOR DEBT MANAGEMENT IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THOSE ITEMS. AND THE BOARD HAS
[02:10:01]
DEMONSTRATED, UH, INTEREST AND, UH, UH, AN EFFORT TO PUT IN, UH, A COUPLE OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS OR POLICIES THAT LEND TO STRONGER FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT HAVE GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF OUR CREDIT RATING AGENCIES WHEN WE GO OUT FOR BONDS.UM, THE ABILITY TO FUND THE 30 MILLION OF PROJECTS HELPS US TO MANAGE THOSE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING AND HELPS TO STABILIZE THAT MILLAGE RATE.
AND OUR PLAN IS TO REMAIN AT THAT 36.3 FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO COME TO ADDRESS THOSE CAPITAL NEEDS.
AND WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A VERY GOOD YEAR THIS YEAR, UM, AND TO BE ABLE TO FUND MORE.
UM, BUT WE COULD VERY WELL SEE US, UH, SLOW DOWN IN THE FUTURE.
UM, WITH, THERE IS MUCH TALK OF RECESSIONARY POSSIBILITIES IN IN THE FUTURE AS WE'VE, UH, AS WE'VE MOVED THROUGH THIS TIME OF GREAT GROWTH.
UM, AND THOSE RECESSIONARY TIMES OR ECONOMIC SLOWDOWNS COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FUND AT 30 MILLION OR 25 MILLION OR, OR EVEN 20 MILLION IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
SO I THINK TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY WOULD LEND US TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT, UH, ADDRESS A FEW ADDITIONAL NEEDS.
AND, UM, SO I WOULD CERTAINLY BE MY RECOMMENDATION AND THAT OF OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO SUPPORT, UH, THIS LEVEL OF FUNDING THIS YEAR.
MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY MAKE A MOTION AND THEN, UH, ALLOW DISCUSSION AFTER.
ANY QUESTIONS AFTER THAT? YES, GO AHEAD.
I MOVE THAT THE FULL BOARD APPROVE THE, THE FY 2025, 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION USING 8% CAPITAL FUNDS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER? NO, MA'AM.
OH, WELL, I'LL, I'LL, YEAH, I'LL GO FIRST INSTEAD OF LAST.
UM, SO THIS, THIS, UM, DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE THAT SAYS THE, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR OF, UH, 2025, THE 8%, THE 30 MILLION TOTAL CATEGORY LIST, WHO DEVELOPED THIS LIST, I GUESS IS MY QUESTION? THE LISTING OF PROJECTS? THAT WOULD BE THE FACILITY'S OFFICE, MR. OTTING.
AND DID THAT GO THROUGH THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE? IT, MADAM CHAIR, WE, WE WANTED TO GET THE DOLLAR AMOUNT SET FIRST, AND THEN AT THE NE AT, UH, OUR NEXT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING, WE WILL REVIEW THE LIST.
AND WE'LL COME BACK TO THE FULL BOARD WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT SHOULD BE ON THAT 30 MILLION LIST.
WITH IT INCLUDED, I THINK, OH, THIS IS THE LIST WE'RE VOTING ON, BUT NO, THANK YOU, UH, MS. BOATWRIGHT.
YEAH, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY TIME TO LOOK AT THIS LIST OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A WORDING ISSUE THERE, UM, BECAUSE IT SAYS THE BOARD APPROVED THE 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND WE'RE NOT REALLY APPROVING THE PROJECTS, WE'RE APPROVING THE AMOUNT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT IF I COULD.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THE MOTION THAT THE, UH, FULL BOARD APPROVE, UH, AN, THE DISTRICT TO BORROW AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION, UM, FOR USE IN, WHAT DO YOU WANNA SAY? USE OF FOR CAPITAL FOR FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS LIKE THAT.
I MOVE THAT THE FULL BOARD APPROVE, UH, THE DISTRICT, THE ALLOW OR WHATEVER, WHAT DID I SAY? THE DISTRICT TO BORROW 30 MILLION, NOT TO AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION FOR USE, UM, OF 8% CAPITAL FUNDS FOR THE 2020.
WHAT IS THE YEAR? 25? 25? YEAH.
SUE, DO YOU THINK THAT'S ADEQUATE? UM, RANDY HEISER? UH, I THINK THAT MOTION WOULD BE, I THINK THE PLAN IS THAT AT YOUR NEXT BOARD MEETING, I WOULD BRING A RESOLUTION NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION FOR YOUR, UH, 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WE DO NOT IDENTIFY THE PROJECTS IN THAT RESOLUTION.
THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FOR THE BOARD TO DO.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE, UM, TIME TO, TO DO THAT AT Y'ALL'S CONVENIENCE.
SO, UM, YOU MADE AN AMENDMENT.
DID WE HAVE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT? OKAY, DR.
[02:15:06]
I THINK LOOKING AT THE MOTION, YOU WANNA TAKE IT, YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY APPROVING THE CAPITAL PROJECTS.YOU, YOU'RE APPROVING THAT DOLLAR, THE, THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION OF 8% FUNDS FOR THE F Y 2025 8% CAPITAL PROJECT.
SO YOU'RE APPROVING THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION FOR THE FY 25, 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS.
SO IT SEEMS LIKE THE EASIEST WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE JUST DELETE THE FY 2025, 8% CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WAZOWSKI, SORRY, I WAS JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU, BUT THEN YOU NEED TO, TO HAVE THE, FOR FY 2025, WHAT COULD YOU READ? IS SHE GONNA SHOW US? I THINK WHAT I'D LIKE TO PREFER, I THINK WHAT I SAID INITIALLY WAS AUTHORIZE THE DISTRICT RATHER THAN APPROVE THE DISTRICT, I THINK THE CORRECT TERM.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE AUTHORIZING THE DISTRICT TO BORROW AN AMOUNT, NOT AN AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED 30 MILLION.
SO THE FIRST 30 MILLION CAN COME OUT AND ADD AN AMOUNT TO BORROW AN AMOUNT NO, AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED CAPITAL.
WELL, SHE'S A SPECIAL AUDIENCE MEMBER,
I'M, I'M ONLY HERE FOR ONE REASON.
THE WORD A N BEFORE A OUT HIRE, ONE OF THOSE DECK OF KIDS.
SIT WITH ME HERE AND JUST, AWESOME.
AND, AND THEN AS I SAID, Y'ALL WILL ACTUALLY, I MEAN THIS, THIS SORT OF DECLARES YOUR INTENT OR YOUR INTENTION, BUT AT YOUR DESK'S BOARD MEETING, Y'ALL WOULD BE ASKED TO AUTHORIZE TO ADOPT THE OFFICIAL RESOLUTION.
THAT HAS ALL THE DETAILS IN IT.
AND THEN WE WOULD GO FORWARD UNDER THAT, UNDER THAT, UH, RESOLUTION.
MR. SMITH, UM, AND THE, AND WHAT'S THE, AND WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL ABOUT MR. CROLEY? WAS IT 20, WAS IT 20, 20, 25? WAS IT 20? OUR PROJECTION, UH, OVER IN THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS 25 MILLION.
AND SO NOW WE'RE ASKING TO GO TO 30 MILLION.
I'M FINDING IT HARD AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO GO, UH, TO MAKE A DRASTIC DECISION AND NOT SLEEP ON THIS.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE'RE, THAT, THAT WE'RE AUTHORIZING, THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, I I, I'VE, I'VE HEARD OF MRS. CROSBY THOUGH, AND, AND, AND HER STAFF HAS SAID, AND I'VE HEARD WHAT MRS. MRS. UM, BRAND HEISER HAS BOUGHT.
BUT BEING ON OPERATIONS, I REMEMBER WE TALKED ABOUT BEING MORE INTENTIONAL, AND IF WE JUST CHANGED IT LAST YEAR, THEN THAT WE'RE GONNA DO THIS AGAIN.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID WE CHANGED IT? MS. UH, CROSBY.
AND THEN, THEN WHEN DID WE CHANGE IT? LAST YEAR, IT WAS INCREASED 25 MILLION.
THAT, THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
RIGHT? 20, 21 0.3, BUT THE PRIOR YEAR, RIGHT.
SO FOR, TO INCREASE IT LAST YEAR AND THEN TO COME BACK AND TAKE ANOTHER SLICE AT THE PIE AND THEN POSSIBLY GOING OUT FOR REFERENDUM.
I I JUST THINK THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT, THIS IS A, A BIT LIKE WE'RE, WE, WE'RE GETTING JABS AT TAXPAYERS IN, IN, IN, IN EVERY WAY, IN EVERY WHICH WAY.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL UPON HOW WE ARE DOING THINGS.
AND, AND I JUST, AT THIS TIME, I THINK I'LL DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE MORE TIME TO DIGEST THIS AND UNDERSTANDING, AND I'M SURE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES MAY NOT.
I MEAN, THEY, THEY OBVIOUSLY, THEY MAY AGREE, BUT AT THIS TIME, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH, WITH, WITH APPROVING THIS TODAY IN UNDERSTANDING WHERE I'M AT.
AND I'VE BEEN, AND I'LL JUST SAY I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING
[02:20:01]
OPERATIONS SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR, UH, AND I'M GOING ON BOARD NOW FOR FIVE YEARS.AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WHEN, WHEN, UH, WHEN, WHEN I FIRST SAW, I WAS ON THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ABOUT HOW WE WANTED TO STRATEGICALLY MOVE THE MILE MARKER.
I JUST CONTINUOUSLY MOVED BECAUSE IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS AND IT, IT, IT, YOU KNOW, IT, IT JUST MAY NOT BE, MAY NOT BE LOOKED AT IN, IN A GOOD LIGHT WITH TAXPAYERS.
SO I, I WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION TODAY.
UH, AS WAS DISCUSSED IN OPERATIONS LAST NIGHT, UH, FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE UNCLEAR, UM, IT'S BAD TO LOWER MILLAGE AND IF WE DON'T BORROW THE 30 MILLION, IT COULD TRIGGER A LOWERING OF OUR MILLAGE BY THE ASSESSOR.
UH, SO THAT IF WE WERE TO DO THAT REFERENDUM, IT WOULD RAISE THE MILLAGE AGAIN.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID.
UH, SO I JUST WANNA PUT THAT OUT THERE FOR ANYBODY LISTENING.
SECOND, UH, YOU SAID YOU WENT BACK 15 YEARS WITH DATA.
UM, CAN, DO YOU HAVE THE DATA SET THAT, UH, THE CHANGES TO OUR MILLAGE OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS AND HOW IT CORRESPONDED TO OUR CREDIT RATING OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS? I DO HAVE THE HISTORY OF OUR, I DON'T HAVE IT WITH ME AT THE MOMENT.
IT IS IN OUR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, AND IT'S ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.
UH, THERE'S SOME, A STATISTICAL SECTION IN THE BACK THAT PROVIDES, UH, US 15 OR 10 YEARS OF DATA, AND WE HAVE 30 YEARS OF FINANCIAL REPORTS IN THE OFFICE, SO WE CAN CERTAINLY GET THAT INFORMATION.
UH, AS REGARDS TO THE CREDIT RATING, I KNOW WE'VE HAD THE AA ONE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
UM, I THINK IT WAS, UH, INCREASED.
UM, THE RATING IMPROVED BACK IN, UH, AT LEAST 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO, UM, TO AA ONE RATING.
SO IT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
UM, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY CORRELATE THE TWO PIECES TOGETHER OR THREE PIECES TOGETHER AND PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.
UM, THE DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE STAYED AT 31.7 MILS PRIOR TO THE INCREASE IN THE REFERENDUM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS WELL.
SO IT WAS RELATIVELY STA IT'S BEEN VERY STABLE, INTENTIONAL, AND VERY STRATEGIC PLAN TO JUST INCREMENTALLY INCREASE IT TO A LEVEL NOW WHERE WE WANNA STAY CONSISTENT AND STAY THERE.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, IT WOULD HA HAD, IF WE DON'T BORROW THE 30, IT WILL, IT HAS A, A VERY GOOD POTENTIAL OF DECLINING AND THEN POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WHICH COULD BE VERY CONFUSING FOR OUR TAXPAYERS.
IF, IF, IF I COULD JUST BRIEFLY COMMENT ON Y'ALL'S MILLEDGE STABILIZATION.
I'M NOT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND HE, HE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, BUT I KNOW WHAT HE WOULD SAY.
THE, UM, I MEAN, Y'ALL HAVE WISE WISELY, I THINK, COMMITTED TO, UM, A LEVEL MILLAGE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO MEET ALL OF YOUR CAPITAL NEEDS.
AND THE FACT THAT YOU CAN MEET YOUR 8% ANNUAL NEEDS AND, UH, UH, SIZABLE REFERENDUM THAT Y'ALL MAY BE CONS YOU WOULD CONSIDER LATER TONIGHT IS REALLY, UH, I THINK A TESTAMENT TO THE, UM, THE WISDOM THAT, THAT THE BOARD THEN SHOWED WHEN YOU WENT UP TO THE 36, WHATEVER, 0.3, UH, IF YOU REMEMBER THE LAST REFERENDUM, THE PREDICTION WAS THAT THE MILLAGE RATE WOULD HAVE TO BE HIGHER AND Y'ALL ENDED UP WITH A LOWER MILLAGE RATE.
AND THE, UM, AND SO THAT'S THE, THE IDEA AND THE GOAL.
AND I THINK WHAT MR. URI WOULD SAY IS THAT HE'S GOT YOUR PLAN, LIKE FINE TUNED.
AND IF PARTS OF IT START CHANGING, THEN THE RESULTS IN THE OUT YEARS CAN BE DIFFERENT TOO.
SO I KNOW HE WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT, THAT YOU KEEP YOUR MILLAGE, UM, LEVEL AND, AND STABLE.
WASOWSKI, MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE THREE QUESTIONS THAT I THINK, UM, THEY MAY BE MOSTLY AT, UH, MR. OTTING.
IS THAT OKAY IF I GIVE IT IN A SERIES? YEAH.
I WAS JUST PREPPING EM SO HE CAN OKAY.
UM, SO ONE OF MY QUESTIONS, I KNOW THAT WE'RE ONLY APPROVING THE 30, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS ALSO IS PROBABLY THE SHORT LIST THAT YOU ALL ARE GONNA START WITH IN OPERATIONS.
SO I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE ITEMS. UM, THE FIRST ONE BEING AT OKT ELEMENTARY, THERE'S A DESCRIPTION FOR A SPED PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT ON EXISTING GRASS SURFACE.
AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF THAT'S BEST PRACTICE TO HAVE A SPLIT SPED PLAYGROUND ON GRASS SURFACE AND NOT ON TURF? CAUSE I THINK A LOT OF THE PLAYGROUNDS, JUST THE REGULAR PLAYGROUNDS ARE ON A TURF OR A, A RUBBER MATERIAL.
I, I BELIEVE THE TERM GRASS SURFACE IS REFERRING TO THE TURF.
SO I, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT'S CORRECT, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT THAT MEANS.
UM, AND THEN THE OTHER ONE IS ABOUT MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL, ADDITIONAL CAFETERIA AND KITCHEN SPACE.
IS THAT GONNA GIVE ADDITIONAL, UM, EATING SPACE FOR STUDENTS AT MAY RIVER? YES.
LAST QUESTION IS IN REGARD TO THE ITEM THAT IS THE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY REFRESH.
AND COINCIDENTALLY THAT'S FOR 5 MILLION, WHICH IS THE INCREASE ON THIS, UM, ON THIS 8% FUND.
[02:25:01]
QUESTION IS, IN PAST PRACTICE, HOW HAVE WE DONE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY REFRESHES? DO WE HAVE A POLICY, DO WE HAVE HOW IT'S TYPICALLY FUNDED? IS IT GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT FROM HERE, LITTLE BIT FROM THERE? WHAT'S THE GOAL THERE? SO I CAN, I CAN TELL YOU HOW IT'S TYPICALLY FUNDED IS THROUGH 8%.THEY'RE ACTUALLY, IF YOU GO BACK THROUGH THE HISTORY OF OUR 8%, A GOOD PORTION OF IT, LIKE WHEN YOU SAY 20 MILLION, IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR FIVE OF THAT TO BE GOING TO TECHNOLOGY.
SO IT'S ACTUALLY A BATTLE ALL THE TIME OVER THE 8% FUNDS BETWEEN US AND TECHNOLOGY.
BUT WE TRY, YOU KNOW, THEIR REFRESH CYCLES AND THINGS THAT COME UP EVERY YEAR.
CAUSE I RECALL IN THE PAST, WE'VE DONE IT IN CHUNKS WHERE IT WAS JUST TECHNOLOGY REFRESH FOR ELEMENTARY LEVEL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUT THIS IS FOR THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.
SO THE SPECIFICS OF THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER RIGHT.
UM, THAT WOULD, WE TYPICALLY HAVE A REFRESH.
UH, AND WE, WE WOULDN'T REFRESH ALL OF THEM AT ONE TIME.
WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ENOUGH STAFFING TO MANAGE THAT.
UM, AND TIME IN THE SUMMERS TO BE ABLE TO IMAGE ALL THE DEVICES AND LOAD ALL OF THE SOFTWARE THAT'S NECESSARY.
SO THEY WOULD BE JUST AN ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL REFRESH.
AND WE DO HAVE A REFRESH CYCLE OF, I BELIEVE, FOUR, ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS.
SO THIS WOULD, I'M NOT SURE WHAT GRADE LEVEL THIS IS.
I'D HAVE TO CHECK WITH MR. SHAHAN.
I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S ON THIS EVENING.
IS HE ON ROBBINS? I'M THERE YOU GO.
MARK, CAN YOU TE CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE $5 MILLION AND WHICH REFRESH CYCLE THAT IS? THANK YOU.
UH, WE'RE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL REFRESH THIS YEAR.
FISCAL YEAR 20, OR FISCAL YEAR 2025.
DO WE HAVE THAT IN LIKE A ONE PAGER WHERE IT SHOWS US.
AND, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR IS GONNA BE THE HIGH SCHOOL THAT YEAR IS GONNA BE SO THAT WE KNOW IT'S BOARD MEMBERS.
CAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M KIND OF FLYING BLANK ON THAT.
I ACTUALLY REQUESTED IT YESTERDAY FROM MR. SHOHAN AND MR. CONAIR.
SO, UM, WE'LL GET THE INFORMATION, I'LL GET IT AND THEN I'LL GET IT TO YOU.
AND WE CAN INCORPORATE THAT IN OUR TENURE PLAN WITH WHERE THE SPECIFICS ARE.
SO, ALRIGHT, MS. BOATWRIGHT, UM, ALSO WE, LAST YEAR WE CAME UP WITH KIND OF A NEW SYSTEM FOR, IT WAS AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CUZ WE DIDN'T VOTE ON SPECIFIC PRO UH, PROJECTS BECAUSE I SORT OF FEEL LIKE WITH COHERENT GOVERNANCE, WE TELL YOU SORT OF WE WANT A SAFE, CLEAN, SANITARY, WHATEVER, SECURE SCHOOL, AND THEN YOU, WE GIVE YOU $30 MILLION AND YOU GUYS MAKE THOSE DECISIONS OPERATIONALLY AND THEN YOU LIVE WITH THE RESULTS, RIGHT? SO, AND I KNOW LAST YEAR WE BASICALLY GOT AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, BROKE IT DOWN LIKE 4 MILLION ON H V A C, THIS, THIS, THIS, UM, BECAUSE I JUST FOUND HAVING DONE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TWO YEARS IN A ROW, THAT GETTING INTO THE WEEDS ON THE $9,000 APPARENTLY, UH, STANDARDIZATION EQUITY REQUEST FOR A PROJECTOR IN A CAFETERIA WAS NOT SOMETHING I WANTED TO ARGUE ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING I ALSO WAS NOT REALLY COMFORTABLE APPROVING.
UM, SO I'M HOPING THAT WHEN YOU GUYS DO TAKE UP THIS PROCESS, I WOULD PRE, I WOULD PERSONALLY MUCH PREFER TO SEE A CATEGORICAL BREAKDOWN.
YOU GUYS MAKE THE DECISIONS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF WHAT, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, IN THE END RESULT, UM, AND NOT SPEND, YOU KNOW, ROUGHLY 20 HOURS ARGUING OVER LINE ITEMS. SO YEAH.
THAT WE PLAN ON PRESENTING THAT TO THEM.
SO THERE'S A AND THERE'S A VERSION OF THAT IN YOUR PACKET.
UM, AND, AND, AND, AND JUST IN GOING OVER THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE, UH, THE, THE, THE, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THAT COMES TO MY MIND IS, UH, NONE, UH, ESTHER FUNDS CANNOT BE USED IN TERMS TOWARDS UPGRADES.
THEY HAVE, WE DID USE, UM, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT, MR. SHAHAN MAY KNOW THAT, BUT WE DID FOR, UH, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE WERE ABLE TO USE, DO, DO THE REITS STUDENT REFRESHES WITH ESRA FUNDS.
AND WE ALSO HAD A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND.
WE USED THOSE FUNDS AS WELL SO THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE A REPRIEVE TO THE 8%, UH, LISTING.
SO THIS PAST YEAR, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE LAST APPROVAL DID NOT HAVE, UM, THE REFRESH DEVICES ON THAT LIST.
SO WE HAVE UTILIZED ESSER FUNDS AND THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUNDS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO US, UM, AS A RESULT OF, UH, COVID.
AND, AND, AND, AND WE'VE KNOWN THAT AND WHEN, AND WE ALREADY HAD WITH US USING ESER FUNDS MONEY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE TO, TO, UM, INCREASE THE BAR, THE SPENDING LIMIT ON IT.
UM, SO IF WE, IF WE, IF WE, MY QUESTION IS, IF WE DIDN'T GET ESSEL FUNDS THIS YEAR BEING THAT WE ARE BEING AT 20, THEN HOW WOULD WE BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH, WITHOUT GOING TO, WITHOUT GOING TO THE 30 NOW, HOW, HOW WOULD IT HAVE BALANCED OUT? WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE IF WE DID NOT
[02:30:01]
HAVE THE REFRESHED DEVICES? THEY WOULD BE 5 MILLION LESS THAN, UH, SO WE WOULD BE AT 25 MILLION AGAIN.SO LAST YEAR WE, IF WE BORROWED 25, WE, WITHOUT THE DEVICES, WE WOULD'VE BEEN AT 30 LAST YEAR.
LET ME
I MEAN, THAT'S WHERE SCARCITY COMES IN.
YOU HAVE UNLIMITED NEEDS AND, AND, AND YOU HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES.
SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES, RIGHT? AND THAT'S THAT, SO THAT'S ONE, ONE OF TWO WAYS, RIGHT? YOU EITHER ADD MORE MONEY TO IT OR, OR YOU DO LESS SO YOU CAN DO WHATEVER ELSE IS PRIORITIZED, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
AND, AND, AND THAT'S WHERE, AND THAT'S WHERE MY POINT COMES, YOU, YOU, YOU HAVE THE BALANCE BEAM NEEDS VERSUS WANT AND, AND, AND, AND, AND THE QUESTION THAT, THAT ONCE AGAIN, THAT, THAT SURROUNDS ME WITH MOVING FORWARD WITH, WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE WE, ARE WE FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT WE NEED AND, AND, AND, AND MOVING THIS FROM WITHIN A YEAR, BECAUSE WE HAVE REALLY NOT HAD THE PUT THE CORRECT TIME TO SEE HOW MUCH, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE PUT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE'RE, WE WERE INTENTIONAL ABOUT MOVING, MOVING THE MARK LAST YEAR.
SO THAT WHAT, HOW, HOW WE ABLE TO SEE, AND ALSO WE GOT SSA FUND, WE ALSO GOT FUNDING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE TO HELP US WITH THE, TO WHERE WE, WE, WE EVEN MOVED THE MARK AT LAST YEAR.
SO HOW ARE WE ABLE TO, TO TO TO TO, UH, BASICALLY, UM, TO LOOK INTO, TAKE A, A SERIOUS OBSERVATION AND LESSONS LEARNED BASED UPON WHERE WE MOVING IT LAST YEAR.
AND WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA JUST GO AHEAD AND JUMP AND MOVE IT THIS YEAR HERE BECAUSE OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF THE STATUS, OF, OF FINANCES.
SO WITH, WITH THAT BEING, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT 30 MAY BE ENOUGH.
YOU KNOW, I I, I'M, I'M ALMOST QUESTIONING REV RIVER 30, MAYBE ENOUGH.
SO I'M DEFINITELY NOT INCLINED TO MOVING, ESPECIALLY WITH US HAVING THAT'S SO FUN.
SO IT'S JUST A, IT'S, IT'S A WHOLE LOT THAT CONCERNS ME HERE.
AND I THINK, I THINK THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS, UH, LISTENING TO, UH, TO TANYA AND, AND TO, I'M SORRY, MS. CROSBY AND MS. HEISER HERE TODAY.
UH, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'RE POINTING OUT IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, I MENTIONED NEEDS, I DIDN'T SAY WANTS, RIGHT? I, I SAID NEEDS, UNLIMITED NEEDS.
AND SO, SO I MEAN, YEAH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A LOT OF NEEDS.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T DO ALL OF IT, UH, EVERY YEAR, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO, SO WE MAKE THOSE CHOICES.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A CALCULATED AND SPECIFIC DEBT STRUCTURE AND PLAN THAT OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR HAS LAID OUT FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, NOT JUST FOR A TWO YEAR OR THREE YEAR OR FOUR YEAR THING, BUT A LONG-TERM DEBT STRUCTURE PLAN.
SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY, UH, REALLY WAS THE BENEFICIARY OF THAT WORK WITH A STABILIZED, UH, UH, MILLAGE RATE.
SO I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY I THINK I CAN CAPTURE.
SO THE MOTION, OR THE, EXCUSE ME, THE AMENDED MOTION IS DISPLAYED.
AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
DIDN'T EVERYBODY ELSE SAY YES? YES.
SO YEAH, NO, 9 1 0 BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE PERSON ABSENT.
UH, MR. CARLOS CAVE, THE DISTRICT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, AND MS. WENDY CARTILAGE PRESENTED UPDATES TO AR SS 31 EXTRA CLA EXTRA CLASS ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATION AND SS 36 STUDENT ATHLETICS.
NOW, THERE WAS MANY CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN, IN THOSE, UH, DOCUMENTS, AND THERE ARE SO MANY MA UH, CHANGES TO REALLY BRING US INTO COMPLIANCE WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS AND STATE STATUTE THAT IT'S W THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THIS BE A DISCUSSION FOR A WORK SESSION SO THAT WE CAN, UH, HEAR AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE
[02:35:01]
CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.DO WE HAVE SECOND MS. BOATWRIGHT? I JUST WANNA STICK IN HERE.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAD A MOTION A FEW MONTHS AGO TO MOVE S SCHOOL SERVICES TO ACADEMICS, DIDN'T WE? I WAS TRYING TO FIND THAT BECAUSE OPERATIONS, YEAH.
WE, WE, WE, WE ARE GONNA SWITCH ALL THE SCHOOL SERVICES STUFF.
I COULDN'T FIND THE MOTION CUZ BOARD DOCS HAS THE MOST GODAWFUL SEARCH FEATURE.
BUT I COULD HAVE SWORN, SO I'M JUST SAYING FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, I THINK, UH, SCHOOL, SO THE IRS THAT ARE SCHOOL SERVICES FIT BETTER WITH ACADEMICS.
I FIGURED
MADAM CHAIR, THE MR. CORBIN PROVIDED A MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AND, UH, TO THE COMMITTEE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT TO THE FULL BOARD AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
MR. ING PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE, A PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT ALONG 12TH STREET AT PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BASICALLY GAVE US THE KEY POINTS.
THERE'S NOT A MOTION TO BE TALKED ABOUT.
IT'S SIMPLY TO SEE IF ANYBODY ON THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE WOULD OBJECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS SIDEWALK NEXT TO THE SCHOOL.
BECAUSE THE TOWN OF PORT ROYAL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO OBJECT BEFORE THEY DO ANY FURTHER WORK ON THAT, WE FOUND NO OBJECTION TO IT.
SO WE'RE GOING ON TO THE NEXT POINT.
UH, MS. BRADLEY, MAJOR CHAIR QUESTION.
UM, AND THE TOWN OF PORT, THERE THEY ARE.
THEY'RE PAYING FOR THE, THE SIDEWALK? YES, SIR.
I MEAN, WHAT I, THO THO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE KEY.
AND WHEN WE ARE IDENTIFYING THINGS, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WHEN, WHEN PEOPLE, WHEN, WHEN, UH, PEOPLE MAY GO BACK AND LOOK.
THOSE, THOSE ARE WHO'S, WHO'S PAYING FOR IT IS VERY, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, MS. BRADLEY MAJOR SHARED WITH THE COMMITTEE, THE FIRST MONTHLY MAINTENANCE AND CUSTODIAL UPDATE.
REMEMBER, WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT AND THE CUSTODIAL CONTRACT, AND WE INITIATED, I WOULDN'T SAY WE, THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT INITIATED A SURVEY, UH, PROTOCOL WHERE THERE'S INSPECTIONS BEING DONE ON A RECURRING BASIS.
AND WE GOT THE INITIAL RESULTS VERY POSITIVE THAT CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN.
BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO ASK AT A NEXT BOARD MEETING, HAVING THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, UH, GIVE US AND GIVE THE FULL BOARD A VIEW OF THE DATA THAT THEY COLLECTED.
LASTLY, MR. OTTING PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AT PRITCHER VIEW, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MOBILES THAT RESULTS OF THE AIR QUALITY INSPECTIONS SAY THAT THEY FOUND THE ISSUE IN ONE OF THE MOBILES, AND IT WAS A, UH, BASICALLY A WATER LEAK BETWEEN THE WALLS.
THEY'VE TORE THE WALL OUT, THEY REPLACED IT, THEY HAVE DONE SUBSEQUENT TESTING, AND ALL TESTING RESULTS HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE, UH, SINCE THAT CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED.
MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
NEXT UP WE HAVE POLICY WITH, UH, CHAIRWOMAN, UH, DR.
UM, THE POLICY COMMITTEE HAS MET TWICE SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING, AND THERE ARE A SERIES OF MOTIONS ON THE AGENDA TODAY COMING OUT OF POLICY COMMITTEE.
UM, FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT, UH, AT OUR MAY 30TH MEETING, WE TABLED THE DISCUSSION ON SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS.
SO THAT WILL BE AT A FUTURE MEETING.
UM, AND I AM GOING TO BEGIN WITH THE MOTIONS THAT ARE HERE SINCE THERE'S QUITE A FEW.
SO THE POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT POLICY GC 5.1 SECOND SENTENCE READ COMMITTEES CUSTOMARILY WILL PREPARE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FORM OF MOTION FOR FUTURE BOARD AGENDA IN CONSIDERATION.
AND I CAN DESCRIBE THAT WE DISCUSSION MR. DALLAS.
SO TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT MOTION, UM, THIS IS PUTTING INTO POLICY, UM, AND IN PLACE PRACTICE.
SO WHAT THE PRACTICE IS RIGHT NOW, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE AGENDA, IS THAT THERE ARE RECOMMENDED MOTIONS UNDERNEATH EACH COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
WE'RE SIMPLY JUST, UH, CODIFYING THAT PRACTICE.
THE MOTION, RIGHT? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
UM, HEY, ANY NAYS? OKAY, ANY ABSTENTIONS?
[02:40:01]
OKAY.EIGHT 11, RIGHT? BECAUSE THERE WERE 10 BECAUSE NO, WAS GORDON AND ABSTENTION WAS SMITH.
9 0 1, WE HAVE ONE ABSTENTION.
SO THAT WOULD BE, IT'S, IT'S NOT A FULL POLICY CHANGE, BUT THAT WAS WAS, IT WAS OUR FIRST READING AND WE NEED A SECOND THAT WE'LL DO THAT.
UM, THE NEXT MOTION IS A RECOMMENDED MOTION OUTTA POLICY COMMITTEE TO ADD GC TWO.
DON'T WANNA READ IT INCORRECTLY.
IT SAYS GC TWO POINT, SUBPART TWO 11 B, BUT I'M, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S AN ACCURATE READING OF THAT.
SO IT'S GC TWO 11 B TO ADD THAT ANY COMMITTEE REPORTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE DRAFT AGENDA FOR BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE PLACED ON THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEETING AGENDA.
UM, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? THE SECOND.
AND TO EXPLAIN THIS, THIS IS, UM, KIND OF WHAT WE WERE MR. SMITH BROUGHT UP IN REGARD TO THE OPERATIONS REPORT THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
BUT THAT COMMITTEE JUST MET, UM, LAST EVENING AT, I THINK LIKE 5:00 PM OR SOMETHING.
SO THIS IS TO KIND OF ALLOW FOR SOME TIME FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS TO BE, UM, COMPILED ALSO FOR OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TO DIGEST, UM, COMMITTEE INFORMATION.
UH, AND SO SIMPLY JUST ALLOWING FOR MORE TIME FOR THE COMMITTEE REPORTS.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT, THAT, UH, SPACING AND GIVING IT MORE TIME GIVES ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MORE TIME TO ACTUALLY, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVE EVERYTHING PROPERLY HEARD.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE DRAFT AGENDAS.
WE HAVE ONE TYPICALLY, UH, AT AGENDA SETTING, WHICH IS NORMALLY EIGHT DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
WE SEND OUT OUR AGENDA TO THE PUBLIC, UH, DUE TO FOIA REQUIREMENTS, UH, NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING.
SO I GUESS I'M A LITTLE, I JUST NEED A LITTLE CLARITY ON, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETINGS OR JUST MORE THAN 24? WHAT'S, WHAT'S THE THINKING? GOOD QUESTION.
UM, I BELIEVE IF MY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, UM, THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE WHEN THE DRAFT AGENDA IS MADE IN ATTENDANCE BOARD DOCS THURSDAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK.
WHEN WE, WE REQUEST THAT, UM, ALL THE INFORMATION IS PUT INTO BOARD DOCS FOR THE TUESDAY MEETING.
SO THAT WOULD BE, THAT WOULD THEN BASICALLY, AND THE OTHER THING I THINK THAT COULD BE BROUGHT UP WITH THIS IS THAT BASICALLY MEANS A MEETING ON A FRIDAY OR A MONDAY BEFORE THE, UM, BOARD MEETING WOULD NOT BE PUT ON THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, ON THAT ADJACENT MEETING.
UNLESS, LIKE WITH, WITH THE, UH, OPERATIONS, THERE'S SOMETHING LIKE AN EASEMENT OR SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE, THEN I THINK WE COULD HAVE, UM, THAT ADDED TO THE AGENDA UNDER EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
UH, BUT IN GENERAL, I THINK THE BEST PRACTICE THAT, AND YOU WANNA BE CONSISTENT, RIGHT? SO IF YOU'VE GOT ONE COMMITTEE THAT KEEPS GETTING PUSHED OFF, ANOTHER COMMITTEE GETS ON.
AND I, FOR ME PERSONALLY, I LOVE THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
I LIKE TO WATCH 'EM ON THE WEEKEND, YOU KNOW, AND BE PREPARED WITH MY QUESTIONS.
SO IN THE, THE PRIOR SENTENCE IN 11 B UH, MENTIONS THAT THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT SHALL PROVIDE THE DRAFT AGENDA TO BOARD MEMBERS AND SENIOR STAFF NO LATER THAN FIVE DAYS PRIOR.
SO IT CLARIFIES THAT TIME PERIOD.
R THIS IS, I'M SORRY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
THIS IS, UH, REFERENCING THE COMMITTEE MEETING, THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND REPORTS COMING OUTTA COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND THE MOTIONS THAT ARE GONNA GO ON TO THE BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA.
UM, AND I BELIEVE I SAID THAT AT THE MEETING TOO.
UM, SO WITH, WITH, UH, WE'RE SUPPORTING THIS, THEN WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IS THAT IF, IF IN TERMS OF THE MOTIONS IS THAT THEY WILL, THEY WILL, THERE WILL, THERE WILL BE NO MOTION THAT CAN BE MADE AT THE, AT THE BUSINESS MEETINGS UNLESS THERE'S AN EXOGEN EMERGENCY.
AND SO WHEN YOU MAKING THIS DECISION, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE CAN'T COME UP AND SAY, OH, YEAH, YOU KNOW, THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OR THE, UH, THE CONTRACT HAS TO BE OUT BY SO AND SO UNLESS IT'S AN EX EXITING EMERGENCY.
AND, YOU KNOW, SO THAT, THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT UNDERSTANDING, UNDERSTANDING AND, AND SUPPORTING THIS, THAT WE, THAT WE ARE SAYING THAT EVERYTHING THAT COMES, THAT COMES UP.
IF IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA, THEN IT'S GONNA BE NEXT TO THE EMERGENCY TO BRING ON THE AGENDA, IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF IT.
THAT WOULD BE FOR ANYTHING OUT OF COMMITTEE THOUGH.
[02:45:01]
SO IF IT'S AN ITEM THAT WENT TO COMMITTEE, THE ONLY WAY IT COULD COME TO A BOARD ACTION MEETING OR A BOARD MEETING AFTER THAT WOULD BE IF IT MET THAT FIVE DAY RULE.IT SO THAT, SO YOU'RE SAYING EVERYTHING THAT COULD WOULD BE EXIGENT.
I'M JUST ON, WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT COMMITTEE THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED IN COMMITTEE THAT WERE GONNA COME OUT OF COMMITTEE.
BUT EVEN, EVEN EVEN WITH THAT, MOST THINGS, EVEN WITH THINGS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT BRINGS, MOST OF THAT STUFF COMES OUT OF COMMITTEE, UH, UH, REGARDLESS.
SO I MEAN, SO, UH, SO ARE WE SAYING THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE, UH, BECAUSE NOW ALSO, I, I THINK I DO REMEMBER MAY POSSIBLY MRS. BOATRIGHT ONE TIME BRINGING A MOTION, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS A COMMITTEE MEETING.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS COMMITTEE, UH, IT WAS A COMMITTEE, UH, BEING DISCUSSED, COMMITTEE MEETING BEING DISCUSS, DISCUSSED.
I THINK THAT IT WAS A MOTION THAT BEING WAS BEING DISCUSSED FROM SOMETHING ELSE.
AND THAT, AND, AND IT SAID THAT, THAT THAT MOTION WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
SO I JUST WANNA GET IT CLEAR AND PRECISE ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THOSE MOTIONS WHEN THEY COME UP, WHEREVER THERE'S SOMETHING, WHETHER THEY REPORT FROM DR.
UH, BECAUSE IF WE'RE DOING, IF WE'RE GONNA SAY, WELL, FOR THE COMMITTEE REPORTS, THAT ONLY, THE ONLY WAY YOUR, YOUR MOTION CAN COME UP, IF IT'S ON THE, I MEAN, UNLESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY, IF IT'S ON THE, IF IT'S ON THE, UM, THE AGENDA, THEN THAT, THEN THAT WOULD BE UNFAIR.
SO WHEN THE STAFF BRING A MOTION, I MEAN, WHEN THE STAFF BRING UP REPORTS THAT YOU CAN MAKE A MOTION OFF OF THEIR REPORT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE HAS GOTTA BE GOOD FOR THE GANDER.
SO, UH, SO I MEAN, THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS WELL AS, AS WELL TOO HERE.
I THINK MS. GORDON'S NEXT, AND THEN MS. BOATRIGHT.
UM, I'M HAVING A LITTLE DIFFICULTY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WILL GO BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY COMMITTEES, SO MANY MEETINGS.
SO, SO IF YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO GIVE, AND I'M ASSUME WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, UM, FIVE DAYS TO GET THIS, I GUESS, IN BOARD DOCS OR, OR WHEREVER, PART TWO MM-HMM.
AND SO IF, IF WE MEET ON MONDAY, YOU MEET ON WEDNESDAY, YOU MEET ON THURSDAY, WHERE DOES THE FIVE DAYS BEGIN? BECAUSE NOW ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT FROM THE POINT OF WHEN WE'VE HAD OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THEN YOU'RE, WE'RE GIVING MRS. UH, CUSHEN BERRY AND MS. MOLLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS READY, NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO, THEN WE HAVE OUR STAFF MEMBERS HERE WHO I KNOW THEY LIVE FOR US
AND HAVING BEEN, UH, A SECRETARY BEFORE FIVE DAYS IS NOT ENOUGH TIME.
IT'S LIKE WE WANT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE NOT REALLY LOOKING AT THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE DELIVERANCE IN A MANNER IN WHICH I BELIEVE THESE TWO EXTRAORDINARY LADIES HAVE TO DO THIS IN.
WE'RE NOT TAKING THAT INTO CON INTO CONSIDERATION.
WE'RE NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION, UM, DR.
RODRIGUEZ'S AWESOME STAFF WHO WILL BURN EVERYTHING TO GET IT TO US.
AND THEN AS MR WILL SAYS, SO THEN SOMETHING COMES UP WHERE IT IS, OH MY GOSH, NOW WE HAVE TO DO THIS IMMEDIATELY.
SO NOW WE'RE OFF OF WHAT WE WERE DOING.
I THINK WE NEED TO TABLE THIS AND LOOK AT THE REALISTIC TIMEFRAME THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND MS. CUSH BARRY TO HAVE IT BACK TO US AND STAY WITHIN THAT.
BECAUSE I, I'M GONNA TELL YOU, AND SHE WON'T TELL YOU THIS, AND I KNOW DR.
RODRIGUEZ WON'T SAY THIS, BUT THERE ARE DAYS OF A MEETING DATE THAT THEY'RE JUST GETTING ALL THE INFORMATION READY.
OKAY? BECAUSE IT'S A LOT PEOPLE, IT IS A LOT.
SO I WILL, I CANNOT VOTE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE FOR THIS BECAUSE OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO THIS AWESOME STAFF THAT WE HAVE.
AND WE'RE NOT GONNA READ IT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE MEETING.
BE HONEST, SOME OF US IF YOU HAVE TIME.
YEAH, BUT I'M JUST SAYING, LET'S, LET'S LOOK AT NOT JUST WHAT WE WANT.
LOOK AT HOW, HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE COMPILED, WHO'S GONNA DO THIS AND GIVE THEM THE A REASONABLE TIME.
I DON'T THINK FIVE DAYS IS ENOUGH.
YEAH, I JUST WANNA CLARIFY, UM, MS. GORDON, YOUR POINTS ARE VERY WELL TAKEN, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS POLICY IS TRYING TO DO, ACTUALLY.
IT'S TRYING TO PREVENT, UH, MS. CUSHEN BARRY FROM HAVING TO WORK LAST MINUTE AND TRY TO GET SOMETHING ONTO THE AGENDA.
UM, LIKE I MENTIONED, THE OPERATIONS REPORT THAT IS ON HERE CAME FROM
[02:50:01]
LAST NIGHT.SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT MS. CUSHEN BARRY HAD TO PUSH ONTO THE AGENDA AND MAKE SURE WAS DELIVERED IN TIME FOR, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES.
UM, WHAT THIS POLICY IS SET TO DO IS ACTUALLY ALLOWING FOR MORE TIME FOR MS. CUSHING BARRY TO DO THAT, AND NOT IT, IT'S ADDING IN A FIVE DAY RULE OR A BARRIER FOR, UM, THE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS, MAKING IT ONTO THAT WEEK'S AGENDA IS ESSENTIALLY PUSHING IT OUT A WEEK, UM, IF THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TO A BOARD BUSINESS MEETING OCCURRING.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE INTENT OF THIS IS.
AND I THINK FOR POINT OF CLARIFICATION ALSO, WE ALREADY HAD, EVERYTHING HAD TO BE IN BOARD DOCS ON THURSDAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK OR YEAH, THURSDAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK.
NOW WE'RE SAYING THAT FRIDAY AND MONDAY, YOU CAN'T ADD ANYTHING IN WINDOW BETWEEN THE THURSDAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK AND TUESDAY MEETING.
SO IT KIND OF CREATES A DEAD ZONE SO THAT MS. CUSH, BARRY AND DR.
RODRIGUEZ CAN KIND OF GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
AND I DO, I SPEND THE WEEKENDS, I GET READY FOR THE BOARD MEETINGS.
SO I APPRECIATE HAVING THAT, UM, TO MR. SMITH'S POINT ABOUT MOTIONS.
I ACTUALLY, I KNOW, I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
UM, WHEN ARE WE GONNA MAKE MOTIONS? WHEN CAN SOMEONE SPONTANEOUSLY MAKE A MOTION? RIGHT.
WHISKY'S POINT, THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT IN COMMITTEES, IF YOU'RE GONNA BRING SOMETHING TO THE BOARD, IT SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A MOTION, AND IT SHOULD BE ON THE AGENDA SO THAT WE CAN PREPARE FOR THE MOTION AND PREPARE QUESTIONS.
THE QUESTION OF SPONTANEOUS MOTIONS THAT SOMETIMES DO OCCUR.
I WILL SHARE MY PERSONAL FEELINGS.
I DON'T THINK WE REALLY ADDRESS THIS, BUT WE KIND OF SCOOTED AROUND IT.
I THINK IT'S MUCH BETTER, UM, ACTUALLY TO HAVE LIKE A FUTURE TOPIC WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME BACK, GET THIS, LIKE YOU'VE ASKED A COUPLE QUESTIONS AND THEY'RE LIKE, I HAVE THAT.
UM, LIKE THE BE FOR GRADUATE THING, YOU WANT THEM TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR QUESTIONS.
SO PERSONALLY, I'M A BIG FAN OF, AND ROBERT'S RULES IS PRETTY WIGGLY ON THIS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN MAKE MOTIONS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE IT'S AN ACTION ITEM.
SO THAT DOES KIND OF, WITHOUT BEING IN EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WENDY, I THINK THERE'S CASE LAW ON THIS.
IF YOU ADD, IF YOU PUT A MOTION ON THERE AND IT'S NOT EXIGENT, YOU'RE ACTUALLY IN VIOLATION OF THE OPEN MEETING ACT.
SO THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING, BUT I, I SHARE YOUR CONCERN.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE JUST FLYING MOTIONS AROUND WITHOUT PREPARATION, MR. SMITH.
AND, AND, AND ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M GLAD THAT I HAVE, I'VE HAD TIME TO MARINATE THAT, JUST TO GO BACK TO THE, TO THE SENATE, EVEN, EVEN THOUGH WITH THAT, IT, IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN, UH, BRINGING OUT, TRYING TO BRING OUT MO EMOTIONS OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
YOU KNOW, YOU'VE, YOU KNOW, WE, WHEN WE SAY THAT, WHEN WE HAVE THESE DOCUMENTS OR WE HAVE A, WE WE MAKING, LIKE TONIGHT WE MADE A, A FIVE, 5 MILLION DECISION, YOU KNOW, BASED UPON IT EMOTION THAT WAS, THAT WAS BOUGHT, YOU KNOW, UM, SOME, SOME, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT SOMETHING ABOUT ABOUT EVERYONE, BUT SOMETIMES I LIKE TO SLEEP AND DIGEST THAT, HAVE A DAY OR TWO TO THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING TAXPAYERS MONEY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I TAKE IT, I TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S, AND TO ME, THAT THAT'S ONE OF THOSE SAME THINGS IN TERMS OF WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE FROM BRINGING OUT OF COMMITTEE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, MAKING A MOTION.
THERE'S, I MEAN, I MEAN, SOMETIMES IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, YEAH, YEAH.
THERE, THE MOTION THAT I, THAT I'VE GIVEN OR, OR, OR, OR THE WORRYING OF IT.
RODRIGUEZ'S STAFF COMES UP THERE AND THEN THEY, THEY DO REPORT AND, AND, AND, AND WE WANT, THEN THERE NEEDS TO BE A MOTION, THEN THAT SAME RULE SHOULD APPLY.
WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GA AS BOARD MEMBERS.
IF WE CAN'T, IF WE CAN'T MAKE MOTIONS BASED OFF OUR, OFF, OFF OUR MEETINGS OR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE THOUGHT ABOUT AND WE, WE, WE, WE, WE CAN'T BRING 'EM AT THAT MEETING AND THE FIRE MIGHT BE THERE, THEN WHY SHOULD OTHER PEOPLE BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME THING IN ANOTHER PORTION OF OUR MEETING? SO IF IT'S, IF IT'S GONNA GO FOR ONE PART, IT NEEDS TO GO FOR, FOR, FOR ALL PARTS.
DOES THAT MEAN THAT EVERY TIME THAT THE STAFF BRING UP SOMETHING, THEN THEIR MOTION THAT, THAT THEY, THEY'RE, THAT THEY'RE BRINGING IN TERMS OF WHATEVER REPORT THAT THEY'RE BRINGING, THEN THAT MOTION NEEDS TO BE, NEEDS, NEEDS TO BE IRONED OUT AS WELL.
I MEAN, THAT'S JUST WHAT'S GOOD FOR ONE'S, GOOD FOR, I MEAN, THAT'S JUST, THAT'S, THAT'S JUST MY LOGIC OF THINKING IN TERMS OF BEING EQUITY AND BEING FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD AND UNDERSTANDING IT AND BEING ABLE TO, UM, DIGEST EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE, OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID.
SO THE WHOLE IDEA OF, UH, THE, THE MOTION THAT WE HAVE ON THE, UM, ON THE, UH, SCREEN THERE IS CONSISTENCY, TRANSPARENCY.
SO BOARD MEMBERS CAN PREPARE AND KNOW WHAT'S GONNA BE DISCUSSED.
IT IS ITEMS THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH COMMITTEE, AND COMMITTEES ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP THE BOARD DO THE WORK.
AND SO IT'S WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING TO THE FULL BOARD.
AND AS MS, UH, BOATWRIGHT COMMENTED, I TOO ALWAYS PREPARE ON THE WEEKEND.
I CANNOT PREPARE THE DAY BEFORE.
I JUST, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE IN MY, IN MY, IN MY LIFE.
NOW, GETTING TO OTHER, GOING BEYOND
[02:55:01]
THE COMMITTEE, YOU KNOW, HAVING THIS FOR COMMITTEES, WHICH TO ME SEEMS VERY REASONABLE AND I VERY MUCH SUPPORT IT.UM, SO WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO, UH, DO OUR OWN RESEARCH IF WE'D LIKE OR UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MOTIONS ARE, ET CETERA.
UM, UH, HELEN MCFADDEN, A WELL-KNOWN, UH, NATIONALLY KNOWN PARLIAMENTARY PARLIAMENTARY, SPOKE TO THE, UH, OUR BOARD, I BELIEVE IT WAS IN AUGUST OF 2020.
AND I PULLED OUT THE, SOME OF THE NOTES HERE.
ONCE THE MEETING HAS BEGUN, THIS WOULD BE OUR BUSINESS MEETING, AN ITEM FOR WHICH ACTION THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
ACTION CAN BE TAKEN, MAY BE ADDED WITH A TWO-THIRDS VOTE.
OKAY? NUMBER TWO, FINAL ACTION ITEMS. SO THAT'S FINAL ACTION.
MUST HAVE THE TWO-THIRDS VOTE AND A FINDING BY THE CHAIR THAT AN EMERGENCY OR EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCE EXISTS, AND FOIA ONLY APPLIES TO FINAL ACTION.
SO IT'S, IT'S, WELL, YOU KNOW, DOCUMENTED HOW THE OTHER THINGS ARE HANDLED.
WE'RE TALKING TO OUR ROUTINE COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE MEETING, UH, MOTIONS.
AND I THINK THIS, I THINK IT'S MUCH BETTER FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE STAFF AND THE, THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW WHAT ARE THEY GONNA BE DISCUSSING? WHAT IS THAT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO THE FULL BOARD? SO I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS.
UM, I THINK WE'VE KIND OF TALKED IT TO DEATH
UM, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? CAN YOU DISPLAY IT AGAIN, ROBIN? THANK YOU.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
SO IT'S 9 0 1, SO THE MOTION CARRIES.
OKAY, NEXT ITEM A, A RECOMMENDED MOTION FOR THE EVALUATION OF AN ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT REQUEST FORM.
MS. BOATRIGHT MADE THE SECOND AND A LITTLE EXPLANATION ON THIS.
PRESENTLY, THE WAY THAT WE COLLECT, UM, ANY FORM OF ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT REQUEST IS, IT GOES THROUGH AN EMAIL TO ROBIN.
UM, THIS IS JUST TRYING TO STREAMLINE THINGS FOR SIMPLICITY'S SAKE.
UM, THERE'S OTHER DISTRICTS THAT DO THIS, AND, UM, IT JUST MAKES THE PROCESS A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
SO, PRETTY MUCH IT, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, UM, I KNOW COUNTY COUNCIL DOES THIS BECAUSE I PERSONALLY HAVE GIVEN PUBLIC COMMENTS AND, AND KIND OF, UH, REVIEWED WHAT WAS THEIR, UH, METHOD OF, OF BEING ABLE TO SUBMIT, UH, YOUR PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC COMMENTS PRIOR TO ACTUALLY ARRIVING AT THE MEETING.
AND ACTUALLY, THEY HAD MORE THAN ONE FORM THAT I FOUND BY SEARCHING.
AND SO THAT WAS A LITTLE, UH, A LITTLE BIT PROBLEMATIC.
SO, UM, WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE ONE CONSISTENT FORM, AND IT, IT SH I AGREE, IT SHOULD NOT BE AN EMAIL JUST TO THE, TO THE, UM, BOARD SECRETARY AND JUST INCLUDE THE PERTINENT THINGS LIKE, UM, IF WE TYPICALLY WOULD LIKE, YOU KNOW, NAME AND, UH, EMAIL ADDRESS AND TOPIC AND YEAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
THIS ISN'T, UM, THIS IS JUST FOR THE EVALUATION.
SO THIS IS THE ADMINISTRATION, OR, OR ROBIN, WHOEVER WANTS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
WE WILL EVALUATE, UM, DOING A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD ONLINE.
UM, SO WE'RE NOT CHOOSING ANY SPECIFIC ONE RIGHT NOW OR LOOKING AT A SPECIFIC ONE RIGHT NOW.
IT'S JUST SIMPLY MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT PLAN.
WE HAVE THE MOTION DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN.
SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, COULD YOU, COULD YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN? I'M NOT, YOU, YOU TOTALLY LOST IT ON THIS.
NOW I'M SAYING WE'RE NOT ADOPTING ANY SPECIFIC ONLINE PROGRAM OR SOFTWARE OR ACTUAL TOOL.
WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PLAN OF GETTING ONE.
WE DON'T EVEN HAVE, WE HAVEN'T EVEN EVALUATED OR LOOKED AT A SPECIFIC ONE YET.
IT'S JUST, IS THIS, THE BOARD'S WILL THAT WE WANT TO HAVE AN ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT CARD OTHER THAN REQUIRING PEOPLE TO SUBMIT AN EMAIL TO ROBIN OR MM-HMM.
SO BASICALLY PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO SIGN IN WHEN THEY, WHEN THEY, WHEN THEY COME IN? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE SAYING? BECAUSE I WANNA BE CAREFUL BECAUSE EVERYONE DON'T HAVE NO TECHNO.
NO, LIKE, I WANNA BE CAREFUL EVERYONE THAT TECHNOLOGY'S SAVVY, RIGHT? NO, THIS IS JUST, IT'S, IT'S ACTUALLY PROBABLY MAKING THE PROCESS A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR, RIGHT.
SO, BUT, BUT THIS IS BASICALLY, THIS IS ANOTHER, ANOTHER OPTION ADDITIONAL TO WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
WELL, WE'LL, WE'LL PROBABLY DO AWAY WITH HAVING THEM EMAIL ROBIN.
WE'LL HAVE ONE COMPILATION OF ALL OF, YOU KNOW, THIS MEETINGS, PEOPLE WHO SUBMITTED ON TIME TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT ONLINE.
AND, AND TO YOUR POINT, MR. SMITH, THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, UM, I THINK IS VALID.
I ALSO THINK WHEN WE DO THIS, I KNOW WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING YET, BUT ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES IS WE CAN DO IT IN SPANISH, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY SPANISH LANGUAGE, UH, FORMS. AND THAT'S WHAT 35% OF OUR DISTRICT IS FAMILY.
SO, UM, I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE GONNA START ACCOMMODATING
[03:00:01]
EVERYONE'S NEEDS.SO YOU WANNA ADD THAT IN LANGUAGE OR, OKAY.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THE, UM, THE MOTION DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN.
AND THE LAST LAST ITEM IS A RECOMMENDED MOTION FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHANGES TO POLICY GC 2.23 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS.
AND SO YOU'LL FIND THAT IN BOARD DOCS, THERE IS A, UH, COPY OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN, UH, MADE TO GC 2.23.
YOU'LL SEE THERE'S STRIKETHROUGHS RED, UM, TEXT AS WELL AS BLUE TEXT.
AND ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A DRAFT OF A NEW PUBLIC COMMENT CARD THAT WOULD REFLECT THOSE CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE IN POLICY ON THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL CARD THAT IS GIVEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
UM, I CAN BRIEFLY GO OVER, WE NEED A SECOND THOUGH BEFORE YOU CONTINUE
SO THE FIRST ITEM IS UNDER ROMAN NUMERAL ONE A.
AND THE INTENTION SET FORTH HERE IS THAT WE ARE SAYING THERE IS A 30 MINUTE, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT WOULD ALLOW THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR TO, UH, MINIMIZE THAT THREE MINUTE RULE.
SO IF WE HAD, UM, 60 PUBLIC COMMENTERS THAT WOULD ALLOW HER TO REDUCE THAT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR EACH COMMENTER DOWN TO A MINUTE AND A HALF, FOR EXAMPLE, TO RESTRAIN THAT 30 MINUTE TIMEFRAME OR TO KEEP WITHIN THAT 30 MINUTE TIMEFRAME, UM, ADDITIONAL TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT MAY STILL BE ALLOTTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD.
AND ANY EXERCISE OF DISCRETION WILL NOT BE BASED ON THE VIEWPOINT OF THE SPEAKER.
SO THIS IS SIMPLY TO TRY TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD BEING SET WITHIN THAT 30 MINUTE WINDOW.
UM, BUT IT DOES NOT REMOVE THAT 15 MINUTE WINDOW AT THE END AS WELL.
SO IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS THAT COME FROM PEOPLE DURING THE COURSE OF THE MEETING, UM, THEY DO HAVE THAT 15 MINUTE PERIOD AT THE END AS WELL.
UM, I DEFINITELY CANNOT SUPPORT THIS MOTION BECAUSE OF THE FACT OF THAT, UH, UH, THAT, THAT I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION AROUND THE FACT OF, ARE WE IN VIOLATION OF FOUR? BECAUSE IF WE, WE'VE TOLD PEOPLE THAT NORMALLY WE ALLOW THEM THREE MINUTES TO RIGHT, HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, AND THEN WE CHANGE IT UP TO TIME AFTER AT THE MEETING, THEN THEY, THEN AS THESE, UH, JUST FOR INSTANCE, TONIGHT, THESE, UH, DAILY STUDENTS, THEY TAKE THEIR TIME AND THEY MAKE THEIR SPEECHES SPECIFICALLY TO GET IT DONE IN THREE MINUTES.
AND THEN WE TELL THEM, OKAY, WELL DUE TO THE, UH, A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TO THE MEETING TONIGHT, THEN YOU CAN ONLY DO IT IN, DO YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN TWO MINUTES OR ONE MINUTE? THAT IS UNFAIR.
AND IT'S, AND IS, AND IF YOU KNOW, I, I DEFINITELY DON'T SUPPORT THAT.
I MEAN, TONIGHT, MY, MY NEPHEW GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND WHERE AM I AT? AND, AND HE'S IN ANOTHER STATE.
SO WHEN PEOPLE COME UP TO SPEAK, IF THEY WANNA BE UP THERE, IF THEY, IF THEY, IF THEY, IF WE TOLD 'EM THREE MINUTES, THEN WE SHOULD GIVE 'EM THE THREE MINUTES POINT BLANK PERIOD.
IF, IF YOU CAN'T, IF YOU CAN'T BE HERE TO HEAR THAT, OR THE MEANS THAT TOO LONG AND THAT, THAT'S WHEN, THAT'S WHY THIS, WHY THIS POLICY IS TRYING TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE SOME BOARD MEMBERS, AND WE CAN BLOW AND GET ANGRY.
BUT THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS, THIS IS, THIS IS A PART OF, OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, AND EVERYONE WANTS, AND PEOPLE WANTS TO BE, WANNA TO BE HEARD.
AND I DON'T, I DON'T, I DON'T MYSELF BELIEVE IN TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO TELL HOW TO TAILOR THREE THREE.
WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN THEM THREE MINUTES, AND I THINK WE SHOULD NOT, IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.
AND THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS DOING.
THIS, THIS, THIS IS THE SAME THING I SPOKE TO COUNTY COUNCIL ABOUT, ABOUT BASICALLY SHUTTING PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM A TIME OFF.
THIS IS WHAT WE SIGNED FOR THE HEAR THEIR OPINIONS.
SO I THINK THREE MINUTES IS ANOTHER THREE MINUTES IS WHAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM.
WE'VE NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WE DID TONIGHT.
SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE SUPPORTING THIS IS SAYING THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH WHAT WE DID A THREE MINUTES AGO, ABOUT, ABOUT AN HOUR AGO.
THANK YOU, MR. UM, MR. DALLAS.
SO, UM, I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THIS AS WELL, UH, FOR THE SIMPLE REASON IS THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE PERCEIVED AS US SUPPRESSING PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH CHANGING THE FORM, UH, SO WE CAN GET MORE TIME FOR OUR STAFF TO ACTUALLY ADMINISTER WHAT'S GOING ON.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE THINGS FOR THE CHAIR TO TAKE ON THE ROLE, ACTUALLY DECIDE DURING THE MEETING, I MEAN, THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF CONTENTION ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T SEE HOW WE GET AROUND THAT.
WHEN I GO TO SECTION H WHERE IT SAYS THE BOARD IS GOING TO REQUEST A REP, UH, A GROUP TO HAVE A SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE, I ALSO, OH, SORRY.
THANK YOU, MS. MS NA, I THINK ALSO THAT ALSO WOULD BE PERCEIVED
[03:05:01]
AS CONSTRAINING BECAUSE, I MEAN, THE WAY I SAY IT IS, IF THIS IS AN ELECTION, WOULD YOU SAY, WELL, THIS SIDE ONLY GETS A FEW REPRESENTATIVES.SO I'M SAYING LET'S GO AND LET THE PEOPLE SAY WHAT THEY WANT.
THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE THINGS ABOUT BEING RESPECTFUL AND EVERYTHING TOTALLY IN, IN TOTALLY IN SUPPORT OF THAT, I ACTUALLY THINK THE BEST OPTION FOR THE BOARD WOULD TO ACTUALLY STEP BACK ON THIS WHOLE PROPOSAL, THIS MOTION, AND ACTUALLY HAVE A WORK SESSION TO DETERMINE HOW WE WANNA MOVE FORWARD.
THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS IN HERE THAT THE POLICY, UH, UNDER CHAIR, MS. NEVSKY AND MS. BOATRIGHT HAVE COME UP WITH, BUT I THINK WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE STUDY ON IT.
CAN I HAVE SOMETHING? CAN I SAY SOMETHING? OH, I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH MR. SMITH AND, AND MR. DALLAS.
I, I THINK THERE ARE GOOD THINGS IN HERE.
I THINK IT'S NOT A GOOD TIME TO TAKE IT ON.
UM, WITH THE CURRENT DISCUSSION, THIS WOULD ME, AND I DON'T SEE HOW ALSO, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU CAN ONLY HAVE, UH, MULTIPLE, WELL, MULTIPLE SPEAKERS FROM A GROUP OR ORGANIZATION THAT POINT A SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE.
HOW DO YOU, HOW DO YOU ENFORCE THAT? YOU KNOW? AND WE'D SAY, OKAY, WELL, DELO, YOU ONLY GET ONE.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST, I JUST THINK WE DO NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THIS, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM AT ALL WITH THAT, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED AT A WORK SESSION AND, UM, I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD THING TO TAKE ON AT THIS TIME.
CAN I CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS? MADAM? YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO.
SO JUST SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, THIS WAS CHARGED TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE QUITE A WHILE AGO TO START LOOKING AT OUR PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY.
AND I BELIEVE IT STEMMED FROM THE FOUR AND A HALF HOURS WORTH OF PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WE HAD DURING COVID OVER MASKS.
I'LL BE 100% TRANSPARENT ABOUT THAT.
UM, AND, AND HENCE WHY WE ALSO HAVE ADDED IN DISCRETIONARY MEASURES INTO THIS POLICY OF THAT IF THE, IF IT'S THE BOARD'S WILL TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD PAST THE 30 MINUTES, WE CERTAINLY CAN BY VOTE IF, UM, AND, AND TO BE CLEAR ON THE OTHER ITEMS LIKE H WHERE IT REQUESTS MULTIPLE SPEAKERS FROM A GROUP, THESE DIDN'T JUST COME OUT OF THIN AIR.
THESE CAME FROM A, ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT HAD BEEN EMBROILED IN ISSUES OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND ACTUALLY HAD A LEGAL CHALLENGE.
WE WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND DISCUSSED WITH OUR, UM, OUR COUNSEL ABOUT WHAT IS LEGAL, WHAT IS NOT, WHAT'S COMPLIANT WITH FOIA, WHAT IS NOT.
UM, SO ALL OF THESE HAVE BEEN VETTED LEGALLY.
UM, AND SO WE TOOK THE ONES THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF THE BOARD'S TIME IN KEEPING WITH WHAT WE SAY IS IT'S GONNA BE A 30 MINUTE WINDOW, UM, UH, TO MR. SMITH'S POINT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COME PREPARED AND THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR THREE MINUTES.
THAT'S WHY ITEM I IS IN THERE WHERE SPEAKERS CAN BRING PRINTED OR OTHER SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS AND GIVE THEM TO US.
IF THEY HAVE THEIR COMMENTS PRINTED, WE CAN TAKE THE FULL, YOU KNOW, ENTIRETY OF THEIR COMMENTS.
UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT ITEM M WE BELIEVED THAT THE WAY THAT OUR POLICY WAS WRITTEN, IT WAS VERY SUBJECTIVE AND VAGUE.
SO WE TOOK THE USE, UM, THE LANGUAGE FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT AGAIN, THAT HAD HAD LEGAL CHALLENGES AND WERE USING THIS INSTEAD.
UM, SO ALL THIS CAME FROM ASSIGNMENT WAS FULLY VETTED BY LEGAL, UM, AND WAS FROM A LENS OF PROVIDING FOR THE MOST VOICES, BUT ALSO MAINTAINING EFFICIENCY OF OUR MEETINGS.
SO, UM, I RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINION, BUT I DID WANNA LET EVERYBODY KNOW KIND OF THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND THE HOW WE GOT HERE.
OKAY, MS. UH, BOATRIGHT, THANK YOU.
WISNESKI GAVE AN EXCELLENT SUMMARY.
UM, AND I THINK THAT WAS ALWAYS THE INTENTION TO HAVE THE BOARD DISCUSS IT, BUT THE BOARD HAS BROUGHT THIS UP TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE'RE SUDDENLY DECIDING TO DO.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR TWO YEARS, AND I THINK IF YOU LOOK AROUND AT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THERE, I WILL TELL YOU I'M A PARENT, UM, AS WELL AS A BOARD MEMBER.
AND SO I AM, UH, SURROUNDED BY PARENTS ALL THE TIME.
THERE IS A VERY MUCH A GROWING CONCERN THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS BEING DISTRACTED FROM THINGS LIKE REFERENDUMS AND TEACHER SHORTAGES AND LEARNING LOSS AND THOSE THINGS BY ISSUES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY DIRECTLY IMPACT THE BOARD.
SO, SO FAR, I THINK THAT THAT IS PROBABLY ONE THINGS TO, TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, IF WE WANT TO HAVE TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND PUBLIC INPUT, PEOPLE CAN ALSO EMAIL US.
THEY CAN PROVIDE US WITH MATERIALS.
I HAVE MADE MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS.
I'M WILLING TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS.
I'M WILLING TO HAVE THE BOARD HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS WHEN THERE'S LIKE A SPECIFIC ISSUE THAT DEMANDS A LOT OF ATTENTION.
BUT THIS SORT OF TURNING OVER THE FIRST HOUR OF OUR BUSINESS MEETING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
AND THE PROBLEM IS TOO, IS WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPRESSING A LOT OF PARENTS HERE BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO COME TO OUR MEETINGS AND GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT BECAUSE IT IS VERY MUCH DOMINATED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF GROUPS AT THE MOMENT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY PARTICULAR GROUP, BUT YOU WANT TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE
[03:10:01]
FEELS COMFORTABLE SPEAKING.AND IF WE JUST SAY THAT DURING WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA BE FACING A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, THAT THIS IS A FORUM FOR POLITICAL ISSUES TO COME UP AND BE DEBATED UNTIL WE, UNTIL EVERYONE'S DONE SPEAKING, AND THEN WE CAN HAVE OUR BUSINESS MEETING.
I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT PARENTS WANT.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT.
SO I'M IN FAVOR OF COMING UP WITH A WAY THAT REP, WHEN PEOPLE COME TO SPEAK, IF THERE'S NO MORE THAN 30 MINUTES WORTH, GREAT.
IF WE HAVE A LOT MORE THAN 30 MINUTES WORTH, CAN WE HAVE A REASONABLE, CONSISTENT AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE VIEWPOINTS ARE REPRESENTED? BUT THAT DOESN'T JUST COMPLETELY DOMINATE THE REST OF OUR MEETINGS.
SO I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR US TO COME UP WITH SOME GUARDRAILS AT SOME POINT.
SO WHO HA YES, EARL HASN'T SPOKEN.
YOU KNOW, SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD, ME AND MY COUNCIL MEMBER MEET, HAVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THREE MEETINGS, ONE AT BERT WELLS, ONE AT BIGGER STATE, AND ONE AT, UM, DALE.
SO, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, AND, AND WE GIVE OUT INFORMATION TO EACH, TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOLKS ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS, YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S UP TO THE BOARD MEMBERS TO DO VICTOR.
UH, I AGREE MS. BOATWRIGHT, UH, I, I, I THINK GIVEN THE, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE, UH, OF WHAT'S GOING ON, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS A CIVIC ORGANIZATION, UH, I, I, I THINK, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, TONIGHT, UH, I, THERE WAS A, I MEAN, THE ISSUE HAS, UH, WAS NOT EVEN ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ADDRESSING TODAY IN THE MEETING.
UH, I HONESTLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME VERBIAGE IN OUR POLICY ABOUT COMMENTS, UH, CONFINED TO WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA.
UM, SO OUR, THE, THE ENTIRE PUBLIC COMMENTS WAS TAKEN OVER BY SOMETHING THAT WASN'T EVEN ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
THEY'RE ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINION.
BUT I, I AGREE, MS. BOATWRIGHT, UH, OTHER THINGS, UH, UH, AS FAR AS LIKE THE, THE POLITICAL CLIMATE AND PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO COME, UH, I, I, I BELIEVE THAT ALSO, UH, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP OUT.
UH, I, I THINK THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE, AND I THINK A WORK SESSION PROBABLY WILL HELP.
UM, BUT, UH, I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, I, I I, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO NEEDS TO BE DONE.
UH, MAYBE EVEN GET RID OF THE, THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS.
UM, OUR, OUR, OUR MEETINGS ARE STUPID LONG, STUPID LONG, AND MOST OF IT IS SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS.
UM, BUT, UH, THAT'S MY THANK YOU.
ANYBODY ELSE? MR. DALLAS? YEAH.
UM, I, I GO BACK TO, AND I SUPPORT WHAT MR. NAY IS SAYING.
I THINK THE, THE WORK SESSION WOULD BE VERY WORTHWHILE, UM, BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK WE WANNA RUSH INTO THIS.
UH, THE OPTICS COULD BE VERY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
UH, YES, THERE ARE SCHOOL RULINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT UNTIL THEY'RE ADJUDICATED BY STO I MEAN, IT'S JUST A DISTRICT COURT APP, UH, OPINION OR AN APPELLATE OPINION.
SO I THINK US ACTUALLY STEPPING BACK AND LOOKING AT HOW NOT ONLY WOULD IT BE AFFECTING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SCHEDULE, BUT ALSO HOW THE PUBLIC PERCEIVES IT.
I JUST WOULD SAY, NOW IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME.
LET'S DO SOME WORK AND STUDY IT AND THEN COME BACK.
SO DO YOU WANNA MAKE A MOTION? MRS. UH, DO YOU WANNA MAKE A MOTION OR DO YOU WANNA I WOULD, I WOULD LOVE TO, YES, GO AHEAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE TABLE THIS PARTICULAR ITEM AND CONDUCT A WORK SESSION THOROUGH AND DEEP AND REALLY LOOKING AT THE IMPLICATIONS AND BRING THAT BACK FOR THE BOARD.
DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? OKAY, MS. GORDON.
DO YOU HAVE A, DO YOU, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING TO THAT SINCE YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP?
UM, SO A LOT OF THIS WAS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, POLICY COMMITTEE, EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT EVERYBODY WAS AWARE THAT WILL LIKELY BE WHERE SOME OF THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED.
ALL RIGHT, MR. SMITH, UM, I'M REALLY, I'M REALLY NOT INCLINED TO EVEN TABLE THIS TO A WORK SESSION.
I REALLY, THAT THIS IS D OA DEAD ON ARRIVAL FOR ME.
AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU, I'M, I, I'M, I AM TORN UP.
I COULD HAVE BEEN TO MY NEPHEW'S GRADUATION, BUT INSTEAD I'M SACRIFICED.
I'M DOING WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S OUR JOB TO LISTEN.
AND I WILL NOT, I WILL NOT STOP TELLING Y'ALL THIS WITH REGARDS TO THE TIME, REVEREND, WHEREVER IT IS, A STUPID AMOUNT OF TIME, REVEREND IS A LUDICROUS OR BROTHERS PREPOSTEROUS AMOUNT OF TIME THAT, THAT, THAT WE, THAT WE ARE HERE TO MEET ABOUT THIS KIDS.
IT'S ABOUT THOSE KIDS THAT SIT RIGHT OUT.
THERE AIN'T ABOUT THE GROWN FOLKS HERE.
IF YOU DON'T WANNA BE HERE, HELL GO HOME.
THE SIT AND SAY THAT WE DON'T WANNA HEAR WHAT THEY GOT TO SAY.
[03:15:01]
LUDICROUS, BECAUSE THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE HERE ARE AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY.LOOK AT THE SHOOTINGS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THIS WEEKEND, IN THIS WEEKEND IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IF THOSE KIDS, OR IF OUR, IF OUR KIDS ARE EDUCATED AND WE'RE BEEN, WE ARE BUILDING STUDIOUS STUDENTS AND WE WE'RE TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO BE CIVIL, THERE MAY BE SOME OF THAT STUFF WILL STOP.
IT AIN'T JUST ABOUT COUNTY COUNCIL, IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE DO RIGHT HERE AT THIS BOARD, HOW WE EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW WE LISTEN AND HOW WE HAVE OPEN RELATIONSHIPS.
MR. SMITH, I WANNA REMIND YOU, YOU HAVE THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
SO YOUR COMMENTS NEED TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THEM, SIR.
AND MY COMMENTS OFF, AND MY COMMENTS ARE, LISTEN, I'VE HEARD YOU, I'VE, I'VE HEARD YOU, I'VE HEARD YOU, YOUR COMMENTS ARE NOT DIRECTED.
I DIRECT, I'M DIRECTING MY COMMENTS.
THIS, WELL, YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT WHEN MR. NA WAS SPEAKING.
WHEN, WHEN HE, WHEN HE MADE THE COMMENT HE MADE, YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT.
SO DON'T SAY, WELL, I'M SPEAKING, I'M, I'M JUST NOT GONNA SIT ALLOW YOU WHAT? OF COURSE, CAUSE IT'S YOUR OPINION, BUT I'M TELLING, I'M TELLING.
WELL, I'M TALKING TO THE BOARD, TELLING THE BOARD TONIGHT THAT PLEASE STOP, STOP TALKING, MAKING LISTEN, LISTEN, MAKING THAT DECISION OR SAYING THAT, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
IT SHOULDN'T, IT SHOULDN'T NOT BE.
AND I, I TAKE A, YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M SAYING, BUT IT'S TRUE.
YOU FEEL I'M STORING BY FIELD.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, YOU MAKE A SACRIFICE THAT I DID, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
YEAH, YOU, I KNOW YOUT SAY, AYE.
OKAY, SO THE MOTION THIS, UH, TABLING THIS ITEM UNTIL THE WORK SESSION PASSES IT, IT PASSES WITH 8 0 2, I BELIEVE, OR 8 2 0 8.
UM, ZEKI, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
ALL RIGHT,
[Second Public Comments]
WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.WE HAVE ONE, IS IT NINE 15? YES.
NINE 10 READ FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIAN FROM JUNE OF 2016.
SO THE INFORMATION I'M GONNA GIVE TO YOU, I'M INCITING FROM THIS STUDY.
IT WAS CONDUCTED IN THE ABSENCE OF ONLINE PORNOGRAPHY.
THE ABSTRACT IS THE AVAILABILITY AND USE OF PORNOGRAPHY HAS BECOME ALMOST UBIQUITOUS AMONG ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS.
CONSUMPTION OF PORNOGRAPHY IS ASSOCIATED WITH MANY NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.
THESE INCLUDE INCREASED RATES OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, ACTING OUT IN VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, VIOLENT YOUNGER AGE OF SEXUAL DEBUT, SEXUAL PROMISCUITY, INCREASED RISK OF TEEN PREGNANCY, AND A DISTORTED VIEW OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.
FOR ADULTS, PORNOGRAPHY RESULTS IN AN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF DIVORCE, WHICH IS ALSO HARMFUL TO CHILDREN.
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS URGES HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO COMMUNICATE THE RISK OF PORNOGRAPHY USE TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND TO OFFER RESOURCES BOTH TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM VIEWING PORNOGRAPHY AND TO TREAT INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM ITS NEGATIVE EFFECT.
ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, PORNOGRAPHY MAY BE DEFINED AS THE DEPICTION OF EROTIC BEHAVIOR, SEXUAL DISPLAY IN PICTURES OR WRITING THAT IS INTENDED TO CAUSE SEXUAL EXCITEMENT IN THE VIEWER.
OVER THE PAST DECADE, THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN THE PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL THAT IS AVAILABLE TO BOTH ADULTS.
AGAIN, FROM THE STUDY, THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION FOR NOTED REGARDING YOUNG ADULTS EXPOSED TO PORNOGRAPHY COMPARED TO THE CONTROLLED GROUP.
NUMBER ONE, MALE SUBJECTS DEMONSTRATED INCREASED CALLOUSNESS TOWARD WOMEN.
NUMBER TWO, SUBJECTS CONSIDERED THE CRIME OF RAPE, LESS SERIOUS.
NUMBER THREE, SUBJECTS WERE MORE ACCEPTING OF NON-MARITAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND NON COITAL SEXUAL PRACTICES SUCH AS ORAL AND A**L SEX.
FOUR SUBJECTS BECAME MORE INTERESTED IN MORE EXTREME AND DEVIANT FORMS OF PORNOGRAPHY.
FIVE SUBJECTS WERE MORE LIKELY TO SAY THEY WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR SEXUAL PARTNER.
SIX SUBJECTS WERE MORE ACCEPTING OF SEXUAL INFIDELITY IN A
[03:20:01]
RELATIONSHIP.SEVEN SUBJECTS VALUED MARRIAGE LESS AND WERE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BELIEVE MARRIAGE MAY BECOME OBSOLETE.
EIGHT MEN EXPERIENCED A DECREASED DESIRE FOR CHILDREN AND WOMEN EXPERIENCED A DECREASED DESIRE TO HAVE A DAUGHTER.
THE SUBJECT, A GREATER ACCEPTANCE OF FEMALE PROMISCUITY.
THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT SOCIETY'S ACCEPTANCE OF PORNOGRAPHY CREATES UNIQUE PROBLEMS FOR WOMEN.
THE USE OF PORNOGRAPHY CAN RESULT IN VIOLENT AND SEXUALLY AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN.
MEN WHO CONSUME PORNOGRAPHY ARE MORE LIKELY TO ADOPT RAPE MIS IDEOLOGY, WHICH IS THAT WOMEN CAUSE RAPE OR ACTUALLY ENJOY RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT.
WHAT YOU DON'T REALIZE IS THIS, ALMOST ALL OF THE BOOKS BEING CHALLENGED, MORE THAN 90% CONTAIN SEXUAL ACTIVITY IN THEM.
EVEN IN HEALTH EDUCATION CLASS STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT ABSTINENCE.
SO THE MATERIALS YOU VOTED TO KEEP WILL NOT BE KEPT IN OUR LIBRARIES.
EVEN IF YOU VOTE TO CONCUR WITH COMMITTEE, I CAN ASSURE YOU, I SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP.
WELL, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? ALL RIGHT.
SO, UM, WE HAD A MEETING, WE'VE HAD TWO MEETINGS OF OUR RESULTS COMMITTEE, MS. GORDON AND MS. HAY AND I, UM, AND BASICALLY THERE WERE TWO PRIMARY TOPICS WE LOOKED AT.
ONE IS WHAT GETTING READY TO DO DR.
RODRIGUEZ EVALUATION IN OCTOBER.
AND NUMBER TWO IS, UM, UH, SORRY, DISTRACTED, UM, COMING UP WITH ACTUAL RESULTS SECTION IN, UH, OUR COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
RODRIGUEZ, UH, EVALUATION BECAUSE WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
COHERENCE GOVERNANCE IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE WAY YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EVALUATE YOUR SUPERINTENDENT UNDER COHERENT GOVERNANCE IS BY LOOKING AT THE, UM, OPERATE, THE MONITORING OF THE OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND THE MONITORING OF THE RESULTS POLICIES.
NOW, WE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING RESULTS POLICY MONITORING, UM, BUT I THINK PROBABLY THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING.
UH, WE DO, HOWEVER, DO OPERATIONAL RESULTS MONITORING.
SO LOOKING AT THAT AND LOOKING AT THE INSTRUMENT THAT WE GOT FROM, UH, MICHIGAN STATE, THERE'S A BIG CROSSOVER.
A LOT OF THE STUFF, UM, IN THE MICHIGAN STATE EVALUATION IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE OPERATIONAL EXPECTATION.
SO WE HAD A DISCUSSION AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A RECOMMENDATION, A MOTION THAT I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE.
UM, AND I WANTED TO CHANGE THE VERBIAGE JUST A LITTLE BIT, ROB AND BEAR WITH ME, BECAUSE IT WOULD CONFUSE ME WHEN I REREAD IT.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION BE BASED 50% ON THE OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS MONITORING FOR THE 20 22 20 23 SCHOOL YEAR.
AND WHAT THE, OKAY, WAIT A SEC.
SECOND BY AM THAT WAS LIKE THE SADDEST SECOND EVER.
I LIKE TO TABLE THIS FOR ANOTHER DAY.
THIS IS, THIS IS LIKE THE EXCITING, FUN PART.
UM, SO BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT, UM, WE'RE ALREADY MONITORING HIM IN FULSOME DETAIL THROUGH COMMITTEE WORK AND THROUGH THE FULL BOARD OVER OUR OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND A COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
AND I THINK THAT SHOULD COMPRISE AT LEAST 50% OF HIS EVALUATION.
WE DON'T HAVE RESULTS POLICY, AND WE STILL HAVE GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO, AND THAT'S COMING UP NEXT, UM, WITH THE OTHER 50%.
BUT FOR ME, BASICALLY WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE CREATED THIS WHOLE MONITORING SYSTEM, AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TIME TO ACTUALLY DO THE EVALUATION, WE JUST SUB IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ONE THAT DOESN'T LINE UP AS CLEARLY WITH OUR OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS, WHICH ACCORDING TO COHERENT GOVERNANCE, ARE ACTUALLY THE VALUES THAT OUR DISTRICT, UM, WANTS THE SUPERINTENDENT TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH.
I WILL FIELD ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS.
ANYBODY? NO, I'LL GO LAST I GOT SOME QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
WE'LL LET MS. COLONEL GUY, YOU'VE BEEN QUIET, DR.
THIS, UH, OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS ARE WHAT WE DO ALL THE TIME ANYWAY.
UH, AND WE BRING THOSE TO YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS.
YOU APPROVE THEM, UH, OR YOU SEND US BACK TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
UM, AND SO, UH, AT THE END OF EACH OF THOSE, THERE'S A, UM, THERE'S A FORM THAT'S, THAT'S SIGNED OFF ON, UH, THAT, THAT IT'S BEEN MET OR, UH, WHATEVER THE STATUS IS, SO THAT THAT PORTION OF IT, UM, IS WORK THAT, THAT WE DO ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
UH, MS. GORDON, THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.
UM, TRANSPARENCY, I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK WHEN WE BEGAN DISCUSSING
[03:25:01]
THIS BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO SHOCK, SURPRISE OR DO ANYTHING, UM, THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT AND EVALUATING OUR SUPERINTENDENT, BECAUSE WE'RE NOW ALMOST TO OCTOBER OF, UH, 2023.R, UH, RODRIGUEZ, AND HE SAID EXACTLY WHAT HE JUST SAID.
NOW, UH, HE'S BEEN DOING THIS OPERATIONAL PIECE.
UH, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT ALL THE DATA AND INFORMATION THAT HE'S GIVING IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL TWO OR A STRIKEOUT ON.
I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT, UH, TO HIM AT THIS STAGE OF EVALUATION, AND THAT WE HAVE BEEN, ARE ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO WITH COHERENT GOVERNANCES AND, UH, LOOKING AT HIS EVALUATION.
UH, SO MY CONCERN IS, AND AS I TOLD HIM, I WANTED HIM TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS, UH, FOR THE BOARD TO BE COMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY APPEAR THAT WE'RE CHANGING IN MID STRATEGY ABOUT WHAT IS 50%, WHAT'S 40%? YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? SO, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW, UM, I DO HAVE A CONCERN.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING THAT WILL HARM HIS EVALUATION.
SO, UM, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE RESULTS, UM, COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
AND, UH, I THINK THERE'S SOME METRICS THAT IT IS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET FOR, DUE TO CONSTRAINTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PURVIEW.
I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THAT ANY ADJUSTMENTS ALLOW FOR THE FACT THAT IF IT'S A FOUR POINT SCALE, WE CAN'T EVEN REACH FOR, DUE TO OTHER EXTERNAL REQUIREMENTS, AND THAT HE'S NOT PENALIZED FOR THAT.
UM, IF, IF HE'S COMFORTABLE WITH IT, I'M, I'M, I'M OKAY WITH IT.
UM, BUT I THINK TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, TH UH, THE OTHER POINT IS THIS IS PRETTY LATE IN THE PERFORMANCE YEAR TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THAT, UNLESS IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FAIRER, UH, JUDGING HIM AGAINST A, A METRIC THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO REGULATORY OTHER ISSUES.
UH, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT HE WILL NOT BE ADVERSELY EFFECTIVE IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY PRIMARY FOCUS.
BEFORE WE CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION, WE NEED A MOTION ABOUT IT'S PAST NINE 50.
WE ARE GONNA CONTINUE, ARE WE GONNA CALL IT A NIGHT OR WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO I MOVE THAT WE COMPLETE THE AGENDA? YEP.
SO LET'S VOTE ON RIGHT NOW THE, UM, UH, CONTINUING THE MEETING.
NAY AND NAY, NAY, NAY,
CAN YOU WHIP? OKAY, SO THE, SO WE, WE WILL CONTINUE THE MEETING.
SO MY ONLY QUESTION OR CONCERN IS IN REGARD TO SOME OF THE OES THAT ARE, THAT HAVE TO DO WITH FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT OR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
IS THAT ALMOST GOING TO BE GIVING ADDITIONAL WEIGHT TO THOSE AREAS SINCE THEY'RE ALREADY PART OF THE CURRENT RESULTS? WELL, THAT'S COMING UP NEXT WITH THE RESULTS, UM, DISCUSSION AS FAR AS TO WHAT'S CURRENTLY IN OUR RESULTS, WE DON'T HAVE A RESULT POLICY, BUT WHAT'S SORT OF THOSE THREE GOALS? SO, UM, NO, I DON'T THINK IT WILL GIVE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT TO THOSE THINGS.
AND REALLY, LIKE I SAID, YOU, THERE'S A SIDEWALK BETWEEN EVERY ONE OF THOSE STANDARDS, BUT RATHER THAN HAVING IT, UH, BE, UH, BASICALLY MEASURED AGAINST, UM, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, WHICH WAS, WAS INITIALLY USED BACK PRE COHERENT GOVERNANCE, IT WILL ACTUALLY JUST BE OUR OWN INTERNAL COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
BUT THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF CROSSOVER.
AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE ONE OTHER POINT.
I GOT A LITTLE DISTRACTED THERE BY THE, UM, OTHER STUFF GOING ON.
WE HAVE A POLICY, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A SURPRISE, AND I JUST THINK IN IT, LET ME FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS.
THIS IS POLICY B S R DASH FIVE, SUPERINTENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY SUBSECTION SEVEN.
EACH OCTOBER, THE BOARD WILL CONDUCT A FORMAL SUMMATIVE EVALUATION.
THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE SUMMATIVE EVALUATION WILL BE BASED UPON DATA COLLECTED DURING THE PREVIOUS ACADEMIC YEAR FROM THE MONITORING OF RESULTS AND ACADE, UM, OPERATIONAL EXPECTATION POLICIES.
THE BOARD WILL PREPARE A WRITTEN EVALUATION DOCUMENT THAT WAS A MOTION THAT WAS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2021.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY THAT WE'RE NOW GOING TO ACTUALLY START USING OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS IN TERMS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION.
THE REASON I SAID 50% IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE RESULTS.
[03:30:01]
TO BE WORKED OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE.ALRIGHT, I THINK MR. SMITH, FIRST ALL, LEMME APOLOGIZE YOU FOR CALLING YOUR NAME ON THE LAST, UH, ON THE LAST SITUATION.
I APOLOGIZE FOR CALLING YOUR NAME OUT AM MY, AS AN EXAMPLE.
I APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE THAT.
UM, ONE THING THAT STICKS OUT TO ME, I LIKE, I'M, UH, I LIKE TO BE FAIR, AND, AND, AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT, UM, LAST CHAIR, CHAIRMAN AND THIS SOME OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WAS, WE HAD A, A TALK ABOUT THIS.
I REMEMBER, UM, GOING ON WHEN, WHEN COVID FIRST HIT, AND IT WAS INTO, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO CHANGE DUE TO COVID AND WHAT WE WOULD NOT, AND WE'VE NEVER REALLY GOTTEN BACK AROUND TO HAVING THIS INTENTIONAL, UH, CONVERSATION AND BEING IN, IN, IN, IN THIS KIND OF A, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A, A TOUGH CONVERSATION TO HAVE.
UM, BUT MY ONE AND JUST SAYING THAT ONE OF MY CONCERNS ARE THAT I WANNA ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT VIOLATING VIOLATING AND, AND MAYBE, MAYBE WE SHOULD GET LEGAL, UM, LEGAL ADVICE ON THIS BECAUSE, UH, EVEN THOUGH HE'S SAYING THAT IT'S OKAY, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT, THAT, THAT WE'RE NOT VI VIOLATING HIM IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, AND THAT WE DO HAVE THAT, HAVE THAT ROOM TO SUCCESSFULLY DO THIS IF THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
EVEN THOUGH HE'S SAYING, YEAH, BUT I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IN, IN, IN TURN, IN TERMS OF, UM, PAPERWORK AND IN TURN IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT, THAT WE'RE NOT VIOLATING VIOLATING HIS CONTRACT OR VIOLATING HIM IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.
SO THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD, I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO SEE MORE OF, MORE OF, UM, THE, SOME LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS IN TERMS OF HOW DO, HOW DO WE, HOW DO WE DO THIS? AND HOW DO WE CHANGE THIS IN TERMS OF WHEN WE GIVE IT TO HIM IN OCTOBER VERSUS MAKING THIS CHANGE.
NOW, SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS DO BRING ME SOME CONCERNS ALONG AS WHAT MRS. GORDON AND SOME OTHER ONES ARE SAID.
I UNDERSTAND HE'S, THAT HE'S SAYING IT'S OKAY, BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN THE CLEAR AND WE'RE IN THE GREEN, THAT THE, OF MAKING THAT CHANGE, THAT, THAT WE CAN DO, THAT'S WITH, WITH NO MALICE AND HARM IN, IN TERMS OF OUR, OF OUR, OF OUR CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE, UH, WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.
SO THAT, THAT'S JUST SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON THIS.
MR. GEIER, I, THIS WILL BE SHORT.
I AGREE WITH THE CONCEPT, BUT I WILL HOLD JUDGMENT UNTIL I SEE THE EVALUATION INSTRUMENT, BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED, JUST AS MR. DALLAS SAID, WE CAN'T HAVE A PERF IF YOU CAN'T HIT A HUNDRED PERCENT, 70% IS NOT VALID.
SO I WANNA SEE THAT INSTRUMENT, AND I'M GONNA SPEND A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THAT.
CAUSE I THINK OUR INSTRUMENT AS WE HAVE THUS FAR IS GOOD INSTRUMENT.
GO AHEAD AND THEN I'LL SAY SOMETHING.
I, HAVING OBVIOUSLY SEEN THIS ON THE AGENDA I GOT WITH ME, EVERY SINGLE EVALUATION WE'VE DONE ON DR.
RODRIGUEZ, I HAVE HIS CONTRACT HERE.
SO, UM, AND I'VE HAD A NICE DISCUSSION WITH, UH, KATHY ROBBIN, WHO WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH THIS, UH, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
SO, UM, FIRST OF ALL, THE CHANGING IT TO, LET ME JUST, UM, HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT, IT SHOULD BE EVALUATION, RIGHT? YOU SAID EVALUATION BE BASED ON 50% OF THE OES FOR 2022, 50% OF HIS EVALUATION, RIGHT? BASED ON, OKAY, SO IT, OUR CURRENT EVALUATION INSTRUMENT HAS THESE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE COMPONENTS.
THERE'S FIVE COMPONENTS, GOVERNANCE AND BOARD RELATIONS, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, STAFF RELATIONS, BUSINESS AND FINANCE, INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP.
R HAS TO PROVIDE, UH, UM, EVIDENCE OF MEETING ALL THOSE DIFFERENT SUB AREAS.
AND THOSE ARE, YOU KNOW, WELL ALIGNED WITH THE OES.
AND THERE'S CERTAIN, YOU KNOW, THE RATING SYSTEM IS, UM, ONE TO FOUR WITH FOUR BEING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND THREE EFFECTIVE AND SO ON DOWN.
SO THERE ALREADY IS AN ALIGNMENT WITH THE OES.
AND SO TO SAY THAT IT'S GONNA BE BASED ON, ON, UM, 50%, HIS EVALUATION WOULD BE BASED ON 50% OF THE OE OUTCOMES, I GUESS YOU'D SAY, OR O OEM MONITORING REPORTS.
SO NOW WHAT'S THE, WHAT'S THE NUMERICAL SYSTEM FOR THOSE? OKAY.
THAT MAKES HIM HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.
NO, HE MET IT WITH MODIFICATIONS.
I MEAN, THERE'S GOTTA BE SOME NUMERICAL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T SEE WHAT THE METRIC SYSTEM WOULD BE FOR THAT.
I MEAN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT.
ANOTHER THING I SEE AS A, AS A DISADVANTAGE IS THAT HE, UM, THIS WAY IT'S THE BOARD AS A WHOLE VOTES ON, UH, UH, ACCEPTING OR NOT ACCEPTING OR MODIFYING THOSE OES.
SO WE'VE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL THOSE OES, WE DO THAT AS A GROUP, WHEREAS THE
[03:35:01]
WAY WE HAVE IT WITH THE, WITH THE CURRENT EVALUATION TOOL, EACH OF US GETS TO GIVE OUR INPUT THIS WAY, NOT EACH OF US WOULD GET TO GIVE OUR INPUT.IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THE BOARD HAS VOTED, IT WOULD BE WHAT THE BOARD VOTED AS THE MAJORITY PREVIOUSLY.
SO, UM, LAST YEAR'S, YOU KNOW, YES, THESE EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS HAVE HAD TO BE MODIFIED EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.
NOW, LAST YEAR, UM, THE PROFESSION INITIAL LAST YEAR, THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE COMPONENTS COMPRISED 85% OF HIS EVALUATION.
NOW, BASICALLY, WE WOULD KNOCK IT DOWN TO 50%.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT THIS SAYS.
UM, THOSE OTHER THREE AREAS THAT YOU HAVE LISTED, UM, THE CURRENT RESULTS, POLICY, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT, YEAH.
THOSE DEFINITELY NEED TO BE WORKED ON BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S JUST CHOOSE FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT.
THERE'S ONLY TWO CATEGORIES THERE.
ONE IS THAT HE, THE ONLY WAY HE CAN BE HIGHLY OF EFFECTIVE IS FOR HIS BOND RATE BOND RATINGS TO IMPROVE.
THAT CAN'T HAPPEN IN OUR DISTRICT.
IT HAS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GREENVILLE, WE DON'T HAVE IS INDUSTRY THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
AND THEN, FOR EXAMPLE, ADHERE TO BUDGET THAT HE'D BE UNDER BUDGET BY GREATER THAN 2% TO BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD IF HE WAS UNDER BUDGET BY GREATER THAN 2%.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S BEING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.
SO, UM, I I I, I DON'T SUPPORT THIS FOR MANY OF THE THINGS I JUST SAID.
UM, RODRIGUEZ'S DEFENSE, I THINK, I DON'T SEE HOW YOU COULD NOT COME OUT PERFECT SCORE ON THE 50% OF THE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES, E E EXPECTATIONS, BECAUSE ALL ALONG WE'RE, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE MONITORING.
AND SO, I MEAN, I WOULD THINK HE WOULD HAVE A PERFECT SCORE.
HE'S, HE'S, UH, UH, WE'VE, UH, ACCEPTED IT.
WE'VE, UM, MODIFIED IT IF WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A MODIFICATION.
SO I DON'T, I DON'T, I GUESS I DON'T SEE REALLY, I, I SEE THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS. I SEE.
MAY I RESPOND TO YOUR PROBLEMS? SURE.
BUT I, TO BE HONEST, I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT WE'RE JUST BLOWING PAST THE FACT THAT WE APPROVED A POLICY THAT SAYS HIS EVALUATION.
AND WE'RE SORT OF IGNORING THAT.
I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT WE VOTED ON IN FEBRUARY OF 2021.
AND IF YOU GO THROUGH, UM, THAT WHOLE SECTION, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE OES.
AND I'M GOING TO READ TO YOU, WE, UM, USED, I THINK HORRY COUNTY AS ONE OF OUR, UM, EXAMPLES WHEN WE ADOPTED COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
A LOT OF THE OE THAT WE HAVE WERE, UM, ONES THAT THEY HAD DEVELOPED AS WELL.
SO THAT, JUST GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, WHEN THEIR LAST SUPERINTENDENT RECEIVED A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RATING ANNUAL EVALUATION.
IN REVIEW OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DR.
MAXEY, HE CONTINUES TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR EXPECTATIONS.
UM, AND HIS BASICALLY MADE HIS JOB, THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM A SCORE.
THE BOARD FEELS THAT THE DISTRICT CONTINUES TO PERFORM WELL IN ACHIEVEMENT AND IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP CHARACTER AND CLEAR VISION.
SO BASICALLY, THIS IS WHAT A COHERENT GOVERNANCE EVALUATION LOOKS LIKE.
NOW, IF WE WANT TO STICK WITH WHAT MICHIGAN STATE, UH, TOOL IS, I THINK THAT'S FINE.
BUT IT, TO ME, WE'RE BASICALLY BEING INCREDIBLY INCONSISTENT TO HAVE THIS WHOLE COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
IF YOU READ THROUGH OUR POLICY MANUALS, EVERYTHING'S LIKE WORKING TOWARDS THE RESULTS, WORKING TOWARDS THE RESULT POLICIES, AND YET WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY.
SO I FEEL LIKE AT THIS POINT, WE EITHER NEED TO COMMIT AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO, UM, ADHERE WITH FIDELITY TO THE COHERENT GOVERNANCE, UH, FRAMEWORK.
OR IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO, THAT'S FINE.
BUT THEN THAT CHANGES OTHER THINGS DOWNSTREAM FOR ME AS WELL.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN KIND OF PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT PARTS OF COHERENT GOVERNANCE YOU WANNA, UM, GO BY.
AND TO ME, THE OTHER ISSUE WITH THIS IS WHAT I'VE ALWAYS FOUND, I WAS ON THE RESULTS COMMITTEE MY FRESHMAN YEAR, UM, AND I WAS JUST PERPLEXED BY THE WHOLE PROCESS.
AND, UH, WE HAD A DATA GUY AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT STUFF, AND IT SEEMED VERY ODD TO ME, UM, IN TERMS OF A WAY TO DO AN EVALUATION.
UM, SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN, WE HAVE THIS WHOLE PROCESS WHERE ALL YEAR LONG WE'RE EVALUATING HIM CONSTANTLY, WE'RE EVALUATING THE JOB, UM, THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S DOING.
AND THEN WHAT COHERENCE GOVERNANCE SAYS IN THEIR BOOK ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS IS THEN YOU TRANSFER THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION TO THE EVALUATION OF THE CEO.
SO ALL ALONG WE ARE LOOKING AT, UM, TECHNOLOGY, WHICH I'M GONNA REPORT ON NEXT.
AND WE'RE GONNA LOOKING AT THE, UM, ASSET, UM, PROTECTION.
WE'RE LOOKING AT FACILITIES FINANCE.
WE HAVE AN OE FOR FOOD SERVICE.
SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY EVALUATING AND WE'RE CREATING A PORTFOLIO OF PERFORMANCE OVER TIME.
AND THEN WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE EVALUATION, I FULLY, MY DAUGHTER AT BERKELEY, WHEN SHE WOULD HAVE LIKE AN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY TEST, AND SHE'D BE LIKE, I STUDIED ALL THE, THE, THE STUDY GUIDES, AND NONE OF IT WAS ON THE TEST.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST, YOU CAN'T SORT OF COME AT THE END AFTER ALL THIS WORK AND BE LIKE, OH, BY THE WAY, HERE'S THIS OTHER INSTRUMENT FROM SOME OTHER PLACE THAT WE NOW WANT YOU TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
[03:40:01]
FOR.BECAUSE WE DO, WE, EXCUSE ME, WE GET A BINDER OF INFORMATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THAT SEPARATE INSTRUMENT.
AND SO, TO ME, IT'S A DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
UM, SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT OUR POLICY DICTATES.
I THINK IT IS FAIR TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
I THINK IT IS ACTUALLY A GOOD WAY TO GOVERN, BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE HAVE DEVELOPED A LOT OF OUR OTHER POLICIES.
UM, I THINK I SU I SUGGESTED 50%.
I THINK YOUR POINT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL INPUT IS A GOOD POINT.
AND MAYBE THAT COULD BE PART OF THE OTHER 50%.
YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT THE THREE GOALS WE CURRENTLY HAVE LISTED AS SUPERINTENDENT GOALS.
UM, AND LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE HAVE MORE OF A PERSONAL, UH, OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO PROVIDE PERSONAL INPUT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A TRANSITIONAL PIECE TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN TO ALIGN OUR MODEL TO WHAT COHERENT GOVERNANCE ACTUALLY SAYS IS THE WAY TO DO IT.
SO I'D LIKE TO RESPOND BACK TO THAT IN THE SENSE THAT, SO YOU'RE, I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD, THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR.
AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED, UM, THE WAY THIS, AND OR EARL CAN ATTEST TO THIS, THE WAY THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS EVALUATED WAS BASICALLY THE BOARD'S BOARD GOT TOGETHER AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TALKED, RIGHT? AND, AND THEN YOU, AND YOU HAD AN ATTORNEY THERE.
NOT THAT THE, UM, ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT, BUT AN OUTSIDE ATTORNEY WHO LISTENED TO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID IN THE ROOM.
AND THEN, UM, AS I RECALL, WE GOT BACK TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, TOOK THAT IN.
THE ATTORNEY KIND OF COMPILED THE COMMENTS AND SAID, YOU KNOW, SOME BOARD MEMBERS FELT THE SUPERINTENDENT, UH, WAS, LET'S JUST SAY FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.
A FEW BOARD MEMBERS THOUGHT BLAH, BLAH, DIDN'T SAY WHO, WHICH BOARD MEMBERS THOUGHT WHAT.
AND UM, AND THEN THE SECOND MEETING, A FEW DAYS LATER OR FIVE DAYS LATER, UH, DEVELOPED A, A REPORT AS SORT OF THE CONSENSUS OF THE BOARD.
IT WAS VERY, I WOULD SAY, MUCH MORE SUBJECTIVE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT NUMERIC.
IT WAS MORE WHAT, WHAT DID THIS, UM, WHAT DID THIS LAWYER HEAR FROM WHAT THE COMMENTS WERE MADE? UM, AND, UH, THIS IS SPEC SPECIFICALLY, THE ATTORNEY THAT I WAS INVOLVED WITH WAS KEN CHILDS.
AND HE, HE SAID THAT IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUBMIT ANYTHING IN WRITING, YOU CAN, WELL, I DID SUBMIT SOMETHING IN WRITING AND I FOCUSED ON TWO AREAS.
AND, UM, I'M NOT GONNA SAY THOSE PUBLICLY, BUT, UM, AND THIS WAS NOT DR.
AND, UM, I BELIEVE I WAS ONE OF, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK OF THE 11 BOARD MEMBERS.
I THINK THERE WAS, YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY FEW IF ANYBODY ELSE SUBMITTED ANYTHING IN WRITING.
AND I JUST FELT IT WAS VERY, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS IN A WAY VERY SUBJECTIVE AND KIND OF JUST MUSHY, YOU KNOW, NOT, NOT A LOT OF TEETH TO IT OR SUBSTANCE TO IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT, YOU KNOW, AND, AND THEN WE, YOU KNOW, EMBARKED ON THIS JOURNEY TO TRY TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS MORE, UM, YOU KNOW, NUMERICAL BASED.
AND YEAH, IT'S NOT A PERFECT DOCUMENT.
I'D BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT, BUT TO ME, IT IS THE OES IT, IT, THESE ARE THE OES THAT ARE IN THESE, UH, EVALUATION AREAS IF YOU LOOK AT IT VERY CAREFULLY.
UM, SO I DON'T KNOW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, EARL? I, I AGREE WITH YOU.
UM, YOU KNOW, AND CHLOE CAN, CAN TEST TO THIS OVER THE YEARS, HOW MANY EVALUATION I CAN EVEN COUNT, YOU KNOW, AND, AND I THINK THAT WITH THIS ROB ON HEALTH ON THIS, YOU WENT A LOT OF WORK TO DO THIS.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP THAT.
UM, YOU KNOW, JUST DO SIMPLE THINGS.
I MEAN, USE COMMON SENSE, YOU KNOW, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE, WHEN WE EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT, WE BE, WE ARE FAIR ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T NEED TO TO GO WHAT HORRY COUNTY DOES OR SOME OTHER COUNTY DOES.
YOU KNOW, HE'S HERE TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION FOR ALL THE STUDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW? SO I, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID.
I LIKE TO APPROACH IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
I KNOW IT'S A POLICY CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON THE HUMANITY.
SO, SO IF HIS SCHOOL PERFORMANCE YEAR IS JULY THE FIRST THROUGH JUNE 30TH, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
98.1% OF HIS PERFORMANCE YEAR IS OVER.
WHO IS GOING TO SIT AND SAY, YOU CHANGED THAT ON ME AND I'M GONNA BE OKAY? SO I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF DOING THAT.
SO THAT WE ARE, I MEAN, IT SAYS 2022 THROUGH 2023, I THINK,
[03:45:01]
UH, MORE OF A, A SOLUTION IS TO ACCEPT WHAT WE HAVE FOR 20 22, 20 23, ADJUST THOSE THINGS THAT HE CANNOT REACH, DO THE, UH, ISSUES OUTSIDE OF HIS OWN CONTROL, DEVOTE THIS EFFORT, UH, THAT MS. BOATRIGHT IS TALKING ABOUT TO 20 20, 23, 20 24.AND THEN WE CAN BE VERY METHODICAL.
WE CAN BE HUMANISTIC IN IT, AND WE CAN APPRECIATE THE SUPERB TALENT THAT'S BEEN ASSEMBLED ONTO THIS PARTICULAR SUPERINTENDENT AND GIVE 'EM A FAIR RATING.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION, MR. SMITH.
I I, I HAVE DE I DEFINITELY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
LIKE I SAID, UH, BEFORE, MY CONCERNS IS DEFINITELY, AND THE, IN THE, IN THE AREA OF THE LEGAL LEGALITY OF IT, IN TERMS OF, UH, WHETHER WE WERE BEING SAFE OR NOT IN, WE WOULD SUBJECT OURSELF FOR A, UH, LAWSUIT AS WELL.
BUT, UH, MORE SO, UM, JUST IN, IN, IN TERMS OF, I, I DO UNDERSTAND, AND I DO, UH, FEEL MS. BOATRIGHT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE I, I TOO THINK THAT SOME OF IT COULD HAVE, UH, SOME DIFFERENT TIPS AND DIFFERENT LOOKS AND IN TERMS OF MOVING FORWARD, BUT THIS NOW MAY, MAY NOT BE THE, UH, THE, UM, NOW MAY NOT BE THE TIME FOR THAT.
UM, BUT WITH, WITH, WITH, WITH, WITH, WITH WITHIN THAT, I, I, I KNOW THAT, UM, AND ACTUALLY, SHE, SHE, SHE, MRS. BOATWRIGHT ALSO BROUGHT OUT A POINT THAT, UM, A QUESTION I WAS GONNA ASK ABOUT.
SO BASICALLY, I, I KNOW THAT WE, WHEN INITIALLY I WAS AT THE MEETING AND WHERE BASICALLY THIS TOOL CAME FROM MICHIGAN, IS THAT, IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? THIS FROM MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICT? SO I THINK THAT WHAT WE SHOULD DO TOO IS GO BACK AND LOOK FROM THE YEAR THAT WE INITIALLY STARTED IT AND SEE WHAT THEIR INSTRUMENT TOOL LOOK LIKE TO SEE WHAT WE'VE CONDENSED IT TO AND COM AND, AND COMPARISON IT, UH, TO WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE RIGHT NOW.
AND ALSO THROUGH, UH, THROUGH THE TIMES THAT THE, THE WHAT, WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AND THE TIMES, WHAT OUR, WHAT OUR REALISTIC GOALS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE HAPPEN HERE IN RIVERFORD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
UM, A ALONG WITH THAT, I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE, UH, IN TERMS OF EVEN OF EVEN EVALUATION, I UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF A PART OF THE GO, THE PART OF THE, AND, AND JUST TO SAY THAT SHE'S NOT REALLY ON THE WRONG SIDE IN TERMS OF THE FINANCIALS, THE FINANCIAL STABILITY PART OF IT.
THAT IS, THAT IS A PART OF OUR JOB.
IT DOES FALL UP ON THE OPERATIONS THERE, BUT LIKE HE SAID, HE'S BEEN DOING THAT.
SO THEREFORE, YOU'RE NOT RIGHT.
YOU'RE NOT ON THE, ON THE WRONG SIDE.
YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT TOTALLY LEFT, LEFT FIELD WITH THIS.
BUT I JUST THINK THAT, I JUST THINK THAT THE, THE TIMING OF IT IS, IS NOT, IS NOT ALL RIGHT.
AND LIKE I, AND I END WITH THIS, I ACTUALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF AN EDUCATIONAL PIECE IN THERE IN TERMS OF OUR STUDENT EDUCATION GROWTH AND GROWING AS A DISTRICT.
I THINK THAT'S, THAT WOULD, THAT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE OPERATION OF IT.
I THINK, I THINK WHEREVER OUR STUDENTS ARE ACHIEVING OR NOT, AND I'VE HAD PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME IS PARTICULARLY HOW MUCH OF THAT IS CONSISTED OF THESE SUPERINTENDENT'S, UM, EVALUATION.
SO JUST TO PUT THAT OUT THERE TO, TO, TO THIS, UH, COMMITTEE THAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING ME IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH, UH, HOW MUCH PART, HOW MUCH OF HIS EVALUATION CONSISTS OF T AS AN ACTUAL DAY-TODAY CLASS PROCESS AND ROLE AND, AND GROWTH OF, OF THE DISTRICT AND THE STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF THIS DISTRICT.
WASOWSKI, I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF
UM, I'M IN SUPPORT OF MOVING TO 50% ON OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR POLICY THAT WAS ADOPTED IN FEBRUARY OF 2021 STATES WE WILL DO.
IT SAYS THAT THE BASIS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IS THE RESULTS POLICIES IN THE OES.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO MOVE THIS PERHAPS DUE TO ITS PROXIMITY TO THE OCTOBER EVALUATION TAKING PLACE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL ON THIS.
IT'S IN POLICY, UH, BOARD SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONS, ITEM FIVE, SUPERINTENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND I JUST IMPLORE EVERYBODY TO READ THAT PRETTY CLOSELY CUZ THIS MAKES COMPLETE SENSE TO DO THIS.
UM, BUT I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF MOVING IT TO THE NEXT CYCLE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY.
SO I WOULD ALSO WANT, LIKE, UM, COLONEL GEIER SAID, I WOULD WANNA SEE WHAT THE INSTRUMENT IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT ELSE ARE WE GONNA BE MEASURING? UM, JUST FOR THE, UM, BOARD, BOARD MEMBERS AND ALSO FOR THE PUBLIC.
YOU KNOW, EACH YEAR WE'VE DONE DR.
THE, THE BOARD CHAIR WITH OR WITHOUT THE, AND THE VICE CHAIR, UM, HAVE MADE A SUMMARY OF, OF THE RESULTS.
CUZ OTHERWISE I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY HARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, WELL HOW DID HE DO? AND IN THAT SUMMARY, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR, WE SAID THE
[03:50:01]
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT MEASURABLE COMPONENT, UM, ARE THAT THE BUDGET WAS SPENT WITH 0.2% REMAINING.AND THE B C S D HAS MAINTAINED MOODY'S A DOUBLE ONE AND SP AA RATINGS.
SO EVEN THOUGH HE COULD ONLY EARN THREE FOR THAT CATEGORY, IN A WAY WE GAVE HIM FULL CREDIT.
CUZ THAT'S ALL HE COULD DO IS WHAT HE DID DO.
SO, UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, YEAH, WE HAVE A SUMMARY.
SO YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE IN FAVOR OF, OF MAKING THIS CHANGE NOW, I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO HIM.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY UNREASONABLE.
AND YES, PERS CONTRACT, HE HA WE HAVE TO, UH, EVALUATE HIM IN OCTOBER WE'RE REQUIRED TO.
I MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO CHANGE IT TO THE 20 23 20 24 SCHOOL YEAR.
AND MY PURPOSE IN DOING THAT IS THAT WE HAVE FOUR MONTHS ESSENTIALLY FOR, UH, MS. BOATWRIGHTS COMMITTEE, THE RESULTS COMMITTEE TO COME UP WITH A DOCUMENT THAT WE THINK IS SUITABLE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
AND WE CAN PRESENT THAT TO FRANK AND GET HIS AGREEMENT ON THAT DOCUMENT BY OCTOBER FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
I THINK THAT'S PERFECTLY REASONABLE.
SO, BUT LET ME, LET ME JUST CLARIFY SOMETHING.
SO, CUZ I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH, FIRST OF ALL TO DR.
ESKI POINT, THIS IS JUST STARTING TO TRY AND MOVE US INTO ALIGNMENT.
CUZ BE HONEST FOLKS, WE'RE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
WE ARE IN VIOLATION OF POLICY.
THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE TWO YEARS AGO, IT HASN'T BEEN.
SO THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO START MOVING IT THAT WAY.
THE SECOND THING IS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED NUMEROUS TIMES IS THAT WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FINANCIAL PIECE BECAUSE WE COULD NOT, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE, THE MATRIX WAS, WE COULD NOT GIVE HIM A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SCORE EVEN THOUGH WE JUST WON THE TYLER AWARD FOR FINANCIAL BUDGETING.
AND THAT WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS A FLAW ON THE MATRIX.
SO THAT APPARENTLY IS OKAY FOR ME TO CHANGE AT THIS LATE DATE.
BUT THE OTHER, AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE'S THIS IDEA THAT THIS ISN'T FAIR OR THIS IS, THIS IS ALL THE SAME STUFF.
IT'S JUST MOVING IT TOWARDS THE WAY WE ACTUALLY HA ARE TRYING TO DO IT BY POLICY.
AND THE SCOPE OF THE RESULTS COMMITTEE IS TO DEVELOP A RESULTS INSTRUMENT.
SO, BUT WE GET PUT INTO PLACE IN JANUARY.
SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE CREATING, UM, I'M GONNA STEP OUT AND LET THE BOARD DECIDE WHAT THEY WANNA DO.
UM, BUT I DO HAVE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE CREATED KIND OF THIS HODGEPODGE PUSHED TOGETHER SORT OF PROCESS THAT WE ARE, THAT IS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH POLICY.
AND I THINK THAT, UM, WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS COMPLETELY REASONABLE FOR WHAT, SINCE WE'VE BEEN MONITORING HIM ALL ALONG ON THESE VERY THINGS, WE HAVE A WORK PLAN TO THIS EFFECT.
UM, SO I'M JUST, I'M KIND OF DISAPPOINTED AT THE, THE LEVEL OF, OF DISCUSSION WE'RE HAVING HERE.
CUZ TO ME IT JUST SEEMED LIKE AN ABSOLUTE NO-BRAINER.
WE'RE OUT OF POLICY ALIGNMENT, LET'S MOVE IT BACK THAT WAY.
THE THE INFORMATION'S RELATIVELY THE SAME, IT'S JUST STARTING TO USE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FORMAT.
UM, BUT IF WE FEEL THAT THAT IS TOO BIG OF A STEP AT THIS POINT, THEN I'LL, I'LL ABSTAIN FROM THE VOTER, YOU KNOW, DO WHATEVER I'M GONNA DO.
BUT I HAVE TO SAY, I'M SURPRISED THAT IT IS THIS, UH, INSTRUMENT THAT WE CURRENTLY ARE USING WAS PUT INTO PLACE PRIOR TO ADOPTING COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
AND IT DOES FEEL LIKE THE MORE I LEARN ABOUT COHERENT GOVERNANCE, THE MORE I LOOK AT OUR POLICY THAT WE WENT ABOUT 75% AND STOPPED ON COHERENT GOVERNANCE.
AND THAT CREATES PROBLEMS BECAUSE YOU CREATE INCONSISTENCIES IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR PO POLICIES THAT WERE VOTED ON.
I REMEMBER THERE WAS A LITTLE CELEBRATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2021.
UM, BUT WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT, WE'RE JUST CHOOSING NOT TO FOLLOW THEM AT THIS POINT.
SO YOU GUYS DECIDE WHAT YOU WANNA DO AND UH, THE RESULTS COMMITTEE WILL TAKE THAT UP, MR. SMITH.
UM, A ALSO JUST TO, UH, TO, UH, AND JUST TO, UH, BASICALLY PUT THE, UH, BALL IN A, IN A DIFFERENT, IN AN HOUR, AN HOUR IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION IS TOO, UM, JUST TO, SO THAT WE COULD MAYBE HAVE A MIDTERM, I MEAN A MID, A MID PART WAY.
UH, WHEN I WAS AT THE SCHOOL, UH, ONE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCES, WHAT I ALSO NOTICED TOO IS THAT WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT IS THAT THEY, THEY, UH, WE MAY WANNA THINK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THAT WOULD ALLOWED, UH, MRS. BOATWRIGHT PIECE TO SUCCESSFULLY GO IN THERE, MAYBE WANT TO HAVE A TWO PART TO WHERE WE EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHERE WE'RE JUST NOT WAITING UNTIL THE ACTUAL END OF THE YEAR.
WHERE, WHERE THERE'S, THERE'S TWO, THERE'S THERE'S TWO POINTS WITHIN THE YEAR THAT WE DO EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THAT WAY.
IT, IT IS A, IT IS A KINDA, UH, EVERLASTING.
UM, EVERYONE'S ON THE SAME PAGE AND, AND, AND THAT THAT GIVES YOU THAT TIME TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE IT WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS OF, UH, OF, OF EVALUATION.
I MEAN, SOME, SOME SCHOOL BOARDS, THEY DO EVALUATE, THEY, THEY SUPERINTENDENT TWO, TWO TIMES OF THE YEAR, TWO TIMES OF THE YEAR.
WHICH, WHICH, WHICH IS WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT NOW EVERYTHING IS FRESH VERSUS YOU TRYING TO REMEMBER OR GETTING A BOOK GIVEN TO YOU WITH EVERYTHING THAT HE'S DONE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THEN NOW YOU HAVE WHAT YOU'VE DONE SIX MONTHS AGO AND IT'S FRESH AND YOU UNDERSTAND IT AND YOU CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, UH, EFFECTIVELY VERSUS RELYING ON A BOOK OR HAVING TO, UH, THINK ABOUT WHEREVER SOME OF THOSE THINGS WERE MET.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE TOO, THAT SOME SCHOOL BOARDS DO EVALUATE THEIR SUPERINTENDENTS TWO TIMES A YEAR.
SO, I MEAN, THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TOO THAT'S, UH, FOOL FOR THOUGHT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
R'S CONTRACT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT
[03:55:01]
GRANTED NOT IN THE LAST MONTH, I THINK THAT HE WOULD REQUIRE A CONTRACT CHANGE TO DO TWO EVALUATIONS A YEAR.PRETTY CERTAIN IT'S JUST ONE A YEAR.
AND SECOND OF ALL, ONE OF THE THINGS YOU RAISED ALREADY, MR. SMITH WAS, WELL, LET'S GO BACK AND LOOK AT HOW THIS INSTRUMENT HAS CHANGED SINCE IT WAS DEVELOPED.
UH, I THINK IN 19, WELL, I CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW IT'S CHANGED CAUSE I GOT EACH ONE OF 'EM HERE.
IT WAS THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED YES, FROM MICHIGAN WITH THESE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE COMPONENTS.
AND THOSE WERE TAKEN, UH, I GUESS YOU'D SAY VERBATIM OR IDENTICAL.
AND THEN WHAT WE HAD TO END UP, AND THEN WHAT WAS CHANGED OVER THE, THE SUBSEQUENT SEVERAL YEARS WAS, UH, BECAUSE WE HAD A PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE, THE, UM, THE, UH, COMPONENTS DIDN'T APPLY ANYMORE.
YOU KNOW, KIDS WEREN'T IN SCHOOL.
UH, YOU KNOW, TEACHER RETENTION WAS TOTALLY, UH, KIND OF KNOCKED OUT WITH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE BEING, UH, HOME AND NOT IN THE CLASSROOM, PHYSICAL CLASSROOM AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO I HAVE ALL THE CHANGES, BUT, UM, AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT'S HOW IT WAS MODIFIED.
I DON'T FEEL THAT WE'RE TOTALLY OUTTA COMPLIANCE WITH, WITH, UH, POLICY, CUZ I FEEL THAT THERE'S ENOUGH OF AN OVERLAP BETWEEN THE CURRENT, UM, UH, METRIC, UH, MATRIX AND THE OE.
SO, UM, YEAH, I, I LIKE WE HAVE ALREADY SAID, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS AT ALL FOR HIS OCTOBER EVALUATION.
THE AMENDED MOTION IS I MOVE TO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION BE BASED ON 50% TO BE BASED ON 50% OF OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS.
SO AFTER THE WORD 50%, THAT SHOULD BE OF RIGHT.
SO, THE HONOR, WHY DON'T WE JUST, CAN I MAKE A MO CAN I MAKE A MOTION? WHY DON'T WE JUST, LET'S, I'LL HAVE ANOTHER RESULTS COMMITTEE MEETING.
WHY DON'T WE BRING SOMETHING BACK AT THE NEXT ONE? BECAUSE WE'RE ALL HONESTLY A LITTLE BIT TIRED.
WE'LL BRING SOMETHING BACK, UM, TO THE BOARD AT THE NEXT MEETING.
WAIT A, IS THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO THAT? BECAUSE IF THERE ARE OBJECTIONS TO THAT, WE GOTTA VOTE THIS OFF.
I'M, I MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE IT TO THE NEXT TABLE.
SO WHAT, SO, SO YEAH, I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION SUGGESTED, UH, INSTEAD OF CONTINUING ON DOWN THIS PATH OF VOTING ON THIS IS OKAY.
WHAT I MEAN, I THINK WE CAN AMEND IT AGAIN THOUGH.
I THINK CHANGE ANALYSIS GO AHEAD.
I DON'T, I DON'T WANNA SEND IT BACK TO RESULTS BECAUSE I THINK THE POINT HAS BEEN VERY CLEARLY MADE THAT RESULTS AND OES SHOULD BE PART OF THE EVALUATION.
THAT'S WHAT OUR POLICY STATES IN THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONS.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
IT'S MORE A MATTER OF WHEN IT HAPPENS, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE FULL BOARD BY TAKING A VOTE TONIGHT IS SAYING YES, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE ALIGNMENT PART OF IT.
BECAUSE IF IT GOES BACK TO RESULTS, THEN YOU'RE DOING WORK RIGHT? TO BRING IT INTO ALIGNMENT.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE BOARD'S SUPPORT OF THAT.
THE ONLY THING I'LL SAY IS AT 2324, MY EXPECTATION WOULD BE BY THE, FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, WE WOULD BE COMPLETELY BACK ON OE AND RESULTS AND NOT AT 50%.
SO I JUST, I FEEL LIKE I'M KIND OF AT MY MAX OF WHAT I CAN DO THIS EVENING, RIGHT, MAYOR? YEAH, I THINK, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE 50% NUMBER, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE DOING PART OF IT NOW AND PART OF IT LATER.
I THINK YOU'RE BETTER OFF, UH, HAVING, WE'RE ALL BETTER OFF HAVING BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT, WHAT THE OTHER HALF IS OR THAT 50 PERSON THAT'S, THAT'S MY POINT.
I, THAT'S WHY I CAN'T SUPPORT IT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING LET'S JUST POSTPONE IT AND BRING BACK SOME, RIGHT.
THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO SORT OF BE MORE GRADUAL IN THE PROCESS.
BUT I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY IF WE'RE GONNA POSTPONE IT TO THE 2324 SCHOOL YEAR, THEN I WOULD RATHER JUST THAT WE GET SOME ACTUAL RESULT POLICIES AND GET IN COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY.
SO, SO IS EVERYBODY OKAY WITH THAT? DID YOU, SO DID YOU MAKE A MOTION ON THAT? JUST SAY MAKE THE MOTION? YEAH.
ALL I, I DON'T CARE WHAT WE DO ANYMORE.
I'M JUST SAYING LIKE, WELL, YOU
[04:00:01]
HAVE TO NO, I KNOW, BUT I'M SAYING LIKE, WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO, I THINK THIS NEEDS ANOTHER CONVERSATION.I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS OR WE CAN ALL JUST VOTE IT DOWN.
YEAH, LET'S JUST HAVE, UM, I YOU WANNA MAKE IT? I, WHAT? CAN I REMOVE IT? LIKE, CAN I MAKE A MOTION TO, WHAT'S THE TERM? THE TERM, I CAN'T EVEN THINK OF THE TERM.
I MOVED TO WITHDRAW THIS MOTION, UM, FROM RESULTS COMMITTEE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF WITHDRAWING THIS MOTION AND, AND, UH, HAVING A BETTER, THE REST OF IT IS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE WHOLE EVALUATION WILL BE, NOT JUST THIS 50% THING.
ALL IN FAVOR OF WITHDRAWING IT.
SO EVERYBODY WAS WITHDRAWING IT.
SO, SO TO THAT END
UM, AND THIS IS WHERE I THINK WE CAN HAVE A LITTLE MORE WORK DONE IN THE RESULTS COMMITTEE WE HAVE THIS WEEK AND BRING SOMETHING BACK.
UM, BECAUSE WHAT I'M PROPOSING WE NEED, WE ACTUALLY DO NEED RESULT POLICIES.
UM, I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE AND THE RESULTS COMMITTEE, UH, WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH PRETTY QUICKLY THAT A, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE RESULTS, POLICIES, AND B, WE SHOULD, SO THE QUESTION THEN IS THIS IS LIKE, AS DR.
GUAD SAID, YOU KNOW, A VERY BIG TOPIC TO GET YOUR ARMS AROUND.
SO WHAT WE HAD, UH, PRETTY FULSOME DISCUSSION ABOUT AND WHAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD NOW IS BASICALLY A PROCESS WHEREIN, UM, I TOOK OUT BASICALLY THE THREE GOALS THAT WE SORT OF HAVE NOW, WHICH IS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AND FISCAL DISCIPLINE, I THINK.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE UNDER SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT AN ADDITIONAL SET OF GOALS.
GOAL NUMBER ONE, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
AND THEN GOAL NUMBER FOUR, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION.
SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, AMONG THOSE, BUT THOSE, WHAT I WAS THINKING WAS SOME AMALGAMATION OF THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE PART OF THE 50% AND FIGURING IT OUT.
UM, BUT WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD DO IS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, UM, AND YOU CAN SEE IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR CONTENT, UH, IN BOARD DOCS, THIS IS A LIST THAT I HAVE COMPILED.
UM, AND LIKE I SAID, THE FIRST THREE ARE THE CURRENT RESULTS POLICIES.
THEY'RE NOT POLICIES, BUT THEY'RE RESULTS OF SOME SORT.
AND THEN GOALS UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT OF THOSE SEPARATE, SEPARATE ONES.
AND THEN I BASICALLY TRIED TO COME UP WITH A MODERATELY COMPREHENSIVE LIST LOOKING AT ALL SORTS OF OTHER DISTRICTS OF WHAT OTHER, UM, GOALS AND RESULTS COULD BE FOR THIS DISTRICT.
AND, UM, I'VE LISTED THEM OUT THERE.
ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES IS WHEN I'VE LOOKED AT DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, SOME WILL KIND OF LUMP EVERYTHING TOGETHER UNDER STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
SOME WILL HAVE LITERACY AS AN INDIVIDUAL GOAL.
SO IT'S SOME QUESTIONS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WANNA HAVE LIKE A GOAL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL SAFETY, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE ALL THESE OTHER ASPECTS, OR IF WE REALLY JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT PHYSICAL SECURITY, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
SO I MADE THIS KIND OF LIST AND WHAT I THOUGHT WE WOULD DO IS THAT HAVE THE BOARD LOOK AT IT AND BASICALLY ADD ANYTHING AT THIS POINT THAT THEY DID NOT SEE ON THE LIST THAT THEY PERHAPS CARED ABOUT AS A RESULT OR AN OUTCOME.
AND THEN WE'LL BASICALLY DO A, UM, RANKED ANALYSIS.
SO, UM, I WAS THINKING FOR THE FIRST GO OF THIS, WE WOULD HAVE BOARD MEMBERS PICK THEIR TOP 10, UM, AND WE'LL KIND OF COMPILE THOSE RESULTS AND MAYBE, UH, CALL OUT THE ONES THAT JUST DON'T HAVE ANY VOTES.
UM, AND WE'LL DISCUSS ONES THAT PEOPLE WANNA ADD AT THE JULY MEETING.
WE'LL HAVE A SECOND ROUND OF THAT.
AND THEN TO THE RESULTS COMMITTEE, UH, TO THE WORK SESSION.
WE'LL BRING A FAIRLY BIG LIST TO DISCUSS, BUT IT WILL BE, IT WILL BE A SOMEWHAT TRIMMED DOWN FROM JUST A WIDE OPEN DISCUSSION.
AND THEN AT THE, UH, WORK SESSION, WE CAN HAVE A REALLY GOOD, PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, TWO HOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT COMING UP WITH THREE TO FIVE GOALS.
AND I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS, THIS IS A BIG ORGANIZATION.
YOU CANNOT PIVOT A BIG ORGANIZATION IN A FEW MONTHS TIME.
I MEAN, THIS IS A 700 MILLION OPERATION WHEN YOU COMPLETE COM, UH, UH, ADD THE FUND AND THE CAPITAL.
AND SO THAT TAKES SOME THOUGHT ON, ON THE LEADERS, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN A BIG ORGANIZATION PIVOT AND START TALKING ABOUT SUCH MINOR DETAILS.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE PERFORMANCE PERSON, THE LEAD PERSON GONNA BE JUDGED ON.
I THINK WHAT I'VE ALWAYS SEEN IS YOU LEAD WITH DEMAND.
WHERE DOES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEED TO GO OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO YEARS, FIVE YEARS THAT ADMINISTRATION GO OUT AND DO SOME VERY RIGOROUS RESEARCH AND SAY, WHERE ARE THE JOBS GOING TO BE? WHAT ARE, WHAT IS SOCIETY ASKING FOR? AND THEN THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD
[04:05:01]
BE TAKING THIS DISTRICT.AND I THINK IF THEY DO THAT, THEN THEY CAN COME BACK AND SAY, HERE'S WHERE THE SWEET SPOT IS FOR B C S D, AND THEN THAT ALL THE POLICY YOU GOT AND ALL THAT STUFF GET OUTTA HERE.
I MEAN, IT'S ALL ABOUT DELIVERING RESULTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOCIETY.
IT'S NOT ABOUT SYNCHRONIZING ALL THESE DOGGONE POLICIES.
SO THAT, THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION, THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE A WORK SESSION WHERE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT CAN WE DO? AND WE SHOULD NOT BE MEASURING OURSELVES AGAINST 50TH PERCENTILE.
LET'S GERD ALL THE DOGONE ORGANIZATION TO HEAD TO WHERE IT'S A SWEET SPOT.
MAKE SURE WE RESOURCE IT APPROPRIATELY, BUILDING INCENTIVES THE, AND THEN LET THE LEADERSHIP GO AND TAKE US THERE.
THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'VE SEEN WORK IN RECORD TIME.
I THINK EVERYBODY IS KIND OF WIPED OUT.
HOW ABOUT IF WE, UM, I WAS GONNA SUGGEST THAT WE TAKE A BREAK OF, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE 10 MINUTES.
THEN I WAS THINKING IF WE DON'T HAVE ACTION ITEMS FROM SOME OF THE REMAINING THINGS, CAN WE CARRY THOSE OVER TO THE, TO THE NEXT MEETING? WE COULD TAKE A VOTE TO DO THAT SINCE THEY'RE NOT FINAL ACTION ITEMS AND CONCENTRATE ON OUR FINAL AC OR OUR ACTION ITEMS UNDER BUS BOARD BUSINESS.
YEAH, BUT I MEAN, I THINK WE NEED A SECOND DAY.
LET'S GET A SEC REFERENDUM, BUT YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I, OKAY, SO HOW ABOUT LET'S RIGHT NOW HAVE A 10 MINUTE BREAK.
AND THEN COME BACK AND WE CAN DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
I GOTTA DRIVE HOME AT SOME POINT.
I'M A SOUTH CAROLINIAN AND MY VOTE COUNTS.
I'M FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, THE POWELL MEADOW STATE, AND MY VOTE COUNTS.
MY VOTE COUNTS MI THIS YEAR, THOUSANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS WILL VOTE USING THE NEWEST, MOST ADVANCED VOTE IN TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD.
EVERY VOTE MATTERS AND EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
I REPRESENT DISTRICT FOUR AND MY AREAS INCLUDE PART OF THE CITY OF BEAUFORT, TOWN OF PORT ROYAL AND SHELL POINT AND MINK POINT.
AND SOME OF THE ISSUES IN MY DISTRICT INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND WE JUST ESTABLISHED THE HOUSING TRUST FUND AND STORMWATER.
IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES THAT YOU WANT ME TO TAKE TO LOOK INTO FOR YOU OR SOMETHING ELSE, MY NUMBER'S 8 4 3 9 8 6 7 4 0 3 TO THE AGENDA.
REMOVING THINGS FROM THE AGENDA AND POSTPONING THEM TO THE NEXT MEETING IS NOT A, A BIG DEAL.
RIGHT? SO I WAS GONNA SUGGEST IF SOMEONE WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE'LL POSTPONE THE TECHNOLOGY REPORT, THE BIOLOGY TEXTBOOK ADOPTION, AND THE, UM, SECOND AND FINAL READING ON THE AD VOLUNTEERS.
CAN WE POSTPONE ALL OF THOSE TO THE NEXT, UH, REGULAR BOARD BUSINESS MEETING? MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE POSTPONED THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD BUSINESS MEETING, THE TECHNOLOGY REPORT, UH, UH, THE ITEM UNDER GOAL NUMBER ONE, UH, THERE'S ALSO A 2324 BUDGET UPDATE.
ARK HAS TOLD ME HE CAN SAY THAT IN ABOUT TWO MINUTES.
I CAN NAME THAT TUNE THE SECOND AND FINAL READING FOR OE FOUR.
UH, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF, UH, UH, PUSHING THESE ITEMS TO THE NEXT, UH, BOARD BUSINESS MEETING, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
IS THERE ANY, ARE THERE ANY NAYS? ANY ABSTENTIONS? OKAY.
DID YOU VOTE MR. SMITH? UH, UH, YOU'RE DELAYING THE MEETING? OH, WELL, JUST BY THIS POINT, I'M OTHER THE, UH, WILL THE BOARD WITH WELL ONCE IS WHAT I, WHAT I GO WITH.
SO THE, THE MOTION IS UNANIMOUS.
[Superintendent’s Report]
UM, THE BUDGET UPDATE TWO MINUTES SO I CAN DO IT UNLESS, SO YESTERDAY MS. CROSBY ATTENDED COUNTY COUNSEL FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE 2324 BUDGET, AND IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.[04:10:01]
DONE.[Board Business Action]
NEXT ITEM.SO THE NEXT ITEM IS UNDER, UH, BOARD ACT BOARD BUSINESS ACTION.
AND THAT IS THE BOND REFERENDUM, THE 2023 BOND REFERENDUM.
UH, AS I BEGIN TODAY, I WANNA RECOGNIZE WE HAVE, UH, SEVERAL, UH, INDIVIDUALS IN HERE IN ATTENDANCE THIS EVENING THAT HAVE, UM, UH, PLAYED, UH, A PART IN HELPING US GET HERE TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
BERG IS HERE, UH, MR. JEFF HOLSTEIN FROM, UH, CUMMINGS, WHO IS ONE OF OUR COST ESTIMATORS IS HERE.
UH, DAVID WAGNER FROM C B R E HERE, IF YOU'RE ALL STILL SITTING IN THE SAME PLACE, I'LL POINT TO THE RIGHT POINT.
UH, WHO IS ALSO, UH, BEEN, UH, PROVIDING A COST ESTIMATE ON, ON THIS AS WELL.
SO, SO THESE ARE, UH, TWO COST ESTIMATORS THAT, THAT WE HAVE UTILIZED.
AND, UH, MS. FRANNIE HEISER FROM BURR FOREMAN, WHO IS OUR BOND COUNSEL, IS HERE AS WELL.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, MY STAFF AND MY TEAM.
AND SO, UH, THE FIRST ITEM, IF YOU LOOK AT THE POWERPOINT THAT YOU'VE BEEN PROVIDED, UH, SAYS THAT, UH, WHY A REFERENDUM? WELL, THIS IS ABOUT IMPROVING SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, UH, IN 2019, WE PASSED A BOND REFERENDUM, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT WORK THAT OUR VOTERS, UH, UH, UH, OUR COMMUNITY APPROVED WITH THE NEARLY 70% APPROVAL RATING.
UH, AND SO WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT WORK, AND THERE'S, THERE'S QUITE A BIT, I THINK, TO CELEBRATE ABOUT THAT WORK IN THE IMPROVEMENT TO OUR FACILITIES THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER TIME.
I BELIEVE ON APRIL 20TH, I CAME BEFORE YOU AT A WORK SESSION, AND I PRESENTED THE BOARD WITH SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN PREPARATION FOR THIS, UH, NOVEMBER, 2023, POTENTIAL BOND REFERENDUM.
AND, UH, I PRESENTED TO YOU SOME OF THAT WORK AND, AND OUTLINED SOME OF THE, UH, OUTLINE WHAT THE, UH, PROJECTS IN THAT REFERENDUM PACKAGE WERE GOING TO BE.
UM, BUT BEFORE I GET THERE, UH, IF YOU LOOK IN, YOU SEE, UH, BEFORE AND AFTER ON SOME OF THE EXISTING WORK FROM THE 2019 BOND REFERENDUM, YOU HAVE BEAUFORD ELEMENTARY.
UH, NEXT TO THAT YOU HAVE, WELL, BRANCH ELEMENTARY, UH, SOME OF THE, UH, WORK THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS YOU SOME OF THE PLAYGROUND ENHANCEMENTS, AND YOU CAN SEE ON THE RIGHT THAT IT HAS, UH, SOME OF THAT TURF FIELD THAT DR.
WISNESKI, UH, BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE NEXT SLIDE, EXPANSIONS AT MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL AND EXPANSION AT RIVERRIDGE ACADEMY.
AND SOME OF THOSE CRITICAL EXPANSIONS WERE NEEDED IN TERMS OF, UH, MANAGING SOME OF THE GROWTH AT THAT TIME.
THAT STILL PERSISTS IN 2019 REFERENDUM.
YOU CAN SEE OUR ATHLETIC FIELDS, UH, THERE'S A BATTERY CREEK, AND THEN YOU SEE, UH, A TURF FIELD FROM HILTON HEAD HIGH SCHOOL OVER HERE.
THE NEXT SLIDE TALKS TO YOU ABOUT OUR CITIZEN LED OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
IF YOU RECALL, WHEN I FIRST, UH, UH, GOT HERE, I MENTIONED THAT IF WE HAD, UH, A, A, AN APPROVED BOND REFERENDUM, THAT I WOULD ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT CITIZEN LED OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT WOULD REVIEW, UH, EXACTLY HOW THE DISTRICT IS MANAGING THE PROJECTS AND HOW THE DISTRICT IS SPENDING THE DOLLARS OF THE REFERENDUM.
AND SO FAR, UH, THAT, WELL, THAT COMMITTEE MEETS MONTHLY, UH, BUT THEY COME BEFORE THE BOARD QUARTERLY AND THEY TALK ABOUT, UH, WHAT THEY SEE AND WHAT THEY'VE ARE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR WORK.
UH, YOU HAVE, UH, UH, PEOPLE ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE TREMENDOUS RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN BUFORD COUNTY.
INDIVIDUALS WITH TREMENDOUS WORK AND BACKGROUND EXPERIENCES, FROM ACCOUNTANTS TO, UH, UH, PEOPLE WHO HAVE RUN PLAT MAJOR PLANT OPERATIONS FOR MAJOR CORPORATIONS, UH, ALL OVER THE WORLD.
AND SO WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERTISE ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT ACTUALLY, UH, GRILLS OUR TEAM ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS ABOUT COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT.
IT'S ABOUT BUILDING TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT'S ABOUT UTILIZING OUR COMMUNITY'S EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES.
AND IT'S ABOUT BUILDING COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, IN MANAGING AND EXECUTING ON A LARGE REFERENDUM PROJECT.
AND SO THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS.
IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, IT TALKS ABOUT THE 2023 POTENTIAL BOND REFERENDUM.
AND YOU SEE IN HERE THAT WE STARTED BACK IN DECEMBER, UH, WITH A COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE, UH, 2.0 THAT WAS ESTABLISHED.
THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN 900 HOURS, UH, VOLUNTEER WORK IN, UH, VISITING SCHOOLS, UH, REVIEWING FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT INFORMATION,
[04:15:01]
UH, SEEING FIRSTHAND FOR THEMSELVES, UH, NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND IDENTIFYING, UH, PROJECTS THAT THEY BELIEVED WERE IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS POTENTIAL BOND REFERENDUM FOR NOVEMBER.UM, I THINK I SAY THAT I STARTED THIS, IT'S IN DECEMBER, UH, BUILDING THIS COMMITTEE, WHICH EACH OF YOU PROVIDED, UH, REPRESENTATIVES TO THAT COMMITTEE.
UH, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UH, BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT THE WORK ON PHASE TWO BOND REFERENDUM BEGAN IN 2019, WHERE THE FIRST COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE MET AND IDENTIFIED WELL OVER 600 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS.
AND THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT 600 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS WAS, WAS, UH, UH, A LOT AT THAT TIME.
AND SO IT WAS SCALED TO 344 MILLION BOND REFERENDUM THAT PASSED IN 2019.
AND SO THE TRUTH IS THAT WORK HAD BEGUN BACK IN 2019.
UH, AND SO, SO THIS IS AN EXECUTION, WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SEE HERE ON A PHASE TWO BOND REFERENDUM THAT, THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT BACK AT THAT TIME IN 2019.
UH, BUT IT'S BEEN REVIEWED BY A COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE 2.0, WHICH IDENTIFIED NOT JUST THOSE, UH, LEFTOVER PROJECTS THAT WEREN'T ON THAT 2019 BOND REFERENDUM, BUT ADDITIONAL PROJECTS THAT THEY IDENTIFIED AS NEEDS, UH, BECAUSE THEY IDENTIFIED, UH, 980 MILLION WORTH OF, UH, ADDITIONAL NEEDED WORK.
UH, AND SO, SO, UH, IN WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, OUR FINANCIAL ADMIR, UH, ADVISOR, ESTIMATED, UH, THAT A 400 MILLION PLUS BOND REFERENDUM WOULD NOT RAISE THE MILLAGE.
AND THAT WE HAD, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO, TO, UH, HANDLE A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED.
UM, OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL 980 MILLION, UH, BUT THAT WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO, TO DO QUITE A BIT OF WORK AND NOT HAVE TO RAISE THE MILLAGE, WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT, UH, IN THIS WORK.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER TODAY IN, UH, APRIL, I CAME BEFORE YOU AND PRESENTED, UH, WELL, I'M SORRY.
THE, UH, THE COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE 2.0 PRESENTED ME AND MY TEAM WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIZED LIST OF PROJECTS.
AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS FINDING THE SWEET SPOT, RIGHT? WHERE IS IT THAT, WHAT, WHAT DATA POINTS ARE WE UTILIZING? AND SO I MENTIONED WE'RE UTILIZING A FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT REPORT.
UH, WE'RE USING SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS THAT WE KNOW.
WE HAVE COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND INPUT.
AND, AND THE FINAL LIST, UH, YOU SHOULD KNOW, IS BASICALLY IDENTICAL TO THE COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW TWO POINT OHS LIST, THE WITH ONE EXCEPTION, THEY, THEY INCLUDED IN THERE, UH, MONEY FOR LAND PURCHASE.
OKAY? BUT THE CHALLENGE WITH HAVING MONEY FOR LAND PURCHASE IN A BOND REFERENDUM IS THAT ONCE YOU SAY THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SPEND IT ON, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GONNA SPEND IT ON.
AND IF YOU CAN'T FIND OR IDENTIFY THE LAND TO SPEND ON IT, WHAT DO YOU DO? RIGHT? I EXPLAINED THAT TO THEM.
THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT, UH, AND, AND WERE COMFORTABLE.
OBVIOUSLY, THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT, THAT WE WERE GONNA WORK THROUGH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, BRING IT TO YOU, AND YOU HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY, UH, ON THIS.
IN ADDITION, UH, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER THIS BOND REFERENDUM LANDED ON, THAT IT WAS NOT GONNA BE SOMETHING THAT RAISED THE MILLAGE.
OKAY? AND THEN, UH, WE THEN UTILIZED TWO COST ESTIMATORS, UH, C B R E HEARING, AND WE UTILIZED CUMMINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THAT WE, WE GOT ACCURATE PRICING ON, UH, ON THESE BOND REFERENDUMS. AND SO, SO, UM, THE COMMUNITY PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING LIST HERE, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT LAND.
THE THIRD BULLET ON THERE IS A LAND FOR FUTURE SCHOOLS.
UH, AND I JUST EXPLAINED WHY, UH, THAT PRESENTS SOME CHALLENGE.
BUT THE OTHER THING THEY DID, AND YOU SEE DOWN AT THE BOTTOM WHERE THE ASTERISK IS, UH, THEY SAID THAT, UH, IF WE FOUND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND EARLY CHILDHOOD, THEY WERE ALL IN.
I THINK WE'RE ALL IN ON THAT, RIGHT? WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
SO, UH, THIS WAS THE OTHER THING THAT THEY MENTIONED.
THE REASON, UH, THEY STOPPED SHORT THERE IS BECAUSE THEY, THEY WERE LOOKING AT GIVING US A NUMBER THAT LANDED AROUND 400.
OKAY? SO, SO, UH, NOT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO FURTHER, BUT BECAUSE THAT'S THE DIRECTION THEY WERE GIVEN, OKAY.
TO TRY TO LAND THE PLANE AROUND THAT NUMBER.
OKAY? UM, SO WHAT YOU SEE ON THE NEXT PAGE IS MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU, UH, FOR THIS BOND REFERENDUM.
AND YOU SEE HERE, FIRST ITEM ON THERE IS A REBUILD OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL.
[04:20:01]
THE NEXT ITEM IS THE REPLACEMENT LADIES ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL.YOU HAVE THE NEW ELEMENTARY, UH, SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON, WHICH IS AN 800 STUDENT, UH, UH, FACILITY.
UH, THAT'S GONNA PROVIDE SOME SIGNIFICANT RELIEF NEEDED AT, UH, PRITCHARD AND SOME OF THE OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
UH, YOU SEE A GYM HERE FOR RIVERVIEW THAT HAS, UH, FOUR RESOURCE ROOMS WITH IT, AND A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, UH, RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS, UH, COMPONENT HERE, THERE'S A TECHNOLOGY WAREHOUSE, IMAGING CENTER, HVAC REPLACEMENTS, UH, FURNITURE, PARKING LOTS, DRIVES, AND SIDEWALKS.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS, UH, AT ALL SCHOOLS.
SO THIS IS ONE OF THE REQUESTS FROM THAT COMMUNITY PRO PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT IF WE COULD PUT IT IN HERE, WE WOULD.
AND THEN YOU SEE, UH, UH, THE RIGHT CHOICES, UH, WHICH IS HERE ON THIS FACILITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE, UH, CURRENTLY A, A KITCHEN OR A SMALL KITCHEN THAT, UH, THAT THEY CAN UTILIZE.
SO WE HAVE TO BRING THINGS IN, UH, FROM OTHER LOCATIONS FOR THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.
AND SO, UH, BACK IN, UH, THE INITIAL PRELIMINARY INFORMATION THAT YOU RECEIVED ON A COST WAS THAT FOUR 19.
AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE, UH, IS, IS THE REFERENDUM COST AT 4 39.
IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, IT'S, IT TELLS YOU A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT THERE.
AND OUR BOND COUNSEL WILL COME UP, UH, IN A FEW MINUTES, UH, AND, AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT, UH, UM, THE RESOLUTION THAT IS NEEDED OR NECESSARY.
ON THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU SEE NEXT STEPS.
SO ON APRIL 20TH, I THINK 21ST, I'M SORRY, WE HAD THE, UH, UH, WORK SESSION, UH, WHERE I PRESENTED TO YOU, UH, THE INITIAL PRESENTATION ON, UH, THE BOND REFERENDUM THE WEEK OF JUNE 5TH.
WE WERE VERY BUSY TRYING TO FINALIZE SECOND COST ASSESSMENTS.
UH, SO WE HAD THE, THE, THE SECOND COST ASSESSMENT, UH, FROM HARRY, AND, AND THEN THAT COST ASSESSMENT OR ESTIMATION ALSO FROM, FROM CUMMINGS.
AND THEN, UM, UH, ALSO FINALIZE BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT WE WOULD HAVE READY FOR YOU TONIGHT.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, HERE WE ARE ON JUNE 13TH FOR A BOARD OF EDUCATION REVIEW AND, AND, AND VOTE, UH, SENDING US FORWARD ON THE MISSION OF, OF THE, UH, BOND REFERENDUM.
IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, UH, MS. CUSHEN BERRY, THEN YOU WILL SEE, UH, SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS.
AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE SHOULD THE BOARD APPROVE US MOVING FORWARD THIS EVENING, YOU HAVE AN INFORMATION AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE THAT HAS TO BE BUILT SO THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REFERENDUM IS ABOUT.
UM, THEN, UH, HOSTING INFORMATION SESSIONS THROUGHOUT, UH, THE COUNTY IN WHICH WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND INFORM, UH, OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THIS REFERENDUM IS ABOUT.
AND THEN, UH, YOU WOULD HAVE AN ELECTION DAY ON NOVEMBER 7TH, AND HOPEFULLY GOOD NEWS AT THE END OF THAT.
AND THAT CONCLUDES PRESENTATION ON THE BOND REFEREND.
UM, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, FOR PURPOSES, THE NEW ELEMENTARY IN BLUFFTON, THAT'S LISTED, THAT'S A PK THROUGH FIVE FACILITY.
UM, AND DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE C T E YES.
LANDSCAPE, UM, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE? YEP.
WHAT FACILITIES IT'LL TOUCH? ABSOLUTELY.
SO, UH, THERE'S THREE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT, UH, THIS TOUCHES.
UM, SO FIRST OF ALL, UH, BUFORD HIGH SCHOOL, UH, WOULD HAVE, UH, SOME ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS, UH, IN THERE, WHICH IS A, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIREFIGHTER.
UH, THEY HAVE A BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND HVAC, UH, PROGRAM.
AND THEN, UH, THEY'RE DOING SOME MODERNIZATION WORK ON SOME OF THEIR EXISTING, UH, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ROOM OR SPACE, WHICH WOULD BE MODERNIZING THEIR HEALTHCARE, IT AND FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE.
THEN BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL, UH, WOULD BE, WOULD HAVE A, A FACILITY, UH, THAT WOULD BE BUILT, UH, WHICH IS, UH, A KATE CENTER, WHICH, UH, KATE, UH, FACILITY, WHICH WOULD HAVE A BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND HVAC.
THAT'S A NEW PROGRAM FOR THEM.
UH, AND THEN IT WOULD ALSO IMPACT SOME OF THEIR EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT COULD SHIFT OVER THERE.
AS IT SHIFTS, IT CREATES ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IN THE BUILDING, UH, WHICH IS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.
AND THOSE ARE, UH, THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM THAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS AN OUTSTANDING, UH, PROGRAM, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE, UH, ENGINEERING, AND, UH, THEIR R O T C PROGRAM.
THEN AT MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL, IF YOU RECALL,
[04:25:01]
IN THE 2019 BOND REFERENDUM, THERE WAS, UH, WORK THAT WAS DONE, UH, UH, ARCHITECTURAL WORK OR SO DONE FOR THEIR CAPE FACILITY.ALL RIGHT? AND SO HERE WE ARE.
THIS IS THE CAPE FACILITY, AND ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE NECESSARILY NEW PROGRAMS, THEY HAVE A SHIFT THAT'S IMPORTANT.
FOR EXAMPLE, AN EXPANSION TO THEIR WELDING PROGRAM, WHICH IS, UH, AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM.
THERE IS A HUGE WAITING LIST FOR KIDS, UH, TRYING TO GET IN THERE.
AND SO THIS WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT.
AND THEN REMEMBER, THEY JUST GOT AN R O T C PROGRAM, WHICH WILL MAKES ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, UH, HAVE AN R O T C PROGRAM.
AND SO THEY NEED A SPACE, UH, AS WELL.
THEN, UH, THOSE ARE THE THREE IN THAT, IN THAT ITEM THAT TALKS ABOUT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION RENOVATIONS IN ADDITIONS.
BUT PLEASE KNOW ALSO THAT HILTON HEAD ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL, AS PART OF THE REBUILD OF HILTON ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'RE GETTING, UM, A SMALL ENGINE REPAIR COMPONENT FOR THEIR CAPE.
UH, THEY'RE GETTING A PUBLIC SAFETY FIREFIGHTER AS WELL, AND BIOMEDICAL COMPONENT, UH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, UH, I BELIEVE THEIR LOCAL HOSPITAL OVER THERE.
UM, I JUST HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.
ARE WE GOING TO BE DOING, LIKE WE DID WITH THE LAST REFERENDUM WHERE WE HAD INFORMATIONAL FLYERS THAT WENT FROM YES, WITHOUT A DOUBT.
THAT IS, UH, IF I GO BACK TO, UM, THE SECOND TO LAST, NO.
IS IT THE LAST SLIDE OR THE SECOND, THE INFORMATIONAL PIECE OR EDUCATION? THAT'S IT.
THAT'S WHAT THAT, THAT ENCOMPASSES THAT IN THERE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PUT ALL OVER IT THAT IT'S A ZERO TAX INCREASE INITIATIVE, AND THAT'S SOLD VERY CLEARLY TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT'S GONNA HELP US A LOT.
AND THEN ALSO LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL FACILITIES OR KIDS' FACILITIES ARE, ARE GETTING, ARE GETTING, UM, WITH, WITH DETAIL.
AND I THINK THERE ARE TWO REALLY IMPORTANT POINTS HERE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC, AND THAT IS NUMBER ONE, UH, THERE'S NO MILLAGE INCREASE IN THIS PROPOSED REFERENCE THAT 4 39 IS WELL WITHIN, WELL WITHIN WHAT WE COULD DO, OKAY.
UH, SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UH, SO THAT INFORMATION EDUCATION, WE TALK ABOUT NOT RAISING THE MILAGE, UH, THAT'S DEFINITELY ONE OF THE KEY, UH, ELEMENTS THERE.
AND THEN OF COURSE, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ALL THE FACILITIES, SO, OKAY.
RODRIGUEZ, COULD YOU EXPAND ON THE, UH, ADDITIONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY PART? I WOULD BE HESITANT TO DO THAT.
I MEAN, IN GENERAL TERMS, EVERY, EVERY SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE, UH, A ADDITIONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, UM, THAT WOULD, UH, SIGNAL ALERTS TO, UH, UH, CENTRAL LOCATIONS, UH, AT THE SCHOOL CENTER, UH, UH, UH, ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW.
AND, UH, I'M JUST HESITANT TO GO VERY FAR INTO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S, I UNDERSTAND.
I, I, BUT THAT'S ANSWERS MY QUESTION.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU'RE NOT BUILDING A WALL AROUND EVERY SCHOOL.
NO, MR. SMITH, UM, IN, IN, IN, IN TERMS OF ALSO, I SEE THE, UM, I MEAN, I, I HEARD YOU SAID THAT THE, THAT MAY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL WAS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL, UH, I MEAN, THAT THEY GET, THEY GET SOME ADDITIONAL, UH, BUILDING GOING ON AS WELL.
THAT IS CORRECT, BECAUSE THAT WAS PART OF THE LAST REFERENDUM THAT VOTERS APPROVED TO DO THE ARCHITECTURAL WORK FOR THAT CAREER AND TECHNICAL ED FACILITY.
SO, SO THE ARCHITECTURAL WORK IS HAPPENING NOW WITH 2019 BOND REFERENDUM DOLLARS.
UH, UH, AND THEN ONCE YOU GOT THE PLANS YOU NEED TO MAKE GOOD ON IT.
YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, THERE, WHEN I LOOK AT THIS LIST OF THINGS THAT THERE ARE, THERE ARE, THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK THAT WE COULD, UM, HAVE ON THIS LIST, UM, THAT, THAT I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT.
BUT, AND, AND IN, IN TERMS OF, AND, AND, AND, AND IN TERMS, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE ON THE LIST, YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, WITH WITHIN THE BALANCE MEANING OF NEEDS VERSUS WANT I DO, I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE NEED VERSUS, UH, THINGS THAT ARE ON THAT ARE, THAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE ON THIS LIST.
UM, I THINK THAT WE COULD BETTER OUR RESOURCES IN TERMS OF, OF,
[04:30:01]
OF HOW, OF HOW WE UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT WE, WHAT WE HAVE AND HOW WE DIGEST WHAT WE HAVE.AND TO PUT IT IN PERS AND PUT IT IN IN PERSPECTIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW, UH, EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER.
UM, YOU KNOW, HOW WE HAVE TEAMED RIVER, HAVE RIVER, WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS AND, AND HOW, HOW WE AID THEM AND WORK WITH THEM TO, UH, BETTER SERVE ALL OF OUR, OF OUR, OF OUR KIDS BECAUSE WE DO OWN, OWN, OWN THEIR, UH, NUMBERS AND THEIR SCORES, UH, AS, AS WELL AS THEIR LEVEL OF, OF, OF, UM, EDUCATION.
I JUST, I JUST THINK THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE, THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE ON THIS LIST THAT ARE NOT ON THIS LIST AND THAT ARE, ARE QUESTION THAT ARE VERY QUESTIONABLE.
AND I, SO JUST A LITTLE CONCERNED, LIKE, I'LL JUST LEAVE IT THAT WAY.
SO EARLY, THE NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER LOCATION, UH, NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, REMEMBER, UH, WE PURCHASED THE NISAR PROPERTY, UH, YEAH.
GO THERE IN, UH, IN, IN BLUFFTON.
AND, AND THAT IS, UH, THE LOCATION, DR.
SO WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF HVAC WORK.
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE HVAC REPLACEMENT? YES.
SO ON HVAC REPLACEMENT, UM, WE HAVE, UH, R 22 SYSTEMS, AND I SOUND EXACTLY LIKE I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
DIDN'T THAT SOUND GOOD? R 22 SYSTEMS, THAT'S WHAT ROBERT, UH, SHARES WITH ME, AND THEY'RE NO LONGER MANUFACTURING R 22 SYSTEMS. OKAY.
AND SO, UM, THIS, THIS DOESN'T SOLVE ALL THE HVAC NEEDS CUZ WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM AROUND.
BUT THIS HITS ON FOUR SCHOOLS, UM, THAT OUR, OUR TEAM IDENTIFIED THAT THAT HITS ON, UH, BUFORT HIGH SCHOOL, UH, BUFORT MIDDLE SCHOOL, PORT ROYAL ELEMENTARY, AND WELL BRANCH ELEMENTARY.
UH, AND IT HITS ON THOSE FOUR, UH, SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF THE HVAC REPLACEMENT, UH, FOR, FOR THOSE SCHOOLS.
THERE ARE MORE WITH R 22 S, BUT TRYING TO MAINTAIN, UH, UH, UH, AND KEEP US AT A 4 39 NUMBER.
UH, THIS IS WHERE TH TH THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO, UH, WITHIN THIS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU BRING UP A GREAT POINT.
WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.
THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS, UH, ALONG THE WAY TO GET AT THOSE OTHER HVAC SYSTEMS AS WELL, RIGHT? UH, YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN NEVER DO 'EM ALL AT ONE TIME, BUT YOU CAN PLUG AWAY, UH, AS WELL, RIGHT? SO 8% IS SOMETHING THAT COULD PLUG AWAY AT SOME OF THAT.
IN ADDITION, UH, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD KNOW THAT.
I THINK WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS A RESULT OF THE COMMITTEE'S WORK ON THIS REFERENDUM, THEY, THEY IDENTIFIED A LOT OF THINGS THAT, UH, I THINK ARE GONNA ALSO BE PART OF, OF PHASE THREE REFERENDUM, SUCH AS MODERNIZATION OF, OF, OF SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
UH, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, UH, JUST HERE IN NORTHERN BEAUFORD COUNTY.
UH, SO THE PHASE THREE IS GOING TO HIT HOME ON SOME OF THOSE MODERNIZATION WORKS THAT, THAT ARE NEEDED.
AND THAT'S WHY OUR DEBT STRUCTURE AND OUR PLAN IS NOT A THREE YEAR OR FOUR YEAR PLAN, BUT A LONG-TERM PLAN WITH A VISION IN IT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A SET OF 36.3.
AND THAT'S THE GOAL, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, AND HAVE THAT STABILITY IN THAT, UH, IN THAT MILLAGE SO THAT WE'RE NOT DOING THIS TO OUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, UH, ON A REGULAR BASIS.
MR. SMITH, UM, IN, IN TERMS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF LA MIDDLE SCHOOL, THAT IS A REPLACEMENT OF SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE, CORRECT? SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE, RIGHT? SORRY? IT IS NOT A, YEAH, YOU'RE ASKING IS IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IT'S A MIDDLE SCHOOL, STRICTLY A MIDDLE SCHOOL.
NOT, NOT, NOT A K THROUGH EIGHT.
AND, AND THEN ALL AND THEN ALSO ALONG, ALONG WITH THAT, UM, DID, DID WE NOT, DID, DID WE NOT MENTION MENTIONING IN, IN TERMS OF, UH, SOME OF THE, SOME OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE ON THE SIDE, SOME OF THE, IN TERMS OF REPLACEMENT, SOME OF THE OLD SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE, OR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT WE, THAT WE HAVE, UH, LIKE, UH, SHANKLIN, I MEAN, BROAD, BROAD RIVER, AND SOME, SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHAT ARE, WHAT ARE WE DOING IN TERMS OF YEAH.
WHO HAVE DIFFERENT ORDERS AND DIFFERENT THINGS UP TO, HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THIS REFERENDUM? IT, IT, THEY GET SOME OF THE, UH, SAFETY AND SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS.
THEY GET, UH, UH, IN THE FURNITURE, UH, DISCUSSION.
UM, UH, JOSEPH SHANKLIN, MASSIE OAKS AND PORT ROYAL, UH, ARE, ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SLATED FOR THAT FURNITURE, UH, COMPONENT.
UH, AND THEN PARKING LOTS AND DRIVES, I THINK I SHOULD MENTION TO YOU.
UH, SO BATTERY CREEK HAS PARKING LOTS AND DRIVES.
JAMES J. DAVIS ELEMENTARY, UH, AND ST.
HELENA ELEMENTARY HAS A MASSIVE, UH, PARKING LOT, UH, OVERHAUL, UH, TO THE PARKING LOT ISSUES
[04:35:01]
THAT WE, THAT WE HAVE THERE.THIS WILL, THIS WILL, THIS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT.
IT'S A MASSIVE OVERHAUL TO THAT.
UM, THE, THE, THE BUILDINGS THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, THAT'S SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE GONNA COME IN PHASE THREE, UH, REFERENDUM.
WASOWSKI IS BLUFFTON ELEMENTARY INCLUDED IN THE, UH, PARKING LOT WORK? I'M LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU, ROBERT
SO I DON'T, I DON'T SEE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
UH, FRANNIE, DO YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD? THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING ME BE PART OF THIS PROCESS.
I I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I'M ACTUALLY GLAD I'M HERE TONIGHT.
AND, UM, THE CULMINATION OF THIS IS THAT YOU DO HAVE A RESOLUTION, UH, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THAT AUTHORIZES THE, UH, BOND REFERENDUM, UH, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $439,035,000 THAT WE DID NOT ROUND IT UP.
WE WENT WITH THE EXACT NUMBER.
UH, THE DATE OF THE, THE, UM, REFERENDUM WILL BE NOVEMBER 3RD, WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE GENERAL ELECTION DAY.
UM, AND THE, UH, THE BALLOT QUESTION IS, UM, IN THIS RESOLUTION, UH, THE FIRST PART BEGINS ON PAGE TWO AND THE, UM, THE, THE MAJORITY OF THE QUESTION IS ON PAGE THREE, AND I'D BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE.
UH, SO JUST A CORRECTION ON THE POWERPOINT I GAVE YOU.
I LISTED NOVEMBER 7TH AS THE DATE, BUT SHE, SHE SAYS IT'S THE THIRD, SO, NO, I'M SORRY, I THINK IT IS THE SEVENTH.
YEAH, NO, IT'S, IT'S THE, IT'S THE, THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY.
AND THAT BE, THAT IS THE SEVENTH THIS YEAR.
AND, UM, I JUST DOUBLE CHECKED IT WHILE I WAS, WHILE I WAS SITTING THERE.
WENSKI, DO WE SEE THAT THERE'S ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BULLET POINTS WHERE IT'S LISTING THE DIFFERENT ITEMS AND IT SAYS NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON WHEN IT'S A PK THROUGH FIVE? DO WE SEE ANY CONFLICT OR ISSUE THERE? I MEAN, I DON'T, THIS WAS LANGUAGE THAT, THAT Y'ALL WERE USING.
IF, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CONSIDER AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND, AND THEN THIS WILL BE, UM, A ELABORATED UPON IN THE, UM, EDUCATION MATERIAL THAT'S SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC.
SO I THINK THE, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT, THAT WE DESCRIBE WHAT Y'ALL INTEND TO, TO BUILD AND THAT WE ACCURATELY DESCRIBE IT TO YOUR PUBLIC.
YEAH, I JUST THINK THAT PK COMPONENT IN BLUFFTON IS REALLY IMPORTANT WITH OUR, OUR POPULATION AND THE AGE OF OUR POPULATION.
SO WE, WE MAY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLARIFIED.
UM, WE COULD, I MEAN, WE COULD CHANGE THIS QUESTION.
I MEAN, IF, IF YOU WANTED TO, IF THAT, CUZ IF THAT'S THE ACTUAL QUESTION THAT'S GONNA BE ON A BALLOT AND SOMEONE, IF I'M A MOM GOING IN TO VOTE, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UH, WOULD THAT MODIFICATION CORRECT? MM-HMM.
MADAM CHAIR, SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION? YEAH, WHY DON'T WE LET, DO WE HAVE, UM, COLONEL GEIER MAKE A MOTION AND THEN OH, YOU GOT IT.
BEFORE WE PUT THIS MOTION UP, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW, THIS IS NOT MY LANGUAGE,
SO THERE'S SOME ATTORNEY SPEAK AND THERE'S SOME ARCHAIC LANGUAGE.
PLEASE DO NOT GET INTO THE EDITORIAL MODE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.
THIS IS THE LADY THAT DID THE LAST ONE.
THEREFORE, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ORDER A REFERENDUM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, TO SUBMIT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL ISSUE NOT EXCEEDING $439,035,000 OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AT ONE TIME, OR FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDING FOR THE FORM OF BALLOT TO BE USED, PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THE REFERENDUM AND PROVIDING FOR ALL OTHER THINGS NECESSARY TO SUBMIT AT FOR SAID QUESTION.
[04:40:06]
OF COURSE.I DO BELIEVE ONCE AND ONE OF THIS VOTE IS, IS PASSED TONIGHT.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME, THERE IS SOME, UM, RULES TO THIS.
CORRECT? AND, AND I, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD, I HAVEN'T HEARD IT FROM THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS.
I HAVEN'T HEARD US DIS DISCUSS THAT.
AND I THINK THAT THAT NEED TO BE OUTLINED BEFORE WE MOVE ANY FURTHER TO LET THE BOARD MEMBERS KNOW THAT ONCE YOU, THAT ONCE YOU VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT, YOU, YOU GOTTA TO BE VERY, UH, WELL, ACTUALLY THERE'S A LINE BETWEEN HOW YOU, WHETHER YOU PROMOTED OR YOU FURTHER AGAINST IT AFTER TONIGHT, LIKE, SO, I MEAN, UM, I'M LOOKING TO HEAR SOME OF THAT AS WELL.
UM, YEAH, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF OURSELVES.
THOSE ARE WHAT WE CALL THE DOS AND DON'TS.
I CAN GO OVER 'EM AFTER Y'ALL TAKE VOTE BECAUSE IF YOU VOTE YES, THEN THE DOS AND DON'TS APPLY BEGINNING RIGHT NOW AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE AND, UM, WE'LL KEEP Y'ALL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LINE.
I THINK IT'S A LITTLE IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE DOS AND NO, NOT SO YOU CAN KNOW IF YOU VOTE YES.
WHAT, UH, WHAT, WHAT THE, UH, REPERCUSSIONS WILL BE VERSUS YOU VOTING NO.
OR YOU TABLING IT OR ANYTHING ELSE.
I JUST LIKE TO HAVE THE OPTIONS, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK THAT THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT MAKES IT MORE, UM, IN LINE.
YEAH, BECAUSE I THINK, UH, WHAT MS. HEISER ALREADY SAID WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE SINCE WE GOT THIS MOTION ON THE TABLE, DOESN'T INCLUDE GOING INTO THE DO'S AND DON'TS DOCTOR WAS ZAKI.
I JUST WANTED A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
DO I NEED TO ADD ANY CHANGES TO THIS TO MAKE THAT, I MEAN, IF CLARIFICATION, IF Y'ALL ARE SURE THAT IT'S GONNA BE A PRE-K THROUGH FIVE, THEN UM, WE WOULD, WE COULD REPHRASE THAT LANGUAGE, JUST SAY CONSTRUCTING AND EQUIPPING A NEW PRE-K THROUGH FIFTH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON.
BUT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY CHANGES TO THIS MOTION THOUGH, CORRECT? NO, I MEAN IT WHAT, UM, I MEAN TECHNICALLY NOW THAT THIS MOTION IS ON THE TA IS ON THE FLOOR, IT'S BEEN SECONDED, YOU COULD, YOU SHOULD MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THIS RESOLUTION AND, AND CHANGE THE LANGUAGE RELATED TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON.
I JUST WANT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, SO I'LL AMEND THE MOTION TO BE CLEAR CONSTRUCTING AND EQUIPPING A PK THROUGH FIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON.
I'LL SECOND IT FOR, UH, I'LL SECOND IT, BUT ALL RIGHT.
WASOWSKI AMENDED THE MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION AND MR. SMITH SECONDED IT.
IS THERE ANY DISADVANTAGE TO, UH, MAKING IT MORE SPECIFIC OTHER THAN WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY TOUCHED UPON? IF IT WASN'T GONNA BE A P PK TO FIVE SCHOOL, THEN THAT'S, THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE.
TO GET MORE SPECIFIC LIKE THAT, NO, THERE, THERE IS NO PROBLEM BEING MORE SPECIFIC.
UM, I THINK Y'ALL'S PLANNING IS, IS VERY FAR DOWN THE ROAD.
I WORK WITH SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT MIGHT HAVE A CONCEPT, BUT Y'ALL ARE REAL CLEAR IN SPECIFIC, SO I'M COMFORTABLE WITH Y'ALL BEING MORE SPECIFIC, UM, ON THIS.
BUT THAT MEANS THAT IT CAN'T BE LIKE A SIXTH GRADE OR YOU CAN'T MAKE IT A FIRST THROUGH FOURTH GRADE.
I MEAN, YOU'RE COMMITTING TO THOSE, THOSE GRADE LEVELS.
SO, BUT THAT SEEMS LIKE IT'S WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO, AND Y'ALL DO HAVE A PRETTY STRONG TRACK RECORD OF DOING WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO.
RODRIGUEZ, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT CHANGE? IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU? IT IS.
I MEAN, AND IN, WE, WE'VE GOT, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON.
THAT IS EXTREMELY, YOU KNOW, OVER CAPACITY AS IT IS, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO ALLEVIATE, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SIGNIFICANTLY IN BLUFFTON.
SO, UH, I, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
AND, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THE PRE-K, UH, UH, COMPONENT TO, TO IT IS, IS ABSOLUTELY, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT'S ESSENTIAL.
YOU WANT TO, YOU WANT TO HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD, UH, INITIATIVES, UH, GOING.
SO, UH, MR. DALLAS, SO MY QUESTION IS, IF YOU RETAIN IT AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, IS THAT GENERIC ENOUGH SO THAT IT DOES NOT PRECLUDE YOU FROM BUILDING A PK THROUGH FIVE AND YOU COULD INC INCLUDE, CAN YOU INCLUDE THAT MESSAGE IN THE MARKETING MATERIALS? DOES THAT GIVE US MORE LATITUDE? PROBABLY, YES.
YEAH, I, I, I THINK TO, TO BE LESS SPECIFIC GIVES YOU MORE LATITUDE, BUT I THINK THAT THE PLAN IS THAT IT WILL BE A NEW BUILDING THAT WILL BE PRE-K THROUGH FIVE.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE, THAT IS THE, THE PLAN.
SO I, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH Y'ALL BEING SPECIFIC ON, ON THAT.
LIKE I SAY, SOME CLIENTS, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS AREN'T, HAVEN'T WORKED THROUGH
[04:45:01]
THE DETAILS QUITE AS FULLY AS Y'ALL.SO, BUT, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY, UH, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A REAL FEAR THAT YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO CHANGE THE PLAN FOR THIS SCHOOL BETWEEN NOW AND THE TIME YOU BUILD IT.
I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING HOPEFULLY JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I, SO I, I THINK, I THINK IT'S SAFE.
BERG, YOU'RE, YOU THINK THAT'S OKAY TOO? I, I AGREE.
UM, OBVIOUSLY I WAS GONNA ASK, UM, UM, DR.
ESKI, UH, WOULD YOU ADD MIDDLE SCHOOL TO THAT AND DO A SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE IN TERMS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL? W WOULD YOU PUT THAT LANGUAGE IN THAT, ALONG WITH THAT MOTION? NO, SIR.
THAT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE CUZ MIDDLE SCHOOL IS GONNA BE SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH, BUT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COULD INCLUDE A PK OR NOT, AND KINDERGARTEN'S NOT COMPULSORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, SO THAT'S A WHOLE NOTHER ASPECT OF IT.
WELL, ACTUALLY THERE'S A MOTION THAT THAT'S FINE, BUT I WAS GONNA ACTUALLY, UH, COULD WE PUT SOME LANGUAGE IN THAT WOULD LE WHAT THAT WOULD SAY IT IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL A ALONG WITH, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S NOT, I MEAN, THAT BELIEVE THAT MOTION COULD ADDRESS, COULD KILL TWO BIRDS IN ONE STONE.
I DON'T, I DON'T SEE WHERE THAT WOULD BE.
UM, WELL, THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM, BUT I MEAN, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, THEN I'LL RESPECT THAT AND I, AND I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION.
NO, I, I THINK IT'S, I THINK, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THERE'S FLEXIBILITY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, NOT REALLY HAVE YOUR OPINION.
WE READY TO VOTE ALL SO WE SO YOU VOTED ON THE AMENDMENT? YEAH, THE AMENDMENT EXACTLY.
THE A AMEN TO CHANGE THE CONSTRUCTING EQUIP, EQUIPPING A PRE-K, IT SHOULD SAY PRE-K TO I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PRE-K TO FIVE IS WHAT YOU WANTED.
SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THE, UH, UH, AMENDMENT.
ANY NAYS? ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO DID YOU VOTE, UM, INGRID.
OKAY, NEXT IS, NOW WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
IS THE 2023 REFERENDUM AS DISPLAYED, CORRECT.
AND THIS RESOL AND THIS RESOLUTION THAT Y'ALL HAVE IN YOUR PACKAGE.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO ADD, UM, TO REPLACE, UH, THE BLUFFTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE REPLACEMENT OF LA EXCUSE ME, THE REPLACEMENT OF LA MIDDLE SCHOOL WOULD JUST BE A, UH, SIXTH TO EIGHTH GRADE, UM, SCHOOL, BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG TOPIC IN MY COMMUNITY.
UH, IT'S BEEN TOLD THAT IT'S GONNA BE A K THROUGH EIGHT, AND SO THERE, THEREFORE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT IN, NOT IN TUNE IN TERM IN TERMS OF FILLING A MIDDLE, A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SAID THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A K THROUGH EIGHT.
AND SO I THINK THAT LANGUAGE WOULD, WOULD, WOULD CLARIFY THAT.
AND I THINK THAT WILL LET PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT, WHAT WE, UH, WHERE DISTRICT STAND ON, ON WHAT, ON WHAT Y AS SHE JUST SAID THAT, THAT WE KEEP OUR WORD.
UH, I MEAN, THAT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT DR.
IT JUST JUST CLARIFIES AND CODIFIES IT.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE SECOND BULLET POINT IN THE RESOLUTION, AND YOU WANNA ALTER RIGHT NOW IT SAYS A NEW REPLACEMENT SCHOOL FOR LADIES ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL.
YOU WANNA SPECIFY THAT IT'S A SIX TO EIGHT SCHOOL.
EXCUSE ME? I THOUGHT YOU, THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID IT WAS, RIGHT? YEAH.
WELL, IT'S A MIDDLE SCHOOL, RIGHT? SO IT'S SIX TO EIGHT SCHOOL, RIGHT? SO WHAT GRADES DO YOU WANNA HAVE THERE? SIX TO EIGHT.
THE, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE SIX TO EIGHT.
BUT I JUST WANT IT TO BE SPELLED OUT SO THAT IT'S CLEAR AND THERE'S NO MISINTERPRETATION.
I MEAN, I, I MEAN, I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH, IT'S JUST ABOUT THE SAME THING DR.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST, IT JUST GOT CLEAR.
SO BE SO THAT, THAT WILL KILL THE QUESTIONS BECAUSE I WAS, I WAS AT A MEETING RECENTLY, UH, AND THEN IN MY CLUSTER, AND THE QUESTIONS WERE, ARE THEY TRYING TO MAKE THIS A, THERE'S A REPLACEMENT SCHOOL GONNA BE A K THROUGH EIGHT SCHOOL, SO IT SAYS REPLACEMENT HERE.
SO NOW YOU TAKING A, THE WORD REPLACEMENT, YOU, YOU HAVE THAT, BUT THE REPLACEMENT IS BEING MORE SPECIFIC AND SAYING IT'S GOING TO BE A SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.
SO LET'S CLEAR THE END OF AN INDICATION THAT THERE'S NOT A K THROUGH EIGHT SCHOOL VERSUS A SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH THROUGH EIGHT.
I MEAN, I MEAN, I DON'T, I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
SO NOW WE'RE, UM, GOING BACK, VOTE, VOTING ON, ON THE MAIN MOTION, ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION WITH THE, UM, AMENDED LANGUAGE FOR, UH, THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BLUFFTON.
SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AND ANY ABSTENTIONS AND MS. GORDON? I DIDN'T SEE YOUR HAND.
SO, UM, THE, UH, THIS PASSES NINE
[04:50:01]
ONE MADAM CHAIR.[Consent Agenda]
I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.OH, YOU WANT DOS AND DON'TS REAL QUICK, QUICKLY, DOS AND DON'TS? YES.
VERY QUICKLY, AS OF TODAY, YES, YOU MAY NOT USE ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOURCES, ANY PUBLIC RESOURCES TO ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION.
YOU CAN EDUCATE, BUT NOT ADVOCATE.
WE'LL BE WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT Y'ALL HAVE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION, UM, UM, PROGRAM, AND YOU DO ALL THE THINGS YOU DID LAST TIME, MAYBE SOME MORE.
UM, BUT WE WILL KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ETHICS.
VICTOR, SINCE THE SCHOOL, IT DOES NOT CONTROL, UH, OR IS NOT SCHOOL PROPERTY, OF OUR FACEBOOK PAGES, WE CAN USE OUR PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGES AND OUR, OUR PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK PAGES TO PROMOTE THIS.
YOU, YOU CAN, AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT USE, UH, SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED, COMPUTER SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVIDED, UH, DATA.
SO IF IT'S YOURS AS IF YOU WERE, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS, JUST WHAT YOU DO TO GET ELECTED, YOU CAN DO FOR THIS REFERENDUM.
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO FOR YOUR ELECTION, YOU CAN'T DO FOR THIS REFERENDUM.
THE PHONE AS WELL, RIGHT? THE PHONE, ANY, YEAH.
A PHONE THAT'S SCHOOL, SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUED.
SO, EQUIPMENT, DATA, ET CETERA, YOUR BOARD MEETINGS.
FROM THIS POINT FORWARD IN YOUR BOARD MEETINGS, YOU CANNOT ADVOCATE FOR THIS REFERENDUM.
YOU CAN EDUCATE, BUT YOU CAN'T SPEAK IN FAVOR OR AGAINST.
WE HAD THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA BY SEVKI, THE SECOND BY DALLAS.
OKAY, SO THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
UM, ANY FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS? NO PROBLEM.
THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS AND WE ADJOURN BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.