Board Meeting - Regular Meeting

Greetings NPS family. Welcome to NPS Now, your source for the latest news happening across Montgomery public schools. In this episode, we have a lot of exciting updates to share from across the district. [music]

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We begin with a tribute to a local legend. After 36 years of excellence, Carver High School's coral director Dr. Henry Terry is retiring. A true Montgomery hero, Dr. Dr. Terry has mentored thousands of students, led the Troy University Gospel Choir, and shared the gift of music across the nation. Dr. Terry, thank you for your decades of inspiration. My musicianship is a gift that God gave me. And the fact that I was able to use it for 36 years to inspire young people to be better citizens, to be uh global minded about their their lives and to want to aspire to be better individuals in this world that we live in. [music]

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It has really shaped my life and values because music is so inspirational and it's such it's such a force that if you use it right or if you uh it can really take you places and my music has taken me places. It's introduced me to some wonderful students. He's shown me that music can lift can can just just bring about unity across the uh uh various uh ethnicities because we live in a global [music] society and music has to reach. It's the one subject I know that reaches around the world. You know, uh I love you as I love you anywhere you go. [music] And so to be able to convey that through music that that that means so much to me. [music] [music] A new era of athletics is officially here. We are proud to welcome Justin Hannah as the first ever head football coach for the Brute Tech Rams. With a deep background in professional and collegiate sports, Coach Hannah is ready to build a program defined by excellence both on the grid iron and in the classroom.

Um, I'm very excited. This is a great opportunity not only for students but also for the culture of the school. [music] We try to lead it with a spirit of excellence and I can already see from my conversations with him that he's going to do exactly that. Seeing the support that Rue [music] is getting, seeing the things that have been done already gives [music] me a sense of peace. So, I'm excited. Anything that helps our climate and culture [music] and our school grow, I'm all about it. The main characteristic is cultivating a [music] complete student athlete. Uh my goal is to make sure that we we don't only excel on the field as athletes, but [music] we excel on and off the field and cultivate and build a complete student athlete wellrounded.

This is your school. This is my school. This is our playtime just got a major upgrade at Chisum Elementary. Thanks to a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we've installed special adaptive equipment so that every student, no matter their physical ability, can play. Hello everyone, my name Jefferson. I would like to thank you for our new adaptive playground. Thank you all for coming. We often say that education happens in the classroom, but for some [music] of our most vital lessons, social skills, physical health, and emotional resilience, that happens right [music] here on the playground. However, for a playground to truly serve its purpose, it must be accessible to every child. Absolutely. So, we started this [music] grant program back in 2012, and it is for physical education, nutritional education, or adaptive [music] equipment in those two spaces. So, schools can apply for up to $20,000, which is what Chisum got, and um [music] it allowed them to to put in this wonderful accessible playground so that way all the children here at Chisum could participate in pre. [music] It is so heartwarming to see the kids enjoying the equipment. It's so great that they are able to smile and laugh and just have fun and be kids. They [music] don't have to worry about what they can't do. This is an opportunity to enjoy themselves at recess with [music] equipment that they can access and that's what's so important. They all kids just want to be kids and this [music] gives them an opportunity to do so. It means the world to our entire [music] school community. Just to see my babies get excited about coming outside [music]

because they know there is now equipment that they can easily access [music] and use to actually be a part of the PE time. It warms [music] my heart. When Jason called about partnering together to get this grant, I immediately was like, "Yes, let's do [music] it. My baby's needed." Um, one of my fifth grade students, I'm sad [music] that she's not here. She's going on a field trip, but she's in a wheelchair and if she was here, no one else would be on it right now because she wheels up and she just man the [music] playground and going to tell everybody how long they can stay up. So, it just means the world to all of us. 3 2 1. [music] [applause]

Finally, graduation is just around the corner. Make sure you are ready for the big day by checking out the full schedule on our website at nps.k12. us. Thanks for watching NPS Now. We'll see you next time. [music]

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Good evening everyone and welcome to those of you that join us today and those of you that join us online. The meet the general board regular session board meeting for May 12th, 2026 has now been called to order. I am the president Pamela Portoris. We have all of our board members present. We will start with our invocation. It is so good to see Reverend Katrina Waters with from Hillier Chapel AM Zion Church. Please welcome Reverend Waters. If you would bow your heads with me in prayer. Gracious God, our father, we give you thanks for all things. We thank you that you are the creator and the sustainer of all that we need and all that we hope for. And so God, as we come to this monthly meeting, I pray, oh God, that you will be in the midst. I know, oh God, an agenda has been prepared. But God, you guide the agenda. You make it what you would have it to be. That we might be better for our children and our families as they grow to be the citizens they are called to be. Now God, bless this board. God, give them wisdom like Solomon. God, give them strength like David that they might endure unto the end. God, let no weapon formed against our children prosper. God, we declare and decree that they shall rise up, oh God, and do the work. They shall rise up and be our future leaders. They shall rise up and be all that has been ordained for them. God, we thank you for all our administrators and the faculty and the staff and the everybody, oh God, who plays a role and come in contact with these children that they might not be a torture to them, but be a blessing to them. God, we thank you that you're

aligning people and places and resources that will allow Montgomery public schools to be the best system it can be. And so now God as you bless the parents who do their best God to lead their children because you said train them up in the way they should go and when they get old they shall not depart from it. So God you help them and when the parents are not able God send a village that'll carry the load. And now God as we end this prayer God I pray for every person under my voice. Lord God, as we do your business, as we do the work of Montgomery public schools, God, you take care of us, bless those who are broken, those who are down, those who are out, those who just need a little more love that that love might shed abroad. God, we'll be soever careful to give you all the glory, all the praise, and all the honor that when we finish this race and we get to the end of the journey, we can hear you say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." You've been faithful over a few things. Come on up, and I'll make you ruler over many. And all of God's children, shout it together. Amen. Amen. And amen. God bless you. Oh, thank you again, Reverend Waters, for for solidifying our children's business with such a prayer. Now, if you will stand with me with for the pledge of allegiance to standice for

If you don't know a good prayer when you hear one, we almost can go home. But we got a little business to do first. So, we'll take care of the children's business first. Uh, we have established a quorum tonight. Glad to see you ladies all here and say our next item is the approval of our agenda. President, I move that we approve our agenda. Thank you, Dr. Keith. May I have a second? I second.

It has been moved and second for the approval of tonight's agenda as printed. I have a few comments for you tonight. I won't be long. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Vote. I need to uh vote for uh the agenda, please. All those in favor, you didn't stop me, Miss Brown. It is unanimous. Uh thank you so much for all of your assistance all the time. Now to the next item. As we all know, it's celebration time and we don't take this time of year lightly. It's something truly meaningful to us. It has been a year of growth, resilience, curiosity, and community. This school year has been a journey, one filled with challenges none of us expected, achievements we're proud of, and moments that have shaped who we are becoming. to our families. You are the foundation that makes all of this possible. You've packed lunches, checked homework, offered pep talks, and celebrated victories, both big and small. You've partnered with us, trusted us, and supported your children through every twist and turn of this school year. You were the quiet strength behind every achievement we celebrate in May. Your love, your sacrifices, your support, they matter more than words can say. This moment belongs to you as much as to your children. To our teachers. You are the steady hands and generous hearts behind every student's progress. You've inspired curiosity, encouraged

perseverance, and created classrooms where students feel seen, supported, and challenged. Your dedication, often quiet, often unseen, has changed lives. Thank you for your patience, your passion, and your belief in every learner who walk through your door. To our students, you are the heart of this celebration season. every early morning, every late night, every study session, every question you ask, every mistake you learned from, and every success you earned brought you here. You've grown not only in knowledge, but in confidence, creativity, and character. You've shown that learning is not just about grades. It's about discovering who you are and what you're capable of. Always remember the race is not won by the swift nor the strong, but to him who endureth to the end. You did just that, and we are so proud of you. As we close this chapter, let's take a moment to appreciate how far we've come. This year wasn't perfect. No year ever is, but it was meaningful. It was full of growth. It was full of moments that will stay with us long after the final bell rings. And now we look ahead to new challenges, new opportunities, new friendships, new discoveries. Whether you're moving up a grade, stepping into a new school, or simply taking a well-earned summer break, remember this. You are capable of more than you know. Carry the lessons of this year with you. Let them guide you, strengthen you, and remind you of what you can achieve. In closing, thank you students for your hard work. Thank you

teachers for your dedication. Thank you families for your unwavering support. Together, we've made this year unforgettable. Together, we've built a community that learns, grows, and celebrates as one. Here's to the end of a wonderful school year and the beginning of everything that comes next. Congratulations, Montgomery Public Schools. Dr. Birds.

All right. Thank Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, Madam President, board members, employees, families, students, and members of our Montgomery community. Tonight, I simply want to begin by saying thank you. Thank you to our employees for the incredible work taking place across Montgomery public schools each and every day. As we move through the final stretch of the school year, I remain proud of the dedication, resilience, and commitment shown by our teachers, support staff, principles, and district leaders. This past week, we celebrated teacher and employee appreciation week and Mother's Day. And I want to publicly recognize all employees who continue to pour into our students daily. The work of educating, supporting, mentoring, feeding, transporting, counseling, and protecting children is not easy work, and we are grateful for the commitment our employees continue to show. I also want to thank our board of education for your continued leadership and service to Montgomery public schools. I believe we all share the same goal and that is doing what's best for our students, employees, families, and community. As superintendent, I remain fully committed to ensuring that Montgomery public schools continues moving forward academically, operationally, and strategically. We continue pushing forward with initiatives focused on improving academics, expanding opportunities for our students, improving school culture, positioning MPS to remain competitive in an in an everinvoling educational landscape. At the same time, we recognize growth also requires accountability,

consistency, operational improvements, innovativeness, and strong communication. We remain focused on improving systems that provide better support to our schools, employees, students, and families. To our students, especially our seniors, we are proud of you. Continue finishing strong, making good decisions, and striving towards your goals. Your future is bright, and Montgomery Public Schools is proud to be a part of your journey. As always, thank you for your continued support of Montgomery Public Schools. Together, we will continue pushing our great district forward. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Dr. Bird. Next, we will have Miss Rosanna Brutin with our board recognition. [laughter] Good evening, Madame President, Dr. Bird, and our distinguished board members. We have are here to celebrate the dedication and achievements and contributions of our MPS community members. Tonight, we will recognize many individuals and is a privilege to highlight the incredible work happening across our district. First, we will start with Lamp High School boys tennis team. They received the second state championship title since 2023. The team's success was driven by extraordinary individual performances, including three individual singles state titles in a championship in the number one doubles flight. Noy notably, the team was anchored by a historic undefeated performance in the number one singles position. This championship highlights the death, discipline, and sportsmanship of the entire team. Please join us in celebrating these scholars for their dedication. [applause] And board members, if you don't mind getting out of your seats and joining them for this momentous occasion.

Let's give them another round of applause. [applause] Yes. And board members and Dr. Bird, if you don't mind, if you just remain standing for the moment. Next, we are proud to recognize two of our middle school athletic programs for outstanding achievement during the 2026 season. Congratulations to Johnny Carr for winning the middle school softball championship and Floyd Middlemagnet for winning the middle school boys baseball championship. These student athletes demonstrated exceptional teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship throughout their seasons. Their success reflects countless hours of hard work, strong coaching, and the unwavering support of their families and school communities. We commend these scholar athletes and coaches for representing Montgomery public schools with excellence both on and off the field. Congratulations again to our champions. [applause] It should be coming in shortly.

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And at this time, if Johnny Carr is in the room or in the overflow room. We would like to invite them all. One, one twice. Okay, moving along. We would also like to recognize the following first place state championship track and field winners from Park Crossing High School. We have Raymond Williams from class 6A Shotpit. [applause] Next we have two champions from Carver High School. We have Kamani Clary who is the men's triple jump champion and Tyrone Clary Jr. who is the men's high jump champion. [applause]

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and from Brew Baker. Technology Magnet High School, we have Joy Taylor, who's the state champion for the class 4 4A 5A 400 meter dash and the silver medalist for class 4A 5A 60 meter dash. Believe she's not able to make it tonight. So, next we have the speech and debate team at Lamp High School. They competed earlier this spring at Northridge High School where they achieved top honors as speech state champions with the efforts of six individual state champions and seven national qualifica qualifiers to set to represent NPS in Richmond, Virginia. The team's season stands as the most successful in school history and ranks among the most impressive performances in state tournament history. Congratulations to these scholars.

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Montgomery Public Schools is proud to recognize is inaugural year of offering the seal of biiteracy. These distinguished scholars will have demonstrated proficiency in English in a language other than English by successfully meeting the rigorous standards in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Please join us in congratulating the following students from Booker T. Washington Magnet High School. We have Olivia Holtz in Spanish. [applause] from BrewBaker Technology Magnet High School. We have Miriam Castro Vasquez. We have Dionara Salmana Zuk Zakuras. Forgive me if I butcher that. And then we have Jan Lee who is fluent in Korean. Then at Lamp High School we have Annabelle Escobar in Spanish. Then we have Ty Moore in Latin. And we have David Guzman Galamez in Spanish and Latin. [applause] Now we can say congratulations in three different languages to come much felicidares and maximus graduation. All right. [applause]

is that the state department of education can join us. Also to note, these students not only receive the Alabama seal, but they also qualify for the global seal. [applause] Next, Montgomery Public Schools proudly recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of our jobs for Alabama's graduates, also known as JAG students, who advanced to the national competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, and earned recognition among the top students in the nation. The Knowledge Bowl team earned a top 10 national ranking, placing seventh. And the team members included Xavier Yates, a senior at Johnson Abernathi Gratz High School, Tonia Mcconico, a senior at Percy Julian High School, Canorian Walker, a senior at Carver High School, and Wayne Jones Jr. another senior at Carver High School. Alexander Edwards, a junior at Percy Julian High School, placed second in the nation in financial budget development, placing top among the competitors nationally. Grace Cerna, a senior at Percy Julian High School, received national recognition and digital outstanding chapter at the Impact Jag competition, ranking in the top 15 among the nation. And additionally, Miss Jamie Phillips, the JAG career specialist, presented at the national conference to an audience of JAG specialists, program managers, and students on strategies for incorporating fine arts in students into the JAG programs. We will give them a round of applause in their absence this evening. [applause] We have one

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Montgomery Public Schools also proudly recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of students who earned top honors during the 2026 Montgomery Bookfest and Writing Expo competition. from Dela Elementary School under the leadership of Miss Shelanda Johnson. In first place is Brilan Gordine, a fifth grader with her artwork titled Soul of a Woman. In second place, we have Linda Roberto from first grade with the title Ruby Bridget. And from Vera Exploration Center under the leadership of Mrs. Bonacowski. In first place we have Nelly Ray Lee in fourth grade. She had the artwork titled Rosa Parks Collage may not be here. We'll give her a round of applause in her absence. [applause] In second place, we have Madison Young in fourth grade with the artwork title Simone Biles Collage. [applause] These students demonstrated exceptional creativity, artistic expression, and storytelling through their work. And we commend these young talented scholars with along with their teachers and school communities for representing Montgomery public schools with excellence. Board members, you may take your seat now. And as you take your seat, we have a couple announcements. Montgomery Public Schools recognizes May as mental

health awareness month. We encourage our staff, students, families, and community to continue prioritizing mental wellness, supporting one another, and helping break the stigma surrounding mental health. Student and staff well-being remains an important part of creating safe, supportive, and successful learning environments across our district. We also recently celebrated teacher appreciation week and we proudly recognize the outstanding educators across Montgomery public schools. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to empowering our scholars every day. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, helping shape the future of our schools, our community, and the next generation of leaders. Our teachers deserve more than just a week of appreciation. And we want you to know that you are valued, you are respected, and you're deeply appreciated for your lasting impact that you make every single day. Let's give it our teachers a round of applause. [applause] In addition, we also recognize nurses appreciation week and celebrate the incredible school nurses who care and support our students and staff each day. Your compassion, professionalism, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives that you serve. Whether responding in the critical moments, providing daily care, or helping safe create safe and healthy environments, our school nurses are an essential part of the success and well-being of Montgomery public schools. Your work does not go unnoticed and we are deeply grateful for the impact you make every single day. Let's give our nurses a round of applause. [applause] Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and tune in to our newscast MPS Now and Stronger Together the MPS podcast. Both can be found on our website. This concludes our board recognition.

And that ladies and gentlemen is Miss Monae Stevens and she belongs to us. Wonderful job. Wonderful job. We have no scheduled public comments and no citizens comments tonight. So, moving right along, we will ask Mr. Chad Anderson to come to tell us about the change order for Jag High School and Goodwin Middle School painting and flooring project.

Yes, ma'am. Good evening, Dr. Bird, Miss Poris, Miss Watkins Smith, and members of the board. Uh this is an addition to the initial bid where we uh accepted the JAG portion of that bid. This is to add the good one portion of that to complete the same services and scope of services that we're doing currently doing at JAG. Painting the hallways, painting the ceiling, and also adding epoxy flooring throughout the hallways, the cafeteria, and the kitchen area.

Hey, thank you, Mr. Anderson. Any questions or comments about the change order? Seeing and hearing no questions or comments. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Next, we will have our March 2026 financial statement by our CSFO, Mrs. Pamela Watkins. Good evening, Superintendent Bird, Board President Poris, board members. you should have in front of you your financials for the March 2026 um which represents the sixth month of the fiscal year. I'm going to leave it there because I struggle with this every month but um in your packet um you have the explanation of the financial information from the CSFO. Additionally, you have a snapshot analysis. the snapshot analysis which is on the screen here is a highle view of the information um of our information as of March 2026. You also have the general fund balance recap which breaks out our balance our general fund balance as of March 2026. Um additionally you have your monthly budgeted percentages. Um the sixth month of the fiscal year we should be at about 50% as in expenditures. revenues will be slightly different from that. We also have the monthly and annual comparative statement of revenues and expenditures which provides you a view of the expenditures for the current month and fiscal year compared to the same point in time in the previous fiscal year. You also have a statement of cash flow which represents the revenues and expenditures that have come in in the current month and then a visual of that information with pie chart. You also have your F exhibits which represents the same information presented in the package but from the state department as

we're required to upload that information monthly. Additionally, this month you have an an extra section which is a community donations um section um provided at the request of one of the board members. We provided this from October to March. Um in the future you will get that to represent the month that is being presented at the time. This information provides you the donations or the community support provided by our county commissioners, our city councilors, and our state legislators. Um, it's broken down by school and the individual that made the donation as well as why they made the donation. So, what support they're providing to the schools. Um, I think this is a good information to provide to you all so that you can see how the community is actually supporting our schools um, in the district. I'm going to go back to the snapshot analysis. Um, in the snapshot analysis, you can see that um, our current fund balance is 128.7 million. Um, that represents about 60% of the budget. As um, it relates to local funds, we have received about 90% of our local funds um, at this point in time in March. Um, so although we have the 128.7, we have to keep in mind that we have received the grand majority of our local revenues and so these funds will carry us through the end of the fiscal year as our local revenues drop drastically after the month of February. You also see our local revenue comparisons um compared from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. And then you also see the comparison of our payroll expenditures um from fiscal year 2025 to 20 26. Um our expenditures as I stated are at about 50%. That always makes me feel good because that makes me feel like we budgeted correctly which is right where we want to be. Um

additionally um I think that's all for that. Additionally, March does represent the sixth month of the fiscal year. So, to kind of give a recap of where we are, like I stated, we're at 50%. But additionally, what I want to add tonight is that um we also have information that I'd like to share that was presented about two weeks ago with u from the state department that while we're in the sixth month of the fiscal year and we're closing out and we're doing amended budgets um that are due in the month of June, we also start looking at our budget information for fiscal year 2027. And so what I will share as it relates to that is that um information gained from the conference I was at was that there will be a 2% increase for all educators going into fiscal year 2027. Um I also learned that the raise funds that we received for the first time this year. The state has done a statewide increase of about 25 million which reflects about a million dollar increase for Montgomery public schools. the transportation funds that transportation receives just for transportation. Um there was an 83 million increase statewide which represents about $2.3 million increase for Montgomery public schools transportation operations. So that is strictly for transportation. And then our safety and security will also see an increase in funds as it relates to next year. Um I the fund balance as I do each month although our fund balance is 128.7 million you will see that our local general funds are actually at 88.7 million because everything else is actually restricted to funding sources that can only be expended in those funding sources. And I'll use transportation for example right now they're at 7.7 million. Those funds can

only be expended for transportation. And you'll see the breakdown of other funding sources that are very restricted, although they are part of our local revenues.

I'm sorry. I was looking at the numbers. Yes, ma'am. Um, question, Miss Cloud. Thank you. Would you give me please the raise funds for MPS? Again, the raise funds you said 25 million over the state. That's across the state. Our allocation will increase by about a million. So in fiscal year 26 currently we have about 7.7 million and that amount will go to about 8.7 million for fiscal year 2027. Thank you so much. And we can't carry that money over. No ma'am. No ma'am. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comment?

And and she's right. We can't carry it over, but however, we are trending um on target to expend all of those funds. Okay, good. Thank you, Miss Mark. At this time, we will have attorney Kane Bernett uh to come and talk with us about judicial validation resolution. Welcome, sir.

Thank you very much. Uh Miss Bordis, Dr. Bird board members. Um, pleasure to be with you. Um the agenda description is a judicial validation resolution, but this is really a a much broader agenda item I would say and is the culmination of a process that many of you are aware of from uh beginning in 2019 2020 with the uh planning process for the advalorum referendum that as you know was uh uh approved by very large majority in the county. resolution you have before you tonight uh is the first uh uh opportunity that the board has to go through a bond issue or the capital projects that are being supported uh because of that referendum. Um tonight is uh what I would call phase one. It primarily uh almost exclusively pertains to the Dr. Percy Julian project which uh I happened to drive by on Sunday because I was down here with my my two boys and uh it is well on its way. I can say that um this resolution uh goes ahead and authorizes this uh first bond issue within parameters. By parameters I mean uh there are uh certain targets that if the bond issue comes within those targets then it's approved by virtue of your action tonight. So those targets and um the resolution you have runs 27 pages. So I'm going to suggest that I just run through some of the highlights and uh not bore you to tears. U but the resolution um authorizes an up to $200 million uh uh bond issue. uh your very capable finance team is uh going to drill down on those numbers

over the next I would say one and a half to two months to to see what the final number will be but we know it will not be more than 200 million. Um it authorizes the financing to proceed so long as the final interest rate is no more than 5.99%. Um we we don't know what's going to happen in the markets, but we don't we don't want to be subjected to a u an abnormally high interest rate with the understanding that these will be taxexempt warrants of the board. So it can't be above 5.99%. Uh [clears throat] you will retain as required by state law, you'll retain the right to prepay these at no later than the 10year mark. So if um uh you know at the 10-year mark, if it makes sense and interest rates have gone down, then the board would retain the opportunity to prepay these do what's called a refunding to try to take advantage of a lowering of your interest rate. Um this financing will go through the typical state department of education review process. Um and um and um I'm happy to uh also say that we've been working to mention with your finance team, Rice Advisory. We have Doug Draper here from Bank of America Securities who's the lead underwriter on this. Um uh Pamela Watkins of course has been indispensable as we move forward with this process. Uh board attorney Powell has helped us with uh the uh review of the validation u materials. Um and uh and that process we expect will move forward within the next week or two. Um as that plays out, we would expect to try to target a closing sometime in the next 60 to 75 days. That may vary a little bit here or there, but that's the general background. Uh at that time, the funding

would be available for the board carry out uh the remainder of the Dr. Percy Julian project uh as well as some prelim preliminary costs that are associated with uh Capitol Heights. Be happy to answer any questions you have about the resolution or the or the process broad.

Any questions or comments? I will tell um the public and everyone that the board members got an opportunity to um a couple of us at a time got an opportunity to listen to hear and ask questions. So we are as well verssed as we can be. They did an excellent job of answering our questions and our concerns. So um with no questions or comments, it looks like everybody feels pretty good. Right. Thank you very much. and we know where to find you if we develop you. You do. You sure do. You sure do.

Okay, Miss Watkins, you want to come back one more time? Divid assets and professional services agreement. Yes, ma'am. So, in front of you all, you have um or I'd like to make a recommendation for the approval of the divid assets. Yes. I'm sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, sir. Go ahead.

I apologize. um that uh this resolution will require a vote tonight if if if the board is uh agreeable to that. Okay. So, in front of you, you have a request for the approval of divids assets. Divid assets is a professional services to perform a district-wide fixed assets or a district-wide inventory. Um please know that each year we actually do do or hold a capital assets inventory. So every year right as school gets out each school gets a um listing of the fixed assets or capital assets for their school and they are required to submit that within a 30-day period. We check that in finance. However, um the district also needs a district-wide inventory that looks at items outside of those. Um that should be done every few years. I think our last one was done maybe in 2021. And so we're requesting the approval to do that. Um, in in my little notes here, districtwide fixed asset inventory is essential to ensure accountability, accurate financial reporting, audit compliance, and proper stewardship of public resources. Um, this is um you'll see the cost on there of 142,500. It will be 66% funded um with the support of federal programs and the other 33% will come out of general fund. Um if approved tonight, the vendor will start um the process during the month of July while students are out of the school. They're slated to finish it within the 30-day period.

Okay. Thank you very much. Any questions or comments about that service? Thank you, Miss Watkins. All right, we'll move into our consent agenda. Dr. Bird. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam President. Superintendent requests your approval of the consent agenda, which includes action items A through I. Madame President, I move that we approve item consent agenda items A through I.

Thank. It [clears throat] has been moved and second that we approve the superintendent's request recommendation, I'm sorry, for the consent agenda. Any questions or comments? All those in favor? May I see a show of hands? It is unanimous. Thank you for approval. Thank you, Madam Madam President, board members. Superintendent request your approval of action item 14A, which is personnel report certified personnel. Madam President, I move that we approve the superintendent's recommendation. I second it.

It has been moved and second to consider the superintendent's recommendation for personnel report certified personnel. Is there any discussion on this matter? Hearing or seeing no discussion, may I see a show of hands of all of those in favor? It is unanimous. Thank you. Superintendent requests your approval of action item 14B, personnel report, classified personnel. Madame President, I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for personnel report classified personnel.

A second. It has been moved and second to accept the superintendent's recommendation for personnel report classified personnel. Any discussion on this matter? Hearing or seeing no discussion or concerns, may I see a show of hands for all of those in favor. That item is unanimous. Dr. Bird. Thank you. Superintendent requests your approval of action item 14C, supplemental personnel minutes. Madame President, I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for supplemental personnel minutes. I second it. I second.

Thank you. It has been moved and second to accept the superintendent's recommendation for supplemental personnel minutes. Any discussion on that item? Hearing or seeing no discussion, may I see a show of hands of all of those in favor? That item is unanimous. Thank you so much. Our next meeting will be June 9th, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Same place, same time. This meeting is now adjourned. If you're leaving, I suggest you do it quickly because we are going into work session. Three, [clears throat] two, [laughter] y'all are Thank you so much. The work session for May 12th, 2026 is now called to order. We still have a a quorum established. May I hear a motion to approve the agenda?

Madame President, I move that we approve the agenda as written. I second it. It has been moved and second to approve the agenda as written. May I see a show of hands for all of those in favor? It is unanimous. Thank you. The next items will be received is information. Mr. Par. Well, Miss Lara is here with us tonight from Vulker. Yes, ma'am. Hey, taking the evening off.

That's right. I was going to say he's been busy trying to get groundbreaking uh ceremony lifted off out at uh Percy Julian. So, he got the night off. You guys got me tonight. Uh good afternoon, uh President Poris, uh Vice President Smith, board members, Dr. Bird. Thank you for allowing me to come and just do our monthly update to the board. Um, rolling straight into the Percy Julian High School project. We're currently tracking at 35% complete with an anticipated substantial completion date of January 2028. rolling into our project progress. I wanted to just kind of swing ahead to this overall um footprint of the building. It kind of gives you a aerial bird's eye view of progress. Um looking down on the actual um footprint of the of the building and I thought it's, you know, really telling. So, um with section A, which is our instructional classroom space, that's a two-story uh space. We've got CMU interior block. um is complete. Our exterior sheathing is progressing. Uh the brick has been selected and it's order ordered uh for the project. Our structural steel roof trusses are complete in section A. We've got metal decking for the roof structure being installed. Um installation of the overhead mechanical and fire piping is ongoing in this area. Our inwall plumbing install is roughly at 50% complete for this section. 35% complete for the second uh floor area.

Our over overhead install is roughly 35% complete. Uh for plumbing, electrical wall rough in is roughly 87% complete. This is for area uh A section A. our front entry. Um the contractor has really just been busy trying to get structural steel uh set and it is progressing. Interior CMU block is also progressing. Moving into section B, which is your instructional and classroom space, twotory uh it's a two-story area. We've got installation of the steel joist and metal decking complete. Our overhead mechanical is progressing as well as the sprinkler pipe install. Our inwall plumbing is roughly 50% complete at the first uh level, 35% complete at the second level and then overhead install is roughly 15% complete. Electrical rough in at the wall is roughly 50% complete. Section D, which is the cafeteria, is a singlestory space. We've got the grand staircase actually installed. It's set and installed for student usage. It's it and I've got a picture uh in the in the presentation. It's it's really looking it's looking really really nice. Um the building tpo roof is roughly 55% complete and then electrical is also in uh progressing at 30% complete. um sections E which is athletics, section G which is your um auditorium and section F which is your competition gym area. Those are high bay areas. Uh your slab on grade is poured at areas E and F. Interior CMU block continues to

be laid at area um E. Your overhead structural steel is progressing for area F. Underground plumbing is installed for area G. And then the crews are currently working on getting that area uh G section G slab on grade board. And then lastly for uh what we're calling section H, which is the athletic fieldhouse. And on this picture, you can see it down to the right. It's got FH identified in the footprint. That's your fieldhouse location. Those foundations are poured and um we've got underground plumbing pipe uh being placed. It's roughly about 30% complete. Lot lot going on at Percy Jillian. Um another aerial view and it again just really highlights where we're at coming out of the ground. the um what I call the skeleton portion of area E, F, and G, which is that competition gym uh and your auditorium. You're starting to kind of see that that section really come up and and begin to form. Again, just uh just some inter exterior interior uh pictures of progress. This is area A for an entry of the school. Also an interior uh prog progress photo of a typical classroom. It just went right on through. We go. Here's that monumental stair that I was uh speaking of earlier. Uh right outside the cafeteria area C. It's going to give a really nice presence on the inside of the building. Taking it to the second floor. This is

progress second floor area A and B. And then just a picture of mechanical, electrical, plumbing rough in um and is continuing down on the first floor. Rolling into the new Capitol Heights Middle School. Uh we just launched that project. that we've got a fully executed DCM contract. We've received our purchase order from MPS. Uh we had our pre-construction meeting held on uh May 7th with the DCM inspector and the notice to proceed for the contractor to be mobilized and start work is slated for May 27th. Um we've shared the site logistics plan with Mr. Anderson and his team as well as Principal Ree and her team uh on campus. And then this is just to kind of give you an indication of of what's to come. We just wanted to throw uh some renderings up for Capitol Heights. Um just a highlight for for public showcase. Main corridor media. This is a rendering of the media center to the right front entry cafeteria. And then uh rolling into our overall program for minority participation uh since executing the PO for Russell Construction, we've been able to capture that percentage uh down in our total construction contract amount which we saw an increase I I think a a huge increase on the total percentage. So we're now tracking at 21% there. 36% for professional services, 21% for construction contract. Any questions?

Yes, ma'am. Is it possible for us to receive a listing of our minority participation with and you know with the names of the companies? Yes, ma'am. And the percentage. Absolutely. Thank you. Do I just get that to Miss Lesley Hart? Dr. Bird you. Okay. Yes. We'll we'll make that happen. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions or comment? Thank you, Miss Penn. Thank y'all.

All right. Student enrollment recruitment plan. We welcome Mr. Adrien Bond, president of CASIA K12.

Welcome, sir.

Thank you. Um, Madame Chair, board or superintendent. Um, I'm Adrienne Bun, the president of Kesa K12. And, um, yes. Why am I here? Well, um, across the nation, we're seeing, um, school districts struggle with um, student enrollment due to a number of factors. Some of those that are within your control, some of those not. um decline in birth rates are real. Families being priced out of their areas around the district is real. Um but one thing that we see that's unfortunate is that some of your competition, their enrollment isn't decreasing as fast as yours. In most instances across the nation, we're seeing them increase. So what do we do? Well, at Case of K12, we represent traditional public school systems to run grassroot effort campaigns to engage with families that have either left the district to attend alternative options or work with parents who've always bypassed your feeder patterns by running those same type of campaigns that you might see doing a traditional campaign, an election campaign. Our we're based out of Memphis, Tennessee. Um, we've had the fortunate ability to partner with districts like Birmingham where after 31 years in a row of declining enrollment after our first year partnering with them, it was the first year they had a net increase enrollment. Um, our work was featured in the USA Today. Um, we're in 27 states. Um, we are I think we have eight of the top 15 districts in the country that we partner for. I I think the best thing about our platform is we partner with districts on a performance-based contract, meaning the district only paid for results. We must get the students to register, enroll,

and stay through that October FT count date. If they fall out at any juncture, meaning they start in in uh August and that they're going after two weeks, well, we're not compensated. So, we believe wholeheartedly in our work um that the district only pays for the results. And if you ask, well, how do you do this? Well, um with us running political and issue campaigns, that's where our DNA is from. We understand the grassroot effort component of of going doortodoor and engaging with families, making the live phone calls, the text messages, the emails, the digital ads, those same things that you might see in a in a normal traditional campaign. What we do is we take your messaging that the district has done a fabulous job of already creating. You all have a lot to be proud of. You have a lot of of great things happening in your school. And we're going to take that messaging to families one on one. Um we're in 27 states. We work in districts from urban to suburban to rural settings. So we understand this. We're laser focused on this initiative. Um, you say, "Well, what is part of your secret sauce?" Well, I think having the ability to be able to start at 8:30 in the morning and call to 8:00 at night Monday through Friday. We call from about 10 to 4 on Saturdays and Sundays. Uh, that is what it takes in order to engage with families when it's best times to reach families. Um, and and often times we see districts that struggle to kind of take this initiative on. They may have efforts that they can do um one time a weekend when they go knock on doors, but this is really a a eight or nine month campaign. Your competition or is engaging with your families as we speak. They're getting uh mailers, they're

getting phone calls, they're getting digital ads, you name it, to engage with your families. So, what we're saying is is it's time for districts to compete. It is time to sell your story. You can do marketing. Those are fabulous things. You all do a great job of that. But we're going to take it one step further and we're going to help assist all the way to to putting um students in seats. And so, uh, our I think our platform, um, allows the district to sit on the same side of the table as we own. We only are compensated if you all get the revenue for those students that are actually ultimately in your seats. So, I think the question is um, not, you know, in light of school choice, how do we compete? It's it's it's it's you know I think that the whole fact of the matter is you must compete in today's light in order for you to be an ongoing entity um for years to come and we help the district uh to keep that stabilized enrollment. [clears throat] Um and so I think our platform gives ability to take this risk-free approach. Um and again I I'll I'll be open for questions if you all have have any right now.

Madam President. I just want to comment. Uh yours, I just want you to know yours was the favorite part of the agenda for me and then hearing you more. I even got more excited. Okay. I have to tell a short story. My my dad and mom are past. But I remember when I first married my husband 38 years ago, my husband was working for my dad with my brother. And he looked at Al and he said, "What time is it?" And he said, "It's it's 5'." And he goes, "And you're already walking out the door?" He said, "Do you see that lady back there? Who is that?" Which was Bene, my mother.

He said, "She'll be there till 7 or 8. That is why Lisa's mom and dad lived like they do, and you and Lisa will probably just live average lives." [laughter] And I said, "And when you when I hear that you stay up till 8, I look through your data. I think you guys are more than fair." The fact I did look you up on USA Today, let me just see. That was just me checking it out. But the fact that you don't charge us a flat fee and by the way what you're charging I was compared to what like the textbooks I I actually added up the textbooks were we're a little over but you know I'm going to I shut up because the county commission was good to us right

I did but I am really impressed with with what you have. So I I'm like I'm looking forward I hope you're very successful because I just think what you have to say to the public it it can only help us. I I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Keith. Any more questions or comment?

I just have one. I I've had the opportunity uh to meet and and speak with you uh when we were in um in conference and uh it remind me of a story when I asked the lady, she was talking about all of the good things that was coming to Montgomery public schools. And I said, "Well, you moved your baby." And she said, "I didn't even know you all knew they were gone. Nobody ever asked me to come back. And I thought about you. I was like, "Oh my goodness." I apologized to her, but of course she's not interested with me to move her baby back now. But it got me to thinking that we do need help. We need if we're going to do give children all of these opportunities, then we have to find the children and say, "Hey, we heard what you said. We know why you left. We understand. And here here we are." And uh so I think it's we might uh be forward thinking and looking at how we're going to go about that. Uh cuz that's an undertaking. I don't I wouldn't want to do that on stage. [laughter] Yes, ma'am. Miss Clap, put your mic on, please.

Sorry. This is a campaign that begins at the beginning of school and ends at the number count day that we that we get the number count for the state.

Yes. I would say in a perfect world um we'd like to start recruiting in January. Um but oftent times we don't live in a perfect world when we partner with districts. So our goal and intent this first year is to start after a board vote. It takes us about 5 to 7 days uh to get up and running and we want to start getting you students for the 26 27 year. Um then we would start in November, December preparing for that January launch for the 2728 uh campaign. I I think from your vantage point, it's it's not going to cost you anything in order for us to be able to try. We do know in some instances some families are they've already made their their choices and their decisions, but we al know that for uh some families and communities where they're trying to survive, those decisions are put off later. So we want to make sure that that we're uh putting our best foot forward to engage with those families now. So in this case, we'd like to start as soon as possible for the 26 27 year. And yes, we will continue through that FT count date to ensure that those families remain committed and and active um as of the date in in October.

Would that also be considered a push for second semester because a lot of families make decisions with their children at the end of first semester. So I'm just curious about that. So at in this first cycle um we would ensure that those students start and and they stay through that October FT count date when we're preparing for the 2728 year if the administration wants us to start in November December and for the 2728 year oftent times um I can tell you an example Orange County Florida uh down in Orlando our our work was highlighted in the New York Times we recruited over 1900 students for them last year, we probably had a hundred students that came between um December and January, you know, so when we're engaging with those families, um we're trying to get them for the 27 28 year, but often times they're they're excited and they will start. Now, the good thing about those scenarios is we're only paid if they show back up for the 27 28 year. So you get the benefit of getting those families in in in December or January and it's on us to keep them active through the October FT count date of 27.

Thank you. All right. Good. Good questions. Any other questions or comments? Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Facilities update.

Good evening, Dr. Dr. Bird, Miss Portoris, Miss Watkins Smith, and members of the board. Uh going through our list of capital projects, we'll start with uh the Davis Elementary HVAC project. Phase one is nearing completion, and we are working for overhead inspection uh to be coming up here in the next couple of weeks for that. Phase two will be the majority of the rest of the school that will be completed during this summer. That's the goal for both Davis and Danley to try to complete as much or all of this during the summer months. Of course, while we have no students in the building, the Carver High School turf and track replacement is complete. We'll be scheduling for substantial completion here in the next couple of weeks with the state department with DCM. The Forest Avenue roof roof replacement and South Lawn Elementary roof replacement tear off is underway. Thank goodness we did not tear off with the 5 in of rain that we received. last week. So, we're we're in good shape on that for the most part. Uh the JAG athletic improvements, the drainage and electrical conduit is being run now. Um and working on that. The clear off is pretty much complete and they have the drainage in for the uh turf field that's been covered up now with a with a rock for that. The Dan Danley Elementary HVAC renovations, again, it's in the first phase. Second phase will be beginning uh shortly as we get into the summer months. The JAG painting and flooring project is underway. They're working on the painting in the ninth grade wing as we currently speak. They've started to put some of the epoxy on the curbs of the the side of the uh the wall, the trim on the side of the wall. And then again, we'll we'll get really hot and heavy on that during the summer months when the students are going to we're going to consolidate them to one area of the building and really try to get in and work full days instead of nights and just nights and weekends. So, that'll be that part of it. We've taken out most of the lockers and covered those over with

uh the lathe and getting ready to cover that over with the mortar and cover that in. And then uh we just approved the Goodwin portion of that project and we'll begin with that. And I already texted Miss Howard. She's excited to get that started there at her her place as well. Uh the JAG elevator renovation is pre- bid is set for May 19th and bid is set for May 28th. Again, that not only includes the renovation of the two elevators that are there uh in the building, but also the fire alarm as well. That'll update the fire alarm in the ninth grade wing, which that's what's currently covered. And it will also add fire alarm to the main part of the building throughout the the entire building for that. And then it'll flow right into the the fieldhouse that'll be bid out towards the end of this summer. The flowers HVAC renovation and bear HVAC renovation, we're working on the design for that. Now, our plan is to try to bid that towards the end of the summer. one, we don't want to get ahead of our labor. Um, the two contractors that are doing Danley and Davis right now, those are the ones that have been on all of these projects so far. So, we want to make sure that we're not outpacing our labor in the market and getting a a high bid from that. So, we're pushing that to try to get to the completion of Danley and Davis and get as many biders on that project on those two projects as we can. the Baldwin roof replacement. Uh we're currently got approved uh just got that yesterday from DCM and we'll be advertising that here shortly and uh hopefully have that bid out in the next couple weeks and have it to you for the for approval at the next board meeting.

Okay. Any questions or comments for Mr. Anderson? I just have one comment. I know. Um, it appears Flowers has a huge bubble in the lunchroom from the floor. You know about that? We pulled that out and ran a some self-leveling concrete to patch that over once we complete the the HVAC renovation. We'll be doing the same thing. We'll be adding the the epoxy and the painting of the hallways into the bids with those HVAC renovations. So, we'll do that all at the same time.

Okay. Good. because the second graders think that they're going to have a garden [laughter] in the lunchroom. That's what they said it was going to be. Okay. You have some exciting information about um purchase of Brewbacaker Technology Magnet High School adjacent property. Tell us about that.

Yes, there's a great story with this. The athletic director there at uh Brute, his father works for Goodwin Mills in Kwood. U they I was introduced to him and Mr. Goodwin owns this property that we're speaking about. Uh so started speaking with Mr. Goodwin and his his people about that and that we've portioned out 14 acres. It's for 14.3 that we would like to purchase for that. He is going to sell it to us at half the appraised cost. We've completed the appraisal. We've completed the phase one of the property and uh this will be a great addition to allow us to really expand especially the athletics of of brew in this area not only just um with basketball and what we have but also football, soccer, baseball, softball as well.

Sure. I had a few phone calls on that and I think uh the the ladies out there, the the females, the girls, uh athletics, they do have that already and they were upset that they thought they were being overlooked. I meant to, you know, put that in. But are they looking at the female athlet that softball? Yeah, we'll add softball to that. Of course, track will be out there. Soccer can go out there. Flag football can go out there. Yes, ma'am. Was there I guess volleyball would be in the gym. Yeah, gym. I don't remember what it was, but I told them I would check. So, yes, ma'am. Hopefully, they hear me. I'm checking. Thank you. Okay. Would that include flag football?

Yes, ma'am. They play it on the football field. People, isn't it, ma'am? It's good to meet know people, isn't it? What's that? That introduction that you had. Oh, yes, ma'am. That's wonderful. The CEO for Goodwin Mills and Kaywood. actually coached his son and we tumba. So they're good people there. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you for making that connection and giving us that information. All right, Ms. Jackson. Touch math acquisition class works renewal agreement.

Good. Good afternoon. Madame President, Madame Vice President, Superintendent Bird, board members, I want to talk to you briefly about the classworks renewal agreement. It's a subscription agreement uh for language and math. This is the district's fourth year partnering with class works for to support student growth. Um the main areas that we focused on are the student achievement early identification, closing the achievement gaps through those ILPS and also having progress monitoring that helps the teachers when they are developing the IEPs to see what gains students have made in both English language arts and math. This slide just talks about or illustrates the student use and teacher use. How many login sessions uh the days of the week where you have more uh mo the most logins and we screen our students three times a year. Um we have a fall, winter and spring screening and it shows you the percentages of the students who are at urgent intervention on watch or at at or above level. We also have the same percentages for our math screening results and our individualized learning. The pie charts for language art shows that the most gain were in the areas of reading, listening, speaking, viewing, and also grammar, usage, mechanics. For math, the areas with the greatest

gains were on numeration, algebra, and measurement. We also like to list the high performing schools. Um if you see for language arts we have mastery ratio, student count and average score and and as well we have those for math and you can see some of the schools are in every area particularly vaugh road they have a high usage as well as Jag High School progress monitoring and as I said this assists teachers when they are developing IEPs in the spring. This data is very useful to them. For language arts, it has the student count by progress monitor and type. The areas again the highest areas are reading and grammar usage. For math, the highest areas are operations, mathematic procedures, and algebra. The data is accessible not just to um teachers but all of the data points was pulled directly from classworks insight dashboard. And this is something that uh this is a feature that the district has at no cost 247 to be able to analyze the data to see how our students are progressing in real time. In addition to that, teachers can generate and print specialized reports to share with the members of the IEP team. Most importantly, share with parents. However, parents and students have access as well. So, the renewal cost is $238,000

600 238,632.50 50 cents to be funded through IDA or state sped. Do you have any questions? Any questions or comments for Miss Jackson? Thank you so much. I'm sorry. This is um just for the SP kids. I was just making sure. Correct. That was all that was my only question. Okay.

I I think this data ought to be shared. I mean when you look at uh our schools a good many of them are you know anywhere from 75% to 100%. no mastery in language arts and math and we always get you know hit for doing so poorly and these scores I mean if you just look at the average scores all the way from from especially even Jack these are impressive scores that I mean this one

sheet should be I'm impressed with it and I think the public you know we sometimes we take a beating as you know my kids in private so maybe I stay on social media too at least lately. I'm actually going to calm down. Thank you. [laughter] Um but it they can see this is they you said they have access to it. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Good. We might need um That's a good point. Thank you. Come on, Dr. W. Um that's a good point. Maybe when we um we need to think about that, Dr. Keith, when we do family engagement, maybe to teach parents how to see it. I think that's sometime our barrier there.

I agree with you because we have all this wonderful things that parents need to be able to know how to use. That's why I want parent PD too. You know, we need to help them. Thank you.

Welcome. And Dr. Williams is here to talk with us about move on when ready. Good evening, Madame President, Madame V, Madame Vice President, excuse me, Superintendent Dr. Bird and board members. Tonight, I want to discuss with you Move On when ready. The purpose of move on when ready, the state department of education sent a memo to all LEAs discussing move on [clears throat] when ready on April the 1st, 2026. Um, this program for the state department provides 11th and 12th grade students the opportunity to complete high school through fulltime dual enrollment. It allows students to earn both a high school and college credit simultaneously. It accelerates graduation and strengthens college and career readiness. The Alabama State Department of Education provides guidance on eligibility, enrollment, credit, and reporting. It includes funding provisions based on tuition costs or state allocations. And as I stated, as of April the 1st, the state department sent eleas a memo citing the standard oper citing what this memo entails, but eleas are responsible for creating standard operating procedures. So that's what I want to discuss tonight. the expected outcomes. What I am requesting specifically is that we amend our graduation policy 7.12 which was last revised on last March, excuse me, last year on March the 10th, 2025 to include option B, the workforce pathway. So, we need to amend our 7.12 graduation policy to specifically clarify what move on when ready is and put that in our policy. So, it reflects the dual enrollment program as I stated, allowing high school students to earn a college um uh college and career technical credit while enrolled in high school. So, we want to establish those requirements as the LEA for Montgomery public schools. We're going to implement standardized operating procedures as I

stated for all stakeholders, which looks like what is the principal's responsibility, the counselor, the teacher, the student, the parent, what is each stakeholder's responsibility in this move on when ready. and we have been tasked as an LEA to ensure that we create standard operating procedures by July 1st, 2026 of this year. That's per ALSDE. What we've done so far, I've been working with the director of counseling as well as the chief of student services and we have phased out what that standard operating procedure will look like for Montgomery public schools. So in phase one, we have completed phase one and that is pre-board preparation from um before until uh yesterday where we developed FAQs for students and parents. That is complete. We've developed the move on when ready standard operating procedures. That is complete uh review before finalization with you all tonight. And then phase two is uh phase two um is to present the plan to the board of education which is today. After tonight, phase three, we will be in the post approval roll out which will begin tomorrow um through May 19th where with communications we would like to send out a survey to parents to see which students and parents are possibly interested in move on with ready with Montgomery public schools. Um so that will um that survey will go out as well and then send district and school level communication after we receive that data. post virtual parent informational sessions tentatively um tomorrow if possible, but we're going to push that back. So, I will revise that because we want to get the survey data back first and then after that, counselors will distribute consent forms for those who are possibly interested and move on when ready. Excuse me. Phase four implementation setup June 26, finalize student applications and eligibility. Again, meet with counselors, finalize en finalize, excuse me, enrollment list. Phase five, uh, conduct schedule audits and data verification. And phase six,

full launch, which would be August 2026, students begin their move on when ready pathways and begin monitoring and support. So again, we're asking to amend the policy 7.12 to reflect move on when ready because it is passed down from the state department. All eleas are asked to create standard operating procedures. All right, any questions or comments? Let me go to Miss Smith and then Miss Bryant.

Um, this question really probably would go towards Dr. Bird more. So, I know we were talking about the block scheduling and now with the state saying we're doing move on with ready, will all of our high schools be ready to maybe um conform to the block schedule. So, all for children who may want to participate in that. Thank you. I'm sorry. We are scheduling that uh transition. Uh we are of course with working with uh CNI. We do know of course within that hour of magnet schools that we're going to delay that transition but we are working to make sure that uh that we first move with our traditional schools and then we will transition our magnet school. So yes ma'am we will be able to find ready. Hey, Miss Brown.

The only question I have, maybe I missed it because you were talking a little I'm sorry, but uh the April 27 date counselor work session, did that happen? Yes, ma'am. It did. So, um the director of counseling did have a meeting with the school counselors to discuss move on when ready and what those standard operating procedures would be. Yes, ma'am. I have one. I'm sorry. Go ahead, Dr. Coleman.

Thank you. I'm don't know what I'm missing here, but um I understand the dual enrollment. Excited about that. You you mentioned early departure. Are we anticipating and now that I hear the block scheduling that might be where it comes from, but we are anticipating possible early departures because they can take the eight courses a year? Yes, ma'am. So, basically what this move on when ready is that when if they decide that they want to do it, they meaning the parents and they meet eligibility and we do have eligibility forms and that's what we met with the counselors about to make sure that we're um following the aligned state statute for this uh particular policy, but more specifically um these are going to be college students. So, this is what a true college student would look like. um as far as they don't even really have to report to the high school after this. They're going to be on a college campus taking college courses.

Hope that answers your question. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Um I have one question and comment. I'm excited about this too for our um our athletes because these children are going to college earlier. They're making NIL money earlier. there is g it's a gamecher when they can get in and declare at a university. My only other [clears throat] I I don't know if it's a concern yet or not but um collect preliminary student list that says May 13th which is tomorrow. But have we told them enough to know if they're interested?

No. So um that's what I meant. I need to make a edit to that because we met with the counselors. I needed to get it board approved for regardless we still have to report to the state department for our standard operating procedure. So after today, which tomorrow, we will begin with communication sending out a survey to see which parents and students are interested. And so yeah, what's you say, what's wrong? That's my concern because this is work session. So this is not in approval. This should have gone during the board meeting.

Um we we might have a fix for you though. And I can edit my um timeline the phase. Um so we can edit the phase. That's no worries at all. I just if we edit the phase then I meet with communication so we can make sure our timeline is changed. Well yeah we and we'll give make sure you're in compliance with the state. I take I take it that the state department kind of put you behind the eightball. Is that Well, we received the memo on April the 1st and then from there we had to have meetings and get It's okay. We we have a fix. We we'll be okay. Um thank you. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

So, thank you so much for your information. And also, Dr. Williams, will you make sure that the board members when you get that packet together so they'll know they'll have access to this information, if the community asks them, then they too can help spread uh adequate word of what we're doing. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Mr. Issacs. Good evening, Madame President. Dr. Bird, um board members, sorry, my brain stopped for a minute. [laughter] I did want to go ahead um before I start 21st century. You guys mentioned about parent engagement. I did just want to let you guys know as part of federal programs um roll out next year. We did a pilot program this year, but we will be having a parent university and one of those sessions is actually going to be on technology and student learning. So, I did want to let you know since that was something that you guys mentioned, we already have things in place and plans in place to ensure that's happening.

So, now to the U board agenda. Apologize for that, but 21st century. Before I get started with preliminary information that we received from the state department, I did want to say a special thank you in the audience, I have Annette Scoggin with me. She's our compliance officer for 21st century. She was integral in working with the schools with budget development with applications. So the results that I am going to be sharing with you in just a moment was a large dealing with her working with the school. So I just wanted to say thank you. As far as the preliminary results, we did receive information back from the state department late last week on the sites that are preliminarily going to be funded. When I say preliminarily, there is an appeal process that all all districts have in the state and it's about 45day period. So until that appeal process is over, we won't actually 100% for certain know what schools will be funded. But they send out this list of preliminary funding and I feel pretty confident that the schools that were chosen to be preliminary funded are going to remain that way. So, out of the seven sites that were pro um we applied for, five of them were chosen for preliminary approval. Those five sites are Brew Baker Middle School, Capitol Heights Middle School, Flowers Elementary, Goodwin Middle, and McKe Middle. Out of those five sites for each year of the program, it's going to bring in just a little bit under 1.5 million. So for a 4-year period of time, that will bring into district for the 21st century afterchool program 5,781,272. So we are excited about the results of

that and know that there are already conversations and plans for the next cohort whenever the state department does release that that we will be on top of that and make sure through the leadership of Annette making sure that we apply for more grants. for the two sites that did not receive it, we are already requested comments and scores so that we can be on top of it. So when the next um co-work comes out, those two we already have base level applications, we'll have comments and feedback and we'll already be able to start with those two sites and application process in addition to having more opportunities with other schools. So any questions about 21st century? Um, no. I just have one comment. Um, with this additional funding for these schools, um, how are do the building leaders know how to enhance that program and how to utilize these additional funds to make it a very impactful um, session?

That that's a good question. as a requirement from our district office. It's not a requirement by the state, but we've already put these plans in place. Annette does professional development sessions with the schools as well as there's office hours. There's also um weekly emails that go out just to provide that baseline PD. But as a part of the development process, it did have to meet 21st century guidelines, which is to incorporate steam into those or for some of these sites, it will also be different community- based projects. So everything that they're doing, there were PD sessions prior to application development so they knew what the expectation was. There's been PD since then and we'll continue that PD over the summer to make sure that they have the resources they need to make sure that this is a well-rounded program.

Good. Thank you so much. And would you share your family engagement u because I've got to embrace Miss uh Mitchell while I can so she can uh we can we won't double we won't wear the parents out. We'll be doing the on the same page. Absolutely. We're working with um Dr. Daniels as well and that part of the team. So, we'll make sure that we integrate everything together. Thank you. Short time. We appreciate you. Thank you. [laughter]

All right, Dr. King. Incentive plans for Chisum Elementary, Highland Avenue. I'm sorry, Highland Gardens, Doure Elementary. Good evening uh madame president vice president uh Smith uh Dr. Bird and distinguished board members uh tonight I am presenting uh phase two of the Senate plan for Chisum Doure and Holland Gardens uh to for a brief historical uh perspective. Phase one of the plan focused on staff employee retention and so retention bonuses were provided to teachers, specialists, uh custodians and classified support staff who committed to returning to these schools. And as a result, 30 employees at Chisum, 37 employees at Highland Gardens, and 32 employee at Do Doure receive retention for returning to the schools. And so this uh tonight uh is phase two of the program which focuses on performance bonuses. And and so as mentioned, phase two uh u the performance uh bonus is designed to recognize employees who demonstrate uh professionalism, provide evidence of high quality instruction uh through the effective use of data and contribute to measurable student growth. Uh, under this plan, uh, teachers may earn a performance bonus up to $5,500. Uh, classified employees and additional support staff may, uh, earn up to $1,000 for demonstrating professionalism and maintaining a positive impact on school operations and student success.

Uh, and again, uh, the, uh, people who are eligible is noted in front of you. And again, it's really all staff at the buildings uh including as I said classified employees and additional staff who may receive incentive bonus if demonstrated progress mo measures and this also include custodians as well. Uh again in terms of the core teachers a rubric was developed to help uh measure how uh the teachers and on this uh the next rubric of how the teachers will get uh uh compensated as well as those specialists who uh may contribute to uh uh student growth uh the use of data and uh demonstrating professionalism. and the classified and additional support staff also has a has a rubric and this is focusing on their actual professionalism and also maintaining uh uh positive impact on school environment because we know uh it's not just the teachers it's the entire building from the administrative staff to everyone being in that building and by all of them being uh uh included in this type of incentive plan does promote a positive uh school environment and it also helps support uh our talented principles uh especially we have a a new principal at Chisum and we are expecting uh also to support the principles at Highland Garden and Doure. So this this incentive plan will also contribute to the positive uh effect on the first phase of the plan which were the uh retention bonuses. And so again this is based on the the rubric uh payout alignment highly effective that is a 3.5 to 4.0 average

according to the rubric it's 100% payout and then effective between 2.5 3.4 75% payout developing 1.5 to 2.4 average 50% payout needs improvement 1.0 to 1.4 average no payout. The same with the uh classified similar classified employees. Again, this include counselors, media specialists, instructional coaches, specialists, paraprofessionals, CMP, custodians, and secretary. I can't stress enough. It's the whole the whole entire uh uh team, all of the employees in that building. Again, payout alignment is highly effective. 3.5 to 4.0 100% payout effective 2.5 to 3.4 average 75% payout of developing 1.5 to 2.4 average is a 50% payout needs improvement 1.0 to uh 1 I mean 1.0 to 1.4 for no payout. And the data measure uh that that were identified was those measures that we could uh get within the school year beginning with I Ready uh beginning of the year, middle of the year, and end of the year. And part of that uh rationale behind it is because we tend not to get the summary a cap data until at the end of the year, and it's not a measure in between years. So, we selected a pretty standard uh for I Ready. uh for third grade particularly though we do have in there the I already plus a cap looking at uh proficiency and growth uh in those areas and so that's a high accountability uh grade level reading proficiency mandate so that's why uh that is also included I'm sorry for grades two through five as well

defining growth target typical growth and this is the amount amount of progress uh amount of progress expected of students to maintain their current uh percentile uh from beginning of the year to the end of the year over a period of time. Stretch growth is defined at the progress required to close the achievement gap uh and move a student towards a beyond grade level proficiency. And again, it includes the highly effective instruction accelerated growth plan that we implemented and that uh uh since I think Dr. Bird joined us that we had a high accelerated growth plan for all of our students. But this especially is highlighted in this particular plan and a sample payout like again this is a sample for your review. Uh again, uh that's for your information and uh once it it's implemented, then we can get some definitive figures and and Pamela Watkins does a great job of uh keeping up with how much we're paying uh to each individual. And it does require board approval for those incentive uh uh payments. uh the benefits uh rewards both achievement and growth acknowledging that not all students begin at the same same uh uh point. However, it does encourages you know teachers um to set ambitious and achievable goals and also give them a little stretch goal especially in our high impact uh grades. It provide greater uh incentives for tested grades because some to be honest some teachers don't want to be in those tested grades but this allows them to actually uh recruit and then it's an incentive for them to be there uh as well. Uh then as far as the datadriven u uh equitable solutions where uh instructional effectiveness and growth

is is a a norm and it's a value that all the teachers and the entire like I say all employees including from custodians to uh classified employees. So it's a a team effort. It does it's very inclusive because it includes everyone. And so that I'll stop there and uh for the questions in the next uh I I'm presenting the the ED form which is also at Chis. I'm just short and I because I didn't examine that. I just kind of um you know went through it. Is the uh reason the Chisum one is more is because it's bigger?

Well, no. I think it uh it has to do with the amount of money they have honestly because Chisum has approximately 682,000 compared to Doure has $211,000 and then Highland Gardens have 94,000. So, it's within that.

Also, too, I wanted to add as well and thank you so much Dr. But also uh as we talk about uh building this out, as we talk about an incentive plan for all of our employees, I want to say what in that this actually gives us a great framework. Uh we can actually start with this uh using designated turnaround funds. Uh and of course again this will be our foundation. This will be our framework. Uh and we will actually use this we will study this model so that we can actually build out a more comprehensive plan for all of our teachers. Yes sir. because again we know of course that that is something that we are looking to and something that we want to be able to implement. So thank you. Yes. Thank you Dr. Bur for that. And it is like I say 100% funded by the turn governor Ivy uh um turnaround funds.

Miss Smith. Uh and thank you all for your answers. I was listening to make sure my question was answered. But I was curious um is is there like a particular stringent more stringent I guess I would say curriculum that they that the teachers will have to follow to kind of help with the turnaround. I was trying to picture what that would look like. I know what the the assessment piece

looks [clears throat] like but what you know I was just curious what would it look like in the classroom or is there something in particular they have to follow? No, I mean really uh they still have to follow the course of study frameworks that we actually share uh with the uh with the uh teachers. So they still follow that. Uh now there may be some additional instructional materials they may use in the afterchool program or uh you will see a little later that uh ed form is a supplemental to kind of enhance it. But we do focus on uh the standard strategic teaching as the strategies that we want to focus on and we really want the teachers to focus on tier one instruction using uh the materials that we provide uh for them. And so um so it's not a different uh set of curriculum that we use in those uh schools.

I also think uh as well is that what makes our turnaround schools so different uh is the amount of state support uh that they actually receive. Uh and so thanks to turnaround funds, our uh schools are able uh to bring in more consultants. Uh the state department, they actually designate uh certain personnel uh to work with our schools. I think they actually provide uh professional development uh weekly. They actually meet uh with our teachers weekly and so it's that enhanced support that they actually receive from the state and and but to your point, the PD is like Dr. Bird said the professional development is uh different and enhanced as well. Thank you both.

Um who sets the um classified and certified amounts? Do they set that or do we set that or the school set? The school sets it. Yes, sir. It's a pilot. It's a pilot. Oh, yeah. was listening. It's a pilot. So, yeah, the school said it though. Okay. ML,

isn't the amounts different because of student count being in the lowest 10% of school improvement, the turnaround piece, the number of children in each school is drawn down by student count. That's how those numbers have been that those amounts have been created. I I I will uh let me uh take that question and get back with you on that. Uh say that again. Yeah, this is remaining funds on the these are the remaining funds that are there. But in terms of how the turnaround funds are allocated,

you have to calculate it by that by number of children, not just lump it to a school. How many children are at a school is how you calculate the Isn't this school improvement funds? Turnaround funds. Yeah. State turnaround funds. Okay. Yeah. Gotcha. Just real quickly, those are the turnaround funds or the lieutenant or funds that were provided by Governor K. I

so um I'm pretty sure that the allocation that the schools receive are based on the enrollment amount. Um the amount that he mentioned are carryover funds from last year. Um, we anticipated that this would be the last year that we would receive those funds, but we did learn in the close out last week, we learned in the closeout of the program that they will continue it for an additional year. Thank you. That answers my question about how the student count and so to Dr. King's point, it's still based on the budgeted forms and the budget of course is based on the number of students. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. All minds and hearts are clear, Dr. King, will you share Chisum School's innovation lab?

Yes. So, um the the the next uh thing I would like to present is the ED form partnership with Chisum. Uh all state designated turnaround schools are currently participating in a collaborative cohort designed to uh share strategies, resources, and innovative practices. and ED farms uh is one of those uh strategies that is shared in a cohort. So, Chisum proposes a partnership with Ed Farms to develop an innovative lab uh in the school's uh media center to support uh STEM, digital literacy, and career connected learning. Uh this lab would include coding, fabrication, media production, and collaborative learning spaces designed to increase uh student engagement and workforce readiness. And this will be uh in alignment with our ed you know ed techn educational technology uh and so it's used as a lab and so the the amount if you click on ed form the amount will be 150,000 uh we do have uh we've had had a partnership with edms uh and so again this will be fully funded by uh the turnaround funds that uh Chisum has.

That's good news. Yes ma'am. Miss, I was looking through the the actual terms and you have pages 1 through four listed, but I didn't see where the continuation with pages five, six, and seven to give more information. Did you just have to leave those out or could you tell me what those pages were? Five, six, and seven to finish out your

I will I will check on that. got they got got the map I mean the the floor layout the floor plan layout but that stops at four and I didn't know what else might have been I was looking through so it's four of seven so we got five six and seven we didn't get to see yeah you may want I will get you okay that's that's fine I just didn't know I wanted to see the whole yeah because because these labs are innovative labs are Let me see if it's a part of the link. Okay. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you.

You can get them to me later. I just wanted to see the rest of it. Thank you. That's part of the plan. Oh, yeah. It's only the first four pages. That's the revised version. Yeah, it's only the first four pages. So there's it says there will be nothing else added to that. So it's the first four. There was uh there were uh costs for additional services, but we're not uh going to use those services because we already have steam labs. Thank you. So that's part of that. So we remove that from the proposal. Thank you for the clarity. You're welcome.

Okay. Any other questions or observations? Thank you, Dr. King. Thank you.

Dr. Ford will um share with us us the school counselor education specialist job description followed by the retired school counselor facilitator job description. Dr. Ford. Good evening, Madame President, Vice President, and Dr. Bird and all of our distinguished board members. Yes, I have two update um two job descriptions of that would be that need to be updated. The first one is the school counselor educator specialist position have presentation I'll just go I'll go with it. Okay. for the school counselor educator education specialist position. The difference with the update the previous ro focused primarily on operational counseling functions such as scheduling transcripts counselor coordination with limited accountability and data oversight. The second, the updated version, the revised version expands into a comprehensive student support position based on ASCA standards, MTSS, dual enrollment, and student outcomes monitoring. The added responsibilities with the second position, the updated position will include assistance with FASA FASA, the CCR or college and career readiness monitoring, dual enrollment tracking, attendance and behavior interventions, statewide testing, trauma informed practices, family engagement, and counseling.

ensuring that the counseling program is in compliance. The second position, the retired school counselor facilitator job description update. What's the difference? The role is an extension of the le legacy coach position. The role will will utilize the expertise of a retired school counselor to coach and support counselors in program implementation and compliance. The position will provide ongoing monitoring and operational support to improve counseling practices and strengthen consistency across our schools. In particular, this includes coaching and supporting our new counselors as they come on board. coaching and supporting our veteran c counselors with any updated materials that is shared across the counseling department. So tonight I bring these two job descriptions for updates.

Let's start with the first one, second one, which one first. Okay. The question I have, I just want clarity. Uh the first job that you uh presented to us is for the job counselor education specialist. Yes.

And in the reading it says is reporting to uh the director of school counseling. But when you go down to the third page, I think third or fourth page is evaluated annually by the principal is the principal or secret the is the principal or superintendent designate and the designate is the director of school counsel. But would a school principal ever evaluate this position?

This is the This is for the education specialist position. [clears throat] These are district level positions. Okay. So, how many actual school counselors? How many would we have? Two. But on on Miss Brown's point though, aren't they all over the district? So, what principal could a principal do that? I mean, if they're assigned all over the district, we only have two, we'll have two education specialists, right? Who will be central office based, right? Who will be observed and evaluated by the director of school counseling. Okay. So then, do Miss Brown is right. I would suggest then maybe you remove that principal.

Okay. Because that's not going to happen. I I Right. Yes, ma'am. That she's right. That wouldn't be fair if I work all over the district and then I stop at your school once and you're not happy. So you get to evaluate. You see? Okay. Are are you talking about principal and the principal designate instead of just a school principal? Is that what you meant by principal when you said the principal is a designate of whoever's reporting to them or a school principal? I think that there was a a error. um these principles would not evaluate uh district uh level staff and so that should be the director of counseling. Okay. Yeah. And I I just want to make this [clears throat] com. I thank you for what you're doing.

Thank you. Um I'm I'm not so nitpicky to find little things like that, but I I'm glad that's what we're up here to do. Big the big picture of what you're doing. The job descriptions is what I've I've sat here on this board for 12 years. This is where they had the nepotism, the madeup jobs. And if we didn't have you right now or Dr. bird, we would not have MPS moving forward as fast as we are. So, I didn't mean to offend anybody with a nitpicky, but I'm saying little little laughter like this one right [clears throat] here of the the little threebies and that's okay. The laughing is freebies is inappropriate. Thank you. Thank you. Second time we've done that and I just wanted to call it out because I'm sick of it. Thank you. And thank you. Hold on.

But it's not nitpicking. It should never be viewed at that. That's what we read this. We actually But as a chair, you should call out the nitpicky crap going on up. No, no, no. This is the children's business and we and we're going to stay, Dr. Keith. We're going to stay right there. We become going to call them out every time they do it.

Wonderful job at the children's business in May when we're graduating children to go into the world to teach them how to behave. We're going to do just that. So, thank you for your comment, Dr. Keith. Thank you for yours. It's not nitpicky. You all find what you need to find and get some clarity so we'll know what's going on. And it's important to make these updates now. Okay. That's right. Of course, these um job descriptions will lead our work forward. So, yeah. Thank you, Dr. for for saying that because if we're not I mean we have your back.

We we don't want it to assume we don't want anybody to assume something. We want to get it right before it goes. Yes. So, uh Dr. Keith is right. We're thankful for you. So, um thank you. Any other questions or comments? All minds and hearts are clear and doing the children's business. Can I just ask this one on the retired school counselor facilitator job? That's that's part-time or Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you.

All right. Moving on to unfinished business. Okay. Unfinished business. Um, you took care of your unfinished business last time. Dr. Coleman, did you have anything for unfinished business? I'm sorry, I can't remember. It was new business. It's new business. Okay. Any other unfinished business?

I didn't put anything in, but I have questions because information has come after our time to um put any information in. So, I would I would just ask um have we passed the deadline and could we get an update for the enrollment in the academy at Park Crossing in the online enrollment? If I if I remember correctly, those deadlines have passed. And do we have

Yes, ma'am. Uh the deadline, the first deadline was actually uh May the 8th. Uh we actually extended the uh deadline to uh next week as we actually uh meet with our uh eighth graders uh to actually to have more one-on-one sessions with them. So we actually extended that deadline, but I will get you the number count on tomorrow uh and also the new deadline for that. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Yes, ma'am. And the uh second item I had, I know that we have been receiving emails uh on a gayla uh that would be provided on June 4th. Um could we receive a s a fund source for that gayla?

Yes, ma'am. So, uh what we're going to do is that we're going to host our first ever what we call academy awards. Uh but it's going to also would in serve along with our serve initiative. Uh and so for those employees that actually go above and beyond the call of duty, but we're also going to include our uh teachers of the year, our staff members of the year, and so we're going to make it just a grand event. I mean, so we want you all to prepare and get your gowns all ready because it's going to be NPS's Academy Awards. Uh but we're also uh thankful that we have also received a large we've received a lot of responses uh from some of our vendors and they have agreed to sponsor the event for us. Uh and so we've actually sent out those invitations. Uh we've also have some that have committed and so I would also get you that list of providers as well.

Yes sir. And also we're going to include the valid since we could not do the reception for the validictorian uh and saludiatorans here they'll be invited and their parents I'm going to invite [laughter] okay um let's just celebrate

yes there on the other unfinished the only unfinished business I have is um and I forgot I feel bad for it, but uh Dr. Bird has been with Montgomery public schools for a whole year and it just quietly slid by and I did not realize it. Um it that this time last year um he was thrown in the midst of things and and we were graduating children that he probably didn't know and families he didn't know. Well, this year he has been around. He's seen him. He's hugged him. He's shaking hands. And he will sit in um uh Miss Brown is leaving in case you But uh he and he and he gets to sit at graduation now having seen these children walk the halls, now having made a counsel of these students. Dr. bird. We did not I did not intend uh for it to go by quietly, but you've planned a gay, so I guess we'll celebrate you there cuz I forgot all about it. But we thank you. Uh you know, we we're head and tails above where we were and you've kept your head down. Uh you've kept these children in mind and we could not ask for more than that. Uh I prayed for it and I'm so thankful for it. I'm thankful for your team that no matter how difficult it did, they did like the children. Uh they kept their head down and they worked it out. So we we say thank you.

Thank you all so much. All right. All right. Our next order of business is new business. Um any new business, Dr. Coleman?

Yes. Thank you, Madame Chair. I do bring an item uh to us. although we have talked about portions of it before and madame president you know that's why she asked me about the u unfinished but what I'd like for us to do as a board is have a conversation about green and healthy schools even though one piece of this has to do with the transportation electrification of our buses we have other aspects that we need to consider When it comes down to our buildings and our learning spaces where uh air quality and other items of concern affect how our students learn, where they learn and you know basically the in the total environment uh especially the air that they breathe. So yes, I am concerned about uh electrification of buses, but there are other facility items that I would like for us to consider. So tonight, as a board, I'm asking my colleagues to consider four areas of concern and for you to just engage us with us in conversation. It does not all have to happen tonight. I want each of us to consider making certain that we talk about and let our our leadership know what we are looking for or expect in air quality, emissions profiles of our fleets, sustainability and safety protocols around our building and total wellness of our environment.

do understand that there are resources available to us uh governmental EPA programs, clean bus initiatives and funding that exist to help us out. I'm not asking us to go into our resources to get this done. there are monies available and I'd like for us to you know look at other sources to ensure that we are keeping our teaching and learning spaces healthy for teachers and for students. This is just the start of a conversation. I would love for us to make certain that we engage, start develop looking at policies and uh talk to our leadership. Yes, a few of us are a little bit distracted. I I do apologize for being distracted, but uh if we can start those conversations among each other and with the leadership, I'd appreciate it. Thank you, Madam Chair. totally baffled by the whole thing to be honest with you. It sounded real negative and I'd love to know specifics.

Well, I I have a question. Sorry. Aren't we required by law for our school buses to have those components? I mean when they do inspection for school buses that's what their require one of their requirements are. I mean that's from the state. I I'm just c I'm asking the question.

Yeah. Some of the things that you might be thinking about. Uh we have asked for a long time about electrification of buses. We have no electric buses in our district. That's just one aspect. There are scores of ways that we can look at green and healthy schools. And all I'd like for us as colleagues to do is do more research, have conversations about green schools. Uh but how is that? We don't need we don't need to be

how how is that I'm not under the way you brought it across. It sounded like we are creating this filthy environment and an unsafe environment and you know those that does cost money. So I'm just I guess I guess the way you put it out there maybe it's just your mood today. I'm not sure.

Um Dr. um Coleman, we recognize that that's a passion of yours and I thank you for signing up to um bring that to us. That sounds like an excellent agenda item for the retreat. So, can we discuss that since we'll all be together and then I think everybody will have a an understanding of what you're talking about just as a safe environment. Absolutely. And uh Madame Chair,

none of us should make any conversation we have at this table personal. And I've had a conversation with a a couple of you. Almost anytime I speak, it is looked at as being negative. This was not negative.

Green schools are all over the nation. These initiatives recognize that when we look for students to be healthier, to stay in school, improve attendance that we check all kinds of things and air quality is significant. We have had [clears throat] conversations with others with um advisors and possible partners who could help us improve our green schools. And I've had conversations with the superintendent

and he has even said that he's looking into green schools initiatives. So, this is not a new conversation. It's not a negative conversation. I am supportive of Montgomery public schools. I want Montgomery public schools to be the best that it can be. I am never critical of my district in public. To be honest, I'm never critical of my district. I don't think anyone can say that I have ever said or done anything to demean or diminish our public perception. Never.

I will always do things to uplift this district. I appreciate your comments, Madame President. And I thank you for your time. Thank you. I'm sorry, Dr. Coleman. I thought you talking about buses. I'm sorry. I thought you were talking about buses.

I apolog I thank you for it. That's not needed. Everybody um says what they like to say and if it's about the students business, then we'll we'll take care of it. And I I caution you. I caution you that respect is is easy to give um to one another and there used to be a time where you couldn't even watch these board meetings. That's not the time. We have visitors in the house. We don't ever want people to come in our house and we're displaying uh conduct that's not conducive to the children's business. So, I thank you ladies for your professionalism. I thank you for the love you've shown each of these items and let your passion be your passion. That's what we do and that's why we're all over the city because we're interested in different things and all of it is important. Miss Smith, would you share your new business item, please?

Uh well, it's just an extension of what um Dr. Coleman was talking about. Um I we have a committee for the maintenance and operation and so if you would like to we we'll invite you just to kind of share a little bit. I mean you can or not but that's some of the things that we were talking about. So if you just would like to share it then or wait until June when we have the retreat. It's just an open invitation you choose. Thank you.

Excellent collaboration. All right. One more item. If anyone else have new business, one more item is um family engagement. We are really uh we've been waiting on some things, trying to figure out some things, but we we have got to get started in June is a good time. We're going to I've talked with the superintendent. We're going to have a date at uh it'll be hosted at Bellinger Hills. We're going to have a resource roundup. If there is a resource that can help us in any form or fashion that our parents should know about, uh, we're going to invite them to that roundup. And it's going to be a roundup. We're going to have we're going to let Dr. Bird and Dr. King and few other gentlemen cook some hot dogs and hamburgers. And you know, Miss Watkins not going to let us get anything but hot dogs and hamburgers. If you want steak, bring your own. Um, but we're we're going to invite the uh community out and see what it is that they uh can offer us. We're going to tell them what we can offer them. And we're going to be intentional as we are intentional about finding help to get our children in school. We're going to be intentional about getting our parents on board. Okay? So, if you know someone in your district, and I want all of you to help if you would if you would all help us and and I'll give you more details and send you an email and so we can all gather uh together and put on a good roundup and then we can go from there. All right. Any other comments or questions? New business, unfinished business. All minds and hearts are clear. Our next meeting is June 9th, 2026 at 5:00 PM, same place. Uh immediately following our regular board

meeting will be our work session. This meeting is now adjourned. Travel safely. [applause] [applause]