GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
[Call to Order]
[00:00:04]
WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.IT'S OFTEN SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT A MEETING IS TO BEGIN ON TIME AND END ON TIME.
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO END.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN ON TIME.
THIS IS AUGUST 27TH, 2024 MEETING OF YOUR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
WE HAVE EVERYBODY HERE SO WE CAN VOTE ON ISSUES TONIGHT, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE THE HONORABLE OTTO WACHSMANN HERE, WHO IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN RICHMOND FROM THE 83RD DISTRICT.
WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
OKAY. WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER TO LEAD US IN AN INVOCATION.
AND HERE WE ARE, MORE THAN 2 OR 3.
WE ASK THAT YOU SEND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT INTO THIS ROOM TO PROTECT US AND COMFORT US AND GUIDE US.
AND WE FURTHER ASK THAT YOU GRANT OUR ELECTED LEADERS, BOTH IN WASHINGTON AND IN RICHMOND, AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT, THAT THEY BE GIVEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE WISDOM AND THE COMPASSION TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR WONDERFUL COUNTY.
THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS NAME.
[1. Proclamations]
WHY DON'T YOU COME ON UP HERE IN FRONT OF THE FLAG? I THINK IT WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE THAN OUT THERE.GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE YOU? I'M FINE, THANK YOU.
AND WHEREAS IT'S FITTING AND PROPER TO ACCEPT OFFICIAL RECOGNITION TO THIS MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT AND ITS MEMORABLE ANNIVERSARY, AND TO THE PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION WHICH WE COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION.
AND WHEREAS PUBLIC LAW 915 GUARANTEES THE ISSUE OF A PROCLAMATION EACH YEAR BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23RD AS CONSTITUTION WEEK.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALAN W EDWARDS, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD AS CONSTITUTION WEEK, AND ASK OUR CITIZENS TO REAFFIRM THE IDEAS THAT THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION HAD IN EXCUSED ME 1787, BY VIGILANTLY PROTECTING THE FREEDOMS GUARANTEED TO US THROUGH THIS GUARDIAN OF OUR LIBERTIES, REMEMBERING THAT LOST RIGHTS MAY NEVER BE REGAINED.
IN WITNESS THEREOF I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND CAUSED TO BE FIXED THE GREAT SEAL OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, ON THIS DAY, 27TH OF AUGUST, 2024.
YES. I SAID THIS LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS.
THIS CONSTITUTION IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT'S WAY AHEAD OF ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS PLANET.
SECOND PROCLAMATION IS HUNGER ACTION MONTH.
ANYBODY HERE FROM THAT? GOOD EVENING. SEE YOU, SEE YOU.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS 2024 HUNGER ACTION MONTH PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS HUNGER AND POVERTY ARE ISSUES OF VITAL CONCERN TO VIRGINIA.
1 IN 7, INCLUDING 13 MILLION CHILDREN, 1 IN 5 FACED FOOD INSECURITY IN THE US.
[00:05:05]
THIS INCLUDES 550 PEOPLE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA IS COMMITTED TO TAKING STEPS TO COMBAT HUNGER IN EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT THOSE IN SOUTHAMPTON OR SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA NEED.
AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 9.7% OF INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY RELY ON FOOD PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE FOOD BANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND EASTERN SHORE ANNUITY.
AND WHEREAS, MEMBERS OF THE FOOD BANK OF SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND EASTERN SHORE DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 20 MILLION MEALS IN THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2024 SO FAR THROUGH THE NETWORK OF FOOD PANTRIES, FOOD KITCHENS, SHELTERS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
AND WHEREAS THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH AND SEPTEMBER 10TH AS HUNGER ACTION DAY IN ORDER TO BRING ATTENTION TO FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO ENLIST THE PUBLIC IN THE MOVEMENT TO END HUNGER BY TAKING ACTION, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER SHIFTS, SOCIAL MEDIA SHARES AND DONATIONS TO ENSURE EVERY COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY IN IT HAS THE FOOD THEY NEED TO THRIVE AND SURVIVE.
WHEREAS FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF VIRGINIA FOOD BANKS, FOOD BANKS OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND EASTERN SHORE, VIRGINIA PENINSULA FOOD BANK, FREDERICKSBURG REGIONAL FOOD BANK, CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK, BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK, AND FEEDING SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA WILL HOST NUMEROUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH OF SEPTEMBER TO BRING AWARENESS TO AND HELP END HUNGER IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALAN EDWARDS DO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE THAT SEPTEMBER 2024 IS HUNGER ACTION MONTH IN OUR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
AND I CALL THIS OBSERVANCE TO ATTENTION OF OUR CITIZENS.
I THANK YOU. THIS IS A VERY WORTHY THING.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO TAKE A DRINK OF WATER AFTER ALL THAT READING.
OKAY. GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT.
THE CROWD'S BIGGER IS USUALLY BIGGER AND LARGER THAN WE HAVE.
NEXT ON THE LIST IS A CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[2. Citizens Comment Period]
A LITTLE HISTORY OF CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD WAS STARTED ON NOVEMBER 25TH, 2013.AND WE SET ASIDE THIS HOUR FOR ANY COMMENTS FROM THE CITIZENS.
IT'S ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
SO YOU COME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO TALK? IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MEETING.
WELL, THE RULES ARE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME TO THE PODIUM, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO SPEAK.
AND WE LIKE TO LIMIT EVERYBODY TO FIVE MINUTES OR LESS SINCE WE HAVE A BIG CROWD TONIGHT.
SO WITH THOSE RULES, I'LL OPEN THE CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD.
I LIVE AT 22024 INDIAN WOODS TRAIL, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA, 23837.
I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING, IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND DON'T FIX IT AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.
AND THAT IS THE CASE THAT HAS GONE ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS INSIDE THIS SCHOOL.
MY CHILD IS SITTING AT HOME RIGHT NOW ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE LOCKER ROOM THAT HE HAS TO CHANGE INTO AT THE GYM.
THERE'S CEILING TILES FALLING OUT THE FLOOR.
THE BATHROOM IS COMPLETELY UNSANITARY, AND THERE IS NO CHILD IN THIS COUNTY, COUNTRY OR WORLD THAT SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO THIS SCHOOL UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THEY ARE IN.
IT IS TIME TO FIND OUT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING, AND IT'S DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO THE SCHOOL.
I HAVE TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE INSIDE THE SCHOOL THAT CAN, HAS TOLD ME THEIR ACCOUNTS OF THEM JUST SHUTTING THE DOOR AND IGNORING THE PROBLEM.
[00:10:04]
THEY BARRICADED OFF AND SAY, WE'LL SHUT THIS SIDE OF THE SCHOOL DOWN.WELL GUESS WHAT? THAT'S A SIDE OF THE SCHOOL THAT'S NOT BEING USED.
SO THE MONEY IS GOING SOMEWHERE, BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES.
AND THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH MISS SHANNON.
SHE HAS FAILED THESE STUDENTS.
AND I'M GOING TO END IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT YOU TOO ARE THE PROBLEM.
GOOD EVENING, I'M ROBERT DARDEN.
I LIVE AT 19031 LAKESIDE DRIVE IN COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT, HAPPY, PROUD RESIDENT OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION OF OUR SCHOOLS.
I'VE BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE AS A FIREFIGHTER IN THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
I'M GETTING READY TO RETIRE IN DECEMBER.
AND THE GOOD LORD WILLING, HAS KEPT ME HEALTHY THROUGH THOSE 30 YEARS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AS WELL, MR. CORNWELL, BUT I COME TONIGHT TALKING ABOUT OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND TALKING ABOUT THE SITUATION IN OUR SCHOOLS.
TO SAY IT IS DEPLORABLE IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
I RECENTLY WENT TO CAPRON ELEMENTARY BECAUSE I BUILT SOME FURNITURE FOR MY DAUGHTER'S CLASSROOM THERE, AND WHEN I PUT MY HAND ON THE WINDOWSILL, MY HAND WENT THROUGH THE WINDOWSILL BECAUSE THE WINDOWSILL WAS SO ROTTEN.
I WOULD REFUSE TO WORK IN A BUILDING LIKE THAT.
I THINK MOST OF YOU IN HERE WOULD.
I PAY A LOT OF TAXES TO THIS COUNTY, TO THE STATE, AND TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
WE ALL DO. BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU SOMEBODY IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB.
AND IT STARTS WITH GWENDOLYN SHANNON.
AND IT STARTS WITH CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY GONE INTO BEING ABLE TO ELECT OUR SCHOOL BOARD.
BUT WHAT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY, IF THERE IS ANY WAY THAT YOU ALL CAN REMOVE THOSE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BOARD AND PUT PEOPLE WITH COMMON SENSE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE A DESIRE TO DO THEIR JOB, PLEASE DO SO.
WE ARE LOSING STUDENTS IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE GOING TO OTHER SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA, GOING TO SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY, ISLE OF WIGHT ACADEMY AND OTHER SCHOOLS SIMPLY BECAUSE OUR SCHOOLS ARE IN SUCH TERRIBLE CONDITION.
A COMMUNITY IS REPRESENTED BY ITS SCHOOLS.
AND TO SAY OUR SCHOOL IS A REPRESENTATION OF US IS DEPLORABLE.
WE ALSO HAVE HAD BUS DRIVERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PAID ON TIME.
SOMETIMES THEY'RE BEHIND PAID AS MUCH AS THREE MONTHS.
WOULD YOU GO TO SCHOOL? I MEAN, WOULD YOU GO TO WORK AND DRIVE A SCHOOL BUS FOR FREE FOR THREE MONTHS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT OUR COUNTY HAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES.
TRUST ME, I'VE WORKED IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I STILL DO.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ONLY SO MANY MARBLES IN THE CAN.
I GET IT? BUT OUR TEACHER PAY HAS GOT TO INCREASE.
MY DAUGHTER HAS TO HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE A TEACHER.
AND IT WOULD TAKE HER CLOSE TO 15 YEARS TO PAY FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE THAT SHE'S HAD TO ATTAIN.
SO THAT SHE CAN SIMPLY HAVE A JOB THAT PAYS VERY LITTLE.
AND I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER.
IF YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WE FAIL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, WE HAVE NOT DONE OUR DUTY.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION EARLIER.
WE HAVE FAILED TO DO OUR DUTY AS PARENTS, AS CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
IF WE DO NOT GIVE THE KIDS WHAT THEY NEED TO BE EDUCATED.
BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THE BUILDINGS THAT SOME OF OUR KIDS ARE SITTING IN ARE DEPLORABLE.
AND TO SAY THAT THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS BAD IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
[00:15:08]
SO IN CLOSING, I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE HEAR WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.SOMETHING IS NOT GETTING DONE.
IF YOU NEED TO CALL OR CONTACT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WE HAVE OUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? MY NAME IS TONY CLARK.
I PAY TAXES ON RESIDENCE AT 20252 CARYS BRIDGE ROAD IN THE CAPRON DISTRICT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
YOU MIGHT NOT FACE LEGAL RETRIBUTION, BUT THERE IS RETRIBUTION TO BE HAD FOR THOSE THAT SPEAK OUT AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS AND IN PARTICULAR THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE A SUPERINTENDENT.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE A SITTING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.
I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU AT THE REQUEST OF OTHERS THAT WILL FOLLOW ME AND ARE GOING TO BE MUCH MORE ELOQUENT ABOUT WHAT THOSE OPTIONS ARE, SPECIFICALLY AN AUDIT OF THE BOOKS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT YOU, WITH TENACITY, WOULD PURSUE EVERY AVENUE THAT'S LEGALLY AVAILABLE AT YOUR DISPOSAL.
MOST OF YOU ON THIS DAIS KNOW ME AND ARE AWARE OF THOSE WHAT THOSE DIFFERENT ISSUES ARE AND I HAVE FOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE GOOD FIGHT AGAINST A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT IS FAILING TO GUARANTEE THAT I DON'T GET ON TELEVISION TONIGHT.
I WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT IS CIRCLING THE BOWL AND WE'RE WATCHING IT HAPPEN.
THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, MR. DARDEN, WHO I RESPECT TREMENDOUSLY, NOT JUST FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT AS A FATHER.
HE AND MY SON GREW UP AND PLAYED BALL TOGETHER AND GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.
AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE WERE LOSING STUDENTS TO OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS. WELL, I WOULD DISAGREE SLIGHTLY WITH MR. DARDEN. MY CONCERN IS MUCH MORE SO FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT WERE LOSING TO A LESS THAN QUALITY EDUCATION WHO DON'T LEAVE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND GRADUATE FROM SOUTHAMPTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH A LESS THAN ADEQUATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF TEACHERS THAT WORK THEIR HEARTS OUT.
HOWEVER, THESE EMPLOYEES ARE HAMSTRUNG ON A DAILY BASIS BY AN INEPT, INADEQUATE, AND SELF-SERVING ADMINISTRATION THAT DOES NOTHING BUT FAIL AT EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THEIR JOB.
SO WHILE IT'S NOT IN YOUR POWER TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO, QUITE FRANKLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED QUITE SOME TIME AGO, AND THANKS TO THE MANY PEOPLE THAT WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT IN THE FUTURE WE CAN VOTE FOR OUR MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, THAT WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN. THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE REMOVED, BUT THERE IS NO MORE TIME TO WASTE.
EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY, WE LOSE ANOTHER CHILD TO A LACK OF A QUALITY EDUCATION.
AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT ANY OF US CAN STAND BY AND ALLOW TO HAPPEN.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. WHO'S NEXT? GOT PLENTY OF TIME.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ASH KUCHIN AND I LIVE AT 29018 DARDEN POINT ROAD, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
[00:20:04]
ARTICLE TO THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE INCREASED COST OF FUEL TO OPERATE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.AND I SENT A FOIA REQUEST TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND I SENT A FOIA REQUEST TO THE SHERIFF ASKING THE INCREASE IN FUEL COST TO OPERATE THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
SO I SENT ANOTHER FOIA REQUEST AND I COPIED DOCTOR GOODWIN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND I SENT A COPY TO RICHMOND, TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, WANTING TO KNOW WHY NO ONE HAD COMPLIED WITH MY FOIA REQUEST, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A FEDERAL REGULATION, THAT YOU COULDN'T JUST IGNORE THEM.
AND I JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THAT.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] MR. CHAIRMAN AND FELLOW SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS MICHAEL DRAKE.
I RESIDE AT 31251 SANDS ROAD IN THE NEWSOMS DISTRICT.
AND I'M GOING TO ASK IF YOU WOULD AGREE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALLOT THE TIME SLOTTED FOR ME TO MY NIECE MANDY HALL IF YOU'D ACCEPT THAT.
GOOD EVENING. MANDY HALL, 19034 LAKESIDE DRIVE, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ASK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO AUTHORIZE AND INITIATE A FULL FORENSIC AUDIT OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS USING THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED IN CODE 15.2-2511 OR 15.2-2512.
WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE DIVISION.
A FORENSIC AUDIT COULD LOOK AT MORE THAN JUST THE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES.
IT WOULD LOOK AT HIRING PRACTICES AND HR COMPLIANCE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR TRAVEL AND EXPENSES CLAIMED BY ADMINISTRATION, COMPLIANCE WITH RECORDS RETENTION, COMPLIANCE WITH ESTABLISHING AND PAYING STIPENDS, PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT PRACTICES, USE AND POSSESSION OF CREDIT CARDS, AND POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
NEXT, THE YEARLY EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY HAVE BEEN WILDLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED, AND THE REALLOCATION OF CATEGORIES IS NOT DISCUSSED DURING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS. IN FACT, WHEN A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ASKS TO SEE THE SPIN DOWN MONTHLY REPORTS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS FOR THE END OF 2023 AND 2024, IT WAS STATED THAT THEY WON'T BE READY UNTIL OCTOBER BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY FINAL APPROPRIATIONS HAPPENING AND SWITCHING CATEGORIES OF EXPENDITURES.
THIS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE SOUND ACCOUNTING AND SPENDING PRACTICES.
THERE'S A PATTERN OF THIS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE DIVISION HAS RECEIVED AND UTILIZED SEVERAL GRANTS OVER THE YEARS WITHOUT HAVING THE SCHOOL BOARD AWARE OF THEM, MUCH LESS VOTE TO ACCEPT THEM.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOST OVER THE YEARS DUE TO UNDERPERFORMANCE IN THE AREAS THE GRANT WAS SUPPOSED TO FUND, AND OTHER GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE AND EITHER NOT SPENT AT ALL, OR THE DIVISION WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SPEND THE GRANT, ALL THE WHILE SEEING DETERIORATION IN THE BUILDINGS AND CURRICULUM.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR 23-24, THE BUDGET LISTED TOTAL MECHANIC SALARIES AS $274,410, WITH ONLY TWO MECHANICS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
THAT MEANS EACH ONE WOULD HAVE MADE $137,000.
THE TOTAL FOR TWO MECHANICS IS CLOSER TO LIKE 85 OR $90,000.
SO HOW DID THEY SPEND THAT DIFFERENCE? AND NOW, WITH THE GARAGE SUPERVISOR POSITION VACANT FOR TWO MONTHS, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THAT SALARY? THEY COULD HAVE EASILY USED THAT MONEY TO SEND THEIR MECHANICS TO A MUCH NEEDED TRAINING THAT WAS DENIED.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.
[00:25:01]
SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT SALARY AND BENEFITS OF OVER $100,000? THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF SMALL THINGS OVER THE YEARS THAT INDICATE DYSFUNCTION.FOR EXAMPLE, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, A GROUP OF TEACHERS WERE TOLD BY AN INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT THAT EXCUSE ME THAT THE DIVISION HAD NOT PAID FOR THEIR LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUM AND THEY HAD BEEN DROPPED FROM THE POLICY.
SO THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD LIFE INSURANCE AND THEY DID NOT.
THEY HAD TO REWRITE THE POLICIES.
AND IN SOME CASES THE POLICIES WERE MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE TEACHERS WERE OLDER.
SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PAY THOSE PREMIUMS? ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF DYSFUNCTION THAT GOES BACK SEVERAL YEARS IS THAT BEFORE THE DIVISION HAD A CEP STATUS, MEANING THEY PROVIDE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS. THE SUPERINTENDENT PERSONALLY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR HER OWN STUDENT, INDICATING THE CHILD WAS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE MEALS BASED OFF OF INCOME. NOW WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT MAKES, AND HER CHILD DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR FREE OR REDUCED MEALS.
A LOT OF PROGRAMS HAVE SPECIAL FUNDING, YET IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROGRAMS ARE DWINDLING.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE MONEY DESIGNATED FOR THE GIFTED PROGRAM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MONEY FROM VCU FOR THE TEACHERS FOR TOMORROW PROGRAM THAT WE ARE NO LONGER PARTICIPATING IN? I CONFIRMED THAT WITH VCU THIS WEEK.
ONE EXAMPLE IS THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP BUILD A NEW CAPRON ELEMENTARY.
IT WAS STATED IN A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE BACK THE $5.5 MILLION IF THEY COULDN'T GET A RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN A MATTER OF DAYS, BUT THIS WAS AN OUTRIGHT LIE.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK.
WE ARE ABOUT ONE MONTH AWAY FROM THE DEADLINE FOR THIS MONEY TO BE OBLIGATED, YET THE DIVISION IN THE SCHOOL BOARD CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO REQUEST AND DESIGN AUXILIARY BUILDINGS THAT CAN BE BUILT WITHIN BUDGET.
THEY ARE MUCH TOO FLUID AND ARE NOT EFFECTIVE.
NOW WHEN THE NEED FOR A FORENSIC AUDIT WAS DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY IN 2022.
THE COUNTER ARGUMENT WAS THAT SINCE THE SCHOOL DIVISION IS ALREADY A COMPONENT OF THE COUNTY'S AUDIT, WHAT'S THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT OR FORENSIC AUDIT? THERE IS A TREMENDOUSLY HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AUDIT REQUIRED FOR THE COUNTY, AS SPECIFIED BY THE AUDITOR OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, AND A FORENSIC AUDIT, WHICH CAN ADDRESS MORE THAN JUST THE BOTTOM LINE FINANCIALS OF DID THE SCHOOL DIVISION RECEIVE AND EXPEND THE MONEY THEY SAID THEY DID.
REGARDING THE SCHOOL ACTIVITY FUNDS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AUDITED SEPARATELY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH HOW THESE FUNDS WERE HANDLED THEN POINTING TO A LACK OF OVERSIGHT WITH THE ACCOUNTING PRACTICES.
AND HERE IS ONE MORE THING TO CONSIDER AS IT RELATES TO THE COUNTY'S AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 23.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE COLUMN OF ACTUAL EXPENDITURES AS THEY ARE LISTED IN THE CURRENT BUDGET DOCUMENTS APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DOCUMENTS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED AS THEIR BUDGET DOCUMENTS FOR THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR.
AND YOU LOOK AT THE COLUMN FOR FISCAL YEAR 23 EXPENDITURES.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTY'S AUDIT, IT IS ALSO ON THE WEBSITE.
ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE, THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE ARE LISTED AS 42.2 MILLION.
SO I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MISS LOW THAT THAT'S BECAUSE THE 39 MILLION IS THE AMOUNT FROM THE DIVISION LEDGER, AND THE ADDITIONAL JOURNAL ENTRIES HAD TO BE MADE DURING THE AUDIT TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL EXPENDITURES.
SO THAT MEANS THE BUDGET DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY REVIEWED AND APPROVED THIS YEAR, THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR 22-23 WERE 2 POINT MILLION LESS THAN WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WERE.
THIS SIMPLE FACT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD THEMSELVES TO WANT A FORENSIC AUDIT.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.[APPLAUSE] WHO'S NEXT? WIDE OPEN. STILL GOT A LOT OF TIME.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MS. ZOE BEALE. MY ADDRESS IS 30389 MAPLE.
I'M JUST HERE TO SAY I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RAWLS MUSEUM.
AND I THINK THAT WE'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS RIGHT NOW WITH THE STATE OF THE BUILDINGS.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GIVEN EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.
THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME, ESPECIALLY IF WE WANT THEM TO GROW UP AND HAVE PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE IF WE'RE SHOWING THEM THAT WE'RE NOT RESPECTING THEM AS STUDENTS WITH THE BUILDINGS THAT THEY'RE IN, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RESPECT THIS COUNTY.
AND SO I JUST THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE TAKING THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, AND I THINK THAT WE'RE DOING OUR TEACHERS A DISSERVICE BY LETTING THEM OPERATE IN BUILDINGS THAT ARE NOT UP TO THE STANDARDS THAT THEY SHOULD BE, THAT THEY SHOULD BE OPERATING UNDER.
AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I DON'T HAVE A STAKE IN THE GAME.
I DON'T HAVE KIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO ARE TEACHERS.
I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN.
AND SEEING WHAT THEY'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE GIVING THAT RESPECT TO OUR STUDENTS SO THAT THEY GROW UP AND HAVE THAT LOVE AND THAT RESPECT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY AS WELL. THANK YOU.
I LIVE AT 32405 UNITY ROAD IVOR, VIRGINIA.
I'VE HEARD A LOT OF NEGATIVE COMMENTS, BUT I WILL SAY SOME POSITIVE COMMENTS.
MY SON WAS BORN AT FOUR MONTHS PREMATURELY.
WHEN WE DECIDED TO MOVE TO THIS AREA, I WAS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED.
DON'T GO TO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS.
THEY WILL NOT TREAT THEM OR TREAT THEM TO THE ADA.
IT TOOK SOME TRUE RESEARCH TO FIND THAT MISS MELBY OR NOW MISS STREET HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WITH HER SCHOOL AT NOTTOWAY.
SO WE PURCHASED OUR HOUSE WITH THE INTENT OF GOING TO NOTTOWAY.
MY SON, HAS AN IEP, AND A DAY OR SO AGO, I GOT A MESSAGE THAT IN HIS IEP, IT STRICTLY SAYS THAT HE IS GOING TO GET SERVICES BY A SPECIAL NEEDS LIAISON.
MISS MADISON, THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT AT CONVOCATION THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GET MOVED FROM NOTTOWAY, WITH NO INTENT OF DOING A COMPARABLE REPLACEMENT AND BEING IN VIOLATION OF THE IEP SERVICES THAT HE DESERVES, AND THAT OTHER CHILDREN HIS TEACHER IN THE EARLY INTERVENTION GOT HIM TO TEST AS A GIFTED KINDERGARTNER.
AND HE WILL BE ATTENDING AS A KINDERGARTEN [INAUDIBLE].
THAT TEACHER HAS LEFT AND HAS NOW TAKEN A JOB THAT IS HIGHER PAID AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, NOT WHICH HER DEGREE IS IN, BUT HER BILLS HAD TO BE PAID WHEN SHE ASKED FOR ANOTHER TYPE OF JOB AND FOR A RAISE, SHE WAS DENIED.
I FOUND THAT FROM OTHER PARENTS.
APPARENTLY THOSE BECAUSE OF PARENT PUSHBACK THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
WELL, I GUESS WE'LL FIND OUT AT OPEN HOUSE.
BUT OTHER NOTTOWAY STUDENTS THAT REQUIRED THAT CAN'T GO TO A REGULAR KINDERGARTEN ARE NOW GOING TO GET BUSSED TO RIVERDALE, BECAUSE SERVICES CANNOT BE GIVEN AT NOTTOWAY. YOU'RE ASKING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS TO BE BUSSED OUTSIDE OF WHERE THEY'RE ZONED TO A SCHOOL THAT'S 20 MINUTES AWAY, SOMETIMES MORE. AND THESE ARE NOT SIMPLE, SPECIAL NEEDS.
THESE ARE DOWN SYNDROME CHILDREN.
AND YOU HAVE A TRANSPORTATION CRISIS.
[00:35:02]
RELEASE SAYING THAT EVERYTHING A PARENT HAS SAID PRETTY MUCH IS FALSE.NOT TO BELIEVE THE PICTURES CIRCULATING ON FACEBOOK ARE TRUE.
YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY SEARCH ON FACEBOOK.
THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL PICTURE OF THE FIRE POOL BUILDING IS LEAKING FOUNDATION ISSUES.
TRASH PILED UP, WHICH, AS A NURSE, I KNOW THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE BUILD UP OF TRASH.
MY CHILD IS NOT A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT.
BUT PROVE THOSE PICTURES WRONG.
I ENCOURAGE THE FIRE MARSHAL TO DO A VISIT BEFORE SCHOOL OPENS.
ANYBODY ELSE. WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MICHAEL MAHANES.
I LIVE AT 18205 BRYANT AVENUE IN BOYKINS.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY MUCH TONIGHT.
WAS PLANNING TO SAY A LOT BECAUSE A LOT NEEDS TO BE SAID, BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALREADY BEEN COVERED, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS REALLY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S A COMMUNITY THAT YOU GUYS SUPERVISE.
OKAY, Y'ALL SUPERVISE THIS COMMUNITY, OKAY? WE KNOW YOU'RE LIMITED IN YOUR ABILITIES TO WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE SCHOOL BOARD TO DO.
AND I KNOW THE GAME RIGHT NOW.
IT'S NOT A GAME, OKAY? BUT IT'S ABOUT BLAME, OKAY? THE SCHOOL BOARD BLAMES YOU FOR THIS.
YOU ALL BLAME THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THAT, OKAY? WELL, PUT THAT ALL ASIDE.
ALL RIGHT. THIS IS FOR OUR CHILDREN.
ALL RIGHT. NOW, I KNOW MOST OF YOU DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM RIGHT NOW, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE AN INVESTMENT IN EACH ONE OF THOSE CHILDREN THAT ARE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR FUTURE HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT TO LET THEM DOWN.
AND THE CURRENT REGIME, AS YOU WANT TO CALL IT, THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD.
OKAY. THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM.
WELL, I KNOW YOU CAN'T HELP, YOU KNOW, LEAD US TO WHO WILL, YOU KNOW IF WE NEED TO PUT IN THE BUDGET TO AFFORD FOR AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, LIKE A BASICALLY A GUARDIAN AD LITEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS MAKING THE DECISIONS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR CHILDREN.
WE'LL PAY FOR THAT IF IT IMPROVES THE SYSTEM.
WE CAN'T REMAIN STAGNANT ANYMORE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN.
OKAY. I THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
CHRIS, I HAVEN'T SEEN Y'ALL VOTING LATELY BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN OUT VOTING.
KARL LOVES SEEING YOU ALL THE TIME.
YOU KNOW, DOCTOR EDWARDS, WILLIAM HART, LINDA.
OKAY. IT'S NOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON.
IT'S A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY TO BUILD OUR SCHOOL.
OKAY. AND QUIT ACCEPTING MEDIOCRITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.
JUST LIKE THE SOLS, THE SOLS WERE MEANT TO PUSH THE STUDENTS TO THE CEILING.
OKAY, BUT NOW IT'S BEEN ACCEPTED.
WE'RE JUST PASSING THE SOLS PUTS YOU AT THE FLOOR.
OKAY, LET'S PUSH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TO WHERE IT COULD BE RATHER THAN ACCEPTING WHERE IT IS, BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY.
THANK YOU. HAVE A NICE EVENING.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS WARREN SIMMONS, AND I LIVE AT 27511 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
MY COMMENTS ARE MORE AIMED AT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEHIND ME THAN IT IS TO YOU ALL IN FRONT OF ME.
WE CAN NOW ELECT OUR SCHOOL BOARD OFFICERS.
[00:40:03]
NUMBER ONE WAS THE ARTICLE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PAPER AT THE TOP, THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS TALKING WITH THEIR ARCHITECT, AND THE ARCHITECT TOLD THEM THAT THEY COULD BUILD THE BUILDING THEY WANTED AND THEY COULD PAY FOR IT IF THEY LEFT THE ROOF OFF THE DOORS, OFF THE WINDOWS, OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING OUT, AND NO FLOORS IN IT.THEN I READ IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES THE TWO LADIES THAT ARE RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD.
NOW I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DON'T KNOW EITHER ONE OF THESE LADIES.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR TEACHING YEARS AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD TEACHERS.
AND THEY WERE I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WERE IN OUR SYSTEM.
I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW, BUT THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB AND THEY'RE WORTHY.
BUT SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE NOT WHO WE NEED ON OUR SCHOOL BOARD.
NONE OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD IS GOING TO TEACH A CLASS.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE THE PRINCIPAL OF A SCHOOL.
THEY'RE GOING TO MANAGE A SYSTEM.
THE BIGGEST BUSINESS IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
WE NEED CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS.
WE NEED PEOPLE THAT KNOW HOW TO RUN THE SYSTEM, NOT TEACH THE STUDENTS.
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS OVER 200 TEACHERS, OVER 30 ADMINISTRATORS FOR 2500 STUDENTS. WHEN WE HAD ALMOST 5000, WE HAD NO MORE TEACHERS, NO MORE ADMINISTRATORS THAN WE DO NOW.
I WENT TO A SCHOOL OF 200 RIGHT AT THIS SPOT.
WE HAD SEVEN TEACHERS AND A PRINCIPAL, SO ALL WE HAD.
BUT WE HAD THE TWO THINGS YOU NEED.
GOOD TEACHERS AND DISCIPLINE IN THE CLASSROOM.
AND DISCIPLINE DIDN'T COME FROM THE TEACHING, THE PRINCIPAL.
IT CAME FROM MY FATHER WHO TOLD ME, WARN YOU, I'M SENDING YOU TO SCHOOL TO LEARN NOT TO MISBEHAVE.
AND IF YOU MISBEHAVE, IT'S GOING TO BE BAD WHEN YOU GET HOME.
AND TOO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE LACKING THOSE PARENTS.
SO TO THE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT, IF YOU HAVE THE QUALITIES THAT WE NEED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO MAKE MANAGERIAL DECISIONS, WHO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT MANAGING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND LOOKING AFTER BUDGETS AND ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
THEY'RE THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE NEED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
YES, WE PROBABLY NEED TWO OUT OF THE NINE TO BE TEACHERS SO THEY CAN RELATE TO EACH OTHER.
BUT WE NEED THOSE OTHER PEOPLE TOO, TO MAKE IT RUN SMOOTH.
YOU CAN'T RUN ON NINE TEACHERS THAT THEY'RE INSIDE THE SYSTEM, AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE THAT THEY NEED TO MANAGE A SCHOOL SYSTEM.
NOW [INAUDIBLE] WAS BACK IN 93.
YOU AND I WENT TO BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE OUR SONS PLAY BASKETBALL FOR SOUTHAMPTON.
I HADN'T BEEN TO THAT SCHOOL BEFORE, BUT I NOTICED WHEN I WALKED IN, WHOEVER THE ARCHITECT WAS, WHOEVER THE CONTRACTOR WAS OF BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE SAME ONE.
I HAVEN'T RESEARCHED IT, BUT THOSE SCHOOLS ARE IDENTICAL.
BUT THERE WAS ONE THING DIFFERENT IN THOSE TWO SCHOOLS THAT I NOTICED.
AND IT'S ALL IN THE MANAGEMENT.
THAT'S ALL IT IS. IT'S ALL IN THE MANAGEMENT.
AND IT STARTS AT THE TOP AND COMES DOWN.
AND THAT'S WHAT OUR PROBLEM IS.
AND THIS COUNTY HAS A POOR RECORD OF HAVING EXPECTATIONS FOR THE STUDENTS, FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND FOR THEIR CITIZENS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
WHO'S NEXT? WE GOT PLENTY OF TIME.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS WENDY SIMMONS, AND MY ADDRESS IS 28005 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
AND I AM THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR OF THE MAN WHO JUST SPOKE.
[LAUGHTER] I AM A VERY PROUD EDUCATOR IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS.
[00:45:06]
BECAUSE AS WE SPEAK, I DO HAVE A GIANT BULL'S EYE ON MY BACK.AND I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE PROBABLY AWARE OF THAT.
SO THEREFORE I WILL LEAVE MY PERSONAL GRIEVANCES WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH THEM.
BUT JUST TO LET YOU KNOW ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS, AS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF OUR KIDS, AND I TAKE THAT JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.
I'VE BEEN IN EDUCATION FOR 30 YEARS, AND I DON'T THINK THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN A SYSTEM LIKE I AM RIGHT NOW WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT WE ARE HAVING.
AND I'M UP HERE TONIGHT NOT FOR MYSELF AND NOT FOR MY TEACHERS, REALLY.
I'M UP HERE FOR KIDS LIKE THE FLYTHE KID BECAUSE HE IS MY BABY.
AND WHEN I HEARD HIS DAD SPEAK, ANGER CAME THROUGH ME BECAUSE DON'T MESS WITH MY KIDS.
THEY ARE MISS TAYLOR DARDEN'S KIDS.
I PRIDE MYSELF ON LOVING MY JOB.
I DON'T GET UP EVERY MORNING AND HATE GOING TO WORK.
I LOVE GOING TO CAPRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
IT'S OLD AND DECREPIT AS IT IS.
MY OFFICE IS 56FT² TO COUNCIL KIDS IN.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T COMPLAIN BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE.
AND I MAY NOT BE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IN 20 YEARS.
BUT THESE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE HERE AND WE HAVE GOT TO START PUTTING THE KIDS FIRST.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A MINDSET OF OUR KIDS NEED TO BE FIRST. NOW, I'VE BEEN IN CAPRON FOR NINE YEARS, AND I WAS IN A COUNTY FOR 21 YEARS THAT I THOUGHT COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE, AND I LEFT AT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I COULD TO COME HERE.
BUT WE HAVE GOT THE BEST TEACHERS.
AT MY SCHOOL WE HAVE ABOUT 28 TO 30 EMPLOYEES ABOUT, I'D SAY 18 TO 19 TEACHERS.
AND SINCE I HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE 2015, THERE ARE THREE PEOPLE LEFT, NOT INCLUDING ME, THAT WERE THERE IN 2015 WHEN I STARTED.
THEY'VE ALL GONE OTHER PLACES.
THEY DIDN'T LEAVE BECAUSE CAPRON WAS BAD OR OLD.
THEY LEFT FOR MORE MONEY AND TO BE APPRECIATED MORE.
DON'T LET THERE BE A CHILD AT HOME TONIGHT THAT IS DREADING GOING TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE SCHOOLING, INADEQUATE LEADERS IN OUR COUNTY MAKE THE START AND BE THE CHANGE TODAY.
[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? ANYBODY GOT ANY THOUGHTS? WE APPRECIATE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
HELLO. I'M LINDSAY PITTS AND I LIVE AT 23006 JONS PLACE.
SO I HAD A CHANCE TO ADDRESS YOU ALL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.
I HAD NO IDEA HOW BAD IT WAS GOING TO GET.
SO WHEN I CAME TO YOU AND SPOKE THE FIRST TIME, WE WERE A LITTLE BIT UPSET.
WE THOUGHT WE'D LOSE GPA POINTS.
WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD LEAD TO LOSS OF SCHOLARSHIPS.
WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TROUBLESOME FOR OUR DAUGHTER.
AND IT HAS BEEN, AND IT WILL BE FOR OTHER STUDENTS AS WELL.
I THINK THE SADDEST THING THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD, MAKE YOUR COMMENTS KNOWN, EXPRESS THINGS TO THEM, AND THERE IS STILL THIS VEIL.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU.
THEY ACCEPT OUR TAX MONEY AT THE BULK OF MOST OF OUR DONATIONS IN THAT WAY.
[00:50:03]
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ONE OF THE HEAVIEST RECIPIENTS, BUT THEY DON'T MAKE ANY EXPLANATIONS FOR HOW THEY SPEND THE MONEY.THEY DON'T MAKE IT CLEAR FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MONEY IS GONE.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT EVIDENT IN THE SCHOOLS.
IT'S NOT EVIDENT IN THE BUILDINGS.
IT'S NOT EVIDENT IN THE TEACHERS BECAUSE WE'RE LOSING THEM.
IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR US TO CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND NOT HAVE ANY RESPONSE.
THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM IS DECLINING AT A RAPID RATE.
I THINK PEOPLE HAVE USED BETTER TERMINOLOGY.
I'VE HEARD CIRCLING THE TOILET BOWL ABOUT OUR COUNTY SCHOOLS AND I DON'T DISAGREE.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, MOST OF THEM CAN'T CIRCLE BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TOILETS DON'T WORK.
WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A BEAUTIFUL, GLOSSY NEWSLETTER IN THE MAIL THAT TOLD US THAT THE REASON THAT OUR STUDENTS DIDN'T HAVE TEACHERS AND WOULDN'T HAVE TEACHERS THIS YEAR WAS BECAUSE THE BUDGET WASN'T APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IT WAS THE BUDGET EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER, AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED ONE AS WELL.
IT WAS INCREDIBLY INFORMATIVE.
YOU ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPEL THE SCHOOL BOARD TO COMPLY WITH A FORENSIC AUDIT.
NOT ONLY WOULD THAT EXPLAIN WHERE THE BULK OF THE MONEY HAS GONE, IT WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN WHERE THE BULK OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE GONE, WHY SOME TEACHERS HAVE APPLIED FOR POSITIONS AND CAN'T GET THEM, WHILE QUALIFIED PEOPLE STEP ONTO OUR SCHOOL BOARD ASKING QUESTIONS, WANTING TO FIND RESPONSES, AND CAN'T GET THEM.
I GOT TO VISIT YOU ALL TWO YEARS AGO.
THINGS HAVE ONLY DECLINED SINCE THEN, SO I WOULD JUST ASK FOR SOME IMMEDIATE ACTION.
AND SO WE WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER THAT AS WELL.
[APPLAUSE] GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING.
I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT, BUT I JUST WANT TO RESOUND ON WHAT MISS PITTS SAID.
MY NAME IS KEVIN MOORE. I RESIDE AT TWO, 3374 LEE STREET IN THE COURTLAND DISTRICT.
AND NOT ONE OF THEM LOOKED AT ME.
I MEAN, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THEY KNEW.
THEY ANSWERED TO WHOEVER THEY WANTED TO, AND THEY COULD DO WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO.
AND I JUST WANT TO COMMEND Y'ALL.
I KNOW Y'ALL ARE GETTING A LITTLE BEAT UP ON TONIGHT, AND WE'RE ASKING A LOT OF Y'ALL.
AND I KNOW A LOT OF CITIZENS ARE FRUSTRATED BY HOW LITTLE Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO DO IN THE POSITION THAT YOU'RE IN, BUT I IMPLORE YOU TO TO PUSH FORWARD FOR THIS FORENSIC AUDIT AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT MISS PITTS SAID THAT I HEARD THE PREVIOUS HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, I BELIEVE IT WAS TELL Y'ALL TO Y'ALL'S FACE DURING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
THAT'S JUST NOT A SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE.
SO WHY DO WE HAVE BRAND NEW GOLF CARTS, BRAND NEW GATORS THAT ARE SETTING UP THERE BEHIND THE HIGH SCHOOL THAT JUST MAGICALLY APPEARED? WHAT BUDGET LINE ITEM DID THEY GET MOVED AROUND TO COME FROM? SO THIS IS ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY.
I JUST WANT TO IMPLORE YOU ALL TO PLEASE DO WHAT'S IN YOUR POWER.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING.
[APPLAUSE] WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.
EVEN IF WE RUN OUT OF TIME I'M NOT GOING TO CUT YOU OFF.
ANYBODY ELSE? MY NAME IS DAVID EDWARDS, 29273 UNITY ROAD, SEDLEY VIRGINIA.
I'M CHANGING THE SUBJECT A LITTLE BIT.
I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT TUCKER SWAMP ROAD ON VDOT FROM 460 TO SEACOCK CHAPEL.
THE SIDE OF THE ROADS ARE JUST TERRIBLE, AND THAT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT TO COME AND TALK ABOUT.
[00:55:02]
BUT I'M GOING TO JUMP ON THE SCHOOL STUFF A LITTLE BIT.SOUNDS LIKE WE GOT A SCHOOL PROBLEM.
I DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS IN SOUTHAMPTON SCHOOL, SO NO GRANDKIDS AROUND HERE.
BUT EVERY YEAR WHEN WE COME BUDGET TIME, YOU ALL KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO PINCH PENNIES.
WE ALL UP HERE FUSSING ABOUT Y'ALL AND IT'S TIME TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.
SCHOOL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW WHAT OUR BUDGET IS LIKE 55 TO 60% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO SCHOOL.
SO SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I KNOW IT'S A LOT THAT Y'ALL CAN'T DO, BUT WHATEVER Y'ALL CAN DO, YOU GET IT DONE.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? GOOD EVENING. I'M DREW EDWARDS.
29258 LITTLE TEXAS ROAD, BRANCHVILLE, VIRGINIA.
EVERYBODY'S, I THINK, ALREADY SAID MOST OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY TONIGHT, BUT IT'S ONE THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN POINTED OUT, BUT IT'S A WEBSITE CALLED SCHOOL DIGGER.
IT MONITORS FOR OVER 20 YEARS NATIONWIDE SCHOOL RANKINGS 2016.
SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL RANKED 60TH OUT OF 321 HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.
RANKED US IN THE TOP 20% 2024 SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL RANKED 257TH OUT OF 329 HIGH SCHOOLS.
ALMOST DOWN TO THE FRACTION FROM BEING IN THE BOTTOM 20% IN THE STATE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS HIRED IN 2000 SUMMER OF 2016.
[APPLAUSE] OKAY. WE STILL HAVE SOME TIME.
IF I DIDN'T USE MY WHOLE TIME.
CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING? YES YOU CAN. ONE MORE THING.
[LAUGHTER] NOW YOU CAN COME ON.
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY FAMILY TAUGHT ME SOMETHING THAT GOES LIKE THIS.
NO FOR WANT OF A NAIL A SHOE WAS LOST.
FOR WANT OF A SHOE A HORSE WAS LOST FOR WANT OF A HORSE A SOLDIER WAS LOST.
AND FOR WANT OF A SOLDIER A BATTLE WAS LOST.
AND I HAVE LEARNED IN SEVERAL LEADERSHIP COURSES I'VE TAKEN, WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM, THE GENERAL IS THE ONE THAT GETS FIRED NOT THE GUY THAT SHOED THE HORSE. AND SO YOU ALL DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION TO GET RID OF THESE PEOPLE.
BUT THAT'S WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AT THE TOP.
NOT THE GUY THAT FAILED TO PUT ALL THE NAILS IN THE HORSE SHOE.
[LAUGHTER] MY NAME IS JANE RIDDICK FREEZE.
MY ADDRESS IS 30319 CAMP PARKWAY, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
AND I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
AND SO YOU REALLY YOU MIGHT WONDER WHY I AM EVEN SPEAKING ABOUT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT I EMAILED EVERYONE HERE ON AUGUST THE 8TH, EVERYBODY WHO IS A BOARD OF SUPERVISOR.
I HAD ATTENDED THE JULY 15TH MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, WHICH WAS A PUBLIC WORKSHOP.
IT WAS A 2.5 HOUR MEETING BEFORE THEY WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION.
AND I EMAILED YOU BECAUSE AFTER ATTENDING THAT MEETING, I WAS HORRIFIED BY HOW THE MEETING WAS CONDUCTED AND WHAT I LEARNED AT THE MEETING, AND I THINK EVERYBODY HERE HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB ABOUT SHARING THEIR CONCERNS.
AND I THANK GOODNESS FOR MANDY HALL, BECAUSE SHE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB ABOUT FINDING ALL THE FACTS, AND THAT REALLY IS NOT HER JOB TO HAVE TO GO AND FIND ALL OF THAT DETAILED INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH US AS CITIZENS.
SO WE SHOULD ALL BE THANKING HER TREMENDOUSLY FOR BRINGING THAT TO LIGHT.
[01:00:01]
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND FOR SURE THE KIDS IS WHO WE SHOULD BE TOTALLY PUTTING FIRST.BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU HEAR WHAT THE GENTLEMAN SAID ABOUT WHERE WE RANK AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM, YOU HAVE TO WONDER THEN WHAT BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE COMING TO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND FRANKLIN, WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE STATUS OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO BRING THOSE BIG JOBS AND THOSE NICE PAYING JOBS TO OUR AREA.
THEY'RE GOING TO BYPASS US AND GO TO OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY HAVE BETTER SCHOOL SYSTEMS. AND SO THERE IS A BIG PICTURE, AND YOU'VE GOT TO PUT ALL THE PIECES OF THE PIE TOGETHER.
AND SO FOR US TO BE THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT WE HAVE TO PUT OUR KIDS FIRST.
AND THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT THE LEADERSHIP IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CHILDREN.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.
ANYBODY ELSE? THE HOUR IS UP, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CUT IT OFF.
YOU TOOK YOUR TIME TO COME HERE.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.
ALL RIGHT LAST CALL FOR COMMENT.
MY NAME IS MELISSA CORNWELL, AND I LIVE AT 30499 BERLIN DORY RD.
I WAS NOT PLANNING ON SPEAKING TONIGHT.
SO THIS IS JUST FROM THE HEART.
MY SON JUST GRADUATED FROM SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL.
AND I WANT TO JUST RESONATE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID.
WE NEED A FORENSIC AUDIT DESPERATELY BECAUSE THERE IS A GROSS LACK IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
I FELT LIKE MY SON WAS FAILED DURING HIS SENIOR YEAR.
IF IT WASN'T FOR PAUL DECAMP AND THE FACT THAT HE TOOK DUAL ENROLLMENT AND HE HAD TREMENDOUS HELP FROM THEM, I FEEL LIKE HE WOULD NOT HAVE EXCELLED IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND HE WOULD NOT HAVE GRADUATED WITH HONORS, AND HE WOULD NOT BE ATTENDING VIRGINIA TECH TODAY.
THERE WAS NO HELP AS FAR AS FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS.
THERE WAS VERY A LACK OF GUIDANCE AND PICKING OUT YOUR CLASSES.
AND HE WILL TELL YOU THOSE PICTURES THAT WERE ON FACEBOOK.
THE MAJORITY OF MY SON'S SENIOR YEAR, THERE WAS ONE WORKING BATHROOM, AND MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT FOR HIM TO TRY TO GET TO IT AND THEN NOT BE LATE FOR THE NEXT CLASS.
SO A LOT OF TIMES HE DIDN'T GO AND HE HELD IT ALL DAY.
SOAP, WATER, BLEACH, A MOP AND A BUCKET DON'T COST THAT MUCH, AND I WILL GLADLY GO TO THE SCHOOL IF THEY WOULD ALLOW ME AND HELP SCRUB THE SCHOOL IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.
AND I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PARENTS THAT WOULD BE RIGHT THERE WITH ME.
BUT ALSO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TRIES TO KEEP US PARENTS AWAY AT BAY.
THEY DON'T WANT US IN THE BUILDING.
WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO HIDE.
I CAN TELL YOU THE DAY THAT Y'ALL TOURED THE SCHOOL, MY SON WAS TEXTING ME FROM SCHOOL TELLING ME HOW THEY WERE RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO COVER UP EVERYTHING THEY WANTED TO COVER UP, HOW THE NON-WORKING BATHROOMS THAT HAD SIGNS ON THEM THAT THEY COULDN'T USE THAT BATHROOM BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK. THEY TOOK ALL THOSE SIGNS DOWN WHILE Y'ALL TOOK YOUR TOUR.
AND THEN THEY LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND THEY WATCHED TO WAIT UNTIL Y'ALL ALL LEFT THE PARKING LOT.
[01:05:09]
SO I JUST WANTED TO COME UP HERE AND JUST SAY, PLEASE LISTEN TO EVERYTHING MANDY HAS SAID SHE HAS WORKED SO HARD IN GATHERING THE DATA.I'M NOT A FINANCIAL PERSON, I'M A NURSE.
WHEN MY SON WAS TAKING AN ADVANCED SCIENCE CLASS, I HAD TO DEMAND FOR HIM TO HAVE A TEXTBOOK.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE TEACHER TOLD HIM INITIALLY? GOOGLE FOR THE ANSWER.
THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS.
HE WAS TAKING AN HONORS BIOLOGY CLASS AND HE'S SUPPOSED TO GOOGLE FOR THE ANSWERS.
IF THERE'S NO TEXTBOOK, WHERE IS OUR MONEY GOING TO? ONE CLASS MY SON DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME BECAUSE HE KNEW IT WOULD STRESS ME OUT.
HE BASICALLY GOT NO EDUCATION FOR A WHOLE CLASS PERIOD FOR A WHOLE SEMESTER.
INSTEAD, HE WAS THEIR LITTLE ERRAND BOY.
AND I THINK WE ALL LOVE OUR COUNTY, AND WE WANT TO SEE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM SUCCESSFUL.
AND I KNOW EACH ONE OF Y'ALL WANT TO SEE IT SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT IS NOT SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW.
AND I HESITATED TO EVEN COME UP HERE AND TALK TO YOU, BECAUSE I FEAR THAT MY SON WILL HAVE A TARGET ON HIS BACK, BECAUSE I STAND HERE TONIGHT AND SPEAK OUT. AND THAT'S TERRIBLE TO FEEL.
PARENTS ARE AFRAID FOR RETALIATION.
EMPLOYEES ARE AFRAID OF RETALIATION.
AS SOMEBODY SAID PREVIOUSLY, I WORKED FOR A LARGE COMPANY AND I HAVE A CORPORATE CREDIT CARD, AND I'M ABLE TO SPEND UP TO $5,000 ON THAT CREDIT CARD DAILY.
BUT I HAVE LIKE A WEEK TO RECONCILE, TO SHOW MY RECEIPT, TO SHOW WHAT I'VE PURCHASED AND WHY OR I WOULD BE IN TROUBLE WITH MY EMPLOYER.
SO I JUST ASK YOU, PLEASE, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FORENSIC AUDIT SO THAT WE CAN.
OUR TAX PAYING MONEY WILL GO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO TO HELP OUR KIDS.
AND SECONDLY, TO HELP OUR TEACHERS.
AND I DO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR TEACHERS.
IT HAS BEEN SO SAD FOR ME TO SEE THE TEACHERS THAT HAVE LOST OUR LEFT, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY.
IT'S ABOUT THE LACK OF SUPPORT.
AND WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS THAT HAVE STAYED, AND I GIVE THEM KUDOS FOR STAYING AND STICKING IT OUT.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYMORE OF THEM LEAVE.
OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE? I CERTAINLY WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK, BUT I'M KATE GILLETTE.
I RESIDE AT 17375 OLD BELFIELD ROAD CAPRON, VIRGINIA.
AND I'M JUST GOING TO SECOND EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM.
I HAVE NO KIDS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AT ALL.
BUT I WOULD DO ANYTHING, ANYTHING FOR THESE CHILDREN.
AND I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR THAT SWEET NIECE OF MINE THAT I HAVE.
BUT I JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTY, FOR DOING WHAT'S RIGHT, FOR STANDING UP WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS STANDING. AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.
AND SO I COMMEND YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AND I ALSO SAY DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO, BECAUSE IF I HAD CHILDREN IN THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM RIGHT NOW, I WOULD BE PULLING MY OWN CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND HOMESCHOOLING.
SO BY ALL MEANS, DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DO THE AUDIT.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.
[01:10:01]
WE'VE GONE OVER THE HOUR, BUT WE WON'T CUT YOU OFF IF WE GOT ANYBODY ELSE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK.OKAY. WE WILL THEREFORE CLOSE THE CITIZENS COMMENT, PERIOD.
STAY FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING.
ALL RIGHT. NUMBER THREE, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES JULY 23, 2024.
[3. Approval of Minutes ]
ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS.[4. VDOT Matters]
I WILL TAKE THAT TO MR. THROWER AFTER THE MEETING.ANYBODY HAVE ANY ROAD CONCERNS? YES. I NEED TO COME UP.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CYNTHIA BRYANT, AND I RESIDE AT 33347 JOYNERS BRIDGE ROAD.
AND I JUST HAVE A QUESTION, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE FOR A COUPLE OF THE BOARD MEETINGS, BUT I HAD SPOKEN WITH MR. WHITE IN REFERENCE TO THE SPEED LIMIT ON JOYNERS BRIDGE ROAD.
YEAH. WE'VE GOT A STUDY GOING ON THAT WE'VE.
HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM VDOT? I HAVE NOT, BUT WE DID.
YEAH. THE BOARD ADOPTED RESOLUTION.
OKAY. THE SECOND THING IS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH YOU ABOUT THE TRUCKS THAT ARE USING JOYNERS BRIDGE ROAD AS A CUT THROUGH. AND I STAND OUT THERE AND I WATCH THE TRUCKS AS THEY ARE COMING DOWN THE ROAD.
AND IF YOU CANNOT PASS EACH OTHER ON A ROAD, I THINK THAT'S A PROBLEM.
THEY HAVE TO STOP AND WAIT AND LET THE OTHER ONE GO THROUGH.
WE'VE ASKED WE'VE ALREADY TALKED TO THEM.
ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER ROAD CONCERNS? I HAVE ONE.
THE CULVERT PIPES ARE STOPPED UP, AND WHEN WE HAD A 2.5IN RAIN THE OTHER DAY WATER WAS EVERYWHERE AND CARS WERE HYDROPLANING AT NIGHT IN THE WATER.
YEAH, I'VE REPORTED THOSE TO VDOT.
YEAH, BUT THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.
GOOD EVENING. FRANK ERKHART 38465 GENERAL HOME BOULEVARD IVOR, VIRGINIA.
GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN EDWARDS.
SECOND OF ALL WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE RIGHT THERE AT THE IVOR INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF IVOR FURNITURE COMPANY, WHERE IT'S ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE YOU TURN TO GO DOWN 620 TO SMITHFIELD AND ONE ON THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
AND ALSO WE NEED SOME KIND OF MARKING DOWN IN THE ROAD TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THAT 620 IS GOING TO SMITHFIELD BECAUSE YOU SEE THEM LOSE THE GPS, GO DOWN A HALF A MILE AND TURN AROUND IN THE VETERINARIAN CLINICS LOT.
THIRD FOR AND THE FINAL ONE, WHICH IS ALWAYS BEEN MY PET PEEVE WITH VIRGINIA DRIVERS OF ALWAYS WANTING TO MEET EACH OTHER AT AN INTERSECTION AND PASS EACH OTHER AND TURN BEHIND EACH OTHER.
AND WE HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM RIGHT THERE AT 635 TUCKER SWAMP ROAD ON 460, BECAUSE ONE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A MORE, BETTER ALIGNMENT COMING OFF THE BRIDGE THERE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING FROM TUCKER SWAMP TO ENTER INTO 460, THEY ARE ACTUALLY BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION.
[01:15:06]
ACCIDENTS RIGHT THERE, BECAUSE A PERSON COMING FROM ZUNI TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN HAS TO REALLY GO WAY PAST THE RIGHT HAND SIDE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN.AND THAT ALSO IS CAUSATION TO HEAD ON ACCIDENTS.
SO THEY REALLY NEED TO GO AND TAKE A REAL GOOD LOOK AT THAT.
AND TO HELP SOME OF THOSE VIRGINIA DRIVERS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF MEETING AND TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION, IT WOULD BE GREATLY HELPFUL IF WE JUST PUT SOME WHITE DOTTED DASHED LINES THERE TO SHOW YOU WHERE THE TURN LANES ARE GOING AND WHERE YOU SHOULD GO.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ANY OTHER ROAD MATTERS? ANYBODY ELSE? THE BOARD HAVE ANYTHING? OKAY. WE'LL GO ON TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS.
[5. Monthly Reports]
MR. THROWER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT.YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR.
JUST SOME VERY QUICK UPDATES ON A FEW THINGS.
COURTHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT.
WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE TO DO THE MAJORITY OF THE MOVING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9TH.
SO WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE FOR THAT.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PORTION OF THAT PROJECT.
KCH CONTRACTING IS SCHEDULED TO START HOPEFULLY EARLY NEXT WEEK ON THAT PROJECT AND THAT PROJECT WILL PROBABLY GO THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER, JANUARY TIME FRAME.
SO WE'LL BE WORKING ON THAT PROJECT WITH THE DRAINAGE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS GOING FORWARD.
AND WE'LL BE WORKING ON THAT PROJECT THROUGH THE END OF 2026.
WE DO HAVE GOING FORWARD ON THAT PROJECT AND WORKING ON THAT.
KARL WILL BE UP HERE SOON TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
BUT AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE'RE WORKING ON THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH HM4E INCORPORATED, THE WATER BOTTLING COMPANY IN THE SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS PARK, WHICH IS LOCATED BEHIND FOOD LION, WHERE WE'RE LATER THIS WEEK OR EARLY NEXT WEEK SCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON THAT PROPERTY.
SO COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I AND OUR CONTRACTED ATTORNEY AND KARL, HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT PRETTY, PRETTY HOT AND HEAVY THE LAST FEW WEEKS, SO HOPEFULLY WRAPPING THAT UP SOON.
KARL MENTIONED KARL AND WE APPRECIATE FSDI WORKING ON THIS DID GET A BUSINESS VIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITE GRANT FROM THE EDP FOR OUR BEALE FARM PROPERTY FOR ABOUT $223,000 TO DO SOME ENGINEERING WORK AIMED AT RAISING THE SITE FROM A TIER TWO CATEGORY TO A TIER FOUR CATEGORY BY THE EDP'S SITE SELECTION CRITERIA.
AS YOU'RE ALSO AWARE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE FAIR BOARD PAST FEW WEEKS ON THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THE PROPERTY A FEW WEEKS AGO. SO WE'VE BEEN SUBMITTING SOME INSURANCE CLAIMS ON THAT, WORKING WITH THE FAIR BOARD.
APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S COOPERATION ON THAT MATTER.
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON MY ICMA CREDENTIALED MANAGER DESIGNATION ANNUAL REPORT THAT WAS SUBMITTED.
I WAS RECENTLY ELECTED THE POSITION OF BOARD CHAIR FOR THE VERSA BOARD AT THE LAST MEETING.
OUR COURTLAND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, UV SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT.
THE LOW BIDDER ON THAT WAS EAST COAST UTILITY CONTRACTORS FOR $277,000.
SO WE'LL BE STARTING THAT PROJECT SOON.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THAT'S ARPA MONEY THAT WE'RE UTILIZING FOR THAT PROJECT GOING FORWARD.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I WORK ALMOST DAILY ON VARIOUS MATTERS.
YOU DO HAVE A LIST OF SOME OF THE MEETINGS AND TRAININGS THAT I'VE ATTENDED THE PAST MONTH.
[01:20:02]
OKAY, I'LL GO DOWN THE LIST.YES, SIR. SO IN YOUR PACKET, YOU'LL SEE THE PRELIMINARY FIGURES FOR JUNE 30, 2024.
AS I HAVE STATED IN THE PAST MONTH FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WE ARE ON A MODIFIED ACCRUAL BASIS.
SO WHEN WE GET TO THE END OF JUNE 30TH, WE LEAVE THE BOOKS OPEN.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE BOOKS OPEN FOR 45 DAYS TO CAPTURE ALL EXPENDITURES THAT HAD OCCURRED PRIOR TO JUNE 30TH THAT WE HAD NOT RECEIVED INVOICES FOR, AND ALSO TO CAPTURE ANY LATE ARRIVING REVENUES THAT WERE EARNED AS OF JUNE 30TH.
SO THIS IS THE PRELIMINARY THERE ARE STILL JOURNAL ENTRIES THAT ARE PREPARED HERE PRIOR TO AUDIT THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
AS OF JUNE 2024, TOTAL REVENUES, WE HAD COLLECTED 100.43% AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR OF 99.42%.
AS FAR AS THE EXPENDITURES AS OF JUNE 30TH THROUGH THE TIME THIS REPORT WAS RUN, WE HAD SPENT 95.88% OF OUR BUDGET COMPARED TO LAST YEAR OF 93.93%.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. LOWE? OKAY. TREASURER'S REPORT.
I'M SEEING MISS EDWARDS IS HERE.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $502,104.76.
WE HAVE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE OUTSTANDING $1,872,394.55 ON THE SOLID WASTE LAST MONTH WE WERE AT 79.43%.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $757,121.53.
AND IF ANYBODY LISTENING IN THE AUDIENCE OR ONLINE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COLLECT.
IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID, YOU CAN BE ON THE LOOKOUT.
HOW? WHAT'S THE REPORT ON THAT $4 MILLION IN BACK TAXES.
3 MILLION. SO WHAT KIND OF PROGRESS ARE WE MAKING? I MEAN, WHAT HOW MUCH ARE WE GETTING OR WHAT'S GOING ON? OH, WELL, I JUST GAVE YOU THE UPDATE FROM LAST MONTH TO THIS MONTH.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COLLECT.
THERE ARE PEOPLE ON PAYMENT PLANS.
BUT WE'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO'VE BROKEN PAYMENT PLANS.
AT THAT POINT WE DO BANK LIENS.
WE DO LIENS TO EMPLOYERS, BOOT VEHICLES, WHATEVER WE CAN TO COLLECT.
PLEASE KEEP US UP ON THAT IN EVERY MEETING.
I SURE WILL. WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT.
THANK YOU. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER? OKAY. ANIMAL CONTROL, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY, SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES.
THEY MIGHT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THOSE SITUATIONS.
OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER SIX FINANCIAL MATTERS.
[6. Financial Matters]
THE BILLS LIST.DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBSERVATION QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BILLS LIST.
WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS THERE, APPROPRIATION RESOLUTIONS.
FIRST ONE IS THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION NEAR THE END OF THIS YEAR.
[01:25:02]
VARIOUS FUNDS.RESOLUTION PROVIDES A TOTAL APPROPRIATION OF $5,211,675.14 FOR VARIOUS FUNDS.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? MOTION TO APPROVE.
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THE SECOND ONE IS APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR END OF SCHOOL FUND.
THE RESOLUTION SAYS THERE'S A TOTAL APPROPRIATION OF $2,960,612.45 FOR THE SCHOOL FUND.
SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? SECOND. ALL RIGHT.
[7. Appointments]
MR. CORNWELL HAS BEEN HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING SOMEBODY FROM THE IVOR DISTRICT.ARE YOU STILL? YES. IF ANYBODY KNOWS ANYBODY IN IVOR DISTRICT WHO WANTS TO BE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, IT'S A GREAT JOB.
$50 A MONTH AND ALL THE CRITICISM YOU CAN STAND.
[LAUGHTER] OKAY. HOPEFULLY BY NEXT MONTH, WE'LL HAVE SOMEBODY.
THE NEXT ONE, THE BCA BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.
MR. FOWLER'S TERM RUNS OUT AND HE DOES WANT TO BE REAPPOINTED.
I MAKE A MOTION. WE REAPPOINT HIM.
MR. FOWLER HAS BEEN THE MOTION.
AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE OF THAT REAPPOINTMENT.
THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS WE HAVE DEBORAH GOODWYN AND J.W.
BALLARD'S TERMS ARE EXPIRING, AND BOTH INDIVIDUALS HAVE INDICATED THEY DO WISH TO BE RECONSIDERED.
DEBORAH GOODWYN BE REAPPOINTED.
AYE. THAT WAS BOTH OF THEM, RIGHT? WELL, I JUST SAID [INAUDIBLE].
OKAY. HOW ABOUT MR. BALLARD? I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT HE BE REAPPOINTED.
MR. THROWER WILL YOU GO THROUGH THAT FOR US?
[8. Radio Project MOU]
YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.WE DID PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
THE FRANKLIN CITY COUNCIL DID APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT AT ITS AUGUST 12TH MEETING.
AND THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE TO THAT MOU, IF YOU READ IT, THE ORIGINAL MEMO, MOU STATES THAT IF A PARTY RECEIVES A GRANT TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION NETWORK IN THE RECEIPT OF SUCH GRANT IS SOLELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE EFFORTS OF THAT PARTY. SUCH GRANT FUNDS WILL BE APPLIED ONLY TO SUCH PARTIES PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS.
SO IN THIS SCENARIO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF FRANKLIN SOLELY APPLIED FOR AND WORKED ON A GRANT.
THE AMENDMENT. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT STATES THAT ANY GRANT FUNDS RECEIVED TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK SHALL BE APPLIED IN A 50 OVER 50 SPLIT TO THE PARTY'S OBLIGATION PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS, REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY EXPENDED THE EFFORT TO SECURE THE GRANT.
THIS AMENDMENT REINFORCES THE FACT THAT THIS PROJECT IS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY, AND THAT THE RECEIPT OF GRANT FUNDS SHOULD BE VIEWED AND TREATED IN THAT MANNER.
THIS WAS A WHEN WE FIRST WHEN YOU FIRST APPROVED THE MOU SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THIS WAS A I GUESS A DEBATED ITEM BACK AND FORTH OF HOW YOU TREAT THESE GRANT FUNDS.
SO IN THE VIEW OF CITY AND COUNTY STAFF, THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT THESE GRANT FUNDS, BECAUSE IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU'VE GOT A JOINT PROJECT LIKE THAT TO TRY TO DECIPHER WHICH PARTY APPLIED FOR AND WHICH PARTY EXPENDED, WHAT LEVEL OF EFFORT FOR THE GRANT. SO THIS IS, IN OUR OPINION, THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE THIS THE CITY OF FRANKLIN DID APPLY FOR THE MOST GRANTS.
SO I THINK IT'S ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE COUNTY THAT YOU APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT TO THE MOU.
MAY I ASK WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THIS IS FRANKLIN IN FOR?
[01:30:02]
IT'S 67% COUNTY AND 33% CITY OF FRANKLIN ON THE EXPENSE SIDE.HAS THE CITY OF FRANKLIN LOOKED AT THIS.
YES, THEY THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED IT AS AUGUST 20TH.
AND THIS JUST TREATS THE GRANTS RECEIVED.
IT APPLIES AT 5050 TO BOTH SIDES.
IT'S ABOUT WHICH SIDE APPLIED FOR WHAT GRANT AND HOW YOU ALLOCATE THE PERCENTAGE, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CITY OF FRANKLIN HAS RECEIVED THE MOST GRANTS. SO THIS IS ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE COUNTY IN MY OPINION.
YEAH. I MEAN, IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO DO IT.
I SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
WE HAVE A MOTION SECOND TO GO 50/50.
BETTER THAN NOTHING. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AYE. OPPOSED? NO. IT'S UNANIMOUS.
[9. Public Hearings]
VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONNEL PROPERTY TAX AND VEHICLE LICENSE TAX EXEMPTION ORDINANCE.WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD? YEAH. YEAH.
YES, SIR. AT YOUR JULY 23, 2024 MEETING, YOU AUTHORIZED CONDUCTING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX AND VEHICLE LICENSE TAX EXEMPTION ORDINANCES.
AND AS YOU CAN RECALL, ONE OF THOSE PRIORITIES WAS RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO RETAINING AND RECRUITING EXPERIENCED, TRAINED AND COMPETENT LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE AND RESCUE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING LIVES, PROTECTING PROPERTY AND MAINTAINING ORDER.
EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO MAINTAIN THE SAFETY OF COUNTY CITIZENS AND VISITORS, AND STAND READY TO RESPOND TO ALL EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING NATURAL OR MAN MADE DISASTERS.
FURTHERMORE, ONE OF YOUR THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES UNDER THAT SECTION STATES TO EXPLORE STRATEGIES THAT WOULD FURTHER INCENTIVIZE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE PROVIDERS. SO BASICALLY THESE ORDINANCES DO EXACTLY THAT.
PER STATE CODE, SECTION 58.1-3506 LOCALITIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO EXEMPT ONE VEHICLE OWNED BY A MEMBER OF A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OR RESCUE SQUAD FROM PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.
IF THE CHIEF OF THAT DEPARTMENT CERTIFIES THAT THE VOLUNTEER IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MEETS THE DEFINITION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL OR A MEMBER OF THE VOLUNTEER AGENCY WHO REGULARLY RESPONDS TO CALLS OR REGULARLY PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCY OR FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE VEHICLE OWNED OR LEASED BY THE VOLUNTEER IS IDENTIFIED.
THE FIRST ATTACHED ORDINANCE WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE AFOREMENTIONED.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS.
WE'VE DISCUSSED I'VE DISCUSSED IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ORDINANCE WITH AMY CARR, OUR COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, WHO'S HERE TONIGHT, AND GREG VICK, OUR FIRE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.
SHOULD THE BOARD ADOPT BOTH ORDINANCES AT TONIGHT'S MEETING, THE EXEMPTIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT THIS CALENDAR YEAR, DECEMBER 5, 2024, WHICH IS THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DUE DATE. FURTHERMORE, YOUR ADOPTED FY 25 BUDGET INCLUDES A REDUCTION IN PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE TO IMPLEMENT THIS VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE, RETENTION AND RECRUITING TOOL IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, AND THAT IS ATTACHED TO BOTH ORDINANCE AS PROPOSED OR ATTACHED ALONG WITH THE STATE CODE SECTIONS.
SO IT'S A PRETTY TYPICAL THING THAT OTHER LOCALITIES DO.
THEY DO A GREAT JOB, AND THEY SAVE THE COUNTY A LOT OF MONEY.
[01:35:01]
AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR APPRECIATE THEIR SERVICE.GOOD EVENING. THE WAY THAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS GREG, THE ASSOCIATIONAL PRESIDENT.
HE WILL BE THE ONE THAT WILL DEAL WITH EACH CHIEF FROM EACH SEPARATE DEPARTMENT.
WE'LL GET THE INFORMATION FROM GREG AND THEN APPLY THE EXEMPTION FOR THE CURRENT TAX YEAR.
ANY QUESTIONS? JUST TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THAT THE WE BASICALLY COPIED FORMS FROM OTHER LOCALITIES THAT DO THIS AND THE EACH EACH CHIEF SIGNS OFF THAT AND CERTIFIES THAT THE VOLUNTEER QUALIFIES FOR THE EXEMPTION.
AND THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT FORM THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED AND SUBMITTED TO GREG AND AMY.
IT'S PRETTY, PRETTY STANDARDIZED PROCESS.
THE ISSUE IS TRYING TO GET IT INTO THIS, THIS TIGHT WINDOW THIS YEAR.
BUT I THINK WE'VE COLLECTIVELY FIGURED THAT OUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AMY'S OFFICE AND GREG.
THANK YOU, MISS CARR. YES, SIR.
ALL RIGHT, THEN, WE HAVE THAT.
WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK CONCERNING THIS MATTER? I HAVE A COMMENT AND A QUESTION.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY ROUGH ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST US TO DO THIS? I MEAN, IS IT GOING TO BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS? AND MY COMMENT IS, I WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN FOR MANY YEARS, AND I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, AND IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT LESS MONEY THAN IT WOULD BE IF WE HAD TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FOR ALL THESE, ALL THESE POSITIONS.
WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO DISCUSS THE MATTER? THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
I'D JUST LIKE TO BACK UP MR. HUTCHINS STATEMENT ON HOW OUR VOLUNTEER PEOPLE DO A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.
AND IF PROFESSIONALS HAD TO COME IN AND DO IT, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.
ANYBODY ELSE? I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD THING, OWE THESE PEOPLE A LOT.
I MEAN, THEY GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO GET UP 3:00 IN THE MORNING.
THEY DO THAT, AND THEY MISS WORK, AND THEY USE THEIR OWN VEHICLE.
AND I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY WHO WOULD VOTE AGAINST THIS.
ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? ANYBODY FROM FIRE AND RESCUE.
ALL RIGHT. WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
WHO DECIDES WHAT VEHICLE IT WILL BE? IS IT THE MOST EXPENSIVE? IS IT THE OLD CLUNKER OR WHAT? NOT ALL CLUNKERS.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S UP TO FIRE CHIEF'S DISCRETION.
BUT IT'S GENERALLY UP TO THE VOLUNTEER TO DECIDE WHAT VEHICLE THEY REQUEST THE EXEMPTION FOR.
AND TO KEEP ME FROM HAVING TO DIG BACK THROUGH MY BUDGET BOOK JUST IN ROUND NUMBERS HOW MUCH DO WE ANTICIPATE THIS IS GOING TO COST? 200 AND WE FIGURE $216,000, AND THAT WAS COMPUTED WITHIN THE BUDGET.
SO IT'S NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM WHAT WAS ALREADY BUDGETED.
RIGHT. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AGO WE HAD A FIRE AND EMS STUDY.
AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SUGGESTED PRIOR TO COVID, OF DOING TO HELP RETAIN OUR
[01:40:03]
VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE PEOPLE.MR. CORNWELL. THAT'S HOW MUCH IT SAVED US.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE EACH ORDINANCE.
ONE AT A TIME. TWO SEPARATE ORDINANCES ON THE.
I MOVE, WE ACCEPT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE OF THE.
YOU'RE SAYING SEPARATE THE FIRE FROM THE RESCUE? PERSONAL PROPERTY. THERE'S TWO ORDINANCES.
NO, THE TWO ORDINANCES TAKE ONE AT A TIME.
WHAT'S THE FIRST ONE? FIRST ONE WOULD BE THE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ORDINANCE.
AND THEN THE SECOND ONE WOULD BE THE VEHICLE LICENSE TAX ORDINANCE.
OKAY. I RECOMMEND WE ACCEPT THE PROPERTY TAX.
MR. CHAIRMAN. GIVEN MY PERSONAL AFFILIATION AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE IVOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, I'M PERSONALLY GOING TO ABSTAIN FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE VOTE ON EITHER OF THESE PARTICULAR ORDINANCES, GIVEN MY POTENTIAL TO PERSONALLY, FINANCIALLY GAIN IN THE MATTER.
OKAY. I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THAT, AND WE HAVE A SECOND AND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
AYE. OPPOSED? NO. RECOMMEND THE SAME FOR THE TAX EXEMPTION VEHICLE LICENSE.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
IT'S PROBABLY THE LEAST WE COULD DO FOR YOU.
OKAY. NUMBER TEN WORK SESSION.
[10. Work Session]
YES. HONORABLE BOARD.I HAD PREVIOUSLY TALKED TO EACH OF Y'ALL ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS SOMEWHAT COMMON PRACTICE WITH LOCALITIES TO HAVE MORE INFORMAL JUST WORK SESSIONS OCCASIONALLY TO DISCUSS PROJECTS, DISCUSS THINGS COMING UP ON THE UPCOMING AGENDA TALK ABOUT PROJECTS IN A MORE RELAXED AND INFORMAL SETTING.
SO I WAS RECOMMENDING THAT WE EITHER START HOLDING WORK SESSIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS OR IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, AT LEAST A QUARTERLY BASIS GOING FORWARD, JUST TO HAVE MORE COMMUNICATION ON DIFFERENT THINGS.
SO WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY LOOKED AT THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT SIX.
OR WHICHEVER. WHATEVER DATE YOU SO DECIDE IF YOU DO WANT TO DO THIS.
AND THE OTHER THING WAS HAVING THIS AT THE FRANKLIN BUSINESS CENTER WHERE WE HAD THE RETREAT, BUT THAT'S AGAIN, THAT'S UP TO THE BOARD OF WHERE YOU WANTED TO DO IT, IF YOU DO WANT TO DO IT. SO, YEAH, THE GOAL WAS TO LIMIT THE WORK SESSIONS TO AN HOUR OR LESS.
NO VOTES UNLESS IT'S JUST NEEDED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES BECAUSE YOU HAD A VOTE.
BUT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
SO. AND COULD WE TRY IT AT 5:00 BEFORE OUR BOARD MEETING INSTEAD OF.
I DON'T SEE WHY WE CAN'T DO IT HERE.
YEAH. THAT MAKES IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS? YEAH. I THINK SUCH MEETINGS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL, BUT AND I LIKE HAVING THEM AT ANOTHER SITE OTHER THAN RIGHT HERE BECAUSE OF THE SETUP RIGHT HERE WHERE WE COULD OTHER IN A DIFFERENT SETTING, WE COULD BE AROUND A TABLE AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS FACING ONE ANOTHER LIKE THAT. OKAY.
AND ALSO I DON'T KNOW, THE MONTHLY MEETINGS WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE START.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAYBE QUARTERLY MEETINGS TO START.
AND IF WE SEE HOW BENEFICIAL THEY ARE, THEN WE CAN INCREASE THEM.
YEAH, I'M OPEN TO TO HOWEVER YOU WANT TO HANDLE IT.
[01:45:01]
THAT WOULD BE GOOD. AND I UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BOTH WAYS OF HAVING IT HERE AND BUT LIKE MR. FAISON SAID, THE IDEA WAS KIND OF GET AWAY LIKE WE DID AT THE BUSINESS CENTER AND HAVE A MORE INFORMAL DISCUSSION AROUND THE TABLE.BUT IF Y'ALL WANT TO HAVE IT HERE, THAT'S FINE TOO.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM HAS A TABLE.
YEAH, BUT THAT WOULDN'T BE. IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
IS THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TO START WITH? YEAH. WELL, THAT'S WHAT I SUGGEST.
OKAY. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SUGGESTION.
I STILL FEEL THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE ACCUSED.
AND THE BOARD DOESN'T BE ACCUSED OF HIDING BECAUSE WE'RE MOVING TO ANOTHER LOCATION.
EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO GET HERE AND COME HERE.
SO I STILL WOULD LIKE MY PREFERENCE IS KEEP IT HERE.
I MEAN, WE HAVE HAD OTHER MEETINGS HERE WHERE WE MOVED THE PODIUM AND SINCE SOME OF THE BENCHES HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT, I MEAN, THERE IS ROOM TO PUT A TABLE UP HERE IF YOU WANTED YOUR BOARD MEMBERS TO SIT AROUND, AND THEN THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR HOWEVER MANY WANT TO COME TO SIT OR ANOTHER OPTION IS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BUILDING A BIGGER, BIGGER CONFERENCE ROOM THERE AND BIGGER TABLE.
WELL, I'D LIKE TO SEE US TABLE THIS FOR CLOSED SESSION AND HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS IT AND MAKE A DECISION, THEN COME OUT AND VOTE TO KEEP FROM TYING UP PEOPLE IN HERE TONIGHT, FOR WE CAN COME TO A DECISION BECAUSE I'M NOT LEANING ON NOVEMBER DECEMBER MEETING WITH YOU.
YEAH. YOU DON'T WANT TO MEET ON NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER.
HOW MANY OF YOU FOLKS WOULD RATHER DO THIS HERE THAN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE? LET'S SEE A SHOW OF HANDS IF YOU WOULD RATHER IT COME TO THE MEETING HERE.
WELL, IT'S NOT ONLY THAT. IT'S [INAUDIBLE] AND CHRISTMAS.
OKAY. CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION? THE LIBRARY OR THE MUSEUM IS A PUBLIC PLACE AND THEY HAVE TABLES AND CHAIRS.
THE OTHER GOOD THING, JUST FROM AN AV STANDPOINT, THE FRANKLIN BUSINESS CENTER DOES HAVE AV SET UP WHERE SOME OF THESE PLACES MAY NOT, BUT JUST INFORMATION JUST GIVING YOU INFORMATION ON THAT.
BUT I THINK QUARTERLY IS GOOD TO START OUT WITH.
WELL OR WE CAN DISCUSS IT AGAIN NEXT MONTH.
THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS. WHAT ABOUT FAMILIES? I KNOW HOW TO GET A LARGE ATTENDANCE ADVERTISE YOU ARE GOING TO DISCUSS MUZZLELOADERS DURING THIS WORKSHOP? [LAUGHTER] IS THAT BLACK POWDER? IT COULD JUST BE HELD HERE AND YOU GUYS ALL SIT OUT HERE SO THAT IT KIND OF TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF OF THE SPEAKER? YEAH, IT'D BE MORE INFORMAL IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANYWAY.
YEAH. I LIKE KARL'S SUGGESTION OF QUARTERLY TO START OUT AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO DO IT? LET'S JUST START OUT DOING IT HERE THEN.
WE'LL TRY IT HERE. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT? I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S THE MOST APPROPRIATE SETTING.
SO I THINK IT'S HARDER FOR PEOPLE.
IT'S GOING TO BE ADVERTISED THAT.
TO ME, IT'S HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET THERE.
IT'S GOT A LOT OF STEPS TO GO UP.
THE ROSE MUSEUM ARTS DOES HAVE A NICE FACILITY INSIDE.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU SEE IT.
AND THEY HAVE TABLES TO SIT AROUND AND THEY HAVE CHAIRS AVAILABLE.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK AGREE WITH [INAUDIBLE].
[01:50:01]
JUST AS AN INFORMATIONAL ITEM, THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SET UP THERE.THAT'S RAWLS. WELL, IF WE HAD A MEETING WE DON'T NORMALLY. LET'S TRY THE FIRST MEETING THERE.
WHEN DO YOU WANT TO DO IT? JANUARY. TELL ME.
YOU GOT THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD.
AND YOU GOT YOUR ROUTINE MEETING.
YOU GOT EVERYTHING CRAMMED INTO INTO THAT TIME OF THE YEAR.
YEAH, I WOULD SUGGEST OCTOBER OR JANUARY.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, LET'S DO THE FIRST ONE IN OCTOBER THEN BEFORE DOG SEASON.
THAT'S FINE. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
WHAT IS IT? WHAT WEEK? THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER.
WHAT NIGHT? WHAT DATE? Y'ALL TELL ME I'M OPEN ALL WEEK.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH WEDNESDAY? OKAY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER THE 2ND.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND AT 6:00.
OCTOBER. WHAT'S THE DATE? SEVENTH. SECOND. SECOND.
THAT'S RIGHT. OKAY. NO, IT'S NOT THE LIBRARY.
YEAH. YEAH. THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD ART.
YOU CAN LOOK AT OVER THERE WHERE YOU'RE AT PRETTY PICTURES ON THE WALL.
ALL RIGHT. WE NEED A MOTION TO GO ALONG WITH THAT.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT.
SECOND. OCTOBER 2ND, 6:00 AT THE RAWLS ART MUSEUM.
MOTION. SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE.
YOU HEARD IT OUT THERE. SO THAT'S WHERE WE'LL BE IF YOU WANT TO COME AND LISTEN TO US.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK AVAILABILITY.
WE HAVE MR. KARL HECK HAS BEEN WAITING HERE ALL NIGHT.
[11. Economic Development Updates]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES.THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN EDWARDS, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
MR. THROWER MENTIONED A COUPLE OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE.
WE'VE GOTTEN A BUSINESS READY SITES GRANT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FOR THE BEALE FARM.
SO THAT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WILL BE GOING OUT SOON.
SO THEY'LL BE DOING A LOT OF THE DUE DILIGENCE.
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, WETLANDS, ARCHEOLOGY, TRAFFIC STUDY, WATER STUDY TO MOVE THAT SITE ALONG AND TAKE AS MUCH OF THE RISK OUT OF THAT AS POSSIBLE.
SO THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALREADY TO GET MOVING.
SO THAT WATER CANNING FACILITY SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
VIRGINIA REGIONAL, WHICH THEY APPLIED FOR.
AND FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON IS THE SMALLEST COMMUNITY TO HAVE SOMEBODY IN THIS.
AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEM GO AGAINST THE BIG BOYS.
SO THAT'S SOME COMPLIMENT TO US.
AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY'RE DEVELOPING A TECHNOLOGY TO USE DRONES IN AGRICULTURE FOR PEST CONTROL SO THEY CAN DETECT THE PEST, AND THEN THEY USE LASERS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY TO ELIMINATE THE PEST.
SO YOU'LL START SEEING THAT OUT THIS WEEK.
THAT IS FROM SEPTEMBER 17TH THROUGH THE 22ND, SO THERE ARE SIX CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING.
WE'RE GATHERING MORE AS WE GO AS PEOPLE CAN STILL PARTICIPATE.
[01:55:10]
WE ARE STARTING TO WORK AGAIN ON THE VA 250 AMERICAN REVOLUTION PEOPLE.SO WE'LL BE ASKING AROUND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY FOR POTENTIAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THAT.
AND IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT STARTUP.
OUR STARTUP COMPETITION WILL BE STARTING UP AGAIN AS SOON AS THE FIRST OF THE YEAR STARTS.
SO AS WE MENTIONED, IT'S THAT'S COMING ALONG REALLY SOON IN JANUARY.
SO WE CAN SERVE YOU EITHER WAY, BUT THAT WILL BE COMING SOON.
WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH PEYTON COLE THAT WENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION LAST MONTH AND SHOULD BE COMING BACK NEXT MONTH WITH REVISIONS FOR THEIR PROJECT FOR A STORE AND OTHER FACILITIES IN THE IVOR DISTRICT.
AND THERE'S A NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM CALLED BEAD, THE BROADBAND EQUITY ACCESS AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT'S SUPPOSED TO FILL IN THE GAPS FROM THE OTHER TWO.
SO ON THE BROADBAND, HAVE THEY WORKED IT OUT WITH DELAWARE ROAD? THEY'RE COMING BACK TO THE DELAWARE.
THERE'S SOME AREAS THEY HAVE TO COME BACK TO WHEN THEY'RE COMING.
THAT IS ONE OF THEM WE'RE VERY AWARE OF.
SO AND THEY'RE WORKING THEIR WAY BACK.
SO THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
BUT THAT IS ONE AREA THAT WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL INQUIRIES FROM THAT NOW THE VETERINARY CLINIC.
THE NEW GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY ALSO IS IN THAT ZONE THAT NEEDS A SERVICE.
SO THAT'S THAT'S ONE WE'RE VERY AWARE OF.
OKAY. AND THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT I HAD.
SO THANK YOU. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW.
ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. HECK. YEAH.
WELL, SHE DIDN'T SIGN UP, BUT SHE ASKED ABOUT SIGNING UP.
THEY PUT THE PIPE IN AND THEN THEY YOU HAVE TO PAY.
THEY HAVE TO HOOK UP TO YOUR HOUSE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER UTILITY.
SO SHE'S HIT, IT GOES OUT IN THE ROAD AND THEN YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM TO GET IT DRILLED IN.
BUT SHE DID SAY SHE WAS RIGHT OUT BY THE AIRPORT.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
OKAY. NUMBER 12 CLOSED SESSION.
[12. Closed Session]
MR. THROWER. YES TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD WILL NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING MOTION REQUIRED A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES.ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.23711 A 1 PERSONNEL MATTERS REGARDING THE JOB DUTIES OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE PERFORMANCE OF A PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER, WHICH WAS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD CHAIR AND TWO IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.23711 A 5.
DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, OR THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY'S INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND THREE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711 A CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO A POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECT SITING AGREEMENT AND THE FINANCES OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO A REQUEST BY THE BOARD CHAIR.
WE NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
WE'LL MEET YOU BACK. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING.
GRAB YOU Y'ALL IN A FEW MINUTES.
NEED A MOTION. WE NEED A MOTION TO GO BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.
[02:00:01]
SESSION.YOU GOING TO MAKE A MOTION?AYE.
HE'S GETTING READY TO READ IT.
OH, HE'S GOT TO READ THAT. I'M SORRY.
I'LL READ THROUGH THIS AS I NORMALLY DO.
UPON COMING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD WILL NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING MOTION REQUIRED.
NUMBER ONE. MOTION IS REQUIRED TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
I ALREADY DID THAT. RIGHT? YES. MOTION TWO REQUIRED.
A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION BELOW.
THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION MUST BE VOTED ON INDIVIDUALLY BY EACH BOARD MEMBER VIA A ROLL CALL, WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENED A CLOSED MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE RECORDED VOTE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
AND WHEREAS, SECTION 2.23711 D, 12 D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD, THAT SUCH CLOSED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, AND CONSIDERED BY THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
AND A ROLL CALL ON THAT, I BELIEVE.
I GUESS WE HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT WHAT HE READ.
MOTION AND SECOND AND A ROLL CALL.
I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
NO. WE HAVE TO DO A ROLL CALL.
AND ANY A MOTION IS REQUIRED FOR ANY ACTIONS RELATED TO ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I MOVE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
ON THAT MOTION, WE'LL TAKE A VOICE VOTE.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE A SECOND MOTION I'D LIKE TO MAKE, BEING THAT TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A LETTER TO THE SCHOOL BOARD COPYING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO COOPERATE WITH SAID FORENSIC AUDIT REQUEST.
SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? VOICE VOTE ON THAT.
OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE? YOU WANT A MOTION TO ADJOURN? UNLESS Y'ALL WANT TO SIT HERE ALL NIGHT? I'M NOT SURE. SO MOVE. [INAUDIBLE].
OH, LET ME GET MY BILLFOLD.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.