Well, it's a little after 04:30. I'm gonna call this special meeting to order. Before we do that roll call, I've got a kinda caught in my system. Can we all please stand and say the pledge of allegiance? Bill, would you please do this? I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and the republic for which is fast, Thank you.
Thank you, Candace. Okay. Roll call. Barclays? Here. Thanks. Here. Kimbrell? Here. Patterson? Here. Russ Ruppeltz? Here. K. Approval of the approval of the agenda. The the agenda is a is an expression informational issue. Can I have a motion? So moved. Second? Second. Roll call. Hartley. Aye. Bates. Aye. Kimbrell. Aye. Patterson. Aye. Mister Holtz. Aye. Very good. Motion carries. Okay, guys. This should be shouldn't be long. At this time, I'd like to open up the floor to each of you to
share your thoughts of the interviews and, you know, where your head is at on this issue right now. So I would someone like to begin? I can start. So first, just to kinda address the elephant in the room maybe. I've been on a lot of calibration meetings for candidates after interviews, over the years, thousands probably. This might be the most awkward one I've ever been a part of because we
have candidates in the room. So I'm just gonna throw that out there as, part of the things that are happening and and it being public. With that being said, I I think both candidates had very strong interviews. They both obviously came very prepared, and are both, very enthusiastic about the role, so I appreciate that. Looking at it objectively, I think we one of the candidates has far more traditional, far more of the traditional skill sets. Can I even answer?
Or working? No. I'm not. Oh. There we go. Has far more of the traditional skill sets that we would be looking for if we were just putting out there and looking for for candidates to apply. And then, of course, there is the, fact that that Erin has been filling in in the role, for the last few months. So there's a couple of things we need to to take into account, but, you know, to I'll let someone else talk for now. I have other things that I'll I'll bring up. But, yeah, I'd I'd yeah.
To start. Wonderful. Thank you. Alright. Go ahead. One of them. One You know, miss Barkley said a lot of what I wanted to say. I mean, she basically hit a lot of the talking points up. Both candidates, did excellent in their interviews. You know, we have one filling the role right now, and then we have one that has quite a resume. And so, you know, just just looking at the both of those objectively, and we've had a few weeks to think about it as well.
And so, yeah, I I just thank both candidates for applying and appreciate the work of both candidates, thus far. Thank you. David. I too liked both of the candidates. I've known Aaron for quite some time. I don't know if you're allowed to say name, but I'm going to. Thank you. You're probably saying that. We we've we've listed our there now. So There you go. I let's start started with Aaron. I I like how he stepped up when he came in.
I thought that he did a good job at such a quick, you know, short notice from, Ken Witt leaving. He made immediate changes to the the atmosphere in the school. He he was reaching out to to teachers. He was trying his best to make it a less tense place to work. He was doing his best effort to he has been doing his best effort to reach out in the community. I really liked that.
With, missus Slocum, I thought that she was very well prepared for her interview. I appreciated her answers to the questions that I had asked her. And, I I like that she lives in the community and and she is I think that she can be a bridge to this this new healing or this this new step. I think that Aaron would try will try very hard to do that as well.
Yeah. He said it he has said it several times, both in his interview and private. It's very important to him that we bring things back together. So, you know, I have a few more things that that I would like to say, but, you know, let's Well, much of what I have to say has already been said. But, you know, this was difficult from the beginning. I've developed a relationship with Aaron since the time he took over the position in
early March. And, I was proud of him that I mean, things were there was a lot going on around the time that Ken left. And I thought he picked up the ball and ran rather well. Need to be careful about saying some other things, but I don't think he was quite as prepared as he could have been had he had a different boss and a superintendent. But that's that's an aside note.
And my biggest concern as we speak are about three things. One, the timing of this is terrible. We're about to start a new school year. And there and we're in the middle of some decision making that are gonna be not difficult, but they're gonna take some serious thought and preparation for to to to move on in this next school year. Hey, Sue? Sue, can you hear me? Hello? Hi. Would you mind muting, until you're ready to talk?
Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for and I know I know miss Slope has a lot she can bring to the table. I mean, she has sent out a couple emails, and she has laid out a strategy. I just am concerned that, she maybe she has been involved enough to see. I know she pays attention, but I've known her, and I've known her husband for a long time. And, and I knew her when she was the principal of Columbine, and I've never
had more of a welcoming tour than I got from her. And David Restreault is the one that suggested I do that. So I've been very impressed with what Ginger has brought to the table for many years here. How many years now here, Ginger? This will be my seventh. Seventh year. Only my seventh. Same longer. Well, seven years seems like a long time to me at my right age. So it's it's a difficult decision. Do I think that she is capable?
Yes. Would it have been easier if we had have just carried on under the current circumstances? I don't think that's such a lazy response. As it is, we'd have struggled in the last year with various things, sales tax and other things. And that's that's an aside, but there just been a hurdle that we've come up against frequently. And so I was just hoping for some some settling out and, and get back on our focus.
Everyone in this room's focus are our kids, are the students in the district. So it's it's a tough decision, and, I I'm curious the rest of your thoughts. But I also think it important that we go whatever this change looks like, then we are united as a board, and we're not a split board. So I think that we each need to consider that, we won't know until we
have a motion. But at this point, I could go either way. I want us to have a unified decision over this. I think it's what's best for the district that, we all are prepared to forge ahead, whatever that looks like, in in a positive manner. If it looks like this, no. I don't mean that. But if but if it's if if it's a steady climb and we're we're growing, we're doing better, then I think that unified board is going to be important.
I will have to say that this district, despite all the changes that even if they're in the middle of the year or not, they always seem to overcome hurdles, and they keep the kids focused at first. And so, and I'd like to say that even after the decision, they'll do the same. Something else. Some of the changes that we've had as as short term as they've been, I mean, David, our CFO, I'm I feel very confident that Ginger has had some interaction.
It's not gonna be like, oh, hi. My name is not my name. So, you know, whenever we do a work, I'm a very strong believer, and I think God I know God wants the same things that those of us in this room do. We wanna prepare our kids to go out in the world and tear them up. And, so whatever that takes, I think this board is ready to do that. And, all the more reason that I think we need to be unified, all on
the same page, and prepared to forge ahead no matter what it looks like. Now I've stolen the floor twice. Somehow else. Director Patterson, do you have any comments or statements that you'd like to make? I know she's on vacation, so she might be busy. I appreciate, both Ginger and Aaron's, leadership. I think they have had both a positive, effect on the district. The the however is this board has, in the past, not going forward with the
wishes of the community or the staff. And and in the past couple of months, I have talked to many of the staff and, and some of the administrative assistant, that work in the office. And there's been a high, favorability of of Ginger for many reasons such as, we have to look our students must come first.
And I'm I I'm just tending to lean that Ginger has has a leadership skill. She has the qualifications on paper. She's been in the district. This district has asked for someone who has lived here locally, who has been involved in the community and the students. And and I think the, the CAO, there's not I mean, the the CFO is a is a is a much, as we know, needed, but the but the, academic
that that's what it's all about with the kids. And I think Ginger has that roundabout, resume and she I I regret that I wasn't there during that interview in person, but I I watched it and I agree with her answers. And I I I just, believe in the the long run and the longevity and the experience and the longevity with the school. Not just to diminish Aaron's leadership at all, but make make me hit the nail
on the head. The students come first, and I think the academics is a is a major part in our school, and that's what the kids are gonna take away. And I think with our strong leadership now that Erin has brought into the administration, that that Ginger, can pick up the ball and run music. Those are my thoughts. Yeah. But at the at the same time, we're gonna be losing a CAO that is very critical to these kids' future. And I don't know how Ginger intends to address that.
I'm sure she has thought about that. And, you know, we're shorthanded. And no one's surprised when you take a 10% cut to your budget, you've got to make some difficult decisions. And, so I don't know what that's gonna look like, but I'm not sure anyone does. We're gonna have to jump into this and all work together to help that person be successful. And, but, yes, I do think what she's currently doing is very important as well.
Yeah. I I I mean, I think we've hit all of the the high points. You know? When we discussed what we were looking for in a superintendent in general, we said we wanted someone who had experience working in the schools. We said we wanted someone who maybe had principal experience. We said we wanted somebody who had an education in education who had licensing in in education. And quite honestly, gender has all of that. And for I don't think the only hesitation I would even consider is the fact
that school starts in like two weeks and and bringing someone new and at that point feels less than ideal. But I can't see going against all of those things for that one reason. Right? And being in the community and and and having the relationships with the teachers and the staff and the parents from a different perspective already. You know, and then bringing that knowledge and and those relationships to the superintendent position,
I think, is just such a huge asset that you could overcome any of the issues that might come up, you know, with the starting so soon before school starts. And and that goes back to what I said about the hurdles. I mean, this administration and this district has jumped hurdles and they're more like a role in the always put the children first and the academics. And so I have no doubt that that will happen here and and going forward in the beginning of the school year. Any other comments? Yes.
The things that, I do appreciate what Erin has done so far. But I think that the weight of the answers that Ginger gave are, these were the important things to me. That she has twenty eight years of experience in education, seventeen years as a teacher, and eleven years in leadership as principal at the district office level. I think that stepping into the role in such short notice will push her in
a direction where she has shown great strength. She'll be able to do that. I think that I hope that Aaron would stay and help with that transition. I don't know what his plans are, but, I know that he still has time on his contract. I hope that that will that he will support that. Next, I know that, Ginger has three college degrees in education, a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and a post master's degree in
educational leadership. That covers everything that we're looking for in leadership. She lives in our community. Her husband works at the high school. Her daughter currently attends the high school, and her oldest daughter graduated from high school. They're members of our community and truly care about the children in our community. I think that says a lot. That says a lot to our stakeholders. It says a lot to our students, administration, and staff. They are plugged in. They live here.
They're going to be here long term, and that is very important to me and the community and the people that we as a board represent. I think that she has shown here in our district that she has a proven track record for improving the climate and the culture in our schools. One of the things that is most important to me is repairing the, the climate that we have in our community and our school. I mentioned that, as probably one of my most important things.
We will do academics. We've got amazing teachers here in our schools. That'll never slack up. I've never seen such passion and in teacher. I remember from when I was in school, but, you know, to actually walk through the schools and see that, I think that that will always be pushed forward, that education will be great. But I think that she has the ability and the position and what she mentioned about going into the community, I think that she can bring about the healing that
we need to go forward as an as a successful school district. So I'm just gonna say it. I am proud that I'm going to vote for Ginger to be our next superintendent. Here's one wish that I would have. I wish that I would like to see the board give her an opportunity to be our permanent superintendent. That's my opinion to be on a, you know, a trial basis, but, if that's possible, I don't know. But I certainly would like to push for that.
I think that she will I I would say it in this next year, she will show that she exceeds all of our expectations with our support and with our united prayers for her. She'll do an amazing job. So there's where I stand on it. You know, you said you remember when you were back in school. I did it to some degree. I just remember the president's office in the world. The principal's Office? Some principal's office. Okay. Do we have any further comments? Is everyone prepared? As such, does someone wanna make a motion?
I'd like to make a motion that Ginger Slocum be our next ultra Inter. Intro superintendent. Do I have a second? Second. Roll call. Barkley? Aye. Bates? Aye. Kimbrell? Aye. Patterson? Aye. Bresterholds? Aye. Unanimous decision. I'm giving you the opportunity to, like, run away real oh, no. I'm sorry. I just, is it okay if I say something real quick? I just wanna say that I'm very excited for the opportunity, and, I feel honored
to be able to represent our school district and look forward to working with the board of education and the community and really working hard to bring people back together and to move forward. So thank you. Okay. This is your next That's mine. Okay. That's your next Well, everyone gave a lot of thought to this. And, Ginger, that speaks to your knowledge, skills, your attitude, and, and we thank you.
And and and we are excited for what you bring to the table. One last thing that I'd like to say is times are fast now. We have made no decisions about this transition. We've there's a couple of things that are potentially for the August agenda that we're gonna have to discuss. Mhmm. So there very well could be another meeting in the very short term future because everything that we've got to talk about, we gotta talk about as a group. Mhmm. But I think I'm I'm guessing everyone around this table is prepared to take on
the challenge at at hand in front of us. But with this transition now, we've got a lot of things to consider. None of them are difficult, but they're gonna take some group thought to make this a smooth transition. So we'll be reaching back out in the very near future to have some of these discussions. I'll make Aaron aware of of the results of this, and I'm hoping we can have a cordial coordination between yourself and Aaron and exchange some important ideas that are
gonna gonna be very helpful in this. So, I'm not only hoping that, for that, I'm expecting that. And Yeah. I agree. Congratulations. Thank you. I and I just wanna thank Aaron Salt for really, you know, taking on, in the middle of this, you know, end of the school year and fulfilling that role. And now again, you're you're gonna have to also live in August, but we have no doubt. And like I said, this district has been able to always, just overcome hurdles in
keeping the children first. So, you know, like, you'll get back as well. I'd also like to say thank you to Aaron. I greatly appreciated his willingness to communicate openly and, to try and work through some of the issues that were existing here, by making those connections and and trying to repair relationships. So I appreciated that. Again, I think it just came down to what was best for the school district. You know, nothing personal. You just have to make the hard decisions sometimes, and that's what we were elected
to do. But I I greatly appreciate what he was has done in the last few months. And I'm guessing there's gonna be an opportunity for everyone to extend a note of gratitude like Keegan just did, I think that will go a long way. Alright. Anything else? There being nothing else, meeting oh, oh, roll call for Okay. I motion to end the meeting. Second. Barkley. Aye. Bates. Begrudgingly, aye. I don't think this follows Robert's rules of order, but I've been ordered to follow the rules of the district.
Kimbrell. Aye. Patterson. Aye. Mister Holtz. Aye. Did I did did I did everything, Candace? Sure did. Okay. Meeting of thank you all so much. Hey. You young people, thanks for coming. It's wonderful to have you here. I don't know. Just try to echo. I can I'm serious.