ACPS Regular School Board Meeting - Thursday, February 12, 2026

Test test test. >> How are you? Good. >> How are you guys? This is a joke. Have a seat. >> Hi. How are you? Thank y'all for coming. Come on in. >> Dr. Before we get started, did you have something you'd like to say? >> Yes, sir, I did. Um, and uh, Miss Ligan reminded me, so as many of you may or May not have known, Lee Luther uh, took photos around this community for over 50 years. Uh, and I enjoyed speaking to him at our athletic events. And what a wonderful person he was, but

he passed uh, just a while back and and for someone that took pictures of probably, you know, at least half the county, if not more, uh, we appreciate that. So, just remember him in our, uh, moment of silence, please. That was stand. Moment of silence. Pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All righty. Well, welcome everyone. All right. Let's see. Uh so before we approve our agenda board, I would

like to add uh 2.6 uh special recognition uh to the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I recommend we amend the agenda to include 2.06 for special recognition. >> All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Say nay. All right. Motion passes. We have an a that amended the agenda. Now we need to approve the agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I have uh make a motion we approve the amended agenda. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion

and a second. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. All right. Board, we have an agenda. So, moving on to uh 2.01 student of the month. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Chair, members of the Board, we have several students with us tonight for uh students of the month for January >> and we have um their recognitions and I will call them up if they could come up. So, our first student of the month is from Ammerst County High School, Gavin Cassissi. >> Next, uh from AEC,

Shawn Knuckles. >> And Sean uh had his dress to impress on the other day and uh he's uh dressed well again tonight. >> I have no idea. >> You look great. Congratulations. >> Sean, Congratulations. Stand up there. >> Just stand up right here. You're fine. Yep. All right. Ammerst Middle School. Franklin Fickle. Franklin Manellis Middle School. Lazarus Smith. Amalon Elementary School. Phoenix Lane. Congratulations. Stand by Ammerst Elementary School. Abraham Jr. Cervantes. Anybody? Congratulations. Central Elementary School. Knox kid. >> Elon Elementary School. Kaden Wilson. Turn the mine off. That's important. Madison Heights Elementary School. Emily Adams.

Congratulations. And Temperance Elementary School. Harper Fitzgerald. Congratulations. slide on again so we get >> All right, everybody smile. One, two, three. Thank y'all. >> Good job. >> Certificate. Let me write some things. >> All right, moving on to star staff of the month. >> Ammerst County High School, Terresa Dixs, AEC. Jackie Penn, >> congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Ammeris Middle School. David Haw, Manellison Middle School. Marvin Dodge, I think he had a game tonight. Amalan Elementary School. Caroline Lewis. >> Congratulations. >> Ammerst Elementary School. Reagan Dawson, Central Elementary School. Stephanie Johnson. >> Congratulations. Elon Elementary

School. Katie Sbert. Congratulations. Thank you. Madison Heights Elementary School. Carla Lewis. Thank you. Congratulations. Temperance Elementary School, Britney Murdoch. And from the transportation department, uh, William Anderson. All right. And I'll mention this uh a little bit later, but for the uh SAO office, we uh actually they named themselves, but our uh maintenance crew And uh all the uh mechanics, they named themselves the Amorest Ice Breakers for all the ice that they got up. So they are uh that whole crew is our uh ster student of the month. Uh and we're going to recognize them next

month. Can we just shift a little bit? >> Y'all stay back. >> Perfect. Congratulations Stephanie. All right. Next recognition is Ammerst County High School uh distinguished performance award. The uh Ammeris County High School was recognized by the Virginia Department of Education with a distinguished rating, the highest performance designation awarded under the state school performance and support framework. This honor places Ammerst County High School among a select group of schools statewide that are exceeding expectations in student achievement, growth, readiness, and graduation Outcomes. According to the VDOE, schools earning the distinguished designation exceed expectations for achievement, growth,

readiness, and graduation, serve as statewide models of best practices, and benefit from general state support structures. This designation reflects the extraordinary dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families. Ammerst County High School exemplifies what is possible when school community works together toward excellence. We are Proud of this recognition and even more proud of the daily commitment made as possible. Dr. Crawford, I believe, is here. Congratulations. Thank you guys. Um, you know, this this type of accomplishment is not done uh in a silo. It's it's a community. And when I think about Ammerst County High School

and when I first took this position back in July of 2022, talked about the elementary schools and we talked about The middle schools and the work that they were doing that built those students to who they were when they got to the high school and then the work that our staff and our faculty does every single day that makes Ammerst County High School the place that it is. I'm so blessed to be there. I'm honored to be the principal at Ammerst County High School. I'm so proud of each and every one of our students and

our staff members. Um, this was this came at the Perfect time when this was announced, too, because, you know, it's not always the great things that everybody gets to hear about. Sometimes it's the negative things. And having something like this that our school community can rally around, that our students and our staff and our faculties and our parents and our instructional team and our central office and our schoolboard members and everybody else knows that they had a part in it. That's something special and It's just a testament to who the people at Ammeris County High

School are and the people in Ammeris County Public Schools. I want to give a special shout out to those up here at the central office. I think I've said this to you before, but I don't know how they do it in other divisions, but I don't know how principals do things on their own because I don't ever feel that way. I feel very supported. I feel like we get a lot of support from our central Office. So, they have a huge hand in this as well. Um, but thank you guys. Thank all of you. >>

Can I say one more thing? Sorry. Cuz he's not going to say it when it's his turn to talk. Uh, Wyatt C is is a region champion in wrestling. So, congratulations. >> Andy won in the ultimate tiebreaker. >> All right. Next, we would like to recognize the Ammerst County School Board. So, first of all, uh, thank you To all of you. I know you have some gifts and, uh, some food items and some different cards at your stations. And I know uh sometimes those uh cards mean a lot, but I know there was some excellent

food up there from chef and I think uh Leia uh actually gave you some pie from wood uh from uh Woodford's. Yeah. Um anyways, Wood. Yeah, sorry about that. Um and that's excellent as well. So we'd like to uh thank you for that. And uh during schoolboard appreciation month um Want to extend our sincere thanks to our schoolboard members for their uh dedicated service to the students, staff, families, and greater Ammeris community. Your leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and commitment to the public provide a strong foundation for our schools and the work we do each day. You

give your time generously, often behind the scenes, to ensure our division remains focused on what matters most, the success and well-being of our Students. You carefully give attention to policy, governance, and a long-term planning that helps create safe, supportive learning environments, and strong opportunities for both students and staff. Our progress as a school division is made possible through your partnership, guidance, and willingness to listen to the voices of our community. On behalf of our entire school community, thank you for your service, your dedication, and your Continued support to Ammers County Public Schools. Britney's got a

short video here we're gonna watch. >> Hey school board, you're so awesome. >> Elementary because I get to make friends and have a better education and learn more. Thank you, school board. >> I like about school is how challenging math can be. Thank you. I like school be because I learn. >> I love school because I learn to go to The cafeteria like that. >> Thank you for >> Thank you school board for keeping our school safe and thank you for giving us cool technology to use. is okay. >> Thank you guys for all you

do and thank you so much for keeping our kids at the forefront of all of your decisions. Thank you guys so much. >> Thank you for investing in us. >> Happy schoolboard appreciation month to Our schoolboard members. We understand that you have a difficult job to do and we trust you to make the best decision possible for our students and our staff and we appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you, school board. And >> thank you so much to the school board for everything they do for the faculty and staff and students of Ammeris County. We

really appreciate it. All the hard work you do. >> Thank you, school board. >> School board. >> Something I like about school is the teachers cuz they're so nice. Thank you, school board. >> Thank you, school board. >> Thank you, school board, for all you do for us. Thank you to our school board members for everything you do to support our schools. >> Thanks for showing up for our schools. >> We appreciate your support. >> Thank you, school board. >> Thank you for believing in us. >> Behind each bell, each lesson taught each student dream

carefully. help our steady hands and thoughtful hearts guiding our schools in countless parts. You listen, lead and plan with care, balancing voices, hopes and prayer through long meetings and choices tough. You show our children mattering. Your service shapes tomorrow as Ammeris County Public Schools each day. You Often unseen. Your impact is true. Our schools are stronger because of you. Thank you. >> That was nice. >> That's the best part. >> I like that. >> All right, moving on to uh 2.05, recognition of Black History Month. So, uh recognize and uh celebrate Black History Month in

February. Our schools are doing several things to celebrate this. I'll read just a few of those. So, At one school, uh, daily events, monitoring, uh, afternoon announcements, slideshow on the hallway, a scavenger hunt around, uh, the campus. Uh during the AM announcements, students read about the various African-American uh heroes who have made an impact in our country and then a TV in the lobby disparing displaying various quotes. Uh announcements during the morning related to Black History Month, facts and their impacts, uh student choice board with Various activities, uh sharing information on the contributions made by

all African-Americans to our society, and then office windows facing the hallway and cafeteria will feature displays. So, uh, various schools doing different things, uh, to celebrate, uh, Black History Month. All right. So, next, moving on, uh, Mr. Childish, I'll turn it over to you for 2.6. >> Yep. So, uh, board, I wanted, um, to recognize somebody that's very special To the school system and in particular to the school board itself. Uh, so next week is uh schoolboard clerk uh week and we have uh the most awesomest school board clerk um that uh a school board

could ever ask for. And so Britney, I wanted to personally tell you thank you for your dedication, your service, all the countless hours that you do and especially for having to put up with me as much as you do. It's uh greatly appreciated. And we have a little something for you. >> Trust me, it's the least we can do for all that you have done for us. Oh, you earned it. >> Oh, yeah. >> Need to move that >> away from Valentine's Day when you want to get flowers next time. >> All right. All right.

So, we move on to 3.01 public comment. We do have uh one person uh signed up. Uh Lindsay uh Lindsay, are you here? Okay, you tell we're all here. Thank you. Um just a reminder, so if you're speaking as an individual is three minutes. If you're speaking for a group, it's uh five minutes. So, >> good evening. My name is Lindsay Toiliger and I live at 3140 Buffalo Springs, Turnpike, Monroe, Virginia. Um, good evening, school board, and thank you all for all of your work that you do. I know it's not easy. I I know.

So, I want to take some time tonight to talk about the size of the gym at Amoris Middle School. I have a child on the basketball team and I have had the opportunity to attend all the games the past two years. Every single game I have attended has been standing room only. The the present of number of issues um but safety is a paramount. I have seen several close calls and a number of collisions between the players and the Crowd. The capacity of the space is adequate inadequate to support the crowd size and students. I

have pictures and videos that I will happily share by sending them to you all through email. I hope some of you all could come out and find the time and see for you all yourselves. The bleachers in the Ammerst gym are less than half the size of the bleachers at Menllison. So, come on out. I know we just ended our games. Our last game was against Minnellison last night, But in the future, I invite you guys to come out and see because I wouldn't have known unless I didn't have a child on the team myself.

So, I've learned a whole lot in the last two years. And it's very, very tight in there. I've seen a whole lot and um so come on out and see for yourselves. And that's it. That's all. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Anyone else who didn't sign up would like to step Forward member >> board? >> Yes. >> Good evening. My name is Jeff Porter, 478 Woody's Lake Road. Madison Heights, Virginia. On behalf of myself and on behalf of the people of this county, I want to add our appreciation for each

of you to serve on the school board. You have full lives besides being a part of the school Board. And yet you commit yourself to being here and to doing the best you can. And I appreciate that example of duty. I appreciate the energy that you bring to be able to work together for the betterment of each child in this county. Good for you. Thank you so much for what you do. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Last call. Anyone else? >> All right. Uh we'll move on action items. Uh 4.01. >>

Yep. All right. So, Mr. Chair, members of the board, uh you have in front of you the uh recommendations from the policy committee for JJ AG and LBD. As you recall, we had this for first read in December, and we ask that you uh give that approval tonight. >> All right. So, before we get in that, those that are on the policy committee, uh you guys have any comments you'd like To make about the policy, the provisions? >> Um I just want to express my appreciation um for Dr. Wells and Miss Mcernney and meeting with

the policy committee. I know with the the heat um policy there was some a request regarding cardiomyopathy information and so that was included in a little bit and there was a lot of um collaboration and just helping us understand the process that Amoris goes through in informing um Students and parents of different things their um athletes should consider. So, I just want to say thank you um for that effort. And then the other one was I want was it the home education one? >> Yeah. So again, I just want to express um appreciation for um

the committee looking at some input from our local home educators associations in Virginia and putting together something that was tweaked just a little bit to be a little More um thorough and um making certain that all our parents and students were felt protected. So thank you very much. >> Thank you for the comments. So board, this has gone through the policy committee and is here for us to take action on tonight. So um what's the pleasure of the board? >> I move that we approve the policies as presented. >> Second. >> So I have a

motion and a second. Any Discussion? No discussion. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. All right. Carries. All right. Um, so the consent agenda, uh, board, I did want to make you aware, I did get a message from Dr. Hoden earlier this week, um, yesterday. I forget what day it was now. Uh, we did add one thing to the consent agenda in case you didn't see it in time. Uh, that to approve a travel for one of our Athletes. >> Actually, it was the CTE. CT. Thank you. Right. Yeah. >>

And they wanted to go ahead um because of the time frame get the hotels because they fill up so fast. >> Yep. So I told him that was okay. But in full transparency I wanted to make sure the board was aware of that. So >> make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Passes. Student reps, you're up. >> Is it? >> And by the way, we do want to hear all about the wrestling. So, >> yeah, Dr. Crawford

stole my thunder. I was gonna tell Wyatt and and the wrestling team, they actually have five uh athletes moving on to the state tournament, and I know many of our other Athlete uh sports athlete teams are getting ready for postseason. So, good luck to them as well. And good luck, Wyatt, to your state tournament. >> Thank you. Um good evening, everyone. Just want to say happy schoolboard appreciate appreciation month. >> Oh, is it not home? Sorry. Okay. Um, La Mer and I would like to say thank you to Mon Nelson Middle School for the posters

they made for us. These are very nice. Um, Tonight through Saturday night at 7, the Ammeris Theater, they'll be having a play called the Ammer Saloon. Um, I suggest y'all please go to that because I think it'll be very fun to watch. Miss Emir wrote it herself. Um, they also just had triyouts for Shrek, which will be the first musical that will be in the new new theater as well. For sports, like Mr. Sturden said, we have five guys going to states. That's been the most we've had since 2021. So, that's pretty Exciting for all

of us. Um, some of the guys have bleached their heads and I'll be taking part of that tomorrow as well. So, next time you see have a little different haircut. >> They did that back in the day, too. >> Yeah. Um, senior nights basketball. Um, girls will be having senior night tomorrow and the guys will also have also be having senior night Tuesday night. Lastly, 11th grade is coming up in March, followed by others coming up. So, many kids are busy studying and get ready for those. >> Um, hello everyone. So to highlight February, um

as previously mentioned, our schools um in the district have been highlighting both Black History Month and CTE appreciation month. So we've had those programs and things showcasing um around the schools. Additionally, February is also National School Counseling Month. So we like to Recognize our counselors for the support and guidance they provide students every day. Also, Wyatt mentioned the play and Mrs. Emirates. She was actually named teacher of the year and our students truly appreciate educators like her who make a lasting impact. Um looking ahead, we're excited about the opportunity um our seniors have this year

to participate in an activity called the elementary school walkthrough which we have planned for this May where Our um seniors will just walk through and like the middle school I mean the elementary schools will line up in the hallway the students and clap us on as we walk through. Um, also this month our FCCLA program is selling roses for Valentine's Day and our senior class are handing out cookies and brownie snack bags. And I know we mentioned last month that we hope to visit the middle schools, but unfortunately because of the snow days um limited

our inerson Days that we weren't able to make it, but we're hoping that next month we'll have some updates and feedback from our middle school students to share at the next meeting. Thank you. Awesome. >> Thank you guys. Great reports. >> Mr. Chair, I do have one quick question. Does anybody know who won between Ammerston and Manelson last night? >> Uh, the girls won last night. >> Okay. >> I don't know about the guys. >> Okay. >> Mr. Terrell kind of left me hanging. I'm sure. >> I should have asked her. >> All right, board.

Any other questions for our student reps? >> All right. Uh, 7.1 update on accountability measures. >> All right. And as always, tough to be the followup back to the student reps there, but good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Uh, a first item This evening, I do have a few, uh, is the email that I sent last Friday to the board relative to our school improvement efforts at Central Elementary School. Uh, what we provided last week and is in Borox for you, as well as the multi-year school support plan that VODE requires for any

school identified under CSI, that comprehensive support and improvement, as well as a memo outlining some of those key points. And we spent a lot of time with a lot of documentation Over the last several weeks. Uh as I outlined in the memo, we got some initial information right at the beginning of January. Right around January 14th, we actually received what that documentation would be and how we complete that. Been working uh quite a bit with our team there at Central Elementary School to make sure we got that done in advance of last week's deadline uh

the 6th to be able to get that completed and then initial Submission into the state. They were aware that the board was not meeting until tonight. Nothing is official until you all have reviewed that and given us your consensus to move forward with that multi-year school support plan. Uh but I wanted to give a little time for the board to be able to look at that, look over those key points, uh and be able to certainly ask any questions you all might have of me this evening. I will highlight there's a tremendous amount of Work

that's already been happening at Central Elementary School and this plan represents that work and tries to build upon that momentum that's been built over these last nine months. Dr. Profett, Mr. or Dr. and Garris, excuse me, and their team have been doing all the things they need to do to make sure we're not worrying about this as we're going forward. This plan looks to really lock that in and create sustainability long term. That's the goal. We don't Want to be talking about improvement ever again when it comes to Central Elementary School. So, again, I hope

everybody's had an opportunity to look over what I was sent or what I was able to send. I know it's a lot. Uh, but certainly if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer those for you this evening. Any questions? >> You're getting on pretty easy today. >> I am. Well, I do have one request. So, We do need a consensus of the board. Uh there is a note on there that the board has reviewed it. Uh that you all have given us permission to have that be our multi-year school support plan for

Central. Uh so I would just ask for that this evening if everybody's in agreement. >> Everybody board, you're good. Everybody thumbs up. You have our consensus. >> Well, thank you very much on behalf of Dr. Profett and his team. He thanks Y'all for his or your support. A lot of work still to be done, but very, very happy with what's already being done there at Central for sure. All right. Well, moving right along, bullet number two, our monthly standards report. Again, hopefully everybody's had a chance to look over that. Continuing to see that positive incremental

growth. I really want to call the board's attention. That first box there reading specifically, we are really seeing those Numbers in that final column, the red column, come down. We actually have a 0% in there which was a very exciting moment as we were pulling all that data uh and putting it together. Still have some work to do particularly in math as we're looking at where we would want to be as we're moving forward here into the next couple of months. Uh but all in all continuing to see that positive growth, positive movement with how

students are responding to that instruction week over Week. Uh we are anticipating having at our next meeting this next round of growth assessments that is in progress now. So that'll be our next benchmark check-in and really tell us where we are with instruction up to this point in the year. Give us one of those again big indicators. Where do we think we're going to be at the end of the year? How are our students going to be prepared for those end of year assessments? But again, as always, if there are any Questions, the board be

happy to answer those for you. >> Board, any questions? >> Mr. Chair, I just wanted to make a note, Mr. Neighbors. um just the improvement has been very significant especially in sixth grade and eighth grade in our reading and I just want to say thank you so much for your team's hard work and um thank you >> yeah all all kudos to the teachers the way they've responded to that curriculum Rolling in this year and how the students have responded to that it's amazing to see how well they performed typically that doesn't always happen first

year of curriculum implementation but the secondary level, it's gone as well as we could have expected. So, all kudos to them for the work they put into that. >> So, I know it seems like I've tried to paint you into a corner because I ask this question every time you present This again. >> I I like the trend y >> that we're seeing. Um, do we have anything really that we can compare it to from previous years to really get an idea of are we really moving the needle or is this just a typical process

when we seeing these growth assessments because you're taking the test early and you're you're testing the whole year's knowledge. So, you're seeing the growth That they're getting the knowledge but is is that typical for us for our students and but they're still not doing well on the SOS. So, and I don't want to really focus on the SOS, but unfortunately that's how we're graded as a school system. >> Absolutely. >> And so, I'm trying to get to the point of >> is this really going to be a benchmark for us to be able to see

that we're Making gains and then we're going to see positive results with our so results in the coming year. >> No, absolutely. I understand completely. So, looking at this piece, we're really talking about response to instruction, right? So ultimately day over day, week over week are our students picking up what our teachers are putting out there for them to understand and learn that growth assessment data. So the data set we'll be bringing next month for those Midyear assessments that to me is more of that comparative piece. So looking back to previous years, are we ahead

or behind of where we were at that point of the year with previous classes that came through? I will tell you anecdotally the conversations I continue to have in PLC's and talking to teachers in the hallways the way students are responding to instruction this year looks different. I can say again anecdotally I would not have expected the numbers that We have particularly in science and history in previous years. All of this is aligned. All of this is exactly the content they're going to be taking on those assessments. They are responding very very well to that

instruction. So that to me probably stands out almost as much as the reading data. It's been very positive to see that growth, but the growth assessment data bring in next month. That's really the comparison piece. Are we where we thought we would Be at that point? Are we seeing this instruction lead to that performance on the assessments to tell us, okay, they're going to be ready for those SOS at the end of the year. So, I'm eager to get that. This is telling me that should be good. I'm I'm very eager to get those reports

and get that to you all to talk through. >> All right. So, when you get those, you're going to tell us are going to be much better, right? >> My crystal ball will be working perfectly. Yes, sir. Absolutely. Thank you, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Well, moving right along. I believe an invite has already gone out to the board uh from Central Elementary, but ReadAcross America uh week is coming up here at the beginning of March the 2nd through 6th. Uh we would love to have the board come out and read as you

are available. I will highlight the Invite that you already got and the painstaking efforts that went into making sure that was not core instructional time. Uh so, we've already given a shout out to that individual that sent that invite to you. Uh but ultimately I think you all have participated or been able to participate in this before. It's a wonderful event. Uh if you're able to come out and be a part of that uh we would truly appreciate it. Uh our schools are going To be doing quite a bit that week. Um the birthday of

Dr. Seuss and the first day of that week is always a big uh fun event. We're going to be celebrating some different things. We're going to have some guest readers in in addition to you all. uh some author trivia as well as dress up and theme days, which if you can match up reading on a theme day where everybody's dressed up, that's always a great double whammy there. It's wonderful. Uh but again, looking at Those different pieces, we just want to be able to highlight the importance of lifelong reading. And the more adults we can

have coming in and highlighting that and emphasizing the importance, the better off we'll be. So, if y'all are able to come, we'd love to have you. Those invites should be coming to you shortly. And if there's anything we can do to facilitate that for you, just let us know. Okay? All right. Well, moving right along. I'm Actually going to turn my next bullet over to Dr. Hoden for a moment. >> Sure. Just wanted to update you a little bit on the uh number of days that we've missed. So, we have had uh three uh two-hour

early dismissals. We've actually missed 14 days of school, but the beauty we've been able to use eight days of remote instruction. So, that brings us down to six. If you recall, we changed the uh calendar. So, we will be going to school this Tuesday on the 17th, and that will make us actually be at five. So, if you want a rough figure, uh we have about 20 days left uh before we'd really have to work on it, but we figured making up that uh the day on the 17th was easy and and to try to

get the kids a little more face to face instruction. So, we're still in pretty good shape. Uh hopefully we're done with this uh so we don't have to have the ice breakers out uh anymore. But any comments on that? >> Uh yes, hopefully we are done with this. We've used eight days and no more on the remote side there. Uh we have been checking in. So as a part of even making that recommendation about making up that day, we've been talking to administrators. Uh this week myself and my team have been out talking to teachers,

sitting at PLC's and just checking what's the impact here? What do we feel like we got out of those remote days? I was pleasantly surprised by a Lot of the stories that I was hearing. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to log on to some of those Google Meets, how students are responding, what we were able to accomplish in a non ideal uh situation. So again, kudos to our teachers and all the work they put into making that as meaningful as possible on those days when we couldn't have our students face to face.

But feeling very good about where we are. Have not gotten any feedback that we need to look at Additional days or anybody feels overly rushed or pressed by not having those uh days there that we have with the snow. So feel like we're in a good spot and keep on moving forward. >> And when we had our leadership, uh we just did some reminders of of some other counties did not do the remote days and we reminded students that are our faculty that we are every child every day no matter what that day looks like.

So that was well received. >> All right, I've got quite the list this evening. I don't usually get to do recognitions. I'm excited about that. It's good. U All right. February is National CTE month. I believe I saw Mr. Mr. President, I'll walk in. Hello, sir. How are you? Um, wanted to just give special mention of our CTE teachers across the division. Uh, I know you all are aware, but the impact they make on students every day and the things that they are doing, not just to be there, Not just to be instructors, but the

changes they are making for these students that are going to last a lifetime. It's incredible work that they are doing and we appreciate them and everything they do for our students every single day. Again, special shout out to Mr. President since he's here. Mr. Matics was not able to join us this evening, but we've already uh had some things for them. We're going to continue to as well, but recognizing them and the Work they do, uh we just appreciate all the work they put into our teachers who are then able to pour into our students

and do wonderful things for them. I do believe we have a video for you this evening is for and our marketing students at the high school were able to put together recognition video for CTE month. All All right. So again, thank a CTE teacher this month if you see him, Mr. Maddox, Mr. Presidentell as well. Uh, And just because of all the work that's been done, I also wanted to shout out Dr. Hoden and Mr. Roaches for even further enhancing that experience for our students, all the work being done at the high school. There's a

lot of excitement around those new labs up there. All right, my final one this evening, uh, has already been mentioned, National School Counseling Month, but National School Counseling Week was last week. Uh so we honored them by, you Know, giving them a couple of days at home, a little snow there. It's wonderful. Uh we appreciate our counselors. It is a difficult job, an incredibly rewarding job. We could not operate without those individuals that are in our schools every single day. Uh supporting our students in a way that really no one else can. We appreciate them

very much. Uh we were able to get around at the end of the week last week and deliver some goodies for them. So They made sure they were feeling that love uh from everybody. But a lot of wonderful things at each individual school to honor those folks that work so hard with so many kiddos. So, thank you to our counselors again right along with that CT teacher. Thank a counselor if you see them uh sometime this month. But Mr. Chair, that was all for me. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We also have another video. Not used

to recognitions. There you go. Have breakfast. Heat. Heat. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Awesome. All right. So, we'll move to 8.01 updates from administrative services. >> Yes, sir. So uh some exciting construction updates uh through CTE and we'll move kind of through the uh slideshow and then I'll I'll share some things after as well. So we have moved into the classrooms in the old Auditorium. Uh that's been wonderful and if you notice there the first uh picture on the top left those were the windows that were in the auditorium. So you

know that floor has been leveled and we've actually moved into those classrooms and that's wonderful space in there. So again, remember we have three classrooms and then two offices in that space. So that turned out to be quite a wonderful space in those in those classrooms. So we're thankful to have that space. The Nursing lab uh which some of you have seen uh that space and uh Mr. Rossi came up last week and I showed him uh some of that and it's amazing and I talked to some of the students and they are just so

excited with that space. You can see um those are that's one side of the room with three beds and the other side has three more. That classroom is a wonderful space where you know the the windows and and the teacher can see through there uh for the nursing space. So that this space turned out to be just quite wonderful and from what they had before it's it's really actually amazing cosmetology. We ran into a little snag. We thought we'd be occupied in there by now, but the one thing they had to do was up on

the roof and they needed to do that uh right when we got all the snow and they haven't been able to get up there. So, they're actually supposed to be up there tomorrow. Uh, and then we should be able to get our approval for That room in the next few days, but everything's in there. It's ready to go. Uh, the dryers, the wash stations. Uh, one thing, uh, we're waiting on, we got snagged up on is the manicure station. So, uh, for those of you that have your, uh, coupons, if uh, you want a manicure,

you have to wait just a little bit for that. But other than that, uh, you you can go get your, uh, get your other items done. But that space is actually amazing as well. U, same concept. You'll See on the right hand side as you go around the room the dryers and the washers for their hair. And then the classroom, same concept where the classroom is and the teacher can see out if if they have students in both areas. So very excited uh for that. Another couple pictures of the cosmetology lab um and all the

uh the stations, the hair cutting stations with the mirrors and and everything and and some of the uh the other chairs for The pedicures there. So, excellent space and we're really really hoping that uh um students enjoy that. So, this is the old nursing area. Uh we were lucky in the fact that uh during that week when students weren't there, they demoed that entire space. So, that got gave them a jump start. If you recall, uh that wall is going to be uh removed there and that's going to expand uh the welding space. So, we

were able to jump on that and get that uh done. So that that's one Less thing we have to do uh this summer so they can actually start doing some work in there. So, you know, that's a quick timeline over the summer to get that welding lab done. So, we're really hoping that uh this kind of jump starts that. So, they've they gutted that in a week and and we're ready to to kind of do some things in in that old nursing lab. The a classroom down at the end. Um you'll notice the picture on

the uh left, they started demoing that. So, the Old classroom uh that was a solid wall. So now you can see there's a doorway and two window spaces to kind of carry through with kind of our concept there. Classroom windows so the instructor can be in the classroom and also see in the lab. Um so that is the classroom um looking in on the left and then actually on the picture on the right is a classroom looking out into the lab. This is the floor. We had to do some more uh cutting. The um some

of the uh drainage In there was kind of flat if you will. It didn't have enough pitch. So, we had to cut some more floor than anticipated um and get that in there. And then I believe they're going to repport that next Monday when the students are out. I have to check that tomorrow and see if that's still on schedule. So, everything's been uh put back in there and then we can get that floor done and then they can they can roll on with that. That's that's an amazing space Too. So, uh excited excited to

have that space. So, next steps uh you know finished cosmetology which is pretty quick. Uh can continue the construction in the a lab. Um we have a lot of works been doing uh in the uh welding lab. So we've been working with uh Mr. Presnell and Mr. Maddox and of course Mr. Johnston on the construction of the actual lab spaces. Um and we finally have that kind of nailed down. So u the gentleman is is working on building Those. We've adapted that plan and um we're going to get ready and order uh the rest of

the welders so that we have them, you know, for August. So that's going to be an absolutely amazing space as well. So, we're continuing and and liking to to go in those uh spaces and see the see the students and how much better that that that uh space is. So, questions or comments on that, >> Mr. Chair? So, Dr. Hoden, were we adding uh welding spaces or just making them Bigger? >> Yes, sir. So, both. So, if you recall, so in CT we can house 20 students. Right now, we can only do 15. And so

we will have five additional uh spaces which is the the limit um for for that. So uh we're we're making it better and we're making it bigger. And also if you've been in that welding lab you know there are three bays and it's just it's not conducive for um >> for supervision. Right. So this that'll Be more uh in the open and he'll be able to see you know see all the welders and there's actually a space in there for a handicapped uh student if if we ever had one that that could do that. So,

uh, it's going to be I'm I'm excited for that. It's going to be pretty amazing. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? >> All right. Uh, next, uh, it was under my part. Uh, but the, uh, school resource officer appreciation day is actually This Sunday, and I just wanted to take a minute and, um, thank all those resource officers because they do such an amazing job in our school. And I'm just going to mention them. And so, at the high school, we have uh, Lieutenant Mitchell Harrison and U. Sergeant Lewis Goldman. They're both at

high school. And then of course we have Drax. Uh and then at Ammerst Middle School, Brandon Payne, Ammerst Education Center, Jake Shelton, Manella Middle School, Sam Gford. Central is Mike Arthur. Amalon is SW Martin. Madison Heights Elementary, Robbie Nash, Elon is Brandon And then at Temperance, we have uh Stevie Angus. So just want to say thanks to them. Uh we've got an email that's going to get drafted them. I'm going to remind principles uh that that that is also on Sunday so they can uh possibly do something nice for them. And then on uh March

4th, that's maintenance worker appreciation day. So that is the day Where we're going to officially uh thank the Ammerst Ice uh uh crew and on those guys. So that that includes all of maintenance grounds and also the uh the guys in the uh the shop uh the mechanics. And I do want to remind you that that those guys are still driving the bus about every day. So they're not just mechanics, they're also driving the bus. So our folks are doing a lot of work and they did a lot of work. This this snow was unlike

any other. Uh and We we tackled that and and got on that. So just a a special thanks to all those folks and we're going to again appreciate them on March 4th. Okay. Questions on that? All right. Uh Mr. Chair, members of the board, you have in front of you the student suspension report for January. >> Any questions? >> Okay. All right. Uh 803 uh student service update. You have the uh best labs update in front of you. Of course, Uh January we weren't in much, but uh you still have that update in front of

you. >> So doc uh Dr. Dr. Hen, I'd asked um about the Medicaid uh funding. We had mentioned a while back uh that as part of the best labs, we were going to start that billing process. Could you are you able to give the board an update on that process and where we stand with that? >> So, the person that does that had been Out for death in the family. I don't know if you we did ask her to to work on that and she's only been back a few days. So, >> we did. So

we got initial traction right at there at the beginning of January. So we had some um things that we had put in for quite a while ago. About a year and a half to two years ago we put in for some reimbursements. Finally started to get some of that back at the beginning of January. The ruddy joke for a little Bit is one of them was uh $15 because it was literally one instance of one service being provided just as a test balloon. Uh so we are excited about that. that means we can start moving

forward with some of these other pieces, not just for best lab, but also some of the applied behavioral analysis going on in schools as well. So, we're expecting that to start to pick up. Again, she has been out, so we haven't gotten full information from the state on exactly How that's going to roll, but we've at least gotten some initial positive movement, which it's been a while. >> Okay. So, so it's not going to take a year and a half to get future approvals. >> We are not anticipating that at this point. No, sir. Yeah,

we're expecting things to start moving much quicker now. >> Okay. And we actually have a a person that's designated that that's their responsibility, right, is to do those that Medicaid >> billing process. >> Right. >> And if you recall back on legislators day, we also kind of hammered them on that and asked them to kind of push that. >> Yeah. >> Board. Any other questions on that? The best labs. >> Okay, that's it for me. Finance. >> Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um for you tonight are your January financial statements. Um there's

not much more different to report than last month. Um we did start receiving our lottery funds that do start in January. Our ADM up ADM is up about 35 students. Um sales taxes in line with what's in the budget. Um the significant budget overages that you're seeing on your object code summary report are going to be addressed with the supplemental appropriation that you approved tonight. Um, so that should be Cleared up on the next me um next report. So there's a whole lot of positives going on. Um, again, just keep it on the radar, the

health insurance, and I'm sure we'll go into dive into that more at the budget retreat. Um, but that's really all I have to report tonight. Do you have any questions? >> Any questions? >> Y'all are getting off easy tonight. >> We'll take it. All right, moving on. >> That's me, right? >> Yep. >> Yep. So, Mr. Caler, >> chair, members of the board, good evening. Let's uh let that trend continue of getting off easy tonight. But no, um so the first order of business for HR tonight is the vacancy memo. So, you have that in

front of you. I'm certainly happy to answer any questions you have about that. Um, worthy of note, next month for March, I'll begin adding in the 2026 27 vacancies, uh, for those that, you know, have indicated that they might be moving on. So, you have both the current plus next year's vacancies. You'll be getting that starting in March. >> Questions? >> Uh, so, uh, did you want to give us an update on the job fair that took place? >> That's my next >> That's your next thing. Okay. Yes, it is. Sorry, I don't want to

steal your Thunder. >> No, I appreciate that. Thank you. So, we did hold our education career fair um on February 7th at Ammerst Education Center. I think that uh went off very well. That location, I thought, was was kind of centered to the county and I appreciate that. Um so, we we appreciate all all of that. Um it was well attended. Uh we've had more in the past and some less, but we had quality candidates come out. Uh just to go over The attendance overview, we had 63 individuals actually registered uh to either attend or

perhaps attend Mayies. uh 37 actually did attend which is about 59% attendance rate but we also did have eight walk-ins which we really appreciated that demonstrated that you know we were uh kind of visible in the community and people were hearing what we were doing and they came and joined us without having registered. Um of those individuals who came 25 were Teacher candidates and 12 were support staff candidates. We were really pushing this toward both support staff and professional staff this year. So excuse the frog. Um we had individuals representing maintenance, instructional assistance, custodian, bus

driver, substitute, uh which we appreciated the substitute draw as well. Um in addition to our teachers, um we did have numerous strong candidates. We've had one teacher already accept uh that we hired uh for a Kindergarten position moving up here from from Boone, North Carolina. So we appreciated that. We have one other um pending offer going out in special education and a few others that could be potential pending offers from that. So the quality is always important uh as much as the quantity to these fairs. Um other than that I did want to say thank

you uh Mr. Childress for coming out there. I appreciate your support in that. Uh we are also sending out a Survey. We already have done that to all the participants uh individuals who the principles and otherwise who participated so we can always look at improvement moving forward. So that's kind of a general overview and recap but happy to take any questions or thoughts comments that you have. Any questions, comments? >> Um, Mr. Chair, I have one question. I don't know if it's to you or to Dr. Hoden or to camp. Not certain which are Homebound

instructors who are teachers doing extra. They get a stipend. Where does that get reported? >> Where they they get paid hourly uh for that work? >> I don't know. >> I don't know where as far as where that gets reported. What do you mean by where >> on our report? So, is it going to be under a finance financial report or is it going to be under a superintendent personnel actions? >> It would be in the finance report under the expenditures. It would be in the instructional line. If teachers are doing um the supplemental hourly

work, it just wouldn't show up in the stipen area, >> right? >> Oh, okay. All right. Thank you. >> Because it's hourly. It's not a stipen. They get paid per hour by the hour. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Although M Miss Mer, I would like to Point out to the board and everyone else that I am the Plinko champion. I did get the 10,000 on the first try. >> Well, you won a good prize. I saw that was our PLC book that we, you know, used for implementation. So, yes. >> Excellent. >> And there was

a lot of celebration going on there. So, it was it actually it's good that you mentioned that because it was just a great feel and a great climate. And what I really appreciated About it was not only how everybody received the candidates, but how all of the our our participants, all of our folks just engaged with each other and everybody really seemed like they were enjoying themselves. Whereas, you know, you could see coming in on a Saturday, very very cold morning, uh, and kind of make and drudging around, not not really appreciating having to be

there, but everybody really seemed to appreciate getting to talk with each other and Catch up a little bit, and it was enjoyable. So, >> chair. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, I just want to thank you all for doing it on a Saturday. I have a son who's looking for a job as a teacher who's also teaching and you know, you don't want to be taken off work to actually go look for another job. So, I was bragging about how we did it on Saturday. So, so thank you for thinking of those things. >> Well, and you

know, we are a destination. So, remind >> I know Mr. Presnell's tried, Mr. Maddox tried. I've tried. >> But thank you for that. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr. Gallagher? >> All right. >> Okay, Mr. Chair and board members, I just want to give you a brief summary about the new teacher forums that we held in January. This is an annual um Gathering of information from all our new teachers. Many of them appreciated the fact that I was willing to hold these meetings while I was stuck in the ice storm at home and

school was closed because sometimes having these meetings at the end of a long school days can be challenging. So when I asked them if they were willing to meet virtually, they all jumped on board. So we held them between January 28th and the 29th. Middle school, we had seven attendees. High school, we had nine attendees. In elementary, we had 22 attendees. A total of 32 answered the survey. Part of what we do with the forum is that we send out an anonymous survey to everyone so we can kind of glean where some of their um

concerns are, what are their celebrations and that way it helps us frame the questions that we use during the forum. So we had a 70% participation rate out of our new employees to complete that survey ahead of time. So It really helped lead our questioning as far as things we wanted to dive deeper in and they were very forthcoming with information. Some of the highlights that you see here is that they feel that the division is an exceptional culture, positive culture to be a part of and they appreciate the leadership of support. The students are

above all the biggest bright spot that all of them could pinpoint. They just love interacting with them and seeing the Growth that takes place over time with those students. And then our mentoring program, they said the mentors are always there partnering with them, helping them along the way, um reaching out and being available even if they're not in the same schools, you know, between text messages, virtual meetings, they feel really supported by their mentors. Um one of the highlights they did point out as well is that they appreciate being asked how they feel in Transitioning

into the division. um many had said we have never experienced an opportunity like this where we could actually give voice to how we feel at this point of the year and they named they compared us to other divisions. I won't say their names but I was happy to hear that they appreciated having the chance to talk and give their perspective. Um of course it did bring out some things that we know we need to tweak. One of those would be like Technology and it's mainly with training. They want more hands-on access and training with our

onboarding. Sometimes during that first new teacher work week, it can be overwhelming all the information coming at them. So they felt like can we have more time to sit together as a group to kind of work through some of the online um trainings that they have to do and also get practice with the platform. So we know on our end that's going to be making Sure that they have access sooner rather than later when they are coming into our division so that they already have their loginins, they already have their devices so that we can

really hit the ground running with them during that first week with new teacher orientation. And then the last bullet was about that midyear hire. The midyear hire sometimes does get a challenge because they don't get all the love that that new teacher work week gets back in July and even in August. So the suggestion they gave was kind of like a compact training. What are the most essential things that you would need to give a new hire during the midpoint of the year to really help them feel like a sense of belonging, feeling successful and

knowing who the experts are in the division that they can lean on, giving more clarity to those points. So I think they gave us a lot of good feedback that we can kind of really run with as we start planning for the coming Year and things small wins that we can kind of push for right now. So if you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them. Are there any questions? >> I don't have a question. I'm just blown away by your 70% participation on the survey that that shows you really connected with them

and met them where they could respond. So, thank you so much for that. >> You're welcome. >> And this information was shared with principles. It will be shared again with um APS but we do have um the survey results going being processed through plan forward so that we can kind of disseminate some strategic um next steps to the principles when we get that that back and once we get that back we'll send that to them >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes sir. So the midyear I guess uh hire will the new hires at the beginning of

The year also be eligible to participate in the midyear >> briefing the >> I guess >> is that something you would expand upon for new hires that teacher comes in at the beginning of the year they get the briefing they go through everything halfway through the year they may still have some questions would they also be brought into that midyear >> well I'm sorry >> is that something that you would do >> I think what we need to do is also build a more structured midyear um kind of training for them because as you know

they get a they get a whole week at the beginning of the year or even some of the the support staff they don't get maybe as much of the onboarding. We need to create that but when it's created anybody who had participated in and wish for the review would be more than welcome to participate in that. What we Do now is the individuals that come in midway through the year they don't really have that full training for a week but they get invited to next year's. So they, you know, if you ca, if you came

in in October, um, you will be invited next year to our new teacher orientation for a week and be paid for that, you know, $100 a day, so forth. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. It's almost like you need to um have an individual plan. So like you Hire a teacher in, you know, November, December, whatever, right? That teacher needs to have a certain number of days that someone could work with them. maybe not the full week, uh, but to go through those key things that would be more beneficial because you're really kind of putting them

behind the eightball by making them wait and they're not getting the benefit by waiting and doing it the following year. >> So maybe building that into their their Start time and adding that on the at the beginning of it. So, uh, it's kind of a concept. So, anyway, that's a great thought. I think it's would be hugely beneficial and show that we're actually wanting to support and make sure that they come in engaged and ready to to jump right in. So, >> I'll just wrap up by saying that's why I appreciate the comments and the

feedback because like you just said, those are the things we're thinking about. We want To be responsive. So, these are no good these surveys if we don't respond to it and then create the things that make it better. So, >> Mr. Chair, >> yes ma'am. >> Thanks. So, if I understand correctly, what I was hearing with Mr. Rossi was you were just Dr. Rose was describing a kind of a midyear orientation that might be developed and that if that was developed then that might be available Also to those that want a refresher. >> Yes, >>

that sounds great. Thank you. >> And it's not an it. It will be developed. >> All right. Anything else? Mr. Gallagher, Dr. All right. Well, moving on to uh superintendent matters. >> All right. So, your calendars are quite busy uh for a few things related to the Budget, and I'll just remind you of some of those. First of all, I want to thank uh Miss Lukan. She's been trying to uh put the fertilizer on the money tree and uh get that uh growth to its uh fullest extent there. But uh so, thank her for that.

But the presentation of the budget is scheduled for next Thursday, February 19th at 6. And remember gentlemen, we did move the uh agenda prep meeting to 4:30 that day to accommodate your schedule. So that should be in there. Uh The retreat is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th, and that's from 9 to 3. And we did put the um public hearing in the beginning of that so that the public can speak and then that will give you some uh time as we uh work through that. Um and then as you're aware, the uh community dinner had

to be postponed. We still have not um gotten a date for that, but we'll work on that. Okay. Next, the uh VSBA Southern Region uh is scheduled for March 25th at GW High School in Danville. Uh dinner will be served at 5:30 and the registration uh opens at 4:30. So, uh deadline for that's March 11th. And you do have an email on that. I think I know one board member I believe has already replied to that but just let us know on that if you will attend that. Um scheduled the joint board meeting with the

county uh to discuss uh the budget uh Mr. Childress, Mr. Rossi, Miss Lac, myself uh that will be uh at the County with the county on March 4th. And we tried to do that in the middle so that we did it before the the March 5th and then the uh board of supervisors uh will have their meeting on the u 17th. So um just trying to uh to kind of uh put all those u things together. Questions on any of those dates? >> What what's the n I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. What's the 19th again? >>

Uh next Thursday. >> I mean what >> that's that's the uh budget uh budget retreat. >> Yeah. the presentation >> for the presentation. Right. Yeah. Sorry. >> What time is that? >> Uh six o'clock. >> Next Thursday at 6. Yes, sir. >> And then on the um staying with the budget business, we're presenting. You you y you y you y you y you y you y you y you y you y you Y you all presenting on the 6th. I mean on the uh 19th and what's on the 5th? >> That's our retreat from 9

to 3. >> Got it in >> right. The regular meeting will be that evening. >> I got it somewhere. Just re redoing in my head. >> Yep. >> And then you going to the board of supervisors. Well, y'all are on the Fourth before >> Well, we're doing the joint. That's just the joint board meeting between Yeah. >> before the fifth. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And they requested that to try to get a better idea of our ask and our needs and just to kind of sit down and talk about that. So I think that's a

good that's a good time to sit down in a small group and discuss that. Other questions on that. All right. Uh next we have I want to talk to you about uh board docs a little bit. So um kind of in the uh transition software you know board docs is a uh software platform utilized for the school board meetings and policy manual. Um they've partnered with uh diligent and introduced diligent community. Uh new platform will not only build upon the success of board docs but also offers expanded capabilities and enhanced features to meet the evolving

Needs of the modern schoolboard governance. So some of those features a modern interface and intuitive navigation technology update that allows us to maintain the highest security standards and provide enhanced accessibility features. Convenient and flexible access from any device. Live streaming of meetings that allows a meeting to be broadcast alongside the agenda so the public can follow along at home. Policy adoption can also be Simplified with their policy publisher which enhances efficiency, access to policy timeline and uh adoption and revision dates. So uh these are just a few of the enhancements the new platform will provide.

Uh the migration process will take about eight weeks and Diligent will handle most of the heavy lifting making it seamless uh for us as a division will provide the board with more information as we walk through that. Please note that the cost for this Is a little bit more but there's a lot more involved in this and that will help us and and make it easier. One of those is it'll also be ADA compliant which is something that we need to have. So Miss McNair, do you have anything to add to that? >> Okay, questions

on that board. Any questions? So, I did have a question. I just want us to confirm um you mentioned ADA compliance. Um so, that also means uh so Um I think was April 2027 or May of 2027, we have to be ADA compliant across the board with all of our >> correct >> um internet content. Uh and so as we stream these meetings, this meeting is being streamed and simply using uh YouTube or their their uh auto captioning doesn't really meet ADA compliance. So if we're looking and considering with Diligent and using Their product, let's

make sure that that does meet ADA compliance. that in some of the material >> I did I did read it but I want us to just confirm it and just ask that question. >> Sure. >> So because we don't want to because I think that's there's extra fees for that piece >> and we certainly don't want to commit to that and then find out well it doesn't Actually meet real ADA compliance. >> Yes sir. >> We'll check on that but I know we're working on uh many other platforms and making sure that we're up to

speed on on all that for the for the ADA compliance. All right. That's it for me sir. All righty. So, we are down to 12.1 committee reports. Miss Saunders. >> I know. Make it fast. Um, there's lots of good jobs here. So, good job to Dr. Crawford and all of his teachers and the staff and the students. That was definitely a group effort and it was great. It It shows. It really does. And we appreciate that and all the hard work. Um, snow day. It really wasn't snow, was it? It was ice. and all the

other Yeah, it's still ice. Um, so I know everybody had to work really hard. Every had to pivot and um we appreciate that hard work. >> Um, I want to say thank you for all the Kind notes and all I loved reading the cards. They always brighten my day. But to my other Miss Saunders, um, next time a fork, I would really appreciate that. >> We could have got you one. Sorry. I'm going in there now. meant to take after, not during. >> When we go in close session, I'm heating up my pie. So, um,

Britney, thank you for all that you do because I know that we are all a pill and I appreciate it. So, thank you, >> Mr. Childress. >> Yes. I'd like to uh thank the whole staff with the clean up of the ice. I was doing it at my house and that was a whole lot of fun. Also, uh, Britney, Miss McNary, thank you for everything that you do trying to keep us in straight ahead. So, thank you, >> Justice. >> Thank you, sir. What a month. January and February has given us a genuine winter experience.

Snow, ice, cold, Cold, and more cold. thankful for how the division has provided education and nutritional support during this time to our students and how you took care of our teachers and provided safety for them as well. Um, Central Virginia Governor's School has not met, but for all of you students out there and parents, um, application time is here. Start to make those applications. The central Virginia gov school should it sorry by March acceptance letters should Be out there but you're get you get instruction through University of Lynchber you get college credit you get science

and technology experiences you get the small classroom experience and the access just their microscope is huge and so I just want to encourage you look into this this is something that is right right around the corner from you and it I guarantee you it will transform your educational experience and the trajectory of your college. Um so thank You um CTE month you know one of the what is the complaint we get from kids the most? It's why do I have to be here? How does this prepare me for a job? CTE doesn't get run into

that. It it draws motivated students as young adults getting training that launches them straight into the community job ready. Often times people say schools just aren't what they used to be and they're not making it a compliment. But when it comes to CTE, our division is far ahead And school is not like it was when I was a kid. When I was a kid, I was lucky if there was a photography class, a woodworking class. But here in Ammeris, you've got marketing, welding, nursing, culinary arts. That's not home economics. That's chef stuff. Thank you for

the croissant tonight. It was just unbelievable. We've got forestry services. And the list goes on. If your kid is bored at school, tell them behave, do well, get into one of these Classes because there's no reason for a student in Amoris to be bored at school. Thank you. there. Yeah. >> Yeah. I'd like to uh again congratulate the Amoris County High School distinguished performance. That is that's not something that one person does. That's a that's a group effort from everybody there. So uh uh Wyatt, congratulations. Good luck to you guys as you move forward. >>

Good luck with the hair thing. Looking forward to seeing photos of that. >> That's right. That's right. U and I will be coming to the play on Saturday. I love seeing all the plays. Uh I try to hit uh as many of those as I can. Um Britney, thank you for all that you help us through. Um um and uh it's great seeing the CTE stuff come along. Um just thinking about where we are and knowing how great it is now and how much better it'll be out Once we get all these rooms finished, done,

expanded, moved on. uh looking forward to it all. So, thank you for everything. >> Well, with I'm looking at your flowers, Brit, so thank you for thinking of that. But I think it's been said and and I'll echo it to the top. Thank you for everything. She's extraordinary and always willing to do and help with us. Uh we appreciate that so much. And congratulations to all the recipients Tonight, all the staff and students. happiness when you see people getting uh noticed. It makes them do want to go to school a little bit more, Miss Justice.

You know, you say, "Well, I want to be the student of the month, so I might enjoy myself." So, we're just excited about that. And of course, I enjoy school board month uh for my not for myself, but for my colleagues. I love y'all guys. And and I I love reading these. I I plastered them around my room Actually. And uh when you're having a moment, you can read one of those, you'll feel a whole lot better. especially on snow days. You're in the house for 10 days. You'll read everything you can find. Um, far

as my committee report, uh, Laurel had a board meeting last week. We did it virtually because the weather was a little funny and, uh, things are well there. We have four students at Laurel and I did attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. I think I Said that last time where we have a new modular, uh, building there, which more students can be uh, can have more fun in there. So, Dr. Lewis is continuing to do a good job. We're preparing for a budget uh at our next meeting there. And there will be probably some added features

where all of the um divisions will uh have to chip in a little something extra. We don't know all that yet, but I'll bring that to you as soon as we find out. Then I attended the capital Conference on Monday before last on a snow day. It was going to Richmond, but we uh it was changed to virtual, so it was good a good day of good information. Uh the governor was there. Um the uh secretary of education was there. got to got to listen to what they're thinking about for us going forward. Um, supposedly

the outlook is good moneywise. Somebody said, you know, I was kind of listening, but uh when I say money, the revenue is good for the School system. So, it's it's good to know. I encourage you to read all your updates from VSBA or whoever you want to read them from. Uh, it keeps you up to date uh what Richmond is saying and doing as far as public school education. That concerns me. Some legislation may not be good for us. Some might be good for us. But we need to keep keep our eyes and ears open

for that. I attended my first basketball game because I had been I don't go out when it's cold. So I Went the other night. It was beautiful. And what I really picked up on is I hadn't been in that entrance for a game. I've been in there to tour. I tell you that cuz my children just ate me out of concession money. But uh where that concession is and the beautiful space there and going into the gym is just truly a whole different story. And so you get to talk to people out there, enjoy yourself

before you go in. parking was good. Uh so we just enjoy being back Into that. I've I usually never miss your your career fair. Uh we had a track meet and factor when Miss Tur told me I was like what have they had that yet? But I had a track meet that day. So you know how that is. But uh yeah cuz I like to see who want to come here to work. But I'm just so happy that it was uh it was good. I did uh go to the teacher of the year program. uh

great job and the things that the teachers what the things That were said about all the teachers who were uh I don't know if the word is contestant but up for the grabs on that it's just good stuff to know that teachers people are saying good things about teachers you know so much negativity going on but when you hear someone praising what a teacher is doing I think two or three said they make math easy kids love math now that's saying something right there I need to go um but anyway it was just a wonderful

night So all the things that have happened thus far. Now, this is the second time I usually don't respond to uh comments from the public at this time, but I was responding actually from the last meeting that we want to look into the Ammeris Middle School gym. Um, not just because what was said tonight, but said last time as well, and I talked to somebody about that, that we need to at least see what can be done. I have been there. Uh, and I'll tell you, it's Small, but I have a good time because I'm

yelling and screaming. But being that it's been brought to your attention twice, uh, someone of that, whoever in charge of these sort of things, just look into what we can do. Now, I'm I'm not into architecture. I don't know if you can expand or shrink or what you want to do. Maybe they'll have to play somewhere else. That wouldn't be what you'd want to do because that's the school pride to be there. But maybe They'd have to come to the high school or something until we figure this thing out. Just throwing things out. Don't want

nobody to get upset. I didn't say we was going to move the basketball out of there. Uh but uh I've been there for a um health fair. I go every year for my take my students and even with the health health fair space is is small. So we might want to to look at that. And other than that, we're just going to enjoy oursel. I'm going to try to read Across America this year. Uh if I can wear the little hat. If I can wear the Dr. Seuss hat, I might go. >> Please do. >>

Please do it. Um let's see. as long as we get to put the picture in the yearbook or something. That's right. >> No. And thank y'all. My last thing, thank you for uh all the work you did with the snow and ice. And I didn't even give any thought to nobody going to School. I mean, you can send emails out to the sun go down. I want nobody moving nothing. I couldn't move a car. I must let a bus. So, um I think everything was wisely done and uh we appreciate everything that everybody's doing. Good

luck in the wrestling. Okay. Good. I'm good. >> Mr. Rossy. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Uh yeah, there's been a lot of uh praise going on. It's good to hear. Um This is my favorite night of the year as far as being on the board because that video when everybody gets together and throws throws that video together. It's the highlight of my year. Uh I know it comes with uh the budget though. I wonder if they don't throw that in on purpose. We're right before the budget season starts and I know we've got a

lot of things to to do. Um the high school work that's been going on has been getting a lot of attention and uh it It's great that it's got it. Uh but it's just a small part of our school district. So we got to keep other things in our sites. CTE. I don't know how some of these students are going to leave a classroom like that and going to a doctor's office or hair salon after being in a in a place that's going to be so amazing. It's going to be like a downgrade. I I

hate to say it cuz that stuff is state-of-the-art. I've been in There and it is impressive. I can't wait to use some of these coupons. Might get my nails done. I don't know. But, uh, it it's pretty impressive. If you get a chance to go in there, definitely check it out. Um, yeah, there's a lot of stuff going on, a lot of good stuff going on. I know the snow put a little wrench in a few things. Um, hopefully everybody uh, made it through. Okay. And maybe took a little time to be kind to your

neighbor. Check in on your neighbor. And, you Know, just because the snow's gone doesn't mean you can't talk to your neighbor. Be kind to one another. You know, it's it's a journey we're on and we're going to get through it, but it's more fun getting through it together than by ourselves. And uh why are you getting out to to wrestle again? I'm so excited for you. Are you going to do like the spikes, the mohawk? What are we doing? >> Just like full bleach, I think. >> Full bleach. All right. Looking forward to it. Good

luck out there. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Joseph. >> All righty. Well, I just I want to say ditto to everything that they've said. Um, and but I do want to say congratulations to our high school and everyone who was involved in that. I mean, all the way down as as they said earlier, you know, our elementary uh teachers have began that process to Prepare that so many years ago all the way up through, you know, middle, high school, all of our teachers, administration, and it's not an easy task. And uh so very proud uh

of the team and and our students, right? We can't forget them uh because they're the one they're the ones who got us here, right? So kudos uh to them. Um I do want to say a huge thank you to the icebreers. Uh if you had any hand uh in doing any type of cleanup uh With this snow uh you you know very quickly this wasn't a typical snowstorm, ice storm, whatever you want to call it. Um just as an example, my driveway normally takes me about 45 minutes to clean it. With a typical snow, it

took me over three hours to clean it. So, think about what what you know, our maintenance and um transportation workers had to go through to clean all the sidewalks, all the steps, all the parking lots, everything, and just a a Huge task. And so, kudos to them for for sticking with it and getting that done so that we could open school uh as quickly as we could. So, that's uh awesome. I do want to say uh Britney, so welld deserved. And again, I I can't say that enough. you do so much for the school system,

for the school board and and all of your your capacity and I'm appreciative of you and um I hope you're here with us for a long time to come. So um I did get to attend the uh teacher of The year award. Uh so again that was a great opportunity to hear um such wonderful things about all the nominees and and those who uh won. Um, it's just a great opportunity to just sit and listen listen to the people. I'm a listener. Like when I get there and um I listen at the other tables around

me and and hear what they're talking about. And I mean it's it was just a great event uh to be a part of uh and to hear all the great things that are being said. Uh and Again, I did attend the the the event this uh Saturday, the job fair. Uh kudos to to you guys, Mr. Gallagher for all those Dr. Rose all those who had a part in getting that set up and implemented. Um you I've attended those and other school divisions uh you know to help set up and prepare and all that stuff

and and actually doing some interviewing and and you guys had a did a great job had a great setup. Um and so and I'm also appreciative that I I won at Plinko. Uh But uh so thank you for for that. That's not an easy task. So all right having said that that takes us to 14.01. Uh do we have anyone who would like to address the board at this time? >> Mr. Porter. I'm Jeff Porter 478. I was going to say we know who you are. Okay. >> Um we've had a lot of uh important

recognitions this evening and I'm glad To see it. uh it is important for that to be in front of us and in front of the community. But we also have a larger picture. 2026 is the 250th anniversary of a of a great experiment. And I would hope that our public schools really highlight the uniqueness of this 250 years experiment that we've been through. We've had this is um a celebration of Lincoln's birthday today and next Monday is President's Day. Part of the bigger picture is that we are Americans and we need to be proud of

the country that we are a a part of. Uh I was recently down in Cardahana and in uh Cologne, Panama and to hear the people there talk about how proud they are of the people who have represented their country And I was thinking about how proud we are to be able to be a part of an experiment that's lasted 250 years through a lot of challenges. But that's the greatness of our country is that we have a form of government and a way of doing things that can handle that. You as a school board, I

believe, need to keep that big picture in front of our students as well. And I would encourage you to find ways to do that. If there Are ways that I can help you to do that, I will do that. But there is a big picture and our country is a wonderful country and we need to keep that highlighted of 250 years. Thank you very much. >> Thank you Mr. Porter. >> Anyone else wishing to address the board at this time? All right. If not, um we'll move to 15.01 101 board >> motion to go into

close. >> We have a motion for statement to read this. >> Oh yeah, go ahead. Yeah, go ahead. Sorry. >> Pursuant to section 2.2-3711A1 of the code of Virginia, it is recommended the board convene a closed meeting for the following A1 personnel matters. >> We have a motion to go close. We have a second. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? Nay. >> All right, we're in close session.