[00:09:57]
>> GOOD EVENING. IT'S SIX O'CLOCK.
[00:10:00]
I'M GOING TO CALL THE MAY 13TH REGULAR MEETING[00:10:02]
OF THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ORDER.WE BEGIN ALL OF OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THEN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> THE PUBLIC WAS DULY NOTIFIED OF THIS MEETING IN ADVANCE, AND THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING WAS PUBLISHED BOTH TO THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC.
I HAVE NOT HEARD FOR ANY CALLS FOR CHANGES TO THAT AGENDA FROM THE BOARD.
IF I HEAR NONE NOW, WE'LL CONSIDER THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING APPROVED WITH NO OBJECTIONS.
HEARING NONE, THE AGENDA IS APPROVED.
WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES TO APPROVE THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST SET OF MINUTES IS FOR THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FROM THE BUDGET WORKSHOP OF APRIL 15TH OF THIS YEAR.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THAT MEETING?
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. LINDELL.
>> SECONDED BY MS. MORRIS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE BUDGET WORKSHOP FROM APRIL 15TH, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR.
THE MOTION CARRIES. SECOND SET OF MINUTES IS FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 22ND OF THIS YEAR.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES?
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. LINDELL. IS THERE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE APRIL 22ND MEETING MINUTES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE SOME PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS, AND I BELIEVE WE WILL GIVE THE FLOOR TO MS. PICCOLINO TO START US OFF.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM SRP FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, INCLUDING GRACE HELMS, AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, KAREN KEY, EXECUTIVE OF FINANCE, MICHAEL CLINE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST, AND BLAKELEY BARTIE.
SHE'S THEIR MARKETING PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST.
THEY'RE GOING TO SHARE A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR AFFINITY DEBIT CARD PARTNERSHIP, AS WELL AS OUR MOST RECENT FUNDING THAT'S BEEN RECEIVED.
THEN THEY'RE GOING TO PRESENT A BIG CHECK.
WHEN THEY DO THAT, THEY WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU ALL DOWN FOR A PHOTOGRAPH.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO KAREN KEY WITH SRP TO MAKE A BRIEF PRESENTATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US THIS EVENING. I'M GRACE.
THIS IS KAREN. WE'RE GLAD TO BE HERE ON BEHALF OF SRP THIS EVENING AND TO PRESENT THIS CHECK.
THIS CHECK ACTUALLY REPRESENTS ALL OF THE PROGRAM PROCEEDS THAT WERE CULMINATED IN 2024.
THAT'S TOTALING OVER $290,000 JUST FOR THE YEAR 2024.
ACTUALLY, DURING 2024, WE SURPASSED A PROGRAM MILESTONE OF A MILLION DOLLARS DONATED JUST TO AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOLS OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM FROM 2018-2024, SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT IS WORTHY OF A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR, THE AFFINITY DEBIT CARD PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE A CO-BRANDED DEBIT CARD FOR EACH OF THE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN AIKEN COUNTY.
EACH TIME THE CARD IS USED, THE SCHOOL RECEIVES A DONATION FROM SRP.
IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
IF YOU'RE ALUMNI, IF YOU HAVE STUDENTS THERE, IF YOU JUST LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR ONE OF THE SCHOOLS, PLEASE JOIN SRP, GET ONE OF THE DEBIT CARDS, AND IT'S THE EASIEST WAY YOU CAN GIVE BACK TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
KAREN, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.
>> JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE CREDIT UNION OVER THE YEARS, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THIS PRESENTATION.
[00:15:04]
>> DR. MURPHY, CHAIRMAN NUESSLE, BOARD MEMBERS, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME DOWN.
>> BOARD MEMBERS, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF RECOGNITION.
SO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE [LAUGHTER].
EACH YEAR, THE PALMETTO STATE SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION HONORS ONE COUNSELOR NAMING THEM SOUTH CAROLINA'S SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR.
THIS RECOGNITION UNDERSCORES THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHO ESTABLISHES AND LEADS A DATA DRIVEN, COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM.
WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT CHASITY MCDANIEL, SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT MILLBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS SELECTED AS THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN GIVING HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].
MS. MCDANIEL IS A SOLUTION FOCUSED COUNSELOR WHO IS ALWAYS SEEKING WAYS TO INCREASE STUDENT SUCCESS.
SHE DEVELOPED A BREAK BOX FOR EACH CLASSROOM TO HELP STUDENTS EXHIBITING STRONG EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORS.
THESE BOXES CONTAIN FIDGET TOOLS AND VISUALS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS CALM DOWN DURING MOMENTS OF HIGH STRESS.
SHE NOT ONLY BUILT THE BOXES, SHE ORGANIZED A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSION FOR FACULTY AND STAFF TO TEACH THEM HOW TO USE THEM, AND SHE WORKED WITH STUDENTS TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY THEIR TRIGGERS AND KNOW WHEN THEY NEEDED TO GO SEE THE BREAK BOX.
THIS WORKED SO WELL AT HER SCHOOL THAT SHE ORGANIZED A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEARNING SESSION FOR HER FELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SHE ALSO PRESENTED TO A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD AT THE PALMETTO STATE SCHOOL COUNSELOR CONFERENCE.
MS. MCDANIEL IS AN OUTSTANDING LEADER, STUDENT ADVOCATE, AND COLLABORATOR.
SHE FACILITATES AN IMPRESSIVE EFFORT TO INCREASE PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH HER WORK WITH ALL PRO DAD'S PROGRAM.
THE FIRST BREAKFAST OF ITS KIND HAD OVER 250 PARTICIPANTS AND EACH MONTH, ABOUT 180 DADS COME TO THE SCHOOL TO VOLUNTEER AND HAVE BREAKFAST AND COLLABORATE WITH THEIR STUDENTS.
WE'RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HERE, MS. MCDANIEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD [APPLAUSE].
NOT ONLY WAS SHE PRESENTED WITH THIS AWARD, SHE'LL REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR, GALLA IN WASHINGTON, DC THIS FEBRUARY AND [APPLAUSE] THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE THIS SUMMER IN NEW ORLEANS.
SHE'S GOT LOTS OF, DON'T GO ANYWHERE YET [LAUGHTER].
SHE'S GOT LOTS OF SCHOOL FAMILY AND HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY WITH HER, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES, MR. CARL WHITE, HERE WITH US.
THIS EVENING, AS WELL AS OUR SUPERVISOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES, SHARON WORLEY.
JACKIE OSTEEN, OUR PRINCIPAL AT MILLBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. COME ON, JACKIE.
[00:20:03]
SHE ALSO HAS WITH HER, HER FAMILY AND ATTENDANCE TONIGHT, HER HAND, ERIN MCDANIEL.PLEASE COME FORWARD, MR. MCDANIEL [LAUGHTER].
HER DAUGHTER ERIN MCDANIEL, ANOTHER DAUGHTER OLIVIA MCDANIEL.
HER MOM, JANETTE HUNTER, HER DAD, WILLIE HUNTER SENIOR, AND HER MOTHER IN LAW, PATRICIA MCDANIEL.
[APPLAUSE] ONE MORE, AND IT IS A BIG ONE.
WE ARE VERY HONORED TO RECOGNIZE AN EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG MAN WHOSE DEDICATION, DETERMINATION, AND BRILLIANCE HAVE LED HIM TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING TRULY EXCEPTIONAL.
FROM MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR JONATHAN DIXON HAS EARNED AN ACT SCORE OF 36, A PERFECT SCORE [APPLAUSE].
THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT PLACES HIM AMONG ONLY 0.2% OF STUDENTS NATIONWIDE.
THIS IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT, AND TONIGHT WE'RE PROUD TO CELEBRATE HIS ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND ALSO HIS INSPIRING STORY.
JONATHAN IS A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT WHO HAS DEFIED THE ODDS WITH A RESUME THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES.
HE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED TO 85 COLLEGES [APPLAUSE] AND HAS BEEN OFFERED MORE THAN 4.6 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID [APPLAUSE].
HE'S A 2025 EARLY GRADUATE OF PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT.
HE ALSO SCORED A 1540 ON THE SAT IN ADDITION TO HIS PERFECT ACT SCORE.
HIS TALENTS REACH FAR BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
HE'S A SELF TAUGHT MUSICIAN, ABLE TO PLAY MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS, AND HE'S FLUENT IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES, A TRUE SCHOLAR AND ARTIST.
THIS FALL, HE'LL ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND PLANS TO MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS.
WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU, JONATHAN. THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
JOINING HIM TONIGHT FROM MIDLAND VALLEY, HERE TO CELEBRATE HIS SUCCESS ARE KEY MEMBERS OF HIS SCHOOL FAMILY.
AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MR. JIM DZICZKOWSKI, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
FIRST OFF, JONATHAN, YOU GOT TO COME UP.
COME ON [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]. YES, PLEASE.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING UP YOUR SCHOOL FAMILY.
MR. JIM DZICZKOWSKI, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
JENNIFER RANDALL, LEAD SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
SHE'S THE ONE THAT SHARED THIS WITH US AND IS SO VERY PROUD.
MS. SHANNON ANDERSON, THE COUNSELING SECRETARY.
WE'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE HIS VERY PROUD MOM, PATTY FULMER, WHO IS WITH US TONIGHT [APPLAUSE].
MS. FULLMER WORKS AT MIDLAND VALLEY, AND I FEEL LIKE I KNOW HIM ALREADY, JUST BECAUSE SHE IS JUST BEAMING WITH PRIDE, AND I CAN SEE WHY. THIS IS AMAZING.
[LAUGHTER] JONATHAN'S BROTHER IS HERE, NICHOLAS DIXON [APPLAUSE].
HIS DAD JASON DIXON [APPLAUSE].
[00:25:04]
HIS GRANDMOTHER, EILEEN DIXON [APPLAUSE].HIS GRANDPARENTS, DITH AND MISSY DIXON [APPLAUSE].
GREAT GRANDPARENTS, EVANS AND PHYLLIS TUCKER [APPLAUSE].
HIS AUNT, ERIN HUDSON [APPLAUSE].
WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GET A PICTURE OF THIS AMAZING GROUP.
JONATHAN, CAN YOU COME FORWARD? [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] FOUR MEMBERS WALK A LITTLE BIT AND FILL IN [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE].
THIS IS GOOD. I'M COUNTING 3, 2, 1.
[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS, JONATHAN.
THANKS FOR CELEBRATING WITH US TONIGHT.
>> IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING SO GREAT TO CELEBRATE.
UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS, WE'LL MOVE TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 25/26 BUDGET AND MILITARY INCREASE.
I DID RECEIVE SOME CARDS THAT I'LL ASK FOR THESE FOLKS TO MAKE COMMENTS FIRST.
MR. WESTLEY GUYTON WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. GUYTON, IF YOU DON'T MIND, SIR, MR. CARROLL BACK THERE IS SETTING UP THE MICROPHONE.
>> JUST GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, DR. MURPHY AND YOUR STAFF, AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND TO ALL THE ONE THAT'S IN YOUR AUDIENCE AS WELL.
I'M WESTLEY GUYTON AND I WEAR SEVERAL HATS.
FIRST, I'M A PASTOR IN AIKEN COUNTY AREA.
ALSO, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE CONCERNED MINISTER FELLOWSHIP, AND MOST OF ALL, I'M A PARENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AS WELL AT MIDLAND VALLEY.
WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT, ALSO.
I CAME TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO COME AND SUPPORT THE SCHOOL BOARD ON THE EFFORTS, WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND BECAUSE I FEEL THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR SCHOOL THEY ARE SUCCEEDING IN MANY WAYS AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE.
TONIGHT, I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OPERATING MILLAGE THAT YOU ARE SEEKING TO COME ABOUT AND BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OUR TEACHERS, AND JUST THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE MINTAGE INCREASE. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. GUYTON. ALSO, AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING,
[00:30:07]
MRS. TERESA POPE HAS ASKED TO SPEAK. DR. POPE.>> GOOD EVENING. MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT MURPHY.
AS A FORMER EDUCATOR IN AIKEN COUNTY AND A FORMER SUPERINTENDENT AND LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, I KNOW FIRSTHAND OF THE DAILY CHALLENGES THAT OUR SCHOOLS FACE AND THE URGENCY TO MAKE BOLD RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS THAT PROTECT OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE.
TONIGHT, I STAND BEFORE YOU IN SUPPORT OF THE 20 MILLION INCREASE.
NOT ONLY IS IT NECESSARY, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
THE 20 MILLION INCREASE WON'T IMPACT PRIMARY HOMEOWNERS.
IT TARGETS NON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, MEANING FAMILIES WON'T SEE A CHANGE IN THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, BUT OUR SCHOOLS WILL SEE CRUCIAL SUPPORT WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST.
THE DISTRICT IS FACING A 5.3 MILLION DEFICIT, AND WITHOUT ACTION, WE RISK LOSING GROUND ON ESSENTIAL SERVICES, STAFFING, AND STUDENT SUPPORT.
THIS FUNDING KEEPS CLASSROOMS WHOLE AND KEEPS LEARNING ON TRACK.
WHILE I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME THAT SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE, I WOULD LOVE FOR AIKEN COUNTY TO ALWAYS BE THE FIRST CHOICE.
INVESTING NOW MEANS INVESTING IN SAFETY, TECHNOLOGY, AND TEACHER RETENTION.
OUR STUDENTS HAVE SECURED SCHOOLS, MODERN TOOLS, AND THE EXCELLENT EDUCATORS THEY DESERVE.
I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO COMPETE WITH DISTRICTS WHO CAN OFFER HIGHER SALARIES.
WE DON'T WANT TO BE THAT DISTRICT THAT HAS TO COMPETE.
IN CLOSING, THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS, IT'S ABOUT PRIORITIES.
IF WE WANT STRONGER COMMUNITIES, WE MUST START WITH STRONGER SCHOOLS.
LET'S SHOW OUR EDUCATORS, OUR FAMILIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY MATTER.
I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR THIS INCREASE AND TO GIVE OUR DISTRICT THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO THRIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS REQUEST, FOR AVENUES FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TO STRENGTHEN OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DR. POPE [APPLAUSE].
IN ADDITION, I ALSO RECEIVED A CARD.
MS. WENDY WILLIAMS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, MS. WILLIAMS?
I THOUGHT THAT WAS A SURVEY, AND [INAUDIBLE].
>> THANK YOU. NOW, THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT FILLED OUT A CARD.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT HAD PREPARED COMMENTS AS PART OF THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS? YES, SIR.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.
FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU-ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER EMMANUEL.
I'M CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR FOR THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH TEAM AT THE SCHOOL CENTER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.
I'M ALSO A NATIONAL TRAINER AT ONE CIRCLE FOUNDATION WHERE I GET A CHANCE TO TRAIN AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON ACTUALLY CREATING SAFE SPACES, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND JUMP INTO MY MESSAGE.
I JUST WANT TO START OUT BY POSING YOU-ALL AND INVITING YOU-ALL TO CONSIDER THESE FIRST THREE QUESTIONS.
WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY DO WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GROW IN AND HOW DO WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO ACTUALLY REFLECT THIS VISION? THAT'S ONE.
TWO, IF OUR SCHOOLS ARE A MIRROR OF OUR VALUES, WHAT ARE WE SAYING WITH OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT? THREE, WHAT LEGACY ARE WE LEAVING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION? YOU-ALL, STUDIES SHOW THAT CHILDREN LEARN BASED OFF OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTS.
EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES A SCHOOL THAT INSPIRES, THAT EMPOWERS, AND PREPARES THEM FOR SUCCESS, BUT A GREAT SCHOOL DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT, YOU-ALL.
THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE COMMUNITIES CHOOSE TO INVEST IN THE YOUTH.
THE PROPOSED $20 MILLION INCREASE IN 2025 AND 2026 SCHOOL BUDGET ISN'T JUST A NUMBER, IT'S A LIFELINE FOR OUR CLASSROOMS, AND IT MEANS AN UPDATED FACILITIES WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE, FOCUSED, AND PROUD.
IT MEANS BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ACCOMMODATES MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS, ENSURING ALL SCHOOLS MEET TODAY'S STANDARDS AND ALSO TOMORROW'S NEEDS.
WHEN TEACHERS SEE COMMUNITIES INVESTING IN SCHOOLS, THEY SEE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT CHILDREN.
THEY'RE DRAWN TO ENVIRONMENTS THAT REFLECT VALUE, SUPPORT, AND OPPORTUNITY, BUT WE WANT SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT JUST NEGLECTED.
LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN, BUT WHEN SCHOOLS ARE NEGLECTED, IS WHAT I SHOULD SAY, TEACHERS SEE FORGOTTEN STUDENTS, AND THAT'S A MESSAGE NO CHILD SHOULD EVER RECEIVE.
FOR MANY HOME OWNERS, THIS CHANGE MEANS NEW TAXES AND FOR OTHERS, VEHICLE OWNERS,
[00:35:03]
RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS, AND BUSINESSES, THIS INVESTMENT IS MODEST, BUT THE RETURN IS IMMEASURABLE.IT'S SEEN IN THE FACE OF A CHILD WHO FINALLY GETS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
IT'S HEARD IN THE VOICE OF A TEACHER WHO FEELS EMPOWERED TO DO MORE, AND IS FILLED IN THE PRIDE WITH ALL THAT WE SHARE WITH OUR STUDENTS TO RISE AND MEET THEIR POTENTIAL.
WE'RE NOT JUST FUNDING SCHOOLS, WE'RE BUILDING A LEGACY, YOU-ALL, ONE WHERE OUR CHILDREN ARE EQUIPPED TO LEAD, TO BE INNOVATIVE, AND UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
LET'S CHOOSE TO INVEST IN WHAT MATTERS MOST.
LET'S STAND TOGETHER FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR EDUCATORS, AND OUR FUTURES.
HEAR ME WHEN I SAY THIS, IF WE CAN'T COME TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN, WHAT CAN WE TRULY COME TOGETHER FOR? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MR. EMMANUEL. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT THAT HAS PREPARED COMMENTS? IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BOBBY HALL.
I'M WITH JACKSON [INAUDIBLE] AND I'M NWCP.
I WORK WITH THE CHILDREN WITH THE FOOTBALL TEAM AND ALL THAT.
I'M HURT BECAUSE Y'ALL [INAUDIBLE] CANNOT PLAY ON HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD.
>> MR. HALL, I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE.
YOU ARE ON OUR AGENDA FOR THE NEXT SECTION. IT'S PART OF OUR BUDGET.
I'M SURE IT WON'T BE THAT MUCH LONGER, UNLESS I'M WRONG.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS PART OF THE BUDGET HEARING? I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE AN AWKWARD PAUSE.
WITH NO ONE ELSE WITH COMMENTS AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR NORMAL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SECTION OF THE MEETING.
I APOLOGIZE, SIR, FOR CUTTING YOU OFF BUT MR. BOBBY HALL. I'M SORRY.
WE'VE HAD OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE BUDGET AND THE MILITARY INCREASE.
WE'LL MOVE TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
MR. HALL, I APOLOGIZE FOR CUTTING YOU OFF EARLIER, BUT NOW IS YOUR TIME, SIR.
MR. BOBBY HALL HAD ASKED US IN ADVANCE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE USE OF DISTRICT FOOTBALL FIELDS BY RECREATION LEAGUES.
MR. HALL, IF YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD NOW, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES, SIR.
>> I THINK IT STARTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, Y'ALL CUT ALL THE PV LEAGUE OFF FROM PLAYING ON HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD.
NOW THEY GOT TO PLAY ON THE WEEKEND, THAT DANGER THAT CAUSES, THE FAMILY AND ALL THAT.
THEY GOT TO CROSS THE ROAD FROM HOME DEPOT AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, AND THAT DANGEROUS.
THEY MIGHT GET HIT OR HURT, BUT WE PAY SCHOOL TAXES AND ALL THAT.
PLUS THE PV LEAGUE IS THE FUTURE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP THE CHILDREN KEEP GOING SO THEY WON'T GET IN TROUBLE OR NOTHING LIKE THAT.
PLEASE LET THE CHILDREN PLAY ON THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD OR BUILD THEM A FIELD. THANK YOU.
MS. LAURIE SNYDER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT SUPPORT FOR REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY.
MS. SNYDER. JUST AS REMINDERS FOR FOLKS THAT MAY BE NEW WITH US, AND I SHOULD HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE MR. HALL SPOKE, COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES.
YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE ON SCHOOL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE EXPRESSION OF PERSONAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PERSONNEL. PLEASE GO AHEAD, MS. SNYDER.
I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I RELOCATED HERE JUNE OF LAST YEAR.
I CONNECTED WITH LAUREN ENTER AND SHE PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH HR AND ALSO MADE ME AWARE OF AN UPCOMING JOB FAIR.
[00:40:01]
AFTER THE JOB FAIR, I ATTENDED THE MEET AND GREET FOR THE THREE CANDIDATES FOR SUPERINTENDENT.I INTERVIEWED WITH SOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND ANOTHER ONE BEING REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY, AND IT WAS A SEAMLESS PROCESS JUST FROM THE INITIAL CONTACT I HAD FROM THAT SCHOOL TO SET UP THE INTERVIEW, TO INTERVIEWING WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND THE OTHER TWO SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS.
I KNEW THAT REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS THE PLACE THAT I WANTED TO BE.
I ENJOY GOING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND SERVING THE STUDENTS AT THAT SCHOOL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. SNYDER. NEXT, AND I HOPE I CAN READ THIS, MS. TASJA JOHNSON SPEAKING AND ENDING NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT REDCLIFFE.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS TASJA JOHNSON.
I HAVE A STUDENT AT REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW EXCITED I AM FOR MY DAUGHTER TO BE THERE FOR HER SECOND YEAR AND GOING INTO ANOTHER YEAR THERE.
I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT GOOD SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF, GOOD SUPPORT FROM THE TEACHERS.
EVERY TIME I STEP IN THERE, IT'S A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.
THE ONLY THING IS, I'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF NEGATIVE STUFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT IS JUST GETTING A LITTLE BIT OUTRAGEOUS.
TALKS OF GANG VIOLENCE AND STUFF WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS, IT'S JUST CRAZY.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I HAVE NO ISSUES, AND MY DAUGHTER IS LOVED THERE.
SHE CAME HOME IN 4K AND STARTED READING.
I LOVE REDCLIFFE. THANK YOU, GUYS.
>> THANK YOU, MS. JOHNSON. [APPLAUSE] I APOLOGIZE FOR MISPRONOUNCING YOUR FIRST NAME.
I DIDN'T READ THAT RIGHT. NEXT, MS. EMILY SATTERFIELD WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT SAFEGUARDING.
>> I'M SHORT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I'M THAT SHORT.
CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? AWESOME. GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS AT REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY.
NOW, BEFORE I DO SO, I WANT TO TAKE YOU THROUGH A LITTLE EXERCISE, SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.
IF YOU WILL, PLEASE CLOSE YOUR EYES AND TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK BACK TO WHEN YOUR CHILD WAS BACK IN KINDERGARTEN OR 5K.
REMEMBER THAT FEELING OF EXCITEMENT OF THEM GROWING UP IN THIS NEW CHAPTER OF THEIR LIFE.
I ALSO WANT YOU TO TAKE A MINUTE AND REMEMBER THE FEELING OF APPREHENSION AND ANXIETY THAT YOU HAD OF HAVING TO TRUST ANOTHER PERSON TO HELP TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD.
HAVING TO RELINQUISH FULL CONTROL OF YOUR CHILD AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO THEM, NOT KNOWING WHAT MAY HAPPEN AT SCHOOL.
NOW, IMAGINE AN ADULT OR THEIR TEACHER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD AND LOOK OUT FOR THEM, AND PUTS HANDS ON THEM.
A TRUSTED ADULT HAS NOW PHYSICALLY ABUSED AND ASSAULTED YOUR CHILD.
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH HIM JUST LEAVING THAT POSITION WITH NO CONSEQUENCES? WOULD YOU BE HAPPY IF YOU BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE COUNTY, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND NOTHING HAS STILL BEEN DONE? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THAT PERSON WAS THEN WELCOMED BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO SUPPOSEDLY VOLUNTEER FOR A SCHOOL ACTIVITY? UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE REALITY THAT MANY PARENTS AND EDUCATORS ARE DEALING WITH AT REDCLIFFE.
A MAN WHO PHYSICALLY ABUSED MULTIPLE CHILDREN, INCLUDING MY CHILD AT REDCLIFFE, WHILE HE WAS THERE AS A PARAPROFESSIONAL WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
HE LEFT WITH NO CONSEQUENCES TO PREVENT HIM FROM WORKING WITH CHILDREN AGAIN.
[00:45:02]
AND ACCORDING TO REDCLIFFE ADMINISTRATION, THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INVESTIGATION, IN WHICH WE STILL HAVE NO RESULTS OR INFORMATION ABOUT AND WHICH I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT FOR, STATING THAT THERE WAS AN INCIDENT, RESIGNED SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT, AND HAS NOT BEEN REHIRED.THEY INFORMED THE OFFICER THAT THE DISTRICT WAS CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION ON THE INCIDENT, BUT WAS UNSURE OF THE STATUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED, BUT WE HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.
NOW, BECAUSE THAT MAN RECEIVED NO PUNISHMENT, HE HAS ALSO BEEN ALLOWED BACK ON SITE AT REDCLIFFE ELEMENTARY.
WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ADMINS ATTENTION, IT WAS STATED THAT THEY HAD NO CLUE HE WAS THERE AND EVEN THOUGH THEIR PUBLIC FACEBOOK ACCOUNT HAS PICTURES OF THAT MAN AT THE EVENT.
ONE OF THOSE PICTURES EVEN INCLUDES THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN IT.
THIS PUT EVERY SINGLE CHILD THERE AT REDCLIFFE AT RISK OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT, POSSIBLY TRIGGERING THOSE THAT HE PREVIOUSLY HURT AND PUTTING STAFF MEMBERS IN A STATE OF UNEASE AT WORK, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT MAY HAVE PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN UP ABOUT THIS MAN.
THE MOMENT ANY CONCERN WAS BROUGHT FORWARD AND HE NO LONGER WORKED FOR REDCLIFFE, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT ON A LIST OF NOT BEING ALLOWED AT THE SCHOOL GROUNDS AND EVERY PERSON AT THAT SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS.
INSTEAD, HE WAS WELCOMED BACK BY A FEW WITH OPEN ARMS AND ALLOWED TO RUN THE SCHOOL AND BE AROUND THE KIDS.
PLEASE JUST TAKE A SECOND AND THINK, WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH THIS FOR YOUR CHILD? I AM CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE STAFF, AND EVEN THE COUNSELORS, AND NURSE TO BE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED AND RELIEVED OF THEIR POSITIONS FOR CHILD NEGLECT FOR ALLOWING HIM ON SITE SINCE EACH OF THEIR ACTIONS PUT ALL OF THOSE CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ALLOWING HIM BACK ON CAMPUS GROUNDS.
THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MS. SATTERFIELD. [APPLAUSE] NEXT, MS. KATHY COBB WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BOOK BANNING.
>> NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
GOOD EVENING, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS KATHY COBB, AND I'M HERE WITH THE AIKEN FOR LITERARY FREEDOM.
MY FAMILY HAS LIVED IN AIKEN FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, AND I AM A MOTHER.
AS A MOTHER, I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
I HAVE THREE HEALTHY, HARDWORKING, RESPONSIBLE INFORMED TAX-PAYING SONS, AND WE DID NOT CENSOR THEIR READING.
IN FACT, WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF TEACHERS AND THEIR PARENTS, THEY HAD READ WORKS SUCH AS HEART OF DARKNESS, 1984, WATERSHIP DOWN, FAHRENHEIT 451, ANIMAL FARM, THE JUNGLE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, TOM SAWYER, UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, FAREWELL TO ARMS, MICE AND MEN, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, AND THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.
INTERESTINGLY, ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL BOOKS, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, HAVE BEEN BANNED, CENSORED, CHALLENGED, OR RESTRICTED.
HOWEVER, MY SONS TURNED OUT FINE.
I KNOW A SMALL SAMPLE, SUCH AS, MY THREE SONS HAS NOTHING IN A STATE WITH NEARLY A MILLION SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS.
I'D LIKE TO OFFER SOME OTHER EXAMPLES.
FOR EXAMPLE, ME, AS A TEENAGER, WHEN I HEARD THAT LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER WAS BANNED, I COULDN'T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON IT.
I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE WEREN'T MORE DETAILS, BUT THEN I HAVE BEEN A LOVING, LOYAL WIFE FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, AND I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MY HUSBAND, BUT I ASSUME HIS FIDELITY HAS BEEN THE SAME.
APPARENTLY, NEITHER LADY CHATTERLEY NOR HER LOVERS MANAGED TO INFLUENCE OUR LIVES.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS MY SISTER, WHO GREW UP READING NANCY DREW, THE HARDY BOYS, AND EVERY OTHER MURDER MYSTERY THAT SHE COULD LAY HER HANDS ON, BUT SHE'S NEVER MURDERED ANYBODY AS FAR AS I KNOW ANYWAY.
I HAVE ANOTHER SISTER WHO BELIEVES IN SELF CENSORSHIP.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE A BOOK, PUT IT DOWN.
MORE TO THE POINT, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO GREW UP IN A CULT.
GROWING UP, HE TOLD ME HE WAS ONLY GIVEN ONE PERSPECTIVE,
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BUT HE MANAGED TO FIND OTHERS ON HIS OWN.HE BELIEVES THAT THE EFFORTS TO SHELTER HIM AS A CHILD DID BUILD ONE CHARACTER TRAIT, AND THAT IS RESENTMENT.
ON THE SUBJECT OF CHARACTER TRAITS, I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MASS MURDERS, WHICH NAMED ANGER, DESPAIR, ISOLATION, AND ACCESS TO GUNS.
WE DON'T HAVE GUNS IN OUR HOUSE, BUT WE DO KEEP BOOKS.
A BOOK IS NOT A WEAPON UNLESS YOU HIT SOMEBODY REALLY HARD.
>> VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, BUT THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THEY DO AT HOME, NOT AT SCHOOL.
I DON'T THINK THERE ARE LAWS YET THAT PERMIT PARENTS OR THAT DON'T PERMIT PARENTS TO ALLOW WHAT THEIR CHILDREN DO AT HOME.
TENISHI COATES, ANOTHER BAND AUTHOR, FOLLOWED BY MY SONS, DESCRIBED A SOUTH CAROLINA TEACHER, MARY WOOD, WHO WAS FORCED TO DROP HIS BOOK BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME FROM HER LESSON PLAN BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS THAT THE CHILDREN FELT UNCOMFORTABLE AND ASHAMED TO BE CAUCASIAN.
COATES POINTED OUT THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THESE COMMENTS AND OTHERS THAT PROHIBIT THE EXPOSURE OF STUDENTS TO MATERIAL INVOKING DISCOMFORT, GUILT, ANGUISH OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS ON THE ACCOUNT OF HIS OR HER RACE OR SEX.
THEY'RE GOING TO FEEL DISCOMFORT, GUILT, ANGUISH, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS NO MATTER WHAT.
IT COULD BE PROVOKED BY A BOOK OR A PIMPLE ON THE NOSE.
IF IT DID, I MEAN, IF BLINDFOLDING AND HANDS STRINGING OUR CHILDREN CURED ADOLESCENCE, WE'D ALL BE DOING IT.
I FOR ONE AM PROUD THAT MY CHILDREN WENT TO A SCHOOL WHERE TEACHERS CHOSE THOUGHT PROVOKING BOOKS.
I'M PROUD THAT MY CHILDREN EMBRACED REALITY AND DID NOT STICK THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND.
I'M PROUD THAT THEY LEARNED ABOUT WORDS AND IDEAS THAT ARE CURRENTLY TABOO, BUT HISTORICAL FACT.
I'M PROUD THAT THEY READ BOOKS THAT MADE THEM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT IS NOT A PERFECT COMFORTABLE WORLD.
I WILL ADMIT THAT THERE WAS ONE BOOK THAT ONE OF MY SONS WAS FORCED TO READ THAT MADE HIM UNCOMFORTABLE AND THIS WAS CHARLOTTE'S WEB.
AT THE END OF THE BOOK, CHARLOTTE DIED, AND HE CRIED IN MY ARMS. WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO LEARN ABOUT COMPASSION, LOVE, AND HOPE.
I WILL THANK THAT AUTHOR TILL THE END OF MY DAYS [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU, MS. COBB. NEXT, MS. VICTORIA PIERCE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT SAFE SCHOOLS AND UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS. MS. PIERCE?
>> SORRY, I'M THE OPPOSITE HEIGHT.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? HI. I'M VICTORIA PIERCE.
I'M ACTUALLY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY FATHER, GEAN BUSCH, WHO IS A TEACHER IN AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOLS.
I'LL USE FIRST PERSON, BUT IT'S HIS WORDS.
GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS GEAN BUSCH, AND I'M HERE TO BE THE VOICE FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS IN AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY AS A SPANISH LINGUIST.
THE NAVY SENT ME TO THE DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE IN MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, WHERE I WAS IMMERSED IN SPANISH AFTER HAVING NO FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE AT ALL.
ACQUIRING A SECOND LANGUAGE WAS LIFE CHANGING FOR ME.
IT CHANGED THE WAY I TREATED OTHERS AND HOW I VIEWED THE WORLD.
WHILE IN THE NAVY, I TRAVELED TO CUBA, PUERTO RICO, SPAIN, PANAMA, COSTA RICA, AND GUATEMALA.
I SAILED ON THE BATTLESHIP, IOWA, THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL.
I HAVE WALKED THROUGH A CATHOLIC ORPHANAGE IN COSTA RICA.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE COUNTRY OF PANAMA FOR TWO YEARS.
DURING THESE VISITS AND STAYS, I EXPERIENCED LIFE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVE.
I WAS PROFOUNDLY CHANGED FROM THESE EXPERIENCES AND I HAVE FELT AND EXPERIENCED DIVERSITY ON SUCH A LARGE PLATFORM THAT I HAVE BEEN CHANGED EVER FOREVER.
I'M NOW AN EDUCATOR FINISHING 31 YEARS.
I HAVE USED MY DIVERSE EXPERIENCES TO EDUCATE MY STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.
I HAVE LEARNED THAT DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE, LANGUAGE, AND CULTURE IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT TO EXPERIENCE.
I HAVE LEARNED THAT AS AN EDUCATOR, IT IS MY MORAL IMPERATIVE TO INSTRUCT ALL STUDENTS, BUT SPECIFICALLY, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LEARNED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
[00:55:01]
I BELIEVE MY EXPERIENCES ACQUIRING A SECOND LANGUAGE IN THE US NAVY GAVE ME THE SKILLS AND EMPATHY TO EFFECTIVELY TEACH MY STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE.I HAVE LEARNED THAT FOR MY STUDENTS TO LEARN ENGLISH, I MUST USE EQUITABLE TEACHING STRATEGIES, INCLUSIVE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS, AND AN EMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING THAT LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT, BUT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
THIS BRINGS ME TO OUR DISTRICT'S IMMIGRANT STUDENT POPULATION, WHO ARE SITTING IN OUR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY LEARNING ENGLISH WITH TEACHERS WHO MUST UNDERSTAND HOW TO TEACH ENGLISH EQUITABLY.
MOST OF OUR MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS BORN HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.
HOWEVER, MANY OF THEIR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE NOT.
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE CURRENT SITUATION ON IMMIGRATION AND IC ENFORCEMENT.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE CHANCE TO LIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM FEAR.
UNFORTUNATELY, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT NEAR SCHOOLS HAS CURRENTLY CREATED A CLIMATE OF ANXIETY AND INSTABILITY FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN OUR COUNTRY.
PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO DROP THEIR CHILDREN OFF AT SCHOOL.
STUDENTS ARE DISTRACTED AND DISTRESSED, UNABLE TO FOCUS ON THEIR EDUCATION.
THESE ARE NOT HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, THEY ARE HAPPENING HERE AND NOW IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
OUR DISTRICT NEEDS TO DEVELOP A SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN FOR OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN AIKEN COUNTY.
THIS WILL ENSURE THAT SCHOOLS REMAIN SAFE HAVENS OF LEARNING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, NOT FEAR.
BY PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF IMMIGRATION INFORMATION AND SETTING CLEAR PROTOCOLS FOR HANDLING IC REQUESTS, THIS PLAN WILL PROTECT ALL STUDENTS WHILE UPHOLDING FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS PLAN IS NOT ABOUT SHIELDING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES.
IF C PRESENTS ASSIGNED JUDICIAL WARRANT, SCHOOLS WILL COMPLY AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
THIS PLAN IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT DUE PROCESS IS FOLLOWED AND THAT NO FAMILY IN AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS TO ENDURE UNNECESSARY FEAR OR INTIMIDATION WHILE ACCESSING THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION.
THIS IS NOT JUST A POLICY DECISION, IT IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE.
BY CREATING A SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN, YOU ARE AFFIRMING THAT OUR SCHOOLS STAND WITH EVERY STUDENT, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR BACKGROUND.
YOU ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT OUR DISTRICT VALUES SAFETY, INCLUSION, AND THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION.
WE ASK YOU TO DEVELOP A PLAN THAT IS UNDERSTOOD BY EVERY PERSON WHO WORKS AND ATTENDS AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
IN OTHER WORDS, ALL OF US KNOW THE PLAN AND ARE NOT LEFT IN THE DARK ON WHAT TO DO IN REGARDS TO THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS IN CASE OF AN IC VISIT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU, MISS PIERCE. NEXT, MISS ALYSSA PITTS, WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT WELL BEING.
I'M A PAIR PROFESSIONAL IN THIS DISTRICT.
I'M A MOTHER OF FIVE CHILDREN, INCLUDING TWO DAUGHTERS WITH AUTISM, A SON WITH ADHD.
I'M IN MY THIRD YEAR OF COLLEGE, EARNING A DUAL DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I'M CURRENTLY PURSUING AN RBT CERTIFICATION AND I ALSO STUDY PSYCHOLOGY ON MY OWN TIME.
BECAUSE I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY LIKE ME, I WAS DIAGNOSED IN VERY EARLY CHILDHOOD WITH ADHD, AND I'M NOW BEING EVALUATED FOR AUTISM.
I HAVE FOUND THAT THESE ARE NOT WEAKNESSES AND THEY ARE PART OF WHAT MAKES ME A GREAT EDUCATOR.
I CONNECT WITH STUDENTS, OTHERS DON'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND.
I'M PASSIONATE, I'M INTELLIGENT, I'M CAPABLE, AND I'M AN ASSET TO THIS DISTRICT.
BUT THE WAY THAT I'VE BEEN TREATED HAS LEFT ME QUESTIONING ALL OF THIS.
I STARTED THIS YEAR IN AN ALTERNATIVE STANDARD CLASSROOM.
THE PRINCIPAL TOLD ME IT WOULD BE THE PERFECT FIT, BUT ON MY VERY FIRST DAY, I WITNESSED STUDENTS BEING MISTREATED.
I FOLLOWED THE LAW AND I REPORTED WHAT I SAW, BUT INSTEAD OF BEING PROTECTED, I WAS THEN TARGETED.
I WAS BULLIED BY AN AIDE IN THE ROOM.
WHEN I WENT TO THE PRINCIPAL FOR HELP, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A CULTURAL DIFFERENCE AND THAT I NEEDED TO GET USED TO A BLACK WOMAN'S DELIVERY.
THAT COMMENT DIDN'T JUST DISMISS MY CONCERNS, BUT IT SILENCED ME.
IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE ASKING FOR RESPECT WAS SOMEHOW THE WRONG THING.
BUT I KEPT SHOWING UP FOR THE KIDS, EVEN WHEN I WAS WRITTEN UP FOR MAKING A LEGALLY MANDATED DSS PHONE CALL TO REPORT CONCERNS.
I HAD INFORMED STAFF AHEAD OF TIME, BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER.
I WAS BEING WATCHED, FOLLOWED, AND SET UP, WHILE OTHERS TOOK BREAKS TOGETHER, SAT AND DONE NOTHING IN OUR LAST 30 MINUTE BLOCK, AND AVOIDED DUTIES WITHOUT ANY CONSEQUENCES.
SO THE DOUBLE STANDARD IS CRYSTAL CLEAR.
I WAS EVENTUALLY PULLED INTO A MEETING WITH THE TEACHER AND THE PRINCIPAL AFTER SOMEONE HAD REPORTED THAT I HAD CONFIDED IN A COLLEAGUE.
I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE REASON THAT MORALE WAS DOWN IN OUR BUILDING.
I WAS MADE TO FEEL LIKE THE PROBLEM FOR CARING TOO MUCH AND OUT OF FEAR,
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I SAID WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY TO PROTECT MY JOB.I JUST WANT PEACE, BUT PEACE NEVER CAME.
MY SCHEDULE WAS CHANGED FIRST PARTLY AND THEN COMPLETELY, AND THEN CAME THE MOMENT THAT WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER.
LAST MONDAY, I WAS CALLED INTO OUR VAULT ROOM BY A FOUR K TEACHER.
SHE LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND US AND SAT IN FRONT OF IT.
SHE MADE ME FEEL LIKE SHE WAS THERE TO HELP.
I WAS TOLD TO LOG INTO MY EMAIL.
THE PRINCIPAL ENTERED AND BEGAN TYPING RECIPIENTS INTO AN EMAIL DRAFT.
WE WERE THEN MOVED INTO ANOTHER ROOM AND THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TEACHER TO TAPE UP THE WINDOWS.
I WAS THEN ASKED WENT ALONE WITH THE TEACHER IF I COULD UNSEE THE THINGS THAT I HAD SEEN BEFORE.
BUT WHILE I WAS GONE, THAT TEACHER SENT AN E MAIL FROM MY ACCOUNT, SAYING THAT I HAD LIED, THAT THE ABUSE THAT I REPORTED HAD NEVER HAPPENED.
THAT EMAIL WAS SENT WITHOUT MY CONSENT.
IT WAS CALCULATED MANIPULATIVE ACT THAT USED MY VULNERABILITY AGAINST ME.
SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD AN AIDE WHO IS NOT A SUPERVISOR, ASKING MY WHEREABOUTS TO SEVERAL TEACHERS, TRYING ONCE AGAIN TO GET ME INTO TROUBLE.
I HAVE HAD TO REQUEST CHANGES TO MY DISMISSAL DUTIES TO FEEL SAFE AT WORK AND EVEN THEN, I WALK INTO THAT BUILDING EVERY DAY KNOWING THAT I'M BEING WATCHED.
I WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE TOLL THAT THIS HAS TAKEN ON ME NOT JUST PROFESSIONALLY, BUT PERSONALLY.
I'VE LOST WEIGHT, 30 POUNDS IN A MONTH, EXACTLY, BECAUSE OF ANXIETY AND STRESS.
MY APPETITE IS GONE MOST DAYS. I CAN'T SLEEP.
I FEEL MY HEART RACE WHEN I HEAR CERTAIN VOICES IN THE BUILDING.
I HAVE MISSED DAYS, NOT BECAUSE I DON'T CARE ABOUT MY STUDENTS, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN EMOTIONALLY WORN DOWN.
THIS JOB HAS AFFECTED MY HEALTH, MY ABILITY TO PRESENT WITH MY CHILDREN.
I FELT SCARED, MANIPULATED, AND DEHUMANIZED IN A BUILDING THAT I CAME TO SERVE WITH PRIDE. BUT LET'S BE CLEAR.
SOUTH CAROLINA CODE SECTION 63-7-310 REQUIRES ME TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE AND WRITING ME UP FOR THIS WAS RETALIATION.
TITLE 6 OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT PROTECTS EMPLOYEES FROM RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY RESPONSES TO COMPLAINTS.
FRPA AND DISTRICT POLICIES PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED USE OF EMAIL ACCOUNTS.
WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS A VIOLATION OF PRIVACY AND ETHICS.
BUT THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MAKE UP 13 PERCENT OF ENROLLMENT, BUT 80 PERCENT OF THOSE PHYSICALLY RESTRAINED.
SIX AND 10 PAIR PROFESSIONALS ARE THINKING OF LEAVING DUE TO TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENTS, AND NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF REPORT POOR MENTAL HEALTH.
MAYA ANGELO SAID THAT THERE IS NO GREATER AGONY THAN BEARING AN UNTOLD STORY INSIDE OF YOU.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR SAID THAT THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A PERSON IS NOT WHERE THEY STAND IN COMFORT, BUT WHERE THEY STAND IN THE TIMES OF CHALLENGE.
BERNE BROWN SAID THAT VULNERABILITY IS NOT WEAKNESS, IT'S THE MOST ACCURATE MEASURE OF COURAGE.
THIS IS ME BEING VULNERABLE AND BEING COURAGEOUS.
I'M ASKING YOU TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME LAST MONDAY, INVESTIGATE THE EMAIL, THE RETALIATION, THE BULLYING, AND LISTEN TO THE VOICES COMING OUT OF REDCLIFFE, GREENDALE, AND CHUCKER CREEK.
ENCOURAGE OTHERS FROM ANY SCHOOL IN THIS DISTRICT TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I'M NOT A PROBLEM.
I'M EXACTLY THE PERSON THAT THIS DISTRICT NEEDS MORE OF AND I'M DONE BEING AFRAID TO SAY THAT, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND ALL THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'RE MAKING TO HELP US AS STAFF MEMBERS.
>>THANKS, MS. PITTS [APPLAUSE].
WE'D LIKE TO TALK ON DISTRICT TRANSPARENCY.
>> HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR BOARD FOR HEARING MY CONCERNS TONIGHT.
SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JIM BROOM FOR HIS RESPONSIVENESS.
WHAT WHAT WE SEE IS THAT HE WANTS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT IT SEEMS TO HIS HANDS ARE TIED.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE HIM RESPONDING TO OUR CALLS, OUR EMAILS, AND REASSURING US THAT OUR CONCERNS ARE NOT GOING UNNOTICED.
HE IS ALSO NOTIFYING THE CORRECT PERSONNEL, [NOISE] EXCUSE ME, AND PURSUING ALL AVENUES TO GET THESE MATTERS ADDRESSED.
I'M A PARENT OF A REDCLIFFE STUDENT, AND I'M HEARTBROKEN AND ANGRY.
LAST WEEK, MY SECOND GRADER, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE SECOND GRADE CLASS, WAS ASKED TO WRITE A STATEMENT ABOUT A TEACHER WHO IS RUMORED TO BE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AS WELL AS BEING UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE.
THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO WRITE THEIR NAMES ON THEIR STATEMENTS AND NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS STATEMENT.
WHEN MY CHILD INFORMED ME OF WHAT HAPPENED HAD TAKEN PLACE THAT DAY, I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WROTE, AND HIS RESPONSE WAS, SHE'S NOT MEAN TO ME.
I ASKED HIM WHY HE DIDN'T WRITE ABOUT THE NUMEROUS EVENTS HE HAS TOLD ME, SUCH AS HE CAN HEAR HER YELLING AT THE KIDS ACROSS THE HALL FROM
[01:05:02]
HIS CLASSROOM AND THAT SHE'S MEAN TO THOSE KIDS IN HER CLASSROOM.HIS RESPONSE, I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE.
THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME AS A PARENT BECAUSE SCHOOL SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE OUR KIDS FEEL SAFE.
IS THIS WHAT WE'RE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN NOT TO BE HONEST, TO BE SCARED TO BE HONEST? COME ON.
LET ME QUOTE AN EMAIL ON MARCH 28 FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION REGARDING A PREVIOUS INCIDENT FROM REDCLIFFE.
I WILL ENSURE THAT IN THE FUTURE I REMIND ADMINISTRATORS TO CONTACT PARENTS WHEN STATEMENTS FROM STUDENTS ARE OBTAINED.
WHY ARE OUR CHILDREN BEING USED LIKE THIS? WHY ARE PARENTS BEING KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT SUCH STATEMENTS? I'VE REACHED OUT TO ADMINISTRATION ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A PHONE CALL OR AN EMAIL IN RETURN.
I HAVE BEEN IN REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH OUR SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IN REGARDING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN MY SON'S CLASSROOM.
THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE, IT'S A PART OF A LONG LIST OF FAILURES BY THIS ADMINISTRATION AND BY OUR DISTRICT.
WE'VE GOT TO STAND UP FOR OUR CHILDREN AND DO SOMETHING.
THIS IS OUR KIDS WE'RE HURTING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [APPLAUSE].
NEXT, I DO HAVE SOMETHING SMALL TO SAY UNDER OUR OFFICE OF BOARD CHAIR.
I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO READ IT TO GET THROUGH IT.
BUT ANYWAY, LAST WEEK WAS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A MEETING LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE.
BUT I'M AN OLD GUY AND I CANNOT REMEMBER EVER NOT BEING AROUND TEACHERS.
EXCUSE ME. THROUGH MY LIFE, I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT OUR TEACHERS CAN HAVE.
ON BEHALF OF AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, I DO WANT TO TAKE TIME IN THIS MEETING TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR STAFF AND TEACHERS FOR YOUR DEDICATION.
WHETHER IT'S DOING GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO HELP A STRUGGLING STUDENT, CRAFTING LESSONS THAT SPARKS A CHILD'S MIND, CHEERING OUR KIDS ON AT FOOTBALL GAMES OR OTHER EVENTS, YOU GO ABOVE AND BEYOND EVERY DAY.
YOUR PASSION SHAPES NOT JUST OUR STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE, BUT OUR FUTURE.
YOU SHOW UP EVERY DAY, EVEN WHEN THE CHALLENGES ARE TOUGH.
MY FAMILY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, IS GRATEFUL.
MY HOPE IS THAT THIS BOARD, AND YOU THINK THIS BOARD SUPPORTS YOU LIKE YOU SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO, NOT JUST LAST WEEK, BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE].
>> WE'RE AN HOUR IN AND WE'RE GETTING TO OUR FIRST INDIVIDUAL ITEM.
THAT IS ITEM A1 IS PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
THE BOARD'S RECEIVED A LIST OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL THAT WAS SCREENED BY HUMAN RESOURCES AND APPROVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, WHICH WE MUST APPROVE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS?
>> MOTION MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> CAM, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN ALTERNATE MOTION.
>> WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOTION THAT DOESN'T HAVE A SECOND.
>> NOW WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY DR. BRADLEY.
MR. BROOME, DO YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION?
>> YES, I'D LIKE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LIST WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 32 TO BE, AGAIN, PUT ON HOLD, PENDING SOME OUTCOME OF SOME INVESTIGATIONS.
>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION TO AMEND?
>> I'D SECOND THAT FOR THE POINT OF GETTING TO DISCUSSION AT LEAST.
>> THE MOTION TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION TO, AND I DON'T RECALL WHICH NUMBER, MR. BROOME, BUT TO ELIMINATE 32 FROM THE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE MOMENT, MOTION MADE BY MR. BROOME, SECONDED BY MR. SILAS.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION. MR. LINDELL?
>> BY EXCLUDING NUMBER 32, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT THINK THAT WE DON'T THINK THIS PERSON WOULD BE A GOOD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL,
[01:10:04]
BUT I THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION COMPLETED BEFORE THIS INDIVIDUAL GETS ON CAMPUS.I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNEW THAT THE PERSON UP FOR THIS PROMOTION, WE THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE A GOOD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
>> THE FEWER IDENTIFYING THINGS YOU CAN SAY, MR. LINDELL WOULD BE GREAT, BUT PLEASE MAKE YOUR POINT IF YOU'RE NOT FINISHED.
>> CAM, I'D LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETE BEFORE WE DO ANY ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS AT THE SCHOOL.
THAT'S WHY I WOULD ASK FOR THIS TO BE PUT ON HOLD UNTIL WE COMPLETE OUR INVESTIGATIONS.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION?
>> CAN SOMEONE FROM THE DISTRICT, DR. MURPHY, EXPLAIN TO ME, IF THIS AMENDMENT WERE TO PASS, HOW WOULD THIS AFFECT THE ADMINISTRATION GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT YEAR, FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR?
>> THIS IS FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE '25/'26 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE PEOPLE ON THIS LIST WILL NOT BEGIN WORK UNTIL JULY 1.
ANY INVESTIGATION THAT'S GOING ON WILL BE COMPLETED AND CONCLUDED BY JULY 1. THAT'S HOW IT'D AFFECT.
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS. I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A PRECEDENT FOR THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF PROMOTING THIS POSITION IN PLACE AND REFRAIN FROM THEM BEING ASSIGNED TO THE NEW LOCATION UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.
>> MORE THAN LIKELY THAT WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ACCEPT THE MOTION NOW.
WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE AN INVESTIGATION GOING THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY, LET ALONE JUNE AND THEN INTO JULY BECAUSE IT'S A SINGULAR INVESTIGATION INTO A SINGULAR INCIDENT THAT WE HAVE AT THE SCHOOL THAT'S ACTUALLY BEING INVESTIGATED RIGHT NOW.
>> I'M REALLY GETTING CONFUSED ABOUT ALL THESE INVESTIGATIONS, THEY'RE DIFFERENT EVERY WEEK OR TWO OR THREE IN A WEEK.
I BELIEVE WE GOT A REPORT FROM DR. MURPHY ABOUT INVESTIGATION, AND I ASSUME THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THEM THAT IS INCLUDED IN THAT.
>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS PERSON'S ACCUSED OF.
WHY ARE WE INVESTIGATING THIS PERSON? THEY'RE GENERAL REMARKS OF THIS SORT OF THING.
I'M BEING ASKED TO VOTE SOMEBODY OFF A LIST BEFORE I EVEN KNOW WHY I'M VOTING THE PERSON OFF THE LIST.
I THINK AT A MINIMUM, WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE NITTY GRITTY, BUT SAYING WE CAN'T DO THAT IN PUBLIC, IT'S ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL AT MINIMUM.
I DON'T WANT TO AMEND AN AMENDMENT, BUT I THINK THAT BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE ON TAKING THIS PERSON OFF THE LIST, WE OUGHT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT.
I NEED A LOT MORE INFORMATION THAN I HAVE BEFORE I VOTE ON IT.
>> TO ACCOMMODATE DR. BRADLEY'S REQUEST, MR. CHAIRMAN, IF WE CHOSE TO DO THAT, WE WOULD STILL BE IN SESSION AND COULD COME BACK AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TAKE THAT ONE ITEM UP.
FRANKLY, I WOULD SAY, WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE WHEN IT'S CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PERSONAL STUFF AND IT'S RIGHT TO DO SO.
I WOULD SAY IT MAY EVEN JUST BE EASIER JUST TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS AFTER AN EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION.
>> I'M JUST READING THE ROOM AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.
UNLESS THE AMENDMENT IS RETRACTED, WE STILL NEED TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.
>> I'LL RETRACT MY AMENDMENT AND MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT I RETRACTED TO SAY THAT WE WILL VOTE ON THIS, TALK ABOUT THIS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COME OUT AND RE-VOTE.
>> I'M GOING TO REPEAT BACK WHAT I HEARD.
[01:15:04]
MR. BROOME, YOU RETRACT OR TAKE BACK YOUR AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.MR. SILAS, YOU SECONDED IT. YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
>> WHAT I HEARD MR. BROOME SAY IS BECAUSE OF THE DETAILS WE WANT TO GET INTO, I MOVE THAT WE PUT A1 INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION AND THEN COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT A1.
>> AT THIS POINT, TO ME, I THINK, KATHY, YOU CAN MAKE THAT MOTION WHILE WE'RE STILL DISCUSSING THE MAIN MOTION BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF IT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO MOVE THIS DISCUSSION TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> A SECOND MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO MOVE THIS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? I WOULD SAY, BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY GOT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION PLANNED, I'LL BE WHEN WE PLAN TO DO IT.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF MOVING THIS DISCUSSION ON A1 INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN COMING BACK AND VOTING ON IT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I SEE EIGHT. THE MOTION CARRIES.
WE ARE NOT HANDLING A1AT THE MOMENT.
NEXT, SECOND INDIVIDUAL ITEM IS THE SECOND READING OF THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, EXCUSE ME, FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT?
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. LINDELL. IS THERE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THAT MEANS THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT FOR NEXT YEAR IS APPROVED.
NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY JLCG SEIZURE SAFE SCHOOLS.
THIS IS FIRST READING OF THE POLICY.
IT WAS PER SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAW, SECTION 59-10-2015.
I BELIEVE THIS IS WHERE WE'RE CREATING A NEW POLICY BECAUSE OF THAT CODE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT POLICY, JLCG, ON FIRST READING?
>> MOTION MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE FIRST READING OF JLCG? HEARING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING FIRST READING OF POLICY OF JLCG, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
NEXT, THIS IS FIRST READING OF POLICY JLCD, ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH MEDICINES.
THEN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE, JLCD-R, ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH MEDICINES, POLICY JLCDA, INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS, ADMINISTRATIVE RULE, JLCDA-R, INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE PLANS.
JUST AS A REMINDER, POLICIES GET TWO READINGS. THIS IS THE FIRST ONE.
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GET ONE READING.
THIS IS THE ONE AND DONE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.
THESE ARE UPDATES PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF STATE LAW.
THAT'S A MOUTHFUL. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM A4?
>> ON FIRST READING? I HEARD MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON. IS THERE A SECOND?
ANY DISCUSSION ON APPROVING THOSE POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULE ON FIRST READING? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING FIRST READING OF A4, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THAT WOULD END INDIVIDUAL ITEMS FOR THE MOMENT UNTIL AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE'LL MOVE TO CONSENT ITEMS. THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WE WILL VOTE ON AS A GROUP, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN DISCUSS THEM INDIVIDUALLY BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE.
FIRST OF WHICH IS B1, RATIFICATION OF EXPULSION.
THIS IS A LIST THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF STUDENTS RECOMMENDED FOR EXPULSION, AND THERE IS NOT AN APPEAL TO THE BOARD. WE MUST APPROVE THAT.
B2 IS THE PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS FOR '25/'26 SCHOOL YEAR.
OUR MEETINGS ARE TYPICALLY THE SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
YOU'LL SEE THE ATTACHMENT THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD, THERE'S MAYBE ONE OR TWO EXCEPTIONS TO THAT.
WE CAN ALWAYS DISCUSS THE SCHEDULE AT A LATER TIME IF WE THINK THERE'S A NEED TO ALTER THE SCHEDULE.
WE DON'T NEED THAT. THAT'S B2.
B3 IS OUT OF DISTRICT TRANSFER REQUEST.
[01:20:01]
WE WERE PRESENTED A LIST OF FOLKS THAT WANT TO TRANSFER OUT OF THE DISTRICT TO NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS FOR WHATEVER REASON FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.NUMBER 4 IS A LIST OF STUDENTS THAT WANT TO TRANSFER INTO AIKEN COUNTY FROM NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS THAT WE MUST APPROVE.
NEXT, WE HAVE SOME CHARITABLE DONATIONS.
ITEM NUMBER B5, THE SERTOMA CLUB OF NORTH AUGUSTA HAS DONATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STUDENTS SERVICES A GENEROUS $10,800 FOR THE PURCHASE OF MICRO AUDIOMETRIC EARSCAN AND THREE MANUAL AUDIOMETERS.
THESE ARE HEARING TEST DEVICES THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL NURSES.
NEXT, ON B6, SILVER SPIRIT BANDS INCORPORATED IS MAKING A DONATION TO NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE STEAM MAGNET SCHOOL OF SOME EQUIPMENT.
MARIMBA, IT LOOKS LIKE, OCTAVES WITH RESONATOR AND DONATING THAT TO THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT AT NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE STEAM MAGNET SCHOOL TO BE USED FOR STUDENT CLASSES AND PERFORMANCES.
NEXT, B7, WE WERE TO APPROVE THE SUBMISSION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STRONGER CONNECTIONS SUB GRANT ADDITIONAL FUNDS APPLICATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STUDENTS SERVICES, APPLYING FOR A GRANT FROM THAT ORGANIZATION OF LOW OVER $200,000 TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS WITH HIGH NEED LEAS.
NUMBER 8 IS A SUBMISSION OF A DIFFERENT GRANT, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTATION, POLICING SERVICES, SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
WE MUST APPROVE THAT SUBMISSION FOR THAT GRANT.
WE'VE GOT THE CONSTRUCTION BIDS THAT WERE CONSIDERED FOR ESSENTIALLY LIGHTING REPLACEMENT ON THE FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL FIELD AT SOUTH AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.
AS WE APPROVE THAT WITH THESE CONSENT ITEMS, WE'RE AUTHORIZING TO ACCEPT THE LOW BASE BID, AND THERE WAS ONE, AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THAT LIGHTING AT THAT SCHOOL.
THEN WE'VE GOT B10 IS GMP NUMBER 1 FROM MOSSY CREEK ELEMENTARY SECURE VESTIBULE CONSTRUCTION.
THAT ONE, IF WE APPROVE IT AS PART OF THE CONSENT ITEMS, WE'RE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH REYNOLDS TO CONSTRUCT A SECURE VESTIBULE UTILIZING CM AT RISK.
THEN A COUPLE MORE ON THE CONSENT ITEMS. IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR THE DISTRICT.
IF WE APPROVE THAT, WE'RE APPROVING THE CONTRACTOR SELECTED, WHICH IS WINDHAM IRRIGATION SERVICES, TO AUTHORIZE ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE DESIGN AND ADMINISTER IRRIGATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS AS NEEDED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
IT'S GETTING AN ON-DEMAND SERVICE FOR IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR FIVE YEARS.
THEN THE LAST ONE IS WE HAVE A CHANGE ORDER TO OUR BENEFIT ON THE FLOORING FROM A.L CORBETT, THAT WE MUST APPROVE TO ACCEPT, OF A LITTLE OVER $18,000.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 12 CONSENT ITEMS?
>> MAN, THAT WAS A TIE. MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON MADE THE MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECONDED BY DR. BRADLEY? THERE YOU GO.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE 12 CONSENT ITEMS? MR. LINDELL.
>> BARRY MOULTON AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SERTOMA CLUB OF NORTH AUGUSTA FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION, AND MS. PICCOLINO [PHONETIC] FOR HER HELP IN THAT MATTER.
I THINK SHE'S GOING TO BE IN NORTH AUGUSTA ON THURSDAY NIGHT TALKING TO SERTOMA, AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET A FEW MORE DOLLAR OUT OF THEM.
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE 12 CONSENT ITEMS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE MOTION CARRIES, THE 12 CONSENT ITEMS ARE APPROVED.
WE HAVE JUST A COUPLE SHORT, I BELIEVE, CONSTRUCTION UPDATES FROM DR. YARBOROUGH UNDER INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. DR. YARBOROUGH, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS, DR. MURPHY.
YES. WE HAVE TWO ITEMS, C1 AND C2
[01:25:14]
>> YES. THE FIRST ONE IS FOR THE AIKEN COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER, WHICH IS COMING ALONG GREAT.
THE INTERIOR WALLS, THE CONCRETE MASONRY UNIT WALLS ARE COMING UP SOME TO THE SECOND FLOOR LEVEL ALREADY.
OF COURSE, THE SITE LOOKS GREAT AND THEY'RE JUST MAKING WONDERFUL PROGRESS, SO IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING.
DATE OF SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION IS FOR THE FALL OF 2026, START OF THAT SCHOOL YEAR.
THE NEXT ONE, C2 IS THE NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS COMPLEX.
AND THE PROJECT IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE.
THIRD PARTY INSPECTOR CONDUCTED A WALK THROUGH LAST WEEK, A REPORT WAS ISSUED AND SO NOW PUNCH LIST ITEMS ARE BEING HANDLED.
WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO COMPLETION AND THE PROJECT, I WAS JUST THERE TODAY LOOKS WONDERFUL.
JUST TO GO BACK IN TIME A LITTLE BIT.
THE ENTIRE FIELDS ARE BEING SODDED.
THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT SOME TIME AGO, MR. CHAIRMAN, BY YOU AND I GAVE YOU BAD INFORMATION.
BOTH ON THE SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL FIELDS ARE SODDED EXCEPT FOR THE FIELD, OF COURSE, WHICH IS DIRT AS IT SHOULD BE.
BUT VERY NEAR COMPLETION. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> FOR THE NORTH AUGUSTA BASEBALL COMPLEX, WERE WE FINALLY ABLE TO AGREE ON A SCOREBOARD?
>> YES, SIR. IN FACT, THE BOOSTER CLUB MET LAST NIGHT AND THEY HAVE APPROVED FUNDS TO UPGRADE THE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD AND THE SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD BOTH.
THEY WILL BE HAVING ENHANCED FUNCTIONS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PAY FOR ON TOP OF WHAT WE AS THE DISTRICT ARE PROVIDING.
YES, SIR. THAT'S IN THE WORKS.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND DR. MURPHY.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS.
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR IF PEOPLE ARE ROLLING OFF OR THEIR TERMS ENDING WITH THE AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL TO REAPPOINT THEM OR APPOINT NEW PEOPLE.
THE FIRST OF WHICH IS MY ITEM.
WE HAVE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING FIVE PEOPLE TO ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA 1 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
THEY ARE ALBERTINE GRANT, CLARENCE JACKSON, LINDA KARAPATAKIS, EUGENE WHITE, AND JOSHUA RAINES.
THE CHAIR HAS MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON TO NOMINATE AND EXCUSE ME, TO APPOINT THOSE FIVE PEOPLE TO THE AREA 1 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPOINTING THOSE FIVE PEOPLE TO THE AREA 1 ADVISORY COUNCIL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S SEVEN. ANYBODY OPPOSED OR ABSTAINED? WERE YOU A FOUR? THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR AND THOSE FIVE PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED TO ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA 1 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
WE'VE GOT NEXT, MR. LINDELL WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORWARD SOME NAMES FOR THE AREA 2 ADVISORY COUNCIL. MR. LINDELL?
>> CHAIRMAN NESS, MR. MOULTON AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MR. JAMES WHITEHEAD OF NORTH AUGUSTA TO SERVE ON THE AREA 2 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
MR. WHITEHEAD IS A RESPECTED MEMBER OF THE NORTH AUGUSTA COMMUNITY, A DEDICATED BANKING PROFESSIONAL, A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR MAKING NORTH AUGUSTA THE PREMIER PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY AND WE BELIEVE HE WILL BE A VALUABLE ASSET TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
>> A MOTION MADE BY MR. LINDELL, SECONDED BY MR. MOULTON.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO THE AREA 2 ADVISORY COUNCIL OF MR. WHITEHEAD.
HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO APPOINT THIS INDIVIDUAL TO THE AREA 2 ADVISORY COUNCIL. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
[01:30:02]
LET ME GET MY NOTES UP.WE'VE GOT NEXT, MR. BROOME, WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME APPOINTMENTS TO AREA 2 OF I BELIEVE, BRUCE TURNER, IRIS GLOVER, AND ASHLEY BRITTON.
I'LL GIVE YOU THE FLOOR TO MAKE THAT MOTION, SIR.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION BRUCE TURNER.
>> IRIS GLOVER. I KNOW ALL WHICH ONE.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT THESE THREE BACK.
I DO HAVE ONE OPEN SPOT THAT I'M NOT READY TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT ON YET. OKAY.
>> MR. BROOME HAS MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS TO ANOTHER TERM ON AREA 5 ADVISORY COUNCIL. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND BY MR. LINDELL DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPOINTING BRUCE TURNER, IRIS GLOVER, AND ASHLEY BRITTON, TO THE AREA FIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THAT IS OUR AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.
THE LAST THING UNDER INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS IS MS. MORRIS HAS AN ITEM THIS EVENING AROUND A REVIEW OF POLICY IKA, WHICH IS A LARGE GRADING POLICY.
BUT I BELIEVE SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR VALEDICTORIAN SALUTORIAN.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS, MS. MORRIS.
>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. CHAIRMAN NUESSLE, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I WOULD LIKE IF WE CAN LOOK AT THE IKA POLICY THAT TAKES A LOOK AT EIGHT SEMESTERS AS IT CURRENTLY IS FOR A STUDENT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR VALEDICTORIAN, BECAUSE THIS POLICY HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2003.
I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND THIS POLICY BEFORE WE MAKE ANY CHANGES AND WE DO RESPECT ANY THOUGHTS AROUND THIS POLICY AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT THE STUDENTS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE VALEDICTORIAN.
IF I COULD ASK OUR SUPERINTENDENT IF HE COULD PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE FOR US AS IT RELATES TO THE EXPLANATION AROUND THIS POLICY.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I'VE ASKED BERT POSTELL, OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO GIVE US A VERY BRIEF PRESENTATION ON POLICY IKA. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, DR. MURPHY.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BRING YOU A VERY BRIEF REVIEW OF POLICY IKA AS IT PERTAINS TO ACADEMIC HONORS.
I WILL REVIEW FOR YOU JUST A VERY BRIEF, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION.
THE POLICY WAS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED IN 1975 AND HAS GONE THROUGH MANY UPDATES SINCE, THE MOST RECENT UPDATE BEING OCTOBER 2023.
PART OF THAT WAS SOME ADVICE FROM THIS BOARD TO TIGHTEN UP THE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTORIAN PROCESS.
THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY IN GENERAL IS TO ESTABLISH THAT BASIC UNDERSTANDING AND STRUCTURE OF ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT INSTRUCTION.
OUR CONCERN TONIGHT IS ON THE ACADEMIC HONORS PIECE.
I COPIED THIS STRAIGHT FROM THE POLICY.
I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF WORDS UP THERE.
I DON'T LIKE TO PUT A LOT OF WORDS ON THE SCREEN.
I DID HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE WORDS.
AS MS. MORRIS MENTIONED, THE BEGINNING OF THE POLICY STATES THAT STUDENTS GRADUATING EARLY WILL BE RANKED.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THEY'RE RANKED AS MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR CLASS, BUT THOSE STUDENTS MUST ATTEND EIGHT SEMESTERS IN A HIGH SCHOOL IN GRADES NINE THROUGH 12 IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN.
FURTHER, THE POLICY STATES THAT TO BE RECOGNIZED THE STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THEIR 11TH GRADE YEAR.
THAT WAS PRIMARILY PUT IN PLACE SO THAT STUDENTS CAN'T TRANSFER IN AND TAKE OVER THAT SPOT THAT THEY NEED TO SPEND SOME TIME IN THE SCHOOL AND HAVE FOUR CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS AT THE AWARDING HIGH SCHOOL.
FURTHER, AND THIS WAS THE CHANGE FROM 2023, THAT TO QUALIFY STUDENTS MUST TAKE A MINIMUM OF FOUR CREDIT COURSES, AND AT LEAST TWO OF THE REMAINING FOUR SEMESTERS ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS, AND THAT THAT DETERMINATION FOR VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN IS DONE AT THE END OF THE EIGHT SEMESTER OF SCHOOL GRADES NINE THROUGH 12.
JUST TO SUMMARIZE THAT AND GO OVER A FEW POINTS FOR YOU.
THE BOARD POLICY DOES REQUIRE EIGHT SEMESTERS IN HIGH SCHOOL, GRADES NINE THROUGH 12.
THE STUDENTS GRADUATING EARLY ARE RANKED REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY'RE ON TIME GRADUATES OR EARLY GRADUATES.
THEY ARE RANKED BY GPA, EXCEPT FOR AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY WHERE WE DO NOT RANK STUDENTS AND WE DO NOT NAME A VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN.
PRIMARILY, THE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTORIAN TITLE IS A CEREMONIAL TITLE.
[01:35:02]
SOME SCHOOLS CHOOSE THOSE PERSONS.BASED ON WHO THE CLASS ELECTS TO SPEAK AND REPRESENT THE CLASS THERE.
SOME SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THAT DESIGNATION.
IN PARTICULAR, THREE SCHOOLS, ACADEMIC MAGNET IN CHARLESTON, THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR SCHOOL, AND THEN, OF COURSE, OUR OWN AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY HAVE GONE AWAY FROM THAT DESIGNATION.
WE DO ASK, OF COURSE, IN BRINGING THIS UP.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.
WE DO ASK THAT IF A CHANGE IS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD, IF THAT SUITS YOU, WE DO ASK THAT THE ONLY FAIR WAY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE WILL BE WITH NEXT YEAR'S INCOMING NINTH GRADE CLASS.
THIS IS A RACE THAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN.
I LOOK AT IT AS A FOUR MILE RACE, FOUR YEARS.
WE CAN'T TELL STUDENTS IN MILE 2 YEAR 2 OR MILE 3 YEAR 3 THAT THE RULES HAVE CHANGED.
IF THE BOARD DOES ASK FOR A CHANGE IN THIS POLICY, WE WOULD ASK THAT THAT CHANGE TAKE PLACE NO EARLIER THAN THE INCOMING FRESHMAN FOR NEXT YEAR.
THAT IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF OUR POLICY.
>> IS THIS POLICY IN LINE WITH OR SIMILAR WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA?
SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE GONE AWAY FROM HAVING A VALEDICTORIAN SALUTATORIAN AND THEY'RE GOING TO THE UNRANKED.
>> WHAT ABOUT DISTRICTS OF OUR SIDE?
>> THERE ARE SOME OF OUR SIDES WHO HAVE GONE AWAY FROM IT.
>> IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND RESEARCH GOING ABOUT HOW IT CREATES AN COMPETITIVENESS BETWEEN THE STUDENTS.
WE READ AN ARTICLE RECENTLY WHERE, STUDENTS WILL FOREGO TAKING CERTAIN COURSES BECAUSE IT HURTS THE GPA, OR THEY'LL CHOOSE CERTAIN COURSES BECAUSE IT HELPS THE GPA TO GET TO THAT TITLE AND STAY THERE.
STUDENTS KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT THE END OF THEIR NINTH GRADE YEAR, AND IT'S A COMPETITIVE PROCESS TO GET TO THAT TOP.
DISTRICTS WHO HAVE GONE AWAY FROM IT SEEM TO BE BECAUSE THEY WANT STUDENTS TO TAKE THE COURSES THAT THEY ENJOY IN SCHOOL AND THAT FIT THEIR CAREER PATHWAY. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, MR. POSTELL.
>> WE'RE JUST HAVING A DISCUSSION AND GETTING SOME INFORMATION.
SEEING THIS ON THE AGENDA, THE ONE THOUGHT THAT WENT THROUGH MY HEAD, AND I DIDN'T KNOW MR. POSTELL WOULD SAY THAT IS, I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF CHANGING THE RULES ON A COHORT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
BUT CERTAINLY, IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS UP FOR A DISCUSSION THROUGH SOME FUTURE MEETING OR WHATEVER, SEEMS LIKE A REASONABLE THING TO DISCUSS.
I GUESS I'M JUST SAYING I'M NOT IN A RUSH.
>> YES, THANK YOU. THAT LEADS US TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE. DR. MURPHY?
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, BOARD MEMBERS AND FOLKS VISITING US IN THE GALLERY AND ONLINE.
SINCE LATE APRIL, WE HAVE CELEBRATED SEVERAL IMPORTANT OCCASIONS, INCLUDING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK, SCHOOL LUNCH HERO DAY, SCHOOL NURSE DAY, AND SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DAY AND HONOR ALL EMPLOYEES AT OUR ANNUAL APPRECIATION EVENT HELD IN DOWNTOWN AIKEN.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU GOES OUT TO OUR STUDENT PERFORMERS FROM EAST AIKEN, CHUCKO CREEK SINGERS AND STRINGS CLUB, REDCLIFFE STRINGS CLUB, AND NORTH AUGUSTA HIGHS ORCHESTRA FOR MAKING THIS EVENT SO SPECIAL.
WE APPRECIATE SAVANNAH SUNDAY AND THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS PARTNERS WHO OFFERED DISCOUNTS AND SPECIALS THAT HELPED CREATE A FUN AND MEMORABLE NIGHT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF.
THIS PAST SUNDAY WAS MOTHER'S DAY, AND WE HOPE IT WAS JOYFUL CELEBRATION FOR ALL.
THIS SATURDAY'S CELEBRATION OF CHARACTER HONORED STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SINCERITY, RESPECT, PATIENCE, AND COMPASSION, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CONSISTENTLY CHOSE INTEGRITY IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE THERE TO CELEBRATE THESE REMARKABLE STUDENTS AND THE CHARACTER TRAITS WE STRIVE TO NURTURE IN ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.
ON MONDAY, WE'LL GATHER FOR OUR ANNUAL RETIREMENT CELEBRATION TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE RETIRING TEACHERS, SUPPORT STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATORS FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
ALSO ON MONDAY, MAY 19TH, CHILDREN'S PLACE WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL CELEBRITY WAITER NIGHT AT TAILGATE TAVERN.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE SOME OF OUR VERY OWN STARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVING AS CELEBRITY WAITERS.
BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR TAILGATE TAVERN.
[01:40:01]
ENJOY A GREAT MEAL, AND TIP GENEROUSLY.ALL GRATUITY SUPPORT THE MISSION OF CHILDREN'S PLACE.
LASTLY, TONIGHT, WE HAVE RECEIVED SOME VERY SAD NEWS OF THE PASSING OF MS. TIFFANY WASHINGTON, OUR TEACHING AND LEARNING COACH AT CORBETT MIDDLE.
ALTHOUGH THIS WAS HER FIRST YEAR WITH US, MS. WASHINGTON QUICKLY BECAME A TRUSTED SUPPORT TO OUR TEACHERS AND A MENTOR TO MANY STUDENTS.
PLEASE KEEP HER FAMILY AND THE CORBETT MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DR. MURPHY. WE ARE IN NEED OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE'RE IN NEED OF A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS IN SUCH ORDERS THE BOARD DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
WE HAVE UNDER STUDENT MATTERS, WE HAVE TWO STUDENT APPEALS, STUDENT APPEAL A FROM AREA 2, AND ALSO STUDENT APPEAL B FROM AREA 2.
UNDER EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT FOR DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT FOR CHIEF OFFICER OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE ADDED DISCUSSION ON THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
UPON CONCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE WILL RETURN TO A REGULAR SESSION TO VOTE IN PUBLIC ON THOSE ITEMS IF NEEDED, IF ACTION IS NECESSARY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THIS PURPOSE? MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON HAS MADE THE MOTION, IS THERE A SECONDED BY MR. LINDELL, DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ENTERING EXECUTIVE SESSION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
>> THAT CONCLUDES REGULAR SESSION FOR THE MOMENT, AND WE'LL BEGIN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.
[03:32:04]
>> WE HAVE COMPLETED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[03:32:08]
WE ARE IN NEED OF A MOTION TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AND REENTER A REGULAR SESSION.[03:32:12]
[03:32:12]
[03:32:13]
>> MOTION MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON,
[03:32:15]
SECONDED BY MR. LINDELL,[03:32:16]
TO A EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RE ENTER REGULAR SESSION,[03:32:19]
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION.[03:32:21]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[03:32:23]
THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR. THE MOTION PASSES.[03:32:26]
WE ARE IN REGULAR SESSION.[03:32:29]
WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION,[03:32:31]
WE DISCUSSED TWO STUDENT APPEALS THAT REQUIRE OUR ACTION.[03:32:36]
THE FIRST OF WHICH IS STUDENT APPEAL A ALPHA FROM AREA 2.[03:32:41]
IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO THIS APPEAL?[03:32:43]
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT
[03:32:46]
WE VOTE TO HAVE THEIR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT IN THIS SCHOOL YEAR.[03:32:55]
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, MR. LINDELL HAS MADE A MOTION
[03:32:58]
TO ESSENTIALLY UPHOLD THE CURRENT DISPOSITION OF ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT,[03:33:05]
BUT TO MAKE THE DURATION OF IT ON THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.[03:33:12]
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION?[03:33:17]
HEARING NO SECOND, THE MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF SECOND.IS THERE A DIFFERENT MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL A?
>> I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION ON STUDENT APPEAL A.
>> THERE'S A MOTION BY MR. SILAS, SECONDED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON TO UPHOLD THE DITRICT'S RECOMMENDATION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL A.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE AGAINST, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S ONE AGAINST.
NOW FOR THE MATTER OF STUDENT APPEAL B, BRAVO, IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL B?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT STUDENT B'S ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
>> MR. LINDELL HAS MADE A MOTION TO HAVE THE STUDENT ON STUDENT APPEAL B BE AN ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT, BUT FOR THE TIMING TO END AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION? HEARING NONE, THE MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
IS THERE A DIFFERENT MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL B?
>> I WOULD MOVE TO ACCEPT THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION ON STUDENT APPEAL B.
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. SILAS, SECONDED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON TO UPHOLD THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION OF ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT FOR 45 DAYS ON STUDENT APPEAL B, BRAVO.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? THAT'S SEVEN. ALL THOSE AGAINST, RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S ONE.
THE MOTION PASSES SEVEN TO ONE.
[03:35:01]
NEXT, WE HAVE TWO EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, THREE, CONSIDERING THE ONE WE GOT TO COME BACK TO.BUT WE HAD EMPLOYMENT MATTER 2 ALPHA, THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT FOR THE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE THAT WE VOTE ON THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION.
>> MR. LINDELL'S MADE A MOTION SECONDED BY MR. MOULTON TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED CANDIDATE RECOMMENDED FOR THE POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION.
ALL VOTES IN FAVOR. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT IS SEVEN. ALL THOSE AGAINST, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S ONE.
NEXT, WE HAVE EMPLOYMENT MATTER 2B, BRAVO, ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT FOR CHIEF OFFICER OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
>> MOTION MADE BY MR. LINDELL, SECONDED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON TO APPROVE THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OFFICER OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION?
>> YES, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION THAT THIS APPOINTMENT BE HELD UNTIL SAID TIME THAT ALL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETED.
>> MR. BROOME HAS MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION REGARDS THE TIMING OF THE APPOINTMENT UNTIL CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETE.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION?
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF AMENDING THE MAIN MOTION, SUCH THAT I GUESS WE'RE DELAYING THE FILLING OF THE POSITION UNTIL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETE THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING ON.
DID I CALL FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT? YEAH. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S TWO IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
>> WAS IT LIKE THIS? I'M SORRY.
LET'S START OVER BECAUSE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYBODY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND OF THE AMENDMENT. THAT'S THREE.
THANK YOU, MR. BROOME. FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT IS FIVE. THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION FAILS THREE, FOUR, FIVE AGAINST.
>> WE CURRENTLY, WITH THAT AMENDMENT FAILING TO THE MAIN MOTION, WE STILL ARE DISCUSSING THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE FOR CHIEF OFFICER OF HR AND ADMIN? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S SEVEN IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S ONE AGAINST.
WHEN WE WERE PREVIOUSLY IN REGULAR SESSION, WE MADE A MOTION TO TAKE DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEM A1 PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, THAT DISCUSSION WAS HAD.
I'M BRINGING THAT BACK INTO DISCUSSION.
WE ARE IN NEED OF A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED IN ITEM A1.
>> MOTION MADE BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY MS. MORRIS TO APPROVE THE PRESENT A LIST OF CLASSIFIED AND CERTIFIED PERSONNEL ON ITEM A1.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION?
>> THAT IS THE WHOLE LIST. NO, I'M SORRY.
ITEM A1 PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
YES, SIR. WE'VE GOT A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE ITEM A1 PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, THE WHOLE LIST, A DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION.
>> I'D LIKE TO AMEND THAT MOTION TO AGAIN THE MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE LIST, REMOVING ITEM NUMBER 32 UNTIL THE TIME THAT ALL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETED AND THEN IT WOULD BE REVOTED ON.
>> GOOD. MR. BROOME HAS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL TO AMEND THE MOTION SUCH THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY ONLY APPROVING THE LIST A1, EXCEPT FOR ITEM 32.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION TO AMEND?
[03:40:02]
>> I'M ASKING FOR A SECOND FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION.
HEARING NO SECOND, THE MOTION TO AMEND FAILS.
WE ARE STILL DISCUSSING THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ENTIRE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS UNDER ITEM A1 WHICH IS NUMBER 31.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT MOTION THAT WE APPROVE EVERYONE, BUT NUMBER 32 DOESN'T GO ON CAMPUS UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED.
TO RESTATE THE MOTION, I'LL HANDLE ANY COMMENTS I HAVE IN DISCUSSION.
MR. LINDELL HAS MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE MAIN MOTION SUCH THAT WE APPROVE EVERYTHING, BUT ITEM 32 DOESN'T REPORT TO THAT SPECIFIC JOB.
>> UNTIL THE INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING ARE COMPLETE.
IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS MOTION TO AMEND? MR. MOULTON HAS SECONDED THAT MOTION.
>> THE REASON I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT IS BASED ON SUPERINTENDENTS, THE INVESTIGATION PROBABLY BE OVER BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, IF NOT SOONER.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS PERSON WILL HAVE THEIR JOB WHEN THE PROPER TIME COMES.
>> YEAH. MY ONLY ITEM FOR DISCUSSION IS THAT, WHICH I COULD HAVE COMPLETELY WRONG BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW SCHEDULES AND DON'T RUN THE SCHOOLS IS I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHAT WOULD BE THEIR REPORT TO WORK DATE IF IT WAS NOT ALTERED.
>> JULY 1 WILL BE THE START DATE OF THE NEW CONTRACT.
HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE SOME EVENTS AWAY FROM THE SCHOOLS SUCH AS YEAR END LEADERSHIP ROUNDUPS, WHERE WE INTRODUCE FOLKS COMING INTO THE YEAR THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING GRADUATION THE NEXT WEEK FOLLOWING GRADUATION, SO THAT WILL BE OFF SITE, SO TECHNICALLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SPORTS WISHES AS WELL.
>> YEAH. MAYBE I'M MISSING SOME STUFF THERE.
THE ONLY POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IS, I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH WITH THE AMENDMENT.
BUT MS. MORRIS, DO YOU HAVE A POINT?
IF ANOTHER INVESTIGATION SHOULD ARISE, WILL WE CONTINUE TO PUT THIS APPOINTMENT OFF BASED ON INVESTIGATIONS THAT CONTINUE TO ARISE?
>> I'LL GIVE AN OPINION ON WHAT WE'RE SAYING HERE.
IF THE AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION IS APPROVED, WE ARE PROMOTING THE PERSON BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY IN THAT ROLE.
IT IS A PROMOTION, BUT WE'RE NOT PLACING THEM UNTIL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETE.
I MAY BE WRONG, BUT THAT'S MY INTERPRETATION OF WHAT BRASS TACKS, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WITH THIS AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION.
VERSUS, I MEAN, THEIR CONTRACT WOULD START ON JULY 1ST, EVEN IF WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THIS AMENDMENT.
THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, MISS MORRIS.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION? WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION THAT'S BEEN MADE, SECONDED, DISCUSSED, TO APPROVE.
BASICALLY, WE CAN APPROVE ITEM 32, BUT MY WORDS NOT HAVE THEM REPORT TO WORK OR BE PLACED IN THAT SPECIFIC POSITION UNTIL INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETE.
ANY CALL FOR THE VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF AMENDING THE MOTION IN THAT FASHION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S THREE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED TO AMENDING THE MOTION IN THAT FASHION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT IS FIVE. THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION FAILS THREE VOTES IN FAVOR FIVE AGAINST.
WE IN DISCUSSION ABOUT THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ENTIRE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS ON ITEM A1, WHICH WE'VE HAD SOME AMENDMENT.
IS THERE ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE ENTIRE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS ON A1 PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S SEVEN IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE OPPOSED PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S ONE AGAINST.
THE MOTION CARRIES SEVEN TO ONE.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS FOR THIS EVENING.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
[03:45:01]
MADE THE MOTION AFTER I FINISHED TALKING.MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S EVERYBODY. WE STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.