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[00:00:04]

ALL RIGHT. CALLING TO ORDER THE DECEMBER 11TH, 2024 BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ANNUAL ORGANIZATION MEETING.

[1. Regular Meeting - 4:30 p.m.]

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND LITIGATION MATTERS AS PURSUANT TO MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE

[2. Closed Session]

3-305 B18.

OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE ARE IN CLOSED SESSION.

[3. Open Session - 5:30 p.m.]

ALL RIGHT. IT'S 5:30 ISH.

YOURS SAYS 5:30.

WE ARE GOING TO RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION THE DECEMBER 11TH, 2024 BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ANNUAL ORGANIZATION MEETING.

PLEASE STAND AS MR. DAVIS LEADS US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

THANK YOU. BOARD REFLECTION.

MISS HEATH, OR MR. DAVIS. THE MISSION OF THE CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS TO SERVE EQUITABLY THROUGH POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AS A SAFE, COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY.

WE WILL ENSURE ALL LEARNERS ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALITIES TO BE RESPONSIBLE, CARING AND ETHICAL CITIZENS.

THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA.

I NEED A MOTION, PLEASE.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT THE MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AT THIS POINT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR LAWSON TO DO THE BOARD ELECTIONS.

[4. Board Elections]

THE DECEMBER MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS THE ANNUAL ORGANIZATION MEETING WHERE I SERVE AS THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.

IN ORDER TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD PRESIDENT.

SO WITH THAT, I TAKE THE GAVEL.

WHEN NOMINATIONS ARE MADE.

THERE WILL BE NO SECOND REQUIRED.

THE APPLICABLE STATUTE REQUIRES ELECTION OF OFFICERS BY MEANS OF RECORDED VOTE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MEANING THERE WILL BE A ROLL CALL VOTE AT THIS POINT.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW IN ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MISS DIANA B HAWLEY FOR PRESIDENT.

THAT SOUNDS SO OFFICIAL.

I'M TRYING. ARE THERE ANY FURTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING NONE.

MISS OLSON, PLEASE CONDUCT THE ROLL CALL.

VOTE.

DIANA HAWLEY IS DECLARED THE ELECTED TO BE THE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR CECIL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GET YOUR GAVEL BACK.

THAT WAS IT. [APPLAUSE] AT THIS TIME, NOMINATIONS ARE NOW IN ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT.

I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE DIANE HEATH FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? ALL RIGHT. IF NOT, NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

MISS OLSON, PLEASE CONDUCT THE ROLL CALL VOTE.

CONGRATULATIONS, MISS HEATH.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OKAY, NOW NEXT UP IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[5. Consent Agenda]

AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE MULTIPLE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WHERE WE APPROVE THEM ALL WITH ONE VOTE.

BUT BEFORE I ASK FOR A MOTION TO DO THAT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO BOARD MEMBERS WHO WANT TO REMOVE ANY OF THE ITEMS IN THE CONSENT AGENDA.

OKAY. HEARING NONE, I NEED A MOTION, PLEASE.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. OKAY.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS.

[6. New Business]

I JUST WANT TO.

MISS GRIFFIN, OUR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD IS NOT HERE TONIGHT.

SHE'S A LITTLE BIT UNDER THE WEATHER.

BUT SHE DID SEND ME A MESSAGE SAYING THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO DO A BRIEF REPORT THAT BASICALLY SAYS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PERRYVILLE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT.

THE PERRYVILLE PARADE IS THIS SATURDAY AROUND 2:00.

[00:05:01]

AND SHE SAID IT IS A GREAT TIME FOR FAMILIES, NOT JUST PERRYVILLE FAMILIES, BUT ALL FAMILIES AND A NICE WAY TO GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

SHE PLANS TO BE THERE WITH THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY ON A FLOAT AND PASSING OUT CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

SO THAT WAS MISS GRIFFIN'S REPORT.

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT TO MISS DIXON FOR HER REPORT, PLEASE.

I WAS REALLY PLEASED WITH THE TURNOUT THAT WE HAD ON MONDAY NIGHT FOR THE OPEN FORUM.

SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE NEXT ONE THAT WE HAVE, BECAUSE WE'D LIKE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU THERE.

AND THEN I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU, MISS DIXON.

MR. DAVIS. THANK YOU, MISS HOLLY.

THERE'S A FEW THINGS I WANT TO SAY.

I'LL TRY TO MAKE IT QUICK.

NOW THAT THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION HAS OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN CECIL COUNTY WHO VOTED FOR ME IN MY REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

SERVING ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN THE PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE, AND I AM HUMBLED AND APPRECIATIVE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL FOUR YEARS.

I WILL REMAIN DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF EVERY STUDENT WHO ATTENDS CCPS AND WORK TIRELESSLY TOWARDS THOSE GOALS.

AS I'VE PREVIOUSLY STATED PUBLICLY, BEING A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS NOT ABOUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT SERVICE.

IT'S ABOUT SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS.

IT'S ABOUT SERVICE TO OUR TEACHERS, OUR FACULTY AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF, AND OF COURSE, OUR COMMUNITIES.

SERVING MY COUNTRY AS A MILITARY VETERAN.

SERVING AS A SERVING MY COUNTRY AS A 25 YEAR FEDERAL AGENT AND SERVING MY COMMUNITY AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ALL SHARE EQUAL IMPORTANCE AND SPEAKS TO THE VALUE OF HOW GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY BENEFITS EVERYONE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE HARD WORK AHEAD AS WE PARTNER TOGETHER WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IN OUR PURSUIT OF A MORE PERFECT UNION.

AS CLEARLY STATED IN THE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, THE PREAMBLE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, I PROMISE TO ALWAYS SERVE WITH PRIDE, INTEGRITY, AND OF COURSE, ETHICS, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TRAIT OF ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS DOING THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN OTHERS MAY NOT BE WATCHING.

LASTLY, I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND A RENEWED HOPE AND OPTIMISM FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS.

MISS HEATH. THANK YOU.

I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS SHORT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS DON'T WANT TO HEAR ME.

YOU WANT TO GET ON WITH YOUR EVENING.

SO JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN OVER THE LAST MONTH.

MISS HAWLEY AND MYSELF, ALL OUR BOARD MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE STUDENT COUNCIL BREAKFAST, AND THEN MISS HAWLEY AND I STAYED AFTER TO TALK TO OUR STUDENTS ABOUT BEING THE STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

SO, THERE WILL BE NOMINATIONS FOR STUDENT MEMBER OF THE BOARD, JUNIORS AND SENIORS OR ACTUALLY SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS, BECAUSE YOU'LL BE A JUNIOR OR SENIOR.

SO, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU REACH OUT TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AND THEY CAN GET YOU IN TOUCH WITH WHO YOU NEED TO DO THAT.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAD OUR SERVICE GALA, WHICH WE RECOGNIZED OUR EMPLOYEES OF 30, 35 AND 40 YEARS.

THAT WAS A GREAT EVENING CELEBRATING THEM.

AND WE HAD OUR LIMITED OPEN FORUM ON MONDAY NIGHT, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED.

WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN THE SPRING WHERE YOU CAN COME AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

AND I'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERING AS WELL IN OUR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE CLASSES.

AND THEN NEXT WEEK I GET THE PRIVILEGE OF JUDGING THE DOORS THAT ARE DECORATED AT BOW MANOR.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

SO ANY BOW MANOR STUDENTS THAT ARE HERE DECORATE YOUR DOORS.

I'LL BE THERE JUDGING.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

SO MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL HOLIDAYS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS HEATH.

I'M NOT REPEATING EVERYTHING.

THEY JUST SAID WHAT THEY DID, I WAS THERE.

JUST A COUPLE OF THANK YOUS.

DOCTOR HAMMER ORGANIZED OUR CCS FLOAT IN THIS PAST SATURDAY'S PARADE IN NORTHEAST, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF STAFF PEOPLE THERE FROM EVERY SCHOOL.

THERE WERE MASCOTS THERE, AND THE BANNER ON THE SIDE SAID STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES.

SO I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO REMEMBER THAT.

AND AGAIN, THANK YOU, DOCTOR HAMMER.

I KNOW THERE ALSO WERE SOME OTHER FLOATS FROM SCHOOLS, BANDS CHORUSES.

CCST HAD A FLOAT, THE JROTC PROGRAM HAD A FLOAT.

SO IT WAS A REALLY GREAT SHOWING AND A REALLY GREAT EVENT.

AGAIN, A LOT OF WINTER CONCERTS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL AND HOLIDAY EVENTS.

AND I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE SPIRIT OF GIVING IN CECIL COUNTY HAS BEEN REALLY, REALLY GREAT AND REALLY WIDESPREAD.

AND WE'RE JUST ALL AND I KNOW ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN NEED ARE EXTREMELY AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

THE SHOP WITH A COP HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING TRADITION IN CECIL COUNTY THAT THAT WAS KIND OF CUT WHEN COVID HAPPENED.

AND THIS YEAR, THIS YEAR, I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE NORTHEAST POLICE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO START IT BACK UP.

[00:10:05]

AND THEY'VE RAISED OVER $6,000 FOR THIS EVENT THERE, STARTING WITH NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY AT THIS TIME.

THEY'RE HOPING TO EXPAND IT IN THE FUTURE.

AND EACH CHILD WHO'S PARTICIPATING WILL BE ASSIGNED THEIR OWN POLICE OFFICER THROUGH EITHER A MARYLAND STATE POLICE OFFICER, CECIL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICER, OR NEPD POLICE OFFICER.

SO, AGAIN, REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT EFFORT THAT IS HAPPENING SATURDAY MORNING.

SO IF YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT IN THE NORTHEAST AREA, YOU MAY SEE SOME POLICE CARS WITH SIRENS ON.

AND IT'S A GOOD THING.

SO JUST REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT AGAIN.

I JUST HOPE EVERYONE HAS A REALLY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.

A RESTFUL HOLIDAY SEASON, BECAUSE I TOLD THESE GUYS WHEN WE WERE ON BREAK THAT OUR JANUARY IS GOING TO BE ROLLING, SO ENJOY YOUR BREAK NOW.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS UP IN JANUARY, ITS BUDGET SEASON IN JANUARY.

SO AGAIN HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY AND DOCTOR LAWSON YOU'RE NEXT.

AND THE SCORES CECIL COUNTY HAS GENERATED, PARTICULARLY IN GRADE TEN OVER THE LAST FIVE, SEVEN YEARS REALLY ARE REMARKABLE.

AND I THINK SOMETIMES WE TAKE OUR SHARE OF BLACK EYES ABOUT OUR STUDENTS NOT ACHIEVING.

AND SO I WAS ASKED TO GO DOWN AND EXPLAIN JUST EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

SO WHAT THIS IS THIS IS 2019 READING PROFICIENCY LEVELS.

AND IF YOU LOOK WE START WITH GRADE THREE.

AND AGAIN THIS IS PRE-COVID.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE WAS 39% OF OUR THIRD GRADERS WERE PROFICIENT.

AND THAT TENDS TO BE WHERE WE TAKE THE MOST OF OUR CRITICISM IS SIMPLY BECAUSE LESS THAN 40% OF OUR THIRD GRADERS ARE PROFICIENT IN READING.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST TO YOU, THAT'S JUST A PIECE OF THE STORY.

CECIL COUNTY IS TYPICALLY AROUND 17TH IN THE STATE AS IT RELATES TO WEALTH.

SO WE'RE IN THE BOTTOM THIRD IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY WEALTH IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND SO WHERE WE HANG OUR HAT AND WHERE WE TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR STUDENTS DURING THE TIME THEY'RE WITH US.

AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

AND THIS BEGINS IN 2019, ACTUALLY HAPPENED A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT.

WE TAKE OUR THIRD GRADERS WHO COME IN AT A 39% READING PROFICIENCY RATE, AND BY THE TIME THEY LEAVE IN 10TH GRADE, LOOK WHAT HAPPENS IN SOME YEARS.

WE PRETTY MUCH DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT ARE PROFICIENT.

AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EACH GRADE HERE IS AROUND 1100 STUDENTS.

SO LITERALLY IT'S THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IMPROVE.

AND THAT 55% WAS IN THE TOP TEN.

YOU CAN SEE IN 2022.

NOW THIS IS THE YEAR AFTER COVID WE PULLED OUT THE TWO COVID YEARS BEING 2020 AND 2021, JUST BECAUSE THE DATA REALLY THE STATE'S NOT EVEN COLLECTING IT ANYMORE.

BUT YOU CAN SEE IN 2022 THE SAME PATTERN AGAIN, THE 59% PROFICIENCY RATE FOR GRADE TEN IS AMONG THE TOP TEN IN THE STATE.

TWO YEARS AGO IT WENT UP TO 62%.

AND AGAIN, LOOK, OUR THIRD GRADERS COME IN 39%.

WE COME CLOSE TO DOUBLING THE PROFICIENCY RATE.

AND THEN LAST YEAR WE'RE AT 61%.

SO CLEARLY AND YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE STUDENTS PROBABLY DON'T KNOW RHONDA ASPLIN.

SHE'S OUR COORDINATOR FOR SECONDARY LANGUAGE ARTS, JUST DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN SUPPORTING OUR ENGLISH TEACHERS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO DO THE KINDS OF THINGS WE DO. SO IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE PIECES.

I THINK, REALLY, THIS IS DESIGNED, YOU KNOW, FOR THE BOARD MORE THAN IT IS THE AUDIENCE.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THEY ARE REAL BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF OUR STUDENTS.

AND ANOTHER PIECE THAT GOES THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF ATTENDANCE.

ONE IS CALLED CHRONICALLY ABSENT AND THE OTHER IS HABITUALLY TRUANT AND CHRONICALLY ABSENT.

IS SOMEBODY WHO'S ABSENT 18 OR MORE THAN 18 DAYS IN A YEAR, AND HABITUALLY TRUANT IS ABSENT MORE THAN 36.

THAT'S THE 10% NUMBER AND THE 20% NUMBER.

AND THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE SEEN REAL GROWTH HERE AS WELL.

OUR STUDENT OR THE SCHOOL REPORT CARDS CAME OUT LAST WEEK, AND YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW.

HALF OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE THREE STARS AND THE OTHER HALF ARE FOUR STARS.

WE HAD ONE TWO STAR SCHOOL AND NO FIVE STARS, SO, BUT THREE AND FOUR STARS FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY AGAIN COMPARED TO THE STATE IS REALLY STRONG.

AND YOU CAN SEE WE'VE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT ARE HABITUALLY TRUANT.

SO AGAIN, IT'S JUST GOOD INFORMATION AND I'M REALLY JUST TRYING TO BRING OUT CERTAIN DATA POINTS FOR THE BOARD'S AWARENESS.

AND SO SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S OUT THERE.

HOLD ON. WE HAVE GIFTS.

SO WE ARE GIVING EVERY BOARD MEMBER ONE OF THESE.

[00:15:04]

OH YEAH. AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE STUDENTS BE VERY, VERY LEERY OF WHAT THIS IS.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT YOU IF YOU'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL YET.

OH GOSH. SOMEBODY SAID.

SO THESE ARE THESE ARE YONDR POUCHES.

AND SO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL HAVE A YONDR POUCH WAITING FOR THEM AT SCHOOL.

I'M REALLY GETTING SOME SERIOUS LOOKS FROM STUDENTS AT THE MOMENT.

AND SO WHAT HAPPENS? AS A STUDENT WALKS INTO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING, THEY GRAB GRABBED THEIR YONDR POUCH OUT OF THE BIN.

THEY TAKE THEIR CELL PHONE, THEY DROP IT IN AND YOU CLICK IT, I THINK.

AND NOW IT'S LOCKED AND I CAN'T GET TO IT.

WE WILL HAVE A SERIES OF THESE.

YEAH. AND WE WILL HAVE A SERIES OF THESE AROUND THE SCHOOL.

TEACHERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.

OBVIOUSLY THE OFFICE WILL.

AND SO DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, THE STUDENT TAKES THEIR PHONE.

THEY HAVE IT WITH THEM ALL DAY.

AND IF YOU WANT TO GET REAL FRISKY, YOU COULD TAKE YOUR PHONE OR YOUR EXCUSE ME, WATCH AND DROP IT IN AS WELL.

RIGHT. SO AT THE END AND WE'VE SEEN THIS IN ACTION.

SO THERE WILL BE BINS OF THESE YONDR POUCHES AROUND THE SCHOOL.

WHEN STUDENTS COME IN THEY GRAB ONE, THEY DROP THEIR PHONE.

THERE WILL BE AN ADMINISTRATOR OR COUNSELOR OR WHATNOT AT THE ENTRANCE.

AND THE STUDENTS BASICALLY JUST WALK AROUND WITH THEIR YONDR POUCHES FOR THE DAY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, BEFORE YOU GO OUT TO THE BUSSES.

YOU TURN THIS BABY UPSIDE DOWN.

YOU PUT IT RIGHT IN THERE.

AND YOU WHACK IT.

IT'S LIKE. IT'S LIKE THE THING AT THE MALL.

IF YOU GO TO BUY THE SWEATER, RIGHT? AND YOU GOT TO TAKE THAT PIECE OF PLASTIC OFF.

IT'S THE SAME THING.

AND THEN OUT COMES THE PHONE POUCH, GOES BACK IN THE BIN.

OFF YOU GO.

RIGHT. SO THAT IS GOING.

YEAH. NOBODY SEEMS REALLY THRILLED ABOUT THIS.

I THINK I THINK I'M HAVING MORE FUN THAN ANYBODY AT THE MOMENT.

SO. YEAH, THAT'S, GOING TO HAPPEN.

THESE BABIES ARE $30 EACH.

THEY DON'T GO HOME WITH THE KID.

SOME SYSTEMS ARE SENDING THEM HOME WITH THE STUDENT.

BUT MY CONCERN WITH THAT IS IF YOU SEND HOME 3000 OF THESE THE NEXT DAY, YOU'RE PROBABLY GETTING BACK 2800.

YOU'RE GOING TO YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE SOME EVERY DAY.

AND SO YEAH, WE'RE KIND OF EXCITED.

I THINK THERE'S A VIDEO THAT I SEE THAT POP UP MR. JUSTIN OR MR. ZIMMERMAN IS IN THE BACK.

DID I SEE THE VIDEO POP UP IN MY INBOX FROM.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE FULL COMPILATION OF THE.

YEAH, SO NOTIFICATIONS ARE GOING OUT NOW TO FAMILIES.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS OUT THERE AND JUST REAL QUICKLY, YOU KNOW A COUPLE THINGS WE HEAR.

ONE IS I NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH MY CHILD AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT, CALL THE OFFICE, TELL THE ADMINISTRATION I NEED MY SON TO GIVE ME A CALL SOMETIME TODAY.

WE WILL HONOR THAT. IF THAT'S NOT BEING HONORED, REACH OUT TO ME AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT GETS HONORED.

NUMBER TWO, 13 YEAR OLDS WITH CELL PHONES ARE NOT AN ASSET, IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY, IF YOU ASK ANY POLICE OFFICER, ANY EMS PERSON, THEY WILL TELL YOU THE LAST THING THEY WANT IN A SCHOOL CRISIS ARE 13 YEAR OLDS RUNNING AROUND WITH PHONES FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M EXCITED.

THE INITIAL REQUEST CAME FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS THAT SOMETHING MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROTECT THE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME OF THE SCHOOL DAY.

AND HONESTLY, PHONES ARE AN EXTREMELY BIG DISRUPTION FOR OUR TEENAGERS LEARNING.

SO STAY TUNED.

AND YOU WANT YOUR PHONES UNLOCKED BECAUSE THAT HURT.

I'M NOT DOING THAT AGAIN.

THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

WELL, THAT WAS EXCITING.

THE FALL 2024 ATHLETIC AWARDS.

DOCTOR LAWSON.

DISCOMBOBULATED AT THIS TIME.

MISS AMY SEXTON, OUR COORDINATOR.

WE MOVED THEM PRIOR TO THE MEETING.

YEAH. REFRESH. REFRESH.

GOT IT. MISS AMY SEXTON, OUR COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS, WILL SHARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE FALL OF 2024 ATHLETIC SEASON AWARDS.

SEXTON. THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DOCTOR LAWSON, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.

IT'S AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TONIGHT AS WE CELEBRATE OUR FALL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT OUR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TEAMS HAVE HAD THIS FALL.

WE HAD 1108 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PARTICIPATE THIS FALL.

WE HAD THREE DIVISION WINNERS PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION, PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION, AND PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION.

ALSO NOTEWORTHY IS BO MANOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM WON THE UPBACK.

[00:20:06]

WE HAD FIVE REGIONAL CHAMPIONS PERRYVILLE GIRLS AND BOYS SOCCER TEAM, PERRYVILLE FIELD HOCKEY, CROSS COUNTRY BOYS. BOY, KANYE BLACK FROM BO MANOR HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS.

LEANNA RODGERS FROM NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THEN I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM WHO MADE IT TO THE STATE SEMIFINAL GAME AND LOST A HARD FOUGHT GAME.

AND WE HAD TEN SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TEN UPBACK SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS.

THIS IS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF TEAMS WE'VE HAD REPRESENTING THE FALL, WITH 15 SCHOOLS IN HARFORD AND CECIL COUNTY.

WE HAD FOUR OF OUR COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH MULTIPLE TEAMS REPRESENTED.

THIS MARKS THE 21ST YEAR THAT WE'VE RECOGNIZED SPORTSMANSHIP AS PART OF OUR BACK CONFERENCE, SO I'M HONORED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTY SPORTSMANSHIP WINNERS.

SO AS I CALL YOU UP, I WOULD YOU CAN JUST COME ON UP AND STAY UP THERE FOR A PICTURE.

FIRST UNIFIED TENNIS FROM PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.

WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PLAYERS HERE TONIGHT, BUT WE HAVE COACHES STACY ROSE, TERESA GILBERT OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, RODGERS CLEMENTS, AND OUR PRINCIPAL, DOCTOR WILLIAMS. IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.

CONGRATULATIONS.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY, SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION.

ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE PLAYERS JAYDEN EMONS, PHOENIX BROWN AND CARLOS SOLOS ALVAREZ.

COACHES ROBBIE SMELTZER AND PRINCIPAL DOCTOR [INAUDIBLE].

CONGRATULATIONS.

GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY, SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION, PERRYVILLE HIGH PLAYERS GRACE SCOTT AND COLBY RENDON.

COACHES RAY SIMMORE AND TRE'VON MORGAN.

AD RODGERS CLEMENTS AND PRINCIPAL DOCTOR WILLIAMS.

[00:25:30]

FIELD HOCKEY, CHESAPEAKE DIVISION.

PERRYVILLE HIGH, PLAYERS GILLIAN GALLANO, JENNA CLARK AND NADELINE ADAMS, COACHES NICOLE WELSH AND JANET CANDY, AD ROGER CLEMENTS, AND ADMINISTRATOR PRINCIPAL DOCTOR WILLIAMS. [APPLAUSE] FOOTBALL.

SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION BO MANOR HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE PLAYERS DANE LENTZ, DREW LENTZ, CHRIS HARRIS, BRODY VAUGHN, COACH VINCE RICKY AND PRINCIPAL JUSTIN ZIMMERMAN.

[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE GOLF, CHESAPEAKE DIVISION, RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL.

PLAYERS LUCAS KILGORE, CADEN JORDAN, TEAGAN NORMAN, JERRY JOYCE AND JOE VOGT.

COACH TIM KERNS AND PRINCIPAL JIM MORROW.

[APPLAUSE] BOYS SOCCER.

SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION.

ELKTON HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE PLAYERS.

ALEX CISNEROS.

CHRIS GOMEZ.

OMAR VEGAS PONCIA.

COACHES PLAUDIO MORENO, ANDREW FEDOROV AND PRINCIPAL DOCTOR LIGHTCAP.

[APPLAUSE]

[00:30:28]

GIRLS SOCCER.

SUSQUEHANNA DIVISION.

BO MANOR HIGH SCHOOL.

PLAYERS HOLLY STANSFIELD AND SARA HOLMES, COACHES LUCY DEANE, LAURA WALTZ AND BROOKS MALMSTROM PRINCIPAL JUSTIN ZIMMERMAN.

[APPLAUSE] AND GIRLS' SOCCER CHESAPEAKE DIVISION.

RISING SUN HIGH.

PLAYERS RILEY BRINKEY, ABBY.

WISHART, ABBY BOLTZ, TORI HEATH, CAMI MINK.

COACHES KATIE TOSH AND PRINCIPAL JIM MOREAU.

AND VOLLEYBALL, CHESAPEAKE DIVISION RISING SUN HIGH. PLAYERS LEXI HAYWOOD, LEVI MESSICK, GRACE MARSH, KENDALL SNYDER AND COACHES MELISSA AXTELL AND BRITTANY OPIE, PRINCIPAL JIM MOREAU.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STUDENTS, ATHLETES, COACHES, ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL FOR WINNING THIS AWARD.

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS. SO THE LIVE STREAM IS CURRENTLY NOT OPERATING. NOT THAT AS FAR AS THE LIVE STREAM PEOPLE CAN HEAR THAT, BUT AS FAR AS WE KNOW, IT HASN'T BEEN WORKING ALL EVENING.

CORRECT. OKAY. OH, OKAY.

IT HASN'T BEEN WORKING AT ALL.

OH, OKAY.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CCPS EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS.

CECIL COUNTY CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

MISS LORI RENKO, PRESIDENT.

HI, MISS RENKO. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LEADERSHIP TEAM AND GUESTS.

THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND.

I OBVIOUSLY DON'T PLAY ANY SPORTS, SO I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP THROUGH THIS CHALLENGING TIME FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

IT'S BEEN A ROUGH TIME.

AND YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THE STATE OF THE STATE AND THINGS GOING AHEAD, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T PROMISE TO BE EASY, AN EASY ROAD FORWARD.

[00:35:09]

SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP.

AND ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE RESOURCES AND STAFFING NEEDED TO PROVIDE THE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THAT ALL OUR STUDENTS DESERVE AND TO HELP PROVIDE THE WORK LIFE BALANCE OUR STAFF NEED TO BE ABLE TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES NOT ONLY TO OUR STUDENTS AND OUR WORK, BUT ALSO TO OUR HOMES, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY.

DESPITE SOME OF THE REDUCED STAFF POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH MONEY FROM THE FUND BALANCE, WHICH WE DO THANK YOU FOR, WE STILL ARE SHORT STAFFED IN MANY AREAS AND OUR CHILDREN CONTINUE TO HAVE MANY SERIOUS AND VARIED NEEDS ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY THAT WE'RE STRIVING TO MEET EACH DAY.

AND I KNOW YOU ALL SEE THAT AND RECOGNIZE IT AS YOU'RE IN OUR BUILDINGS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND THANK YOU.

WITH ELECTIONS BEHIND US, I'M HOPING THAT FOLKS CAN STOP WITH THE DIVISIVENESS AND TAKING SIDES AND SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD.

I'M ASKING THAT THE COUNTY COME TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FUTURES.

WE KNOW OR I BELIEVE, THAT ALL FAMILIES WANT A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND FOR THEIR SCHOOLS TO BE SAFE AND AN ENCOURAGING PLACE FOR THEM TO LEARN.

AND AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WHETHER YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR NOT, WE SHOULD ALL WANT THAT TOO.

MONDAY NIGHT'S BOARD OF ED FORUM WAS A REALLY GOOD START.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ASKED THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS.

THEY LEARNED ABOUT MANY ASPECTS OF OUR SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS. THEY BROUGHT IDEAS TO SHARE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

WE NEED TO BUILD ON THIS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, BUILD PARTNERSHIPS, AND BUILD THE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES WE WANT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES.

AND NOW IS THE TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OFTEN A TIME OF HOPE AND REFLECTION.

FOR MANY A TIME, WHEN FOLKS OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR HOMES TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND A TIME FOR HELPING THOSE AROUND US IN NEED.

IT'S A TIME TO CONSIDER ALL THAT WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE SPECIALPEOPLE IN OUR LIFE WHO ARE WITH US AND FOR THOSE THAT WE MIGHT BE MISSING.

IT'S ALSO A TIME TO LOOK AHEAD, TO MAKE PLANS AND TO DREAM DREAMS. AND I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO DREAM ABOUT THE CECIL COUNTY THAT YOU WANT, THE SCHOOLS THAT YOU WANT, THE COMMUNITY YOU WANT, AND THEN TO WORK TOGETHER TO PLAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THANK YOU AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS RINKO.

YOU DO THE SAME.

OUR CONSTRUCTION REPORT, DOCTOR LAWSON.

THANK YOU, MISS HAWLEY. THE BOARD CAN SEE DOCTOR BOYER AS WELL AS MR. SIMPERS HAVE PREPARED A CONSTRUCTION REPORT FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE.

AND MISS OLSON IS GOING TO BRING UP SOME PICTURES.

I PROMISE YOU THAT SHOW THE PROGRESS ON THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.

RIGHT, THERE IS NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU SEE THE GRADE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IS REALLY WHERE THE LARGE PIECE OF THE FOOTPRINT OF THE ACTUAL SCHOOL WILL BE.

KEEP GOING. SPRAYING DOWN IRRIGATION CONTROL FOR THE WINTER.

I MEAN, THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE'RE ONE BAD RAIN SLOP SNOWSTORM AWAY FROM, YOU KNOW, A PARTICULARLY SNOW AND COLD FROM PUSHING IT WEEKS.

RIGHT. THEY'RE PREPPING TO POUR CONCRETE NOW WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT STEEL WILL BE ON SITE SOMETIME LATE MARCH, EARLY APRIL.

THESE ARE GEOTHERMAL WELLS, AS I'VE BEEN TOLD.

THEY USE THE EARTH'S WARMTH AND OR COOLNESS TO COOL OR HEAT THE WATER GOING THROUGH THE SCHOOL TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS. AND THAT'S THE WELLS ACTUALLY BEING DUG RIGHT THERE.

JUST FOR REFERENCE, FOR REFERENCE POINT THE IRISHTOWN ROAD IS OFF TO YOUR RIGHT THERE.

THE NEXT IS REALLY A NEAT PICTURE.

YOU CAN SEE THE NORTHEAST RIVER HEADING ALL THE WAY OUT TO TURKEY POINT.

I MEAN, FOR ME, I'VE BEEN OUT TO THAT SCHOOL A MILLION TIMES, AND YOU JUST DON'T REALIZE IT'S THAT CLOSE TO THE WATER.

I GUESS IT SURPRISED ME.

THERE'S JUST THE OTHER 20 OR SO ACRES CLEARED AND READY TO GO.

THIS IS A PERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.

NO, THIS IS THE FOOTERS FOR THE HVAC SYSTEM AT THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.

MOVING FORWARD.

THE PADS WHERE THE CHILLERS WILL SET.

MORE PADS. THIS IS THE PERRYVILLE FIELD HOUSE, WHICH WE EXPECT TO BE UNDER ROOF HERE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

AND THEY'RE REALLY MOVING QUICKLY.

THAT'LL BE MORE OF AN OFFICE AREA WITHIN THE FIELD HOUSE ITSELF.

AND AGAIN, THE TEAMS DURING HALFTIME, WHETHER IT'S FOOTBALL OR SOCCER, WILL BE ABLE TO GO IN AND USE THE FIELD HOUSE.

IT'LL BE HVAC CONTROLLED AS WELL AS SEWER AND WATER.

MORE FIELD HOUSE, MORE FIELD HOUSE.

AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINAL PICTURE WE'LL SEE OF THE NEW SEATS AND FLOOR.

THE ASBESTOS WAS ABATED OUT OF THE AUDITORIUM AT CHERRY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

[00:40:03]

BEHIND THAT BACK WALL IS THE CAFETERIA, AND THE NEW CHAIRS ARE INSTALLED AND REPLACING THE OLD CHAIRS, WHICH HAD BEEN THERE SINCE, I WANT TO SAY 1976.

SO WE GOT OUR MILEAGE OUT OF THOSE CHAIRS FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

I BELIEVE THAT IS IT.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DOCTOR? ONE MORE. OH, THE INFAMOUS AWNING NOW HAS LETTERS.

AND IF YOU NOTICE, THE AWNING NO LONGER HANGS OVER THE ROAD.

YES. AND THIS JOB WAS ACTUALLY PAID FOR BY MAY THE EXCUSE ME, THE VAST MAJORITY.

THE BOARD OFFICE PICKED UP A SMALL PIECE OF THE COST TO REPAIR SOME CONCRETE WHILE WE HAD THE PEOPLE OUT THERE.

SO ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR DOCTOR BOYER? DOCTOR BUCKLEY ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS? ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO OUR SYSTEM WIDE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNITION.

DOCTOR LAWSON.

YEAH, THIS HAS BECOME A NEW TRADITION IN THE SENSE THAT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL HAS REALLY BEEN THE EPICENTER OF COLLECTING FUNDS FOR THE CHRISTIANA CARE UNION HOSPITAL SITE FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, AND NOW WE HAVE MULTIPLE SCHOOLS AND SITES CHOOSING TO HAVE FUNDRAISERS TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE.

AND AT THIS TIME, DOCTOR JENNY HAMMER WILL LEAD THIS PRESENTATION.

DOCTOR HAMMER. GOOD.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR GUESTS WHO DECIDED TO REMAIN.

THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK TWO OFFICIALS FROM CHRISTIANA OR CHRISTIANA CARE BREAST HEALTH CENTER AT UNION HOSPITAL.

PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MR. TROY NUSS AND MISS SHEILA STEWART, PLEASE COME FORWARD FOR US.

I WAS HOPING TO DO A BIG REVEAL OF THE NUMBER, BUT IT'S ALREADY ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

SADLY, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM IN SOME CAPACITY, HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY BREAST CANCER, WHETHER IT IS SOMEBODY YOU CARE ABOUT OR YOURSELF AND CCPS REALLY WORKED THROUGH THE MONTH OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER TO GET IN THE PINK.

THESE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT RAISED A GRAND TOTAL OF $11,952.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THAT.

I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE TOP THREE SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS.

COMING IN AT THIRD.

FROM THE TOP IS CARVER CENTER AND ASC AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CENTER WITH FOUR, I'M SORRY, $943.

BO MANOR MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL RAISED $1,500, AND NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL RAISED $4,675. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

[APPLAUSE] SO, OUR GOAL WILL BE TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER EACH YEAR.

SO NEXT YEAR.

HEALTH CARE, OUR EMPLOYEE RETIREE VISION PLAN.

DOCTOR LAWSON. THANK YOU, MISS HAWLEY.

BEFORE I CALL FOR A VOTE, IS THERE ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS CONTRACT WITH THE EYE MED, WHICH IS PART OF OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE? MISS SOPA IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

YOU GUYS HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. WITH THAT, I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY CONTINUE WITH EYE MED AS OUR VISION PROVIDER FOR A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025. THE RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. OKAY.

ALL IN. DISCUSSION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. FISCAL YEAR 2025 CONSTRUCTION BUDGET UPDATE.

DOCTOR LAWSON.

THANK YOU, MISS HALL. AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF THE NEW NORTHEAST MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL, YOU'LL SEE A SERIES OF REQUESTS AND CHANGES.

AND TYPICALLY, THEY WILL COME THROUGH MS. SOPA'S OFFICE, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU INFORMED AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WHICH AGAIN, IS MOVING DEFINITELY ON TIME, ON SCHEDULE, AND SO FAR, SO

[00:45:05]

GOOD. KNOCK ON WOOD.

MS. SOPA.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT HAWLEY.

DOCTOR LAWSON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

SO EVERY MONTH WE HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET.

THIS IS AN AMENDMENT FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET.

THE REASON BEING IS THAT THERE WAS A GRANT FROM THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $12.7 MILLION.

SO THIS IS PART OF THE STATE FUNDING, BUT IT'S NOT STATE BOND FUNDING, WHICH IS WHY YOU SEE IT IN A DIFFERENT COLUMN HERE.

AND SINCE THIS MONEY IS ADDED, THIS INCREASES OUR CAPITAL BUDGET TO $34,621,117 FOR FY 25.

SO I ASSUME THIS DOESN'T SPEED UP THE PROCESS AT ALL, RIGHT? NO. JUST CHECKING.

I THINK IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT AS FAST AS IT CAN GO RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, OF ALL PEOPLE, I'D LIKE TO SEE IT DONE SOONER, BUT WE ARE ON PACE AND IF YOU GO BY THERE AGAIN, I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO TAKE A RIDE BY.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THE COOLER THINGS TO SEE.

I'M 41 YEARS I'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK, AND I'VE NEVER BEEN A PART OF SOMETHING THAT BIG.

I'VE SEEN NEW SCHOOLS BUILT NOTHING THAT BIG.

IT'S MASSIVE. YEAH. IT'S IMPRESSIVE.

IT REALLY IS. QUESTIONS FOR MISS SOPA BEFORE I ASK FOR A VOTE.

OKAY. I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE OPERATING.

NO. EXCUSE ME.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BUDGET AMENDMENT AS PRESENTED.

OKAY. YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND.

SECOND. OKAY.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET UPDATE.

DOCTOR LAWSON. MS. SOPA CONTINUES.

OKAY, THIS IS A COPY OF WHAT SENT TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT EACH MONTH.

AND SO THE FRONT PAGE IS A SUMMARY OF THE CHANGE IN REVENUE AND THE CHANGE IN EXPENSE.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL CHANGE TO OUR BUDGET IS A -$308,466.

AND THEN THE DETAIL IS ON THE UPCOMING PAGES.

SO HERE IN RESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE, THERE IS A CECIL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL GRANT FOR ART SUPPLIES AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS, FIELD TRIP COSTS AT RISING SUN HIGH, AND SOME FUNDS THAT WERE DONATED FOR UPPER CHESAPEAKE SUMMER CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN 2025, IT'S $11,300.

BPAC DONATION FOR THE CECIL COUNTY SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR GALA IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,750.

CECIL COUNTY RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION GRANT TO BAINBRIDGE, LEEDS, CHARLESTOWN, RISING SUN HIGH AND SCHOOL OF TECH TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES, SO TEACHERS APPLIED FOR THOSE GRANTS.

THEY WERE AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,730.

IN RESTRICTED STATE REVENUE, A CECIL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HISPANIC YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM GRANT TO ELKTON HIGH TO SUPPORT TOBACCO AND VAPE USE PREVENTION. THE AMOUNT OF $4,000 AND MARYLAND NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION CONFERENCE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SUBSTITUTE COSTS FOR TEACHERS ATTENDING TRAINING IN THE AMOUNT OF $871. WHERE YOU'LL SEE THE BIG CHANGE THAT IMPACTED THE BUDGET IN NOVEMBER IS REDUCTION IN FY 25.

TITLE ONE FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $535,133.

SO IF YOU REMEMBER BACK TO WHEN WE STRUCK THE BUDGET, THE RESTRICTED BUDGET IS USUALLY OUR BEST ESTIMATE BASED ON WHAT OUR BUDGET WAS THE YEAR BEFORE, BUT WE DON'T ACTUALLY RECEIVE OUR ACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING UNTIL OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER.

AND SO THERE WAS NOT A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN OUR POPULATION OF STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY, BUT IT WAS A REDUCTION IN THE FUNDS FOR GIVING TO STATES.

SOPA IS TALKING ABOUT OUR FEDERAL MONEY.

THESE ARE WE REFER TO OUR TITLE GRANTS AND WE WERE REDUCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS NOT STATE RESTRICTED MONEY.

IT'S FEDERAL AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

AND OUR AND THIS MONEY GOES DIRECTLY TO SCHOOLS.

SO WHEN WE HAD TO PULL BACK IT AFFECTED ALL OF OUR TITLE ONE SCHOOLS.

SO IT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE STATE.

SO AGAIN IT'S NOT A CHANGE IN OUR POPULATION.

IT'S A REDUCTION IN THE MONEY THAT WAS RECEIVED AS A WHOLE AND THEN A REDUCTION TO EACH SCHOOL SYSTEM, UNRESTRICTED STATE REVENUE, A REDUCTION IN BLUEPRINT SHARE OF PRE-KINDERGARTEN FUNDING.

AND THAT'S PARTLY DUE TO OUR PRIVATE PROVIDER AT MOUNT AVIAT.

SO THE STATE PULLED BACK THEIR FUNDING AND THEIR FUNDING WILL GO DIRECTLY.

WE USED TO SORT OF BE THE PASS THROUGH FOR COUNTY FUNDING, AND NOW EVERYTHING WILL GO DIRECTLY FROM THE COUNTY OR THE STATE TO MOUNT AVIAT AND NOT THROUGH US.

SO THERE'S A -$14,215 DOWN IN UNRESTRICTED OTHER REVENUE.

USE OF FUND BALANCE TO SUPPORT CYBERSECURITY STAFF POSITIONS AND RESTRUCTURING IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,519.

[00:50:04]

IT'S SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT WE'VE HAD THESE OLA FINDINGS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, AND THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS SOME CYBERSECURITY ISSUES.

SO THIS IS WHAT'S BEING USED THERE, AND A DONATION FROM CHESAPEAKE CITY ELEMENTARY TO PURCHASE MEDIA BOOKS.

THE AMOUNT OF $712.

THE NEXT PAGES ARE JUST THE ACTUAL DETAILS OF THE INS AND OUTS.

I NEED TO CLOSE THIS BEFORE.

AND AGAIN, AN UPDATE ON THE TOTAL UNRESTRICTED BUDGET.

REVENUE REPORTED AT THE TOP.

EXPENSES BY CATEGORY, BY STATE CATEGORY, AND AT THE BOTTOM, EXPENSES BY OBJECT.

KEEPING IN MIND THAT OUR ORIGINAL BUDGET PLUS ANY YEAR TO DATE MEMBER AMENDMENTS IS OUR CURRENT BUDGET.

SO THESE THREE PAGES JUST BREAK APART OUR UNRESTRICTED, ARE RESTRICTED, AND THEN OUR TOTAL BUDGET.

THE NEXT PAGE IS JUST OUR THREE YEAR LOOK AT WHERE WE STAND.

JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

LOOKING AT TECHNOLOGY BEING A LITTLE HIGHER IN FY 24 WAS PART OF A TECHNOLOGY REFRESH.

AND THE TIMING THAT THAT HAPPENED OF REPLACING DEVICES.

YOU CAN SEE FOR INSTRUCTION OTHER COSTS THAT THE INCREASE THIS YEAR OR THE DECREASE THIS YEAR IS JUST THE TIMING OF PAYMENTS AND THE TIMING THAT THINGS HAVE BEEN DUE. HEALTH CARE TOWARD THE BOTTOM, YOU CAN SEE THAT FROM 16 MILLION THIS TIME LAST YEAR TO 18.7 THIS TIME THIS YEAR. SO OUR ACTIVE HEALTH CARE IS DEFINITELY UP COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND THE LAST PAGE IS AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME REPORT OF EXPENSES AND BUDGET BY DEPARTMENT.

AND AGAIN, REALLY NOTHING REMARKABLE TO POINT OUT ON THIS PAGE.

AND THAT'S IT.

BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. OKAY.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CECIL COUNTY APPROVE THE OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $308,466 AS PRESENTED.

YOU'VE HEARD THE RECOMMENDATION.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PORTION.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER AT THIS TIME TO MISS OLSON.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

ALL OF THE GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ARE OUTLINED IN POLICY BDD, AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THEM AS A REMINDER.

THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PORTION OF THE MEETING IS DESIGNED TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH REASONABLE, CONTENT NEUTRAL AND VIEWPOINT NEUTRAL PARAMETERS.

THE BOARD WILL TAKE TIME TO LISTEN AND CONSIDER.

THEY WILL NOT RENDER A DECISION ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ISSUES WHEN THEY ARE PRESENTED.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOTTED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT.

IN GENERAL, A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THREE MINUTES ARE ALLOTTED TO EACH SPEAKER.

WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME EXPIRES, THE SPEAKER WILL BE PERMITTED TO COMPLETE A SENTENCE.

NOTICE WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN 30S REMAIN AND YOU WILL HEAR THIS BELL.

PERSONNEL MATTERS PENDING APPEALS, GRIEVANCES, LITIGATION, EMPLOYEE AND OR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

NEGOTIATIONS AND SPECIFIC STUDENT DISCIPLINARY MATTERS MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED.

ABUSIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PROFANITIES MAY BE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY EXPRESS OPINIONS FAVORABLE AND UNFAVORABLE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS IN THEIR PUBLIC ROLE ONLY.

COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SCHOOL SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND OTHER NON ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. SPEAKERS MUST STATE THEIR NAMES AND MAY NOT SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN ANONYMOUS INDIVIDUAL.

THE BOARD PRESIDENT MAY INTERRUPT OR TERMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL'S STATEMENT WHEN IT IS TOO LENGTHY OR VIOLATES THE GUIDELINES.

THE BOARD ENCOURAGES SPEAKERS TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN COPY OF THEIR REMARKS, AND A BOX HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE CORNER OF THE TABLE WHERE YOU MAY LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU WISH.

WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE SIGNED UP THIS EVENING AND WE'D LIKE TO HAVE EVERYONE PREPARED TO MOVE UP ONCE THE OTHER PERSON HAS FINISHED.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE MISS DITA WATSON, AND SHE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SEAN BROWN AND MISS WATSON.

IF YOU WOULD PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE MICROPHONE UNTIL IT TURNS GREEN, PLEASE.

[00:55:06]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME.

I'M HERE TO PERSONALLY CONGRATULATE MISS HEATH AND MR. DAVIS ON A THE REELECTION TO THE BOARD.

IT WAS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE NEW WILD RIDES FOR ME.

FROM TURNING MYSELF INTO A CORPORATION, GETTING AN EIN NUMBER, TO MEETING SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE AND LEARNING ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN LAWS, TO SAY THE LEAST.

IT IS VERY CONFUSING ROAD TO BEGIN, ESPECIALLY AS A AS AN IMMIGRANT FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.

BUT THE PASSION FOR KIDS DOESN'T HAVE ANY MEASURE.

USUALLY ONCE THAT ONCE THAT CLOCK STARTS.

DEFINITELY NOT THE EASIEST TASK FOR SOMEONE TO PUT THEMSELVES FORTH IN THE LIGHT LIKE THAT.

BUT I AM HERE TO INVITE ALL THE PARENTS TO THE TABLE.

IF I COULD DO IT.

LIKE I SAID, AS AN IMMIGRANT MYSELF AND ENGLISH NOT BEING MY FIRST LANGUAGE, I THINK MANY OF THE PARENTS AND INTERESTED PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE THAT LEAP AND ACTUALLY GET INVOLVED.

AND IT CAN ACTUALLY BE FUN.

MEET LOTS OF GOOD PEOPLE.

THE CHALLENGES ARE THERE TO TO LEARN FROM AND NOTHING TO TAKE AS A RESENTMENT TOWARDS ANY ONE SPECIFICALLY OR ANY SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY THAT'S IN PLACE.

SO HAVE FUN WITH IT.

I DID ALONG THE LINE GET MESSAGES FROM TEACHERS ALSO CONCERNED WITH SOME OF THE STATE OF THE AFFAIRS AND SOMEWHAT BUT INTIMIDATED TO SPEAK UP ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY ARE SEEING. SO I BELIEVE THIS IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD HELP.

THERE ARE THE TRUE FEET ON THE GROUND TO SEE EVERYTHING AND EXPERIENCE THAT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING FIRSTHAND.

SO THEY ARE THE BEST ONES TO LEARN FROM AS TO MAYBE GET IDEAS ON HOW TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE THINGS MAYBE SUGGESTING A SAFE SPACE THAT THEY COULD ANONYMOUSLY PUT IN, PUT IN THEIR $0.02 AND THEIR THOUGHTS WITHOUT FEARING OF BACKLASH AND MIGHT THEY MIGHT HELP, MIGHT PROVE TO BE HELPFUL.

SO THERE'S THAT.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, AS A BASKETBALL MOM, I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT ON A ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

BASKETBALL JUST STARTED, AND I'VE BEEN A MOM OF BASKETBALL BOYS AT ELKTON HIGH FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, AND IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I LOVE GOING TO THE GAMES. YOU'LL FIND ME THERE AT EVERY ONE, PROBABLY.

HOWEVER, SOMETHING WAS JUST BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.

THEY HAVE A NEW A NEW TEAM LEADERS FOR SPORTS.

THEY HAVE NEW COACHES AND ALL.

AND THEY HAVE THEY NOW HAVE, APPARENTLY THEY NEVER HAD THIS BEFORE, WHICH IS A BIT CONFUSING.

SO I NEED YOUR HELP.

MAYBE REMEDYING THIS SITUATION.

THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE AN ACCOUNT FOR FUNDRAISING, SO I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT GOES.

AND I'M NOT SURE THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE FOR THAT.

BUT WE DO HAVE A DIRECT CONTACT.

THE LADY WHO IS IN CHARGE FOR FUNDRAISING FOR THE BOYS BASKETBALL AT ELKTON HIGH IS MISS DARIA MARTIN, AND I WILL LEAVE HER NUMBER IN THE PAPER.

THANK YOU, MISS WATSON.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SEAN BRIM AND HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LINDSAY BERGMAN DEVIS.

GOOD EVENING. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM.

WHENEVER AMY SEXTON AND DOCTOR HAMMER AND I EVER APPEAR IN A ROOM TOGETHER.

THINK OF I SOMETIMES THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE CHANGED OUR SENIOR CLASS MOTTO TO FROM WHATEVER IT WAS TO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF US THAT EASILY. MY TEACHERS TAUGHT ME VALUE IN PERSPECTIVE.

TITLE ONE, FOR EXAMPLE.

ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT TITLE ONE, YOU KNOW, DO WE REALLY NEED IT? IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'M HERE IS BECAUSE I'M A FORMER TITLE ONE STUDENT AND I HAVE.

I ENDED MY ACADEMIC CAREER WITH THREE DIFFERENT COLLEGE DEGREES, AND I'VE BEEN A WORKING PROFESSIONAL MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

AND THAT IS IN PART WHY ANOTHER LITTLE, LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE THAT MY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TAUGHT ME.

GIVEN AN EXAMPLE OF THAT IS CELL PHONE USE.

YOU KNOW, TALKING ABOUT CELL PHONE USE.

AND EVERYBODY TODAY THINKS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE FIRST ONES TO EVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. THEY'RE NOT. MY GENERATION WAS THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

CCPS HAS HAD SOME SORT OF A CELL PHONE POLICY SINCE AT LEAST 1988, AND ITS FIRST POLICIES WERE A SINGLE WORD. NO.

[01:00:02]

JUST NO.

NOT A LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE.

COMPUTERS THAT ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU ARE THE FRUITS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE FOUNDATIONAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES BEHIND COMPUTERS TODAY WERE MADE DURING THE 1960S, DURING OUR EFFORT TO GET TO THE MOON, AND THAT WAS ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION DURING THE 1950S.

AMERICA SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT, HEY, WE MIGHT LOSE THIS RACE WITH THE SOVIET UNION, AND WE POURED PUBLIC MONIES INTO OUR PUBLIC MONIES INTO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TO MAKE OURSELVES THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID. THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO THE MOON FIRST.

WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY? OH, THE REASON I DON'T HAVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS FOR TONIGHT IS BECAUSE MY LIFE IS UPSIDE DOWN, AND I HAVE LITERALLY NOT EVEN HAD TIME TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE 20 MINUTES TO TYPE UP, TYPE UP WHAT I WANTED TO SAY, BUT I'VE JUST KIND OF KEPT IT IN MIND.

SO YOU KNOW, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.

AND LET'S HOPE WE HAVE A GOOD NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, [INAUDIBLE] AND OUR LAST SPEAKER IS LINDSAY BERGMAN DEVIS.

I DID PREPARE SOMETHING AND IT WAS INSPIRED BY MONDAY.

SO I ATTENDED MONDAY NIGHT'S LIMITED OPEN FORUM AND HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DOCTOR LAWSON, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT SOME OF THE STRUGGLES OUR SCHOOLS FACE.

ONE CONCLUSION DRAWN FROM THE DIALOG WAS THAT THE ISSUES FACING OUR SCHOOLS ARE LARGER THAN SCHOOLS ALONE SHOULD BE HANDLING, BUT SCHOOLS OFTEN HANDLE THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONLY COMMUNITY HUB EQUIPPED TO DO SO.

OUR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR COMING TO WORK IN CONDITIONS THAT HAVE ONLY BECOME WORSE AS CLASS SIZES HAVE GROWN FROM UNDERFUNDING.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE IN THE COMMENT SECTION THAT SAYS SCHOOLS SHOULD GET BACK TO TEACHING THE BASICS, BUT I MUST ASK, HOW CAN A CHILD LEARN THE BASICS WHEN THEY'RE HUNGRY? HOW CAN A CHILD LEARN THE BASICS WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM AT HOME? HOW IS A CHILD SUPPOSED TO LEARN THE BASICS WHEN THEY'VE SUFFERED TRAUMAS WE CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE.

FOR MANY STUDENTS, SCHOOL IS THEIR SAFE SPACE.

PARENTAL RIGHTS ADVOCATES WILL TALK ABOUT TEACHERS NOT BEING PARENTS, BUT TO SOME KIDDOS, THEIR TEACHER MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE WHO CHECKS IN WITH THEM DAILY.

IF YOU AREN'T THAT KIND OF PARENT, THAT'S EXCELLENT.

BUT IF YOU'RE SENDING YOUR KID TO PUBLIC SCHOOL, YOU'RE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEY WILL MEET PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE BECAUSE PUBLIC SCHOOL IS OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN.

THAT'S RIGHT.

SENDING YOUR KIDS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL WILL EXPOSE THEM TO PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, WHETHER IT'S RACIAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, RELIGIOUS, OR SOMETHING ELSE.

YOUR KID MIGHT EVEN BE EXPOSED TO QUEER PEOPLE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE EXIST, AND BECAUSE PUBLIC SCHOOL IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND, THE KIDS ARE TAUGHT TO TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY AND EMPATHETICALLY.

EMPATHY BRINGS ME BACK TO THOSE QUESTIONS I ASKED.

HOW CAN A CHILD LEARN THE BASICS IF THEY AREN'T SET UP FOR SUCCESS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL? ONE WAY WE CAN HELP LOCAL STUDENTS IS THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE AT SCHOOL.

AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, WE CAN MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE FED OUTSIDE AND FREE OUTSIDE OF FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES.

THIS WEEK, CECIL SOLIDARITY STARTED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JUDY CENTER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOOD AND HYGIENE PANTRIES OUTSIDE OF THOMPSON ESTATES AND HOLLY HALL.

I DROPPED OFF THE FIRST DONATIONS YESTERDAY.

THESE PANTRIES EXIST AT OTHER SCHOOLS AND YOUR ORGANIZATION OR CHURCH COULD ADOPT ONE TOO.

AND SINCE I SEEM STUCK ON EMPATHY TONIGHT, EMPATHY IS ALSO A PLEA I MAKE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

FUNDING AND INDIFFERENCE PUT TOO MANY KIDS IN CLASSROOMS. TEACHERS ARE BURNED OUT.

GOOD, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE FIELD BECAUSE THEY'RE ASKED TO TAKE ON TOO MUCH.

I MEAN, IMAGINE GIVING A LITTLE PIECE OF YOUR HEART TO 25 OR MORE KIDS IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM, OVER 100, SOMETIMES IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

I AM ONE OF THOSE TEACHERS WHO LEFT.

BUT FROM MY EXPERIENCE, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT NEARLY ALL TEACHERS FEEL SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH CHILD'S SUCCESS IN THEIR CLASSROOM.

SO BE PATIENT WITH THEM AND BE PATIENT WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ENABLE THE TEACHERS TO DO THEIR JOBS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

COMMENTS, DOCTOR LAWSON.

JUST A COUPLE THINGS MISS WATSON, JUST SO WE WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WERE YOU, AND YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE INDICATING THAT THEY HAVE CONCERNS THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY COMFORTABLE COMING TO AN ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT.

[01:05:03]

I WOULD DEFINITELY REFER THEM, AT LEAST, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S A TEACHER TO START WITH, MISS RINKO.

SHE HANDLES A LOT OF THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES, AND SHE'S VERY GOOD ABOUT BRINGING THEM TO OUR ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN SHE HEARS THEMES.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND STARTS TO SOUND THE SAME, SHE MEETS WITH US REGULARLY.

SHE'LL DEFINITELY BRING THOSE FORWARD.

WE HAVE SOMEWHERE ON OUR SITE A RED FLAG REPORTING PORTAL WHERE WE WILL GET ISSUES SOMETIMES ABOUT FINANCES, ABOUT BULLYING.

WE GET DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS.

THAT'S ALSO AN OPTION.

I PERSONALLY PUT OUT JUST A TON OF SURVEYS.

THEY'RE ALL ANONYMOUS.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS, IS THAT WE START TO SEE 85, 90% APPROVAL, YOU KNOW, FOR US IN GENERAL.

AND SO THAT'S NOT 100%.

AND IF YOU'RE SURVEYING 2000 PEOPLE AND YOU HAVE 90% APPROVAL, THAT'S GOOD.

BUT WHAT THAT'S ALSO TELLING IS YOU HAVE 200 THAT PROBABLY AREN'T HAPPY.

AND SO IT WOULD BE EASY.

YOU KNOW, SO YOU HAVE A HARD TIME I'LL SAY THIS I'VE LEARNED YOU NEVER YOU NEVER ARE GOING TO SATISFY EVERYBODY FOR SURE.

SO BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY DIRECT THEM.

THEY CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO ME.

AND I KNOW THAT CAN BE INTIMIDATING.

FOR AS MUCH AS I DON'T SEE MYSELF AS AN INTIMIDATING PERSON, MY ROLE CAN BE TO SOME PEOPLE, I GET THAT.

AND SO, BUT THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANYBODY THAT EVER TOLD YOU THAT.

THEY CAME TO ME WITH AN ISSUE AND THEY FACED ANY KIND OF RETALIATION BECAUSE THAT SIMPLY WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

BUT AGAIN, IF YOU COULD REACH OUT, MAYBE DOCTOR BUCKLEY WILL REACH OUT TO YOU AND SET YOU UP WITH THE RED FLAG SITE.

SO THAT'S A PLACE TO GO ON AND ENTER A CONCERN.

AND THEN FINALLY, DOCTOR FOY WILL CALL YOU IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO AND GIVE YOU SOME GUIDANCE ON THE SETTING UP OF AN OF AN INTERNAL ACCOUNT FOR BASKETBALL.

THAT'S PRETTY RUDIMENTARY STUFF.

I WOULD THINK SOMEBODY OVER THERE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE WE SET THOSE KINDS OF ACCOUNTS UP ALL THE TIME JUST AS A HEADS UP.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. GREAT.

THANK YOU. UPCOMING EVENTS.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT? YOU CAN.

OKAY, I'LL TAKE IT.

MAYBE. UPCOMING EVENTS.

DECEMBER 20TH.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE WINTER BREAK.

WE HAVE TWO FULL WEEKS OFF THIS YEAR.

THREE WEEKENDS.

SO I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

OFFICES ARE CLOSED DECEMBER 21ST THROUGH JANUARY 1ST, JANUARY 2ND AND THIRD.

SCHOOL CLOSED FOR STUDENTS AND TEN MONTH STAFF.

SO WHAT I SAID BEFORE IS TEN MONTHS STAFF.

12 MONTHS STAFF, ALMOST.

JANUARY 8TH IS OUR NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.

AND WITH THAT, WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA.

OH, YEAH. THE FIRST BUDGET MEETING IS JANUARY 22ND, SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE OUR EYE ON AS WELL.

WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA.

OUR YONDR POUCHES WILL GET UNLOCKED IN A MUCH SAFER WAY THAN HE TRIED TO DO IT.

YOU REALLY LIKE, WE'VE DONE IT.

YOU DON'T DO WHAT HE DID.

YOU KIND OF DO THAT.

YOU DO IT, AND IT OPENS.

USER ERROR.

WITH THAT, HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY, WONDERFUL RELAXING BREAK BECAUSE WHEELS ARE GOING TO BE GONE IN JANUARY, SO HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

MEETING'S ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.