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ALL RIGHT. IT IS 6:00, AND WE'LL CALL THE OCTOBER 22ND REGULAR
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MEETING OF THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ORDER. WE BEGIN ALL OF OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
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. THIS AGENDA WAS PUBLISHED TO THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC IN ADVANCE, AND I'VE NOT HEARD ANY REQUESTS FOR CHANGES.
AND IF THERE ARE NOT ANY, I WILL CONSIDER THE AGENDA APPROVED WITH NO OBJECTIONS. WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO APPROVE THIS EVENING.
ONE IS THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24TH OF THIS YEAR, AND THE SECOND IS THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 8TH THIS YEAR.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE TWO SETS OF MINUTES? MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY MR. SILAS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE SEPTEMBER 24TH AND OCTOBER 8TH MEETING? MINUTES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. OH THAT'S FOUR.
THAT'S FOUR IN FAVOR. ANYONE IN ABSTENTION? THAT'S ONE ABSTENTION.
MOTION CARRIES FOUR IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTENTION.
ALL RIGHT. WHICH BRINGS US TO SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS AND FIRST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
WE HAD MR. MATTHEW QUATTLEBAUM.
WE'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT DRESS CODE.
MR.. QUATTLEBAUM. YEAH. PLEASE GO UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES, SIR. OKAY. HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, SIR. MY NAME IS MATTHEW QUATTLEBAUM, AND I'M A CUSTODIAN AT MILLBROOK ELEMENTARY.
I'M HERE TODAY TO BRING UP A CONCERN I HAVE WITH RESPECT TO THE DRESS CODE AT MILLBROOK.
I'VE NOTICED LITTLE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE, AND I'M HERE TO PETITION YOU ALL FOR A BETTER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. AS THE SHAPING OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IS OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE.
I'VE REVIEWED THE COUNTY DRESS CODE NUMEROUS TIMES AND COMPARED IT TO WHAT THE CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR FROM NEGLECT.
THERE ARE STARK CONTRASTS FROM WHAT THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WEAR, MODEST FASHIONS, AND WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR.
I BROUGHT UP THIS ISSUE TO MY PRINCIPAL, BUT SHE DID NOT FEEL IT WAS A PRESSING CONCERN. I THEN REACHED OUT TO DOCTOR MURPHY WITH A BRIEF EMAIL ON THE DRESS CODE AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT BEING FOLLOWED, BUT DID NOT HEAR BACK DIRECTLY FROM HIM.
INSTEAD, I GOT A VISIT FROM A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR NAMED MR. YARBOROUGH, WHO BRIEFLY SAT ME DOWN TO TELL ME THAT I DID NOT FOLLOW THE CHAIN OF COMMAND IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
THERE WAS NO REAL EXCUSE ME, THERE WAS NO REAL ADDRESSING OF THE ISSUE.
I BROUGHT UP. INSTEAD A SEEMING CHASTISEMENT FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE PROTOCOL.
HE THEN SAID THAT HE FELT IT WAS THE MILLBROOK ADMINISTRATOR'S JOB OR ADMINISTRATION'S JOB TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
HOWEVER, THIS IS THE VERY REASON I SPOKE WITH MY PRINCIPAL AND WROTE TO DOCTOR MURPHY IN THE FIRST PLACE, AS THE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA WERE NOT BEING FOLLOWED BY THE ADMINISTRATION EITHER. THE DRESS CODE MEANS SOMETHING OR IT DOESN'T.
IN TERMS OF MR. YARBOROUGH'S VISIT, I'M NOT SURE WHY.
A SIMPLE EMAIL REPLY BACK TO ME WASN'T GRANTED, AS IT SEEMS LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLER APPROACH.
I'M REGULARLY CONFRONTED WITH CHILDREN, USUALLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GIRLS WHO WEAR SHORTS SO SHORT I SOMETIMES CANNOT TELL IF THEY'RE WEARING BOTTOMS AT ALL, BUT INSTEAD JUST A LARGE SHIRT.
I STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OR TEACHERS ALLOW SUCH IMMODESTY? DO WE NOT REALIZE THAT ALLOWING CHILDREN TO DRESS THIS WAY ONLY SETS THEM UP TO BE VIEWED AS OBJECTS AS THEY GET OLDER? AND WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNG MEN AS THEY GROW UP? IS THERE NO CONCERN FOR THEM AND THEIR MORAL LIVES? DO WE JUST TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE FACT THAT WHAT WE ALLOW, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR?
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I SEE THIS VERY SIMPLY FOR WHAT IT EXACTLY IS.THIS IS GROOMING CHILDREN INSTEAD OF TEACHING OR ENFORCING VIRTUES SUCH AS MODESTY AND TEMPERANCE. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS BY NEGLIGENCE TEACH A PARODY OF TRUE FREEDOM, RATHER A LICENSE TO DEGRADATION, A PERVERSION THAT LASTS THEIR ENTIRE LIVES.
WHILE NO TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATORS THE CHILD'S PARENT.
THEY CAN CERTAINLY ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE AND HELP PROTECT AND INSTILL DIGNITY, MODESTY, AND PRUDENCE.
I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE THE THE PURPOSE OF THE DRESS CODE.
IF IT'S NOT ENFORCED. IT BECOMES DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS.
I'M ALMOST CERTAIN, TOO, THAT MUCH OF WHAT I'M SAYING COMES FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS A MAN AND A FATHER FIGURE.
THE SCHOOL IS A FEMALE DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT, AND PERHAPS THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION IS NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD.
WHEN I BROUGHT THE DRESS CODE GUIDELINES UP TO MY PRINCIPAL, SHE AGREED THE CODE WAS NOT BEING FOLLOWED.
BUT BUT BUT THAT SHE HAD TO PICK HER BATTLES.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT FOR HER IT WASN'T THAT PRESSING SINCE IT'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND IT'S LIKELY ENFORCED MORE INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I'LL REITERATE THE POINT I MADE EARLIER LESSONS LEARNED EARLY IN LIFE SHAPE A PERSON IN A MORE PROFOUND WAY VERSUS LATER.
FURTHERMORE, AT THIS AGE, THEY ARE MORE INNOCENT AND DESERVE GREATER PROTECTION. I SEE FEW BATTLES MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS IN TERMS OF MOLDING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. I SHOULD NOT SEE A TEN YEAR OLD IN A MINISKIRT OR SPAGHETTI STRAPS.
WHY IS THIS ALLOWED? LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IT'S NOT JUST AN ISSUE WITH THE CHILDREN, BUT A COUPLE OF THE TEACHERS AND STAFF TOO.
ON A FEW OCCASIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGING CLOTHES AFTER THE CHILDREN HAVE LEFT, THERE ARE SOME THAT DRESS IN WORKOUT CLOTHES, SPANDEX PANTS, AND YES, EVEN SKIMPY SPANDEX SHORTS.
I'M TYPICALLY AT THE SCHOOL UNTIL 5 OR 530, AND I DO NOT DO NOT NEED OR WANT TO SEE BODY PARTS WHILE I'M CLEANING UP.
I'M SIMPLY ASKING THAT WE STICK TO THE DRESS CODE UNTIL OFF CAMPUS.
I'M NOT AGAINST FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS LIMITS AND THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THE DRESS CODE.
I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO HELP TO REITERATE AND HELP ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE, SO WE CAN BEGIN TO BRING BACK A BASIC MODICUM OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT IN THE PUBLIC SETTING.
THAT WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT REQUESTED PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS WE'RE DOING TONIGHT AND MR. POSTEL.
THANK YOU SIR. MR. NUSSLE, DOCTOR MURPHY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
GOOD EVENING. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE TWO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. AND FILL IN FOR MISS PICCOLINO.
AS WE RECOGNIZE THESE STUDENTS TONIGHT, AS IS CUSTOMARY, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE JOIN US IN THE FRONT SO WE CAN GREET AND RECOGNIZE THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENTS.
THANK YOU ALL. OUR FIRST STUDENT BEING RECOGNIZED TONIGHT IS HAYDEE MENDEZ PEREZ, 10TH GRADE STUDENT AT RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.
BEFORE SHE COMES UP, LET ME READ A FEW THINGS ABOUT HER.
TODAY IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE CAROLINA CANVAS AWARDS, VISUAL ART AND CREATIVE WRITING CONTESTS FOR ML LEARNERS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN A CLASS OR PROGRAM TAUGHT BY A CAROLINA TESOL THAT'S TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES MEMBER WERE INVITED TO SUBMIT ORIGINAL WRITINGS OR ARTWORK FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CAROLINA CANVAS AWARDS.
THIS YEAR'S THEME, HERITAGE STILL SPEAKS INSPIRED RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL'S MULTILINGUAL LEARNER PROGRAM SPECIALIST DOCTOR CASEY SPEIER, AS WELL AS ONE OF HER STUDENTS, HAYDEE MENDEZ PEREZ.
JADE'S PIECE WON FIRST PLACE IN VISUAL ART FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH 12, AND HER ARTWORK WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SOL'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE LATER THIS MONTH HAD PLEASE COME FORWARD. HEIDI IS JOINED BY DOCTOR SPIRE AND RIDGE SPRING PRINCIPAL MR. MATT SCHEFFLER. CONGRATULATIONS.
CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE PROPOSED.
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THIS IS AN ENLARGED VERSION, NOT THE ORIGINAL.THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND AGAIN.
CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT WE RECOGNIZE STUDENT CALEB ROJAS BOWEN.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA FFA STATE CONVENTION GOLD FINALIST IN HOME AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP DURING CALEB'S MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS AT RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH.
HE WAS A MEMBER OF FFA THAT'S FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA.
DURING HIS EIGHTH GRADE YEAR, CALEB PARTICIPATED IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL, SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE, AND SEE A STUDENT LED, WORK BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IN A SCHOOL BASED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. DURING THIS EIGHTH GRADE YEAR, IN ADDITION TO AND OUTSIDE OF HIS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, CALEB HELPED MAINTAIN A LOCAL FARMS CAMPGROUND AS PART OF A SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE.
HE USED BASIC AGRICULTURAL MECHANICAL SKILLS TO OPERATE EQUIPMENT, BUILD AND REPAIR STRUCTURES ON THE CAMPSITE, AND MAINTAIN ITS GROUNDS.
CALEB KEPT AN ACCURATE AND DESCRIPTIVE RECORD OF HIS TIME SPENT, INVENTORY USED, INCOME EARNED, AND SKILLS DEVELOPED ALONG WITH THE PHOTOS AS EVIDENCE OF HIS WORK AND SUBMITTED ALL OF THIS TO THE SEA TO THE SAFA SOUTH CAROLINA FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION.
CALEB'S SEA RECORD BOOK EARNED FIRST PLACE IN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP CATEGORY, AND HE WAS RECOGNIZED AT THE SAFA STATE CONVENTION IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR AS A GOLD FINALIST IN THIS CATEGORY.
AS A GOLD FINALIST, HE WAS AWARDED A CERTIFICATE AS WELL AS $250 REWARD.
CALEB'S STRONG ROOTS IN HIS HOME OF RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA AND EXPERIENCES WITH SSM'S FFA HAVE PROVIDED A WONDERFUL FOUNDATION FOR HIS CONTINUED STUDIES AT AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY, WHERE HE IS CURRENTLY A NINTH GRADE STUDENT.
CALEB, COME ON UP TO BE RECOGNIZED.
CALEB HAS JOINED THIS EVENING BY HIS MOTHER, JENNIFER ROJAS, AS WELL AS PRINCIPAL MR. MATT SHEPLER. IN THE CENTER.
USUALLY BLOCKING YOU ON PURPOSE.
ONE. TWO. THREE. CONGRATULATIONS.
CONGRATULATIONS, SIR. AND ONE MORE BIT OF RECOGNITION BEFORE YOU ALL GO BACK TO YOUR SEATS. WITH TONIGHT BEING DOCTOR HANKS LAST BOARD MEETING, WE ASK THAT EACH BOARD MEMBER TAKE HOME WITH THEM THEIR FRAMED BOARD APPRECIATION GIFT THAT WAS CREATED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS LAST YEAR.
AND WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS THOSE BOARD MEMBERS WHO DO NOT RETURN.
AND WE THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND FACULTY AND STAFF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND THIS CONCLUDES OUR RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU. GOOD JOB. THANK YOU.
SO THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND WE'LL MOVE TO OFFICER.
BOARD CHAIRMAN. MY ONLY COMMENTS TONIGHT ARE JUST BRIEF ONES ABOUT THIS IS OUR WE HAVE ONE MEETING IN NOVEMBER. THAT'S ON NOVEMBER 19TH NOW.
SO BETWEEN THIS MEETING AND THE NEXT ONE THERE WILL BE FIVE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE ELECTIONS. SOME OPPOSED, SOME NOT OPPOSED.
AND WE KNOW VERY MUCH THAT WHAT WE THINK OF AS OUR BOARD, TWO FOLKS ARE NOT COMING BACK.
AND THE FIRST PERSON I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS MR. DWIGHT SMITH. DWIGHT RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD FOR PERSONAL REASONS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
BUT I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE HIM TONIGHT BECAUSE I DO THINK OF HIM AS BEING PART OF.
DWIGHT. HE WORKED FOR THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
LIKE, 33, 34 YEARS. EVERYTHING FROM A TEACHER TO A COACH.
HE DROVE SCHOOL BUSSES, ULTIMATELY A PRINCIPAL.
AND THEN AFTER HE RETIRED FROM THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT,
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HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK BY BEING ON, I BELIEVE, WHAT WE USED TO CALL TRIBUNALS.AND THEN EVENTUALLY ELECTED TO THIS SCHOOL BOARD THREE SEPARATE TIMES.
AND WHAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT DWIGHT PERSONALLY IS NOT ONLY WAS HE A VERY STRONG ADVOCATE FOR HIS AREA. ONE THING CONSTANTLY DWIGHT REMINDED ME OF IS HOW YOU LOOK OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY. AND HE ALWAYS HAD SMALL KIDS AND KIDS IN GENERAL.
FIRST AND FOREMOST IN HIS MIND, IN EVERYTHING HE DID.
AND HE'S GOING TO BE MISSED ON THIS BOARD.
HE ALREADY HAS BEEN. SORRY I GET SENTIMENTAL IN MY OLD AGE.
NEXT DOCTOR HANKS. DOCTOR PATRICIA HANKS HAS DECIDED SHE IS COMPLETING HER TERM AND DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY ENJOYED HAVING YOU AS PART OF OUR BOARD.
AND I THINK YOU'VE SERVED THE FOLKS OF NORTH AUGUSTA VERY WELL.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU STAND UP AND TAKE PICTURES, BUT I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE RECOGNITION AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING.
OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. FIRST OF WHICH IS DELEGATE SELECTION FOR THE 2024 SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CONFERENCE, SPECIFICALLY THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY.
THAT'S PART OF THAT CONFERENCE.
AND ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE TO APPORTION THEIR VOTES THAT THEY ARE ALLOTTED AS PART OF THAT DELEGATE ASSEMBLY.
AND THE BOARD NEEDS TO VOTE ON THAT.
JUST FROM PUTTING OUT SOME FEELERS AND REQUESTS WITH THE BOARD.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CAN DEBATE.
I MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE MYSELF TO SERVE AS THE DELEGATE FOR THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, AND A LOT A PORTION, ALL EIGHT VOTES THAT AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TO ME TO BE OUR REPRESENTATIVE AT THAT ASSEMBLY.
ALL RIGHT. SO I MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT, UNDER INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, WE HAVE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
SO THERE IS A LIST PROVIDED TO THE BOARD IN ADVANCE OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL, BEEN SCREENED BY HR, APPROVED BY ADMINISTRATION THAT WE MUST ALSO APPROVE. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED. MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES.
SECOND. THIRD. ON INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, WE HAVE THE SECOND READING OF POLICY UNENCUMBERED TIME WHICH WE'VE DISCUSSED THE UPDATES TO THAT PREVIOUSLY ON THE FIRST READING. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ON THE SECOND AND FINAL READING OF POLICY? MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND SECOND SECONDED BY MR. SILAS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ON SECOND READING POLICY? UNENCUMBERED TIME, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES.
MR. TRAXLER IN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVIDED A 20 2025, 2026 BUDGET CALENDAR THAT WE CAN WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE, BUT WE'RE WE'RE HERE TO APPROVE IT TONIGHT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2526 BUDGET CALENDAR? MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND, SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES.
NEXT WE HAVE A LIST OF CONSENT ITEMS. THERE ARE. EXCUSE ME. THERE ARE SEVEN OF THEM.
WE'LL VOTE ALL AT ONCE TOGETHER, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN DISCUSS THEM INDIVIDUALLY PRIOR TO TAKING THAT VOTE.
THE FIRST CONSENT ITEM IS B1, AND THAT'S A RATIFICATION OF EXPULSIONS.
THERE'S BEEN A LIST OF EXPULSIONS THAT ARE PREPARED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WE MUST APPROVE AND RATIFY. NEXT TEXTBOOK ADOPTIONS FOR THIS SEMESTER.
EXCUSE ME. THIS FIRST FALL OF 2425, WE WERE GIVEN THAT LIST AHEAD OF TIME AND
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LINKS TO THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE BOOKS, AND HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE MATERIALS IN PERSON AS WELL. NEXT. NUMBER THREE CONSENT ITEM IS A DONATION.BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS IS GIVING A 2500 DONATION TO MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL'S BASEBALL PROGRAM.
THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.
HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY CLASSROOM GRANT AWARD OF $1,404 IS BEING AWARDED TO MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TO BE USED TO BUY EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, ETC.. NEXT.
THE SAVANNAH RIVER NATIONAL LABORATORY IS PROVIDING GRANT AWARDS FOR FOR $25,000 TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM BATTELLE SAVANNAH RIVER ALLIANCE, SCIENCE, LLC AND THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION, AND SEVEN AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHERS WERE SELECTED TO RECEIVE THESE GRANT AWARDS.
NUMBER SIX. THERE WAS GMP NUMBER ONE FOR SOME EXTERIOR WALL REPAIRS AT MOSSY CREEK ELEMENTARY. THE GMP FOR THESE REPAIRS IS OVER $2 MILLION AND WE HAVE THAT TO APPROVE NUMBER. AND THE LAST UNDER CONSENT ITEMS IS A REQUEST RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR HVAC SERVICES OR PLUMBING SERVICES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND WE HAVE TO APPROVE THE OUTCOME OF THAT.
ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEVEN CONSENT ITEMS? MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND SECONDED BY MR. SILAS. ANY DISCUSSION ON ANY OF THE SEVEN CONSENT ITEMS? YES, MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
BECAUSE DOCTOR YARBOROUGH BRIEFLY EXPLAINED NUMBER SIX MOSSY CREEK.
IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE WALL SYSTEM FOR MOSSY CREEK WAS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED THERE WERE MISTAKES IN BOTH THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERIOR WALL CAVITY.
THE INTERIOR WALL CAVITY WAS NOT FLASHED AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE BUILDING AND THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE VARYING, IT CREATES CONDENSATION INSIDE THE WALLS.
THAT'S NORMAL. IT HAPPENS IN EVERY BUILDING, BUT THERE SHOULD BE A FLASHING SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT GETS THE MOISTURE OUT OF THE WALL CAVITY INTO THE OUTSIDE.
THAT WAS DESIGNED INAPPROPRIATELY AND CONSTRUCTED INAPPROPRIATELY.
SO WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS GOING BACK.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE THE BRICK VENEER, PUT IN THAT FLASHING AS IT SHOULD BE, ALONG WITH SOME OTHER BUILDING COMPONENTS THAT WILL HELP REMOVE WATER FROM THAT INTERIOR WALL CAVITY AND THEN PLACE THE BRICK VENEER BACK IN BACK IN ITS PLACE, CORRECT PLACE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT IN PHASES STARTING WITH THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE THE THE WORST INFILTRATION OF WATER.
IT'S CAUSED WATER TO PERMEATE THE INTERIOR BLOCK WALLS OF THE BUILDING.
AND, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THAT BECAUSE THERE'S A SUBSTANCE THAT FORMS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WALLS. IT'S EFFLORESCENCE.
IT'S LIKE THE CHEMICALS THAT ARE IN THE CONCRETE BLOCK.
AND SO OF COURSE, YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, THAT WATER PERMEATE PERMEATING INSIDE TO THOSE INSIDE SURFACES OF THE WALLS.
THOSE LOOKING. THIS DOES NOT POSE A RISK TO THE CHILDREN OR THE STAFF.
CORRECT? OH NO MA'AM. THE CONTRACTOR WILL WORK AROUND THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE.
THE PRINCIPAL WILL WORK WITH THE CONTRACTOR TO MOVE STUDENTS OUT OF SPACES THAT ARE BEING WORKED ON AND PUT THEM IN OTHER SPACES.
SO ALL OF THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE DEVELOP THE SCOPE.
MR. BROOME, HOW OLD IS THAT SCHOOL? IT OPENED IN 2002. SO IT'S.
SO THERE'S NO RECOURSE FOR THE INCORRECT INSTALLATION AND DESIGN FOR THE DISTRICT? UNFORTUNATELY, THE ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE FIRM THAT DESIGNED IT AND THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT BUILT IT BOTH WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.
AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PURSUE THAT THAT AVENUE, THAT WOULD BE A LOGICAL THING TO DO. AND THAT IS I MEAN, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT BUILDING WAS THAT OLD, BUT. YES, SIR. OKAY. NOT HEARING ANY OTHER DISCUSSION.
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WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE THE SEVEN CONSENT ITEMS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES.
THAT BRINGS US TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, WHICH DOCTOR YARBOROUGH CAN COME BACK UP BECAUSE WE HAVE A COUPLE CONSTRUCTION STATUS REPORTS.
NORTH AUGUSTA AND WAGENER-SALLEY HIGH.
YES, SIR. IT IS THE DOWN BUTTON.
I'M GOING TO LEARN THAT ONE DAY.
ALL RIGHT. OKAY. SO THE NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS COMPLEX.
THE MAIN THING, IT IS ON BUDGET AND IT'S ON SCHEDULE.
AND, OF COURSE, I RIDE BY THAT COMPLEX FREQUENTLY.
IT'S NOT FAR FROM WHERE I LIVE.
THEY'RE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS.
THE PROJECTED DATE FOR US TO TO OCCUPY THE COMPLEX IS APRIL THE 4TH.
BUT THE CONCESSION STANDS ARE COMING TOGETHER NICELY.
THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN POURED FOR EVERYTHING.
THE WALLS ARE UP ON ALL THE BUILDINGS.
OF COURSE, THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF IRRIGATION TO BE PUT IN.
THERE WILL BE PARKING AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLEX IS COMPLETE.
A GREAT DEAL OF GRADING HAD TO BE DONE.
SO THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SOIL THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED, WHICH IS THERE'S A MOUNTAIN OF IT ON THE SITE NOW.
BUT ANYWAY IT'S COMING ALONG NICELY AND IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPLEX WE CAN BE PROUD OF WHEN IT'S DONE. MOVING ON TO TO WAGENER-SALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
THERE'S SO MUCH HAPPENING THERE THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO LIST IT ALL.
BUT BUT AGAIN, WE'RE WE'RE ON SCHEDULE.
WE GOT OURSELVES BACK ON SCHEDULE.
AND I MADE REFERENCE TO THAT AT A PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING.
WE HIRED AN EXTRA CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, ESPECIALLY ELECTRICIANS, TO TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS SO THAT WE COULD MEET THE DEADLINE OR THE EXPECTATIONS THAT THAT WE ALL HAD FOR MOVING INTO THE BUILDING.
ALL OF THE ASPHALTING HAS BEEN DONE, BUT THE CONTRACTOR IS COMING BACK IN WITH TOP COATING NOW. LIGHTING AND ALL OF THE PARKING LOTS BEING INSTALLED AS WE SPEAK.
THE INTERIOR COURTYARD QUADRANGLE IS SHAPING UP NICELY.
IRRIGATION WAS BEING INSTALLED LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS THERE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MEETING.
IT'S IMPRESSIVE IN ITS SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE HALLWAYS.
BEAUTIFUL FLOORING. VERY IMPRESSIVE.
WE'RE USING LUXURY VINYL TILE AS IT'S CALLED LVT, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND LABOR BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE TO STRIP AND WAX IT. IT'S JUST BUFFED AND CLEANED.
SO VERY IMPRESSIVE. ALSO WANT TO MAKE THE BOARD AWARE THAT WE TENTATIVELY HAVE SET THE DATES OF NOVEMBER THE 22ND AT 12 NOON FOR YOU TO VISIT.
AND THEN THE RIBBON CUTTING HAS BEEN SET FOR JANUARY THE 6TH AT 9 A.M., WHICH IS THE DAY BEFORE STUDENTS RETURN FOR THE FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR DOCTOR YARBOROUGH ON THESE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES? OKAY. ANY YARBOROUGH ALSO PROVIDED A QUARTERLY CHANGE ORDER NOTIFICATION PER POLICY. EFG FOR ANYTHING THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW AND THERE WAS ONE ITEM ON THE LIST I BELIEVE THAT WAS ACTUALLY A CREDIT. YES, SIR. THAT WAS A CREDIT. BUT ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT QUARTERLY CHANGE ORDER NOTIFICATION? THANK YOU, DOCTOR YARBOROUGH. THANK YOU. MR.. THAT CONCLUDES OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. AND THERE WERE NO INDIVIDUAL BOARD ITEMS, BOARD MEMBER ITEMS REQUESTED AT THIS MEETING.
AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR MURPHY FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE. THANK YOU.
CHAIRMAN NESTLE AND OTHER BOARD MEMBERS.
GOOD EVENING. TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST BEGIN BY ONCE AGAIN EXTENDING OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO MR. DWIGHT SMITH FOR HIS DECADES LONG CAREER WITH AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HIS ONGOING DEDICATION TO SERVING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT.
WE ALSO WANT TO SINCERELY TO RECOGNIZE AND SINCERELY THANK DOCTOR PATRICIA HANKS.
AS MR. NELSON MENTIONED, TONIGHT'S MARKS DOCTOR HANKS FINAL MEETING
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WITH US. SHE HAS BEEN A DEDICATED REPRESENTATIVE FOR NORTH AUGUSTA COMMUNITY AND A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILY AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. DOCTOR HANKS AND MR. SMITH, YOU WILL BOTH BE TRULY MISSED.I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SEVERAL CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD SEATS DURING A MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT, WHERE ATTORNEY BILL BURKHALTER PROVIDED AN OVERVIEW OF BOARD DUTIES TO THE HOPEFUL CANDIDATES.
WE APPRECIATE MR. BURKHALTER'S GUIDANCE AND ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE INTEREST SHOWN BY MANY THAT WANT TO SERVE OUR DISTRICT.
TONIGHT'S MEETING IS THE FINAL ONE BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
WE STILL HAVE A FEW COMMUNITY MEETINGS AHEAD, INCLUDING ONE AT MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH AND A LIVE STREAM SESSION FROM THIS ROOM TO THE COMMUNITY AT AT LARGE.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT WW.
ALSO TONIGHT I'D LIKE TO WELCOME TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY.
I SAW HIM EARLIER IN THE AUDIENCE, MR. NICK CARROLL. NICK, WELCOME ON BOARD.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE. AND I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO MY TEAM, THE REST OF THE MEMBERS OF MY TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPCOMING TAX RENEWAL.
WE'VE CONDUCTED NUMEROUS MEETINGS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE TAX AND THE PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT IF IT IS RENEWED.
WHILE WE WILL NOT TELL ANYONE HOW TO VOTE, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LEARN ABOUT THIS BALLOT MEASURE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 5TH.
THANK YOU, DOCTOR MURPHY. WE ARE IN NEED OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING, SO WE WILL NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS IN SUCH ORDER AS THE BOARD DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
WE HAVE A STUDENT MATTER STUDENT APPEAL FROM AREA FOUR, AND WE HAVE EMPLOYMENT MATTER A AND B TO CONSIDER.
FOLLOWING THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION TO ANNOUNCE THE MATTERS CONSIDERED AND TAKE ANY ACTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THIS PURPOSES? MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ENTERING EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE PURPOSES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
WE'LL TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND THEN START EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
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SO WE NEED A MOTION TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND REENTER REGULAR SESSION.[01:43:50]
SO MOVED. MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.[01:43:52]
IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY MR.[01:43:55]
SILAS? ANY DISCUSSION?[01:43:58]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF EXITING EXECUTIVE SESSION AND REENTERING REGULAR SESSION,[01:44:02]
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[01:44:04]
THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION CARRIES.[01:44:08]
WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE DISCUSSED A STUDENT APPEAL FROM AREA FOUR.[01:44:16]
IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO THE STUDENT APPEAL FROM AREA FOUR?[01:44:21]
I MOVE THAT WE RETURN THE STUDENT TO SCHOOL.[01:44:28]
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.[01:44:31]
SO THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR WAR IS TO RETURN THE STUDENT TO SCHOOL.[01:44:36]
CONSIDERING THE STUDENTS SERVED THE SUSPENSION, THAT MOTION HAS BEEN SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION FAILS.
2 TO 3. IS THERE A DIFFERENT MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL FROM AREA FOUR?
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I WOULD MOVE TO UPHOLD THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION.IS THERE A PLACEMENT AT SCHOOL? IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO UPHOLD THE HEARING OFFICER'S DECISION OF ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT. AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S TWO OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.
WE HAD UNDER EMPLOYMENT MATTERS.
WE CONSIDERED THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT AT KNOX MIDDLE.
IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT? I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION TO FILL A POSITION AT KNOX MIDDLE SCHOOL.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
AND LASTLY, WE CONSIDERED EMPLOYMENT MATTER.
B EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE. IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO THAT? YES. BASED UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE RECORD REGARDING THIS MATTER, INCLUDING FOLLOW UP SUMMARIES.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD FINDS THIS DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA OF A GRIEVANCE, THEREFORE NO FURTHER BOARD ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
SO MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S FIVE.
EXCUSE ME. FOUR IN FAVOR? ANYONE OPPOSED? ANYONE ABSTAINING? THAT'S ONE ABSTENTION.
MOTION CARRIES. FOUR IN FAVOR.
ONE ABSTENTION. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SO MOVED. MOTION MADE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.
DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.