[CALL TO ORDER]
[SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS]
[INDIVIDUAL ITEMS]
[CONSENT ITEMS]
[INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None this meeting]
[INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS]
[OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT]
[00:11:22]
[00:11:50]
ALL RIGHT. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SEPTEMBER 27TH.[00:11:56]
TO ORDER, PLEASE.WE TYPICALLY START OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE.
SO IF YOU WOULD JOIN ME FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND THEN WE WILL STAND AND RECITE THE PLEDGE.
THE AGENDA HAS BEEN CIRCULATED AND I'VE GOTTEN NO FEEDBACK ABOUT SUGGESTED CHANGES.
SO WE'LL APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SUBMITTED MOVED BY MS. SHEALEY? IS THIS SECONDED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON? ANY DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
THAT'S EVERYONE. I HAVE NO REQUEST FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION THIS EVENING. EXCUSE ME.
SO WE'LL GO TO OFFICER BOARD CHAIRMAN.
IT'S THE CALL FOR DELEGATES FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION.
THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY IS DECEMBER THE THIRD ON THE SATURDAY AT 2 P.M..
IT'S IN CHARLESTON AT THE CHARLESTON MARRIOTT.
AND I NEED TO KNOW WHO'S GOING.
ANYBODY GOING? MR. NESTLE'S GOING? ANYBODY ELSE? ON SATURDAY. DR.
HANKS. WE HAVE TO APPORTION OUR VOTE.
SO MY SUGGESTION, IF YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE GOING, WE GIVE EACH 14.
WE ONLY GET EIGHT VOTES, SO IT'S FOUR AND FOUR.
AND SO WE'LL GIVE MR. NESSEL FOUR AND DR.
HANKS FOUR. AND THE BOARD HAS TO PROVE THAT.
SO WOULD SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION TO MR. CRANE? MR. CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE APPORTION FOUR VOTES EACH TO MR. NESSEL AND DR. HANKS FOR THE DELEGATE MEETING IN DECEMBER.
AND DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND PROVING DR.
HANKS AND MR. NESSEL FOR OUR DELEGATES.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL ITEM TONIGHT.
[00:15:01]
YOU'VE BEEN SUBMITTED A LIST OF PERSONNEL THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.IS THERE A MOTION MOVED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON? AND IS THERE A SECOND.
SECOND. SECOND BY MR. SILAS? ANY DISCUSSION HEARING ON ALL IN FAVOR OF PROVING THAT THEY SUBMITTED? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE FIRST IS RATIFICATION OF EXPULSIONS.
HERE'S THE MOTION MOVE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY MR. CRANE. ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. DR. HANKS A DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION TO EXPEL THE LIST OF STUDENTS SUBMITTED.
OH, YOU'RE RIGHT. I'M USED TO DOING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE WE VOTE ON.
CANCEL ALL THAT. WE'LL DO IT IN A FEW MINUTES.
WE HAVE. THANK YOU, MR. SALAS. WE HAVE SOME OUT OF DISTRICT TRANSFERS.
AND WE HAVE TO VOTE TO RELEASE THEM TO DO THAT.
THIS BILL WOULD BE [INAUDIBLE].
DO POWER GRANT AWARD TO MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
AGAIN, THIS IS A DUKE POWER IS GIVING A $2,061 TO MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
THE RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE DUKE POWER IN THE AMOUNT OF 2,061.80 $0.05.
BOTH OF THESE GRANTS FROM DUKE FOR FUTURE FARMERS PROGRAM.
ANY DISCUSSION? ON ANY OF THE FOUR IS THEIR MOTION TO APPROVE ALL FOUR? I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS. IS THERE SECOND? IT'S LIKE DR. HANKS NOW IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION HEARING NONE ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EVERYONE. WE HAVE NO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THIS EVENING.
THIS IS THE NIGHT HE GETS EVALUATED.
I HAVE NO REQUEST FOR INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS.
SO WE MOVE TO THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT.
WE HAVE AN UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THEN A PRESENTATION OF GO.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS THRIVE AS FUTURE READY, GLOBALLY MINDFUL AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS THROUGH A RESPONSIVE, INCLUSIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT'S DISTINGUISHED BY THREE THINGS HIGH QUALITY STUDENTS THAT ARE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, TRANSFORMATIVE STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, AND A CULTURE OF PURPOSE, INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE.
THE VISION THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THOSE THREE THINGS, IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR MISSION AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AIKEN COUNTY WILL BE THE AREA'S LEADER IN PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, PERSONALIZED LEARNING.
[00:20:01]
LAST YEAR I STOOD UP HERE AND I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY WHY.THE REASON THAT I THAT I DO WHAT I DO AND IT'S BEEN THE REASON THAT I DO WHAT I DO FOR THE PAST 37 YEARS, AND THAT IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION MAKES LIFE BETTER.
IT CHANGES THE LIVES OF THEIR FAMILIES.
IT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF A COMMUNITY.
PUBLIC EDUCATION MAKES LIFE BETTER.
AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE AND THAT'S WHAT I FOCUS ON EVERY DAY WHEN I DO MY JOB.
THESE ARE THE GOALS THAT I PROPOSED LAST FALL.
THEY'RE ALIGNED WITH THAT VISION AND THEY'RE ALIGNED WITH THE DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN.
NOW, I CAN'T POSSIBLY STAND UP HERE AND SHARE EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, BUT HOPEFULLY I CAN PAINT A PICTURE THAT SHOWS THE POSITIVE DIRECTION THAT AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS MOVING.
SO THE FIRST GOAL THAT WE HAD WAS TO CONTINUE TO ENHANCE OUR INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY SYSTEM, TO BUILD ON CURRENT CLASSROOM PRACTICES AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REMOTE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY. NOW, DELIBERATE WORK ON OUR CURRENT CURRICULUM, WHICH IS REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED, BEGAN IN 2012.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR TEACHERS TO BE COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT IN ITS DELIVERY.
THIS YEAR WE PROVIDED VERY POPULAR SATURDAY WORKSHOPS TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES FOR ENSURING THAT SOUTH CAROLINA STANDARDS ARE TAUGHT WITH FIDELITY EVERY DAY IN OUR CLASSROOMS. AIKEN INNOVATE PROVIDED REMOTE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS WHO, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IN-PERSON CLASSES.
OUR OWN AIKEN COUNTY TEACHER PROVIDED DIRECT INSTRUCTION REMOTELY FROM OUR SIX POINTS LEARNING CENTER, WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH EACH OTHER IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THESE STUDENTS. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF ADDING TECHNOLOGY THAT WE RECOMMENDED AND THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THAT WILL MAKE LESSON CAPTURE AND RECORDING EASY TO ACCOMPLISH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN EVEN GREATER NUMBER OF STUDENTS.
STAFF MEMBERS ARE RECEIVING TRAINING LOCALLY AND THROUGH STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COURSES TO ENSURE COMPLIMENT, COMFORT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 1 TO 1 DEVICES AND OTHER. TECHNOLOGY LEADER IN ME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN NINE OF OUR SCHOOLS.
IT WAS ALREADY IN IN SEVERAL OF THEM WHO WERE ADDED IT TO SEVERAL OTHERS AND LATER IN MAY BOOSTS SCHOOL AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WITH PROVEN TEACHING METHODS, CLASSROOM TECHNIQUES AND LIFE SKILLS.
THAT EXCEEDS THE STATE GRADUATION RATE BY MORE THAN SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS.
LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE BEEN RIGHT AT 90% OR HIGHER.
SO WE DIPPED JUST A COUPLE OF TENTHS BELOW THAT THIS YEAR.
BUT STILL A VERY HIGH AND STRONG GRADUATION RATE.
AIKEN COUNTY ALSO EXCEEDED STATE PERFORMANCE ON COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS.
OUR CAREER READINESS PERCENTAGE WAS A FULL TEN POINTS AHEAD OF THE STATE.
AND SPEAKING OF CAREER READINESS, WE HAD A 56% INCREASE IN COMPLETERS OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
BUT OUR NUMBERS ARE STILL QUITE GOOD.
IN MOST CASES, WE ARE WELL BELOW THE DESIRED CLASS SIZES IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD EFFORTS INCLUDE OUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH AIKEN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND THE AIKEN COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.RETIRED FOR BABY'S FIRST TEACHER.
DID YOU GET YOUR BOOK? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE MR. CRANE GETS IT. NO.
OKAY. BUT I SAW WHERE THEY WERE AT.
I SAW IT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THAT FOR YOU.
[00:25:02]
SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE LITERACY RATE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE OFFERING READING, DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL BEST PRACTICES IN OUR CLASSROOMS, CENTER BASED CLASSROOMS THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL GROUP AND INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION.ANOTHER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PROJECT WHICH IS ON THE HORIZON IS WAGENER-SALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
THANKS TO VISIONARY USE OF FEDERAL ESSER DOLLARS AND A COMMITMENT OF DISTRICT CAPITAL FUNDS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO REPLACE THAT 1938 FACILITY WITH A STATE OF THE ART HIGH SCHOOL IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE RECENTLY APPROVED MODIFIED CALENDAR GOES INTO EFFECT FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR, BUT WE'LL BE DIPPING OUR TOES IN THE WATER A LITTLE BIT IN A FEW WEEKS WITH A ONE WEEK FALL BREAK. THE GREATEST BENEFIT IS, AS I SPOKE OF A GREAT DEAL LAST YEAR, IS THAT THIS SCHEDULE IS GOING TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION AND ENRICHMENT AT STRATEGIC TIMES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS A HUGE PART OF MAINTAINING A POSITIVE, SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WE WERE AWARDED A HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT LAST YEAR THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO EMPLOY AN EXPERIENCED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONAL AS OUR DIRECTOR OF SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND WE ARE ALSO USING THESE FUNDS FOR SECURITY UPGRADES AND TRAINING.
AND WHILE I'M NOT REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THE SPIKE IN STUDENT EXPULSIONS, IT DOES SEND A MESSAGE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE SAFE AND THAT WE'RE WILLING TO TAKE A STRONG STAND TO ENSURE IT.
IT'S ALSO IMPERATIVE THAT WE PROVIDE SUPPORT AND HEAD OFF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS EARLY.
OUR ELEMENTARY EXCEL PROGRAM, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT LAST YEAR, IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH STRUCTURE, TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO HANDLE THE DEMANDS OF THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT RESORTING TO DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR.
WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT AT ALL GRADE LEVELS.
AND WE WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE THEIR CHOOSING.
WE WANT TO HELP THEM TO DEVELOP BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY.
GROWING OUR OWN IS AT THE HEART OF RETENTION AND SUCCESSION PLANNING IN OUR DISTRICT.
UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF AIKEN LEADS, WE OFFER OUR LEADING CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT STAFF, ASPIRING ADMINISTRATORS EVENT ADVANCED TRAINING FOR ALL SUPERVISORS AND EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS AIM TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE INTEREST AND HELP DEFRAY COSTS OF EARNING ADVANCED DEGREES.
NEW TEACHERS ARE A CRITICAL FOCUS AREA FOR US.
SUPPORT MEETINGS, MENTORS AND SPECIALIZED EVENTS TO HELP OUR NEW AND NEW TO DISTRICT EDUCATORS FEEL AT HOME IN BOTH OUR CLASSROOMS AND IN AIKEN COUNTY. OUR WE CARE INITIATIVE ENSURES THAT ONE EXTRA PERSON TAKES THE TIME EACH MONTH JUST TO CHECK IN WITH OUR NEW EDUCATORS.
OUR HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS OFFER TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO SCHOOL AND DEPARTMENT LEADERS TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE WELLBEING AND SATISFACTION AT WORK.
A ROBUST EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO AID EMPLOYEES IN PERSONAL MATTERS RANGING FROM URGENT CRISES THAT MAY OCCUR TO ROUTINE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING STAY INTERVIEWS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND HELP US TO PUT THINGS IN PLACE TO ENSURE RETENTION.
THE FOURTH GOAL WAS TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
[00:30:01]
FAMILIES OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND ESPECIALLY THEIR CHILDREN, OFTEN CARRY A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN AS PART OF THAT SERVICE.AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS PROUD TO BE KNOWN AS A SUPPORTIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR MILITARY CONNECTED FAMILIES THROUGH OUR PURPLE STAR DISTINCTION AND ACTIVITIES THAT ACKNOWLEDGE, CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT THE MILITARY, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO SERVE.
51 STUDENTS GAINED WORK BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AND APPRENTICESHIPS.
AIKEN LOWER SAVANNAH COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
WE HAD 70 BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY BOOSTS THERE.
IN ADDITION TO THE AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY AT USDA AND OUR EARLY COLLEGE WITH MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL AT AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WE'RE THRILLED WITH OUR NEWEST PARTNERSHIP WITH HIGHER EDUCATION.
AS YOU KNOW, OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION WORKED TO SECURE FUNDING FROM THE MOCK SETTLEMENT TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF OUR NEW CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER WITH ITS LOCATION ON THE AIKEN TECH CAMPUS.
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS THE UNIFYING AGENT OF NEW HORIZONS AND EXTRAORDINARY POSSIBILITIES.
WE WILL BE THE AREA'S LEADER IN PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, PERSONALIZED LEARNING.
WE'LL BE THE LEADER IN ATTRACTING THE HIGHEST QUALITY PROFESSIONALS, AND WE WILL BE THE LEADER IN COLLABORATING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO PROVIDE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THANK YOU. ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS, MR. QUINN? THANK YOU, MR. LAWRENCE. VERY GOOD PRESENTATION.
A LOT OF GOOD. A LOT OF GOOD HIGH POINTS ON ALL FOUR GOALS THAT YOU PRESENTED TO US.
JUST GOING BACK. AND THIS IS BECAUSE I WASN'T QUICK ENOUGH.
THE GRADUATION RATE WAS 89.1 WITH .8.
WE WILL NEED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING.
STUDENT MATTERS. THE STUDENT APPEAL FROM EVERY THREE.
EMPLOYMENT MATTERS ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT.
CONTRACTUAL MATTER CONCERNING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION.
IT WAS THE ONE EDIT ABOUT BREACH OF CONTRACT.
OKAY. I NEED A MOTION FOR THOSE ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MOVED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MR. MOULTON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OF GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[00:35:21]
WELL, YOU JUST DON'T GET A SCOOP.ALL RIGHT. I NEED A MOTION TO GO BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE HEARD STUDENT APPEAL FROM AREA THREE.
IS THERE MOTION? MR. CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE OVERTURN THE DISTRICT RECOMMENDATION AND RETURN THIS STUDENT BACK TO REGULAR CLASS.
SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? SHOULD WE MENTION THAT WE'VE.
HAVING ALREADY BEEN IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION FOR TEN DAYS? YES, SHE'S ACTUALLY SERVED THE SUSPENSION FOR TEN DAYS.
OKAY. WE GOT A MOTION TO SECOND A DISCUSSION IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S EVERYONE.
HAD ANOTHER STUDENT APPEAL FROM EVERYONE.
IT'S AN EMOTION. MR. CHAIR, I MOVE.
WE UPHOLD THE DISTRICT RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING THE STUDENT FROM AREA ONE.
IS THERE A SECOND? WE GOT A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE HAD A RECOMMENDATION FOR A APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION OF MANAGER.
WHAT'S THE CORRECT TITLE? PROCUREMENT. PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR.
SECOND, MR. CRANE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EVERYONE. AND WE ENGAGED IN AN EVALUATION OF SUPERINTENDENT. IS THERE A MOTION? YES. MR. CHAIRMAN, AFTER REVIEWING MR. LAWRENCE'S REPORT ON THE DISTRICT'S PROGRESS AND CONSIDERING THE BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS REGARDING MR. LAWRENCE'S PERFORMANCE, I MOVE THAT WE CONCLUDE AS A BOARD THAT MR. LAWRENCE RECEIVE AN OVERALL VERY GOOD EVALUATION FOR THE 2021 2022 SCHOOL YEAR.
I FURTHER MOVED THAT AS A RESULT OF MR. LAWRENCE'S OVERALL VERY GOOD EVALUATION THAT WE EXTEND HIS CONTRACT BY ONE YEAR THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2025, PROVIDE THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH A $2,000 ALLOWANCE FOR ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO NONPROFIT BOARDS, OF WHICH HE IS A MEMBER AND PROVIDE FIVE ADDITIONAL VACATION DAYS ANNUALLY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
MOVE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY MR. SILAS. ANY DISCUSSION AT ALL? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE STAND ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.