Apr 10, 2024 Budget Workshop

I THINK THAT CLOCKS OUR OFFICIAL TIME KEEPER.

[00:00:04]

[1. Call to Order]

WE HAVE EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT.

YOU HAVE A QUORUM. GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.

AND LET'S ALL STAND FOR OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

MR.

[2. Proposed FY25 Budget Presentation]

YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, STAFF BEING HERE.

CITIZENS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, SCHOOL SYSTEM.

JUST LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING APPRECIATE LYNETTE LOWE HERE AND OUR STAFF PUTTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET TOGETHER THIS YEAR AND ALL THE WORK THE LYNETTE AND STAFF AND ALL OF US HAVE PUT INTO IT.

THANK YOU. JUST TO GO THROUGH A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET THIS YEAR. AND YOU'LL SEE, A LOT OF THIS IS TIED TO YOUR ADOPTED VISION AND PRIORITIES THAT YOU PUT TOGETHER.

SO I TRY TO LINK VISION AND PRIORITIES TOGETHER TO OUTLINE AND TRY TO INITIATE THE VISION AND PRIORITIES YOU PUT TOGETHER AT YOUR PLANNING SESSION BACK IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR AND ADOPTED AT LAST MONTH'S MEETING.

SO THE PROPOSED FY 25 BUDGET STANDS AT $86,516,708.

THE EXPENDITURE TOTALS BROKEN OUT BY FUND ARE AS FOLLOWS.

GENERAL FUND $26,303,033.

ENTERPRISE FUND, WHICH IS YOUR WATER AND SEWER FUND $5,559,082.

BUILDING FUND AT 8,749,820.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDS, WHICH IS SOCIAL SERVICES $3,192,150.

THE SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES FUND AT $1,549,148, AND THE SCHOOL FUND AT $41,163,475. AGAIN, THE PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

OPERATING EXPENDITURES TOTAL $26,303,033.

AND AGAIN, THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES MANY OF THE ITEMS IN YOUR VISION AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES DOCUMENT THAT I HAVE ATTACHED TO THIS MEMO, AS WELL AS ADHERES TO YOUR RECENTLY ADOPTED FINANCIAL POLICY GUIDELINES.

SOME OF THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASES ON THE REVENUE SIDE PERSONAL PROPERTY GENERAL PROPOSED TO GO FROM 470 TO $5 FOR GENERAL PERSONAL PROPERTY, PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION FROM 470 TO $5 PER HUNDRED AND PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR FARM MACHINERY, 190 TO 195 PER HUNDRED.

AND WHEN WE ACCIDENTALLY DIDN'T INCLUDE THIS MOTOR CARRIERS TAX AT 220 PER 100 TO 240 PER HUNDRED.

IN TERMS OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE I PROPOSE A DECREASE FROM $0.89 TO $0.86.

AS YOU'RE ALL AWARE, THIS IS A REASSESSMENT YEAR WHICH WE'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN ASSESSMENTS.

WE GO SIX YEARS HERE.

AS YOU'RE AWARE, THE LAST REASSESSMENT WAS DONE IN 2018, PER THE NEW ASSESSMENT FIGURES, ONE PENNY ON THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE NOW EQUATES TO $213,628. THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATE WAS PREVIOUSLY SET AT $5 IN THE FY 22 BUDGET.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO HOWEVER, IT WAS LOWERED TO FOUR 60 IN THE 23 BUDGET TO OFFSET INCREASES IN VALUATIONS.

THE CURRENT RATE, AS YOU'RE AWARE, IS 470.

AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT VEHICLE VALUATIONS HAVE STABILIZED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I'M RECOMMENDING THE RATE BE SET BACK TO THE $5 RATE THAT IT PREVIOUSLY WAS IN PRIOR YEARS. AND JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, ONE PENNY ON THE $5 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATE EQUALS ABOUT $17,427. NEW PERSONNEL RELATED ITEMS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDE A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AT 3%.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE REGIONAL AVERAGE FOR SURROUNDING LOCALITIES.

AND AGAIN, I'VE TRIED TO TIE A LOT OF THIS BACK TO YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES DOCUMENT EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION, RECOGNITION AND WELLNESS

[00:05:07]

HOLIDAY BONUS FOR EACH EMPLOYEE, INCLUDING SOCIAL SERVICES.

THAT'S SLATED FOR $100 PER EMPLOYEE.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO.

EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR POSITION AGAIN, THAT'S UNDER YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES, UNDER RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY DIRECTOR POSITION.

AGAIN, THAT'S INCLUDED AS A POTENTIAL ITEM IN YOUR PRIORITY LIST UNDER ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS.

A FACILITIES MANAGEMENT POSITION.

WE DID BUDGET HALF OF THAT IN THE CURRENT BUDGET.

THE OTHER HALF IS FUNDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

PUBLIC SERVICES WORKER POSITION.

THAT'S REALLY ATTRIBUTED TO TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE DUMP SITES BETTER.

AND THAT WOULD BE A CDL POSITION.

CUSTODIAL POSITION.

WITH THE NEW COURTHOUSE COMING ON BOARD, WE'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN THAT UP RENOVATED AND NEW FACILITY.

AND WE NEED A EXTRA CUSTODIAN POSITION TO HANDLE THAT INCREASE IN RESPONSIBILITY ON BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.

ANOTHER ITEM THAT YOU INCLUDED IN YOUR PRIORITY DOCUMENT IS A COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY.

THAT WAS THE LAST ONE WAS DONE IN 2016, IF I'M CORRECT.

AND IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO CONDUCT ONE EVERY 3 TO 5 YEARS.

SO IT'S BEEN EIGHT YEARS.

SO THAT'S THAT'S WHY THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.

HIRING AND SIGN ON BONUSES FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTIES AND COMMUNICATION OFFICERS.

AGAIN, THAT'S PART OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AREA.

A LOT OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN OUR AREA FRANKLIN, SUFFOLK, EMPORIA, MANY, IF NOT MOST, ARE DOING SIGN ON BONUSES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT'S A HARD POSITION FOR DEPUTIES AND DISPATCHERS.

THAT'S A HARD POSITION, HARD POSITIONS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN.

SO I FEEL LIKE THAT'S IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHERIFF.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO, TO START TO KEEP UP WITH THE TREND ON THAT.

AND WE ALL KNOW HEALTH INSURANCE IS A BIG PIECE OF THEIR BUDGET.

AND WE HAD A PRETTY MODEST INCREASE THAT ONLY 5.1% OVERALL.

SO THAT'S PRETTY GOOD NEWS ON THAT.

IT COULD BE MUCH WORSE.

OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS AND EXPENDITURES WE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL FUND, A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SITE STUDY THAT'S TO IDENTIFY FUTURE SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT. WE'RE RUNNING LOW ON OUR NUMBER OF SITES THAT WE MARKET HERE.

SO THAT'S AN INITIATIVE WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON.

AND YOU'VE INCLUDED THAT IN YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES UNDER STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN, PLAN NEEDED FOR EXPANSION OF RENOVATION OF THIS BUILDING AND COMPLEX TO INCLUDE COURTHOUSE OVERFLOW PARKING.

THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT, I BELIEVE, IN ABOUT 9293.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOME EXPANSION NEEDS.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOME CONSOLIDATION NEEDS WITH OUR DEPARTMENT WITH OUR WHOLE STAFF HERE AND OUR DEPARTMENTS.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO GET A HANDLE ON TO.

AND IT'S INCLUDED UNDER YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES TO TO LOOK AT OUR FACILITIES.

MUCH NEEDED. WE DIDN'T INCLUDE SOME MONEY FOR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FUNDING.

THIS WAS A BIG FOCUS AREA OF DISCUSSION AT THE PLANNING SESSION.

AND IT'S INCLUDED UNDER SEVERAL OF YOUR INITIATIVES.

SO DON'T HAVE ANY SOLIDIFIED IDEAS ON THAT YET.

BUT WE DID PUT IN ABOUT $50,000 IN A LINE ITEM, JUST THAT WE COULD LOOK AT SOME STUDIES OR PROGRAMING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE VARIOUS PARTNERS.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

ONCE WE SOLIDIFY THAT GOING FORWARD.

BUT $50,000 IS INCLUDED FOR FOR THAT INITIATIVE.

WATER AND SEWER RATE STUDY.

THAT'S BOTH.

IF YOU HEARD IF YOU REMEMBER, THAT WAS DISCUSSED WITH DAVENPORT WHEN THEY CAME.

THAT'S PART OF YOUR FINANCIAL POLICY GUIDELINES AND ALSO PART OF YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES TO DO THAT.

THE IDEA IS OBVIOUSLY TO REDUCE THE GENERAL FUND'S RELIANCE.

I'M SORRY, THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS RELIANCE ON THE GENERAL FUND TRANSFER GOING FORWARD TO HAVE THAT MORE OF A AS A TRUE ENTERPRISE STANDALONE FUND GOING FORWARD. SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WE DO THAT.

VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE FUNDING.

THIS FULLY THE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FULLY FUNDS VOLUNTEER AND FIRE RESCUE AND FIRE REQUEST.

AGAIN THAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES UNDER RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY.

[00:10:01]

THE VOLUNTEERS USE THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES TO TO PROVIDE MANDATED SERVICE.

SO WE BUILT IN SOME COST THERE OR REVENUE REDUCTION ACTUALLY OF ABOUT, I BELIEVE 216,000 THAT WE ESTIMATE TO HELP OUR PUBLIC SERVICE VOLUNTEERS WITH ONE VEHICLE EXEMPTION FROM PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.

BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.

THAT'S PART OF YOUR FINANCIAL POLICY GUIDELINES.

IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN DAVID ROSE WAS HERE WITH DAVENPORT, ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT WAS TO HAVE YOUR UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE AT ABOUT 25% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND BUILD UP ANOTHER 5% IN WHAT WE CALL A BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT OVER THREE YEARS.

WE ARE BELOW THAT NOW, BUT THE GOAL IS TO BUILD THAT UP OVER TIME.

AND I BELIEVE WE BUILT IN $214,500 IN THAT LINE ITEM, AND WE WILL TRY TO BUILD THAT UP AS WE GO THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO GET IT AT THE ESTABLISHED RATE.

ON THE ENTERPRISE FUND AGAIN, THAT TOTALS $5,559,082.

AND JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, IT INCLUDES A PROPOSED $2 INCREASE TO ALL THE WATER AND SEWER RATES, AS YOU OUTLOAD OUTLINED BELOW.

THE BASE RATE FOR RESIDENTIAL WILL GO FROM 31 TO 33, COMMERCIAL RATE FROM 31 TO 33, AND PER 1000 GALLONS FOR OVER 4000 GALLONS FROM 9 TO 11 ON THE SEWER.

RESIDENTIAL RATE FROM $39 TO 41.

COMMERCIAL RATE 39 TO 41, AND THE RATE PER THOUSAND $11 TO $13.

AND AGAIN, JUST LIKE THAT FUND INCLUDES A 3% COLA INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AND THE HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE.

AND A LOT OF THIS FUND INCLUDES THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE USING, THE REST OF OUR ARPA MONEY FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLAN UPGRADES, INCLUDING THE CORTLAND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, UV SYSTEM, THE WHALE CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDING, BOYKINS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT GENERATOR, CORTLAND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, CITRUS JUICE, AGRIBUSINESS PARK, WELL SEWER PUMP STATION GENERATORS, CLEAN AND TV, THE SEWER AND BOYKINS AND RAISED THE WELL PUMPS THAT WERE REQUIRED TO DO UNDER OUR BEQ PERMIT AS WELL AS PURCHASE OF FOUR NEW TRUCKS THAT WILL BE FINANCED. THE BUILDING FUND.

THAT'S A LOT OF YOUR CAPITAL PROJECTS CURRENTLY IN THE COURTHOUSE PROJECT THAT'S GONE DOWN SINCE WE'VE COMPLETED MOST OF THE COURTHOUSE.

SO THAT TOTAL HAS GONE DOWN.

RIGHT NOW, WE PROJECTED IT AT $8,749,820.

AND BASICALLY INCLUDES A LOT OF COST WITH VEHICLES THAT WE'VE OUTLINED HERE PURCHASE OF A PUBLIC WORKS EXCAVATOR, PURCHASE OF ROLL OFF TRUCK, PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR POSITION AND PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT POSITION.

ALL FINANCED THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDS FUND.

AGAIN, IT'S $3,192,150.

AND AGAIN, MOST OF THAT IS, I THINK, 84, 85% MONEY FROM THE STATE THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

THE OTHER 15% IS LOCAL MONEY.

SCHOOL SERVICES FUND.

AGAIN, $1,549,148.

AND THIS IS AN INCREASE A LITTLE OVER 3718 OVER THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET IN TERMS OF THE SCHOOL FUND, THE PROPOSED SCHOOL FUND EXPENDITURES TOTALS $41,163,475 AND INCLUDES LOCAL FUNDING OF $13,170,741 FOR OPERATIONS WHICH IS $10,736,476 AND DEBT SERVICE COMING IN AT $2,434,265. THE PROPOSED TOTAL FOR OPERATIONS, WHICH IS $10,736,476, REPRESENTS A 5% INCREASE, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO

[00:15:05]

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S TOTAL REQUESTED BUDGET IS $42,744,553, AND THAT INCLUDES LOCAL FUNDING.

THE SCHOOL'S PROPOSED BUDGET AT $14,751,819 FOR OPERATIONS.

AND THAT THAT FIGURE WILL BE 12,000,700 AND 317,554.

AND THE DEBT SERVICE PIECE OF THAT BEING $2,434,265.

THAT'S A LOT OF NUMBERS.

BUT OVERALL THE BUDGET PROPOSED BUDGET ADHERES TO YOUR RECENTLY ADOPTED FINANCIAL POLICY GUIDELINES AND INCLUDES MANY OF THE ITEMS YOU IDENTIFIED IN YOUR VISION AND PRIORITIES DOCUMENT.

IT'LL MOVE US CLOSER TO ACHIEVING YOUR DESIRED FUTURE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IN TERMS OF THRIVING AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY, STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY, EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, AND OTHER AREAS AND CONCLUSION RECOMMENDING YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A SUMMARY OF THAT TONIGHT.

WE DO HAVE FUTURE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS NEXT WEDNESDAY AND THE WEDNESDAY AFTER THAT.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF TONIGHT IS TO HAVE OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS SPEAK, AND WE DO HAVE SEVERAL TONIGHT, STARTING WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IF YOU ALL WANTED TO JUMP INTO THAT OR HAVE ANY GENERAL QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SIR. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

[3. Budget Presentations ]

GO TO THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS.

FIRST ONE IS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

DOCTOR SHANNON, SUPERINTENDENT, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, MA'AM? WELCOME. GOOD EVENING.

I'M HONORED TO BE WITH YOU ALL TONIGHT TO PROVIDE A NEEDS BASED BUDGET ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE PAST, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND INVESTMENTS IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO THANK YOU ALL.

AS ALWAYS, WE BEGIN OUR PRESENTATIONS WITH THE VISION OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND THE VISION OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS THAT ALL STUDENTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, PRODUCTIVE, LIFELONG LEARNERS IN AN EVER CHANGING WORLD.

THE MISSION OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS THAT THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE STAFF, STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY, WE WILL ENSURE A QUALITY EDUCATION IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN AN EVER CHANGING SOCIETY.

THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL REPRESENTS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALIZED EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN THE LEARNING PROCESS.

OUR DIVISION GOALS, OUR GOAL NUMBER ONE TO EXPAND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

GOAL TWO EXPAND OUR SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE.

GOAL THREE EXPAND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RETENTION.

GOAL FOUR EXPAND COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS.

GOAL FIVE EXPAND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS AND ACQUIRE MORE FISCAL RESOURCES AND GOAL SIX EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE SCHOOL MORE EQUITABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL IS COMMITTED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, EXPANDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND GROWTH.

WE ALWAYS SEEK GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AS EVIDENCED BY THE DIFFERENT INITIATIVES AND LEARNING MODALITIES.

AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS DISPLAYED ON THIS SLIDE.

YOU SEE OUR CNA AND PERSONAL CARE AIDE STUDENTS.

YOU SEE OUR PHARMACY TECH PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A BOOK VENDING MACHINE WHICH IS AT ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

AND THEN YOU SEE ONE EXAMPLE OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL CLASSROOM.

GOAL NUMBER TWO IS EVIDENCED BY THE ADDITION OF SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS AT EVERY SCHOOL.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE SIX SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICERS AND ONE FLOATER AS WELL AS ONE SUBSTITUTE OFFICER.

[00:20:07]

SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICERS ARE CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.

THE SLIDE ALSO SHOWS OUR STUDENTS IN HAPPY AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS, WHICH IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH GOAL TWO, AND WE CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT PBIS AT ALL SCHOOLS. MEHERRIN IS SHOWING OFF THEIR NEW PE EQUIPMENT.

NOTTOWAY IS DISPLAYING THEIR POSITIVE REFERRALS AS WELL AS GIRLS ON THE RUN.

AND YOU ALSO SEE A SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER, AS WELL AS BAND MEMBERS WHO WELCOMED US BACK ON OPENING DAY.

GOAL NUMBER THREE, EXPANDING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND IMPROVING EMPLOYEE RETENTION.

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL VALUES OUR STUDENTS HAVING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTORS.

TO ENCOURAGE MORE TEACHERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM AND ACQUIRE ADVANCED DEGREES, WE OFFER REIMBURSEMENTS OF UP TO $2,000 PER YEAR FOR ANY EMPLOYEE WHO IS ACTIVELY PURSUING CLASSES, CERTIFICATION, OR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH IN THEIR AREA OF EMPLOYMENT.

WE ALSO OFFER A $500 REFERRAL BONUS FOR ANY EMPLOYEE WHO REFERS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS HIRED BY THE DIVISION.

WE HAVE OFFERED RETENTION BONUSES YEARLY TO KEEP OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF, AND WE CONDUCT IN-HOUSE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL AS IN THE SUMMER, AND THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

GOAL NUMBER FOUR, EXPANDING COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS.

WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS.

ALL SCHOOLS HAVE A STRONG TWO WAY WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WHILE THE COMMUNITY POURS INTO OUR SCHOOL DIVISION WITH RESOURCES WE TO POUR BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS RIVERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S CUPCAKE WITH COPS, AND YOU SEE THEM UP THERE.

SOUTHAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD A PAINT AND PASTRY FAMILY NIGHT.

CAPRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAD A FAMILY READING NIGHT, MEHERRIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S BOOK BINGO WITH FAMILIES, AS WELL AS OUR SCHOOL DIVISION PARTNERING WITH THE FOOD BANK AND ODU COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC.

MOST OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE HELD MONTHLY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING GRANDPARENTS LUNCH WEEK, DONUTS WITH GROWN UPS, MONTHLY PTO MEETINGS, TRUNK OR TREAT, BOOK BINGO AND FAMILY READING NIGHTS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

GO FIVE, EXPAND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS AND ACQUIRE MORE FISCAL RESOURCES.

OUR SCHOOL DIVISION IS ALWAYS SEEKING AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY, BUSINESSES, CHURCHES AND OTHER ENTITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING AND GROWTH.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GRANTS TO FUND OUR EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.

SOME EXAMPLES OF THIS ARE THE METAL DETECTORS, THE SWING CHAIR, FLEXIBLE SEATING, PICNIC TABLES.

OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDE THE NEW SCOREBOARD, NEW GYM FLOOR, NEW FIELD LIGHTS, AND ALSO ON THIS SLIDE YOU WILL SEE MISS DEVONDA GARY AND SHE'S RECEIVING A CHECK FROM ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND SHE'S A PRINCIPAL OF CAPRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

GOAL SIX EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE SCHOOL MORE EQUITABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

OUR SCHOOL DIVISION RECOGNIZES THE INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES OF EACH STUDENT.

WE OFFER VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS THROUGH CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, OUTSIDE VENTURES, AND MORE.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS GET THE BEST OF THE BEST AND EVERY AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITY.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS OUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN WHRO SPELLING BEE, WHICH ACTUALLY WAS RECENTLY TELEVISED.

FBLA AND SOME OF OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THROUGH BASKETBALL.

IN ADDITION TO OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, OUR STUDENTS ALSO EXCEL IN SPORTS.

SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BOYS FOOTBALL TEAM ADVANCED TO SEMI REGIONAL PLAYOFF GAME.

OUR BOYS WRESTLING TEAM WENT TO THE REGION'S PLAYOFF.

OUR VARSITY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS THE TRI-RIVERS DISTRICT RUNNER UP.

OUR VARSITY GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FINISHED FIFTH IN THE TRI-RIVERS DISTRICT.

OUR BOYS GOLF TEAM FINISHED SECOND IN THE TRI-RIVERS DISTRICT.

OUR GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM WON THE TRI-RIVERS DISTRICT AND OUR BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM FINISHED THIRD FOR TRI-RIVERS.

AND YOU SEE SOME OF OUR STUDENTS DISPLAYED THERE.

[00:25:04]

OUR HR AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT HAS RAMPED UP ITS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.

AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS A PICTURE OF TWO OF OUR PRINCIPALS, PRINCIPAL KEY AND PRINCIPAL WARREN, WHO WERE ACTUALLY ON THE HAMPTON ROADS SHOW.

AND THEY WERE RECRUITING ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL DIVISION ON THE HAMPTON ROADS SHOW.

AND THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER.

YOU'LL ALSO SEE THAT WE ARE ADVERTISING ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES SUCH AS ZIP RECRUITER, HANDSHAKE.

YOU'LL SEE THAT WE GO OUT TO THE COLLEGES AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A JOB FAIR ON SITE.

SO IN NOVEMBER WE WENT TO ODU.

WE DID A LUNCH AND LEARN AT NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE ALSO DID A TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR AT REGENT UNIVERSITY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A VIRTUAL FAIR.

AND THE PICTURE ON THE SIDE THERE IS PICTURES OF OUR TEACHERS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE RECRUITMENT FAIR.

OUR HR DEPARTMENT.

THEY REACH OUT TO ALUMNI FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS, AND WE TRY TO GET THE ALUMNI TO OR ALUMNI TO GO BACK TO THE SCHOOLS TO HELP US TO RECRUIT OTHER STUDENTS.

SO MANY OF THESE PICTURES, YOU MAY SEE TEACHERS OR OTHER ADMINISTRATORS, SUCH AS PRINCIPALS WHO ARE OUT AND ABOUT HELPING US TO RECRUIT.

HERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A PRINCIPAL AND A TEACHER AT ODU.

YOU SEE MISS TIFFANY MATHISON, AND THEN AGAIN, MISS ALICIA WARREN.

AND THEN WE ALSO RECRUIT, OF COURSE, ONLINE ON FACEBOOK.

AND I WON'T PLAY THAT ADVERTISEMENT THERE, BUT IT WILL PLAY.

AND THEN YOU'LL SEE IN JANUARY WE WENT TO WILLIAM AND MARY.

WE'VE ALSO DONE A LUNCH AND LEARN AT VIRGINIA TECH.

WE SET UP A RECRUITMENT TABLE AT CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY, AND THIS IS NOT THEM REACHING OUT TO US, THIS IS TWO WAY OFTENTIMES WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THE UNIVERSITIES ASKING THE UNIVERSITIES, CAN WE COME UP? CAN WE SET UP A TABLE IN YOUR STUDENT UNION SO THAT STUDENTS WILL SEE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND KNOW THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, SEEKING TEACHERS? AND HERE AGAIN, THIS IS US DOING SOME RECRUITING AT VIRGINIA TECH.

AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT NEWS.

YOU'LL SEE THAT FOR FEBRUARY, WE ACTUALLY WENT TO HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE.

WE DID CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT NEWS AGAIN, VIRGINIA STATE, VIRGINIA WESLEYAN, NORFOLK STATE, JAMES MADISON.

SO WE'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND WE'RE NOT JUST GOING ONE TIME.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING AS MANY TIMES AS WE NEED TO GO TO TRY TO, YOU KNOW, RECRUIT THE STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGE THEM, EVEN IF THEY AREN'T EDUCATION MAJORS, TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN TEACHING OUR STUDENTS.

AND IN ADDITION TO US PROVIDING FACE TO FACE RECRUITMENT, WE ARE ALSO RECRUITING ON VARIOUS RADIO STATIONS.

AND SO HERE'S A LIST OF THE RADIO STATIONS IN WHICH YOU WILL HEAR AN AD FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND THAT AD SHOULD BE RUNNING RIGHT NOW.

IT SHOULD HAVE RUN FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH APRIL.

ALL RIGHT. LOOKING AT OUR DEMOGRAPHICS, OUR DEMOGRAPHICS CURRENTLY REFLECT 52.5% MALE, 47.5% FEMALE. THE RACIAL MAKEUP OF OUR STUDENT BODY IS 54% WHITE, 39.2% BLACK, 2.5% HISPANIC, AND 4.3% OTHER.

14.9% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, AND 100% OF OUR STUDENTS CURRENTLY RECEIVE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. THE TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION WAS 2531 STUDENTS.

OUR STAFF DEMOGRAPHICS ARE.

WE HAVE 160 OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE AS TEACHERS, COUNSELORS AND LIBRARIANS.

23 OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE ADMINISTRATORS, 262 ARE SUPPORT STAFF.

54.6% OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES.

13 IS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE OF OUR STAFF, AND WE HAVE TWO NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

THIS CHART DEPICTS THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NUMBER OF SPED STUDENTS THAT WE'VE HAD FROM 2021 TO PRESENT, WHICH IS 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM NUMBER THERE, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE NUMBER OF SPED STUDENTS HAS INCREASED FROM 322 STUDENTS TO

[00:30:07]

AND WHEN I SAY SPED STUDENTS, I MEAN SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO SEE A BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBER OF SPED TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE AT AT EACH SCHOOL.

YOU'LL SEE THAT CAPRON, YOU KNOW, HAS ONE AND HAS HAD ONE THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT THEIR NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED.

MEHERRIN'S NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED ALSO AND MEHERRIN HAD TWO TEACHERS IN 2021-2022.

THEN THEY HAD THREE TEACHERS, AND THEN THIS YEAR THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TWO TEACHERS ALTHOUGH THE SPECIAL INCREASE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AT NOTTOWAY, THOSE NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 25 AND 2021-2022 TO 29, 2022-2023. AND NOW WE'RE AT 42 STUDENTS WHO REQUIRE SPECIALIZED SERVICES AT NOTTOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

AND ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES HAS INCREASED, THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS HAVE NOT MOVED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

SO YOU'LL SEE IN 2021-2022, THEY ONLY HAD ONE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, 2022-2023 THEY HAD TWO.

AND THEN AGAIN THIS YEAR THEY STILL ONLY HAVE TWO.

LOOKING AT RIVERDALE AGAIN, WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN OUR NUMBER OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS AND THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS HAS DECREASED.

AND AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SLIGHT DECREASE.

IF YOU LOOK AT LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR AND THE TEACHER NUMBER HAS DECREASED FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, AND THEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, THERE'S A SLIGHT INCREASE. AND THE TEACHER NUMBER FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR HAS DECREASED.

SO ONE OF OUR ASK IN THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO BE CENTERED AROUND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME ON THIS SLIDE.

WE ALSO OFFER ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AT SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND THIS CHART SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDENTS OR STUDENTS WHO ARE TAKING THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES.

AND IF YOU'LL NOTICE, THE RED IS 2021-2022, AND IN 2021-2022, THE MAJORITY OF OUR AP STUDENTS WERE EITHER 11TH GRADERS OR 12TH GRADERS, AND ACTUALLY USING THE WORD MAJORITY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 11TH GRADERS.

BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE ARE NOW ALLOWING OUR STUDENTS AS EARLY AS NINTH GRADE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES.

SO NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BLUE FOR 2022-2023, YOU SEE THAT WE HAD SOME STUDENTS IN NINTH GRADE, 10TH GRADE AS WELL, WHO WERE TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES, AND THEN 2023-2024, WHICH IS ORANGE.

YOU'LL SEE THAT WE HAVE MORE STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW IN NINTH AND 10TH GRADE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES.

AND MANY OF THESE STUDENTS ARE OUR OUR GIFTED EDUCATION STUDENTS.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 13 STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTENDING THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS.

AND AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TWO GOVERNOR'S SCHOOLS IN WHICH WE PARTICIPATE.

ONE IS THE APPOMATTOX REGIONAL GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL, WHICH IS LOCATED IN PETERSBURG, AND STUDENTS ATTEND FULL DAY AT THE APPOMATTOX REGIONAL GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR ACADEMICS AND THEIR FOCUS AREA.

THE TUITION COST PER SLOT IS $9,000 AND WE HAVE SEVEN STUDENTS THERE, SO WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING $63,000.

THE STUDENT FOCUS AREA IS LITERARY ARTS, TECHNOLOGY, VISUAL ARTS, AS WELL AS THEATER ARTS, AND THEN THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN NORFOLK, THE STUDENTS ATTEND A HALF DAY PROGRAM FOR ACADEMICS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN THEY ATTEND THE OTHER HALF OF THE DAY AT THE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS IN NORFOLK.

THE TUITION COST FOR THOSE SLOTS IS $4,551.75, AND CURRENTLY SIX SLOTS ARE FILLED.

SO THE TOTAL THAT WE ARE PAYING IS $31,862.25.

AND AGAIN, YOU SEE THE FOCUS AREAS, WHICH ARE VOCAL MUSIC, THEATER, WE HAVE TWO STUDENTS IN VISUAL ARTS AND TWO STUDENTS IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

THIS CHART SHOWS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN OUR DUAL ENROLLMENT DUAL CREDIT CLASSES, AND WE PARTNER WITH CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR DUAL ENROLLMENT, DUAL CREDIT CLASSES.

WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH MOUNTAIN GATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR A FORESTRY DUAL ENROLLMENT DUAL CREDIT CLASS.

[00:35:02]

IN LOOKING AT THE DUAL ENROLLMENT, DUAL CREDIT COST, THE COST PER CREDIT HOUR IS SET BY VCCS, AND IT'S $162.26. OUR SCHOOL DIVISION CURRENTLY PAYS 50% OF THE COST FOR A STUDENT TO TAKE A DUAL ENROLLMENT DUAL CREDIT CLASS IF THE CLASS IS TAUGHT BY A CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEACHER.

IF THE CLASS IS TAUGHT BY ONE OF OUR TEACHERS, THEN THE PARENTS INCUR THE COST OF $20 PER CREDIT HOUR, AND SO THAT WILL RANGE BETWEEN $60 AND $80.

IF THEY'RE TAKING A THREE CREDIT HOUR COURSE IS $60, FOUR CREDIT HOUR COURSES, WHICH ARE USUALLY SCIENCE COURSES, WOULD BE $80.

SOME OF OUR EXISTING CTE PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS ARE LISTED ABOVE.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE.

HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.

FORESTRY MANAGEMENT.

ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP. AND WE HAVE ADDED VIRGINIA TEACHERS FOR TOMORROW.

AND THAT IS A PROGRAM IN WHICH WE ARE TRAINING HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS TO WELL, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXCUSE ME, TO BECOME TEACHERS. AND SO WE'RE WORKING WITH VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY ON THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE RECEIVED A GRANT FOR JOBS FOR VIRGINIA GRADS.

AND SO WE HAVE THAT PROGRAM AS WELL.

ALSO IN OUR CTE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE CULINARY ARTS EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION AND WELLNESS INDEPENDENT LIVING.

OUR NURSE'S AIDE PROGRAM HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.

WE HAVE NURSE AIDE ONE AND TWO AS WELL AS PATIENT CARE TECH AND THEN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM, OUR DRONE CLASS CYBERSECURITY, COSMETOLOGY, ELECTRICITY.

AND OF COURSE, WE PARTNER WITH CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR WELDING AND ANY OTHER COURSES THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OFFER ON SITE.

WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE COLLEGE OR ANOTHER ENTITY TO TRY TO OFFER THOSE COURSES.

THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES US TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A NEEDS BASED BUDGET.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TONIGHT.

THE SUPERINTENDENT, WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVAL, HAS TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNING BODY AN ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DEEMED TO BE NEEDED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL DIVISION.

THE BUDGET PROCESS ENTAILS INPUT FROM THE SCHOOL LEVEL, AND MULTIPLE MEETINGS AND RATIFICATIONS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED BY OUR SCHOOL BOARD.

AND WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THERE IS THE BUDGET PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, WE SUBMIT THE BUDGET REQUEST TO THE PRINCIPALS AND THE PRINCIPALS TALK WITH THE TEACHERS, AND THEN THE PRINCIPALS GET WITH THE DISTRICT LEADERS.

THEY SUBMIT THE BUDGET BACK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.

THE SUPERINTENDENT REVIEWS THE BUDGET WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, SUPERINTENDENT, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.

WE DEVELOP AND PRESENT THE BUDGET TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THE SCHOOL BOARD COLLABORATES AND DISCUSSES THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

AND OF COURSE, THEY'LL SEND US BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

AND AFTER WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU KNOW, THEY WILL APPROVE THAT BUDGET.

BUT WE ALSO DO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET BEFORE THE BUDGET IS APPROVED BY OUR SCHOOL BOARD.

OUR BUDGET PRIORITIES ARE TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, TO PROVIDE QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION, AND TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS.

JUSTIFICATION FOR PRIORITY ONE, WHICH IS TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IS TO CONTINUE PROVIDING QUALITY TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

OUR RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TEACHERS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE WHEN ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED, AS WELL AS THAT A 10% INCREASE IN TEACHER SALARY WOULD GARNER A 5 TO 10% IMPROVEMENT IN STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

INCREASING TEACHER PAY CAN INCREASE THE TEACHER PIPELINE AND STRENGTHEN THE QUALITY OF THE FUTURE WORKFORCE.

INCREASING INCREASING TEACHER PAY WILL DECREASE TEACHER TURNOVER, WHICH ALSO INCREASES STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

INCREASING TEACHER PAY IN HIGH NEEDS DISTRICT CAN ATTRACT TEACHERS TO THOSE SCHOOLS.

INCREASING TEACHER PAY WILL ASSIST IN MAINTAINING COMPETITIVENESS.

JUSTIFICATION FOR PRIORITY TWO PROVIDING QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION.

[00:40:11]

YOU ALSO SEE, AT NOTTOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE'RE REQUESTING A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

WE'RE REQUESTING A TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE TEACHER AT RIVERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE THEY NEED A FULL TIME PERSON TO ASSIST IN THAT POSITION AT RIVERDALE.

AND IT'S ONE OF OUR LARGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

WE ALSO HAVE A NEED FOR A PARAPROFESSIONAL AT RIVERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND THAT'S FOR IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTION.

AND AT IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTION, WE TRY TO ADDRESS ANY OF OUR STUDENT BEHAVIORAL NEEDS IN HOUSE BEFORE WE START CALLING PARENTS OR, YOU KNOW, TAKING OTHER DISCIPLINARY MEASURES.

SO THIS CERTAINLY IS US BEING PROACTIVE.

WE ALSO HAVE A NEED FOR A KINDERGARTEN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT AT RIVERDALE, AND THAT'S BASED ON STUDENT NUMBERS, AS WELL AS A PARAPROFESSIONAL TO SERVE AS A PARENT LIAISON AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND A WEBMASTER TO HELP KEEP OUR WEBSITE UP TO DATE SO THAT WE'LL HAVE A MORE ATTRACTIVE FORWARD FACING WEBSITE.

AND THEN THERE'S A NEED FOR FIVE BUS AIDES.

AND THIS IS DIVISION WIDE.

AND THAT'S TO ASSIST WITH SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE ON OUR SCHOOL BUSSES.

JUSTIFICATION FOR PRIORITY THREE IS TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS, AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS EQUITY IN THE SALARY OF ALL EMPLOYEES COMPARED TO SURROUNDING AREAS BY PROVIDING A 5% MINIMUM INCREASE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND A MINIMUM WAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR ALL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES WHOSE BEGINNING SALARY IS BASED ON MINIMUM WAGE.

THIS EFFORT WILL AID WITH RECRUITING AND RETENTION EFFORTS AND HELP TO OFFSET THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS YOU THE BEGINNING TEACHER SALARY AND IT SHOWS US AS COMPARED TO FRANKLIN, SUSSEX, BRUNSWICK, GREENSVILLE COUNTY, ISLE OF WIGHT, SURREY AND SUFFOLK.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THIS SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HAS THE LOWEST BEGINNING TEACHER SALARY AT $45,900.

AND SUFFOLK'S BEGINNING TEACHER SALARY IS REALLY ALMOST $10,000 MORE AT $54,060.

AND THEN YOU'LL SEE ALL THE OTHER DIVISIONS YOU KNOW, IN BETWEEN THERE.

SO WE JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT SLIDE WITH YOU ALL.

ALL RIGHT. MISS CARR WILL TALK WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PERSONNEL NEEDS.

OKAY. THANK YOU, DOCTOR SHANNON.

AS AS DOCTOR SHANNON MENTIONED, THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE PRESENTED IS A NEEDS BASED BUDGET.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS GO OVER SOME OF THE COST FOR THE PERSONNEL NEEDS, AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER SOME OTHER CATEGORIES.

THE SALARY THAT YOU SEE HERE IS THE ESTIMATED COST WITH FRINGES FOR OUR POSITIONS THAT ARE BASED ON THE TEACHER SCALE.

AND THAT'S AT ASSUMING WE WOULD HIRE SOMEONE WITH FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE PLUS THE FRINGES.

SO THAT'S THE READING SPECIALIST AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SPECIAL ED, PRE-K TEACHER FOR DIVISION WIDE, THE SPECIAL ED TEACHER AT NOTTOWAY AND THE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE TEACHER AT RIVERDALE.

THE PARAPROFESSIONALS FOR IN-SCHOOL INTERVENTION AT RIVERDALE.

THE ESTIMATED COST IS $24,140, AND FOR THE KINDERGARTEN INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT IS BASED ON THE SAME RATE.

THAT'S 24,140 AT RIVERDALE AND THE PARAPROFESSIONAL TO SERVE AS THE PARENT LIAISON 24,140.

AND THOSE SALARIES ARE BASED ON A BEGINNING PARAPROFESSIONAL.

OUR WEBMASTER IS INCLUDED ALSO WITH BENEFITS AT $63,075 AND THE FIVE BUS AIDES AT 54,200. THE MINIMUM WAGE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA INCREASED TO $12 PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1ST, 2023, AND THE MINIMUM WAGE IS SCHEDULED TO INCREASE TO $13.50 PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1ST, 2025, AND THEN TO

[00:45:04]

107 OF OUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES ARE CURRENTLY PAID BELOW THE $13.50 PER HOUR.

68 OF THESE EMPLOYEES ARE PAID FROM THE LOCAL OPERATING BUDGET, TWO FROM VPI STATE FUNDS, AND THE REMAINING 37 ARE PAID FROM FEDERAL FUNDS.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS YOU THE EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES AND HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE IMPACTED.

THE SECRETARIES, BOOKKEEPERS AND DISPATCHERS.

WE HAVE TEN OF THOSE.

WE HAVE 42 TEACHER ASSISTANTS THAT ARE BELOW THAT 1350.

WE HAVE THREE CNAS.

WE HAVE 30 CUSTODIANS.

WE HAVE FIVE SPECIAL NEEDS DRIVERS, THREE BUS DRIVERS AND 14 OF OUR CAFETERIA STAFF THAT ARE BELOW THAT $13.50, FOR A TOTAL OF 107.

IN AN EFFORT TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN MINIMUM WAGE AND THE SALARIES OF OUR VETERAN CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES, AND TO MOVE ALL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES CLOSER TO THE FUTURE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE.

THE CURRENT BUDGET INCLUDES A 12.5% INCREASE FOR ALL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES, WHOSE BEGINNING SALARY IS BASED ON THE MINIMUM WAGE.

THE 12.5% INCREASE IS THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT $12 PER HOUR TO THE 1350 PER HOUR FOR MINIMUM WAGE.

THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE ALSO AFFECTED OUR SUBSTITUTE TEACHER PAY.

IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DEGREED SUBS ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE, THE RATE WAS INCREASED TO $100 PER DAY DURING THE 22-23 FISCAL YEAR.

ALL THE SUBSTITUTES ARE PAID BASED ON THE MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY $12 PER HOUR.

SO WE WERE REQUESTING A $60,000 INCREASE IN THIS LINE ITEM TO COVER THE COST OF THE INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE IN DEGREED SUBSTITUTE PAY.

WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A 3.5% INCREASE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS, BASED ON RATE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CHOICE.

OUR HMO PLAN WITH SENTARA, WHICH IS VERY POPULAR WITH OUR EMPLOYEES, WILL INCREASE BY 3.5% AND OUR RATES FOR ANTHEM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

THAT BUDGETED INCREASE IS 125,281.

THIS IS A LIST OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS AND THE INCREASES THAT WE HAVE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.

OUR SPECIAL ED REGIONAL TUITION IS WE INCLUDED 93,762, AND THAT IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT EXPENDITURE TREND AND THAT WE ARE PAYING CURRENTLY THIS YEAR.

SO IT WE FEEL THE NEED TO INCREASE THAT LINE ITEM ALSO PURCHASED SERVICES FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.

SO WE'VE INCLUDED THIS AND PLUS A 5% INCREASE.

WE HAVE SPECIAL EDUCATION, TRAVEL.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF $2,450.

AND THIS IS DUE TO AN INCREASE IN CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE.

OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES $1,288.

THEY NEED ADDITIONAL SETS OF EVALUATION MATERIALS.

OUR TEXTBOOKS AS AN INCREASE OF 18,007 49.

AND THIS IS DUE TO THE LOCAL MATCH FOR OUR STATE TEXTBOOK FUNDS, TECHNOLOGY, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES AND INCREASE OF 42,000 TO COVER THE LOCAL MATCH OF STATE TECHNOLOGY FUNDS. WE'VE ALSO INCLUDED $506,050 FOR OUR SOFTWARE ONLINE CONTENT PROGRAMS. THESE ARE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS FOR ACCELERATION AND REMEDIATION.

THERE, THE LAST IS THE $20,000 INCREASE FOR INTERNET SERVICES.

AND THIS IS JUST WHERE THE RATES HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER TIME.

UNDER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, WE HAVE INCLUDED A $50,500 INCREASE.

FOR THIS LINE ITEM COVERS JOB FAIRS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, BACKGROUND CHECKS, COURSE REIMBURSEMENTS, AND EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION.

EDUCATIONAL NEWS MEDIA.

WE'VE INCREASED BY $25,000.

THIS IS FOR ONLINE ADVERTISING, FLIERS, PAMPHLETS, AND DIGITAL EQUIPMENT.

ON THE LEGAL SERVICES, WE'VE INCLUDED A $35,000 INCREASE.

THIS IS LOOKING BACK AT OUR PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURES, AND WE NEED THE FEEL THE NEED TO INCREASE THIS LINE ITEM.

ALSO, FOR CONTRACTED SERVICES WE'VE INCREASED BY 29,400.

THIS IS ALSO BASED ON PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURES.

THESE SERVICES INCLUDE VSBA SERVICES, TIME AND ATTENDANCE, SOFTWARE AND TERMINALS, BOOKKEEPING SOFTWARE AND OPEB VALUATION SERVICES.

UNDER OUR OPERATIONAL NEEDS, WE HAVE INCLUDED A BUDGETED INCREASE OF 155,270 FOR FUEL COST, AND THIS IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT EXPENDITURE TREND. WE'VE ALSO INCLUDED $15,000 INCREASE IN PURCHASE SERVICES DUE TO AN INCREASE IN OUTSOURCING MECHANICAL WORK ON OUR

[00:50:07]

I WOULDN'T SAY THE CARS.

OUR SERVICE CONTRACTS, WE'VE INCREASED BY $73,000, WHICH IS AN INCREASE ALSO TO IN OUTSOURCING REPAIRS, ELECTRICAL SERVICES.

WE'VE INCLUDED 362,370 AND THIS IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT EXPENDITURE TREND AND THE WATER AND SEWER, WE'VE INCLUDED $34,027. THIS IS A LOT TO DO WITH OUTSOURCING OF WATER SAMPLING AND MONITORING.

WE'VE INCLUDED $30,250 INCREASE IN PROPERTY LIABILITY AND VEHICLE INSURANCE.

THIS IS DUE TO ANTICIPATED INCREASES DUE TO THE REASSESSMENT OF BUILDINGS AND THE REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLES AND BUSSES.

WE'VE INCLUDED A $12,000 INCREASE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS BASED ON THE CURRENT EXPENDITURE TREND.

WE'VE INCLUDED $20,000 INCREASE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR OUR FACILITIES.

THIS IS AN INCREASE IN OUTSOURCING DUE TO MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES OUR STAFF CANNOT ADDRESS, AND TO ALLOW FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND RENTALS.

THE LAST ITEM WE INCLUDE WAS $500,000 FOR MOLD MITIGATION.

THIS IS FOR PREVENTIVE AND MITIGATION SERVICES.

SO THE BUDGET RECAP.

THE FY 24 APPROVED LOCAL OPERATING BUDGET IS AT 35,613,363.

WE ARE REQUESTING 40,173,261.

THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 4,559,898, WHICH IS A 12.8% INCREASE.

OUR ESTIMATED STATE REVENUE FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET, BASED ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S APPROVED BUDGET, IS AT 25,317,142.

WE HAVE ESTIMATED TO NONRESIDENT TUITION AND FEDERAL SCHOOL OPERATING, WHICH IS BASICALLY FOR ADULT EDUCATION AT $104,300. SO THE REQUIRED LOCAL REVENUE THAT WE NEED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IS 14,751,819. OUR CURRENT LOCAL FUNDING IS 12,604,194.

SO THEREFORE OUR REQUESTED INCREASE IN LOCAL REVENUE IS 2,147,625. DR.

SHANNON. AGAIN, THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR STUDENTS, ENSURING THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX WORLD.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, AND REMEMBER THAT AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STUDENTS IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

QUESTIONS? I'M SURE THERE'LL BE SOME QUESTIONS.

I'M INTERESTED IN THE VOTECH CLASSES.

DO YOU HAVE CULINARY ARTS AND COSMETOLOGY? YES, MA'AM, WE DO.

PRESENTLY. YES, MA'AM.

WE DO. HOW MANY POSITIONS DO YOU HAVE IN THE TEACHERS IN THE VO-TECH? 16. WE HAVE 16 BUDGETED.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE ALL FILLED.

YEAH, IN THE [INAUDIBLE] YEAH, I KNOW WE HAVE 16 BUDGETED.

HOW MANY TEACHERS? 16 BUDGETED POSITIONS FOR THE CTE FOR VOCATIONAL ED.

YEAH, IN THE VO-TECH CENTER.

AND THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, WELDING, PLUMBING, WHATEVER.

YES. AND ALL THE NURSE, THE NURSING PROGRAM.

SO HOW MANY TEACHERS? I MEAN, THAT INCLUDES ALL THE AREAS THAT WE SHOWED YOU IS.

NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT, THOUGH.

HOW MANY TEACHERS DO YOU HAVE IN THAT SITUATION? PLUMBING, CARPENTRY, BRICKLAYING, MASONRY, ALL THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO PUSH AND EVERYBODY NATIONAL NATIONWIDE IS TRYING TO PUSH BECAUSE NOT ALL KIDS WANT TO GO ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.

SO HOW MANY IS THAT FUNDED? YOU HAVE THOSE TEACHERS IN THOSE POSITIONS? SO WE HAVE 16 VOCATIONAL TEACHERS.

WE DO NOT HAVE 16 TEACHERS IN CARPENTRY OR PLUMBING SPECIFICALLY.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE CLASSES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE VOCATIONAL CURRICULUM, WE HAVE 16 TEACHERS THAT ARE TEACHING COURSES THAT ARE IN THAT CURRICULUM.

MY QUESTION IS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY IN CARPENTRY, PLUMBING, ELECTRICIAN WORK.

MASONRY, CAR REPAIR.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THAT.

NO. WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE AN AN AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM.

[00:55:02]

AND AS FAR AS PLUMBING, CARPENTRY, WE DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TEACHING THOSE CLASSES.

BUT WE DO PARTNER WITH CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR WELDING.

AND WE WERE PARTNERING WITH THEM ALSO FOR THEIR ELECTRICIAN PROGRAM.

WHO TEACHES THE CULINARY ARTS.

NOW, CULINARY ARTS IS I HATE TO SAY HIS NAME.

I GUESS IT'S PUBLIC INFORMATION.

MR. EVANS IS HIS NAME.

MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, THERE SEEMS TO BE A STATE NATIONAL PUSH FOR THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION.

AND WHY DON'T WE HAVE THAT IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM? WELL, WE'VE HAD IT BEFORE.

IT'S JUST FOR DOESN'T IS NOT NOW.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHY WE DON'T HAVE IT NOW.

IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE TEACHER.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE OUR TEACHER SALARY, AS YOU SAW, WAS ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE AREA.

AND SO WHEN WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE TO COME CARPENTERS, PLUMBERS OR WHAT HAVE YOU, WE'RE ASKING THEM TO LEAVE THEIR $100,000 JOB.

AND MANY OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES TO COME AND WORK IN A SCHOOL ALL DAY FOR $45,000.

AND SO FOR MANY OF THEM, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE FOR THEM TO QUIT THEIR DAY JOB OR THEIR BUSINESS TO COME AND WORK AS A TEACHER.

SO WE HAVE ADVERTISED AND, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE NOT HAD ANY CANDIDATES WHO, YOU KNOW, WHO QUALIFY FOR THE POSITION.

ANYBODY ELSE. I DO HAVE, I THINK, JUST ONE QUESTION ANYWAY.

THE 5% THAT'S PROPOSED FOR CURRENT TEACHER RAISES IN THE COMING YEAR, DOES THAT, IS THAT 5% ALSO PROPOSED TO BE ADDED TO THE START AND TEACHER SALARY TO BRING IT UP MORE IN LINE? OR IS THERE A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL FOR STARTING TEACHER SALARY INCREASES TO BRING IT MORE IN LINE WITH THE INDUSTRY STANDARD, TO BRING IT UP FROM THE 45? RIGHT. WELL, THEY WE HAVE THE BEGINNING TEACHERS SALARY SET AT 47,500 FOR NEXT YEAR.

OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

RIGHT? OKAY. BASED ON THE SALARY OF THE SOUTHAMPTON HAS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER LOCALITIES, IT'S CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDABLE THE DIFFICULTY YOU HAVE IN RECRUITING PERSONS TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

BUT IS THERE ANY WAY THAT WE CAN THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CAN USE EXISTING EMPLOYERS MAY OFFER INTERNSHIPS IN SOME AREAS.

ELABORATE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.

YOU SAID EXISTING EMPLOYERS.

THE EMPLOYERS. OKAY. LOCAL CARPENTERS, LOCAL BRICK MASONS.

OH, SURE. YES, YES.

YES. WE JUST, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO TRY TO PARTNER WITH THEM AND SEE IF THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE WILLING.

BUT YES, I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE ELECTRICITY PROGRAM IS HIGH GROUND'S ACTUALLY FUNDED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND SO OUR STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE CLASSES AT CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR FREE BECAUSE OF A SCHOLARSHIP THAT HIGH GROUND, YOU KNOW, GAVE US.

AND SO THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE INTERNSHIPS.

AND YOU KNOW, GREAT QUESTION.

THAT'S SOMETHING FOR US TO LOOK INTO.

IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SOME OF THOSE TECHNICAL JOBS LIKE DOCTOR HILL'S MENTIONED, TO INCLUDE WELDING, ELECTRICIAN, CARPENTRY AND AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION, THAT SORT OF THING.

WE HAVE SOME VERY GIFTED PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE REACHING RETIREMENT AGE THAT RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES, AND THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED OF HELP TO CONTINUE THE BUSINESS.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRAW FROM THAT POOL OF PEOPLE THAT ARE WANTING TO WANE DOWN THEIR WORK HOURS.

FROM THE AVERAGE WORKDAY OUT THERE ON THE STREET.

AND PHASE INTO RETIREMENT AND MIGHT WANT TO PICK UP SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

IF YOU SET IT UP A MORE IN LINE WITH A THREE DAY WORKWEEK, FOR THOSE COURSES ON THREE DAYS AND PAID THEM BY THE HOUR AND REDUCE YOUR,

[01:00:02]

AND A LOT OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE SOMEWHAT AVAILABLE.

I KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES WOULD EVEN HELP YOU WITH EQUIPMENT TO TRAIN WORKERS, THAT THEY COULD TURN RIGHT AROUND AND HIRE AND HELP YOU WITH SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT AND BE MORE THAN GLAD CONSTRUCTION.

EVEN IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, THERE WAS ONE YOUNG LADY THAT IS VERY PROFICIENT WITH A MAJOR COMPANY IN THE COUNTY AND SUBMITTED A PLAN, I THINK MAYBE 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO TO TEACH SUCH A COURSE AT NO CHARGE IN THE BUSINESS FIELD.

AND SHE IS WELL QUALIFIED AND SHE WAS TURNED DOWN.

I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S BEING PURSUED IN LIGHT OF THE THE REVENUE STREAM THAT YOU'RE FACING.

AND WERE ANY OF THESE POSITIONS FUNDED AT THE LOWEST SALARY? YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO HIRE THEM, BUT THE MONEY, THE REVENUE STAYED WITHIN THE INSTRUCTIONAL CATEGORY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CATEGORICAL BUDGET.

IT'S I MEAN, WHAT YOU SHOWED US TONIGHT GOOD.

BUT IF YOU COULD PUT IT IN CATEGORICAL FORM.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE WAY WE NEED TO HAVE IT AND GET IT TO US USING THOSE SLIDES YOU JUST SHOWED.

IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW ON A POWERPOINT LIKE THAT AND EXTRAPOLATE THE FUNDS AND THE BUDGET.

IF YOU WOULD PUT IT IN CATEGORICAL FORM, THAT WOULD HELP US.

OKAY. I BELIEVE THAT YOU MAY YOU MAY HAVE THAT ALREADY, BUT I'M NOT SURE.

SO IF WE'RE GIVING A COPY..

WE CAN.

OH YEAH, OKAY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A COPY OF THAT.

NO. OKAY.

BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE SHEET HERE WITHIN THE CATEGORY.

DOES IT HAVE A HISTORY ATTACHED TO IT LYNETTE? WILL IT SAY THE LAST THREE YEAR PERIOD.

LOOK AT PAGE TWO, BEHIND YOUR AGENDA.

BEHIND YOUR AGENDA, IT SHOWS UP STARTING WITH THE FY 20 BUDGET.

IT SHOWS. IT SHOWS THE TREND BY CATEGORY AND HOW IT GIVES LOCALITIES FUNDING.

IT GIVES YOU THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF BUDGETED NUMBERS.

AND YOU SEE THE CATEGORICAL AID UP TOP.

DOCTOR SHANNON WHY THEIR LOOKING AT THAT.

OKAY. REAL QUICK, I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION.

I KNOW THAT OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAD PARTNERED WITH INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS VCU TO OFFER PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUNG TEACHERS THAT ARE LOOKING TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION WITH, LIKE A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WHILE THEY'RE TEACHING IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THEY'RE ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH THE COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING THE BENEFIT OF THEIR THEIR TEACHING SKILLS WHILE THEY'RE GETTING THE BENEFIT OF ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE THIS LAST YEAR OR WE HAVEN'T LOOKED INTO IT OR WE'RE ACTUALLY OUT OF IT.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT MY WHEELHOUSE.

THAT'S OKAY. BUT WE'RE ALREADY DOING THAT ACTUALLY, WITH VCU, THEY GAVE US $50,000 AND THAT'S TO FUND TWO POSITIONS. AND SO WE ACTUALLY STARTED MIGHT HAVE BEEN LAST YEAR, THE YEAR BEFORE.

BUT WHAT THEY DO IS WE'LL GET LIKE A PARAPROFESSIONAL WHO HAS A BS DEGREE BUT WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO TEACH.

AND THEN THEY GO TO VCU AND THEY UTILIZE THAT $25,000 TO PAY THEIR TUITION.

AND THEN WE GET THE BENEFIT OF A HOMETOWN PERSON BEING ABLE TO THAT'S RIGHT COMING BACK.

YES, SIR. AND I THINK VSU, VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR.

AND SO WE'RE IN TALKS WITH THEM ALSO.

GOTCHA. THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

AND MR. GILLETTE, I DID WANT TO ADD REGARDING THE THREE DAY WORKWEEK PAID BY THE HOUR.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONSIDER.

AND OUR BUDGET COMMITTEE, ONE OF OUR LAST MEETINGS TOGETHER, WE TALKED ABOUT CAMPS AND TRYING TO REVAMP HOW WE DO SUMMER

[01:05:08]

AND WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR BUSINESS OR, YOU KNOW, COME AND JUST WORK AND TAKE THE TEACHER'S PAY FOR A FULL YEAR.

HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE TALK WITH THESE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT THEY MAY BE WILLING TO COME AND DO MAYBE A TWO WEEK PROGRAM IN THE SUMMER OR A FOUR WEEK PROGRAM IN THE SUMMER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR BUDGET COMMITTEE SUGGESTED.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR THE SUMMER.

AND WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO LET THEM SET THE HOURS? IF YOU FIND BUSINESSES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THIS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE OUT THERE ESPECIALLY IN AIR CONDITIONING, REFRIGERATION, ELECTRICAL AND, AND LET THE BUSINESS DRIVE YOUR HOURS AND TO, TO WORK IN, TO WORK INTO THEIR PLANS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF RETIREES OUT THERE THAT ARE VERY TALENTED IN THIS COUNTY.

AND THE ONES I'VE TALKED TO ARE WILLING TO HELP.

THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

GOOD TO KNOW. BUT AS FAR AS THEM SETTING THE HOURS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE RURAL.

AND SO WE PROVIDE THE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL.

EVEN IN THE SUMMER, WE PROVIDE THE TRANSPORTATION.

SO IF WE HAVE MULTIPLE BUSINESSES AND THEY ALL WERE SETTING DIFFERENT HOURS, THEN IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE STUDENTS THERE WHEN THEY NEED TO BE THERE.

IF EVERY BUSINESS IS SETTING DIFFERENT HOURS.

BUT I DO THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TALK WITH THEM ABOUT.

THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT THE HALF $1 MILLION FOR MOLD MITIGATION WILL BE LIKE A ONE TIME EXPENSE TO REMEDY THE ISSUES THAT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, OR DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WILL BE LIKE A FROM NOW ON? KIND OF.. I REALLY KEEP THINGS UNDER CONTROL FROM HERE ON OUT.

I REALLY THINK THAT IT'S WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING CONTINUOUSLY WITH, WITH MOLD MITIGATION IN OUR SCHOOLS. I KNOW SINCE ABOUT 2017, WE'VE HAD ISSUES EVERY SUMMER WITH, WITH MOLD AND WE, YOU KNOW, WE REDID THE FLOORS AND EVERYTHING AND THE VOCATIONAL CENTER.

SO I WAS REALLY SURPRISED THIS YEAR WHEN I HEARD THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD MOLD IN THE BUILDING OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

SO IT IS AN ONGOING COST THAT WE ANTICIPATE AND REALLY MORE FOR PREVENTATIVE AND YOU KNOW, MITIGATION SERVICES AS OPPOSED TO US JUST, YOU KNOW, DOING MOLD REMOVAL OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WANT TO BE MORE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING THAT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

OH, I'M INTERESTED IN THE VO-TECH CLASSES.

IT. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO TWO OF THOSE VO-TECH CENTER? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

IF YOU ALL WOULD JUST LET US KNOW.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WANT TO COME BY OR WHAT HAVE YOU, AND JUST REACH OUT TO THE CENTRAL OFFICE.

YEAH. AND WE'LL GIVE YOU GUYS A TOUR.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I THINK WHAT WE'RE ALL SAYING IS WE'RE EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN THIS VO-TECH THING, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF REPORT FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT'S BEING DONE ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE WE THINK IT OUGHT TO BE PUSHED IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY AND GIVE YOU THE MONEY, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.

THESE KIDS ARE AREN'T GOING TO COLLEGE AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET GOOD JOBS LIKE SUPERVISOR GILLETTE SAID.

SO I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE DON'T WANT TO LET THIS DISCUSSION DROP TONIGHT.

IT WON'T. I'M AN ADVOCATE OF VOCATIONAL SERVICES, YOU KNOW, AND I, TOO, BELIEVE THAT NOT ALL STUDENTS ARE GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE, YOU KNOW, AND THERE ARE VERY GOOD JOBS IN THE VOCATIONAL AREA, VERY GOOD SALARIES THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN HAVE.

SO, I MEAN, WE'RE ON THE SAME TEAM WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VO-TECH.

SO YOU KNOW, I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE CAN DO TO TRY TO GET TEACHERS ON BOARD TO YOU KNOW, TO RAMP UP OUR VOCATIONAL PROGRAM.

WELL, IT USED TO BE A THRIVING DEPARTMENT.

IT STILL IS THRIVING.

THE THING IS THAT THE TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED.

SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE WE USED TO NOT HAVE DRONES, WE USED TO NOT HAVE CYBERSECURITY.

WE USED TO NOT HAVE PHARMACY TECH.

YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT HAVE HAD NURSE AIDES BEFORE, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE BROUGHT BACK.

SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT HAS MORPHED BASED UPON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SOCIETY AND

[01:10:10]

HOWEVER, WE DO BELIEVE THAT HAVING YOU KNOW, STUDENTS WHO CAN OPERATE A DRONE AND RECEIVE INCOME FROM THAT OR RECEIVE, YOU KNOW, A JOB VIA PHARMACY TECH, BECAUSE WHEN I GO GET MY MEDICINE, I HAVE STUDENTS THAT I KNOW WENT THROUGH OUR PHARMACY TECH PROGRAM WHO ARE WAITING ON ME.

STUDENTS WHO, YOU KNOW, ARE AT THE NURSING HOMES DOING INTERNSHIPS WITH NURSING.

SO, I MEAN, IT'S, IT IS STILL A THRIVING PROGRAM, BUT SOCIETY HAS CHANGED SOME.

SO THE NEEDS HAVE CHANGED SOME.

YOU KNOW, WE USED TO NOT HAVE COMPUTER SCIENCE.

IT USED TO NOT BE A REQUIREMENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, NOW THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IN OUR CURRICULUM.

AND SO AS THE CURRICULUM CHANGES AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT LEVEL, WE ARE ALSO CHANGING TO SOME OF THE COURSE OFFERINGS.

BUT I STILL SAY I DO BELIEVE IN CARPENTRY, IN ALL OF THOSE OTHER CLASSES.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IT'S A PLACE FOR ALL OF IT THERE.

WE JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE TEACHERS TO TEACH IT.

ANYBODY. I HAD ONE OTHER QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF A PARENT LIAISON THAT YOU HAVE? OH, THE PARENT LIAISON WOULD BE SOMEONE WHO WOULD JUST WORK DIRECTLY WITH PARENTS.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ONE DIVISION LEVEL NOW, BUT THAT PARTICULAR PERSON IS PART TIME.

YOU KNOW, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS ONE OF THOSE GRADES WHERE CHILDREN ARE TRANSITIONING.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING STUDENTS FROM FOUR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WHO ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND SO WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IT'S AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

AND SO WITH THAT PARTICULAR DYNAMIC, WE DO HAVE A COUNSELOR PER GRADE, A PRINCIPAL PER GRADE, BUT EVEN AT HAVING COUNSELORS AND PRINCIPALS PER GRADE, WE STILL COULD UTILIZE THE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO WORK WITH OUR FAMILIES.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS IN AN EFFORT FOR US TO INCREASE OUR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, AND TO JUST, YOU KNOW, BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND PROACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES.

SO THEY WILL JUST WORK DIRECTLY WITH WITH THE PARENTS.

HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? I HAD ONE A LOT OF US ON THE BOARD HAVE BEEN TALKING.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALL VERY INTERESTED IN EDUCATION.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF OUR BUDGET.

WHAT IS ABOUT 55% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO THE SCHOOLS.

AND WHILE WE HAVE YOU TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO ASK THE THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TOUR OF THE SCHOOLS, A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE HIGH SCHOOL AND SEE IF YOU COULD ARRANGE THAT FOR US. OKAY.

AND WOULD YOU LET ME KNOW ABOUT THAT? SURE. YES, SIR.

OKAY. YES, SIR.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING? OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON. MR. CARL HECHT, FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

MR. CARL HECHT, PRESIDENT AND CEO.

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR EDWARDS, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CITIZENS, IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE AND BACK AGAIN.

SO. THE CLICKER WORKS.

THE AS YOU KNOW, FICDI IS A FIVE MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

MEGAN COUNCIL IS OUR CURRENT CHAIRPERSON.

WE HAVE A STAFF OF THREE FULL TIME AND ONE PART TIME PERSON AS THE CITY, THE COUNTY, FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON CHARITIES AND THE CAMP FAMILY FOUNDATION CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO US.

THIS IS THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR WE'VE KEPT FUNDING REQUESTS STABLE AT $100,000.

AS I MENTIONED, THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ALLOWS US TO STRETCH THE FUNDING AND RETURN MONEY BACK TO THE MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH LAND SALES. ONE LAND SALE IS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS PARK.

THE FRANKLIN BUSINESS CENTER HAS REACHED 100% CAPACITY IN DECEMBER FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ITS HISTORY, AND WAS THERE FOR MOST OF OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 15 PEOPLE IN THE STARTUP PROGRAM, AND WE'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN RETAIL AND A VARIETY OF WAYS, AND TAXABLE RETAIL SALES WERE UP.

OUR MAIN FOCUS AREAS REMAIN BUSINESS ATTRACTION, WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO LOCATE HERE AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, NEW BUSINESSES, BUSINESS RETENTION EXPANSIONS.

BEEN ACTIVE WITH A NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN THE AREA, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, WHICH WE WORKED ON THROUGH THE ARPA TOURISM VIDEO AND SOME OTHER

[01:15:07]

WITHIN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, LIKE SOME NEW PROJECTS, WE ARE THE WATER PROJECT THAT'S GOING IN THE BUSINESS PARK, THE MOTOR SPEEDWAY OPEN MAYBERRY EMPIRE PRIZES TOOK OVER THE FORMER VALLEY PROTEIN SITE OUT IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.

WE'VE BEEN ACTIVE WITH THEM.

JOB CREATION OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS RESULTED IN ABOUT $226 MILLION OF NEW INVESTMENT, INCLUDING THE VARIOUS PROJECTS AROUND AND THE CREATION OF CLOSE TO 300 JOBS.

LIKE I SAID, WE RUN THE FRANKLIN BUSINESS CENTER.

ABOUT 20% OF OUR TENANTS ARE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY RESIDENTS.

THEY'RE WELCOME IN THE CENTER, AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 34 BUSINESSES THERE THAT RANGE THE GAMUT OF ALL KINDS OF OFFICE SPACE.

THERE IS SOME VACANT SPACE, SO PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO START.

WE DO HAVE SPACES AVAILABLE.

LIKE I SAID, WE WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESS.

WE HAVE BROUGHT THE HAMPTON ROAD SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BACK TO THE BUSINESS CENTER.

THEY WERE DOING VIRTUAL DURING COVID, BUT THEY NOW COME REGULARLY, SO PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THEM, LIKE I SAID.

SO START UP AS WELL AS THE MICRO LOAN PROGRAM ARE ALSO ACTIVE.

WE MENTIONED THAT IT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

12 BUSINESSES RECEIVED PRIZE MONEY, NOT AT THISTLE WHEN CORTLAND WAS THE ONE LAST YEAR FROM THE COUNTY.

AND WE ALSO HAD WEST WELLNESS, WHICH LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FRANKLIN.

CHIROPRACTIC BUSINESS THAT STARTED AROUND SIX, IS ONGOING.

THE PITCH NIGHT IS MAY THE 9TH AND THE AWARD CEREMONY WILL BE ON MAY 16TH.

BUSINESS RETENTION EXPANSION WAS ACTIVE THIS YEAR WITH SEVERAL BUSINESSES.

AND VIVA OBVIOUSLY WAS ONE OF THOSE.

BUT WE MET WITH AND WE CONTINUE TO MEET WITH AS THEY, YOU KNOW, WORK THROUGH THEIR FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. BUT WE WORK WITH OTHER MORE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES AS WELL THIS YEAR.

BUT WE THAT IS PART OF WHAT BRNE DOES IS TRY TO WORK WITH COMPANIES THAT ARE IN TROUBLE, AS WELL AS ONES THAT ARE GOING FORWARD.

THE BROADBAND INITIATIVE HAS MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE'RE THEY'RE WORKING AT A PACE OF ABOUT FIVE MILES A DAY, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT MOST OF IT WILL BE DONE IN THE SUMMERTIME.

THEY'VE GOT TO GO BACK.

AND ONCE THE BIG, BIG PODS ARE DONE, THEY'VE GOT LITTLE AREAS THAT THEY'VE GOT TO FILL IN HERE AND THERE THAT THEY COULDN'T REACH.

SO THAT'LL TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

BUT THEY'RE, THEY HAVE GOTTEN TO THE SOUTH AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

SO TOURISM WE DID THE ARPA TOURISM VIDEO THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE THAT LAUNCHED YESTERDAY.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, TAKE A LOOK AT IT ON THE VISIT.

FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON SIDE.

FSCVI'S NEW WEBSITE WILL LAUNCH TOMORROW.

TO ALLUDE TO THE SCHOOL THING, THAT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT EVERY FEW YEARS GOES OBSOLETE.

SO WE HAD TO REPLACE IT.

WE ARE PART OF THE SALTY SOUTHERN ROUTE, AND WE HAVE BOOTHS BOTH AT CITY AND COUNTY EVENTS TO PROMOTE THE AREA AND THE REGION.

OUR ANNUAL EVENTS, WE DID AGS AND ISSUES.

WE DO HAVE A BREAKFAST COMING UP FOR NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK.

WE'RE TRYING TO BRING BACK A NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK EVENT.

SO THAT WILL BE ON MAY THE 3RD AT THE BUSINESS CENTER.

AND EVERYONE IS INVITED TO THAT.

WITH THAT, WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WE WORK WITH THE LOCAL JOB FAIRS, AND WE PARTICIPATE WITH A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS, THE HAMPTON ROADS ALLIANCE, AS WELL AS THE VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE FRANKLIN, PROMOTE SOUTHAMPTON.

OUR BOARD ADOPTED A STRATEGIC PLAN TWO YEARS AGO.

WE CONTINUE TO REVISIT THAT.

THE PRIORITY FOCUS ON OUR STAKEHOLDERS BUILDING INDUSTRIES, SUPPORTING STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, ENSURING MAXIMUM ATTENTION TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, AND CREATING APPROPRIATE SPACES AND SITES FOR GROWING BUSINESSES.

IN FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON, WE ADDED COMMUNITY VISIONING PROCESS THIS YEAR THAT MR. THROWER AND DOCTOR EDWARDS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH, THAT HAS BROUGHT A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS TOGETHER AND HAS CREATED SUBCOMMITTEES THAT ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON AREAS IN EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY UPLIFT, TOURISM AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SO THE IDEA HERE IS TO KIND OF UPDATE WHAT WAS DONE 20 YEARS AGO IN FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON FUTURES AND CREATE AN ACTIONABLE REPORT THAT WILL KIND OF TAKE THE NEXT STEPS FORWARD AND PROJECTS THAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY.

OUR MAIN ACTIVITY, CONTINUING MOMENTUM WITH RECENT PROSPECTS, WHICH WE HAVE SEVERAL HOTEL ATTRACTION, REMAINS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR US ACTIVELY MARKETING AVAILABLE PROPERTIES.

[01:20:01]

AND FINISHING THE EXISTING PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE.

SO WITH THAT, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

SO I'LL BE GLAD TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

ANY QUESTIONS, MR. HECHT? ANYBODY.

THANKS, CARL. THANK YOU.

OKAY BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY.

YOU SKIP ONE.

BEN NEAL.

GREETINGS DOCTOR EDWARDS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

MY NAME IS BEN NEAL, I'M DIRECTOR OF BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY, AND THIS IS DONNA POPE.

SHE'S THE MANAGER OF THE ROYALS LIBRARY JUST DOWN THE STREET.

JUST WANT TO UPDATE YOU ON SOME OF THE THINGS THE LIBRARY IS DOING AND REASSURING YOU THAT THAT WE'RE SPENDING TAXPAYERS MONEY AS WELL.

WE WORK WITH THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE WORK WITH THE LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WE WORK WITH HOMESCHOOL GROUPS AND YOU SEE A PICTURE OF A RECENT PRE-K VISITS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS.

WE WERE RECENTLY WITH MISS WHITEHEAD AND AT GATHERINGS FOR THE EASTER BUNNY BONANZA.

AND SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS WITH YOU, WE LOST A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH BRONCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED 1000 BITS FOR KINDERGARTEN, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.

AND IF A CHILD COMPLETES IT NOW, THEY GET A VOUCHER FOR A FREE $25 STARTER ACCOUNT WITH THE BRONCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BUS CLUB, WHICH IS OUR EARLY FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM.

SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO ENCOURAGE EARLY LITERACY AND EARLY FINANCIAL LITERACY.

SINCE JULY 1ST, WE'VE HAD OVER 14,000 LIBRARY VISITS TO THE COURTLAND BRANCH, WHICH IS UP 7% YEAR OVER YEAR.

CIRCULATED OVER 27,000 ITEMS, HAD 95 OUTREACH EVENTS OUT IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, REACHING OVER 3600 PEOPLE.

EVEN THOUGH THE BROADBAND IS HERE, THANKS TO MISTER HECHT.

WE STILL HAVE A TON OF PEOPLE USING OUR WI-FI, CHECKING OUT HOTSPOTS, USING OUR IN-HOUSE COMPUTERS, AND WE PROVIDED A 176 PROGRAM SINCE JULY 1ST, REACHING OVER 5500 PEOPLE.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LIBRARY CARD YET, PLEASE SIGN IT.

SCAN THE QR CODE AND YOU WILL BE REGISTERED FOR A FREE DIGITAL CARD.

YOU'LL HAVE INSTANT ACCESS TO OVER A MILLION EBOOKS.

AND NOW MISS POPE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

WE OFFER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS.

WE ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY TO OFFER THINGS THAT WE FEEL LIKE IS BENEFICIAL TO EACH ONE OF THOSE GROUPS.

THIS LOCAL FLAVOR RIGHT HERE SHOWS WE HAD BACK IN THE FALL.

WE HAD ELIJAH BARNES COME IN.

HE SPOKE ABOUT BEING A FOURTH GENERATION PEANUT FARMER AND BEING AN INNOVATOR FOR KEEPING THE TYPE OF HARVESTING THAT HE DOES.

AND HE HAS ALSO PARTNERED UP WITH THE FOOD BANK IN FRANKLIN, AT IZZY'S FIELD, AND TO PRODUCE GOODS THAT GO DIRECTLY TO OUR FOOD BANK HERE.

WE HAD LIKE TO BRING AUTHORS IN, WE LOVE SHOWCASING AND ENGAGING OUR LOCAL PEOPLE.

BEST SELLING AUTHOR NANCY NAGLE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES.

AND I MIGHT ADD THAT NOW SHE IS LOCAL, SHE HAS MOVED TO THE AREA.

SHE COMES IN AND A LOT SOME OF HER BOOKS WERE MADE INTO HALLMARK MOVIES AND VERY, VERY ENGAGING.

LIKE I SAID, USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR.

WE RECENTLY, LAST MONTH HAD DOCTOR LATOYA FAISON COME IN AND DO A WRITING AND PUBLISHING WORKSHOP FOR US.

IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.

IT TOOK YOU STRAIGHT THROUGH THE PROCESS HOW TO GET IT ON PAPER, HOW TO PUBLISH, EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

AND WE IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.

WE. SINCE MISS DOCTOR FAISON HAS BEEN HERE, WE HAD DOCTOR PARSONS COME IN AND DO A REVIVE WORKSHOP THAT TAUGHT YOU HOW TO RESPOND AND RECOGNIZE AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, IN THESE TIMES, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO.

WE HAD A LOT OF STAFF FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS COME.

[01:25:02]

IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SELF-DEFENSE PROGRAM AT THE LIBRARY WHERE CERTIFIED MMA INSTRUCTOR.

AND WE ALSO PARTNERED UP WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THEY'RE COMING TO TEACH TECHNIQUES TO TEENS, ADULTS ABOUT SELF-DEFENSE.

WE HAVE STANDING PROGRAMS EVERY MONTH FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS.

TODAY WAS OUR PAWS TO READ PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A LOCAL THERAPY DOG COME IN AND THE KIDS GET TO READ TO THE DOG.

IT'S AMAZING.

WE HAVE A LOCAL BOOK CLUB THAT MEETS ONCE A MONTH.

WE HAVE AN ADULT CRAFT PROGRAM THAT MEETS ONCE A MONTH.

AND WE HAVE A STEM PROGRAM AND A TEEN PROGRAM, AND EACH OF THOSE HAVE THEIR OWN NIGHTS.

WE ALSO HAVE AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT WE KIND OF REVAMPED THIS YEAR.

IT USED TO BE LIKE AFTERNOON MOVIE, BUT WE'RE OFFERING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AND IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF Y'ALL KNOW WHAT A SQUISHMALLOW IS.

YOU GOT TO HAVE GRANDKIDS TO KNOW, BUT IT WAS VERY POPULAR.

THEY GOT TO BRING THEIR OWN AND DESIGN, DRAW ONE AND DESIGN IT.

WE JUST HAD A MINECRAFT PROGRAM.

WE'VE GOT A DOLL BALL COMING UP NEXT MONTH, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SUPERHEROES AND STUFF.

SO THAT'S BEEN VERY POPULAR FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL KIDS.

SUMMER SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

WE DO THAT EVERY SUMMER.

OURS KICKS OFF JUNE 25TH AND IT RUNS THROUGH JULY 30TH.

WE'RE PARTNERING UP WITH A LOT OF OUR LOCAL, OUR COMMUNITY AGAIN THIS YEAR.

OUR KICK OFF IS GOING TO BE A TOUCH-A-TRUCK EVENT AT THE LIBRARY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR OWN VERSION OF THE BRL SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MAGIC SHOW PUPPETS, THE FORESTRY PARKS.

FORESTERS ARE COMING IN TO PRESENT A PROGRAM, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PETTING ZOO.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE CHRISTMAS IN JULY WITH THE GRINCH.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN SUMMER FOR THE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

GIVE THEM SOMEWHERE TO GO LOCAL, NOT GOING TO COST THEM ANYTHING.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO LEARN.

IT'S EDUCATIONAL AS WELL.

BEFORE I JUMP INTO THE LIBRARY OF THINGS, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE MAKE A STRONG EFFORT TO GET OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OUTREACH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WHEREVER THERE'S AN EVENT, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE US THERE.

WE'VE PARTICIPATED IN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, SPONSORED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

WE'VE GONE TO CHILDREN'S CENTER, CHURCHES, YOUTH EXTRAVAGANZAS.

WE'VE PARTNERED UP WITH SMART BEGINNINGS, AND AND WE'RE OUT THERE WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE EVERYBODY CANNOT GET TO US.

ALL RIGHT. LIBRARY OF THINGS.

I THINK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I MENTIONED THIS.

IT WAS RELATIVELY NEW.

OUR COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER CREATED THIS NEW COLLECTION OF THINGS THAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT AT THE LIBRARY.

SOME OF OUR NEW THINGS ARE PICTURED.

WE'VE GOT LET ME BACK UP.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THINGS FOR SIX WEEKS.

TRY IT BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND BUY IT, SEE IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON.

WE RECENTLY JUST CATALOGED 2 OR 3 SEWING MACHINES, AND THEY STAY OUT.

THEY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST IT MAKES SENSE.

SO OUR NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTION OF THINGS, AS WE'VE CATALOGED A BUNCH OF STEM KITS FOR KIDS, LIKE THE MINI MICROSCOPE KIT, THE WE'VE GOT THESE NEW GAMES LIKE LADDER GOLF AND PICKLEBALL AND BOCCE BALL AND ROCK IDENTIFICATION KITS, AND THAT'S BEEN VERY POPULAR.

FOSSIL AND ROCK IDENTIFICATION KITS.

AND THE ADULT THINGS THAT WE HAVE ADDED, WE ADDED AN ICE CREAM MAKER, LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE ICE CREAM FOR THE 4TH OF JULY.

USE OURS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.

IT'S A GREAT COLLECTION AND WE OFFER IT.

AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE A LIBRARY CARD TO GET IT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES. SUMMER PROGRAM FOR KIDS.

[01:30:02]

WE HAVE THE THE PUPPETS AND THE MAGIC IS OBVIOUSLY IT ENGAGES THE SMALL ONES TOO.

BUT THE WE HAD OUR FIRST TOUCH-A-TRUCK LAST YEAR AND THE DAYCARES AND THE SUMMER CAMPS, AND EVERYBODY BROUGHT ALL THOSE KIDS, SO THEY WERE UP TO, LIKE, TEEN AGE.

I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT ALL OF THEM CAN ENJOY.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE SNAKES THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE THE SNAKES COMING, BUT THEY'RE COMING TO THE FRANKLIN BRANCH.

YEAH, THAT'S A VERY GOOD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

SO THEY'LL BE IN FRANKLIN TOWARDS THE END OF THE SUMMER.

OKAY. WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

OUR EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE UP THERE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. LATER.

THE MAP. IF ANYONE EVER ASKED YOU WHO USES THE LIBRARY.

EVERYONE DOES, WHETHER YOU LIVE IN NEWSOMS, GREENVILLE OR IVOR ON THAT MAP.

JUST. I CAN'T CUT FRANKLIN OUT, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE RED DOT IS SOMEONE THAT'S USED THEIR LIBRARY CARD IN THE LAST YEAR.

SO WHERE OUR PATIENTS ARE FROM ALL OVER, NOT JUST HERE IN COURTLAND.

AND THANK YOU. AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

IT'S LIKE THAT END OF THE COUNTY'S NOT DOING SO HOT.

THAT END OF THE COUNTY'S NOT DOING SO WELL.

NOT SO MANY PEOPLE. IT'S NOT PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE.

PEOPLE THERE. YEAH.

MAYBE WE CAN WORK ON THAT WITH SOME OUTREACH.

OKAY. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH OKAY.

THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU.

OKAY. SMART BEGINNINGS, LORRAINE WHITE, MISS WHITEHEAD.

REAL SMART BEGINNINGS.

I DON'T HAVE A POWERPOINT, BUT I HAVE A HANDOUT OF THE POWERPOINT BECAUSE THERE'S SOME INFORMATION IN THERE THAT WAS A LITTLE SENSITIVE THAT I DIDN'T.

GENERAL PUBLIC. SO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

IS THAT EVERY DAY? OKAY. WE ARE NOW KNOWN AS EARLY CHILDHOOD WESTERN TIDEWATER.

WE HAD TO HAVE A NAME CHANGE AS THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TOOK OVER THE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. OUR WORK IS FOCUSED ON OUR CHILDREN, THEIR HEALTH LITERACY, AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE WANT TO FIGHT LOCAL POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS ON OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY.

I HAVE SOME PICTURES THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND SIX OF DIFFERENT AREAS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.

AND THIS IS JUST A SMALL REFLECTION OF THE POVERTY, SOME OF THE POVERTY.

ON SLIDE NUMBER SIX, WHEN I SHOW THIS TO PEOPLE, I'M SORRY, THEY'RE NUMBERED AS SLIDES.

IT WOULD BE PAGE TWO.

SLIDE NUMBER SIX.

WHEN I SHOW THIS PICTURE TO PEOPLE, THEY GO, NOBODY LIVES THERE.

THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS A CHILD GOING INTO THAT TRAILER.

THERE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT ENTITIES SUCH AS THE RED CROSS WILL NOT GO INTO THAT AREA.

AND I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS WILL ONLY GO IN THERE IF THEY HAVE POLICE ESCORTS.

I HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD SAYING, WHOM SHALL I SEND, AND WHO WILL GO FOR US? THEN I SAID, HERE I AM, SEND ME.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES BY MANY PEOPLE THAT I'M CRAZY TO GO INTO THE POVERTY POCKETS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.

BUT THAT'S WHERE MY MISSION HAS LED ME.

FOR WE HAVE, I HAVE.

WE HAVE 72 CHILDREN THAT LIVE THERE.

HOW COULD I NOT GO IN THERE? BUT I DON'T GO IN THERE ALONE.

SMART BEGINNINGS, EARLY CHILDHOOD, WESTERN TIDEWATER.

WE CARRY THE COMMUNITY WITH US NOW, I BELIEVE THAT I, OVER THE LAST 6 OR 7 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN SMART BEGINNINGS, EARLY CHILDHOOD, THAT I INTEND TO BE A BRIDGE TO TAKE THE COMMUNITY IN THERE.

THE FIRST SLIDE ON PAGE THREE, SLIDE NINE, THAT SHOWS I'VE GOT THE FOOD BANK GOING IN THERE.

SLIDE TEN. I'M GETTING RESOURCES FROM THE STATE I TAKE IN THERE.

SLIDE 11 SHOWS GATHERINGS IN SOCO.

THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER FOR US IN ALLOWING US TO HAVE EVENTS WHERE OUR CHILDREN FROM THE MEADOWS CAN WALK, CAN WALK RIGHT INTO THE SOCO AREA AND VIVA ON PAGE THREE, SLIDE 12, AND VIVA COMES IN AND THEY

[01:35:08]

THEY, THEY GIVE OUT ABOUT 200 TURKEYS AND THE FIXINGS EVERY YEAR.

THEY'VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER WITH US.

ON PAGE FOUR YOU SEE BRIAN THROWER, WHO SUPPORTS US THERE ALSO HE'S WITH THE ODU HEALTH BUS, AS YOU SEE ALSO ON THAT PAGE.

WE GOT THE FOOD BANK OUT THERE LIKE WITH INDIVIDUALS NOT JUST GIVING OUT FOOD, BUT THEY'RE PROMOTING THE FOOD BANK FOR THE COMMUNITY ON PAGE FIVE.

IT'S JUST AS THEY SAID EARLIER, YOU SEE THE LIBRARY OUT THERE, YOU SEE THE ODU HEALTH CENTER BUS.

WE'VE GOT THEM COMING OUT THERE ON PAGE SIX.

JUST SOME MORE PICTURES OF US INTERACTING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

SLIDE NUMBER 24 ON PAGE SIX.

THAT'S THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE.

I PROMISED THEM THAT I WOULD LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THOSE GIFTS THAT THEY THAT ARE IN FRONT OF THE SNOW QUEEN ON THAT PAGE THE THE CHILDREN TOOK UP THERE FOR US TO GIVE OUT TO OUR CHILDREN IN THE UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS.

PAGE SEVEN SHOWS US FACILITATING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDER WORKSHOPS.

WE INCLUDE CPR CERTIFICATIONS AND SOME OF OUR TRAININGS.

WE PROVIDE CRIBS FOR CENTERS AND FAMILIES.

AND ONE OF OUR MOST EXCITING NEWEST PROJECTS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH.

HAVE YOU ALL NOTICED THAT OUT IN FRONT OF THE FOOD LION IN COURTLAND, GRACE'S LITTLE ANGELS HAS SET UP AN INFANT DAYCARE.

WE RESOURCED THE CRIBS AND THE MATERIALS FOR THAT TO OPEN UP.

FOR THAT TO BE THERE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST NEEDS IN THE AREA WAS FOR INFANT DAYCARE.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A WORKFORCE IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY TO TEND TO THE CHILDREN AND SOMEBODY THAT'S QUALITY AND DEPENDABLE THAT YOU CAN TRUST AND GRACES LITTLE ANGELS IS DEFINITELY THAT.

WE PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED PRE-K CURRICULUM, AND WE PROVIDE WORKSHOPS FOR THE PROVIDERS.

WE HAVE OUR OWN CLASS OBSERVER FOR AREA LOCAL RATINGS FOR OUR CENTERS.

AND THIS IS REQUIRED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND WE'RE JUST SO EXCITED THAT WE HAVE OUR ORANGE GREEN THAT WORKS WITH US.

SHE IS CERTIFIED IN BOTH INFANT AND TODDLER AND PRE-K.

WE WORK WITH HEAD START AND THE FAMILIES IN HEAD START.

WE WORK WITH LOCAL CHURCHES.

AND THEN ON PAGE NINE IS SOME PICTURES OF THE DAYCARES.

WE THE SLIDE 36 SHOWS OUR PARENT WORKSHOPS THAT WE DO TO HELP PARENTS WITH ACTIVITIES THAT THEY CAN DO AT HOME TO INCREASE THEIR LEARNING POTENTIAL OF THEIR CHILDREN.

I'M GOING QUICKLY BECAUSE I KNOW Y'ALL ARE TIRED.

YOU GOT TO BE.

ANYWAY, SLIDE 37 SHOWS THE OBC HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION GRANT THAT WE GOT THAT HAS EARLY LITERACY KITS FOR THE PARENTS TO WORK WITH THEIR SUMMER DURING THE SUMMER FOR TRANSITION BETWEEN PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN.

AND THEN 39 AND 40 ARE JUST SOME OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES, ESPECIALLY LIKE EVERY CHILD, EVERY CHILD HAS IT.

BIRTH A GREATER POTENTIAL INTELLIGENCE THAN LEONARDO DA VINCI EVER USED.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TO GET THERE.

I MEAN, YOU ALL KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT OF OF CHILDREN.

ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE ABILITY TO BECOME AWESOME.

NOW, GOING TO YOUR CTE THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, I AM GOING TO TELL YOU.

MR. THROWER PRESENTED YOUR VISION FOR THE ROTARY.

WAS IT LAST WEEK? WEEK? LAST WEEK? MY HEART JUST GREW WINGS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN PRETTY MUCH PREACHING ABOUT FOR THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE WITH 47 YEARS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, YOU KNOW, I TALK ABOUT WE TALK ABOUT THE POVERTY CYCLE.

WELL, OUR ORGANIZATION HELPS THE THE PARENTS TO GET OR HELPS THE CHILDREN BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

WELL, WHAT WHERE THE BREAKDOWN I HAVE DISCOVERED IS WHEN THEY GET BACK UP TO THE TOP END AND GET READY TO GRADUATE.

WE HAVE. OKAY, OKAY.

LOOK AT JUST TO SHOW YOU ON CHART NUMBER 41.

THIS SHOWS THE INCARCERATION RATE OVER LET'S SEE, FROM 1940 TO 2 TO

[01:40:02]

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IN THE UNITED STATES AND VIRGINIA AROUND 1980? YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS.

YEAR, I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

YEAH. WOO HOO! THEY TOOK CTE OUT OF BEING A PRIORITY IN SCHOOLS.

AND THEY ALSO NO LONGER LET OUR STUDENTS DROP OUT AND GO IN THE ARMY.

YOU HAD TO HAVE A COLLEGE GRADUATION.

YOU HAD TO BE A COLLEGE. EXCUSE ME? YOU HAD TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE TO GET INTO THE ARMY AND NAVY, TO GET IN ANY OF THE ARMED FORCES.

SO YOU COULDN'T DROP OUT AND GO IN THE ARMY? NOTICE THE INCREASE IN INCARCERATION RATE SINCE THAT TIME.

IT'S SCARY.

IT'S IT.

THEN HERE'S THE OTHER THING.

FINANCIALLY TALK ABOUT LOCAL POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY.

EACH INMATE COSTS BETWEEN IN THIS ON THIS CHART IT SAYS $60,000.

BUT THIS WAS FROM 2013, 2014.

IT'S BETWEEN 85 AND $100,000 PER INMATE NOW.

AND WE ONLY THE STATE ONLY SPENDS ABOUT $8,000 TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.

NOW I'M GOING TO SKIP OVER TO SLIDE NUMBER 44.

65% OF THE INMATES DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THEY DID NOT GRADUATE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY CTE CERTIFICATIONS.

SO SO THAT'S WHY I WAS JUST SO EXCITED THAT YOU ALL SAW THAT ALSO THAT I MEAN, TO ME, THIS IS THE KEY.

CTE IS THE KEY TO BREAKING THAT POVERTY CYCLE.

SO FAR, JUST GETTING OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL AND READY FOR SCHOOL HAS.

THIS IS YEAR 47.

THE POVERTY CYCLE HAS NOT BEEN BROKEN.

IF ANYTHING, IT'S IT'S WORSE.

I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU ALL ARE INVOLVED IN, LIKE, THE CTE.

IT'S INCARCERATION, CHILDREN, PEOPLE DROPPING OUT, NOT GRADUATING.

IT'S ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S COSTLIEST PROBLEMS. THE UNDER THE UNEMPLOYMENT, THE INCARCERATION RATES.

IT'S SCARY.

ON ANY GIVEN DAY, ABOUT ONE IN EVERY TEN YOUNG MALE HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS IS IN JAIL OR JUVENILE DETENTION.

THE PICTURE IS EVEN BLEAKER FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS, WITH NEARLY 1 IN 4 BLACK MALE DROPOUTS INCARCERATED OR OTHERWISE INSTITUTIONALIZED ON ANY AVERAGE DAY.

SEE, I LOOK AT THESE.

I DON'T JUST LOOK AT THESE AS PEOPLE.

I LOOK AT THESE AS MY CHILDREN.

WHAT I SAY, SHE SAID I TAUGHT THEIR GRANDMA.

THESE ARE MY CHILDREN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I MEAN, WE LOVE EVERYONE, EVERY ONE OF THEM.

AND THEN TO SEE THAT WHEN THEY GET TO THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, YOU KNOW, I START LIKE EARLY CHILDHOOD WHEN THEY GET TO THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM AND IT BREAKS MY HEART. AND AGAIN, LIKE I SAID ON SLIDE 44, 65% OF ALL INMATES DID NOT GRADUATE OR HAVE ANY CTE DEGREE.

SLIDE 46, PAGE 12.

IT'S A LONG QUOTE, SO I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE THING, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK.

READ THE COST TO VICTIMS. MICHAEL HERRING, FORMER COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND, GIVES THE FOLLOWING STATISTICS.

CHILDREN FROM POVERTY WHO DO NOT ATTEND A QUALITY PRE-K PROGRAM ARE 70% MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT A VIOLENT CRIME BY AGE 18.

WHILE THE STATISTICS INDICATE AN ECONOMIC BURDEN ON THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE ALSO MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE EMOTIONAL COST TO THE VICTIMS BECAUSE FOR EVERY ONE OF THEM, THERE'S GOING TO BE A VICTIM.

AND THEN IT TALKS ABOUT EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

AND I JUST PUT THOSE SLIDES IN THERE FOR YOU.

BUT ON SLIDE 49, PAGE 13, OUR DESIRE FOR ALL CHILDREN IS THAT THEY LEAVE SCHOOL HAVING A HAVING IDENTIFIED A TALENT, A SKILL AND INTELLIGENCE THROUGH WHICH THEY CAN BECOME WHATEVER THEY WANT TO BE.

AND IT BEGINS IN PRE-K, BUT IT DOESN'T END IN PRE-K.

IT HAS TO GO, LIKE YOU SAID, ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO TO BECOMING GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, YOU KNOW, AND ONE OF THE BIG PUSHES WITH THE STATE OF VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW IS TALKING ABOUT, LIKE, HOW MANY CHILDREN DON'T COME TO SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM AND THAT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

AND LIKE WITH ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BOTHERS ME IS THE SOLS AND HOW YOU HAVE TO PASS FOUR PLUS TWO SOLS TO GRADUATE, WHETHER YOU WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE OR WHETHER YOU JUST WANT TO BE AN AUTO MECHANIC OR A CARPENTER OR SOME OF THE OTHER JOBS THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT BOTHERS ME THAT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING Y'ALL CAN DO ABOUT IT, BUT THAT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES YOU TO KNOW WHAT

[01:45:06]

DO YOU ALL KNOW WHAT ESTIVATION IS? AMAZINGLY, I MADE IT THROUGH A MASTER'S DEGREE WITH A 4.0 FROM UVA AND NEVER KNEW WHAT ESTIVATION WAS, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE SOLS.

SHE TOLD ME ESTIMATION IS THAT ESTIMATION, EXCAVATION.

ESTIVATION. OKAY.

IT'S WHEN FROGS GO IN THE MUD IN THE WINTERTIME.

I KNOW. RIGHT. BUT IT'S AN SOL.

SO I HAVE NOT ONLY ARE YOU ALL PUSHING THE CTE, BUT DOCTOR CARTER WITH FRANKLIN CITY SCHOOLS, I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HEARD THEY'RE SHUTTING DOWN JP KING, AND THEY'RE GETTING READY TO TURN THAT INTO A CTE CENTER, WHICH I'M JUST ECSTATIC ABOUT THAT.

BUT ON THE VERY LAST PAGE, I JUST HAVE TO BRAG.

WE DO HAVE A CTE PROGRAM WITH SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.

I JUST LIKE YOU DESIRE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, EXPAND IT TO WHAT IT WAS WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL.

I MEAN, YOU ALL CAN REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL, I MEAN, THE THE YOUNG MEN ESPECIALLY JUST WERE ABLE TO LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL WITH A WITH A SKILL AND A JOB.

SO WHAT IS EXCITING TO ME, THOUGH, IF YOU SEE SLIDE 50 FOR SOME OF OUR FORMER STUDENTS STARTED WITH CTE IN THEIR IN THE NURSING PROGRAM AT SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT SLIDE THERE, WHICH IS WHERE BRIAN THROWER ALSO WAS WHEN HE CAME OUT TO OUR EVENT OUT AT GATHERINGS IN SOCO.

THEY ARE NOW WORKING WITH CAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN ODU ON OUR RN DEGREES.

SOME OF THEM ARE SITTING RIGHT THERE UNDER THAT TENT RIGHT NOW.

SO I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THERE IS NO GREATER REWARD THAN TO WORK FOR SOMEONE'S WORK THAN TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE.

I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TASKED TO DO THIS GENERATION TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY LIFE.

AND I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THAT THIS JOB, WHETHER IT WAS BEEN MY 47 YEARS WITH SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL, WITH SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS OR WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD WESTERN TIDEWATER, IT HAS BEEN.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THERE BEING ANY ANYTHING MORE REWARDING ON THIS PLANET TO DO THAN TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION, AND YOU ALL HELPED ME BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND IT'S MY SOUL FOOD.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LET ME LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING.

IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WHAT I THINK THE BOARD WAS CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ASPECT OF EDUCATION AND PUSHING THE TRADES, YOU SEE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

I SEE THAT AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND I'M NOT IT STARTED THE DOWNSIZING OF CTE.

WHAT DID WE CALL IT, VO-TECH OR TECHNICAL EDUCATION BACK IN THE DAY? I MEAN, YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU COULD GO TO SCHOOL FOR HALF THE DAY AND THEN YOU COULD GO, WAS IT WORK STUDY TYPE THING, GO OFF AND DO A JOB BACK IN OUR DAY, YOU KNOW, AND THAT THAT PREPARED YOU SO THAT WHEN YOU LEFT SCHOOL YOU WERE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED.

AND LIKE I SAID, STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, YOU SEE WHERE THEY'RE GOING NOW THE STATE.

OH, I DON'T I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I ALREADY SAID THIS, BUT REMEMBER, THE THING ABOUT YOU COULDN'T DROP OUT AND GO IN THE ARMY FINALLY, ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THREE WEEKS AGO, MAYBE A MONTH AGO, THEY REVERSED THAT.

THEY FINALLY SAW THE COUNTRY REVERSED THAT IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR CHART THAT SHOWED THE EXPLOSION IN PRISON INCARCERATION RATE JUST PRIOR TO THAT, THEY DID AWAY WITH THE DRAFT.

AND MY THEORY IS WE NEED TO REINSTITUTE THE DRAFT.

LET LET THEM CHECK.

HAVE THEM TWO OPTIONS.

KOREA OR STATESIDE.

EVERYBODY PULLS THE SAME BASIC TRAINING.

AND THEN THEY GO INTO KOREA OR STATESIDE SERVICE.

THE ONES THAT STAY STATESIDE WORK UNDER THE MILITARY.

AND YOU CUT YOU DO AWAY WITH FEMA, YOU DO AWAY WITH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THERE'S ABOUT 3 OR 4 AGENCIES YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH.

AND THEY WILL BE.

THEY WILL BE TRAINED.

IT'LL BE THOUSANDS OF THEM, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM.

AND THEY'LL GET THEIR TRAINING FOR TWO YEARS.

[01:50:01]

I MEAN, ALL THOSE TRADES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, PLUS TECHNICAL TRAINING.

AND THEN WHEN YOU HAVE A KATRINA, YOU CAN FLOOD NEW ORLEANS WITH 50,000 TROOPS TO FIX IT UP IN A HURRY.

AND, AND AND THAT'S YOUR JOBS PROGRAM.

THEN WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR SERVICE THEY ARE READY TO BE HIRED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND I MY CONTENTION IS IF YOU PUT IT ON GRAPH PAPER, YOU'LL SEE WE'RE SPENDING THE SAME MONEY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ADD TAXES TO THE PEOPLE.

YOU'LL SPEND THE SAME MONEY AND COME OUT WITH YOUR WORKFORCE.

ALL OF, NOW THEY'RE ALL LOCKED UP.

SO. BUT EVERYBODY SIGN UP.

YOU WANT TO BE STATESIDE OR YOU WANT A CAREER.

AND THEN AFTER BASIC, YOU GO TO ONE OF THOSE TWO, THE ONES THAT STAY STATESIDE, GET THE GET THE TRAINING AND SERVICE FOR TWO YEARS TO THE COUNTRY AND THAT YOU HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE COUNTRY THEN, AND YOU DON'T SIT AROUND AND LOOK AND DRUM UP REASONS WHY YOU HATE THE COUNTRY.

YOU'RE VESTED, YOU BECOME VESTED IN THE COUNTRY, AND YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH ABOUT THREE OF THOSE, MAYBE FOUR OTHER THREE LETTER AGENCIES THAT THAT ARE NOT OR FOUR LETTER NOW FEMA.

YOU. YOU WON'T NEED THEM.

YOU'LL BE. YOU'LL BE DOING THEM.

AND LOOK AT THE REVITALIZATION THAT YOU CAN DO IN RURAL AND AREAS THAT ARE DYING.

YOU CAN REBUILD THEM AND YOU'LL HAVE LIKE THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS USED TO DO.

YOU'LL HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO IT.

AND AND THEY'LL HAVE THE JOBS.

THEY CAN GO OUT AND START THEIR OWN BUSINESS, DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO.

BUT ANYWAY, THAT THAT'S WHAT THAT GRAPH, THAT'S WHAT THAT GRAPH SHOWS ME.

IF YOU HAD, IF YOU HAD MONEY BESIDE IT, ALONG WITH THE ANOTHER GRAPH WITH THE MONEY THAT'S SPENT IN THOSE AGENCIES.

I MEAN, WE PUT A MAN ON THE MOON WITHOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IT WASN'T EVEN AROUND. WELL, THE PUSH TO GET RID OF OR DOWNSIZE THE CTE AND MAKE EVERYBODY COLLEGE READY WAS A VIRGINIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT DID THAT? YEP. EXCUSE ME.

THEY DID THAT. I HAVE SUCH BAD ALLERGIES.

I'M NOT CRYING.

THIS IS ALLERGIES.

ANY QUESTIONS? QUESTION. COULD YOU GO OVER PICTURE NUMBER FIVE ON HERE? CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. IT LOOKS LIKE Y'ALL CAN'T SEE IT.

THERE'S ABOUT 40 BUZZARDS SITTING ON A..

YES. THAT IS THE PLAYGROUND.

OR WAS THE PLAYGROUND AT THE TRAILER PARK, BUT SOUTHAMPTON MEADOWS, SOUTHAMPTON.

IT'S BEEN TORN DOWN NOW.

BUT THAT WAS THE PLAYGROUND THERE.

AND I DID HAVE $300,000 OPPORTUNITY FOR GRANT MONEY FROM OBC HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO TO REDO THAT PLAYGROUND, TO PUT UP A PAVILION, EXCUSE ME, AND TO PUT UP A COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH ARE AT THAT TIME, LAWYERS IN VIRGINIA BEACH SAID THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED.

SO THAT WHERE WHERE A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN, IF YOU LOOK AT SLIDE SIX, IF YOU RIGHT BESIDE THAT, IF YOU SEE THAT THE UNDERPINNING IS GONE FROM THE SIDE OF THAT TRAILER, THERE'S TOYS UNDER THERE.

SO THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE PLAY AREAS.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? WE WENT OUT THERE THE OTHER DAY, ME AND WILLIAM HART.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I LOVE THOSE.

I LOVE ALL THE CHILDREN, BUT MY HEART GOES OUT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU.

ALL I'VE GOT I'VE GOT TO SAY ALONG YOUR LINE.

AND I'M NOT, I'M NOT GOING TO MINCE WORDS ABOUT IT.

I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE SCHOOL BOARD'S PRESENTATION.

IT SEEMS TO ME THEY WANT TO IGNORE THE TRADES THAT WE NEED.

THEY WERE MADE THE STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS A NEW WAY, NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS.

AND I THINK THE BOARD, WE NEED TO FIND SOME WAY TO SET ASIDE SOME SORT OF MONEY DELEGATED ONLY FOR THAT, BECAUSE GETTING NEW BUSINESSES IN HERE, THEY NEED ELECTRICIANS, THEY NEED CARPENTERS, THEY NEED BRICKLAYERS.

AND I THINK WE'RE SORELY NEGLECTING THAT.

AND I WISH THAT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA WOULD ALTER THEIR SOL PROGRAM SO THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT

[01:55:08]

AND I WISH THAT THEY WOULD PUT MORE FUNDING IN EMPHASIS ON OF THE CTE, CTE PROGRAM ALSO.

I MEAN, YOU LIKE I SAID, MY HEART JUST WENT GREW WINGS WHEN HE DID HIS PRESENTATION AND AND WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CTE VISION FOR THE FUTURE. THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE DOWN TO OTHER GROUPS.

I THINK WE HAVE.

YOU SKIPPED OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

EXCUSE ME? COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

DID WE MISS THAT? YEAH.

SEE? OH, OKAY.

WE OKAY? OH, BETH, I DIDN'T MEAN TO OVERLOOK YOU.

SHE'S BEEN PATIENTLY QUIET.

MISS LEWIS IS RETIRING AFTER THIS MONTH, SO THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE THIS EVENING.

I'M NOT NEARLY AS UPLIFTING AS MISS WHITEHEAD.

AND I DO NOT HAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.

BECAUSE NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT TALL GRASS AND JUNK CARS LOOK LIKE.

YOU ALL KNOW WHAT TALL GRASS AND JUNK CARS LOOK LIKE.

OUR DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST THAT WAS DELIVERED TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE INCLUDED A NEW POSITION, A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INSPECTOR THAT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS DELIVERED TO YOU.

BUT I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO MAKE THE PLEA IN PERSON.

WHAT DID YOU CALL? CODE INSPECTION? CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTOR.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

YES, WE HAVE THE INSPECTION STAFFING TODAY IS LEE GRAY, WHO WAS JUST APPOINTED AS THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, WHO WILL ALSO BE THE PLAN REVIEWER UNTIL THAT JOB GETS FILLED.

AND HE'S ALSO THE FILL IN BUILDING INSPECTOR, BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE BUILDING INSPECTOR AND EVERYBODY GETS SICK NOW AND THEN OR GOES ON VACATION.

THERE'S ONE PLAN REVIEWER WHEN WE GET THE POSITION ADVERTISED AND FILLED AND ONE BUILDING INSPECTOR, WILLIS SCOTT.

HE ALSO HELPS ME WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTIONS.

THE PERMIT TECHNICIAN, SHEILA BAKER, IS A HALF EMPLOYEE, HALF IS PAID BY INSPECTIONS AND HALF IS PAID BY PLANNING.

SO IN THE INSPECTION SECTION, WE HAVE THREE AND A HALF FTES.

EVEN IF ALL THE POSITIONS ARE FILLED, THAT'S ONLY THREE AND A HALF FTES FOR A 602 SQUARE MILE COUNTY.

AN INSPECTOR CAN EASILY SPEND TWO HOURS A DAY DRIVING, JUST MAKING INSPECTIONS, DEPENDING ON WHERE THE INSPECTIONS ARE.

AVERAGE INSPECTIONS ARE 10 TO 12 INSPECTIONS A DAY.

THAT COULD BE 10 TO 12 DIFFERENT ADDRESSES OVER 602MI².

THEY PLAN THEIR ROUTE TO BE MOST TIME EFFICIENT, BUT REGARDLESS, IF YOU HAVE TO GO FROM COURTLAND TO PROCTOR'S BRIDGE ROAD TO LITTLE TEXAS TO THE AND THE SMITHS FERRY ROAD BACK TO COURTLAND, THAT'S A LOT OF DRIVING IN A DAY. THE PLANNING STAFF REMAINS TWO AND A HALF FTES.

THE DIRECTOR, THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER AND HALF MISS BAKER SALARY.

NOTE THAT WE WERE IN FRANKLIN.

THE DEPARTMENT CONSISTED OF TEN EMPLOYEES TO SERVE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TEN.

IT WAS NOTED DURING THE TRUE UP THAT WAS DONE EVERY QUARTER WITH MISS LOWE FOR SEVEN YEARS, 75 TO 85% OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THOSE TEN EMPLOYEES WAS ON BEHALF OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.

THAT WOULD SEEM TO REQUIRE SEVEN AND A HALF TO EIGHT AND A HALF PEOPLE.

WE RETURNED TO THE COUNTY WITH FIVE AND A HALF FTES.

WHEN THE PLAN REVIEWER POSITION IS FILLED AND MY POSITION IS FILLED, WE'LL HAVE SIX FULL TIME EMPLOYEES IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE MOST WE'VE HAD IN ALMOST FOUR YEARS.

THAT'S STILL FEWER FTES TO SERVE THE COUNTY THAN WE HAD WHEN WE WERE IN FRANKLIN FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE NUMBER OF NUISANCE COMPLAINTS CONTINUES TO INCREASE AND THE COMPLAINTS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO ABATE.

FOR EXAMPLE, A COMPLAINT ABOUT TALL GRASS REQUIRES UP TO FOUR VISITS TO THE SITE.

BEFORE A CONTRACTOR CAN BE CALLED TO CUT THE GRASS.

IF THE OWNER DOESN'T COMPLY.

MOST NOTICES THESE DAYS HAVE TO BE HAND DELIVERED BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL NOT ACCEPT A CERTIFIED LETTER AND THE NOTICES HAVE TO BE TAPED TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO PUT IT ON OR IN THE MAILBOX.

SO WILLIS TAPES IT TO THE HOUSE.

A REPORT OF AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE TAKES 3 OR 4 VISITS BEFORE WE CAN CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT AWAY, AND SOMETIMES THE PROPERTY OWNER JUST MOVES IT TO A NEW ADDRESS, AND THEN THE PROCESS STARTS OVER.

BECAUSE THE NOTICE OF VIOLATION IS ABOUT THAT CAR.

[02:00:02]

DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS AND TRASH COMPLAINTS TAKE MONTHS TO ABATE, AND MAY END UP GOING TO COURT WITH AT LEAST AS MANY VISITS AS TALL GRASS.

THE COMPLAINTS ARE INCREASING, THE EFFORT NEEDED TO ABATE, EACH NUISANCE CONTINUES TO INCREASE, AND AN ADDED STAFF MEMBER THAT HANDLES CITIZEN GENERATED COMPLAINTS FULL TIME AS THEIR ONLY JOB IS IMPERATIVE.

OUR DEPARTMENT GETS CALLS TO SETTLE DISPUTES BETWEEN NEIGHBORS, BETWEEN TENANTS AND LANDLORDS, BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS, BETWEEN PROPERTY OWNERS AND THEIR CONTRACTORS, BETWEEN PROPERTY OWNERS AND THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES.

EVEN THE ONES THAT WE CAN LEGALLY HELP TAKE AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF TIME.

CITIZENS COMPLAIN WHEN THEIR NEIGHBOR DOESN'T MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTY, RIGHTFULLY SO.

I CAN EASILY SEE WITH THE INCREASED ASSESSMENTS, PEOPLE WILL FEEL EVEN MORE JUSTIFIED IN EXPECTING PROPERTIES AROUND THEM TO BE MAINTAINED.

IF YOUR HOUSE VALUE HAS INCREASED 25, 40, 50% IN SIX YEARS, YOU EXPECT THAT YOUR NEIGHBOR IS NOT GOING TO LET THEIR PROPERTY HAVE FOUR FOOT TALL GRASS, GRASS AND FIVE JUNKED CARS TO KEEP UP.

TODAY, OUR DEPARTMENT NEEDS A FULL TIME CODE ENFORCEMENT OR NUISANCE INSPECTOR TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO DO MORE THAN TO JUST ANSWER COMPLAINTS AND ADDITIONAL INSPECTOR WOULD BE NECESSARY, BUT THAT WILL BE A REQUEST FOR NEXT YEAR.

THIS INSPECTOR IS JUST FOR WHAT WE DO NOW, AND THAT'S ONLY TO ANSWER TO COMPLAINTS.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE PROACTIVE.

MR. SCOTT AND I HAVE BEEN TAG TEAMING FOR YEARS, BUT THAT ISN'T ENOUGH ANYMORE.

BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, WHICH IS PRIME GRASS GROWING TIME, THERE'LL BE AT LEAST 10 TO 12 NEW HOUSES A MONTH THAT ARE ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS, ALONG WITH THE TYPICAL SWIMMING POOLS AND DECKS AND GARAGES AND ADDITIONS.

MR. SCOTT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH NUISANCE COMPLAINTS.

WITH ALL THAT AS HIS WORKLOAD, HE AVERAGES 180 INSPECTIONS A MONTH.

YOU ADD 40 OR 50 INSPECTIONS A MONTH TO 10 TO 12 NEW HOUSES, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND HIM AN EXTRA WEEK, A MONTH TO WORK.

OUR CALENDAR ISN'T ELASTIC.

THERE'S ONLY SO MANY DAYS IN A MONTH.

YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE DILEMMA.

WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STAFF, NUISANCE ABATEMENT WILL HAVE TO DECREASE.

PLEASE NOTE JUST AS WITH LEE GRAY MOVING INTO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL POSITION, HE STARTED AS A BUILDING INSPECTOR, WHICH DOES NOT NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE. YOU START AS A BUILDING INSPECTOR, HE TOOK ALL THE CLASSES, HE MOVED UP TO BE A PLAN REVIEWER.

HE TOOK ALL THE CLASSES AND HE MOVED UP TO BE THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.

WE WOULD LIKE THIS NUISANCE CODE INSPECTOR TO DO THE SAME THING.

START AS A NUISANCE CODE INSPECTOR, AND THEN MOVE UP TO BE THE BUILDING INSPECTOR, BECAUSE MR. SCOTT IS GOING TO RETIRE AT SOME POINT.

HE'S JUST, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY RETIRES.

AND JUST AS WE WERE ABLE TO GROW MR. GRAY INTO BEING THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, WE WOULD LIKE TO GROW A NUISANCE INSPECTOR INTO BEING A BUILDING OFFICIAL, A BUILDING INSPECTOR.

I KNOW NO ONE IN THIS ROOM WANTS TO SEE TALL GRASS, JUNK CARS FALLING DOWN, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES STREWN WITH DEBRIS, DEBRIS AROUND EVERY BEND, IN EVERY ROAD.

EVEN THE ADDITIONAL INSPECTOR REQUESTED IN THIS BUDGET REQUEST WILL STILL RESULT IN A SMALLER STAFF THAN THE EQUIVALENT WE HAD WHEN WE WERE IN FRANKLIN, BUT IT WILL HELP KEEP THE STAFF'S HEAD ABOVE WATER.

I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

YEAH. TOWNS VERSUS COUNTY.

DOES THIS INCLUDE TOWNS OR JUST RURAL? IT INCLUDES JUNK CARS.

IS COUNTYWIDE.

TALL GRASS AND TRASH AND DEBRIS.

THE TOWNS HAVE THEIR OWN AND FALLING DOWN BUILDINGS IS COUNTYWIDE.

SO TRASH AND DEBRIS AND TALL GRASS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SIX TOWNS.

BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY COUNTYWIDE.

I COUNTED TODAY THERE ARE 70 SOME NUISANCES LISTED IN THE NUISANCE SECTION OF THE COUNTY CODE.

NONE OF THESE NUISANCES ARE IN THE BUILDING CODE.

THE BUILDING CODES. CHAPTER 18.

THE NUISANCE CODE IS CHAPTER TEN.

SO NONE OF THESE ISSUES ARE ZONING ISSUES.

[02:05:03]

AND WHAT'S THE OTHER ONE, ANYHOW? AND THAT'S JUST TRADITION.

THERE IS NO REASON THAT SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS TO ENFORCE TALL GRASS, BUT THAT'S JUST HOW IT'S BEEN TRADITIONALLY.

BUT THERE IS DR.

HORTON HAS BOUGHT ALL THE EMPTY LOTS, BUT ONE IN THE SANDY CREEK SUBDIVISION.

SO THEY HAVE BOUGHT 10 OR 11 LOTS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED TURNING IN APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS.

THERE'S A BUILDER IN PINE, SURVIVOR, WHO WAS PURCHASED THE LAST 5 OR 6 EMPTY LOTS IN PINES OF IVER.

THEY'VE STARTED TURNING IN BUILDING PERMITS.

THERE'S JUST WELL, WE'LL HAVE 10 OR 12 NEW.

HOME BUILDING PERMITS A MONTH, AND EACH OF THOSE BUILDING PERMITS HAS PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PERMITS ALONG WITH THEM.

A HOUSE IS 40 OR 50 INSPECTIONS, SO THERE'S JUST NOT ANY WAY TO FOR THE STAFF TO KEEP UP WITH TALL GRASS AND JUNK CARS WHEN THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS IS GROWING LIKE IT IS.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS COMMENTS.

SO I SEE ON THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

REQUEST IS 553.

IS THAT NOT COUNTING WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT'S THAT POSITION GOING TO PAY EXTRA POSITION.

STARTING PAY.

I WOULD EXPECT IT WOULD BE LESS THAN THE BUILDING INSPECTOR POSITION BECAUSE IT DOESN'T NEED AS MUCH CERTIFICATION.

BUT. WITH PERHAPS A SALARY STUDY WOULD TELL.

OKAY. PART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT NO, IT'S NOT.

THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF POSITIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT THE STUDY THAT THE COUNTY DID BACK IN 2016.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE LED TO TRYING TO DO A SALARY COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY TO HAVE THOSE POSITIONS AND INCLUDED, I EXPECT UPPER 40S.

YEAH. OKAY, ALONG WITH THE.

HEY, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT POSITION.

WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION OR WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THAT AS A CODE ENFORCEMENT INSPECTOR? YOU'D NEED A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR A GED, BUT YOU WOULD GET YOUR TRAINING ALONG THE WAY.

AND FOR MUCH OF THE TRAINING, THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA PROVIDES THAT WHEN PEOPLE GET A BUILDING PERMIT OR ANY OF THE PERMITS FROM US, THE STATE REQUIRES THAT WE ADD A 2% SURCHARGE, WHICH GOES TO THE STATE WHICH PROVIDES TRAINING FOR THE INSPECTORS.

ANYBODY ELSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. I'VE GOT THAT DOWN.

NEXT IS OUR NATIONAL PASTIME, SOUTHAMPTON SUSSEX BASEBALL LEAGUE.

MR. JAKE POPE.

POPE HERE. THAT'S NOT OKAY.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE PETE CAMP HERE, MR. PHILLIP BRADSHAW, AND I'LL OPEN THE FLOOR.

WELCOME, SIR. THANK YOU.

CHAIRMAN EDWARDS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

I AM PHILLIP BRADSHAW.

I'M THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE COLLEGE AND THE OPERATIONS MANAGER.

AND I SEND REGARDS FROM DOCTOR MCCRAY.

HE WAS IN RICHMOND FOR OTHER BUSINESS TONIGHT, AND HE WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND.

SO I'M GOING TO JUST TALK TO YOU AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND YOUR SUPPORT IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

WE HADN'T ASKED FOR AN INCREASE.

I THINK PRIOR TO COVID IT'S BEEN LIKE SIX YEARS AS FAR AS OUR FUNDING.

WE'VE LEFT IT FLAT.

AND SO BUT WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S CONTINUED SUPPORT WITH THAT.

JUST GIVE YOU A LITTLE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN GOING ON AT THE COLLEGE.

WE'VE GOT QUITE A FEW VENTURES THAT ARE HAPPENING.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT, ALLIED HEALTH, WHICH IS PEOPLE CALL NURSING, BUT IT'S MORE THAN NURSING FOR US BECAUSE IT TAKES IN A LOT OF OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON.

WE ACTUALLY ACQUIRED THE TIDEWATER NEWS BUILDING.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

CONSTRUCTION WILL BE BEGINNING ON THAT.

IT SHOULD HAVE STARTED THIS WEEK, BUT MOST LIKELY THEY'LL START NEXT WEEK AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE MOVING INTO THAT BUILDING.

INTENTION IS NEXT SUMMER OR EVEN NEXT FALL.

SO THAT'S GOING TO EXPAND AND GIVE US A LOT MORE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE GIVING.

AND THAT BUILDING IS NOT JUST FOR CREDIT PROGRAMS. IT'S FOR NON CREDIT.

THAT IS CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS THAT COMES THROUGH OUR WORKFORCE.

SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE COMING ON THERE.

[02:10:04]

AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF STARTING CONSTRUCTION ON THAT AND RENOVATION THAT.

THAT'S 10,000FT CURRENTLY AND WE'RE GOING TO ADD ANOTHER 5000FT TO IT.

SO IT'LL BE A 15,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING.

AND THAT'S ENTIRELY WORKFORCE TRADES.

AND THAT'S A WHOLE NEW INNOVATION PROCESS.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WORKFORCE TRAINING, SINCE YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED IN THAT AND I WOULD RECOMMEND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE TRADES AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IMPACT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY ALSO IS TO HAVE DOCTOR JOHNSON, WHO IS OUR WORKFORCE DIRECTOR THERE, OUR CREDENTIALS.

THIS IS THIS IS PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GOING TO COLLEGE FOR CREDIT, NOT GETTING A DEGREE.

ALL THEY'RE DOING IS GETTING CREDENTIALS AND THEY'RE GETTING CERTIFIED CREDENTIALS THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFTEN IT'S MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND THIS THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN, I MEAN, WE HAD HEAVY CRANE PROGRAM AND WE PUT IT INTO SMITHFIELD CENTER BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE NEED WAS.

THE ONLY ONE THAT'S OFFERED BY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THE ONLY ONE PROGRAM THAT WE JUST SET UP.

AND IT GOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

AND WE CAN IT'S CONSTANT, CONTINUOUS.

ONE CLASS STOPS, ONE CLASS STARTS.

WE HAVE CDL TRUCK DRIVING THAT'S IN SUFFOLK CLASSES.

THEY PACKED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THAT'S IN THAT CENTER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

AND IT NEVER STOPS.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON. I'VE BEEN THERE SEVEN YEARS.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BREAK IN THE CLASSES.

THEY JUST CONTINUE.

SO WE REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORKFORCE AND THE TRADES AND THE CREDENTIALS.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, HAS BEEN BEEN DRESSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH US.

A LOT OF PROGRAMS ARE YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO IN THESE PROGRAMS THE WAY IT'S SET UP AND NOT PAY A DIME.

BASED ON WHAT PROGRAMS YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET CREDIT PROGRAMS THAT ARE ACTUALLY CATERED TO IT.

GET DEGREES IN WELDING, NOT JUST RELATED TO CERTIFICATION, AND NEVER PAY A DIME IN COLLEGE.

THAT'S HOW AFFORDABLE COLLEGE FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE BECOMING NOW.

AND SO YOU MAY WANT TO EVEN JUST TRY TO INVITE THE PRESIDENT TO COME OUT BECAUSE HE'S MORE WELL-SPOKEN THAN I AM.

I'M NOT AN EDUCATOR. I'M THE FINANCE GUY.

AND KEEP THE COLLEGE CLEAN AND KEEP THE ATHLETIC FIELDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON AND THINGS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS ON THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AT THE FACILITY IN FRANKLIN AROUND WE WE HAVE SPENT $15 MILLION OF STATE MONEY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT AND THAT FACILITY, THAT'S THE WORKFORCE.

AND THAT'S DEALING WITH HVAC SYSTEMS THAT DEALING WITH ROOFS, THAT DEALING WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS, BECAUSE WE'RE A SMALL COLLEGE MONEY, MONEY IS HARD TO COME BY.

SO I'VE GOT FRIENDS ALL OVER THE STATE.

I'VE BEEN IN Y'ALL'S POSITION.

SO I KNOW HOW IT IS.

MONEY IS HARD TO COME BY, SO I'M THE SAME WAY.

I MIGHT LOOK INTO OTHER COLLEGES AND WHEN THEY'RE RENOVATING BUILDINGS AND EVERYTHING I'M GETTING, I'M GETTING EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THE BUILDING, ALL THE FURNITURE AND ALL.

I HAVE GOTTEN OVER 3 TO $5 MILLION WORTH OF FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I'VE GOT A VAN THAT'S SITTING AT THE COLLEGE.

NOW THAT THE COLLEGE DIDN'T WANT IT, I SAID, YEAH, I'LL TAKE IT.

I MEAN, I YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO USE IT FOR? IT'S GOING OVER TO THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION TRADE CENTER.

THE GUY THAT TOLD ME, HE SAID, I'LL TAKE THAT.

WE CAN USE THAT TO HAUL STUFF BACK AND FORTH.

I MEAN, THE THING IS, BEAT UP LOOKS UGLY IN THE WORLD, BUT SOMEBODY COULD USE IT.

I THOUGHT MAYBE OUR BASEBALL TEAM WOULD USE IT TO CARRY EQUIPMENT AROUND IN YOU KNOW, I'VE GOTTEN I'VE GOTTEN FURNITURE.

I'VE JUST GOTTEN AN AIR COMPRESSOR THAT IF WE GO OUT ON THE MARKET, IT'S STILL IN THE BOX.

STILL IN THE BOX.

AND I PAID A COLLEGE $5,000 FOR IT.

I HAVE GOT HVAC EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE USING IN THE HVAC PROGRAM THAT I GOT FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE.

DIDN'T PAY A DIME FOR IT, AND IT'S, AND IT WAS VALUED AT ABOUT $75,000 THAT WE'RE USING IN OUR HVAC PROGRAM, SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

SO WE'VE BEEN I'M BEING CREATIVE AS THROWER TRIES TO KEEP OUR COSTS DOWN TO OUR STUDENTS AND, AND SAVE MONEY AND DO THE BEST WE CAN.

ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WE'VE GOT THE LAB SCHOOL.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT. THE PRESIDENT IS WORKING WITH THE WHITE COUNTY ON IS GOING TO BE RUNNING OUT OF THE SMITHFIELD CENTER, AND THAT PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE TAKEN OFF IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

THE WORKFORCE TRADES INNOVATION CENTER, OUR INTENTION IS TO HAVE IT OPENED UP NEXT FALL, NEXT FALL.

SO THAT'LL BE A BIG PROGRAM IF YOU GET INVITED TO GO TO THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR BOTH OF THESE BUILDINGS THAT ARE BE COMING UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE RECOMMEND THAT YOU ATTEND THAT ATHLETICS.

BASEBALL. BASEBALL HAS BEEN OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, IF YOU KEEP UP WITH THAT.

THEY WENT TO THE WORLD SERIES LAST YEAR, FIVE YEARS IN THE PROGRAM, AND THEY MADE IT IN THE WORLD SERIES.

RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE RANKED NUMBER SEVEN IN THE NATION IN THE PROGRAM.

AND MOST LIKELY THEY'RE THEY SHOULD WIN THEIR, THEIR CONFERENCE AND THEY SHOULD WIN THE DISTRICT AND HEAD BACK TO THE WORLD SERIES NEXT YEAR.

OUTSTANDING PROGRAM.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO SCHOOL FULL TIME, AND THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE GRADES UP ABOVE 2.0 IN ORDER TO BE ATHLETES ALL THE TIME.

SO AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE MONITOR WITH THESE KIDS, BECAUSE IF THEY WEREN'T IN THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM, THEY WOULD NOT BE GETTING THAT EDUCATION.

[02:15:07]

THEY WOULD HAVE ANY REASON WE'VE GOT WE'VE GOT ONE KID THAT THAT GRADUATED LAST YEAR, AND HE WENT ON TO A DIVISION ONE SCHOOL, A DIVISION TWO.

I CAN'T I THINK HE'S DIVISION ONE AND HE'S LEADING THE NATION IN HITTING.

HE'S LEADING THE NATION IN HITTING.

WE'VE GOT ONE OTHER GUY THAT'S LEADING THE NATION IN HOME RUNS WHO CAME FROM PAUL DECAMP COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THAT'S UP AND MOVED UP INTO DIVISION.

WE GOT FOUR KIDS THAT ARE ALREADY COMMITTED NEXT YEAR THAT ALREADY BEEN DRAFTED OR RECRUITED AND IT.

TWO OF THEM IN DIVISION ONE AND TWO IN DIVISION TWO FROM OUT OF THIS GROUP NOW AND THEY'VE GOT OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN INCONSIDERATE.

SOFTBALL, WE STILL HAVE A BIG SOFTBALL TEAM, IS VERY COMPETITIVE.

I HOPE THEY'LL DO GOOD INTO THE DISTRICTS BECAUSE THE SEASONS ARE WINDING DOWN AS WE GET TO THE END OF APRIL.

BASKETBALL, IF YOU COUNT FIRST YEAR IN BASKETBALL, FIRST YEAR IN BASKETBALL, WE HAD THE MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER IN THE NATION FROM OUR TEAM.

FIRST YEAR BASKETBALL TEAM MISSED GOING TO THE REGIONALS, EVEN TO THE NATIONALS BY OVERTIME, THEY LOST BY TWO POINTS TO A TEAM THEY HAD BEATEN EARLY IN THE YEAR. BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE WAY THINGS GO.

BUT WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

OUR SOCCER PROGRAM, WE LOST OUR COACH AND WE WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO GET COACHES.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT GETTING THE SOCCER PROGRAM BACK UP.

WE'RE GOING TO START WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL THIS FALL.

WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER PROGRAMS AS WE CONTINUE MOVING WITH ATHLETICS, BECAUSE IT GIVES US OPPORTUNITY TO BRING KIDS IN TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION AND TO IMPROVE THE COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT. SO IT'S BEEN GREAT.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A WHOLE LOT OF YOUR TIME, BUT I JUST APPRECIATE AND AGREE AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US, BECAUSE THE MONEY THAT YOU GIVE HAS TO GO TOWARDS STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND ESPECIALLY LIKE ATHLETICS AND THINGS.

WE HAVE TO USE DONATIONS TO HAVE THESE ATHLETIC TEAMS. WE CANNOT USE ANY FEDERAL OR STATE FUNDS.

NONE. TUITION AND ALL CANNOT BE USED TO DO THAT.

SO I HAVE TO TRACK ALL THIS SEPARATELY AND ACCOUNT FOR IT.

THAT MEANS MAINTAINING THE FIELDS, BUYING THE EQUIPMENT, BUYING THE UNIFORMS, GETTING THE BUSSES AND THE VEHICLES TO TRAVEL ALL COMES FROM FUNDING THAT WE GET FROM OUR LOCALITIES AND THE DONATIONS THAT WE GET FROM FOUNDATIONS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

ANY QUESTIONS? I KNOW I'VE RAMBLED QUITE A BIT, BUT I'D LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE COLLEGES MORE TIME IF YOU WANT IT.

PARDON? I'LL GIVE YOU SOME MORE TIME IF YOU WANT IT.

NO, I DON'T NEED ANY MORE TIME.

I GOT ONE QUESTION THEN.

YOU WORK FOR A CENTER.

IS THAT THE 15,000 SQUARE FOOT ONE? YES. WHERE IS THAT LOCATED AT.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE OLD BI-LO WAS? UP NEAR CIPHER PEANUT PARK.

WHEN YOU GO ACROSS CAROLINA ROAD.

CAROLINA ROAD ON 13.

YEAH, IT'S OUT THERE.

IF YOU TAKE THE BYPASS THOUGH, THAT NEW BYPASS 13 AND YOU GO BACK LEFT LIKE GOING INTO TOWN, IT'S RIGHT THERE AT THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

OKAY. BEFORE YOU CROSS OVER, GOING BACK INTO TOWN, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ADVENTURE.

IT'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY AND A LOT OF PROGRAMS ALREADY PLANNED TO GO, AND WE'RE PARTNERING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THAT PROPERTY WAS DONATED.

GREAT. YEAH, THE PROPERTY WAS DONATED AND WE'VE ALREADY GOT WE'VE GOT DONATIONS AND RAISED MONEY TO FUND AND BUILD THE AND RENOVATE THE ALLIED HEALTH BUILDING IN OLD TOWN TO USE AND PUT EQUIPMENT IN IT.

I'VE GOT FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING JUST STORED ANYWHERE I CAN RIGHT NOW UNTIL WE GET IT.

WE GET READY TO MOVE IN THAT WE'VE HAD DONATED AND GIVEN TO US.

WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT.

THE PRESIDENT HAS. I CAN'T TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT.

THAT'S BEEN THE PRESIDENT. HE GOES OUT AND HE'S BEEN WORKING TO COMMUNITY AND WORKING THE HEALTH INDUSTRY TO GET SUPPORT.

BUT THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. AND I DO WILL SAY, IF YOU LIKE, FOR THE PRESIDENT TO COME, EITHER THE DOCTOR JOHNSON, THE DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TECHNICAL AND CAREER WORKS AND THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS. SHE'S THE LADY TO DO IT.

SEND HIM AN EXTEND HIM AN INVITATION.

THEN TONIGHT, I WILL DO THAT AND TELL THEM THAT Y'ALL WERE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN IT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT. I'VE ALREADY GOT THAT IN MY MIND.

THANK YOU. NOTE. OKAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

HAVE WE OVERLOOKED ANYBODY? ANY OTHER GROUPS TONIGHT? AND THAT'S IT.

IS THAT IT?

[4. Discussion from Board Members ]

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOUR CTE PROGRAM AND THE TRAININGS THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, DO THE STUDENTS HAVE TO HAVE ALREADY GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL? NO, NO, NO, THEY REALLY DON'T.

SO THEY COULD COME AND GET A CERTIFICATION IN SKILLS TRAINING IF THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO OR HAD NOT GRADUATE THAT.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE COMMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT ONE THING.

YOU TALKED ABOUT CTE AND YOU LIKED IT.

[02:20:01]

ON BEHALF OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY.

WHEN I WENT THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS COUNTY, I GOT ALL OF MY CERTIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN OFFERED SINCE THEN.

AND THAT HELPS OUT THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY AS WELL, BECAUSE IT'S 16, 17 YEAR OLDS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP THEIR NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS TO GO TO THESE CLASSES.

THEY'RE ALLOWED TO DO IT IN SCHOOL.

AND I GAINED ALL OF MY CREDENTIALS TO BE A CAREER FIREFIGHTER WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED FOR YEARS THAT I KNOW WE HAVE TRIED AS SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS, TO GET BACK BECAUSE IT HELPS OUR PEOPLE.

SO PUSHING FOR THAT IN THE SCHOOL WOULD BE A PLUS.

AT THE MARCH WORKFORCE HANOVER'S WORKFORCE COUNCIL MEETING THAT I ATTENDED WITH DOCTOR MCCRAY IS ALSO A PART OF THAT.

I PULLED HIM ASIDE BECAUSE, AS YOU ALL KNOW TO RECRUITMENT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR FIRE AND RESCUE THROUGHOUT THE NATION, BUT IN PARTICULAR HAMPTON ROADS.

SO MY CONVERSATION WITH HIM WAS WAS TWOFOLD.

ONE, A COUNTY AND A PROFESSIONAL ISSUE FOR ME AS WE TRY TO RECRUIT YOUNG TALENT TO OUR PROFESSION AND ALSO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR COUNTY AGENCIES AND TRY TO FILL THAT NICHE HERE AS WELL.

SO MY CONVERSATION WITH DOCTOR MCCRAY WAS JUST THAT.

AND WE PLAN A FUTURE MEETING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

I'VE GOT SOME IDEAS AND HE DOES AS WELL, AND WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF BRINGING THAT BACK TO THE COUNTY WITH SOME DIFFERENT FUNDING RESOURCES.

WE'VE GOT SOME SOME TEACHERS AND SOME DIFFERENT THINGS WE CAN DO TO TO LINE THAT UP, LIKE CHIEF HOLT USED TO DO WHEN, WHEN HE WAS HERE, SO THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY BRING THAT BACK.

IT INCENTIVIZES A LOT OF THINGS FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT GIVES THEM A SKILL WHEN THEY GRADUATE WITH THOSE CERTIFICATIONS AND POSSIBLY A CAREER FIELD, WHICH HELPS US WITH RECRUITMENT.

IT ALSO ENABLES THEM TO SERVE THE VOLUNTEER AGENCIES, WHICH WHICH HELPS WITH RECRUITMENT AGAIN, AS WELL AS AT THE VOLUNTEER LEVEL, BECAUSE IT REQUIRES THEM TO BE AFFILIATED WITH AN AGENCY AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS TRAINING.

AND IT IT PROVIDES THEM WITH THAT SKILL SET AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL TOWARDS GRADUATION.

SO IT'S A WIN WIN WIN ON MANY FRONTS.

SO IT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD WITH THAT I HAD THERE WITH DOCTOR MCCRAY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR FUTURE MEETING.

WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING TOGETHER TO TRY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO FACILITATE THIS AGREEMENT, IF YOU WILL.

BETWEEN THE THE COLLEGE AND ANY OTHER INSTRUCTORS WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY LIKE CHIEF HOLT USED TO DO, AND BRINGING THAT BACK AS AN OPTION, BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU, IT'S A COMPLETE WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

I KNOW WHEN EVEN AFTER I WAS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS STILL 24, 25 STUDENTS EVERY YEAR.

AND YOU'RE PUMPING 25 CERTIFIED VOLUNTEERS BACK INTO THE COUNTY.

THAT'S A BIG NUMBER FOR US.

WHAT I.

CAN'T UNDERSTAND MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE POSITIONS THAT WERE LEADING THOSE COURSES.

WE DIDN'T TAKE THEM BACK.

THE POSITIONS WERE STILL IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE.

THEY WERE AT THE COLLEGE.

THEY WERE AT CAMP COLLEGE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME.

OKAY. INSTRUCTORS THAT OPERATED THAT PROGRAM, THEY GAVE THEIR TIME TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO THEY WERE REALLY NEVER ANY STAFF POSITIONS FOR THAT.

SCHOOL SYSTEM SUPPORTED IT IN THE BEGINNING WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY IT WAS MOVED TO COLLEGE.

BUT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT FIRE AND RESCUE? YES, SIR. OKAY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER TRADES, LIKE WELDING, ELECTRICAL.

THEY HAD INSTRUCTORS.

NOW THE WORD I GOT YEARS AGO, WAY BEFORE I EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WAS WE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO HIRE THEM.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE POSITIONS? BECAUSE THIS BOARD NEVER TOOK THE POSITION BACK ALONG WITH THE FUNDS TO SUPPORT IT.

SO MY QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? I MEAN. MAYBE YOU CAN HELP US OUT ON THAT ONE.

OUR WELDING PROGRAM IS THE WELDING PROGRAM STAYS FULL, AND I'M SURE STUDENTS, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS GET THROUGH IT, AND THEY'VE GOT A JOB.

YEAH. WE HAVE WE HAVE PEOPLE.

AND I'VE GOT A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT ARE WELDERS THAT GOT BUSINESS AND EVERYTHING, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS CALLING, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE JUST LIKE YOU SAID.

EXACTLY. YEAH. AND SO AND THESE GUYS ARE THEY'RE MAKING THEY'LL, THEY'LL START AT NIGHT AFTER THEY LEAVE THE COLLEGE FOR WITH THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE BETWEEN 60 TO 80,000.

AND THEY AND THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE UP, THEY'RE GOING TO BE COLLEGE GRADUATES THAT ARE GOING TO BE MAKING HALF THAT.

YEAH. SO.

I'M AT A LOSS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET WAS NOT CUT TO DO AWAY WITH THOSE POSITIONS.

[02:25:01]

AND AS LARGE A BUDGET.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL NOW.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR BUDGET, BUT WE HAD A PIPELINE GOING TO YOU.

WELL, THEY STILL HAVE THAT CLASS, AND I'M NOT VERSED IN IT TO TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU.

BUT I DO KNOW THEY YOU BUS THE SCHOOL BUSSES, KIDS TO THE COLLEGE.

I THINK IT'S EVERY DAY THAT THEY COME IN THE WELDING CLASS, AND.

YEAH, MR. CLAUDE HEADED IT UP.

AND WHEN HE RETIRED, I ASKED HIM WHAT HAPPENED.

HE SAID, WELL, IT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO HIRE.

YOU KNOW HOW MY. WELL.

THEY HAD IT.

COME ON. BUDGET THAT BIG.

ALL IT WOULD TAKE WAS THAT MUCH TO PUT TO HIS AND AND KEEP ROLLING.

THEY DECIDED TO DO AWAY WITH IT.

THAT WAS A THAT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS MADE IN OUR COUNTY.

EVIDENTLY. NOW MY QUESTION IS, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH THOSE POSITIONS? WHERE THEY PUT THEM.

MAYBE WE CAN GET THEM BACK IN HERE TO TELL US, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO.

WE CAN ASK THEM SOME QUESTIONS WHEN WE TAKE A TOUR, I GUESS.

I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE'RE VERY INTERESTED AND WE NEED IT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT'S THE BASELINE.

WHEN COMPANIES ARE HERE, THEY WANT PEOPLE THAT ARE EDUCATED IN THESE TRADES.

AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I DETECTED A NIGHT WAS NOT MUCH INTEREST IN THAT.

AND WHEN I TRAIN TO FLY DRONES.

WELL, I DON'T, I DIDN'T SEE A LACK OF INTEREST, BUT I THINK IT'S A SITUATION THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

OKAY. AND I APPRECIATE THE WAY THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORKS WITH PAUL DECAMP.

OKAY. NOW, IN PAUL DECAMP, YOU HAVE A WELDING INSTRUCTOR, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT OR NOT, BUT HOW MUCH DOES THAT GUY EARN? PUT ME ON THE SPOT.

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW HOW MUCH HE EARNS OR HOW MUCH DOES IT COST US? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU? IT'S GOING TO BE. IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE TO 100,000.

THAT'S WITH BENEFITS AND EVERYTHING.

YEAH. YEAH.

OF COURSE, OUR STATE INSURANCE PLAN IS PRETTY GOOD.

ABOUT 20 SOME THOUSAND JUST FOR THE HEALTH BENEFITS, RIGHT, THAT WE PAY.

OKAY, SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THEN THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM NOT HAVING THE MONEY TO PAY A PERSON IN THAT POSITION.

BUT WE'VE GOT WELDERS IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE PROFICIENT, I MEAN, GOOD WELDERS.

OKAY. SHE SAID SHE WOULD LOOK INTO THAT.

AND AND THEY.

SOME OF THEM ARE 70 YEARS OLD AND THEY'D LIKE TO PICK UP A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY.

AND WE'VE GOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BABY BOOM GENERATION.

THEY'RE THE ONES OUT THERE RETIRING, AND I DON'T HEAR OPPOSITION.

THAT WAS THE SUGGESTION YOU MADE.

AND I DIDN'T HEAR OPPOSITION FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ABOUT THAT.

WELL, I DISAGREE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE READ THE NEWSPAPER, THEY'RE TAKING $2 MILLION AND BUILDING A WELLNESS CENTER.

YOU HAVE $2 MILLION TO BUILD A WELLNESS CENTER AND REMODEL THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP THESE KIDS.

THAT WAS EARMARKED FOR CERTAIN THINGS THAT THEY COULD DO WITH THAT MONEY.

THEY COULDN'T CREATE A THEY COULDN'T CREATE A POSITION WITH THAT MONEY.

I WROTE THOSE GRANTS.

SO THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THEY GOT TO DO A CERTAIN THING WITH THE RIGHT.

YEAH. THAT WAS THAT WAS FEDERAL GRANT MONEY THAT WAS SPECIFIED FOR CERTAIN.

DID THEY MISSPELL WELLNESS AND MEAN WELLNESS? AND YOU CAN'T USE GRANT MONEY FOR A POSITION BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE POSITION WHEN THE GRANT MONEY RUNS OUT, YOU LOSE IT.

YOU CAN GIVE BONUSES WITH GRANT MONEY AND THAT TYPE OF THING, BUT IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

NO. RIGHT. WELL, WE CAN'T SOLVE THAT EXCEPT, WELL, WE'VE IDENTIFIED WHAT WE THINK IS A PROBLEM.

AND THAT'S I THINK THIS BOARD NEEDS TO TAKE A STANCE ON THIS.

RIGHT. AND I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CAN WORK TOGETHER AND TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS. AS LONG AS WE RESPECT EACH OTHER AND TRY TO WORK TOGETHER.

I AGREE. ALL RIGHT.

DOES ANYBODY DO WE OVERLOOK ANYBODY? ANYBODY HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS? I MUST SAY ABOUT PD CAMP, YOU GUYS HAVE SENT A LOT OF PEOPLE INTO JOBS AND HIGHER EDUCATION, AND WE'RE GREATLY, AND THIS COUNTY IS GREATLY INDEBTED TO YOU FOR THAT.

A LOT OF THESE KIDS WOULD HAVE NOT MOVED ON WITHOUT YOU.

AND I HAD NOTHING PRAISED BUT FOR YOUR PROGRAM.

[02:30:02]

THANK YOU. MOST DEFINITELY.

ANYBODY ELSE I THINK WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE.

HOLY GOD, NO PAUL [INAUDIBLE] WAS CAMP.

CAMP? DON'T WORRY, I'M CONFUSED TOO.

OKAY. WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE.

WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU.

OKAY. AND WITH SOUTHAMPTON, WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS. NOT JUST SOUTHAMPTON, BUT FRANKLIN, SUFFOLK, ALAWITE.

ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS BENEFIT SO MUCH FROM YOU, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND THE COOPERATION YOU HAVE WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND PASS IT ON TO DOCTOR MCCRAY THAT HE'S WELCOME TO COME AND SPEAK ANY TIME HE WOULD LIKE.

I WILL BE GLAD TO DO THAT.

ALL RIGHT. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? ANYBODY FROM THE BOARD HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DISCUSS? YES, SIR. GO AHEAD.

OKAY. I WOULD JUST MR. POPE WASN'T HERE. OKAY.

AND BUT I DON'T WANT US TO DISMISS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION IN THE COUNTY.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET, I THINK WE NEED TO SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING FOR OUR RECREATION.

WE DON'T HAVE A RECREATION SYSTEM HERE.

AND I CAN ATTEST MANY TIMES TO WHAT RECREATION HAS DONE FOR KIDS I'VE WORKED WITH.

IS THAT A NEW BUDGET ITEM? THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN HERE.

SUSSEX BASEBALL? NO, IT IS NOT THERE.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO FUNDS IN THERE FOR THAT THAT TYPE ITEM.

OKAY. WHAT IS THE REQUESTED? I DO NOT KNOW.

OKAY. THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT A REQUEST.

YEAH, THEY WERE COMING TO SPEAK.

JUST COME. COME AND SUBMIT.

IT GOT YOU RIGHT.

AND THEY JUST. THEY JUST COME AND ASKING FOR SUPPORT.

WELL, THEY CAN COME TO THE NEXT ONE, I GUESS.

I TAKE IT THAT THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 6:00, THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THIS.

YES, SIR. BUDGET THAT MR. HAVE ANY MORE PRESENTATIONS? NOT UNLESS. NOT UNLESS YOU ALL REQUEST.

I MEAN, THIS IS WE GOT ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT NOW, BUT WE CAN CONSIDER THERE.

MAYBE YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

AND THEN YOU HAVE YOUR PUBLIC HEARING YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH.

OKAY. BUT ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MR. BRANDON ROGERS THE BERLIN REPRESENTATIVE ON OUR SCHOOL BOARD, AND THANK HIM FOR BEING HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE, SIR.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

ALL RIGHT. BUDGET WORK SESSIONS.

JUST THE REGULAR MEETINGS. ANYTHING ELSE? MR.. YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO, SIR. LYNETTE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO, SIR. OKAY.

YOU GUYS HAVE ON STAGE ONE.

STAGE ONE. NEXT MEETING.

ALL RIGHT. A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

SECOND. OKAY.

WE'RE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.