[00:05:01] IT IS 6:00. WE WILL CALL THE SEPTEMBER 10TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF [00:05:06] EDUCATION TO ORDER. WE BEGIN ALL OF OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE. 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. THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING WAS PUBLISHED TO THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC IN ADVANCE. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY REQUESTS FOR CHANGES. AND IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, WE'LL CONSIDER THE AGENDA APPROVED. WE HAVE ONE SET OF MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 27TH TO APPROVE. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE MINUTES? MOTION BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY MISS TYLER. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 27TH? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL MOVE TO SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS. AND WE HAD NO ONE SIGN UP IN ADVANCE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND NO ONE HAS PRESENTED ME WITH A CARD AT THE MEETING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. THE FIRST OF WHICH, THE BOARD WAS PRESENTED WITH A LIST OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL THAT WAS SCREENED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND APPROVED BY ADMINISTRATION. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS? MOVE MY MOTION BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR THE MOTION CARRIES. THE SECOND INDIVIDUAL ITEM IS THE SECOND READING OF POLICY ESSER VIDEO MONITORING. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE POLICY ON SECOND READING MOTION BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECOND BY MISS TYLER. DISCUSSION. MR. SILAS. YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. JUST SOME DISCUSSION ON ON THIS. SOME THINGS I'D LIKE TO BRING UP THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE BOARD OR SOME OF US ON THE BOARD, MAYBE ALL OF US, CERTAINLY DOCTOR BRADLEY PROBABLY CHAMPIONED. THEY'VE BEEN CLAMORING FOR THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND CAMERAS TO SUPPORT CURRICULUM AND PROVIDE GREATER ACCESS. SO, SO I THINK DEVELOPING A POLICY CENTERED AROUND THAT CERTAINLY MAKES SENSE AND IS A GOOD FIRST STEP. SO YOU KNOW, I THINK AN EFFORT TOWARD THAT IS A GOOD THING. HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, I ONLY READ THE POLICY OR KNEW THAT IT WAS COMING ABOUT WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED BEFORE THE LAST MEETING OR WITH THE LAST MEETING AGENDA. SO I ONLY HAD A COUPLE OF DAYS TO LOOK AT IT, AND I'LL ADMIT TO ONLY THINKING ABOUT ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT THE POLICY COULD BRING ABOUT. YOU KNOW, TO ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN ASKING THE DISTRICT TO DO. BUT SINCE THE MEETING, I'VE BEEN MADE AWARE OF SOME, SOME MAJOR CONCERN ON THE PART OF OUR TEACHERS OR SOME OF THEM WITH REGARD TO CAMERAS BEING IN THEIR CLASSROOM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN OVERLY AGGRESSIVE ADMINISTRATOR TO MAYBE USE THAT FOR SURVEILLANCE PURPOSES, YOU KNOW, UNKNOWING OF THEM. SO I DIDN'T REALLY, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THAT, NOT BEING FROM THE EDUCATION WORLD. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE DISTRICT'S INTENT WITH THE POLICY WOULD BE MY FEELING. BUT AS I READ THROUGH IT A COUPLE OF TIMES, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING IN THERE TO PREVENT IT. IN FACT, THERE ARE SOME WORDS THAT SAY THE CAMERAS MAY BE USED AT ANY TIME. SO YOU KNOW THAT THAT THEN, IS A CONCERN FOR ME. ALSO COST, RIGHT? I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE ASKED TO APPROVE SOMETHING AND GIVE THE GIVE THE DISTRICT DIRECTION TO GO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY WITHOUT KNOWING HOW MUCH IS IT GOING [00:10:04] TO COST AND WHERE THE MONEY'S GOING TO COME FROM TO PUT THESE CAMERAS IN. SO I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IN SUMMARY, REALLY, JUST SO I'M CLEAR, I SUPPORT THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND CAMERAS TO SUPPLEMENT THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, HELP US, PERHAPS WITH DISCIPLINE. EVEN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE DISTRICT POINTED OUT IN THE POLICY IS WHAT IT WOULD BE UTILIZED FOR. BUT IN MY OPINION, IT NEEDS TO BE MASSAGED A LITTLE BIT TO PROVIDE OUR EMPLOYEES WITH ASSURANCE THAT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE USED AS A MEAN OR MEANS OF SURVEILLANCE WITHOUT THAT TEACHER'S KNOWLEDGE. SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AGAIN. SUPPORT THE THE INTENT. BUT AS I READ IT, I THINK AN ADMINISTRATOR COULD BE WELL WITHIN POLICY TO FLICK THE CAMERA ON AT ANY TIME, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE HE FELT LIKE WAS NEEDED. DOCTOR MURPHY, ONE QUESTION I HAD. SO THE WHEN I READ THE POLICY, IT IS PUTTING SOME BOUNDARIES AROUND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WHAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO WITH VIDEO CAMERAS. THIS IS NOT A MANDATE OR A BUDGET ALLOCATION TO BUY CAMERAS. YES, SIR. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. THE POLICY IS, EXCUSE ME, THE POLICY CONCERNS CAMERAS THAT ARE ALREADY IN USE IN SCHOOLS. AND SO WE ONLY HAVE ONE ACTUAL SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT THAT HAS CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOM, AND THAT'S HIGHLAND SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE CAMERAS, AND THERE WAS NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR THE USE OF THOSE CAMERAS. THIS POLICY DOES NOT PORTEND ANY NEW PURCHASING OF CAMERAS. WE'RE NOT PLANNING ON ADDING CAMERAS. WE'RE ONLY PUTTING LEFT AND RIGHT BOUNDARIES ON HOW THE CAMERAS ARE TO BE USED. THESE CAMERAS SHOULD BE USED SOLELY FOR ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS AIMED AT THE TEACHER AND THE BOARD ITSELF. AND SO THE TEACHER ACTUALLY AT HIGHLAND SPRINGS CONTROLS THOSE CAMERAS. THEY THEY DETERMINE WHEN THE CAMERAS ARE BEING UTILIZED. FOR THAT REASON, THE REST OF THE THE POLICY CONCERNS SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE, WHICH IS IN COMMON AREAS. AND SO THOSE CAMERAS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR DECADES AT THE DISTRICT. SO THAT'S WHAT THE REST OF THE LANGUAGE IS. WHEN YOU'RE IN A COMMON AREA, NOT NECESSARILY A RESTROOM OR CLASSROOM, BUT THE HALLWAYS, THE CAFETERIA AREAS THAT YOU ARE BEING SURVEILLED. AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS UNDERSTOOD THE POLICY IN WHICH WE UTILIZE THOSE CAMERAS AS WELL. SO THERE'S NO INTENT TO ADD ANY CAMERAS. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO BUDGET TO ADD ANY CAMERAS AS OF RIGHT NOW. AND SO THAT'S NOT THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING IN. JUST THE SCHOOL THAT ALREADY HAS CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY NEEDED A POLICY AND HOW TO TO EMPLOY THOSE, THOSE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAKES SENSE FOR HIGHLAND SPRINGS. DOES THAT PRINCIPAL HAVE AN OPTION TO WATCH ME TEACH MY CLASS AT THEIR. AT ANY TIME? WELL, BASED ON THIS POLICY, WE'RE SAYING NOT AT ANY TIME. IT'S FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES ONLY. SO. AND THE CAMERA WHEN THE CAMERA IS ACTIVATED IN THAT CLASSROOM, A LIGHT WILL COME ON. SO THERE'S NO WAY TO TO CLANDESTINELY SPY ON YOUR TEACHER FOR THAT PURPOSE OF THAT NATURE. SO TEACHERS, WHAT WE SAID TEACHERS CAN USE IT FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THEY CAN TEACH A SAMPLE LESSON, LET'S SAY, IF THEY WANT TO GO FOR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION, INSTEAD OF HAVING TO SET UP A PORTABLE CAMERA, THEY CAN UTILIZE THEIR CAMERA AND ALSO INCORPORATE WHATEVER ELECTRONIC MEDIA THEY USE. IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BOARD ON THEIR COMPUTER, IT WOULD ALSO BE CAPTURED BY THAT DEVICE AS WELL. SO IT'S IT'S A MUCH BETTER TOOL FOR THEM TO ENHANCE THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. I'M NOT SAYING THAT I DON'T TRUST OUR PRINCIPALS OR ADMINISTRATORS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. HOWEVER, I THINK A POLICY NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN TO GUARD AGAINST, YOU KNOW, THE USE OF OF ANYTHING OR, YOU KNOW, FOR WHAT. NOT WHAT IT'S INTENDED. SO. I'M AFRAID THAT THAT AN ADMINISTRATOR COULD HIDE BEHIND THE THE INTENT OF FOR DEVELOPMENTAL PURPOSES. IF YOU WANTED TO LOOK IN ON ME AND SEE HOW I'M INSTRUCTING MY CLASS, OR IF I'M FOLLOWING MY LESSON PLAN, YOU MIGHT COULD HIDE BEHIND THAT PRETENSE THAT IT'S FOR FOR THOSE PURPOSES. AND I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL, BUT I DON'T WANT IT TO BECOME A MOUNTAIN EITHER. AND THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING, IS I BELIEVE THERE COULD BE SOME CLARITY OR SOME CLARIFICATION WITHIN THE POLICY, AND SHAME ON ME FOR MAYBE NOT THINKING MORE ABOUT IT FOR FIRST READING. BUT. THANK YOU. I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU UNEQUIVOCALLY. I MET WITH MISS PAIGE DAY, THE PRINCIPAL AT HOWARD SPRINGS. WE WENT TO HER COMPUTER. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO SUPERVISE OR TURN ON THE CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOMS AT ALL. [00:15:04] SHE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT. THE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THROUGH AN EMAIL. SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. WHAT SHE DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IS THAT SHOULD THE LANYARD OR THE SECURITY BUTTON THAT'S BEEN PLACED PRESSED ON THE ON THE WALL GO OFF, THAT CAMERA IS ACTIVATED AND IT IS NOT RECORDING. IT IS IT IS LIVE STREAMING. WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM FOR A SECURITY SITUATION. AND THEY'RE ABLE THE THE DESIGNEE, TYPICALLY YOUR BOOKKEEPER OR YOUR SECRETARY IN THE FRONT OFFICE IS ABLE TO MONITOR WHAT'S GOING ON TO THEN TELL ADMINISTRATION OR SRO OR MEDICAL FOLKS, THE NURSES, TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THE CLASSROOMS. BUT SHE CONFIRMED FOR ME WHEN I WENT AND MET WITH HER THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS. IF SHE DOES, SHE CAN'T FIND IT. SO WE WERE BOTH CONFIRMED THE THE THE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS. WE WANT I WANTED TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY CONFUSION. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS AS THE ONLY SCHOOL THAT HAS CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOMS, AND THE TEACHERS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN A TURN ON THE CAMERAS FOR RECORDING PURPOSES. AND B WHEN THEY SAVE THOSE IN THE IN THEIR CLOUD BASED FOLDERS, THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE ACCESS TO IT, UNLESS THEY SHARE IT WITH AN ADMINISTRATOR. SO THEY HAVE FULL DISCRETION OVER ALL OF THAT. UNLESS THEY'RE IN DOING IT WITH WITH THE PRINCIPAL'S INVOLVEMENT, OBVIOUSLY, BUT THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY MANAGE ALL OF THAT. IT'S PASSWORD PROTECTED BY THE EMPLOYEE. I THINK THIS DISCUSSION IS GOOD BECAUSE THERE'S THERE'S BEEN THERE'S BEEN A LOT, AT LEAST TO ME ANYWAY, OF, OF YOU KNOW, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AROUND THIS WHOLE THING. SO AND I GUESS THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION IN PRINCIPAL MEETINGS OR ANYTHING. THE ONES I TALKED TO SEEMED TO BE JUST AS SURPRISED THAT THAT THIS WAS COMING OUT AS ANYBODY. SO THEY WERE UNAWARE OF OF THE INTENT OF THIS POLICY AND SOME OF THE DETAILS YOU JUST GAVE. SO I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE HAVING THE DISCUSSION SO SOME OF THAT CAN BE BROUGHT OUT. I STILL AM A LITTLE BIT STUCK ON THE AT ANY TIME IN THE POLICY. AND I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO COVER THE FACT THAT, THAT WE USE THEM IN HALLWAYS AND OTHER PLACES, BUT BUT AT ANY TIME, TO ME GIVES LEEWAY TO SOMEBODY THAT THAT. BUT I HEAR YOU, IF IT CAN'T BE DONE, IT CAN'T BE DONE. SO IF I'VE GOT SOME ASSURANCE THAT THAT TEACHER IS IN TOTAL CONTROL, THEN THEN I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED OR WANT. OKAY. THANK YOU. DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING? OKAY. THANK YOU. MR.. SILAS. COULD YOU I DID NOT COMMIT THE POLICY TO MEMORY. CAN YOU MAYBE POINT OUT THE SENTENCE OR WHAT SECTION IT'S IN? IS IT UNDER SECURITY USAGE? I THINK IT'S AT THE FRONT PART OF THE POLICY. GIVE ME A SECOND AND I'LL OPEN IT UP. I SEE IT NOW, I THINK. OH, YEAH. IT'S IN SO IT'S THAT FIRST SENTENCE UNDER SECURITY USAGE. YEAH. WELL, THE ONLY SENTENCE IN THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH, THAT'S A SENTENCE YOU WANT ME TO READ THAT? YES, SIR. GO AHEAD. VIDEO AND AUDIO VISUAL CAMERAS MAY BE USED TO MONITOR AND RECORD STUDENTS, STAFF AND OTHER PERSONS AT DISTRICT FACILITIES AND IN AND AROUND DISTRICT BUILDINGS ON A YEAR ROUND BASIS. AT ANY TIME, WHETHER THE SCHOOL IS WHETHER OR NOT THE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS ARE BEING UTILIZED BY THE DISTRICT. AND I KNOW THE CONTEXT OF THAT IS AROUND SECURITY, RIGHT? IT'S AROUND THAT. BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT. THAT IT DOESN'T COVER ANY OTHER TIME DURING INSTRUCTION TIME. DOCTOR HANKS. YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THE SEMANTICS OF IT, BUT FROM A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE ALREADY BEEN INFORMED THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOMS. AND FROM A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK THAT THAT LINE SHOULD STAND AT ANY TIME. WE'RE TELLING ANYBODY WHO'S THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU COULD BE RECORDED. PERIOD. AND IT IS IN THE SECURITY SECTION OF THE POLICY. SO I SUPPOSE THAT'S A VALID POINT. OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE POLICY ON SECOND READING. AND WE HAVE HAD OUR DISCUSSION. [00:20:01] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING POLICY ON SECOND READING. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE SEVERAL. EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE FIVE CONSENT ITEMS THAT WE WILL VOTE ON AS A GROUP, BUT CERTAINLY CAN DISCUSS INDIVIDUALLY. THE FIRST OF WHICH IS THE BOARD WAS PRESENTED WITH A LIST OF EXPULSIONS THAT WE MUST APPROVE. SECOND BOOSTER ENTERPRISE. EXCUSE ME. BOOSTER ENTERPRISES HAS MADE A DONATION MAKING A DONATION TO NEW ELLINGTON MIDDLE STEAM MAGNET SCHOOL OF 2664. FOR THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, ETC.. CONSENT. ITEM NUMBER THREE. LEADERSHIP. AIKEN COUNTY IS MAKING A DONATION TO THE AIKEN COUNTY AND CAREER TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF $5,800, TO BE USED TO PROVIDE SOME SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS TO HELP WITH THOSE FEES, ETC. TAKING CAKE COURSES THIS SCHOOL YEAR. CONSENT ITEM NUMBER FOUR. WE'RE APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOL SAFETY PRIORITY FUNDS, AND IF APPROVED, THIS SHOULD BE USED TO FUND BUILDING AND INSTALLING SECURITY VESTIBULES AT EAST AIKEN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND OAKWOOD WINDSOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE LAST CONSENT ITEM, NUMBER FIVE, IS A CHANGE ORDER FOR THE AIKEN HIGH AUDITORIUM. THERE WAS AN UNUSED ALLOWANCE. I'M NOT GOING TO READ THAT WHOLE NUMBER, BUT OVER $1.3 MILLION IN UNUSED ALLOWANCE COMING BACK OFF THAT PROJECT. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIVE CONSENT ITEMS AS PRESENTED? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION ON THESE FIVE CONSENT ITEMS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONSENT ITEMS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES. WE DO HAVE, A FEW CONSTRUCTION STATUS REPORTS UNDER THE INFORMATION ITEMS, AND I'LL INVITE DOCTOR YARBOROUGH TO COME FORWARD AND PRESENT THOSE. THANK YOU. MR.. BOARD MEMBERS. DOCTOR MURPHY. THANK YOU, MR. NUESSLE, BOARD MEMBERS, AND DOCTOR MURPHY. OKAY. YEAH. THE DOWN ARROW. CAN YOU ADVANCE? CAN YOU ADVANCE THAT? THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. SO FIRST, OF COURSE, STARTING WITH THE NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS COMPLEX. WORKS. THE THE FRONT RETAINING WALL. THAT WILL BE THE BARRIER BETWEEN THE ATHLETIC COMPLEX AND KNOBCONE HAS BEEN STARTED, AND IT'S RATHER SUBSTANTIAL. I WAS JUST BY THERE THIS PAST WEEKEND. THE RETAINING WALL IN THE BACK OF THE COMPLEX HAS BEEN COMPLETED. BUT WE MAY NEED TO TO RAISE IT EVEN FURTHER FOR DRAINAGE PURPOSES. TRUSSES HAVE BEEN STARTED IN BUILDINGS. CAN YOU CAN YOU ADVANCE IT, PLEASE? ONE. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO THAT'S THE CONCESSION STAND THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT. AND WHEN I WAS BY THERE THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE THE METAL TRUSSES WERE ALREADY UP. SO IT'S COMING ALONG NICELY. OF COURSE, THAT CONCESSION STAND WILL WILL SERVE BOTH THE BASEBALL AND THE SOFTBALL FIELDS. CAN YOU ADVANCE THE PLACE? OKAY, SO THIS IS A VIEW FROM ACROSS THE STREET, STANDING WITH THE FOOTBALL STADIUM BEHIND YOUR BACK LOOKING ACROSS THE ROAD. IT'S A TREMENDOUSLY LARGE, COMPLEX AND OF COURSE, THE BUDGET. THE PROJECT IS WITHIN BUDGET AND IT IS ON SCHEDULE. AND MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM, OF COURSE, IS WAGENER-SALLEY HIGH SCHOOL. A LOT GOING ON THERE. KITCHEN EQUIPMENT THEY'RE WELL INTO INSTALLATION OF ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. LUXURY VINYL TILE IS BEING INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL. SO OF COURSE, THIS IS A A GOOD PICTURE. A DRONE SHOT FROM ABOVE OF THE VESTIBULE ENTRANCE AND THE GYM. [00:25:02] COULD YOU ADVANCE? AND, YOU KNOW, JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE SCALE OF SOME OF THE SPACES INSIDE THIS BUILDING, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT SCISSOR LIFT, THERE'S ACTUALLY A PERSON ON TOP OF IT IN AN ORANGE SHIRT, AND HE'S ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF THOSE LETTERS ON THE WALL. I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU GUYS TO GO INTO THAT GYM. THE THE SPACE IS JUST IT'S SOARING. YEAH. OKAY, SO THIS IS ANOTHER VIEW WHICH I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A POINT OF CONCERN AT THE EXISTING HIGH SCHOOL THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ADEQUATE CANOPIES TO KEEP KIDS DRY AS THEY GOT ON AND OFF OF BUSSES, WENT INSIDE THE SCHOOL. AND SO THIS CANOPY COMPLETELY COVERS KIDS AS THEY WOULD GET OFF AND ON BUSSES. IF YOU SAW IT FROM THE OTHER VIEWPOINT, YOU WOULD SEE HOW IT EXTENDS MUCH, MUCH FURTHER THAN WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT NOW. SO THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. OKAY. AND THAT'S ALL. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS. MISS TYLER. THANK YOU, DOCTOR YARBOROUGH. I NOTICED THAT SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION IS LISTED FOR SEPTEMBER 24TH, BUT FINAL COMPLETION IS NOVEMBER 15TH. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. I THOUGHT THE INITIAL COMPLETION WAS THE COMPLETION DATE WAS I THINK AROUND THE LAST OF OCTOBER. WE WERE HOPING THAT THE KIDS WOULD GO BACK IN AFTER FALL BREAK INTO THAT. IS THAT STILL THE PLAN? NO, MA'AM. UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S A DEVICE CALLED A TRANSFER SWITCH, WHICH ALLOWS THE CONTRACTOR TO TRANSFER POWER FROM THE MOBILE POWER THAT THEY PROVIDE TRANSFER OVER TO THE THE POWER, THE ELECTRICAL POWER PROVIDED BY THE UTILITY COMPANY. THERE WAS A VERY LONG DELAY ON THE DELIVERY OF THAT TRANSFER SWITCH OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE CONTRACTOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS COMING FROM A GREAT DISTANCE AWAY. SO I SAY ALL THAT TO SAY THAT THAT PUT THEM BEHIND HIS REVISED COMPLETION DATE, OCCUPANCY DATE FOR US WAS HE MOVED IT ORIGINALLY TO DECEMBER THE 15TH. YOU KNOW, I COMMUNICATED THAT TO DOCTOR MURPHY. WE SAID THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. AND SO WE AUTHORIZED THEM TO HIRE A LARGE NUMBER OF ELECTRICIANS THAT WERE NOT ON SITE. PRIOR TO THAT, THERE ARE ABOUT 25 ELECTRICIANS THERE NOW WORKING NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, OVERTIME TO MOVE UP THAT COMPLETION DATE AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT. SO I DON'T HAVE A NEW OR A REVISED MOVE IN DATE FOR YOU. OTHER THAN THAT, DECEMBER THE 15TH. BUT I ANTICIPATE AND I HOPE THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING THAT WE'VE GREATLY ACCELERATED THAT COMPLETION DATE WITH THE ADDITION OF ALL THE ALL THE ELECTRICIANS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S HOLDING US UP UNTIL THAT TRANSFER SWITCH WAS DELIVERED AND INSTALLED, AND WE TRANSFERRED OVER TO POWER SUPPLIED BY THE UTILITY COMPANY, THERE WAS THE THE ELECTRICIANS WERE BEING HELD UP IN THEIR JOBS. SO I FEEL LIKE THIS WILL REALLY ACCELERATE THE PROCESS. AND I HOPE AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, I'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU A MUCH MORE DEFINITE DATE BASED ON ALL OF THE EXTRA WORK THAT WE HAVE GOING ON NOW WITH THE EXTRA MANPOWER. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. MR. SILAS, AT WHOSE EXPENSE IS THIS EXTRA WORK AND EXTRA MANPOWER TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR SCHEDULE? WELL, WE WE IT WILL FALL BACK ON US, BUT WE HAVE THE CONTINGENCY FUNDS AVAILABLE TO DO THAT, SINCE SINCE THE DELIVERY OF THE TRANSFER SWITCH WAS IN NO WAY RELATED TO ANY DELAYS ON THE CONTRACTOR'S PART. IT SIMPLY WAS SOMETHING THAT HE COULD NOT OR THE THE COMPANY COULD NOT CONTROL. SO THE EXTRA WORK THAT'S REQUIRED IS RELATED TO THE NON-DELIVERY OF THAT SWITCH. YES, SIR. YES, SIR. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT WAS A I GUESS YOU WOULD CALL IT A SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE. IT WAS COMING FROM A GREAT DISTANCE AWAY AND AND WE WERE WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DOCTOR YARBOROUGH? THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU. WE DID HAVE ONE BOARD MEMBER ITEM. MR. BROOME HAD PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO REAPPOINT THREE PEOPLE TO THE AREA FIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL. AND SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION. I MOVE THAT WE REAPPOINT WILLIAM DENNIS, TARA LARK AND LINDA BRADLEY TO ANOTHER TERM [00:30:08] OF THE AREA FIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL. IS THERE A SECOND? I HEARD A I DEFINITELY HEARD MISS TYLER SAY SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPOINTING THOSE THREE TO ANOTHER TERM ON AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THAT BRINGS US TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE. AND DOCTOR MURPHY IS GOING TO DO A PRESENTATION. WELL, GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN NUESSLE. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. AND LOOK AHEAD AT SOME OF THE GOALS THAT WILL GUIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WORK FOR THE COMING YEAR. AS THE SUPERINTENDENT, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE DISTRICT REMAINS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT. THIS YEAR, WE WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK WITH RENEWED ENERGY AND A CLEAR SET OF GOALS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN OUR SCHOOLS AND CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THESE GOALS ARE MORE THAN JUST WORDS ON PAPER. THEY'RE A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW I WILL LEAD, SUPPORT AND GROW AS A DISTRICT. I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY OUTLINE EACH OF THE FIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS YEAR. LET ME SEE IF I CAN TURN IT ON. THERE YOU GO. IN SUMMARY, THIS SLIDE STATES THAT OUR FIRST GOAL CENTERS ON INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP. WE ARE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING, AND THAT BEGINS WITH UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING THE BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES. THIS YEAR, WE WILL STRATEGICALLY IMPLEMENT THE SOAR PROGRAM TO HELP ALL STUDENTS ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND CONDUCT A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF OUR CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING TO EXPLORE WAYS TO FURTHER ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY. I'LL GIVE YOU A MOMENT ON THE SLIDE. FOR GOAL TWO. WE RECOGNIZE THAT EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS ARE BUILT BY GREAT EDUCATORS. AS WE FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT EVERY POSITION IS FILLED BY THE HIGHEST QUALITY PERSONNEL, WE WILL CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, IDENTIFYING AREAS OF EFFECTIVENESS, DUPLICATION, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESOURCE REALLOCATION. THIS WILL ENSURE WE MAXIMIZE OUR TALENT AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE LEADER EFFECTIVENESS AND STUDENT OUTCOMES. GO TO FOR QUALITY PERSONNEL. GOAL THREE THE CULTURE OF ACHIEVEMENT. WE BELIEVE EVERY SCHOOL MUST FOSTER A CULTURE OF ACHIEVEMENT WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SUPPORTED AND CHALLENGED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THIS YEAR, WE WILL CONDUCT A DISTRICT WIDE REVIEW OF THE DISCIPLINE, POLICIES AND SCHOOL CULTURE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH SCHOOL STAFF TO ADDRESS SAFETY, INCLUSIVITY AND OVERALL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CULTURE THAT BENEFITS EVERY CHILD. GO FOR ORGANIZATIONAL, OPERATIONAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. STRONG OPERATIONAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS BY LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIVE PRACTICES. WE WILL ENHANCE CURRICULAR OFFERINGS, ADDRESS STAFFING SHORTAGES, AND STREAMLINE OPERATIONS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES. THIS YEAR, WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. AND FINALLY, COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS. NONE OF OUR GOALS CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT STRONG COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD TRUST BY ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND RESPONSIVENESS IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS, FOSTERING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS, AND PARTNERING WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS CONCERNS AND BUILD A SHARED VISION FOR SUCCESS. ENGAGING WITH STUDENTS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND FAMILIES WILL BE CENTRAL TO STRENGTHENING THE CONFIDENCE AND TRUST THAT UNITES OUR DISTRICT. SO IN CLOSING, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT EACH OF THESE GOALS REFLECTS OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, SUPPORTING OUR EDUCATORS, AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE AND THRIVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU TO ACHIEVE THESE AMBITIOUS OBJECTIVES, [00:35:04] AND ENSURE THAT OUR DISTRICT CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE OF LEARNING, GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY. PENDING YOUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR MURPHY. I LOOK FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC YEAR. WITH THAT, WE HAD NO NO ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING. SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MISS TYLER. DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S SIX IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.