[*A portion of this video is without audio*]
[2. Meeting Opening - 6:30 p.m.]
[00:00:15]
MS. SALE, COULD YOU READ US OUT OF CLOSE PLEASE? ACCORDING TO THE VOTES RECORDED BY THE CLERK, THE SCHOOL BOARD OF WARREN COUNTY DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS, LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THE CERTIFICATION APPLIES.
AND TWO, ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION BY WHICH THE CLOSED MEETING WAS CONVENED, WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND IT.
MR. VALENTINE, COULD YOU DO ROLL CALL PLEASE? MRS. LOWE? AYE.
[2.A. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence - School Board Chair]
WELCOME.IF YOU'LL PLEASE, UM, STAND WITH ME FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE, ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT EXPANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD AND INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY CHIEF JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[2.B. Student Angel Network Presentation]
UP THIS EVENING, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE STUDENT ANGEL NETWORK.WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP? LET'S COOK.
SO YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME, BUT I HAVEN'T DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT, UM, I TRY.
REALLY, THIS IS EMILY AND WE STARTED THE STUDENT ANGEL NETWORK AND WE JUST REALLY WANTED TO HELP FILL IN THE GAPS.
A FEW YEARS AGO, WE SAW SOME GAPS THAT WERE THERE THAT NEEDED HELP, AND SO WE CAME UP WITH THE STUDENT ANGEL NETWORK AS A WAY TO HELP TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOLS BY JUST GIVING A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA HELP BY HAVING ANGELS.
AND SO, I DON'T LIKE TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU AS THE PERSON THAT STARTED THIS AS THE FOUNDER.
I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ANGELS THAT DESERVE THE CREDIT THAT COME TO THE AID OF THE STUDENTS WHEN WE HAVE NEEDS.
AND EMILY TAKES SO MUCH TIME TO FILL THE NEEDS.
AND SO WE HEARD THAT THEY NEEDED SOME PORTABLE AEDS FOR THE, THE KIDS.
AND WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN HEALTHCARE RIGHT NOW, WITH A LOT OF THE CHILDREN HAVING HEART ATTACKS, WE REALLY FELT LIKE THAT THERE WAS A REALLY DEEP NEED FOR THIS.
SO WE WERE PLEASED THAT, UM, WE HAD ANGELS STEP FORWARD AND PAY FOR THESE.
AND SO WE'RE VERY THANKFUL AND WE THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO HELP THE CHILDREN AND THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE TEACHERS.
SO WE HAVE ONE FOR OF WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AND ONE FOR SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR COMING THIS EVENING.
IF YOU GUYS WANNA GET A PICTURE WITH THOSE BEFORE YOU STEP DOWN, AND THEN I'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE PUBLICLY SAY, IF ANYBODY'S NOT FOLLOWING STUDENT ANGEL NETWORK ON FACEBOOK, NOW WOULD BE A PERFECT TIME TO GO AND LOOK FOR THIS GROUP.
UM, BECAUSE I SEE THEM POST NEEDS QUITE FREQUENTLY AND FORTUNATELY IT SEEMS LIKE THEY FILL THEM QUITE, QUITE QUICKLY.
AND MADAM CHAIR, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE STUDENT ANGEL NETWORK ALSO.
YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY HELP ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS SO IT'S NOT JUST ONE SCHOOL SPECIFIC, UM, OR, UH, GRADE LEVEL SPECIFIC.
THERE'S, THERE'S MULTIPLE THINGS THAT THEY, THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS FOR STUDENT NEEDS.
AND SO WE, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN, WHEN MS. COOK REACHED OUT TO ME CONCERNING HER IDEA AND WE HAD TO WORK THROUGH SOME THINGS TO, TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
[00:05:01]
I KNOW THAT AS FAR AS SCHOOLS ARE IN CONTACT WITH HER PROBABLY ON A, ON A WEEKLY BASIS, UM, AND, AND WITH HER NETWORK AND, AND THE SERVICE THAT SHE PROVIDES TO OUR STUDENTS AND, AND STAFF, WE, WE TRULY DO APPRECIATE, UH, THE PARTNERSHIP AND WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.[2.C. School Reports - Skyline High School]
THIS EVENING WE HAVE SCHOOL REPORTS AND WE'RE GONNA HEAR FROM SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL.GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DR.
BALLINGER, TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, COLLEAGUES FROM OTHER SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
I'M DR. KEITH REEVES, CO INTERIM PRINCIPAL AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL, AND IT'S OUR PRIVILEGE TO PRIDE THIS UPDATE ON IT HAPPENINGS AT OUR SCHOOL.
JOINING ME THIS EVENING IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM IS MY LEADERSHIP PARTNER, UH, MRS. ALLISON PUMPHREY, CO INTERIM PRINCIPAL.
THIS YEAR, THE SKYLINE LEADERSHIP STROVE TO ENHANCE OUR SHARED LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES, GIVING AMPLIFICATION TO MORE VOICES MORE OFTEN IN OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESSES.
OUR NEWLY ESTABLISHED INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM, OR ILT PROVIDES DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THEIR CONTENT EXPERTISE TO BEAR ON REFINEMENTS TO OUR CONTINUOUS SCHOOL SUPPORT PLAN, AS WELL AS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE AND PARTICIPATORY ROLE IN OUR MASTER SCHEDULING PROCESS.
THIS YEAR, STARTING WITH OUR FIRST MAJOR SCHEDULING MEETING THIS COMING TUESDAY AFTERNOON, OUR PRINCIPAL'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE, NEWLY ESTABLISHED, PROVIDES ANY STAFF MEMBER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE CONCERNS ASYNCHRONOUSLY THROUGH PERIODS BETWEEN MEETINGS AND AN IN-PERSON FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE ANY AND ALL CONCERNS TO HELP PROVIDE ALL OF OUR FACULTY MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEANINGFULLY INFLUENCE OUR POLICIES AND PRACTICES.
WE'VE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF POSITIVE RESPONSES FROM STAFF, BOTH NEW AND VETERAN ALIKE, EXPRESSING THAT THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AN ENHANCEMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE.
AN OPPORTUNITY NOT JUST FOR US TO LISTEN, BUT ACTUALLY HEAR AND RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE STAFF THAT HAVE, UH, BROUGHT THEIR CONCERNS TO US SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPROVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOL CLIMATE FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO LISTEN TO STAFF.
OUR NEWLY ESTABLISHED STUDENT COUNCIL PROVIDES 13 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES DIRECT ACCESS TO A DEMOCRATIC BODY RUN UNDER ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER TO MAKE MOTIONS, DEBATE SOLUTIONS, AND ENACT RECOMMENDATIONS DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION TO HELP MAKE SKYLINE THE BEST IT CAN BE, NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY ENJOY POPULARITY OR VOICES ALREADY AMPLIFIED THROUGH ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE OR THROUGH CLASS OFFICERSHIPS, BUT IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SKYLINE A PLACE GENUINELY FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE MOST MARGINALIZED VOICES AMONG US.
SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ALREADY ENACTED BY THE STUDENT COUNCIL HAVE INCLUDED SUGGESTIONS FOR STAFF COMMUNICATIONS, A NEWLY ESTABLISHED STUDENT NEWSLETTER AND A DIGITAL IDEA AND SUGGESTION BOX, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO DIRECTLY SOLICIT THEIR STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES TO ENGAGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FOR SUPPORT AND TO PROVIDE IDEAS AND FEEDBACK.
WE LOOK FORWARD, FOR EXAMPLE, TO WORKING WITH STUDENTS AS THEY HELP LEAD US TO ESTABLISH OUR NEW COURTYARD, UH, ACCESS POLICIES.
NOW AS THE WEATHER IMPROVES ON THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FRONT, OUR SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PRINCIPLE OF SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUES.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF EXCELLENT CANDIDATES APPLY AND THE COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO DILIGENTLY SEARCH FOR THE PERSON WHO WILL TAKE THE REIGNS FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE HAWKS STORY.
WE ALSO CONTINUE TO INTERVIEW SOME TRULY OUTSTANDING TEACHER CANDIDATES FOR OUR CURRENTLY POSTED AND ANTICIPATED VACANCIES.
THIS PAST MONTH, SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL, PROACTIVELY ESTABLISHED WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL'S FIRST CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.
IN PREPARATION FOR OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE OUTSTANDING MISS CHASTITY JENKINS, AS WE ENACT OUR COUNTYWIDE CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, SKYLINE'S CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT WE COMPLETELY REWROTE TO INDUSTRY BEST STANDARDS DURING THE 2023 YEAR HAS FORMED THE THE BASIS FOR THE COUNTY'S NEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING THANKS TO THE COUNTYWIDE SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE, LED BY OUR PARTNER MS. RAND VERNA, A UNIFIED AND COMMON REUNIFICATION PROTOCOL SHOULD, WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT SHOULD WE NEED TO EVACUATE ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, WE ARE PREPARED WITH PERSONNEL SUPPLIES AND A WORLD CLASS PLAN TO REJOIN STUDENTS WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN A SAFE AND ORDERLY MANNER.
CONSISTENT WITH FIRST RESPONDER BEST PRACTICES.
WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE ACTIVELY WITH OUR PARTNERS, WITH WARREN COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE, FRONT ROYAL POLICE AND THE WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
SKYLINE CONTINUES TO INNOVATE AND TO PURSUE THE VERY EDGE OF BEST PRACTICES BY PROACTIVELY ADOPTING THE CARDIAC EMERGENCY
[00:10:01]
PLANS AND WILL CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR COUNTY HEALTH PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING, INCLUDING THE ADDITION OF THE AUTOMATIC DEFIBRILLATOR THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT TONIGHT, TO FURTHER REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES SHOULD THE UNTHINKABLE OCCUR WITH ONE OF OUR CHILDREN.THANKS TO OUR COLLABORATION WITH OUR PARTNERS AT WARREN COUNTY HIGH.
AND WE THANK MR. KH AND MS. DETWEILER AS WELL AS OUR CENTRAL OFFICE PARTNERS, MS. HIMES AND MS. ZEL.
OUR TEACHERS WILL BE WORKING INSIDE POWERSCHOOL TO MAKE COURSE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SCHOOL YEAR FURTHER STREAMLINING AND IMPROVING OUR MASTER SCHEDULING PROCESS.
WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO MEETING AS MANY STUDENT NEEDS AS POSSIBLE AND EMPLOYING OUR STAFF'S INSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO ENSURE THAT PROCESS IS AS POWERFULLY POSITIVE AS IT CAN BE.
THIS YEAR'S SPRING MUSICAL WAS HELLO DOLLY AND WAS TREMENDOUSLY WELL RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE EXTRAORDINARILY PROUD OF OUR HAWKS CAST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIRECTORS AND COMMUNITY MUSICIANS WHO BROUGHT THE SHOW TO LIFE.
ENJOYED, UH, ENJOYING A WELL ATTENDED THREE DAY RUN.
WE'VE PERSONALLY BEEN APPROACHED BY A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO JUST ADORED THE PERFORMANCES.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO MR. BOWEN, MR. HOLLAND AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE SHOW, MRS. JABLONSKY, FOR ALL OF THE HOURS THAT THEY PUT IN ALONGSIDE OUR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS TO FURTHER THEIR WORK THIS SEASON, THE DRAMA CLUB WILL BE HOSTING AN IMPROV NIGHT AT SKYLINE ON FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH AT 7:00 PM AND YOU ARE MOST WELCOME.
THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT TODAY DEPARTED FOR A THREE DAY TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY TO FURTHER ENHANCE THEIR ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES, SEEING TWO PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS AND EXPERIENCING FIRSTHAND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF BROADWAY AND OTHER MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS LANDMARKS IN THE BIG APPLE.
AND THE TEAM ASKED ME TO RELATE THAT THEY'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE OFFERING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUR LEARNERS.
THE SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL BAND EARNED A SUPERIOR RATING AT THE DISTRICT 14 HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT BAND ASSESSMENT FOR THE VIRGINIA BAND AND ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.
THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR OUR INSTRUMENTALISTS, AND IT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AS I WAS A BAND DIRECTOR PRIOR TO BECOMING AN AN ADMIN.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR HAWKS PERFORMERS IN THE BAND AND TO MR. HOLLAND FOR THIS ACHIEVEMENT.
THE BAND SPRING CONCERT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 24TH, AND WE INVITE YOU EACH AND ALL TO JOIN US.
THE MARCHING HAWKS WILL BE FEATURED IN THE APPLE BLOSSOM GRAND FEATURE PARADE ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD.
AND IN A TRULY SPECIAL OCCASION ON THURSDAY MAY 8TH, A COMBINED PERFORMANCE BETWEEN THE SKYLINE BAND AND THE SKYLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND WILL FEATURE THE WORLD PREMIER OF A NEWLY COMMISSIONED WORK ENTITLED RISING BY NATIVE VIRGINIA COMPOSER ELIJAH STEELE, BRINGING MUSIC NEVER BEFORE HEARD SPRINGING RIGHT HERE IN WARREN COUNTY.
AN ADDITIONAL NOTE REGARDING THE PERFORMING ARTS.
COSTNER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION TO MR. BRIAN HELMICK, DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES FOR WCPS AND TO MR. BO TAYLOR AND LYNN TAYLOR AT SKYLINE AND THE REST OF OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE.
YESTERDAY MORNING WE LEARNED THAT THE FIRST TWO OF THREE TOTAL SHIPMENTS OF NEWLY MANUFACTURED AMERICAN MADE EQUIPMENT ARE ON THE WAY TO HELP.
FINALLY, AFTER 16 MONTHS OF STRIVING EFFORT BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND PERFORMING ARTS TEAMS TO FINALLY RESTORE, RESTORE THE SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM TO FULL FUNCTION IN JANUARY OF 2024, THE CONTROLLERS OR BRAINS OF OUR LIGHTING SYSTEM DIED.
UH, THESE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED, SO IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A PROBLEM.
THESE PIECES OF HARDWARE IN OUR DIMMER RACK HAVE AROUND A 20 TO 25 YEAR LIFESPAN, AND OUR EQUIPMENT WAS MANUFACTURED 20 YEARS BEFORE IT FAILED.
WE WOULD LIKE TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE US ALL TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT FOR THE 2045 FISCAL YEAR AS THESE CRITICAL AND EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS DO HAVE A FINITE LIFESPAN.
IT'S TAKEN TREMENDOUS COLLABORATION TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE EACH AND ALL OF YOU PERSONALLY INVOLVED AND I APPRECIATE IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE INVOLVED, INCLUDING MR. STEVEN HARVEY, THE THEATER TEACHER AT WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, WHO GENEROUSLY LENT US EQUIPMENT TO GET US THROUGH.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO UPDATING YOU BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF NEXT SCHOOL YEAR THAT THE WORK IS COMPLETE.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES AT THE ROTARY CLUB, ALL OF THE WARREN COUNTY TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, OUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR 2025, AS YOU MET WHEN I WAS WITH HER, UH, HERE LAST TIME IS MRS. ROBIN JENSEN AND EXCEPTIONALLY GIFTED AND DEEPLY PRO CHILD SCIENCE EDUCATOR, WHO HAS LED OUR EFFORTS IN BIOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS WITH GREAT SUCCESS.
AND I WAS VERY EXCITED TO HELP OUR ROTARY PARTNERS CELEBRATE HER ACHIEVEMENTS, UH, AND ON BOTH MRS. PUMPHREY AND I THANK HER AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR DEDICATED STAFF FOR THEIR WORK WITH OUR HAWKS.
OUR HEAD VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH, MR. GILBERT, WHO WAS THE 2024 SKYLINE TEACHER OF THE YEAR RECENTLY TOOK ASPIRING COLLEGE BOUND ATHLETES TO SPRING PRACTICE AT BOTH THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA AND SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY TO EDUCATE THOSE YOUNG MEN ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY AWAIT THEM IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS, SHOULD THEY BE ACADEMICALLY ELIGIBLE AND MAKE THE CUTS TO ALLOW THEM TO PLAY IN A NEW UNIFORM DESPITE THE FACT THEY'LL ALWAYS HAVE BLUE AND GREEN FOR
[00:15:01]
US.SPEAKING OF SPORTS, SKYLINE IS SO PROUD OF OUR MULTIPLE STATE CHAMPIONS FROM THIS PAST SEASON AS ABOU KASEM SET A SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL HEIGHT RECORD AND WON THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE CLASS THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE HIGH JUMP SKYLINE WRESTLERS, PAYDEN ALLIER, PARKER WITHERS AND JOSIAH SYKES EACH WON THEIR VHSL CLASS THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THEIR CLASSES.
AND THE SKYLINE WRESTLING TEAM IS THE OVERALL VHSL CLASS THREE STATE CHAMPION, WHICH IN ADDITION TO PAYDEN PARKER AND JOSIAH INCLUDES JACOB BUFFUM, DJ MABE, VINNY DELLO, CODY DAVIS, CODY SOLOMON, AIDEN BOYLES, CARTER HUSTON, JOEY DELLO, RYAN WILLIAMS, TITUS DRAKE, AND AIDEN WOLF.
AND WE CONGRATULATE OUR HAWKS IN COOPERATION WITH OUR SODEXO PARTNERS.
SKYLINE HAS INTRODUCED A HAVE SOMETHING LEAVE SOMETHING, NEED SOMETHING, TAKE SOMETHING BIN TO HELP REDUCE FOOD WASTE IN OUR CAFETERIA AND TO ENSURE THAT THE INVESTMENT THAT WARREN COUNTY TAXPAYERS MAKE IN PROVIDING HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOODS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILIES HAS THE MA MAXIMUM POSSIBLE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT.
WE KNOW THAT SOME STUDENTS RELY ENTIRELY ON OUR SCHOOLS TO MEET THEIR HEALTHY NUTRITION NEEDS, AND SKYLINE IS NO EXCEPTION.
WE KNOW HOW ESSENTIAL MEETING THOSE NEEDS IS NOT ONLY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS, BUT TO PERSONAL GROWTH AND TO PHYSICAL HEALTH.
WE'RE GRATEFUL AS ALWAYS TO MS. JENNIFER ANDREWS, OUR OUTSTANDING KITCHEN MANAGER FOR ALWAYS BEING WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO KEEP ALL OF OUR KIDDOS AS FED AS WE CAN BE.
SKYLINE SOPHOMORE BOBBY FORD TOOK FIRST PLACE IN SWINE JUDGING AT THE STOCKMAN'S AND LIVESTOCK JUDGING CONTEST AT VIRGINIA TECH IN MID-MARCH AND WENT ON TO BECOME THE OVERALL REGULAR DIVISION JUDGING CHAMPION FOR FFA.
MRS. GRACE BUCKLIN, OUR AGRICULTURE TEACHER AND FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA SPONSOR LED OUR OVERALL TEAM TO TWO HIGH PLACEMENTS IN BEEF JUDGING.
SKYLINE REMAINS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO VOCATIONAL, AGRICULTURAL AND HANDS-ON TRADES BASED AND WORK-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE PARTNERING WITH MR. GREG AND OUR BLUE RIDGE TECHNICAL CENTER COLLEAGUES, AS WELL AS DEEPLY INVESTING TIME AND ENERGY IN PROVIDING EVENTS LIKE DRIVE YOUR TRACTOR TO SCHOOL DAY, WHICH HELPS TO HIGHLIGHT THE EXCEPTIONAL FARMING, LIVESTOCK, HUSBANDRY, AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY WORK THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING AT SKYLINE EACH DAY.
THIS THE FFAS SECOND ANNUAL CAR SHOW WILL BE HELD LATER THIS MONTH, SO STAY TUNED.
ADDITIONALLY, BE BENEFITING OUR STAFF AND STUDENT MORALE BOOSTERS.
THE EVER POPULAR SKYLINE DESIGNER HANDBAG BINGO WILL AGAIN BE HELD ON APRIL 25TH AND APPARENTLY, AS IS NOW TRADITION, YOURS TRULY WILL BE CALLING THE NUMBERS ONCE AGAIN.
I THANK YOU MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, OUR CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR STUDENTS, THEIR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR CONTINUING TO WORK EVERY DAY TO MAKE SKYLINE SORE.
[2.D. Attendance Award Presentation - Dr. Ballenger]
UP NEXT THIS EVENING WE HAVE ATTENDANCE AWARD PRESENTATIONS, DR.UH, AGAIN, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY IN ATTENDANCE TONIGHT.
UM, ALL THOSE THAT ARE JOINING US ONLINE, UM, AND THAT MAY BE VIEWING THIS AT A LATER DATE.
UH, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF NEW FACES, UM, IN THE ROOM TONIGHT.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO START BY, UH, RECOGNIZING OUR ELEMENTARY, UH, WINTER FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE RESI JEFFRIES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
UH, THEY HAD AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF 93.67%.
UH, SO WOULD LIKE TO ASK RUSSI JEFFRIES TO COME ON UP.
UM, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
IT'S JUST WE MAKE SURE SHE'S WATCHING
UM, WE ENCOURAGE EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE, ALWAYS AT RESCUE JEFFRIES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE DO INCENTIVES.
WE DO WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR GRADE LEVEL PER, UH, PERCENTAGE WINS.
UH, THEN WE DO A MONTHLY FOR THE GRADE LEVEL THAT HAS THE BEST PERCENTAGE.
UM, I THINK WHAT GAVE US THE, UH, PUSH THIS MONTH IS OUR 40 DAY CHALLENGE THAT WE DO EVERY YEAR WITH OUR, OUR KIDDOS WHERE WE'RE PREPARING AND, UH, INCREASING OUR EFFORTS TO BE PREPARED FOR SOL TEST.
AND THEY EARN TICKETS AND THINGS AND DRAW.
WE DO DRAWINGS AND THEY GET TICKETS EVERY TIME.
YOU KNOW, FOR EVERY DAY THEY COME TO SCHOOL, THEY EARN A TICKET.
THAT'S ONE WAY THAT THEY GET THEIR TICKETS FOR THE DRAWINGS AND THINGS.
UM, SO I THINK THAT MIGHT'VE BEEN THE PUSH.
WE HAVE HAD TONS OF KIDDOS SICK THIS YEAR.
WE'VE HAD A LOT WITH, UH, PNEUMONIA AND THE FLU REALLY HIT US HARD, SO I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY HAD A LOT TO DO WITH US NOT BEING HERE SOONER.
BUT DID YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING MS. BRADLEY? I JUST THINK THAT WE ALSO ARE CONTACTING PARENTS AND LETTING PARENTS KNOW WE TRULY
[00:20:01]
DO MISS 'EM WHEN THEY'RE NOT THERE.IT IS, THEY DO NEED TO BE AT SCHOOL.
SO WE HAVE OUR TEACHERS REACHING OUT.
UM, MS. FRANKEL, OUR COUNCIL REACHES OUT, MS. SHEPHERD, OUR DEAN IS GREAT WITH ATTENDANCE MEETINGS.
SO I THINK IT DOES MEAN A LOT WHEN THE PARENTS REALIZE THEY ARE MISSED, THEIR KID IS MISSED WHEN THEY'RE MISSING SCHOOL.
AND WE'RE DOING A, UM, PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOURTH ADVISORY WHERE, UM, SKYLINE RANCH RESORT POOL AND THE TOWN POOL, UM, GAVE US POOL PASSES.
SO WE HAVE FAMILY POOL PASSES THAT WE'RE GIVING AWAY FOR PERFECT ATTENDANCE DRAWINGS.
SO WE'D LIKE TO THANK THEM AS WELL FOR HELPING WITH THAT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE NOTE THAT OUR SECONDARY WINNER HAS BEEN HERE EVERY MONTH.
UM, WARREN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL, UH, IS THE WINNER WITH A 94.21% ATTENDANCE RATE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.
CHRIS JOHNSON TO COME UP AND ACCEPT HIS AWARD.
UH, WE NEED TO KEEP MEETING LIKE THIS
SO I ENJOY COMING UP EVERY MONTH.
UM, MARCH CERTAINLY WAS A GOOD MONTH FOR US.
UH, JUST SO, JUST A LITTLE BIT, WE, WHAT WE DO, WE, WE DO ANNOUNCE OUR ATTENDANCE RATE EVERY DAY ON THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS, UH, EVERY WEEK WE SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH PARENTS AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, UH, OUR DAILY ATTENDANCE RATE, AND ALSO THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT AND WHAT, HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED AND THINGS LIKE THAT JUST TO KEEP PARENTS INFORMED.
SO I'M GLAD IT'S PAYING OFF EVERY MONTH.
I DEFINITELY WANNA THANK, UH, ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY, OUR PARENTS WHO ARE MAKING SURE THEIR KIDS COME TO SCHOOL TODAY, AND OUR TEACHERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING KIDS WHILE THEY'RE, WHILE THEY'RE THERE.
AND I DO WANT TO THANK DR. JOHNSTON FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME OVER LAST FRIDAY TO THE, UH, STUDENTS VERSUS STAFF BASKETBALL GAME AND PARTICIPATE.
I HAD HAD A LOT OF FUN OVER THERE, SO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO THAT.
UH, OUR MOST IMPROVED FOR THIS MONTH WITH A, UH, 93.49% ATTENDANCE RATE AND INCREASE OF 2.09%.
AND THAT WOULD BE HILDA J BARBER.
WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE NINA GOT THAT ATTENDANCE AWARD BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO
AND, UM, WE HAVE OUR INCENTIVES THAT WE NORMALLY DO ALL THE TIME.
I WAS JUST PASSING OUT SOME TROPHIES TODAY.
UM, AND I DO THINK ONE OF THE THINGS HELPING US IS WE ARE DOING A RAFFLE FOR A BICYCLE.
SO THEY HAVE TO, IT'S BASED ON BEHAVIOR, BUT THEY CAN EARN IT.
SO THAT MAY BE HELPING A LITTLE BIT.
AND OF COURSE NONE OF IT CAN HAPPEN IF WE DON'T HAVE THE PARENTS IN ONBOARD AND THE SUPPORT FROM OUR PARENTS.
SO WE JUST APPRECIATE THEM AS WELL.
[2.E. Accept or Modify the Agenda - School Board]
UP NEXT THIS EVENING, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT OR MODIFY THE AGENDA? I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
[2.F. Community Participation]
NEXT UP THIS EVENING, WE HAVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.MR. VALENTINE, HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP THIS EVENING? OH, SORRY, I'M NOT GONNA READ THIS BIG NOTES THING.
OKAY, WE'RE JUST GONNA SAY IT'S GONNA BE THREE MINUTES.
UM, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? OKAY,
[3. Consent Agenda]
MOVING[00:25:01]
ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED? IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND IT.
[4.A. Superintendent]
UP THIS EVENING, WE HAVE REPORTS DR.MY REPORT'S GONNA BE PRETTY BRIEF TONIGHT.
UM, I DO WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT BLUE RIDGE TECHNICAL CENTER, UH, THE WELDING PROGRAM HAD A SECOND AND THIRD PLACE AT SKILLS USA, UH, DISTRICT COMPETITION.
AND THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE DO HAVE, UM, SOMEBODY THAT WILL BE, UH, ACTUALLY JAKE SNODGRASS WILL BE, UH, QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE COMPETITION AND THAT WILL BE HELD THIS WEEKEND.
SO GOING DOWN TO, UH, TO THE STATE COMPETITION, UH, FOR THAT, I, YOU KNOW, I DO MENTION WELDING BECAUSE THAT'S, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW I'M A WELDER BY TRADE.
UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I DO LIKE TO GO OVER AND, AND WELD A LITTLE BIT WITH THE STUDENTS WHEN I GET AN OPPORTUNITY.
UM, YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO MR. MOORE ABOUT TRYING TO SCHEDULE TIME FOR ME TO DO IT THIS SEMESTER, BUT, UM, SO, SO THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.
I DO WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE, UM, ALL OF OUR SPRING SPORTS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF JUST THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AS THE WEATHER STARTS TURNING NICER, UM, YOU KNOW, THINGS WILL BE, WE'LL HAVE, UH, VARIOUS EVENTS AT OUR SCHOOLS AS WE, WE WIND DOWN THE SCHOOL YEAR ALSO.
BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE GETTING GEARED UP FOR THOSE SOLS.
UM, YOU KNOW, I KNOW MS. DRE, UH, MS. BRAGG AND, AND HER TEAM AND, AND THE PRINCIPALS ARE, ARE WORKING HARD TO, TO GET US READY TO, TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON THOSE.
UH, SO WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS THAT.
SPRING BREAK WILL BE APRIL 14TH THROUGH THE 18TH.
AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT CLASSES WILL BE IN SESSION ON THAT MONDAY, THE 21ST.
SO, UM, IT WAS A PREVIOUS HOLIDAY AND THEN WE DID MOVE THAT AS A MAKE DAY.
SO CLASSES WILL RESUME ON, UH, APRIL 21ST.
[4.B. School Board]
UP THIS EVENING WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARD REPORTS AND I HAVE MS. SALEMS. UM, I ATTENDED THE JOINT MEETING LAST WEEK WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.OBVIOUSLY WE ALL DID FOR DISCUSSION OF THE BUDGET.
AND THEN, UM, AFTER THAT WE HAD OUR, UH, BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING, UM, WHICH WE WILL GET INTO MORE LATER IN THIS AGENDA.
UM, I WAS ABLE TO BE A, UM, JUDGE AGAIN FOR THE SODEXO FUTURE CHEFS.
UM, I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED, UM, THAT OPPORTUNITY 'CAUSE I ALWAYS WALK AWAY WITH, UM, SOME GREAT NEW RECIPES.
UM, AND I AM HOPING TO GET OUT, UM, HOPEFULLY TOMORROW MORNING TO VISIT A FEW SCHOOLS.
UM, SO I CAN REPORT ON THAT NEXT MONTH.
UM, THIS MONTH I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE WARREN COUNTY 1 0 1 MEETINGS THAT WAS HELD AT BLUE RIDGE TECHNICAL CENTER.
UM, SO WAS ABLE TO HEAR UPDATES ABOUT, UM, THAT AREA AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING, AS WELL AS MEET SOME OF THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE PARTICIPATE PARTICIPATING IN THAT PROGRAM.
UM, I ALSO WENT TO THE MOUNTAIN VISTA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL, UM, REGULAR BOARD MEETING THIS MONTH, AS WELL AS WENT TO THEIR FUNDRAISER AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS A VERY NICE EVENT, UM, THERE AS A FUNDRAISER.
UM, I ALSO WENT TO THE JOINT BUDGET MEETING WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AS WE ALL DID.
AND I ALSO WAS ONE OF THE JUDGES AT THE FUTURE CHEFS COMPETITION, WHICH WAS GREAT FUN.
WE HAD SOME GREAT, UH, MEALS PRESENTED TO US, INCLUDING, UM, SOME ORANGE CHICKEN TACOS, WHICH WERE DELICIOUS.
UM, I DID NOT GO TO THE SODEXO THING THIS YEAR, BUT WE PICKED THE WINNER LAST YEAR, REMEMBER? SO WATCH OUT
UH, SO SINCE THE LAST MEETING, I WAS OUTTA TOWN FOR A WHILE.
UH, BUT THAT WAS GOOD TO GET AWAY.
BUT, UM, THE POLICY, WE WORK WITH THE SBMA POLICY COMMITTEE THAT THEY'RE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A BUNCH OF POLICIES.
WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT SOME OF 'EM TODAY, BUT THEY ALSO JUST SENT ANOTHER BATCH OF 'EM THAT THEY SENT TO, UH, ME AND MRS. LOWE, UH, TO GET TO LOOK OVER TO GET, GET UP TO SPEED.
SO I READ, SPENT SOME TIME READING OVER THOSE.
UM, I'VE ALSO BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE BUDGET.
OF COURSE, WE'RE ALL, WE'RE ALL AT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING, THE JOINT MEETING, AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT DEPRESSING TO SAY THE LEAST ABOUT HOW IT KIND OF WENT DOWN AND WHERE, WHERE, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT.
SO I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SOME IDEAS OF HOW WE CAN GO BACK TO THE WELL, SO TO SPEAK, TO ASK FOR SOME MONEY, SOMETHING TO, TO GET IN THERE.
AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GONNA HAVE A, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A, UH, COMMITTEE MEETING, A BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING THIS TUESDAY AND WE'LL, WE'LL GET INTO MORE DETAILS ABOUT IT.
BUT I DO THINK IT'S, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TRY TO LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT WE, WHAT WE, OBVIOUSLY IT'S A NEEDS, NEEDS-BASED BUDGET THAT WE PRESENTED.
[00:30:01]
I MENTIONED THAT TO DR.BALLINGER AT OUR LAST MEETING.
IT'S, IT'S, THERE WAS DEFINITELY A NEEDY, IT WAS THE NEEDS OF THE, OF THE COMMUNITY.
UH, BUT AT SOME POINT, BASED ON WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, HOW THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON AND ASSESSMENTS BEING UP AND A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, IT'S, UH, IT'S, UH, IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH TO GET MUCH MONEY FROM THEM.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT, WHAT IS THE, SORT OF THE MINIMUM WE CAN ASK FOR THAT'S ALSO GONNA MEET.
WHATEVER NEEDS WE CAN GET IS A TIGHT, TIGHT SITUATION WE'RE IN.
SO HOPEFULLY IT'S COMING TUESDAY.
WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT AND HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT BACK TO THIS BOARD TO, TO SEE HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
WE OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS NOT MADE A DECISION ABOUT ANYTHING EXCEPT OTHER THAN THEY'RE NOT RAISING TAXES, UH, IN GENERAL.
BUT AS FAR AS FOR US AND WHAT WE PUT FORWARD, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, WE DON'T HAVE A SORT OF A FINALIZED THING.
SO I THINK IT'S UP TO US TO COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, HERE'S OUR COUNTER OFFER FOR WHAT IT IS.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GONNA BE WORKING ON FOR THE FUTURE.
UM, I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND ONE OF THE WCPS 1 0 1 EVENINGS.
UM, I ACTUALLY ATTENDED AS A FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEMBER, BUT I HADN'T YET ACTUALLY ATTENDED A FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING.
BUT I DID LEARN A LOT ABOUT OUR BUILDINGS AND I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THAT EVENING, THAT EVENING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
AND, UM, HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING, THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR, BUT I REALLY HOPE THAT IT CONTINUES IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EACH YEAR BECAUSE I THINK THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARENTS WHO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN IT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN A LOT, UM, FROM EVERYONE WHO TAKES THE TIME TO PUT TOGETHER THOSE EVENINGS ONCE A MONTH AND REALLY HELPS EVERYONE TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BEHIND THE SCENES WORK IS OF THE SCHOOLS.
SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE IF THAT ROLLS AROUND NEXT YEAR, MORE APPLICANTS, UM, DECIDE TO APPLY.
I WAS ALSO ABLE TO ATTEND THE MOUNTAIN VISTA GOVERNOR SCHOOL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER.
UM, IT WAS GREAT SEEING, UM, WELL, THE SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS THAT THOSE KIDS CREATED AND THE WINNER THAT'S GOING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST.
UM, AND THEN ALSO JUST THE ART PROJECTS AND THE DRAWINGS, UM, THAT THEY HAVE.
THEY'RE REALLY A TALENTED GROUP OF STUDENTS AT MOUNTAIN VISTA.
UM, OF COURSE, I ALSO ATTENDED THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A, THE A MINUTE TO JUST THANK EVERYBODY, UM, THAT PUT TOGETHER THAT PRESENTATION THAT PUT ALL THE TIME THAT, AND WORK BEHIND THE SCENES FROM DR.
BALLINGER TO MR. VALENTINE, MS. DRAKE, MR. STEFANSKI, MS. BRAGG, AND REALLY ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, ALL THE PRINCIPALS, ALL THE MONTHS THAT GO INTO PRESENTING THIS MONSTER BUDGET, UM, TO EVERYBODY.
AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY CLEAR PRESENTATION THAT HELPED TO EXPLAIN REALLY FROM THE GROUND LEVEL, WHAT OUR BUDGET LOOKS LIKE.
SO I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF REALLY GOOD INFORMATION THERE, AND I THINK THEY ALL DID A GREAT JOB PRESENTING THAT.
I DID ATTEND MY FIRST FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME MORE OF THOSE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND I ALSO ATTENDED THE FUTURE CHEFS, UM, COMPETITION.
THOSE KIDS ARE AMAZING LITTLE CHEFS.
[5.A. Request to Move the Scheduled May 21, 2025 School Board Meeting to May 28, 2025 - School Board]
NEXT UP THIS EVENING WE HAVE THE ACTION AGENDA.THE FIRST ITEM IS GONNA BE A REQUEST TO MOVE THE SCHEDULED MAY 21ST, 2025 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TO MAY 28TH, 2025.
THIS IS DUE TO, UM, A SCHEDULING CONFLICT ON THE BOARD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH A QUORUM ON MAY 21ST.
SO, UM, WE WOULD STILL HAVE THE WORK SESSION AT DIVERSIFIED MINES.
WE WOULD MOVE THE START TIME TO 6:00 PM THAT EVENING, AND I'D LIKE A MOTION ON THAT.
I MOVE THAT THE MAY 21ST, 2025 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BE CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY, MAY 28TH, 2025 AT 6:00 PM WITH THE MEETING TAKING PLACE IN THE DIVERSIFIED MINDS MEETING ROOM.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
[5.B. Third Reading and Recommendation for Approval - JOB Administration of Surveys and Questionnaires, JFHAB Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students in Warren County Public Schools, EEAB School Bus Scheduling and Routing, EI Insurance Management, ECAB Vandalism, FE Playground Equipment, FEA Educational Facilities Specifications, CN Flag, Decor, and Displays - Dr. Costner]
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE THE THIRD READING AND RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF JOB ADMINISTRATION OF SURVEYS AND QUESTIONNAIRES, J-F-H-A-B, PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.EEAB SCHOOL, BUS SCHEDULING AND ROUTING, EI INSURANCE MANAGEMENT, EEC, A B VANDALISM, FE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, FEA, EDUCATIONAL FACILITY SPECIFICATIONS, CN, FLAG, DECOR AND DISPLAYS.
KOSNER, MADAM CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS.
UM, TONIGHT IS, AGAIN, THIS IS THE THIRD READING OF THE, UM, POLICIES AS DR.
UM, AND WE HAD FIRST READING MARCH 5TH, AND THEN THE SECOND READING WAS ON MARCH 19TH WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WERE MADE AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE RECEIVED.
[00:35:01]
TONIGHT THAT WERE MOVED, THAT THE WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES THAT POLICIES, UM, AS NOTED BY DR.ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR.
COSTNER ON THIS? IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES THE POLICIES? DO I HAVE TO READ THEM? JOB ADMINISTRATION OF SURVEYS AND QUESTIONNAIRES, J-F-H-A-B, PRIVACY, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR ALL STUDENTS IN WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
EEAB SCHOOL, BUS SCHEDULING AND ROUTING, EI INSURANCE MANAGEMENT, ECAB, VANDALISM FE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, FEA, EDUCATIONAL FACILITY SPECIFICATIONS, CN, FLAG, DECOR AND DISPLAYS AS PRESENTED.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? ALL IS IN FAVOR? AYE.
[5.C. Donation of surplus bleachers from 15th Street - Dr. Costner]
NEXT UP WE HAVE DONATION OF SURPLUS BLEACHERS FROM 15TH STREET SCHOOL.I, I MOVE THAT THE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVE THE DONATION OF THE SURPLUS BLEACHERS FROM 15TH STREET SCHOOL TO THE WARREN COUNTY FAIR.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO MUCH ON THAT ONE.
[5.D. Approval of purchase/contracted services over $25,000 - Dr. Costner]
NEXT WE HAVE APPROVAL OF PURCHASE CONTRACTED SERVICES OVER $25,000.UM, MADAM CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS, AS YOU KNOW, UM, I STAND FOR YOU TODAY TO, TO ASK FOR THE APPROVAL SO THAT WE CAN, UM, CONTRACT WITH, UH, PRO SOURCE INCORPORATED, THE VIRGINIA TO SAND SEAL, REPAINT THE GAME LINES, REPAINT THE LETTERING, AND REPAINT THE ARTWORK AND FINISH THE MAIN GM FLOORS AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL AND WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.
UM, AND JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION, AS YOU KNOW, BACK IN, UM, 2007 IS WHEN, UM, SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL WAS CONSTRUCTED AND ALSO IN, IN 1999, UM, WARREN COUNTY HIGH WAS CONSTRUCTED AS A JUNIOR HIGH, THEN IN 2007 WAS CONVERTED OVER TO A HIGH SCHOOL.
UM, SINCE THAT TIME, THESE FLOORS HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED.
THEY'VE, THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THE FLOORS, WHICH CAN CONSIST OF THE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS WHERE, UM, THEY TRY TO SCREEN THEM, THEN THEY WILL GO BACK AND RETRAIN THEM.
BUT, UM, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING, YOU WANNA TAKE CARE OF IT BEFORE IT GETS TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD TO WHERE THAT IT'S, UM, A SAFETY HAZARD.
UM, OUR BASKETBALL, MAIN BASKETBALL COURTS AT BOTH HIGH SCHOOLS ARE USED FROM 9:00 AM TO 9:00 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, ALMOST EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK FROM WHETHER IT'S OUR, OUR STUDENTS OR WHETHER IT'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND, UM, AND THAT'S A GREAT THING.
BUT WITH THAT, WHEN IT HAPPENS, WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MUCH FOOT TRAFFIC COMING IN AND OUT, THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, IT WEARS DOWN.
UM, AND SO WE ARE WANTING TO, UM, DO SOME PREVENTATIVE, PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.
I, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, 'CAUSE DOWN THE ROAD, UM, WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE WHERE AN OFFICIAL SHOWS UP AT A BASKETBALL GAME AND SAYS, THIS FLOOR IS UNSAFE.
AND THE REASON THAT IT WOULD BE UNSAFE IS BECAUSE IT COULD BE YOU, YOU DON'T WANT A GYM FLOOR TO BE TACKY.
YOU WANT A GYM FLOOR THAT, THAT HAS, THAT CAN GRIP AND THAT, UM, SO, AND HAS A STUDENT, AN ATHLETE HAS TRACTION ON IT.
YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO STOP AND SLIDE.
UM, AND THAT'S OVER THE YEARS.
AND, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO TO DIFFERENT FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.
THE FLOORS WEAR DOWN, THE PAINT WEARS DOWN.
IT'S THE SAME AS IN, YOU KNOW, EVEN IN YOUR OWN HOUSE.
IF YOU HAVE HARDWOOD FLOORS, THE MORE TRAFFIC YOU HAVE ON IT, THE MORE IT WEARS DOWN THE RECOMMENDATION FROM A FLOOR COMPANY.
AND AGAIN, FLOOR COMPANIES, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY WANT IT, THEY WANT YOUR BUSINESS.
BUT THEY SAY SOME SAY, UM, 10 TO 15 YEARS TO REDO IT.
UM, ONE I WAS READING IT SAID FIVE TO 10 YEARS TO GO IN AND TO REDO THE FLOORS.
UM, AND WHAT THAT WOULD, WHEN I SAY TO REDO IT, WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS THEY WOULD ACTUALLY COME IN AND SAND IT DOWN AND ONCE THEY WOULD SAND IT DOWN, THEN IT WOULD BRING UP THE, THE COLOR OF THE WOOD.
YOU DID RECEIVE SOME PICTURES.
AS YOU NOTICE, THE WOOD'S NOT REALLY YELLOW.
UM, THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE FINISH THAT OVER THE TIME THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE FINISH.
UM, THE STRIPES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WHITE, NOT YELLOW, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE FINISH THAT'S ON TOP OF IT.
SO WHEN YOU HAVE THIS AND YOU HAVE THE GYM FLOORS THROUGH THE YEARS, UM, THEY NEED TO BE REDONE.
UM, YOU CAN SEE LIKE IF THE, UM, I, I'M NOT
[00:40:01]
A BASKETBALL PLAYER.I, I THINK I MAY PLAYED ONE YEAR IN REC LEAGUE, AND THEN AFTER THAT I THINK THEY ASKED ME NOT TO.
BUT, UM, ON THE, ONE OF THE WARREN COUNTY PICTURES, YOU CAN SEE EVEN THE RED IS WEARING OUT.
UM, UH, AT THE SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL, YOU CAN SEE ON THE SIDELINES WHERE SOME OF THE, THE PAIN IS GONE AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL FACILITY AND WE WANNA KEEP IT THAT WAY.
UM, DOES IT HAVE TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW? NO, IT IS, THIS IS NOT, WE, I'M NOT STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY SAYING THAT WE HAD A BASKETBALL GAME CANCELED BECAUSE OF AN OFFICIAL SAYING THAT THE FLOORS WERE NOT SAFE.
AND THEREFORE WE, WE CANNOT DO THAT.
COULD WE GET TO THAT POINT? YES.
SO YOU KNOW THIS JUST BY WITH THAT, THAT THERE ARE THE SAFETY CONCERNS.
WE DO HAVE A COMPANY, THERE'S A CONTRACT THAT, UM, WE CAN, UM, BASICALLY UTILIZE TO WHERE THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO DO THAT.
IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT PRICES.
ONE'S A OIL BASE AND ANOTHER'S WATER BASE.
AND THE REASON THE WATER BASE ONE DOESN'T YELLOW, NOW THERE IS A DIFFERENT CLEANING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF WATER BASE WHEN YOU USE OIL BASE.
SO, UM, BUT THE OIL BASE WILL YELLOW OVER TIME.
UM, BUT AGAIN, TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S, UM, IT'S, IT'S HERE BEFORE YOU, THE COST OF THAT, HOW MUCH IT'LL COST IN A COUPLE MORE YEARS, NOBODY KNOWS IT COULD GO UP TO, TO WHEN WE DO HAVE TO DO IT.
UM, AND SO WE ARE JUST COMING, YOU KNOW, IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
I'LL BE GLAD TO TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I CAN ABOUT THE FLOORING OR THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST.
UM, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE DONE DURING THE SUMMERTIME, ACTUALLY, WE'D WANNA DO IT DURING WHAT THE, THE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE CALLS LIKE A DEAD TIME SO THAT, YOU KNOW, NOBODY'S SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE COURTS ANYWAY SO THAT WE CAN GET THOSE DONE.
AND THIS IS JUST FOR THE MAIN, UM, GYM FLOORS.
NOW YOU, WE CAN GO AND LOOK AT THE GYM FLOORS AT SOME OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TOO.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE SOME, THEY'RE, THEY'RE LOOKING A LITTLE CHALLENGING ALSO.
BUT, UM, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING PROCESS AS, YOU KNOW, TO TRY TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE HAVE.
IS THE RECOMMENDATION GONNA BE FOR THE OIL BASED OR THE WATER BASED? IT WOULD BE PREFERRED TO HAVE THE WATER BASE.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT, THAT WOULD BE, THAT WOULD BE THE, UM, THE IDEAL SITUATION.
UM, JUST FOR THE COLORING AND TO BE ABLE FOR THE LAST, FOR TO LAST AND US TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
BUT THE OIL BASE WOULD ALSO WORK AND THE OIL BASE WOULD BE ABLE TO, TO KEEP US WHERE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FOR AT LEAST, YOU KNOW.
AND THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE 15 YEARS, COULD BE 20 YEARS.
UM, AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO, YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT OF USAGE, THE TRAFFIC, THE FOOT TRAFFIC THAT'S ON IT.
SO, UM, BUT THAT'S WHY WE PUT BOTH OF THEM THERE.
THE, THE WATER BASE WOULD BE THE ONE THAT WE WOULD, WE WOULD, WE WOULD LIKE, YOU KNOW, BUT IF WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IT MAY JUST NEED TO BE THE OIL BASE.
AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE MONEY FOR WITHIN THE PROPER BUDGET RIGHT NOW? YEAH, SO, SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH THE BUDGET IS, UM, MR. HELMICK IS DOING THIS OVER OVER TWO YEARS.
SO HE'S WORKING IT TO WHERE HE WILL TAKE ONE GYM OUT OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
AND THEN WHEN WE GO INTO NEXT YEAR, LIKE STARTING IN JULY ONE, THEN THE OTHER GYM WILL BE DONE.
SO IT'S KIND OF DONE OVER TWO YEARS, UM, OVER THIS SUMMER.
BUT IT'S, IT'S TWO DIFFERENT BUDGETS WITHIN THAT, THAT TIMEFRAME.
HOW LONG IS, HOW LONG ARE, DID THEY SAY THIS SHOULD LAST, THIS REDO MR. HILLMAN? CAN YOU, CAN YOU KIND OF GIVE, DID THEY GIVE YOU A, UM, WHEN WE GO IN THE NEW, THE STAIN AND EVERYTHING WITH THEM DOING IT, DO THEY GIVE KIND OF A PROJECTED LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THAT COURT ONCE THEY DO IT? WELL, THEY JUST TELL YOU THAT YOU SHOULD SCREEN AND, EXCUSE ME, SCREEN AND RECODE YEARLY.
YOU SHOULD SAY IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO NEW WOOD.
AND DOES ONE HAVE A LONGER LIFE? THE, THE, THE OIL VERSUS THE WATER.
DOES ONE HAVE A LONGER LIFE THAN THE OTHER? THEY HAVE ABOUT THE SAME LIFE.
THE WATER STAYS CLEAR WHERE THE OIL TURNS YELLOW
AND HAS SINCE THE 2007 OR HAS, HAS ANYTHING HAPPENED? HAS ANYONE DONE ANYTHING TO THEM SINCE THAT TIME OR THIS IS THE FIRST GO AROUND? THIS IS THE F DO THE FIRST TIME.
UM, IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS FOR WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS.
WE DO TAKE CARE OF THEM EVERY YEAR.
THEY DO A GOOD JOB TAKING CARE OF THE MAINTENANCE TO MAINTAIN THE LIFE OF THEM AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'VE ALREADY KIND OF EXCEEDED SOME OF THAT LIFETIME.
ANY QUESTIONS? I WAS GONNA ASK,
[00:45:04]
IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE, UH, WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED THE CONTRACT FOR OF PRO SOURCE INCORPORATED OF VIRGINIA TO SAND, SEAL, REPAINT GAME LINES, REPAINT LETTERING, REPAINT ARTWORK, AND FINISHED THE MAIN GYM FLOOR AT SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL AND WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL.AND I THINK WE WOULD NEED TO ADD A VALUE TO THAT BECAUSE THEY GAVE YOU TWO QUOTES.
SO IF YOU, IF THE BOARD WANTED TO DISCUSS THEM OR PICK ONE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE WATER BASE OR THE OIL BASE? WATER.
WE'D LIKE TO GO WITH THE WATER.
WATER BASED AT, UH, $46,600 FOR EACH SCHOOL.
IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND IT.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.
[5.E. Acceptance of New Scholarships - Ms. Bragg]
NEXT UP THIS EVENING WE HAVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A NEW SCHOLARSHIP OF NEW SCHOLARSHIPS.THE FOLLOWING NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 ARE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
FIRST IS THE BETTY JOAN, BETTY JOE COVER STONE MARQUEE SCHOLARSHIP.
IT'S A ONE-TIME SCHOLARSHIP FOR WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PLANNING TO ENROLL AT A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THE FIELD OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
IT WILL BE FOR A MINIMUM OF $800.
THE BETTY JOE COVER STONE MARQUEE, UH, WAS A LIFELONG EDUCATOR AND GRADUATE OF WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 1968.
UM, THE SECOND SCHOLARSHIP IS, UH, THE BENEFACTORS.
DOCTORS UNA SUB BEATTY AND JUDITH F FREDRICKSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND WILL AWARD TWO $500 SCHOLARSHIPS, ONE AT EACH HIGH SCHOOL TO GRADUATING SENIORS GOING INTO THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THESE BENEFACTORS FOR THEIR KIND CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT OF OUR GRADUATES.
IS THERE A MOTION? I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.
THE, THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE A ONE, LIKE FOR A ONE TIME ONLY ONE YEAR ARE THE OTHER, IS THE OTHER ONE GONNA REOCCUR EVERY YEAR? LIKE, IS THAT THEIR PLAN FOR THAT? THEIR, THEIR PLAN THAT THEY SHARED WITH ME IS THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE EVERY YEAR.
BUT EVERY YEAR WE REACH BACK FOR THE BENEFACTORS TO SEE 'CAUSE THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS AND THINGS LIKE THAT CAN CHANGE.
UM, AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE FIRST ONE, THE BETTY JOE COVER STONE MARQUE SCHOLARSHIP IS FOR A ONE-TIME SCHOLARSHIP.
SO THEY ALWAYS EXTEND THAT BY REACHING OUT AND LIKE SAY, WE'LL CHECK BACK AS WELL.
ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE BETTY JO COVER STONE MARQUES SCHOLARSHIP AND THE DOCTOR GUNNO ABBE AND JUDITH F FREDRICKSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND BE ACCEPTED WITH GRATITUDE? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.
[5.F. School Division Waiver Request and Certification - Dr. Ballenger]
NEXT UP WE HAVE THE SCHOOL DIVISION WAIVER REQUEST AND CERTIFICATION.VIRGINIA CODE 22.1 DASH ONE NINE UH, DASH NINE EIGHT.
UH, THE FOLLOW THE FOREGOING PROVISION OF THE SECTION, NOTWITHSTANDING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE SCHOOL DIVISION PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TEACHING DAYS OR TEACHING HOURS TO COMPENSATE FOR SCHOOL CLOSINGS RESULTING FROM A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY OR SEVERE WEATHER CONDITION OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
IF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DESIRES A WAIVER, IT SHALL SUBMIT A REQUEST TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
THE REQUEST SHALL INCLUDE EVIDENCE OF EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SCHOOL DIVISION TO RESCHEDULE AS MANY DAYS AS POSSIBLE AND CERTIFICATION BY THE DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD THAT EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT FOR MAKING UP LOST TEACHING DAYS OR TEACHING HOURS WAS EXHAUSTED BEFORE REQUESTING A WAIVER OF THIS REQUIREMENT.
IF THE WAIVER IS DENIED, THE SCHOOL DIVISION SHALL MAKE UP THE MISSED INSTRUCTIONAL TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE DID HAVE A STATE OF EMERGENCY BACK IN JANUARY.
UH, I HAVE FILLED OUT AND IS ATTACHED THE REQUIRED DOCUMENT.
THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT THE STATE REQUIRES US TO COMPLETE.
UM, IN ORDER TO REQUEST THE WAIVER, YOU CAN SEE DOWN ON PAGE TWO THAT WE ARE REQUESTING 12 HOURS TO BE WAIVED.
UM, AND HERE'S THE INTERESTING THING WITH THE DIRECTIONS.
EVEN THOUGH WE HAD OUR TWO, UM, WE, WE HAD SOME OF OUR REMOTE DAYS WITH THIS WAIVER, IT SAYS YOU CANNOT COUNT YOUR RE REMOTE DAYS OR ANY OF THOSE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO REQUEST THE 12.
IF WE WERE ABLE TO, TO UTILIZE THE REMOTE DAYS, WE WOULD BE RIGHT AT NINE 90.
UM, THOSE TWO DAYS THAT THE 12 HOURS THERE, UH, WE WOULD BE FINE.
BUT BECAUSE THE DIRECTIONS SAY YOU CANNOT COUNT THOSE, UH,
[00:50:01]
THAT MEANS WE'RE REQUESTING THE 12, 12 HOURS, UH, TO BE WAIVED AND WE WILL HAVE INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS OF 978 HOURS AT EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS.BALLINGER? BY DOING THIS, DOES THIS ALLOW US TO NOT HAVE NOT GO AS FAR? CORRECT.
YES, THAT MEANS WE WOULD END ON WHERE THE CURRENT CALENDAR STATES THE, THE FRIDAY BEFORE, UM, MEMORIAL DAY, THE THURSDAY BEFORE I BELIEVE, OR WEDNESDAY.
IT WAS THE LAST SCHOOL DAY, HALF DAY.
YEAH, I, I'D HAVE TO LOOK AT THE CALENDAR OKAY.
TO SEE WHATEVER OUR, THE LAST, WHATEVER THAT LAST DAY OF OUR CALENDAR IS.
IT'S MAY 22ND ON OUR, ON OUR WEBSITE.
SO THOSE DAYS THAT WERE PURPLE.
NO, WE'RE NOT MAKING THOSE UP.
AND RIGHT NOW I'M BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD.
'CAUSE I, I FEEL WE'RE PAST SOME WEATHER EVENTS, UM, AND I FELT COMFORTABLE GOING AHEAD AND SENDING IT IN TO THE STATE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
UH, SO THAT'S WHY IT'S ON THERE TONIGHT.
ADDITIONAL, IT DOES SAY ON HERE EVIDENCE OF EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SCHOOL DIVISION TO RESCHEDULE AS MANY DAYS AS POSSIBLE.
BUT I'M NOT SEEING THAT IN HERE.
I MEAN, YOU JUST EXPLAINED IT TO US, BUT IS THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT THEY ASK FOR THAT OR NO, THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THEY SENT.
IS THERE A MOTION I MOVE THAT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY JANUARY 25TH SCHOOL DIVISION WAIVER REQUEST AND CERTIFICATION BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED? IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND.
[6.A. Proposal for Installation of Biometric Safes in Secondary Schools]
UP THIS EVENING, WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR INSTALLATION OF BIOMETRIC SAFES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.I THINK WE HAVE SHERIFF KLEIN HERE TO GO OVER THAT WITH US.
I, AND I APOLOGIZE, BUT, UM, I CAN'T SEE MY, MY PAPER HERE AND SEE YOU AT THE SAME TIME WITH MY GLASSES, SO YOU'RE GONNA BE A LITTLE BLURRY FOR RIGHT NOW.
SO I JUST WANNA GIVE YOU A HEADS UP ON THAT.
BUT, UM, ANYWAYS, THANK YOU, UM, SO MUCH CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO COME UP HERE.
UM, THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY INITIATIVE THAT CAME, THAT WAS PROPOSED TO ME BY MY STAFF, UM, PROBABLY ABOUT, I'D SAY FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO.
AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PROPOSAL, UM, ON THIS.
IT'S A REALLY, UM, IT'S A CRITICAL SAFETY INITIATIVE THAT I THINK IS NEEDED.
IT IS BEING PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE, AND IT'S AIMED AT ENHANCING SAFETY RESPONSE, UM, OR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES FOR WHEN A CRITICAL INCIDENT HAPPENS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SO WHAT THIS DOES IS, UM, SORRY, IS IT WOULD PUT A BIOMETRIC SAFE, WHICH YOU WOULD USE AT FINGERPRINT.
WE WOULD, UM, HAVE ALL OF OUR PERMANENT SROS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOLS, HAVE ACCESS TO IT AS WELL AS THE DIVISIONAL CAPTAIN.
AND IT, WE'VE KIND OF WORKED THIS THROUGH A LITTLE BIT IS SO WE WOULD HAVE A RIFLE PLACED IN THE SAFE.
WE WOULD HAVE A BREACHING TOOLS IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY INTO DOORS IF THE, THE BAD ACTOR GOES INTO A DOOR IN A CLASSROOM, LOCKS THEMSELVES IN.
WE'VE SEEN IT BEFORE, AS WELL AS A, A MINI SHIELD.
NOT AS BIG AS WHAT LIKE SWAT WOULD USE AS THEY'RE GOING ON THEIR CALLOUTS, BUT IT'S STILL A, A SAFETY MECHANISM FOR THEM.
SO WE KNOW THAT WHEN AN INCIDENT HAPPENS IN THE SCHOOLS, UM, WE HAVE, WE HAVE AN SRO IN THERE.
IT'S, IT'S ONE PERSON THAT'S RESPONDING TO THIS MAJOR INCIDENT UNTIL BACKUP CAN GET THERE.
I THINK WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN WARREN COUNTY BECAUSE ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED WITHIN TOWN.
SO WE HAVE TWO AGENCIES THAT, THAT ARE GONNA GIVE PRIORITY IN INCOME RUSHING IN.
BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THESE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS DON'T OR SHOULDN'T, UM, LAST FOR HOURS AT A TIME.
IT IS, UM, WITHIN ZERO TO 15 MINUTES AND THEN IT'S, AND THEN IT'S DONE.
SO WE WANNA BE PROACTIVE AND WE WANNA GIVE THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO OUR DEPUTIES TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND BETTER.
UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE WENT OVER THE POSSIBILITY SO EITHER THE SRO RUNS, EXITS THE SCHOOL TO GO TO
[00:55:01]
RUN TO HIS PATROL VEHICLE AND GET HIS RIFLE AND ANY OTHER TOOLS THAT HE NEEDS AND RUNS BACK INTO THE SCHOOL.BY THAT TIME, SCHOOL SHOULD BE IN LOCKDOWN.
SO HE IS FUMBLING FOR THE KEYS TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THAT.
WHAT I THINK IS MORE LIKELY IS THEY WOULD GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE ACTIVE SHOOTER AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.
SO THE EFFICIENCY, ACCURACY, THE RANGE, UM, ALL OF THAT IS INCREASED WITH A RIFLE.
THERE'S STABILITY WITH, YOU KNOW, THE LONG HALLWAYS.
YOU HAVE, UM, 50 TO 75 YARD HALLWAYS, IT'S EASIER TO HIT YOUR TARGET AND NO OTHER MOVING TARGETS OF OUR, OUR LITTLE ONES, UM, AT A GREATER DISTANCE.
UM, SO I THINK GIVEN THAT EQUIPMENT WOULD BE PARAMOUNT TO A ONE DEPUTY AGAINST AN ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT, UM, I THINK THAT'S MORE THAN LIKELY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN UNTIL BACKUP GETS THERE.
UM, WE'VE SEEN IT PLAY OUT BEFORE WHERE THERE'S A PAUSE OR WE WAIT FOR BACKUP TO GET THERE, AND THEN WE'RE NOT DIRECTLY GOING AFTER THE ACTIVE SHOOTER RIGHT AWAY, UM, TO STOP THE THREAT.
UM, WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THAT.
SO CURRENTLY PAIGE AND FREDERICK COUNTY BOTH HAVE THAT THIS INITIATIVE IN PLACE.
SHENANDOAH COUNTY IS WORKING ON GETTING THIS IN PLACE.
UM, I THINK MORE AND MORE AS WE, WE EVOLVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHAT OUR PROACTIVE RESPONSE IS, I THINK MORE AND MORE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND COUNTIES ARE GONNA GO IN THIS DIRECTION.
WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT MOVEMENT.
UM, I SPOKE TO SEVERAL OTHERS, UM, THAT HAVE TRIED IN THE PAST AND THAT ARE BRINGING IT BACK TO THE TABLE.
UM, OR THEY'RE WATCHING KIND OF WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN THE NORTHERN SHADEAH VALLEY.
UM, SO WE HAVE WORKED WITH, UM, I MET WITH DR.
BALLINGER WHEN THIS CAME UP AND HE SUGGESTED THAT WE GET A COMMITTEE TOGETHER BETWEEN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE, UM, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SO THAT WE CAN KIND OF HASH OUT KIND OF WHAT E EACH AGENCY'S CONCERNS ARE AND THEN ADDRESS THOSE.
UM, SO SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT CAME UP WAS HOW WE ARE GONNA DO SECURE STORAGE OR, UM, WHO'S GONNA BE, YOU KNOW, HAVE THESE OFFICES BE ACCESSIBLE BY OR WHO'S GONNA INSTALL THE, THE SAFES AND THIS BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION.
AND I THINK A LOT CAME OUT OF IT AND I THINK WE GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALSO QUESTIONS TOO, AND I THINK THAT'S WHY WE'RE, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE IT SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AND IF THERE'S CONCERNS, LIKE THINK ABOUT IT, UM, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND BE READY FOR THE BEGINNING OF SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.
SO, UM, SOME OF THE THINGS, UM, THE SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE THEIR SCHOOL MAIN INSTITUTE INSTALL THE, THE SAFES IN THEIR SCHOOLS IN THE OFFICES OF THE SROS.
UM, WE WOULD LIKE ASK THAT A SECURITY CAMERA BE REPOSITIONED OR REINSTALLED OUTSIDE THE SRO OFFICES.
UM, WE ARE GONNA START AT THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, WARREN COUNTY, HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND THEN EVENTUALLY IF IT WORKS AND EVERYTHING IS GOING AS IT SHOULD, IF WE NEED TO TWEAK, REEVALUATE AND DO THAT, THEN WE WOULD GO INTO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE COVERED AS WELL.
UM, ABOUT THE SRO OFFICE LOCKING THAT WHENEVER THE SRO IS NOT OCCUPYING THEIR OFFICES.
ALSO, WE WOULD ADD IT TO OUR DAILY INSPECTION SHEET.
SO WE CURRENTLY DO A DAILY INSPECTION SHEET ANYWAYS ON THE ACTIVITIES AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS.
UM, ANYTHING BEING REPORTED, IF WE'RE WRITING REPORTS AND ALL OF THAT, WE WOULD ADD THIS ONTO IT.
SO ENSURE THAT THE, UM, THE BIOMETRICS SAFE IS, IS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, ALL EQUIPMENT IS STILL IN THERE, EVERYTHING IS DONE THAT WOULD BE ADDED TO IT.
I DO HAVE THIS MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO DO FOR THE SCHOOLS.
I HAD, UM, PLANNED ON BUYING BREACHING TOOLS, A DIFFERENT TYPE, UM, FOR THE PATROL DIVISION.
BUT AFTER TALKING ABOUT IT, I, I FEEL THIS IS A, A BETTER NEED.
UM, I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOLS.
OUR SROS ARE DOING GREAT THINGS AND THEY HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE, THE SCHOOL STAFF THERE AND WE REALLY WANNA BE PROACTIVE IN THIS.
UM, IT'S FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, BUT ALSO ALL THE EDUCATORS THAT ARE IN THE BUILDING.
SO, UM, I AM GONNA REALLOCATE IT FOR THE SCHOOLS IF THIS IS APPROVED, UM, IF YOU VOTE TO, TO DO THAT.
UM, ANOTHER THING THAT CAME OUT OF THESE MEETINGS IS IT WAS, AND I KNOW I KEEP ON LOOKING AT YOU 'CAUSE YOU KIND OF SET THIS
[01:00:01]
UP,I THINK WHAT WE WANNA DO IS WE WANT TO LET OUR KIDS KNOW THAT THIS IS A SAFE PLACE TO GO AND THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WATCHING THEIR SRO CARRYING IN, YOU KNOW, A, A RIFLE BAG AND SETTING IT UP IN AND OUT OF THE SCHOOL EVERY DAY.
I, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
UM, JUST THE MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF THE, THE KIDS SEEING THAT, UM, WE'VE ALREADY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, CHANGED OUR UNIFORMS. LIKE TO ME IT'S MORE, YOU KNOW, MIL MILITARY LOOKING.
UM, AND I'M FINE WITH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY DO A LOT IN THE, IN THE SCHOOLS AND DO AFTER HOURS CUR, YOU KNOW, EXTRACURRICULAR THINGS AND STUFF.
BUT WHAT WE CAME UP WITH IS IF IT IS A LOADED WEAPON INSIDE OF A BIOMETRIC SAFE IN A LOCKED OFFICE, THAT THAT IS THE ISSUE.
SO HOW CAN WE GET AROUND THAT? OKAY, LET'S PROVIDE A GO BAG.
WE'LL HAVE OUR LOADED MAGS, WE'LL TAKE THE LOADED MAGS OUT.
THE RIFLE'S NO LONGER LOADED, SO YOU, YOU JUST HAVE A RIFLE IN THE SAFE THAT WOULD BE THERE.
UM, WE DID TALK ABOUT EXTENDED BREAKS, LIKE CHRISTMAS, I THINK.
UM, SCHOOLS ARE OUT FOR LIKE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS.
TAKE THE RIFLES OUT AT THAT TIME, USUALLY DURING THE BREAKS, CHRISTMAS, SPRING, FALL, THEY'RE COVERING FOR PATROL ANYWAYS AND THEY NEED THE RIFLE.
SO, UM, WE TALK, WE TALK THAT OVER.
SO I THINK THERE'S A BALANCE IN WHAT WE CAN DO.
IT'S, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF? LET, LET'S TALK THAT OUT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN, WE CAN DO FOR THAT.
SO, UM, IT IS GONNA TAKE US, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE SCHOOLS TO COME UP WITH NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, HOW WE'RE GONNA DO THIS.
UM, I DO HAVE A, A TIMELINE AND I, IT, IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT CRUNCH TIME.
UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER ALL OF THE ITEMS BY THE END OF MAY AND THEN WE CAN GET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO INSTALL THE SAFES OVER THE SUMMER.
THAT GIVES US TIME TO TRAIN ALL OF OUR DEPUTIES ON THE USE OF, WELL, THEY, WE QUALIFY EVERY YEAR WITH OUR RIFLES.
SO OUR PATROL DEPUTIES DON'T CURRENTLY, UM, GO OUT WITH A SHIELD.
SO IT'S TRAINING WITH THAT, IT'S HAVING THE BREACHING TOOL ON THEM AS WELL.
SO WE'LL BE DOING THAT TRAINING OVER THE, THE SUMMER WHILE THOSE ARE GETTING INSTALLED.
AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS READY TO GO DAY ONE, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
SO THAT'S KIND OF THE TIMELINE THAT I'M THINKING.
UM, SO YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS INITIATIVE, UM, IT IS AN IN INVESTMENT IN THE SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR KIDS AND EDUCATORS IN THERE.
I DO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS.
UM, LIKE I SAID, I, I THINK THERE'S NUMEROUS SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS VIRGINIA THAT IS, IS KIND OF IMPLEMENTING THIS AND WE'RE FOLLOWING OUR POLICIES OFF OF FREDERICK COUNTY.
UH, WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THEM.
WE TRAIN WITH THEM A LOT AND, UM, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.
SO I DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
SO I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S OBVIOUSLY AN UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION FOR SOME PEOPLE.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WORST CASE SCENARIOS, BUT I THINK IT'S A VERY COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO US.
UM, HAVE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT FREDERICK COUNTY AND SEE THEM IN THE, YOU'VE DONE THAT TOO? 'CAUSE YOU SAID THEY WERE THERE AT FREDERICK COUNTY, CORRECT? YES.
WE, WE GO TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND WE TRAIN WITH THEM.
OKAY, SO YOU'VE SEEN 'EM WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE IN THEIR SCHOOLS? YES.
AND HOW THEIR SETUPS ARE, ASK THEM HOW LONG THE BATTERIES LAST.
LIKE WHAT, WHAT IS THE, YOU KNOW, THEIR, THEIR MAINTENANCE AND I MEAN, WE, WE PICK THEIR BRAINS ON THAT.
AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE MODELING IT AFTER THEM.
UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG THEY'VE HAD IT IN PLACE.
I COULD GET THAT INFORMATION, BUT THEY'VE HAD IT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
UM, THEY DO KEEP THEIR, THEIR RIFLES AND LOADED MAG MAGAZINES IN THE SCHOOLS.
BUT IF THAT'S A CONCERN HERE, I MEAN, WE CERTAINLY COULD FIND A SOLUTION FOR THAT.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE KIND OF DIFFERING FROM THEM A LITTLE BIT BASED ON LOCALITY AND THE FEELING OF THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH.
SO THERE'S LITTLE CHANGES, I WOULD SAY.
A SO ARE YOU SAYING YOUR PROPOSAL IS TO HAVE THE RIFLES BE UNLOADED IN THE SAFE, OR THAT'S UNDECIDED YET, OR, YEAH, WHICH WE WOULD LIKE IN A GO BAGG, IT'S JUST LIKE A LITTLE DUFFLE BAG.
UM, SO THEY CAN QUICKLY LOADED BAGS.
BUT IT IS, IT IS NOTHING TO OPEN, WHICH IS JUST YOUR FINGERPRINT AND OPEN IT AND THEN RACK IT IN AND, AND GO.
BUT THAT'S LIKE AN EXTRA SAFETY PRECAUTION IS THE IDEA.
WHICH YOU DON'T WANT ONE IN THE CHAMBER ANYWAYS.
LIKE, I MEAN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO RACK IT ANYWAYS.
[01:05:01]
WE DON'T TRANSPORT 'EM IN OUR CARS THAT WAY EITHER.SO IT WOULD JUST BE RACKING THE MAGAZINE IN AND SHERIFF KLINE, I LIKE THAT IDEA.
UM, 'CAUSE I KNOW THAT WAS, I BROUGHT UP THE, THE CONCERN ABOUT HAVING IT LEFT OVERNIGHT AND OVER THE WEEKEND AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST SHARING MY CONCERNS.
BUT I, I DO LIKE THAT THOUGHT OF, YOU KNOW, HAVING A GO BAGG THAT WAY IT IS UNLOADED IN THERE.
UM, THAT WAY IF SOMEBODY, GOD FORBID SOMEBODY DID BREAK IN OR SOMEBODY DID GET ACCESS OR SOMEBODY DID, YOU KNOW, IT'S, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.
UM, I I I BELIEVE THE TALK WAS THAT MAINTENANCE WOULD BE BOLTING THESE SAFE.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE BOLTED TO THE GROUND.
AND THAT WAS, THAT WAS OUR BIGGEST YES.
BIOMETRIC, WE'RE ONLY, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN PERSONNEL.
UM, EVEN I WON'T HAVE MY FINGERPRINT IN THERE.
UM, AND BEHIND LOCKED DOORS, WE HAVE THE SECURITY CAMERA.
I MEAN, I, I IT'S INSIDE A LOCKED SCHOOL MM-HMM
BUT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS THAT YOU ALL DO SO MANY AFTER HOURS ACTIVITIES MM-HMM
UM, AND SO WE WERE JUST TRYING TO THINK OF THOSE TIMES, UM, AND TRY TO WORK WITH THAT.
SO I, I THINK IT'S A, A GOOD SOLUTION, A COMPROMISE, UM, TO IT.
I DON'T, I DON'T THINK IT'S ANYTHING EXTRA ON OUR DEPUTIES.
AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOUR DEPUTIES AS I GO IN, IT'S LIKE, HEY, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? SO GOOD.
SO I'VE BEEN DOING A LITTLE SIDE RESEARCH, UM, BY MYSELF ON IT.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO US BECAUSE I, I FEEL LIKE SCHOOL SHOOTERS ALWAYS SEE SCHOOLS AS SITTING DUCKS.
I MEAN, YOU CAN VOTE THE, THE, YOU KNOW, GUN FREE SCHOOL ZONE SIGN AND TELLS THEM THERE'S NOBODY THERE.
NOW A SCHOOL SHOOTER HAS TO KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE MET MM-HMM.
SO I THINK JUST THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE THOSE IN PLACE IS A DETERRENT IN AND OF ITSELF.
UM, MY ONLY QUESTION WAS IF YOUR SROS ARE ALL IN FAVOR OF IT.
I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE DIVISION CAPTAIN AND THE SRO SERGEANT.
I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT TALKED TO INDIVIDUAL SROS MINUS TWO.
ACTUALLY, I HAVE TALKED TO TWO AND THEY'RE IN SUPPORT OF IT.
UM, SO I DON'T WANNA SAY THAT ALL OF THEM ARE IN SUPPORT WHEN I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM TO, TO REALLY TO FEEL THAT OUT.
I DO THINK THAT IT FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR, EVEN OUR DEPUTY GOING IN ALONE, YOU KNOW, AGAINST THAT UNKNOWN, AND YOU HAVE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS AND, YOU KNOW, UM, ALL HECK BREAKS LOOSE DURING, DURING SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
AND YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GONNA REACT.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THE TEACHERS ARE GONNA REACT, HOW THE STUDENTS ARE GONNA REACT, UM, ALL OF THAT.
SO JUST HAVING A LONE PERSON THERE, TO ME, I I, IT'S A EXTRA LEVEL OF SECURITY AND SAFETY THAT, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK SRO SHOULD, SHOULD FEEL.
BUT, UM, THAT'S HOW I WOULD FEEL.
UM, BUT NO, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO ALL OF THEM, SO I'M SURE MY, UM, MY CAPTAIN, CAPTAIN MYRTLE HAS, UM, SPOKE TO THEM, BUT I I HAVE NOT, SO I DON'T WANNA SPEAK FOR HIM OR ON AN UNKNOWN.
SO FROM OUR SIDE, POLICY WISE, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING, I GUESS, AT FREDERICK AND PAIGE SCHOOL POLICIES.
WE KIND OF WANTED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION FIRST BEFORE WE DROP INTO TOO MANY THINGS.
UM, YOU KNOW, I DID REACH OUT TO, TO MS. SHOOK EARLY ON, UM, YOU KNOW, AND SHE, SHE TOLD ME THAT PRINCE WILLIAM ACTUALLY HAD THIS AS WELL, AND THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME POLICIES, UH, FROM PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY THAT, UM, CONCERNING THIS WITH SOME GUIDELINES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
BUT, UM, REALLY TRULY, WE HAVEN'T LOOKED TOO MUCH INTO IT.
WE WANTED THE GROUP TO GET TOGETHER.
COSTNER, UH, WENT TO THAT, AND I THINK DR. JOHNSTON, UM, BELIEVE HE WAS PART OF THAT COMMITTEE, UM, ALONG WITH, I KNOW THERE WAS SOME OTHER ADMINISTRATORS THERE, BUT, UM, WE WANTED THEM TO HAVE THAT FIRST CONVERSATION TO, TO KIND OF HASH EVERYTHING OUT TO, TO KIND OF WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE.
THEN AGAIN, WHAT THE SHERIFF, YOU KNOW, FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.
AND, AND THEN, UH, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUED THE CONVERSATION AND THEN WE'RE, WE'RE HAVING THE CONVERSATION WITH THE BOARD TONIGHT.
AND, AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IT SAYS THERE'S NO VOTE HERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S, IF, IF THE DIRECTION IS KIND OF, YEAH, WE, WE LIKE THIS, THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PROCEED.
AND THEN WHAT WE WILL DO IS START WRITING THE POLICY OR GETTING THE POLICIES AND THEN BRINGING THEM, UM, FORWARD FOR ADOPTION.
[01:10:01]
WE'LL JUST MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS.SO THERE'S NO FORMAL REAL APPROVAL OF IT.
THE, THE APPROVAL WILL BE THROUGH POLICY AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT THIS IN THE MOU AS WELL.
SO WE'D HAVE TO UPDATE THE MOU BETWEEN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND, AND, AND THE SCHOOL.
UM, SO WE JUST DIDN'T WANNA PUT A LOT OF EFFORT AND TIME INTO SOMETHING THAT MAYBE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE DIRECTION THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD WANTS TO GO IN.
WELL, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, WHEN IT TAKES US THREE READINGS TO DO SOMETHING AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE BY THE END OF MAY, WE WOULD REALLY, WE SHOULD HAVE A FIRST READING AT OUR APRIL 23RD WORK SESSION.
DO YOU THINK THAT THAT'S, WELL REMEMBER WE CAN DO, WE CAN DO TWO READINGS.
UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, BUT YEAH, WE, SO OUR GOAL WOULD TO, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GET THOSE PRETTY QUICK.
AND WHO WOULD BE BUYING THE SAFES? IS THAT EVERYTHING? EVERYTHING IS, I HAVE IT IN MY BUDGET.
EVERYTHING IS ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
ON FINANCE SIDE, THE, THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD COST THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS THE MAINTENANCE CREW COMING IN AND INSTALLING THEM THE, THE TIME THERE.
AND I AM NOT SURE IN EACH OF THOSE FOUR SCHOOLS WHERE THE, UM, CURRENT SECURITY CAMERAS ARE PLACED.
BUT WE DO ASK THAT THEY ARE EITHER SHIFTED AND MOVED TO THERE, OR WE ADD A CAMERA TO THE CURRENT SECURITY SYSTEM TO JUST HAVE ONE MORE LAYER.
I LIKE, I MEAN, THERE'S MULTIPLE LAYERS THERE.
I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK THROUGH LIKE ANY OTHER, UM, ANGLES.
ONE THING THAT YOU MENTIONED WAS THE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS GREAT, AND I APPRECIATE, UM, BUT JUST THINKING HYPOTHETICALLY, FIVE YEARS DOWN THE LINE, WHAT IF THERE WEREN'T A GREAT, GOOD, GREAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE TWO OFFICES? IS THAT SOMETHING, I MEAN, DID YOU, DID THAT COME UP AT ALL? DID YOU TALK ABOUT IT OR IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR WORRY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IF THAT WERE TO BE THE CASE? I MEAN, WITH ANYTHING, WE REEVALUATE OUR, EVALUATE OUR MOU, UM, FREQUENTLY, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE THERE.
WE DID MAKE SOME TWEAKS, UM, THIS YEAR TO THE MOU, UM, BETWEEN THE TWO ENTITIES.
BUT I THINK EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATED AND THEN EVALUATED AGAIN, AND THEN REEVALUATED.
SO EVEN ANNUALLY TALKING ABOUT IT, UM, IF AT ANY POINT THE SCHOOLS ARE LIKE, NOPE, WE'RE DONE, OR THERE'S, YOU KNOW, I, I DON'T FORESEE IT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
UM, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR THE SCHOOLS, IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN THAT WITH THE, EVERYBODY THAT'S IN IT.
WE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND WE'RE ASKING ONE PERSON TO, TO FIGHT THAT BATTLE.
AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE, YOUR POPULATION OF KIDS IN ADMINISTRATORS IN EACH OF THOSE SCHOOLS IS, IS REALLY BIG.
UM, BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FORESEE THE, THE FUTURE, I, I, I DON'T SEE IT AS AN ISSUE.
IF IT BECOMES AN ISSUE, THEN, I MEAN, WE'D HAVE TO TAKE THE EQUIPMENT OUT, BUT I, I DO THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED EVERY TIME THAT WE EVALUATE OUR MOU WE SIGN.
DO WE HAVE, UM, I DON'T, DO WE HAVE AN SRO AT LIKE BLUE RIDGE TECH? NO.
IS THAT, THAT IS SHARED THE BLUE RIDGE TECH? YEAH, THE SKYLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL, YEAH.
AND, UM, AND THEN I KNOW WE HAVE THE NON-TRADITIONAL BUILDING AS WELL.
SO WE ARE LOW IN, IN STAFFING.
BALLINGER AND I EVALUATED THE POPULATIONS AT EACH OF THE SCHOOLS.
AND I DID NOT PUT ONE AT DIVERSIFIED MINDS THIS YEAR WITH THE, BASED ON THE, THE POPULATION OF THAT.
UM, BUT WE DID HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH, UH, FRONT ROW POLICE DEPARTMENT.
'CAUSE THEY'RE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IF WE GET A CALL FROM ANY ADMINISTRATOR OR ANYBODY THERE, THAT THEY, THEY NEED HELP THERE.
THERE'S A FIGHT THERE, WHATEVER THAT WE CALL DIRECTLY.
OUR DISPATCHERS KNOW ONCE THEY GET THE CALL, THEY'RE CALLING FRPD DIRECTLY.
UM, AT THAT POINT THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE GIVEN PERMISSION OR GET PERMISSION FOR THAT, AND THEY'RE GONNA RESPOND AS WELL.
UM, SO WE PUT THAT ADDED LAYER IN THERE BECAUSE OF THAT.
BUT IF YOU HAVE A POPULATION AT A ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LIKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NOTHING, YOU KNOW, IS GONNA HAPPEN THERE.
BUT WE'VE SEEN THAT IN THE PAST AND WE'VE SEEN THAT ACROSS THE NATION AND, UM, I JUST FEEL LIKE SERVING THE HIGHEST POPULOUS ENTITIES WOULD BE IN OUR BEST INTEREST.
I'D LIKE TO JUST ADD SHERIFF KLE.
AND THANKS FOR SPENDING THE MONEY ON US AND, AND THE CHILDREN OF WARREN COUNTY.
I'M GONNA ASK FOR SOMETHING BACK THOUGH.
I, I REALLY DON'T HAVE PUT THAT IN THE MOU, BUT THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR SHERIFF KLEIN? I HAVE A GOOD STAFF.
I MEAN, THEIR IDEAS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE, UM, WHEN THEY BROUGHT IT TO ME, I WAS LIKE, AH, THIS IS A NO-BRAINER BECAUSE I REALLY, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
UM, I'D RATHER EE EQUIP THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW,
[01:15:01]
WITH EVERYTHING WE CAN IF IT'S FEASIBLE.UM, BUT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE MY EMAIL.
UM, IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING, WE CAN TRY TO WORK THROUGH THEM.
UM, THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
UM, I THINK IT'S WORKED OUT GREAT.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
[6.B. Board Member Requests]
GONNA HAVE BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS.UM, SO AFTER OUR BOARD PRESENTED OUR BUDGET TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS LAST WEEK, THEIR MEETING WENT ON TO HAVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE SCHOOL'S DEBT.
UM, APPARENTLY THERE IS ABOUT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN WHAT THEY'RE CALLING SCHOOL DEBT AND DEBT SERVICE.
UM, I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS OF THAT DEBT THAT IS, IS NOT ACTUALLY MONEY THAT WAS EXPENDED FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS UNFAIR TO ASSESS ALL OF THAT DEBT SERVICE TO US.
UM, OBVIOUSLY THERE, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BOARD CHANGES AND, AND WHATNOT AND, UM, KIND OF TIGHTENING THE, THE REINS CLEANING THINGS UP IN WARREN COUNTY SINCE THE, THE EDA MESS.
AND SO I THOUGHT THAT WHAT A, WHAT BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO START REALLY UNTANGLING THAT, THAT MESS, UM, WITH BOTH BOARDS.
UM, WE BROUGHT THIS UP AT THE END OF THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING.
UM, I ASKED THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTIN CONSIDER HAVING THIS TYPE OF A CONVERSATION AND REALLY LOOK INTO, UH, THE, THE FINANCES AND, AND TRY TO GET AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF SPECIFICALLY WHAT MONEY WAS SPENT ON WHICH PROJECTS.
UM, BECAUSE THE, THE PUBLIC SEES THAT AS, AND, AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND FUTURE BOARDS WILL SEE THAT AS, OH, WELL THE SCHOOLS HAVE, HAVE SADDLED THIS COUNTY WITH A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT, BUT IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT IN FACT ALL OURS.
UM, SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT.
UM, AFTER THAT, I, I DID STAY UNTIL THE END OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING LAST WEEK.
AND, UM, THEY VOTED TO NOT ADVERTISE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A TAX INCREASE.
THEY INSTEAD OPTED TO EQUALIZE THE TAX RATE.
THIS REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF LOWERING THE TAX RATE TO OFFSET THE EXPENSE TO HOMEOWNERS DUE TO THE INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES.
BY LAW, THIS MEANS THE COUNTY CANNOT BRING IN MORE THAN 101% OF THE REVENUE THAT THEY BROUGHT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
A 1% INCREASE IN TOTAL COUNTY REVENUE WILL BRING IN PROBABLY ABOUT $350,000 IN EXTRA FUNDS FOR THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH.
UM, SINCE THAT POINT IN TIME, IT, IT HAS BECOME MY GOAL TO GET THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER THE SCHOOLS IN RECEIVING ANY EXTRA FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE.
UM, WHAT WE CAN ASCERTAIN FROM THIS INFORMATION IS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET AN INCREASED BUDGET OF $4.3 MILLION.
IT IS VERY LIKELY WE COULD GET NO INCREASE AT ALL IF WE DON'T ACT QUICKLY TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION.
UP UNTIL THIS POINT, UM, I'VE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ANY REAL INPUT INTO THE FORMATION OF THE BUDGET.
THAT'S NOT MEANT AS A, AS AN INSULT OR DIG AT ANYONE.
I I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT DR.
FUNK AND MR. MCFADDEN SPENT WITH THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
UM, THIS IS JUST MY WAY OF MAKING MY REQUEST TO YOU GUYS FOR YOUR MEETING COME TUESDAY.
UM, SO AT AT THE POINT THAT IT CAME TO OUR BOARD, IT WAS AN ALL OR NOTHING, ALL OR NOTHING VOTE.
AND I THINK AT THIS POINT, KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW, UM, WE HAVE TO PIVOT AND, AND COME UP WITH A, WITH A NEW STRATEGY AND NOT JUST LET THE, THE BUDGET SIT AS IT IS.
UM, I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT THE LEARNING LOSS IS REAL.
UM, AND I BELIEVE PERSONALLY THAT THE ROOT OF THIS LEARNING LOSS COMES FROM THE STRUGGLES THAT WE'RE HAVING WITH READING.
UM, GOVERNOR YOUNGIN HAD DESCRIBED THE READING AND MATH SCORES AS CATASTROPHIC, AND AS I SPOKE ABOUT THAT NIGHT LAST WEEK WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EXPLAINING TO THEM THAT ONCE THE, ONCE THE READING IS
[01:20:01]
STRUGGLING, THEN WE, WE SEE IN THE LATER GRADES WE'RE LOSING THE LEARNING IN, IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES AND IN THE SCIENCE AND IN EVERYTHING ELSE, IT REALLY STARTS US DOWN A, A, A PATH AND READING IS, IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL FUTURE LEARNING.SO FOR THIS REASON, I AM FOCUSING MY EFFORTS ON REQUESTING THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS FIND SOME WAY TO FUND THE RETENTION OF OUR STUDENT SUPPORT COACHES AND STUDENT SUPPORT INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE BUDGET, WOULD COME AT A COST OF $765,739.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO QUITE A FEW TEACHERS AND, AND THE RESOUNDING VIEW IS THAT THESE EXTRA HANDS ARE NEEDED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE NEW READING CURRICULUM THAT WILL BE STARTING THIS THIS YEAR.
UM, I LOOKED AT PAGE 52 OF THE BUDGET HANDOUT FROM LAST WEEK, AND IT STATED THAT A LEVEL, LEVEL FUNDED BUDGET WOULD STILL ALLOW FOR THE 3% RAISE, INCLUSIVE OF STEP FOR ALL SCALES, AND WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO REINSTATE THE LIST OF HELD POSITIONS FROM FISCAL YEAR 25, WHICH INCLUDES THE MUCH DESIRED AG TEACHER AMONG THE OTHER POSITIONS THAT WERE LISTED ON PAGE 33.
UM, WITH THAT SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY, INFORMALLY REQUEST THAT MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, UM, TAKE THIS STRATEGY AND THIS APPROACH AND ASK AT THE BARE MINIMUM, MINIMUM FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT THEY PLEASE FIND SOME WAY TO WORK OUT A, A, A DEAL, A METHOD OF A, SOMETHING OF MOVING MONEY AROUND TO WHERE WE CAN RETAIN THOSE POSITIONS.
UM, THAT'S JUST MY FEELING THAT THAT OF ALL THE THINGS BEING CUT WOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO RETAIN.
UM, FINALLY THE LAST THING IS LOOKING AT THE BUDGET AND SEEING THAT WE ARE SUSTAINING THESE INCREASES IN HEALTH INSURANCE.
UM, IT RECENTLY CAME, CAME ACROSS MY ATTENTION THAT, UH, MCGRIFF HAD BEEN ACQUIRED BY ANOTHER COMPANY THAT'S OUR INSURANCE AGENT AND THAT, SO WE DON'T HAVE AN INSURANCE AGENT AT THIS POINT.
UM, MAYBE WHAT WE HAVE AND NOT HAVING AN INSURANCE AGENT, MAYBE THAT'S COST SAVINGS, MAYBE THAT'S GREAT, MAYBE IT'S NOT.
UM, BUT I HAD BEEN SPEAKING WITH OTHER COUNTIES AND, AND FOUND OUT THAT, THAT SOMETIMES IF YOU FIND AN AGENT, YOU CAN, THEY'RE SPECIALISTS, THEY CAN WORK BETTER DEALS.
I THINK IT'S, IT'S A CONVERSATION WORTH OUR BOARD HAVING TO LOOK INTO SOME WAY THAT WE COULD TRY AND TACKLE THESE EVER INCREASING HEALTH INSURANCE, UM, RATES.
UM, IN THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAD HAD, OTHER PEOPLE HAD ASSURED ME THAT WE CAN KEEP BENEFITS THAT, THAT LOOK THE SAME, BUT FIND WAYS TO REDUCE THAT, THAT EXPENSE.
SO THAT WOULD JUST BE THE, THE THIRD AND FINAL CONVERSATION THAT I WOULD HOPE THIS BOARD COULD HAVE.
I HAVE NO REQUESTS THIS EVENING.
[7. Approval of Closed Meeting Item(s)]
UP, CAN I HAVE AN APPROVAL ON THE PERSONNEL REPORT AND PERSONNEL REPORT ADDENDUM? I MOVE THAT THE APRIL 2ND, 2025 PERSONNEL REPORT AND PERSONNEL REPORT ADDENDUM BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.IS THERE A SECOND? I SECOND IT.