I was gonna say good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Welcome to the Ashboro City School Board regular scheduled meeting July 23rd. I will call the meeting to order and we will start with
a silent moment of prayer. Please. >> Thank you very much. And because it's summer time and we have no children, if you'll stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance.
I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Y'all did such a great job.
Who can do it in Spanish? [laughter] I don't know what school's up first to do that. We understand one of our dual language students do that first. >> Um our our first item is the approval of the agenda and you've had plenty of time
to review that. So a motion is needed to approve the agenda. >> Motion to approve is present. Second motion was made. Motion was seconded. Was that you Dr. Any
comments, questions, or concerns? All those in favor? >> Anyone opposed? >> We have an agenda. Um, our public comment is moved up because we have no no um recognitions or anything this
month. So, it does it has moved up. So there is no one here except for you wonderful people that all day with us [laughter] and you people in TV land. So there's no public comment time which brings us to our consent agenda. We are moving
swiftly. Um which again you have had plenty of time to review this. A motion is needed to approve our consent agenda. >> I make a motion to approve the consent agenda. The >> motion was made. Is there a second? Second. Any
comments, questions, or concerns? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Okay. Swiftly information, reports, and recommendations. Miss Parker, a long list of policies you have to review with. That is correct.
>> It is a very important one. [laughter] Good evening, Chairman Kidd, Dr. Woody and members of the board. This evening I have one policy for your monthly review 7812 evaluation of superintendent. It's an annual review with some changes to executive sessions aligned to the board
meetings. This is for your monthly review. Do you have any questions? Questions? >> Good job. Thank you. [laughter] >> With much anticipation, we will recognize Dr. Wendy Rich, our assistant superintendent, and Miss
Marian Gordon, our director of global education, fill us in a little bit about our newest endeavor, the Blue Comet Global Academy. So, good afternoon, Jeremy Kidd, Dr. Woody, and members of the board. Tonight, we come before you to give you
an update on our Blue Comet Global Academy. We have included the application and approval communication in your notebook under tonight's tab. um it's for your reference to help you see the bigger picture. However, we will not be going over all that detail tonight.
So, there we want to give you an update on where we are, but we did want you to have the full um packet in case you would like to preview it and look at it. It tells you all sorts of information about attendance about um I'll just throw out just a few things so you kind of know what's there about
course credit acru app acrual the hardware the anticipated number um how we're going to monitor daily attendance um criteria for admission we have some of that outlined however we do have committee that's going to be helping with all of the logistics and all the
information so I would like to turn it over to um Mary and Gordon in our director of our global academy and let her tell you more about our update and where we are. >> Welcome to your new position.
>> Thank you. Good evening, Chairman Kidd, Dr. Woody, and members of the board. As um Dr. Rich said, my name is Mary and Gordon, and I will be the leader of the Blue Comet Global Academy. So to begin this presentation, I would for you a
moment to just imagine a school where flexibility meets innovation, where students receive a high quality education while learning in a way that best fits their individual needs.
Bluecom Global Academy is an exciting new virtual learning opportunity from Ashburg City Schools designed for students who thrive in a more personalized technologyrich environment
while remaining connected to their school community. Vision and impact. Why now? Why our why is rooted in opportunity, agency, and local accountability.
We are not just wanting to provide a digital platform. We are building a localized community where virtual flexibility meets the hightouch support of our district's educators. The driving
force behind our remote academy, as you all may know, is that the traditional one-sizefitsall sit and get sometimes in a brickandmortar facility is not for all learners. Program overview.
Our vision for Blue Comet Global Academy is to empower students to achieve their goals through personalized, innovative, and globally connected learning experiences. Our launch date is January 2027
and we are looking to engage students at that time in grades 9 through 12. Our core instruction will come from NCVPS and local support will come from myself and other district resources. It is not
on this slide in particular, but we will be bringing on the middle school students 6 through 8 in the fall of 2027. [clears throat] growing our district. By opening BCGA GA, we will ensure that
per pupil funding remains within our community to benefit our students and local programs. Also, unlike other cyber charter schools or virtual schools, our students remain connected to our their home districts,
cultures, extracurricular activities, and specialized local resources. Bridging the gap. BCGA looks to bridge the gap by providing lots of intentional face-to-face support and enrichment
opportunities for all the students who join our academy. Meeting the needs of all students. Again, I would like to mention that some students have social and emotional needs. Some students may have physical and mental health challenges. There are
some unique family lifestyle things that um will attract students to BCG GA. There are also maybe safety needs and concerns that some families may have. So beyond academics, we seek to allow our
students to learn in this type of environment. We want to meet them where they are. We want to help them with their needs and help them graduate from high school. That is ultimately the bigger goal. Academic impact. The Blue Comet Global
Academy will broaden access to specialized electives, AP courses, career pathways, and dual enrollment while providing personalized support. And I know earlier in the presentations that you heard from the principles, I
heard one of you mention the AP courses that are being offered and the numbers of students taking those courses. By a student joining BCGA, they will still have those opportunities um if not more opportunities to have those specialized
um classes. Also, we want to provide career pathways. We want to work with the CDC's um that work with our high school and middle school students to make sure that we have uh career and technical things in place for those students that need those opportunities.
We want to provide internships and apprenticeships and do all the things that you would normally receive in the high school brick and mortar setting. The operational impact, efficiency and sustainability is key
with this model. Operationally, the remote academy serves as a tool for fiscal responsibility and fiscal resource management. With this model, we will ensure that taxpayer dollars are reinvested in our schools, in our staff,
and our students while providing families still with a high quality local virtual option. And if we do this right and we take the time to make sure everything is in place, we will make we
will could put this very well on the map. There are virtualmies in many cities, towns in the state of North Carolina and some of them have not been successful. But if we do this right, we could be the model for our state.
Alignment with district goals. With this model, we will provide opportunity by meeting students where they are. Community retention. We want to strengthen that family tie. What Blue
Comets are known for, families, the traditions, um the excellence that the Blue Comet Pride provides, we want to continue those things. Graduation rates and success. We want to help students remain enrolled. There are several
students who are having to work for sometimes for reasons that they they can't help. Um there are students again as I mentioned earlier who are not successful in a brickandmortar setting and we just want to bridge that gap and
be that that entity that supports those students regardless of where you are. We're going to help you. We're going to make sure that you succeed and we're going to provide that support. Enrollment landscape and student
demographics. This was something while doing research that really struck me. Currently, 471 of our students in the Ash City Schools community are enrolled in charter schools. And this number does not include students who are being
homeschooled or attend private schools. The Blue Comet Global Academy will provide an opportunity to welcome some of these families back to our district. We want to provide that option for them, the flexible option, so that they will see that we're doing everything we can
here for all the students and families in our community. And we want you back. We take pride in what we offer here and what we do here. And we want you to come back and join the Blue Comet family. Um, I want to share a little bit with
you about the student learning experience in NCVPS. The students um will be engaging in some digital learning. The experiences they will receive are interactive lessons.
They will have some lab demonstrations, videos, um text readings, um different types of interactive activities with the teachers. 100% of the teachers at NCVPS are highly qualified and there are all
certified in um the area that they are teaching in. Um they provide dedicated teacher support in terms of daily office hours. NCVPS um CS offers um peer tutoring. They also
offer a writing um institute and writing support for students to help them with academic writing. I have experience with NCVPS teachers from being at the high school. They are very good with keeping the school people um notified. They're
up we're updated constantly on student progress. They're very good with uh reaching out to families and offering support to families. And they ensure that no student drops through the cracks. And that is one good thing that I really love about NCPPS is that
partnership that um they provide. dual enrollment opportunities. I mentioned that earlier. Our students will still be able to take part in um RCC classes. We have developed a very strong partnership with Randolph
Community College here um within Ashburg City Schools. Um [clears throat] they will be able to receive college credit while still in high school. Um we will extend pathways access to career technical and college transfer courses aligned with their goals. We want things
to be aligned with what they want to do. We will provide apprenticeships and internships throughout their experience here um at BCGA. Also, um we will be partnering with Doc uh Mr. Woodard. We will be working with
Miss Brady to make sure that they have lots of experiences here in um the global innovation center. Um there are lots of labs and things that students can participate in here and we will also be providing some experiences out at the
zoo school for these families. Tailored support. Again, as this mentions that um NCVPS teachers offer daily office hours, but there will be regular check-ins from myself as the school administrator and
from um the guidance counselor who whomever we will be working with within the district. Those decisions have not been made yet because we are in the early initial phases of creating this um program. But there will be lots of
support provided for our um students. I pride myself in knowing students, knowing students by name, um meeting with families, reaching out to families, and a lot of that will have to take place because we want them to have a sense of belonging. Um I don't know if
you remember, I hate to even bring it up, but back during CO, it was really hard. I want you to know, and please in your mind, don't think that this experience is going to be anything like that. Um uh we plan to have lots of opportunities for our students to come
together and do things, collaborate with each other, work on projects, um actually try and take some field trips. Um there's a lot of things that we feel like we can do within this model within this program um for the greater good of
our students and our community. Um again the collaborative sessions um there will be some projectbased seminars again on-site enrichment through the global innovation center zoo school and we're um seeking to um create some
partnerships and have some uh virtual guest speakers industry expert experts come in and talk with our students. Um Mr. Hammer here has already agreed to be one of my participants already. Um, so
we're well on our way with that. Um, here's a little update on some of the things that we've done so far. Um, in terms of planning and our development, um, I've been doing a lot of research. Dr. Rich has been doing a lot of research. I hold the whole CNI
team. Um, there have been several meetings held with other virtual academy leaders across the state of North Carolina. Um, I've actually, um, set up a PLC, um, with lots of the, um, virtual leaders across the state, which our
first meeting will start, um, next week on Tuesday. Um, because we kind of wanted a a arena where we can bounce ideas off each other. I can learn some of the great things that they're doing, what has worked well, what hasn't worked well for them. Um, and we're just going
to move from there. U,, we've have applied for the unique school code. You all know that the schools, individual schools have to have that. We've applied for that. We just haven't heard back yet, but that's in the in the works. We're still discussing a lot of the
operational logistics of the of the school. Um, again, we're in the initial phases of this, but things are are really moving. Marketing, we've created an interest survey that will be sent out after this meeting um because this will
now be public. So we have created an interest survey to go out to families um to garner the interest in um the blue comet global academy and that will also help us when we um look for our enrollment logistics and things of of
that nature. I've collaborated with our um district's communication and talent um development director. We're looking at school logos. Um there has been a press release that has been created um announcing the blue comment global
academy opportunity and that will go out after this meeting as well. Next steps um launched the public announcement as I um mentioned we have established an a planning committee um
those folks um are people from uh leadership from the sen our cabinet and other stakeholders. We will be meeting the [clears throat] first meeting for that will be next week and we're um discussing the enrollment process the enrollment application that committee
will be helping make decisions on that. Um that solely should not be on one person because we need everybody's voice. So we will be um working on those things moving forward. Um there will be more con um collaboration with other
virtual academy school leaders. Um and once the um we start getting feedback um from the surveys, we will look at that data and then we will use that data um to continue with the enrollment process and that will give us an idea of what
parents and families want and what they need out of this academy. Um, we're also in the process again of determining shared responsibilities. That work will continue over the next month or so and we will continue to refine our January
launch. Um, and I will share this with the board as well. I will be before you at multiple times during this juncture to share updates and let you know our process and progress along the way. um any good things that happen I will
share and if there are some snags you will be made aware of that as well. Um but I just want you to know that I'm fully committed. I I love being a Blue Comet. I have that Blue Comet pride and I'm hoping to instill that and bring all
of our families back that we may have lost and also attract some new families. And that is all I have for you at this point. Any questions? Yes, >> lots of questions. We've all had lots of
questions. Um, and just one, you said there were 471 students that were in charter schools. Is that a brickandmortar charter school or is that a virtual charter school? What's that look like? >> That would
that number reflects total both. Okay. that's um virtual as well as brick and mortar. So that is all the families as Miss Gordon mentioned that we have lost. Um I believe it's in the 30s is the amount that we attribute to actual just 100% virtual school. There's three
different ones that we send funds to >> and and virtual charter schools can be anywhere in the state. So, a student that lives right next door to our school here or Lynley Park or wherever >> can be going to a virtual school that's
in the mountains or the coast or somewhere else. So, this makes it a little more I guess home >> if they come to to our virtual school where they can meet real people as well as be in virtual school. >> Yes, ma'am. And I think the option as um
lifted up to be involved more closely in this brick and mortar setting that they don't even have access to to be able to engage with a blue comma family. >> Which brings me to my next question. One of my original questions was
when we started the zoo school, it was very important that we made sure that those students could still participate in the blue comics. made it very clear that these students are going to be blue, but at what level can they still participate in our brick and mortar or
outside our brick and mortar that's not academic? Can they participate in sports? Can they participate in our band program? What other programs that's in the brick and mortar can they participate in being in the virtual charge? Arts
>> they can. I want to hear that. um especially if they're if they do dual enrollment then yes they can take a band course and they can be part-time enrolled in the virtual academy and they can also be part-time enrolled and take one to two courses um at the high school and that would be a dual enrollment which we will have that option for dual
enrollment. Uh we do think that might appeal to some homeschool and some private school families because a lot of times they um do also do NCVPS for their students for their high school students but they do have to pay for that and so that would be another option that we would be doing that and providing lots
of service and lots of tutoring and they would have additional opportunities by being dual enrolled with us. Um, as far as sports go, anyone that's in that lives in the Asher City school system, of course, would be eligible to participate in sports as well. Uh, we do
not want to break any eligibility rules laws and they would still have to, of course, um, they would have to, we would assign them once we start middle school. Our plan is to assign them to a home school if they are in the NMS district or would have been in the NS district. That's the school that they might be eligible to play sports for. Same for
the SAMS and the high school. Of course, anyone within the school district could pay there. Um, but they would of course still have to um >> residency, >> meet residency requirements and would have to um I was losing this try out. I'm looking at you for my my word here.
Of course, they still have to try out and make the team of course, >> but you said one to two classes, right? >> Yes, we're doing. Okay. >> Those 471 students been identified. Are they Is that K through 12 or just middle
and high school? >> That's K through 12. So that is that is a K12 number, but I can certainly get a >> and that is they have been enrolled at ACS at at some point in their school career or they just went straight to out
of kindergarten is what I'm asking. >> Oh, it's a mixture. >> Okay. >> It's a mixture. >> So we hadn't technically lost them. They didn't leave say Lenley Park to go to down a mile down the road. >> No, but [clears throat] they did here. >> I know, but I'm just saying they didn't
they didn't leave after third grade. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. >> There's a mix. >> I know. I know. I just making sure that that we knew that number was >> Academy is that are those numbers too? >> They are not because we are not sending funding to that's based on the funding. That's what we we know for sure those
numbers because we they have to prove um prove to us that they actually reside in our district and then the funding would fall in. But that's a great question because we know there are students there that's not even captured in this number >> and in an ideal world we would love for all of the students that live in this
community to attend Asper City School. >> We may not achieve that 100% but we sure shooting we're going to try and get as many back as we can get back. So I would like to ask a question about the survey. So [clears throat] who will the survey be sent to?
>> The survey will be shared um on the press with the press release. It will also be shared on the district website. And then there we're creating a flyer that will have the links and and information to get to the survey. Also that will be placed at various places
throughout this community. Um and then of course word of mouth. Um I've received some emails and things already from parents who are asking for other options which I couldn't share the option yet um with them but after this
meeting I will be able to share. So I'm sure it will get around word of mouth as well that we have this option. So we'll provide this um be able to provide the survey to parents who are interested. >> If if the 471 have been identified is it
allowed or possible for like a marketing communication to them. >> We certainly have their addresses. We certainly have their addresses. >> Fair enough. [laughter] >> And then I have one more. Sure. >> With the I love the in-person
opportunity. So, it still gets the mixture of both. But for the actual virtual platform, how much of it is live facilitation versus self-paced? >> The in high school, a lot of it is self-paced. um the teachers create the
videos and they offer the daily office hours but I will share in a um NCVPS setting for and for any virtual setting for a student to be successful they have to be self-directed they have to be able to do things independently but that is
where I come in and that's where I came in at the high school a lot was reaching out keeping in touch with those students making sure they were up on their game reaching out to their families and um with all the other virtual schools uh leaders that I have spoken with, they
have things that are within the parent handbook and contracts that they have the parent serves or the guardian or someone in the home serves as the e-learning coach for that student. So, they also have a pulse on what the student is doing and they help push and
keep that student on track. Um, and then I heard you guys ask earlier about how you can help um, [clears throat] be in the [laughter] school and things like that. So, yeah, there may be an opportunity I might reach out and say, "Dr. Nod, I haven't heard from so and so in a couple of weeks. Let's take a
ride." [laughter] Just just joking. But still, that is the kind of person I am. Um, I I really love to be boots on the ground. And um, so I will provide that support as as much as humanly possible. um to our students and
um we'll keep you guys in the loop and utilize you as needed. >> Can I also add that we have one of the largest number of students at the high school high school students who go to RCC already for their courses and um the majority of those courses are virtual.
We have students already taking so many virtual courses at RCC and NCBPS. This is the way Yes. and doing very well. this is the way a lot of our students like to learn and this is kind of the way that they're that is moving and so um I don't think it'll be new for a lot
of students students I think a lot of a lot of them prefer to learn not everyone brick and mortar >> yes for some >> for some of us >> what about students outside the district >> what about like coming to the academy >> yes yes um [laughter]
>> we are open for enrollment for anyone who would like about that before. >> Athletics a little trickier. Um but what there are regulations and rules and guidelines we have to follow for that. But um as far as enrollment, as long as they they will still go through the same transfer process. So um we we definitely
are hoping to get many transfers that will want to come into our program. And that goes back to what Miss Gordon said earlier, making it one a model and one of the best. And as you can see, she is definitely the right person for the job because what did she start out by saying? I initiated a PLC group with all
she's been calling people trying to ask questions and she has initiated a PLC group of these leaders from all thesemies across the state that have been in existence and they haven't had this. She's been on this job for less than three weeks. >> Yeah. And my working genius is GT
galvanizing and tenacious and I am that. So >> we're going to move forward. [laughter] >> At least students follow the same calendar as our sir. >> And we will track since our we're doing this now based on time.
>> How will we track how much time they're going to be? >> It's through their attendance. >> So their attendance um we have policy that we follow from that and that is that's in this packet that's in your book. Um I did want to mention about your notebooks too. We're not putting all of the uh PowerPoint presentations
that you're going to have. You have access to those. We want the notebook to be for things that you might want to jot notes on that you can remember and that you can have access to something that you might want to refer back to. So, we'll put important documents in there. We'll make an acronym sheet. I know that
you Melissa Miss always ask about those. We want to make sure that we have things in there. We'll put some information about APR things that you want to have access to. But yes, um that's already described in how we do attendance and so as long as they are present by the ways
we have identified for attendance then that counts. >> So we have a whole new set of policies that pertain to all these students in this book. >> Yes. And they are already but Miss Hartner is already doing some
investigating on which policies will need to change. We're bringing those to you and that is another reason we want the start date to be January. So you have time to um look at the policies that need to be updated and get them changed. >> You said something very honest while ago.
>> What was that sir? >> A lot of these have not been successful. >> They haven't. >> So what are have you identified the pitfalls that leads to failure and do you have something in play? And I know we're early in the stages here. Well, a lot of it what I've been hearing for
from some of them is just the support. Some of them are not having a lot of support from the district um for these students. Um they they don't have the opportunity for the students to come and collaborate together and that type of extra support. A lot of these folks are
housed in a mobile unit and it's just them. Um there's not space for the kids to come together and and do what they need to do. And also I think teacher support um making sure that the teachers are getting PD professional development
that they need. Teaching in a digital through a digital lens is a whole lot different than me sitting standing in front of giving a lecture or hands-on. And so I know from for a fact from our district, our CNI department is really
good with that. I have a very strong curriculum and instruction background. That's where I came from um before coming here and even at the high school I was the AP of instruction. So I've done [clears throat] many things with instruction even during COVID when it
was rough on teachers. So being able to provide that support I think for whatever staff we utilize be having that personal touch for on our students having that pulse that hands on them and providing those opportunities to enrich them to help them. Um it's a lot
different. um when you're taking classes virtual and you get behind, you have to have somebody pushing you. It's a lot different when you have tests and things that that you are held accountable for. If you don't have the right people saying, "Look, we have to look at this.
We have to get at this." You got to have the right people in the right seats on the bus to make these things happen. And I'm thinking a lot of the problems that they're experiencing are some of those. But as a group working together now that we've started this PLC, I think um we'll
see some changes in around the state. But our model is going to be the best model. >> We're going to be number one. >> Darn right we are. [laughter] >> We all >> we're going to be number one. So share with us a little bit of of the difference between I know that we're
starting with high school and that but you said that we're going to bring on middle school a year later or so. Explain to us share with us a little bit what that the difference is what that looks like between high school and middle school virtually. >> Okay. So what we're thinking in terms of
sustainability, our high school students, we have data, they're doing well with NCVPS that and they're great teachers there, but our middle school will need a little different model. So that will be more of teachers that we bring on that we hire um that we vet and
look at and make sure they have a great track record with um data and they're able to support our students. And we will also have a digital learning facilitator who will serve as a coach for those teachers to help make sure that our students are getting what they need. So they won't actually be on
NCVPS. They will have teachers. That will be the biggest difference. >> Is there any concern with this competing with Asher High School? >> No. I think that the students at Ash High School, there's so many already taking um courses online. I think that
we're going to attract a different set of folks and families. So, I don't think we'll take a whole lot of students from the high school. And by our students being able to participate in sports and the dual enrollment and all of that, I think it'll be it'll be a great
partnership that Ryan and I will have, which we already have. [laughter] So, like you said, you've already kind of have a pulse of >> actual students and families that you're going to be able to reach out to as soon as we end this meeting. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> I'm excited if you can tell. >> And will seniors in the new come at Google Academy walk with the the senior class of the high school? >> I would love to have them walk with me. We just have our own separate
celebration. We'll see. We we that's still in the logistics. Those are things that we will look at as we move closer um to opening, but I do believe that those students will deserve their own special graduation. I really think that will do good for our community to see
that and for us to honor them in that special way and we'll do the same. Seniors, sunrise, sunset, all the things that um they do. So is there a minimum [clears throat] or minimum number of students you have to have to receive funding
>> for and for to receive the principal we will have to have a 100 students but to start the school. No. Do you want to say anything? >> I would add about you know we we certainly anticipate once we get to adding middle school that we would love to hire some teachers. Um but as soon as
we have 20 20ish students then we start accumulating um teacher position aotments in like state1 and some of that helps us fund the NCBPS courses that's how we pay for that now at the high school. So, as soon as we have the first
few students, when we start accumulating some funding for this, >> just a followup because I was I was trying to figure out how to word that question, but you got to help me with it. Was what is our advantage disadvantage mainly from a financial standpoint between using our own
teachers versus the North Carolina virtual teachers? I think that um I mean I don't know if there's necessarily advantage financially one or the other um because there is a cost to NCBPS but we use the
same kind of funds to afford both. >> Um I think it depends on what our target audience is and what course it is and what we're we're looking to offer. >> So we have a an idea of what our goal of student enrollment is to begin with. I
know that that you know 100 is a goal because that financially pays for but come January are we going to start if we have two students >> or what what what's that >> we put in our document that what we
would like our application 150 is really our goal but that was really starting at the beginning of the school year by starting in the middle of the school year we do think that's going to limit with transfers and some different things so we are expecting fewer probably than that this first year, but once we add on middle school, I I think we would hope
to be anywhere between 150 to possibly 300 or more. I think somemies have 3 to 500 students, and that's kind of >> um kind of where the range is. So, we would love to be able to draw in more, but we were hoping for at least 150, >> but we're not that's next year, but like
in January, >> in January, we're thinking maybe 20 to 35 is what we're realistically looking at. A smaller number, which we are happy we're happy with starting. Yes, this gives us a chance to get it right at least. Get it started smoothly. So,
we're we will be content with 30 or more. >> Everybody decided to leave the hospital. >> Well, we'll have [laughter] we'll have criteria in place and not everybody I think that's the reason going back to your question about failure. >> Yeah. >> Um I think sometimes it's having not
right appropriate fit for a child. This is not a fit for every student. So, you have to be a self motivator. you have to be a student who can stay on track with virtual learning and so forth. So, um I don't think a lot of places kind of >> follow the criteria.
>> We want to make sure that we are >> How sticky is that? The student gets in here and we're starting in January and say the second week of February, they realize, listen, this is not a good fit for me. If clearly we have an
opportunity right here, how hard is that transition? What is that? Do >> you mean if they transfer once >> if you say look this just doesn't work for Johnny he's a terri home school student. >> So if they're like a home school student who comes in and then they want to
participate and they with us in the academy we accept them they're enrolled two weeks into it they don't want to do this anymore. I think that we would just transfer them over to the high school if they're willing still to be at the high school and stay with us or they might go back to home school. So I don't think that would be a hard what we we're
asking for a commitment though for a semester personal best what we kind of put in we would like people to say if you're doing this you need to commit for at least a semester and and really try and do it your best but we'll just drop it in and out. That's another thing >> that's another thing that we learned from the other ones that happened. They
didn't have that in place. >> I'm sure this is attractive to people who struggle to commit. >> Yes, I'm sure. >> Right. Is there kind of a core curriculum that we're going to run or is it really just anything that we offer? Now, how is that going to look NCBTS? And you can speak
to this more. Um, we will be offering everything at the high school offers for the high school. Um, middle school, we'll be offering the same core courses that any middle student will be able to take. >> Yeah. >> And we'll have to closely look at their transcripts to see what they need to make sure they're on track to graduate.
That is our priority. Especially if we look at home school, hybrid school students where they're going to be getting some of their their classes one place, some from us. It seems like that could be a little tricky. Actually, >> you just have to have a close eye. It's >> a lot. You have to have a close eye on
that transcript because um that was something else that one of them said to us is that they had a senior um come in and they were like two years behind the cohort. And so things like that, you have to really look at that. But that's helps me from being at the high school
being doing that that sort of thing all the time. So that that kind of helps and I'm glad that I can do that for our students >> for ADM if we get a lot of new students. Are we getting more money? >> More money. >> Oh yeah. [laughter]
>> Oh yeah. >> So >> yeah. So it it not only um adds to that teacher aotment, it also flows across some of the other program report codes within state funding. So, um, yes, that certainly would increase and that that would then it help support, you know,
we're with 500 students at a global academy, then we're going to need a counselor and we're going to need a lot of other supports and that's where funding is provided for that. >> So, your application you're going to one of the question is are you a self motivated?
I'm going to click yes, but I'm not. How do you how do you police that? I mean, you're just trusting in the application. >> Well, no, there will be interviews and different things with families and that is something that our committee will work out. That's one of the things
that's on the questions that we're just going to be discussing. So, there's lots of little nuts and bolts and pieces that we don't know yet, but we are in the process of getting those answers and having um a platform, program, what whatever you want to call it. we will
have some guidelines and things for that because in order for it to be successful we have to be kind of tight >> um and very um I don't know so I want to say we have to be very consistent and we have to be
very clear with families and students about what the expectations are for this academy to be successful >> and the children to be successful. >> Yes to be successful. have we have to >> anybody >> we also want input and ideas if you have input or you have ideas that you want to
share with us you know I'm one of us any of us the whole team we're working on it and we're happy to have some ideas for you >> we have tons of questions before we and this is not the only opportunity to ask questions like you said
>> please email us anything my office I'm at central office come by um sit and talk. If you have questions, we will get you the answers, but just know that we're in the very early initial stages of this. So, there's lots of things that
need to be worked out, but please share anything that that you have ideas about. Let us know and we'll be willing to to help and listen. Okay. Thank you for your time and I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Lots of very good information. I hope there were lots of
viewers so they get lots of information. Maybe they'll watch it later and they get positive questions and answer about that. Next up is our action item, NCDPI, Office of School Facilities, Miss Sandra
Spivey, please. All right. And I'm pleased to bring up um Chairman Kidd, Dr. Woody, and members of the board. Pleased to have Le Brewer join me at podium, our newest appointed director of facilities and maintenance. and he has already >> just started in July and already making
a great impact on our on our district and appreciate all that Blake's already done. And one of the first great task he had was looking at this grand survey that um [laughter] so every five years from general statute we are required to complete the survey
for the DPI school planning group in Raleigh. And this survey has a couple of parts to it. Um it talks about current capacity. It talks about future needs in our school buildings. Um, and there's also a questionnaire at the end that
kind of assists us in uh developing additional future needs. So, that's kind of the three parts and uh the whole entire survey is in your packet and it uh does lift up things that we have already mentioned to our county commissioners. is that I do think one of
the main uh goals of this survey is to make sure that school boards are communicating with our county commissioners because that's our obligation to let our commissioners know what our needs are. I think that we all do a great job of that and we have a great relationship with our county commissioners. Um but we did lift up
just the projects we have going over at SAMS and I think in February Dr. would be lifted up to our county commissioners that in the future when we're looking at the next 0ero to 5 to 10 years, we recognize that North Ashmore Middle School has a need for additional cafeteria space that's included in the
survey as well as Laughlin Elementary has its original 1920 building as their multi-purpose room and it would be great if we could add um maybe an updated multi-purpose room for them. So, that is what's included. um certainly made note
that we have no funding yet for NAS or Law Fund. So there's no obligation of the county commissioners for this. Um but we really are kind of up here as obliging uh DPI and this general statute to present it to you and with your
approval then it will be submitted to the county commissioners. It'll go before them in their August meeting. We've already gotten on their agenda. um and they will sign off as well. And what they um really are signing off is acknowledging that they have received it
and reviewed it and recognizing that um they are not in any way obligated to provide anything that we have um noted in this in this survey. So I won't go page by page. I don't know if there's a hundredish pages, but um if
you have any questions u Mr. Brewer and I will be happy to try to answer them. Sure, we have [laughter] um and I know certainly uh it was lifted up earlier that um because of there's there is a lot of activity going on in our summer slammer is what Bob loves to
call it at Sam's and Mr. and I had already talked that we thought it would be a great idea maybe before our August meeting um to allow a space and time for you to walk through when it's safe to do so and we get enough hard hats and everybody wears close to shoes um to walk through because it is a flurry of
activity going on at Sam's right now and it's it's really great to see it come together. Um, and we had already invited Bobbit um to go ahead and set aside time in September knowing that they are really busy all the way up till time school starts even with cleaning. They they're ready for their cleaning
schedule even and to be present at our um open house. Um Bobbit has been gracious to show up at open house and be available for all of our families to answer questions, but we could bump that up. But they are on schedule to be here in September with us. So, and I know Mr. drawer if you have anything. There's a
lot [snorts] of activity going on at other schools this summer, too. So, >> there are and one of the Yeah, one of the main things I've been able to do is kind of shoulder learn with Jody, um Jody Cox, who's stepping down to be a manager or assistant, excuse me. Um so, I've made it a point to go around to each campus. I plan on meeting with
school principles and seeing what their dreams are and what their aspirations are for their buildings because we don't just want to maintain our spaces. We want to enhance our space our spaces and give our our students a campus that they can be proud of to call home. So, it's been great to shoulder learn with him, get on every campus, kind of see what
the needs are. Um, and as school gets back in, I'll start meeting with principles and trying to make their dreams become a reality. >> And then Mr. Patton has notices weeds in the sidewalks. I know. >> He knows. [laughter]
I I noticed pressure washing and and how nice it is for a student to walk in to as old as our buildings are for them to appear to be new and clean and fresh. Absolutely. So, I'm hoping that that's top on your priority of all the schools,
not just some >> Absolutely. Everything from the curb appeal all the way to the interior of the classrooms down to the boiler rooms that nobody sees. Um it's all a top priority and and it needs to be updated and maintained. We look forward to hearing your position and congratulations.
>> Yes. Thank you. >> So I assume that you're looking for approval of this survey. >> Yes. I would seek your approval if there's no further questions of the survey as presented and then we will pass that on to the county commissioners. >> So a motion is needed to approve the
survey as as >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Motion was made by Ryan. Is there a second by um Haley, we've been together all day. >> Is there any further discussion?
>> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> unnecessary paperwork. Go for it. We'll get that submitted. [laughter] And then I would just highlight maybe one other project that is going on is at North Ash Middle School. Um we are
through a clean classroom grant um able to uh remediate um or abate all of our asbestos in our floor. Um so we've been able to have all that pulled up this summer and go back with the polished
concrete book. So that we're wrapping that project up as well. So we're excited about that. >> Nice. >> And I think we will be reimbursed 70% of the cost of that. So >> excited. Yeah. >> Thank you all. Really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you.
>> We are blowing through this agenda here. We are at the board of operations. I'm going to give you two minutes if you want to. I know it's not on the count. Not on the agenda, but there is no superintendent. >> Yeah. Let me just
[laughter] >> Okay. Um, I was going to do this in in more of a close session. All this >> you don't have to do it now. We are going to do >> this is easy. This is really quick and easy. Um, Chairman K, thank you so much. Uh, members of the board cabinet. Listen, um, my my announcement tonight
is we've had a tremendous week this week here in Ashburg City Schools. Uh, we've had our summer retreat. Quite a bit of planning has been taking place really for a number of months. Uh those of us in the space and on camera can see a little bit. We have a a giant
nautical theme. Tremendous, tremendous work on behalf. Uh or thank you to our central office staff, our cabinet. Uh we met Tuesday all day long with all of our principles, assistant principles, instructional facilitators, central office staff,
cabinet. Uh really working on refining um refining our instructional approach. We're really proud of what we've been doing uh the last number of years by continuing to to ramp up our work. And so want to just say that that uh very
very meaningful and then yesterday worked with again our same group but uh brought in a facilitating consultant to work us through a book called the six working genius geniuses and uh that provided some survey information and
some assessment data for us. and we talked about how we continue to synergize as teams uh and as a as a working group to be a really we already believe we're strong and and and Miss Gordon to to your credit this evening
talking about just that that confidence that we are going to be number one that we're know we we believe that in our heart at the same time we all know we can go deeper and better so that was a very meaningful experience and then certainly today board spending the time with you to do some of those same exercises it's just been a really really
great week and I just want to say to you uh you know as you looked at data this afternoon um and I don't want to I just want to direct your attention to you don't need to look at it anymore but if you look at our attendance and our performance data and you start looking
at the kind of growth proficiency growth and you know in terms of behavior in terms of daily attendance you look at a 2 and a.5% uh gain or a 1.7% gain you start talking on a daily average among our district that that speaks volumes
about students who are coming to school and I think it really speaks to families supporting the work and I believe I want to believe it speaks to the kind of instructional experiences academic experiences students are getting in Ashbury city school. So that data is
something that we do celebrate and we are going to build upon. Three themes came out of the week this week because a lot of what we did as well planned as we were and and gosh the the professional development was topnotch. But themes came from our leaders this
week about a renewed sense of urgency. A renewed sense of urgency and board I want to encourage you to speak into that. I want to lead in that direction. A a renewed sense of urgency that every day matters for our students. a renewed
focus to refine our focus and really drill down. I think this is we're heading into a year where we get to tinker a little bit. Maybe we don't get to to beat something with a hammer, but really tinker and refine. And that last piece is something we talked about is alignment. And so I am going to close
out tonight whenever we leave with really a sense of enthusiasm and excitement about really putting a bow on 202526 and really launching into 2026 and 27. So what I've included for you uh I will
not read any of it to you is again a final summation of really our celebrations, our end of the year celebration. There's there's a colorful packet that you've already seen before. Just want to give you that as a reminder. And then quite frankly, in the quietness of just some moments by myself, I I made a list of about 65
things that I've been proud of this school year on behalf of our team. Uh academic celebrations, athletic celebrations, fine arts, uh individual student things, partnerships with um with renewed partners, whether it's our faith community, our business partners,
some of the grand celebrations we've had with Toyota, with some other companies, the global innovation. So again, I'm not going to do this. We could go down the line, down the line, down the line. And also lift up that our our central office staff and our princip we we cut over
$650,000 this year. We also cut 15% in terms of resources and supplies to every one of our buildings. We did that without cutting jobs, but we did collapse positions based on retirement or attrition or regrouping some things. That's been very hard work, but
rewarding work in the sense that here we are seeing in July heading into a new school year. And while our budget's not amazing, we're in a good place. And so I'm very proud of our team, very proud of this this board. I'm very proud of our community. I'm very proud of our
cabinet, proud of our principles, our teachers, every employee, uh, Miss Hicks, 560 560 employees in our district. Could not say enough about the fine work. So, I just uh board members, I wanted to just put that in your hand and as you reflect tonight and tomorrow in the next few
weeks, as you I keep saying this term, but as we all get this fire back in our belly about serving young people come late August, uh I want us to be aligned. I want us to have a deeper focus and I and I want to lead in those ways with uh with a
renewed sense of urgency. So I feel like tonight is an opportunity to kind of just put a final bow on 202526 and and to take a minute and say look we did some great things. We we certainly had our challenges. Uh we we've heard from our one of our facilitating leaders
today that leadership and excellence is really never a destination. It's always a journey. And so you know we kind of close a chapter and we open a new one. And so it I I'm I am personally heading into this uh these next couple weeks and
into August with with real a deep sense of enthusiasm and gratitude for my team. Uh a spirit of thanksgiving for you and also that that that added pressure which is okay of uh we are a little bit better. We want to be a little bit
better. We are going to be a little bit better because our kids deserve it. Our students deserve it every single day in every single way. So, Miss K, those are my those are my comments tonight. And again, board members, I hope I hope you'll take some of that and just uh and be reflective and celebrate and and
consider ways we can continue to get better. Thank you. >> Perfect. Thank you, Dr. Ra, I'm gonna put you on the the spot. Do you want to say anything else about the notebooks to explain that everybody kind of >> if you would like to leave the notebook here? Our intention is that you would
take it with you. So, as it's got things in it you want to refer to if somebody in the community askked you a question, you can always have it to access. But if you would prefer to leave it here because we want you to bring them back. So, please bring them back for future meetings. But if you'd rather leave it here, we will house it here for you and
have it for you. But for all future meetings, if there are things we want to make sure that we give you so you can refer to them, we will have them for you to just put in your notebook. So, you'll put your notebooks out when you first get here. Um, Angel will go around and make sure we add in what you need.
>> Thank you. >> Going back to to our root with the notebooks. That was not my idea, by the way, but I really like it. [laughter] >> It was not. It was not. I was very excited when they told me yesterday that, hey, we're going to make notebooks
for y'all. So, um, so that was good. Um, in your blue folder there is a calendar and also on your online board packet there's a calendar of upcoming events and it's probably the smallest
that it's going to be for for now and because it's only going to get more and more filled. So mark those days um our teachers come back August 12th and 13th. So that's exciting. Our principles were here for the past two days. That was
very exciting um to to see everything that they participated in and what I overheard them say um going with everything that we learned today was un I don't know how to say not unsolic
unsolicited but without talking to each group the common thread was reading >> and and working with the students to read and learn to read and bring the those scores up. And I think if our
students can read, they can do math. If our students can read, they can do science. If our students can read, they can do anything they want to. They could, you know, jump into a book and go anywhere they want to go. So, I'm excited. I also heard them say the the theme of which kind of hit home and I
guess he already said that to them of everybody's in place. It's the most comfortable year that they've had that they've felt that everybody's in the right place. So, the right people are on the bus. They're in the right seats.
Now, let's just do the work. So, that was exciting to hear the of two days. I know it was intense work. I know that it was intense work today, but oh my gosh, it was the the best work that we've done in a long time and and good work as a
board. So, having said that, I'm not going to do my usual things because we still have more work to do, but it's early, so we're going to try to do this quickly. Um, and I can talk some more. So, next up is our close session under
North Carolina General Statute 1333181181 to prevent disclosure of information that's privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this state of United States. public records general chap chapter 132 of the general statutes. The board will enter into
close session to discuss the most important superintendent's annual evaluation. So a motion is needed to move into closed session. >> Motion was made. Is there a second? [snorts]
Motion was seconded. Is there any discussion, comment or concern? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Administration team, thank you all so very much. I know it's been an arduous two, three days, but we appreciate the
work you do. We will move right into the room if y'all are okay with that. Or do you need a minute? >> No. >> Okay.