Special Called Meeting

Opening

Pledge and Invocation: Conducted by Mr. White.
- A moment of silence and prayer for students, service members, and local first responders.
- Special mention for Joshua Blackledge’s family during a tragic time.

Total Request: $4,368,256.
- Significant reduction from previous years due to changes in technology funding.
School Projects: Summary by school provided.
- Projects include playgrounds, tile replacements, and security gates.
- Some projects postponed strategically based on urgency.
Technology Changes:
- Chromebooks: Shift to a four-year replacement cycle.
- Total technology request lowered to $1.72 million.
Physical Plant:
- Replacement of defibrillators and introduction of a budget line for camera replacements.
- Regular schedules for painting, flooring, roofing, chillers, and boilers.
Questions and Clarifications:
- Removal of scoreboard for Croatan baseball field due to early replacement.
- Discussions on surplus equipment and its sale.

Changes Since Last Session:
- Property Insurance: 13% increase due to valuation.
- Camera Licenses: New $6,000 recurring cost.
- Safety and Security: $36,000 for one SRO.
Board Member Requests:
- Certified Supplemental Increase: Various percentage proposals discussed.
- Classified Staff, Coaches, and Bus Drivers: Considerations for salary increase.
- Potential New Line Items: Gymnastics coaching supplement, recruitment strategies for bus drivers.

Certified vs. Classified: Previous adjustments and their impact.
Coaches’ Supplements: Importance of aligning with other counties.
Bus Driver Challenges:
- Issues around recruitment and potential solutions discussed.
- Ideas like bonuses for long-term service considered.

Agreement to present a side document for funding requests.
- Focus on maintaining current staffing and operations.
- Explore adjusting supplements based on comparative data.