Berkeley County School District, South Carolina Board Videos, 18 Apr 2023

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From YouTube: Berkeley County Board of Education Meeting - April 18, 2023

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Berkeley County Board of Education Meeting

A

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this Berkeley County Board of Education meeting Tuesday April 18 2023 I call this meeting to order a declare a quorum is present and the media has been notified. Pursuant to the Freedom of Information, Act I'll now entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

B

A

There's a motion by Miss Littleton, a second by Mr Henson, to approve the agenda. Is there any discussion hearing? None will call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye opposed, nay the eyes. Have it 6-0 now Entertain Entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the board meeting on April 4th 2023.

A

I moved to approve the minutes of the board meeting on April 4th 2023. can I get a second second there's a motion by Wofford, a second by Mr Baker, to approve the minutes of the board meeting on April 4th 2023. Is there any discussion hearing? None will call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye opposed, nay the eyes. Have it. 6-0 I'll now entertain a motion to enter into executive session so moved.

B

A

There's a motion by Mr Henson, a second by Miss littleson, to enter into executive session. The stated purpose of executive session is discussion of release of teachers from employment contracts and or appointment of administrator or administrators as needed. The 2023-2024 certified contracts to student expulsion appeals. Is there any additional discussion hearing? None will call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye opposed, nay the eyes have it 6-0. We are now an executive session, foreign.

C

C

I think sometimes you get placed in in the right place, and it definitely happen in this instance.

C

I think what brings me back to guidance is just that this place is just really comfortable. The the staff is family, we like each other and we trust each other and everybody respects each other and that that's a huge part of it. The great thing is, even though we each have our grade level we're each you know helping each other out. It's a great day attention to the middle. It's just going to help you, oh miss Driscoll, I, just needed to hear you say that every single time, that's how she answers the phone.

C

The most rewarding part is really when a student comes in and they think the world is off its rocker and it'll never be right again for them. You just talk with them and you figure out a way to get them to settle down and they leave and they're ready for class. And then you see them the next day and they tell you. Things are better good.

D

C

Opportunity to do morning, announcements is great for.

E

Today's lunch, we have a.

C

Lot of the students have some hesitance, and some of them are really really nervous about it, and you could see that the girls who were in there I mean they were confident our.

F

First annual Student Art Show will be held this Wednesday to.

C

Watch kids handle that situation. That's what's rewarding.

G

And now, for out of the day,.

G

C

Kindness is the answer. What's the question, the idea is you just have a sign in the morning to greet kids, you put a different thought every day, it's a riddle. It's a head scratcher, it's an icebreaker for kids,.

C

I've had kids walk by that sign for two months and suddenly one day you don't realize they're reading it every day but someday they stop, because the question speaks to them and they want to give you an answer. What.

H

Is the answer to the question.

C

Oh well, I guess: what's the best thing we can do to help other people and the best way that we can deal with other people and approach them and support them. Kindness is the answer.

C

I

Thank you, foreign.

I

J

This is basically what I do when I have free time: I'll just come, grab the non-fiction and put them away. My name is Meredith Leake and I'm in eighth grade, I would say: I'm incredibly service-minded I'll go in the library in the morning. I do the non-fiction when I have free time when I finished all my math I'm in a higher level, math class, so I'll take it online.

J

So once I finish, those I can just come help out, there's only two Librarians so like they need all the help they can get, and this is point nine four right here. I know that I'm really good at it. I know that I can do it correctly. So, like I'm, just helping out wherever I can she's.

K

Just kind of a good kid right, just a good egg.

L

I, just really like helping people one.

M

Of those people you just kind of want to be around.

J

I don't know I just I, just like volunteering and helping people and stuff.

M

On paper, when you see everything that she's accomplished at such a young age, it is truly like holy cow. Who is this kid and then you meet her and she is like the most down to earth. The chillest, like laid-back, kiddo, she's, funny she's patient, and you just kind of want her to be around in your room. We.

J

Have so many opportunities to do things? There's plenty of clubs to join, like whatever you're interested in.

J

I absolutely love drama club and chorus, and the Arts.

N

Oh, my gosh I love singing good news, Jerry, it's a common good news, you're.

J

Able to like express yourself and stuff like especially in like musical theater you're able to express a character and like go all out and I'm a very go all out person so like just being able to like go be myself somewhere is awesome. She's.

M

One of those role models that you.

O

Almost faultless.

J

I remember as a kid I'd be like those kids are, so big I was looking up to them in that position. I was saying these kids are so cool I want to be like them, and now thinking like these kids are gonna be like looking up to me saying: I want to be like her I want to do art stuff I want to do all this. I was like this is so cool there.

M

Is nothing outwardly that I wouldn't encourage anyone, not younger ones, even peers to look up to if.

J

I can make a difference in the school making sure that other kids understand that, like you can go, do this I'm here. I can do this like this is something I can do like sure, I'll help out foreign.

P

Every day is about the students for me 100, because.

Q

Of the kids, just the kids, our kids are absolutely our. Why why we all do what we do good.

R

R

I wake up every morning, knowing it is my responsibility to give.

P

I get up and I come to work every day, because I need to be here for them. It.

S

Makes you feel good because it's why we're here I like what I do and I think it makes a difference? I.

R

Could have had any other job in the world, but I'm a teacher being.

T

A part of this you know fraternity of teachers and really making a difference in kids lives, bringing.

U

A positive difference to students because I'm helping them think you know beyond the classroom. It's.

V

A real collaborative effort, we all bring our parts to the table and say how do we make this puzzle work as best we can survivor's.

W

V

When you do something like this, this is the sort of thing that really sticks in their mind and helps them. Remember things down the road.

Q

I think that's every Educator's ultimate goal is for them to see themselves how we see them there.

X

Are students from cane Bay's EMS program that are working on ambulances.

Y

The look on these kids faces and the interests grow. That's just amazing to me.

X

We are sending kids from Berkeley County into the community that are directly giving back to the community now in terms of the jobs that they are doing and that's awesome.

Z

Proud is just not even the word: it exceeds that.

AA

I guess I just like to be able to give back to the community. You know since the district's, given me so much. You know.

AB

Whatever I need to make the students be successful, it happens here.

X

We're doing a lot of cool stuff here. There's a lot of neat things happening, No.

T

Place I'd Rather Be than in Bergen County I.

R

Love Berkeley County because it actually gave me a space. Can you see my eyes? Can you see my eyes? Ricky Connie hasn't been good to me, so I absolutely love it. I will give all I have to give to Berkeley County until I can't give anymore I'm.

AC

Proud of what we do here, we work as a team. We help each other and we're helping the students and we're making a difference. They're.

Q

The reason and now I have six kids, that I've taught that are in law, school or lawyers I'm just beyond happy, and it's because of them. The.

T

Satisfaction I get every time, I come home at night, knowing that I'm making a difference in somebody's life I mean that that's what does it for me.

T

T

AD

AD

A school psychologist wears many hats, I wear all of the hats at Cane, Bay and I would not change a thing. I love it. My name is Becca Wallace and I am a school psychologist. It's my first year as a school psychologist and my first year in the district I love that we have such a big team. So we can all kind of collaborate and bounce ideas off of each other, so you're never really alone. But there's always somebody to answer the question.

AD

For me, I mean I can always call another school, psych, email them there's so many people that have your back even though we're all in different schools. We all work together.

AD

Berkeley County is awesome because we have like every single resource that you could imagine like for a school psychologist. We have all of the testing kits that you could imagine all of the writing skills. I am all about Berkeley County, I love. It.

AD

AD

AE

I graduated from here in 2008 and loved it basically, every day, foreign.

AE

I graduated high school, my 10-year goal right was in 10 years, I'm gonna go back to Stratford and and make it into whatever I think it should be.

AF

Oh I wish: let's try it and here I am.

AE

We have you know almost 150 kids in the choir um all based around making really excellent beautiful music, but relationships where the kids feel comfortable to be who they are.

AG

It is like one big family, you may not know many people but like as it keeps going like you become like family with these people just.

AH

The people in it as a freshman being in theater as well with some of the people. It's helped me kind of form, a bond with them.

AE

Understand before I got here it almost it basically almost died. Miss Edna Grace came in to be the choir teacher here and did such a great job of keeping it going, and so it was probably when I got here. There were probably 25 kids in the choir proper That Grew into what is now 150, kids, really all based on the the kids doing the work so.

AI

Like this part,.

AJ

And I was trying to move you all a little faster but she's.

AE

So great miss Wallace is everything. I am not.

AH

It's definitely the like more go easy on them kind of teacher Mr.

AG

Nix and Miss Wallace are like big, siblings they're, like they're, like our parents, kind of so it's really cool that, like yes, there are teachers and they're like pushing us to be like better musicians and yes, they're like teaching us all this thing all these things about music, but like it's also like they care about you, you.

AK

AL

You feel so small. We.

AE

Are leaving Friday to go to a Century Resort in Walt, Disney, World and then Saturday they'll perform at Disney Springs foreign.

AG

AH

Were all very excited and yeah, it was just joy and excitement.

AE

This is the most important thing for them. Some of these kids will never really get to go back, or this may be their only experience at Disney World. There.

AH

Are other good places like national parks and stuff like that, that you could go and perform at, but Disney is a really fun and special place.

AM

AE

Way that we're we're working on getting there is as much to do with musical Excellence as it is having the students when they leave be complete people. You can have production and you can have the best team and you can have like all of the bells and whistles, but if there was no love in the room, if, when the kids sang, they didn't really care for each other.

AE

What's the point, because when they leave that's the thing they get to leave with and if we can have little moments where we all make music together and that changes them, then I feel like I've done. My job.

AN

AO

It's gonna be awesome. I'm.

AP

Excited I can't wait. I.

AQ

Want to have a a good day today, it's so fun awesome day, I.

AR

Couldn't sleep last night I was so excited, makes.

AS

Me feel pumped Pumped up.

AT

So today is March Madness. It is our big event here at Berkeley High School. So we do a Special Olympics basketball game for the whole school to come, and it's just the highlight.

AU

Of our whole year, because the band's coming the cheerleaders everybody's gonna be cheering me on.

H

See all the people just chatting my name, it's I feel like a superstar. The.

AV

People all the people watching you TV on stuff, and so it's so cool, it's so fun.

AO

It was fun because Ella was held, the band the teenager, the mascots we have. We just have a good time. You.

AT

Know, I didn't make any colors and they wanted to be there and they wanted to support their fellow students.

AT

For me, it's just seeing how everybody will react, not just our athletes but their peers as well.

AP

I'm going to get a little emotional, seeing their smiles, so I feel like everybody's emotions is going to kick in as one and it's going to be an exciting time. I just.

AT

Love how excited they get when, when everybody shoots a basket, and you can kind of feel the energy of everybody.

AP

They're not different from anybody, they have a big heart. They have a big future ahead of them. The.

AT

Whole point is so everyone feels included and that nobody sees each other for their disability, but more for their ability. Happy.

AW

And flooded and salad and stuff had so much fun today,.

AT

From last year to this year, since we first started doing March, Madness I've noticed more kids are saying each other's names in the hallway. They stopped to talk to our students, and it just really makes Berkeley High School a better place. This.

AU

School, it won't be nothing out unified, because unified changed. This school makes me feel like I have a lot of friends. You.

AT

Know it just makes her day that they have people in the school who care about them and vice versa, we're definitely a family here at Berkeley High, all right.

AT

Everyone's proud to be at Berkeley stag, we wanted to make sure that we had that opportunity to let these kids shine.

AX

What should I say tomorrow? God bless you and ghost bags go Stags.

AY

I think that's. It tomorrow goes to act. Stags up Stags up.

AZ

AZ

And I we come in at 5, 30., we'll turn everything on. We check all the temperatures she's, throwing that breakfast in the ovens, because we have to get that out. I.

BA

Love it I love my job I, just I, just love it like feeding the kids taking care of.

AZ

Them they're all passionate about what they do. I'm sure every school will tell you they feel like a family, but it really is. Everybody pulls.

BA

Together, you would need to be done.

BB

Tacos or chicken taco.

BA

I, don't think I work, hard, I just think. I enjoy my job because I'm getting the chance to feed a child and um and I think that's. The most important thing is that every child needs to eat.

AZ

I can do this all day, who gets the chance to cook 120 pounds of ground beef at one time, I mean come on, you don't realize you think you're just cooking until you're out there, let's say you're cashiering and then you know, as somebody comes through the teacher says, yeah I know that child this could be the only meal they get. You know, and you know it's kind of shocking I mean I got chill bumps, because it's I've heard that so many times I.

BA

Just hate them words, I'm hungry.

AZ

We don't know what goes on at home, but we try our best to take care of them here for both meals, a class every five minutes on both sides.

AZ

So you have five minutes to get each class through. So it's uh it's, it's moving. I figured it up two years ago it was a student every six seconds. You know we had to get them through. You know if you didn't, those lines are going to back up. This is a lemon. It was a little easier this year than last in the kitchen. What are precautions are are for uh foodborne illnesses anyway, so the gloves the hand washing the temperatures. You know all the things that we do help you be safe.

AZ

We do have guards around the registers, the kids love the rosy applesauce. They love the the peaches too great flavor good recipes. The Child Nutrition really does a great job of giving us tasty, nutritious food.

AZ

If we perform our jobs from what they give us, that child's got the opportunity for a you know, really well-balanced breakfast and lunch and understanding what our mission is. As a group of you know, seven back there, we know every day, possibly you could have 900 kids. This is our profession. You know this is what we do for a living and I know that we try every day to give those students the very best. You know, you're doing the right thing. You know you're taking care of a ton of children. You know.

I

I

I

I

C

C

C

C

I think sometimes you get placed in in the right place, and it definitely happen in this instance.

C

I think what brings me back to guidance is just that this place is just really comfortable. The the staff is family, we like each other and we trust each other and everybody respects each other and that that's a huge part of it. The great thing is, even though we each have our grade level we're each you know helping each other out.

C

Oh Mr, Driscoll I just needed to hear you say that every single time, that's how she answers the phone.

C

The most rewarding part is really when a student comes in and they think the world is off its rocker and it'll never be right again for them. You just talk with them and you figure out a way to get them to settle down and they leave and they're ready for class. And then you see them the next day and they tell you. Things are better good.

D

C

Opportunity to do morning, announcements is great.

E

For today's lunch we have.

C

We have a lot of the students, have some hesitance, and some of them are really really nervous about it, and you could see that the girls who were in there I mean they were confident our.

F

First annual Student Art Show will be held this Wednesday to.

C

Watch kids handle that situation. That's what's rewarding.

G

And now for the thought of the day, if kindness is the answer, what is the question if.

C

Kindness is the answer. What's the question, the idea is you just have a sign in the morning to greet kids, you put a different thought every day, it's a riddle. It's a head scratcher, it's an icebreaker for kids,.

BC

C

And me I've had kids walk by that sign for two months and suddenly one day you don't realize they're reading it every day but someday they stop, because the question speaks to them and they want to give you an answer. What.

AE

Is the answer to the.

H

C

Oh well, I guess: what's the best thing we can do to help other people and the best way that we can deal with other people and approach them and support them. Kindness is the answer. Foreign.

C

I

J

This is basically what I do when I have free time: I'll just come, grab the non-fiction and put them away. My name is Meredith Leake and I'm. An eighth grade, I, would say I'm incredibly service-minded I'll go in the library in the morning.

J

I do the non-fiction when I have free time when I finished all my math I'm in a higher level, math class, so I'll take it online. So once I finish, those I can just come help out, there's only two Librarians so like they need all the help they can get, and this is 0.94 right here. I know that I'm really good at it. I know that I can do it correctly. So, like I'm, just helping out wherever I can she's.

K

Just kind of a good kid right, just a good egg.

L

I, just really like helping people one.

M

Of those people you just kind of want to be around.

J

I don't know I just I, just like volunteering and helping people and stuff on.

M

Paper when you see everything that she's accomplished at such a young age, it is truly like holy cow. Who is this kid and then you meet her and she is like the most down to earth. The chillest, like laid-back, kiddo, she's, funny she's patient, and you just kind of want her to be around in your room.

J

We have so many opportunities to do things. There's plenty of clubs to join, like whatever you're interested in.

J

I absolutely love drama club and chorus, and the Arts.

N

Oh, my gosh I love singing good news, Jerry, it's a common good news, you're.

J

Able to like express yourself and stuff like especially in like musical theater you're able to express a character and like go all out and I'm a very go all out person so like just being able to like go be myself somewhere is awesome. She's.

M

One of those role models that you.

O

Almost faultless.

J

I remember as a kid I'd be like those kids are, so big I was looking up to them in that position. I was saying these kids are so cool I want to be like them, and now thinking like these kids are gonna be like looking up to me saying: I want to be like her I want to do art stuff I want to do all this. I was like this is so cool there.

M

Is nothing outwardly that I wouldn't encourage anyone, not younger ones, even peers to look up to.

J

If I can make a difference in the school making sure that other kids understand that, like you can go, do this I'm here I can do this like this is something I can do like sure, I'll help out.

P

Every day is about the students for me 100 because of.

Q

The kids, just the kids, our kids, are absolutely our. Why why we all do what we do good.

R

R

I wake up every morning, knowing it is my responsibility to give I.

P

Get up and I come to work every day, because I need to be here for them. It.

S

Makes you feel good because it's why we're here I like what I do and I think it makes a difference? I.

R

Could have had any other job in the world, but I'm a teacher being.

T

A part of this you know fraternity of teachers and really making a difference in kids lives, bringing.

U

A positive difference to students because I'm helping them think you know beyond the classroom.

V

It's a real collaborative effort. We all bring our parts to the table and say: how do we make this puzzle work as best we can survivor's.

W

V

When you do something like this, this is the sort of thing that really sticks in their mind and helps them. Remember things down the road.

Q

I think that's every Educator's ultimate goal is for them to see themselves how we see them.

X

There are students from camby's EMS program that are working on ambulances.

Y

To look on these kids faces and the interests grow. That's just amazing to me.

X

We are sending kids from Berkeley County into the community that are directly giving back to the community now in terms of the jobs that they are doing and that's awesome.

Z

Proud is just not even the word: it exceeds that.

AA

I guess I just like to be able to give back to the community. You know since the district's, given me so much. You know.

AB

Whatever I need to make the students be successful, it happens here.

X

We're doing a lot of cool stuff here. There's a lot of neat things happening, No.

T

Place I'd Rather Be than in Bergen County I.

R

Love Berkeley County because it actually gave me a space. Can you see my eyes? Can you see my eyes? Ricky Connie hasn't been good to me. So I absolutely love it. I will give all I have to give to Berkeley County, so I can't give anymore I'm.

AC

Proud of what we do here, we work as a team. We help each other and we're helping the students and we're making a difference. They're.

Q

The reason and now I have six kids, that I've taught that are in law, school or lawyers I'm just beyond happy, and it's because of them.

T

The satisfaction I get every time, I come home at night, knowing that I'm making a difference in somebody's life I mean that that's what does it for me.

T

AD

AD

A school psychologist wears many hats, I wear all of the hats at Cane, Bay and I would not change a thing. I love it. My name is Becca Wallace and I am a school psychologist. It's my first year as a school psychologist and my first year in the district I love that we have such a big team. So we can all kind of collaborate and bounce ideas off of each other, so you're never really alone. But there's always somebody to answer the question.

AD

For me, I mean I can always call another school, psych, email them there's so many people that have your back even though we're all in different schools. We all work together.

AD

Berkeley County is awesome because we have like every single resource that you could imagine like for a school psychologist. We have all of the testing kits that you could imagine all of the writing skills. I am all about Berkeley County, I love. It.

AD

AD

AE

I graduated from here in 2008 and loved it basically every day.

AE

When I graduated high school, my 10-year goal right was in 10 years, I'm gonna go back to Stratford and and make it into whatever I think it should be.

AF

Oh I wish: let's try it and here I am.

AE

We have you know almost 150 kids in the choir um all based around making really excellent beautiful music, but relationships where the kids feel comfortable to be who they are.

AG

It is like one big family, you may not know many people but like as it keeps going like you become like family with these people just.

AH

The people in it as a freshman being in theater as well with some of the people. It's helped me kind of form, a bond with them.

AE

Understand before I got here it almost it basically almost died. Miss Edna Grace came in to be the choir teacher here and did such a great job of keeping it going, and so it was probably when I got here. There were probably 25 kids in the choir proper That Grew into what is now 150, kids, really all based on the the kids doing the work so.

AI

Like this part,.

AJ

And I was trying to move you all a little faster but she's.

AE

So great miss Wallace is everything. I am not.

AH

Miss Wallace is definitely the like more go easy on them kind of teacher.

AG

Mr Nixon Miss Wallace are like big, siblings they're, like they're, like our parents, kind of so it's really cool that, like yes, there are teachers and they're like pushing us to be like better musicians and yes, they're like teaching us all this thing all these things about music, but like it's also like they care about you, you.

AK

AL

You feel so small. We.

AE

Are leaving Friday to go to Century Resort in Walt, Disney, World and then Saturday they'll perform at Disney Springs.

AG

We're all kind of like on this High, because it's just like we did that it was really exciting.

AH

We were all very excited and yeah. It was just joy and excitement.

AK

AE

This is the most important thing for them. Some of these kids will never really get to go back, or this may be their only experience at Disney World. There.

AH

Are other good places like national parks and stuff like that, that you could go and perform at, but Disney is a really fun and special place.

AM

AE

Way that we're we're working on getting there is as much to do with musical Excellence as it is having the students when they leave be complete people. You can have production and you can have the best team and you can have like all of the bells and whistles. But if there there was no love in the room. If, when the kids sang, they didn't really care for each other.

AE

What's the point, because when they leave that's the thing they get to leave with and if we can have little moments where we all make music together and that changes them, then I feel like I've done. My job.

I

AO

AO

AP

Excited I can't wait. I.

AO

AQ

To have a good day today is so fun awesome day. I.

AR

Couldn't sleep last night I was so excited, makes.

AS

Me feel pumped Pumped up.

AT

So today is March Madness. It is our big event here at Berkeley High School. So we do a Special Olympics basketball game for the whole school to come, and it's just the highlight of our.

AU

Whole year, because the band's coming the cheerleaders everybody's going to be cheering me on.

H

See all the people just chatting my name I, feel like a superstar.

AV

People all the people watching you tell you on stuff, and so it's so cool, it's so fun.

AO

It was fun because Ella was held, the band the teenager, the mascots we have. We just have a good time. You.

AT

Know I didn't make any of these kids come they're, the ones who purchased a ticket for four dollars and they wanted to be there and they wanted to support their fellow students.

AT

For me, it's just seeing how everybody will react, not just our athletes but their peers as well.

AP

I'm gonna get a little emotional, seeing their smiles, so I feel like everybody's emotions, that's going to kick in as one and it's going to be an exciting time. I just.

AT

Love how excited they get when, when everybody shoots a basket, and you can kind of feel the energy of everybody.

AP

They're not different from anybody, they have a big heart. They have a big future ahead of them.

AT

The whole point is so everyone feels included and that nobody sees each other for their disability, but more for their ability. Happy.

AW

And slide it and salad and stuff had so much fun today,.

AT

From last year to this year, since we first started doing March, Madness I've noticed more kids are saying each other's names in the hallway. They stopped to talk to our students, and it just really makes Berkeley High School a better place. This.

AU

School, it won't be nothing out unified, because unified changed. This school makes me feel like I have a lot of friends. You.

AT

Know it just makes her day that they have people in the school who care about them and vice versa, we're definitely a family here at Berkeley, High.

AT

Everyone's proud to be at Berkeley stag, we wanted to make sure that we had that opportunity to let these kids shine.

AX

What should I say tomorrow? God bless you ghost bags, ghost tags.

AY

I think that's it to worry. Ghost act, Stags up, sags up.

AY

BD

BE

I'll now entertain a motion to return to regular session so.

B

BE

We have a motion and a second to return to regular session. Is there any discussion, I'll State for the record that no action was taken in executive session all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye aye any opposed. We are now in regular session. Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance and the moment of silence.

BE

With liberty and justice.

I

I

BE

We would now like to welcome Cross High School's, marching band Blue Thunder under the direction of Anika Nelson, as they perform optimistic by Sounds of Blackness.

BF

Just because Mr Ramsey has on Blue doesn't mean he's with blue thunder. He.

BE

Did pick his outfit.

BF

Right tonight he did.

I

I

BE

BE

BE

Thank you all very much.

BE

Next I'd like to recognize Goose, Creek and Mount Holly elementary schools for submitting the beautiful student artwork that's been displayed in the entryway for everyone's enjoyment. Thank you to teacher at Goose, Creek, Elementary, Beverly, Leonard and principal Kelly, Gebhart, also Mount Holly elementary teacher Jalissa, Richardson and principal Dr, Creighton addings.

BE

The next item on the agenda is Citizens comments in order to conduct the meeting in an orderly and efficient manner. We ask that you honor the following guidelines. Stakeholder comments are welcome and encouraged. However, the board will not take immediate action on public comments at this meeting. Any person wishing to address the board must register prior to the meeting. Comments must be regarding programs, policies or procedures. Comments regarding complaints against employees other than District level Executives or references to students other than the child of the speaker will not be heard in public session groups.

BE

Addressing the same topic should select. One speaker comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker. The board share reserves the right to allot additional time or halt public comments that do not adhere to these guidelines. The first Speaker this evening is a amber Campbell Moore to talk about the meeting schedule.

BG

Good evening there was an article written recently by Brian Hicks that has some interesting questions regarding the decision to move the meeting dates for this board. The meetings previously held on the second and fourth Tuesdays are now on the first and third Tuesdays. The article raised the issue of a conflict of interest, Mr McQuillen. Your firm is now counsel for the Isle of Palms and you serve on this board. I find that interesting and do indeed wonder if it is ethical. Are you in violation of the prohibitions on Dual office holding?

BG

So my question is: did you or anyone in your firm, take the oath of office for the Isle of Palms, City attorney I realize that this forum isn't for discussion, but I submitted my email address when I signed up and would appreciate a follow-up to my question and also that the public be notified as well.

BE

No ma'am, we did not take an oath of office. I'll answer your question right here. I appreciate your concerns. Excellent.

BG

BE

The next speaker is Michael Hendrick damage to yard by school bus.

BC

Four months ago, um I observed sitting in my uh recliner in my man, cave because it looks out to my front yard. A school bus started coming down the street right in front of my house on Old Point Road start right in front of my house. They pick up no kids there and then she would turn that big 40-foot long bus as hard right as she could and back up into West recess to turn around when there was a big intersection, 50 feet away. That way and another 50 feet away that way.

BC

But she opted to turn around right in front of my house, which the big 42 inch. Eight foot eight inch wide tire came right through the front of my yard about a foot onto the grass 6 45 in the morning. The third day I walked out to pick up my morning, paper I still get a morning paper, and here it came and I stood there and observed it and sure enough. She did the same thing.

BC

She turned the wheel hard to the right to back up and the big wheel came across my grass and popped off a sprinkler head. Now I didn't know it had done that until three days later, when the irrigation system came on, it's Underground but I walked up to her and I knocked on the side of the school bus and she opened the door and said I'm.

BC

Sorry, sir, and she went on down to the end of the road to turn around and leave when the three days later, when irrigation system came on out of Geyser in my front yard. Well, I can't do that work, anymore, I'm, handicapped and so I hired my long guy to do it. It was 475 dollars. I sent a letter that I signed. My signature is as good as by handshake. It still means something to me: the guy who fixed it signed a letter that said paid invoice, 475., I, mailed it to The District transportation office.

BC

They denied it, they sent it to the insurance company and the insurance guy called me and said: do you have an eyewitness I said yeah me: do you have a a eyewitness other than you I said? I, don't really take a practice of hiring somebody to sit out in a lawn chair in my front yard, watching the school bus that seems unreasonable to me so no other than me, and the guy who fixed it I do not have an eyewitness.

BC

I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble. If it was not the right thing to do. 475 dollars to the district is petty cash. 475 dollars of me on fixed income is a chump of change out of my monthly income expense situation.

BC

So the district said no. The insurance Governor said no. The chief executive said no and Mr chairman I've sent a letter to you personally, and you never responded to me so I'm here to ask the board to direct the district to go ahead and send me a check for 475.

BC

I do not accept wrong answers, but I was full of worship at the facility. North Charleston we had these torque claims situations all the time and I know how this works, and so, if I can't just solve this problem by submitting the letter and the paid invoice and because I know exactly what happened, I saw what happened and the bus driver knew what happened because she heard it pop when she did it and she even went and said: oh I'm, sorry, sir.

BC

She kind of mumbled I'm, sorry, sir, and then she came here three days doing the same thing, but following that day, she'd never made that route again. There's no kids on that street. She never made that route again. So everybody in the district office said the transportation. People apparently realized that she had just unilaterally made a decision to take that route and turn around in front of my house, and the intercession is too narrow for a 40-foot bus to turn around there. But that's what she was doing, but never again did she did it.

BC

Did she do it after that day, so I wrote the letters and sent them in and I've talked and talked and wrote. Letters said now: I've driven I've, driven from Hanahan up here to you know, discuss with you.

BC

Do the right thing. Just do the right thing, and this is the right thing they owed.

BE

BC

Next step is going to be a torque claim, with legal fees on top of that Michael Hendrick, 475, 6212, Old, Point Road, sir.

BH

I have a question for you, sir. Does it do the do? We have the paper that you submitted and the invoice yes.

BC

BE

Then the next speaker this evening is Leslie Bracken on the topic being the budget. Thank you, sir.

BI

Chairman McClellan and board members, thank you for the opportunity to address you this evening, I'm very concerned about the future of our district. We all know teachers are leaving in droves and there are a lot of reasons for that. But a big one is money. One of our neighboring District districts is Raising teacher pay and it's well above ours.

BI

Our neighboring districts have a teacher shortage as well, but if we're not careful, they're going to end up with our teachers and will have none two weeks ago there was a budget Workshop here before the meeting, and it showed that the amount of money the prior board managed to stash in the emergency fund so far is 124 million dollars.

BI

I see on tonight's agenda that you will be discussing incentives for employees to the tune of 14 million. Why are we talking about bonuses and not talking about raises our neighboring school district is talking about raises? Why aren't we Ms Wofford you've said in past meetings that you prefer raises to bonuses? Why aren't we doing this?

BI

It also sounds like we have that gentleman's 475 available I understand from conversations that I've had that Berkeley County likes to have 100 million in the emergency fund and I'm not challenging that what I would like to know is: why haven't we taken that extra 24 million dollars and done something to actually retain our teachers? The size of our emergency funds shouldn't be a badge of honor. As some past board members suggest we could use that money to give raises to our teachers, so we don't lose them to another County that is paying better.

BI

We could use that money to give support staff and bus drivers raises and investments in our staff, not bonuses bonuses, aren't how you keep quality employees. Investments in them is, please do the right thing and start to invest in our children by paying our employees what they were worth. That would be a true badge of honor dude Mr.

BH

Chairman I'd, like to address, address the the issue. I I, think.

BE

No sir, we'll move on the next. No next, no sir policy.

AL

AZ

BH

Very clear that board members have the right to address public comment: speakers and I'm I'm, calling the question yeah.

BJ

C

BH

And you cannot silence.

BE

I'm calling you out of order's chair the next public.

BH

No you're out of the water separate Campbell, the policy allows you just ask somebody a question. You just answered a question to to a speaker. I want to address.

BE

This lady, the next speaker, is about Maverick. What.

BH

Happens here is tonight we are going to address the bonus with this year's budget. Next year's budget is not even into discussion, it's in the discussion, but it's not being voted on tonight and we will address teacher pay raises in the next budget cycle.

BE

Thank you, Mr Barrow, for that campaign speech. All right next speaker is Miss Everett Campbell.

BK

Hello, my name is Yvette Campbell and my question is: has the board or whomever the board selected um has the list been completed of the books that were eliminated or banned? I, don't know what you all called it for our district. Has there? Is there a list of those books available for parents to look at um and if so, I listed my email address, so I would like to know what those books are. Thank you thank.

BE

You ma'am, the next speaker is Mary Rita Watson to share information about incentive regarding educator contracts being sponsored by the scea.

BL

Good evening it's a new group of faces: I'm Mary, Rita, Watson I'm, a teacher in Dorchester District, 2., I'm speaking on behalf of Kat Lowe, who is the Berkeley County Education Association president, who couldn't be here tonight. um I wanted to share with you a solution tonight to some. Maybe a happy little happy news. What we are hoping to do, the several locals of the the scea have gotten together and decided that we think one way that we can retain and Recruit new Educators is to revise the contract.

BL

So I don't know if you're aware of what the contract says, but it's very small, it's one of the smallest in the nation. It's about this long. It's a contract of adhesion, which means it just is a one-sided contract. It is more for the not the signer is more for the other side, and so the thought was to maybe get that that contract revised and that happens at the district level. A lot of people think that that happens at the state level and that's not where it occurs.

BL

You can write your own, like Greenville, has a much better contract than we have in the low country, and so we've talked with our superintendent. I know that Kat and her committee are getting ready to talk with Dr Dixon about this, um and then you would obviously approve that, but it would list things very simple things. In the beginning, I mean it could get bigger as we go along, but you know I know pay.

BL

Nobody would sign a contract where you don't know what you're going to make so and I know that requires that we wait on the legislation, but there is some legislation out there that might require us to wait anyway until 10 days after the budget is approved. Your work site I mean that's simple. So what we're doing is asking our Educators in three different areas to come together to different meetings and we have several locations in which you'll all be invited to come to where we're just going to give information about this contract.

BL

What is it that you're signing, because I know some back in my past? I would just sign it and give it I didn't even know what it said, and so um we would love to give this information out. It's part of a educate, bring awareness to, and hopefully, change the contract so that it can look like something where people would be like. Oh do you know what their contract says, it doesn't say other duties as assigned it, that's not even in there.

BL

It actually tells me that I have this right and I can I'm going to make this much money and I'm going to work at this place, and so it's it's one way. We would be some of the very few districts that would have something like that. None in the Low Country they all pretty much read the same. You know you're going to work. 190 days, You're, Gonna, you're gonna be working somewhere in our district and you're going to be making a certain amount of money.

BL

We don't know what it is right now and so um just just a little information for you, we're calling it signing day and we're asking for educators to not sign that contract until they know what they're signing and hopefully they can come to some of these informational sessions, which will be on zoom and will be posted on social media. So thank you very much. Thank.

BE

You for next agenda item is any action is required from executive session and we will start with the two student expulsion appeals. Do we have a motion in the matter of student number, one Mr.

B

Chairman I moved to accept the or to approve the appeal for student number. One.

A

BE

Is there a second.

A

BE

All right and that's it to accept the appeal of student number one and allow the child to return to the home school on strict probation. Yes, is there any discussion? Hearing, none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye aye any opposed the eyes. Have it in the matter of student number two. Do we have a motion Mr.

A

Chair I move that we deny the appeal of student number two second.

BE

We have a motion and a second to deny the appeal of student number two. Is there any discussion hearing, none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes have it. The next agenda item is temporary committee assignments. We have the full board present, so we will now recess for committee meetings.

BE

Oh, what did I do.

BE

Oh excuse me, yeah. We got two more motions out of executive session. Thank you. Miss Wofford, Miss, Bradley Mr.

BF

Chairman I move to accept the Personnel recommendations of the administration, as discussed in executive session for the current school year. Second, we.

BE

Have a motion and a second: is there any discussion hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying: aye aye aye any opposed yeah I, Sabbath, Miss, Littleton Mr.

B

Chairman I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to approve the 2023-2024 certified contracts as presented.

BE

We have a motion and a second is there any discussion hearing, none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes. Have it all right now to agenda item seven to recess for committee meetings start we have, um let's see.

BE

But yeah Mr Ramsey finance and Human Resources committee.

BJ

I am calling the committee on finance and human resources to order I declare there's a quorum committee, members present and note that the media has been given proper notice pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda so.

A

BJ

A

Second, second,.

BJ

We have a motion. We have a second any discussion. All in favor of this motion respond by saying aye.

I

BJ

Aye proposed motion approved by voter three to zero. Our first agenda item is 2023 2024 School renewal plans, Miss Katie Tanner. You are recognized.

BM

Good evening committee chair members of the board, all of you have joined us tonight. The recommendation from the administration is to approve the 2023-2024 school renewal plans as presented. What.

BJ

Is the pleasure of the committee.

A

Mr, chair I, move that we accept the recommendation of the administration to approve the 2023-2024 school renewal plans as presented.

BJ

Do we have a second, we have a motion. We have a second any discussion. All.

BF

Those in favor question I'm, not when you're committee but I, do have a question. Yeah go ahead: Miss Brad! How different are the schools from year to year with their renewal plans? Are they adding new things because times are changing, um is? Is there a big difference? Is it just one item? That's making.

BM

So they are specific to the schools and they need schools. I have the Sharon cider here that can speak more specifically to the plan. She works with the schools individually to write those plans so.

BF

Elementary kind of stays in the same line, Middle School stays in the same line. I know it's it's it's relative to each school. It makes a difference, but are we seeing the same things happening across the board? Elementary are doing basically the same 10 things and now 11 to 15 are personalized I'm, just trying to get a gauge of how each school is renewing itself year to year.

BN

um Great question: um there are some similarities between the schools. However, they are very unique to the school's needs. They look at their data, they look at things happening within their building. The data could be student, achievement, School, climate and other needs of the administrators and community members. So they take that information. It's an ongoing process and they use that information and they make decisions and they look at what the priorities and the needs are.

BN

The district are as well, and so they incorporate that into their plans, and then they are very targeted with other things that they've been identified with to ensure that they have the information and strategies and action steps to support, always student learning and their staff's needs. You.

BF

Use the word Ensure, so that means the allocations of staff and funds are also there to ensure that the plans relative to each school can be carried out. I, don't want a principal to say it at January. Well, I didn't have enough money to do this. This and this so I have to put it from 20 23 to 24 to the next school term.

BF

I'm, just trying to look at ensuring that the schools have the allocation of funds they need in January. They won't come around and say: well, we didn't have enough to do that. We're going to do it next time or we have to do a fundraiser to raise the funds to do that at the school level. So.

BN

There's a lot of processes and procedures in place that the schools use to utilize and share information. I know that Miss Tanner and Dr Whitley and Human Resources can talk about how they come to the district and the principals, and they have a team that they request regarding allocations, they share their needs. So that's a part of the process as well, but they look at their needs.

BN

Assessment and part of their plan is to write, A needs assessment and it they do identify what those allocations might need to be at their building to try to ensure that they can get their goals and to work toward their goals, and we ask that they write smart goals and to be very realistic based on their school's needs. So of course sometimes we have as- and this is very typical- we have our goal and it's stretched out and our plans are.

BN

This is our third year in this Five-Year Plan, so we reach for that stretch, goal which is 2026.. However, there are times when we don't do not meet our goal, so we re-evaluate our strategies and action, steps to really be very targeted to get to the root needs of our building and our students. Okay, so that's the great thing about our plans, they're fluid and we can constantly revisit them and revise them at all times. Okay,.

BF

BN

BF

BJ

Oh in favor of this promotion respond by saying aye.

I

BJ

Opposed emotions approved by a vote of three to zero. Thank you, Miss Tanner. Thank you. Our second agenda item is RFP number 676 22-23 for rmis software from workers, comp Miss, Marcy, you're, recognized.

BD

Good evening committee chairman Ramsey committee um board, chair mcquinlan, like superintendent, Dixon and board members. Tonight we bring to you for consideration the award of RFP 676-223 for Remus software for workers comp. This is risk management um software to help us with our to handle current and pending claims and historical claims for the agreement term.

BD

We had one bidder and but we feel confident that the pricing was that we were given was very competitive, and this is overall the system that we've historically been familiar with through our previous workers comp program when we were before we were self-insured.

BD

um Our attorneys have reviewed the contract and to ensure that it's written to the district's best interest and the initial contract term is one year with the option to renew for four additional one-year terms. The initial one-year value is 125 820 and the estimated five-year contract value is 345, 766 dollars.

BJ

What is the pleasure of the committee Mr.

A

Chair I moved to approve Award of RFP.

A

676-23-223 for the rmis software for workers, compensation to origami risk LLC for initial one-year contract term, valued at 125 820, with the option to renew for four additional one-year terms for a total contract value of 345 766 dollars.

BJ

Do we have a second? Second, we have a motion. We have a second any discussion.

BH

BJ

BH

You just a question: I've, had a conversation with a gentleman a while back about the option to renew these um these uh these one year for for an additional four uh at the end of the first year. Do do these bids go back out or do we have do we automatically renew these.

BD

Most of them are ottoman renewed. We have a pricing provision and there and then pricing should change DPI index and they have to give us 90 days notice of their intention to not renew or to have a price increase, and then the district can um opt to either accept the price increase or cancel and rebid. At that point, wouldn't.

BH

It be more advantageous to us to to rebid it every year to see if it's, if.

T

BH

Better, a better deal from a different company.

BD

um This something like this is hard to rebid every year because of the data entry that goes into getting the system set up and then maintaining that system. Throughout the year I mean there are different Commodities that it is advantageous to um bid it every year. But if we were to rebid everything every year, we would have to have a huge procurement staff, which we just don't have.

BH

I understand in this particular scenario, but this is a common kind of a contract that we basically say that almost every time there's an RFP cooked with a with a renew clause in there- and you know with this case- is probably correct if it if it requires a lot of work to do that, but I just think we need to be more cognizant and Afraid. We might be more frugal if we, in other circumstances, actually re-bit it every.

BD

BH

Of just continued on and on and on.

BD

If we would like to add more procurement, stuff I'll be happy to do that.

BH

That's not what I was I was anticipating the answer, but I was I just feel like there are some people who wonder why we continue to do it with the same company. When prices fluctuate, prices go up and down, and it just seems like it would be. It would be frugal on our part to to at least have an opportunity to look into it. I'm kind of expressing the opinion of a gentleman that I spoke with about two months ago.

BO

So as I think, what Miss abrahamson was saying was that if it is advantageous for us when she said to do that option to rebid, you know to renew the contract for additional amount of years, or if it's not, we will um do that. We have to do that on a case-by-case basis. This is, you know, definitely been a practice that is not new to what we have done. um It's not new to this year or not new to previous years within the district, but our procurement team ensures that they are making.

BO

um You know silent decisions on which, which ones to make that decision.

BH

There was certainly no slight on our staff, that's not the case that was.

BD

Not the case I, just to add that um the procurement code is written, that that's the standard term and the maximum term standard term is five years. Maximum term is seven years, so we're we're always processing through that, but typically software and things like that.

BD

We try to do the maximum terms, because it's just such a labor intensive process to um do the data entry and the data, conversions and those kind of things and I may have missed miscommunicated, but origami risk we've never actually utilized that software within Berkeley County School District, when we were not self-insured with workers comp our provider at that time used the origami risk software, and so we were familiar with it, but we've never actually purchased it for the school district.

BJ

Thank you any more questions at this time we will uh well now we've called the question. All in favor of this motion respond by saying aye.

I

BJ

All opposed our third agenda item is general fund budget amendment proposed employee incentive for may 2023. miss Marcy, you're recognized again.

BD

Yes, our last um board meeting. We brought before you a general fund budget amendment regarding the um our what the projected Revenue was for 23.24, I'm, sorry, 2223, and what um our current projections are with the revenue that's actually come in and what we're currently do to receive for the remainder of the year, and we that was giving us a. We had some money designated from fund balance last year, so that took away that need to use that fund balance amount and gave us an additional revenue of 13.5 million.

BD

We were asked to um go back and give you some scenarios about how we could utilize that funding and um the majority of the board and our Administration recommendation was to do something for our employees and so we're bringing to you tonight for consideration a recommended employee incentive for all employees.

BD

This will be full-time part-time, all employees and then an additional incentive for our special ed teachers and assistance that would um facilitate the original amount would be to provide a don't have my notes with me: um a 2500 incentive to all employees and a two thousand dollar additional incentive to our special ed teachers and assistants, and that would does that would utilize that 13 million dollars plus an additional three hundred and seven thousand dollars from fund balance. So that is one option.

BD

We have created some other scenarios that would um take additional funding out of fund balance and we'll be happy to present those um for your consideration. If you would like to.

BJ

BJ

To amend that, my motion would be I'd like to double it to five thousand for all current employees, and then I would like an additional 2500 on top of that for our special education teachers and assistance I'd like us to consider that scenario.

BD

With that scenario, that would be an additional 13.6 million that would come from fund balance if.

BJ

We did 5000 per employee, that's the one I want to present tonight.

A

Mr Ramsey: are you going to make that motion in a second, so we can have discussion or yes,.

BJ

Please let me go ahead and.

BJ

Make that motion do we have a second okay? Last.

A

Second I was gonna, say you don't get the second um I I know a lot of us asked I know I reached out individually to Dr Dixon. Other folks did um I do prefer, raises over incentives and I think that we should do significant raises as well, but this money is in this year, and so we have to expend the money in this year and we want to expend it on employees.

A

So the specifics of the motion is to approve a general fund budget expenditure of 27 million 221 994 dollars, with 13 million 668 150 of that to come out of fund balance and to provide a one-time employee retention incentive for all current employees of five thousand dollars who are employed as of May 20th 2023, an additional one-time, employee retention, incentive of twenty five hundred dollars for all current special education teachers and assistants, Who Remain employed as of May 20th 2023., so Mr, Mr Ramsey. You you made the motion I'll, give you a second.

BJ

um So that we can, we have a motion, we have a second and.

BE

I discuss yes,.

BJ

Yep, you can discuss, go ahead, I.

BE

Just want to say thank you Sally for bringing this up. Thank you, Mr Baker, and thank you Mr Ramsey and Miss Littleton for going to the superintendent and asking for this I know it was you know. Originally 2500 I appreciate y'all, doubling down and literally doubling the money amount, so um we're putting our money where our mouth is and I I think I think at least since I've been on the board since 2014. This is the largest retention bonus, stipend, whatever you want to call it. We've done.

BE

So thank all of you all for advocating for this and reaching out to the superintendent and staff about it.

B

um And can I just clarify for our speaker earlier. This has. This is totally separate from the planned raises that we're giving when we do our next Workshop. Yes,.

BD

Ma'am the raises that we're considering um will be for the 23 24 budget year. So that's a totally different pot of money and we've done everything from four to eight percent was presented at the last budget workshop and we have added the 10 to present at our next budget Workshop, as requested.

BH

I'd like to make a comment also Mr McQuillen is correct. If the individual's named were uh were key to this I wasn't asked about it, but I certainly approve of it. So I'm sure all of the board members would love to have as much as possible for our employees, um but I I just want to I just want to stipulate something. Thank you because this is the first. We have traditionally been very careful.

BH

The prior board has been somewhat reticent to give raises in the past, because of coming out of fund balance and in cases in the past, there's been a 5-4 vote. This seems to be a a momentum in the right direction. I applaud that, but I want to I want to make sure that the 13.6 million coming out of the fund balance is not going to create a problem for next year's budget.

BH

I am supportive of this five thousand dollar bonus, but, as you well stated, I recommended a 10 for the 23-24 school year and it may be that initially it looks like it may come out of the fund balance I, don't believe it will, but nevertheless, I also asked for a 28 year to a 35-year step. So that's coming in terms of the board's discussion.

BH

I want the board to do both we need to do both. The speaker was correct. A one-time bonus is great, but it is not as sustainable. It is not something that is going to occur every year, so we.

F

BH

This year's budget, and then we have next year's budget and I I, know I just want to put it out there for the public to be aware that this is two two different budget cycles and we will address the next budget cycle. What is it the next meeting on May 1st is that the next budget Workshop.

BD

Tentatively, it depends on when we get the numbers.

BH

BD

The Senate projections, but.

BH

But as board members I think we need to be cognizant of the fact that we used to take money out of the fund balance to do this, it may come to doing it again for the for the additional pay raise, not the bonus, but for the 23-24 school year. Thank you.

BJ

BJ

Yes, all in favor of this motion respond by saying aye.

I

BJ

Aye all opposed the motion is approved by voted three to zero. Thank you. Miss Martha.

BD

BJ

At this time, I entertain a motion to adjourn this committee meeting so that we can return to regular session.

A

So move Mr, chair.

BJ

Do we have a second, we have a motion and a second any discussion on favoritest motion respond with saying aye.

AM

BJ

Opposed the motion is approved by voter three to zero.

BE

Thank you, Mr Ramsey. The next items on the agenda are reports from standing committees. First to report from the committee on academics and Innovations here, Kathy Littleton, you are recognized.

B

Academics Innovation met on April 4th 2023 and on recommendation of the committee I moved to approve the Head Start budget expenditure report for February 2023 and Head Start credit card report for February 2023.. We.

BE

Have a recommendation from committee, so no second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes. Have it.

B

Also in recommendation of the committee I moved to approve the first reading of the South Carolina State Department of Education textbooks, which were approved by the Berkeley County School District's committee, Caravans selected by the individual schools. We.

BE

Have another recommendation from committee? No second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes of it.

B

Mr chairman. That concludes my report. All.

BE

Right next is the committee on finance and Human Resources, chairman Michael Ramsey.

BJ

Mr, chairman of Committee of finance and Human Resources met on April, the 4th 2023 and on recommendation committee, I moved to the fiscal year 2022-23 General budget amendment as presented. We.

BE

Have a recommendation from committee, so no second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye.

L

BE

Any opposed the eyes have it.

BJ

Also on recommendation committee I moved to approve the award of RFQ.

BJ

673-22-23 for the a e Services provided for various District projects on an as needed basis to brownstone design, LLC FW, Architects, Incorporated and Mosley Architects PC for a maximum term of two years or until the not to exceed maximum of 300 000 is realized. Whichever occurs first, we.

BE

Have a recommendation for committee? No second is required. Is there any discussion just a question.

BH

um Why do we need Architects I thought we already have architects in line to uh to do the next? This isn't talking about new schools. Is it no sir? What what facilities do we actually need Architects for I understand we have a need to to refurbish and and redo existing facilities, but uh why do we need.

BE

Architects Mr Baker, you I think he knows too. He addresses the last meeting. You come on come on up.

BE

Is it the last meeting.

BP

What good evening yeah so we need to Architects for small projects and that could be modifications to parking lots, traffic circles for transportation, stacking Lanes things of that nature, modular units that we need to add to sites things like that or a renovation that pops up. We already pre-qualify those Architects to where. If we need to move on something immediately, we have that opportunity to do that under this solicitation.

BH

Would the board approve those in advance or are we approving these now.

BP

BH

We approving the individual site work now because I don't think so we're just approving a particular set of Architects. To do some work is the board then going to approve the work to be done first, so.

BP

Under the task order, that's allowing the opportunity for us to hire contractors to do the work up up into a certain amount.

BH

That doesn't answer my question: does the board have to approve these other? These other building projects.

BD

Renovations, yes,.

BD

See um but already approved budget items that the board has already approved, and then so this work, so the dollars have already been approved and we're just assigning that work to get it done, and what we have typically done in an RFQ process is the awarded vendors. We've asked them to provide quotes for each project that we would like for them to perform the work, and then we go with the one that um meets our timeline and our budget.

BQ

BD

Like historically done this for many many years,.

BQ

Yes, so like a, we call them trailers, but modulars. You know they still have to be designed and approved by office of school facilities. So you know that's a that's a strenuous process, that's typically handled by Architects and it's a small purchase order that what I assume would fall under this right, just as an example.

BD

And I will say a lot of these. We did at um smaller projects. We have done in the past on an a e exception, um but this at least gives us a pool to to pick from that. We know are already pre-qualified and able to do the work, um and this is this is historically something that a lot of districts and state agencies use in order to expedite work for budgeted projects.

BD

BE

As we discussed, I think this was we discussed at the meeting you weren't at, but that similar discussion, but the pre-qualification process allows for additional efficiency on already approved projects. If.

BJ

That makes sense same process. We've been doing the last six years, I've been on a school board. There's not none of this processes that we're talking about tonight has any of this changed or we're doing something different, because all this seems like the same that we've pretty much done or what's changed. The.

BD

Only thing that has changed is when we adopted the new code. They they've named it. um This one is an RFQ and an indefinite delivery contract, but task order. Contract Contracting used to be called um an indefinite delivery contract for General Contractors, and this is something that we've done and the the Caps the the two-year cap or the maximum dollar amount that changed when we, um those were elevated with the new procurement.

BJ

Code process- yes, we've always done for the whole time. Yes, sir they're, all of us, we have the board, there's not anything new or different or underhanded or trickery that we're doing we're.

BD

BJ

Same thing, that we've always done.

BD

These are basically replacing existing contracts that we've either capped out or they've expired. Okay, thank.

BH

You it doesn't mean that the public doesn't have some questions about. What's going on, Mr Ramsey, I'm.

F

Fully cognizant.

BH

Of the of the board policy and the board provisions.

BJ

And regulations make sure that we run same understanding. Thank you. Certainly,.

BE

AO

I to abstain from my from this abstain.

BE

Okay, any further discussion or abstentions. Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye.

BC

BE

Opposed and and for the record Miss wigfall abstained from voting on that one Mr Ramsey.

BJ

Also, on recommendation to the committee, I moved to approve the award of RFQ 682-223 for general contract services to in-finger Construction, Group, LLC, J, muscleman, Construction and Centrum, and Associates Incorporated as a task order. Thank you. Contract with a single project limit of 350 000 for a maximum term of five years or until 4 million monetary cap is realized.

BE

We have a recommendation from committee, so no second is required. Is there any discussion all those in favor? Please respond by saying aye.

BJ

BE

Opposed the eyes have it.

BJ

Also on the committee on finance and Human Resources met earlier this evening and on recommendation of the committee I moved to approve the award of RFP number 676 22-234 rmis software for workers, compensation, two origami risks, LLC for initial one-year contract term, valued at 125 820, with the option to renew for four additional one-year terms for a total contract value of 345 766 dollars. We.

BE

Have a recommendation from committee, so no second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes. Have it also.

BJ

In recommendation of the committee, I moved to approve an amendment to the general fund budget for an additional expenditure of 27 million 221 994 dollars, with a 13 million six hundred sixty eight thousand one hundred fifty dollars of that amount to be expended from the additional fund balance to provide one-time employee retention of incentive of five thousand for all current employees who remain employed as of May, the 20th 2023 and second, an additional one-time employee retention, incentive of 2500 for all current special education teachers and assistance to remain employed. As of May the 20th 2023..

BJ

BE

Have a recommendation from committee, so no second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye.

W

BE

Opposed the passage unanimously also.

BJ

In recognition committee I moved to approve the 2023-24 Strategic School renewal plans, as submitted by Administration. We.

BE

Have a recommendation from committee? No second is required. Is there any discussion? Hearing none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed the eyes have it.

BE

That concludes your report. Mr Ramsey.

BJ

Yes, sir, that's includes my report. Thank.

BE

You, the next item on the agenda, is the superintendent's report. Dr Dixon.

BO

Good evening board chair, McQuillen board members cabinet, District staff and the great citizens of Berkeley County, School District, as always before we uh begin. My report, I would love to recognize our teacher Forum members who are here representing who teach throughout the day and they come to our board members and represent teacher form every board meeting Faithfully. So I would like to recognize Aaron.

F

BO

Special education teacher Sedgefield middle Stephanie, Williams Cane, Bay, Elementary and Cynthia Zimmerman, Philip, Simmons Elementary, so welcome and thank you for your support.

BO

Welcome back everyone to ours. um You know, I want to welcome back to our staff at all levels and our students from your spring break I, hope that you were able to rest and relax and reset in order to finish this school year out strong there. Thank you for all.

BO

You um do for all of your hard work uh thus far, and thank you for pushing through to the end of the year, giving each student your very best, I, remember those last six to eight weeks after spring break and state assessment and all of the end of the year as a special education teacher, IEP annual meetings that come to play band concerts field days, and so it's a lot that goes into ensuring that we send our students home well and that you are able to close out from this school year.

BO

So I really want to thank you for all you do today, I had the pleasure of joining our academics and Innovation team at Marion to Middle School of the Arts and Sangaree Intermediate School for our I ready recognition, as we have committed to ensuring that teaching and learning remains our priority and how everyone makes an impact in teaching and learning. You may or may not know.

BO

I ready is our online formative assessment and instructional tool that helps teachers, provide students, a path to proficiency and growth in reading and Mathematics for elementary and middle school students and Ms Bradley. In terms of your question, this is also one of those data points and you probably received those I-Ready reports and celebrations that we use when we develop our school renewal plans and those goals and benchmarks.

BO

But each month we recognize the top elementary and middle school that has gone above and beyond in a designated area to ensure students showing growth committing to the work and during their very best when engaged in I-Ready lessons. Now we know this can't happen without a committed and dedicated teacher in front of them every day, pushing them to do their very best on these assessments when they go in taking their time, not rushing, and so we also want to thank them for their work.

BO

But this month we recognize these two schools for the highest growth in Reading. Does that got it correct the highest growth in reading? And this is Sangaree intermediate's second time winning this year they were our first uh recipients in uh August for completing the most assessments and I think this time they showed the highest growth in reading, and we also recognize marington Middle School of the Arts and for Sangaree this particular class that I represented.

BO

It was extremely impressed for 19 straight consecutive weeks, this class has had 85 percent of the students commit complete their I-Ready with the 85 percent Mastery, so they are knocking it out, I'm there. So congratulations to the students, the teachers, the interventionists, the coaches, the parents who have to stay up and monitor these I already lessons and leaders of each school for your continued hard work.

BO

We also like to congratulate Miss Marissa Watson she's, the interim principal of Cane Bay Elementary School, on being selected as this year's recipient for the South Carolina PTA principal of the Year award. Miss Watson will be honored on April 29th in Columbia. For this outstanding achievement.

BO

Our office of communications and engagement received several recognitions from the South Carolina chapter of national school public relations from the national school public relations Association. They include three photography awards two excellence in writing: Awards an award for graphic design, an award for an outstanding Publications, a social media award, an award for the cognia presentation and the in the loop newsletter and the golden Achievement Award for the just the facts on the penny tax. So congratulations to our office of communications uh we have and Communications and engagement for that.

BO

Your hard work on submitting those and Community engaging our community with these quality products. So thank you.

BO

BO

We have two Berkeley County Arts students who earn National silver medals of Distinction. For writing. These are national awards in the National Scholastic art and writing. Competition and I want to congratulate Josephine, Rula and Liza or Lizzy Sosa for this outstanding achievement. So they received these national awards in writing. I think they were the only two in Berkeley County that received those. So thank you.

BO

It's always a great opportunity to celebrate our students, and we have many more Fine Arts and other student rewards and achievements awards and achievements that you can check out on the website. At your leisure. Just a couple of reminders. New student registration is still ongoing.

BO

So please, please, please visit our website for additional information and ensuring that your new students are registered and we want to let you know that tomorrow, night I think Miss uh Miss Williams is getting ready, for that is the Berkeley County track championships for eight of our high schools and it's going to be hosted by Phillip Simmons high school with field events beginning as early as 3 30, uh two o'clock, she's saying so field events.

BO

Her son is throwing the discus so as early as two o'clock P.M and then you can catch the other track events later throughout the day. If you want to see some great competitions and some great student athletes, uh please for those who are interested and share it with all, you can get this information on our website as well, but don't miss Pizza, music and jobs. Hiring on the lawn is April 27 2023 from 4 P.M to 6 p.m.

BO

Right here at the Berkeley Educational Center on the lawn come grab a slice of pizza, listen to some music and interview for all positions to include teachers, bus drivers, custodians, our front office staff, nurses, Etc and finally, I want to at this point, Thank you on board, chair, McQuillan and Ladies, and Gentlemen of the board for approving that one-time retention, stipend for our teachers after who are employed as of May 20 of 2023.

BO

We know that, as you know, stated, this is just a drop in the bucket for all of the hard work and we are steadily as a um as a team and a unified front, working on other options to ensure that we focus on pay, raises and other incentives. But thank you so much for that recognition to our dedicated teachers and staff, our bus drivers, our cafeteria workers, janitors custodial staff or maintenance crew. Anyone our district office, you know the HR technicians.

BO

Thank you for all of you that you do because I've said it numerous times that each person's role plays a major connection to ensuring that what happens in the classroom every day that teaching and learning is able to go by. So thank you for recognizing everyone and all of our employees, and so this includes in Head Start is where all employees yes. Well, yes, sir, thank you, but this includes my board updates. Thank you again. Thank.

BE

You Dr Dixon. The next agenda item is the board chair report and I'll, follow up where you left off and say, thanks to my fellow board members and the administration for approving this, and specifically those board members that reached out to increase the amount I do think this is a historic retention incentive in terms of the amount of money and as Mr Barrow mentioned historic in terms of going into the general fund. So I appreciate everyone doing that, but, most importantly, thank you to our staff and all of our employees.

BE

That's why we did this is to show you in in some way that we appreciate you and, as he mentioned as Dr Dixon mentioned, we will be considering other options through the budget process as well.

BO

And cannot leave a thank you to uh cabinet for.

AQ

BO

Numerous hours put into this to ensure that we come up with great projections and these opportunities and advocating for our our staff. So thank you.

BE

um The other reminder is uh our Monday Night board meetings will begin next month in May, and so our next meeting will be held on Monday May 1st, at 5 30 pm and along with that, the Berkeley County School District boardroom art show will be beginning at 4, 30 PM that evening on May 1st.

BE

That concludes my report. At this time, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

A

Make a motion sec.

BE

We have a motion and a second is there any discussion hearing, none I'll call the question all in favor, please respond by saying aye aye any opposed. We are adjourned.

I