Board of Education Meeting--May 28, 2026

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:06:57]Okay. Uh, good afternoon everyone. Um, I'd like to call the meeting to order.

[00:07:02]Welcome everyone here. Mr. Martin to lead us in the pledge.

[00:07:10]To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[00:07:27]>> I have a motion to approve the agenda.

[00:07:28]So move.

[00:07:29]>> Second.

[00:07:30]>> Second.

[00:07:31]>> All in favor?

[00:07:32]>> Opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda is personnel hearings. First hearing is uh 2526 uh-12 and we will go into executive session. Can I have a motion to do so?

[00:07:47]>> So moved.

[00:07:47]>> Second.

[00:07:48]>> Second.

[00:07:48]>> All in favor? I opposed.

[00:07:51]>> We are now in executive session at 12:03. It looks one.

[01:56:09]Yes, we're in open session back in open session at um 15 I think it is something like that. And the next employee hearing is 25-26-13.

[01:56:22]Uh M coral.

[01:56:25]>> Uh thank you. Is is Miss Thomas here?

[01:56:30]You want to come up and join us here?

[01:56:33]thing. Um >> and and if you have someone that's with you, they can come back.

[01:56:46]this open s.

[01:56:47]>> Yes. Yes.

[01:56:49]>> It was our understanding that you requested an open hearing which means that we would stay an open session and the hearing would be broadcast. Is that is that your respect to do so?

[01:57:01]>> Okay. Um Dr. Skoolie is going to serve as our hearing officer today or Bake Kefir and who has some instructions for us today as we begin this um employee here. Hey, good afternoon everyone. I am Justin Skoolie and I will be serving as today's hearing officer. Today is Thursday, May 28, 2026 and the time now is 1:53 p.m. We are present in the board of education boardroom here at the central office of Berkeley County Schools at 1453 Winchester Avenue, Lawrenburg, West Virginia. We're here today to conduct a hearing that's been requested by Miss Katherine Thomas because of her probationary contract that was not renewed pursuant to West Virginia code 188-2-8A.

[01:57:50]The employee has requested the hearing be conducted in open session.

[01:57:55]Uh Miss Cat Thomas uh is present in person. Uh the respondent the Berkeley County Board of Education appears by Karen Hansel and Miss Kim Croy. Uh so at this time for the record we will identify everyone that is here in the room and we'll begin uh with Miss Thomas.

[01:58:15]>> I'm Katherine Thomas.

[01:58:17]>> I'm Ryan Thomas.

[01:58:18]>> My son.

[01:58:20]>> Uh Karen Hunel, human resources.

[01:58:25]>> Kevin Royal, representative for the administration.

[01:58:29]>> Uh Jason Klowski, executive director of resources. Michael, board member.

[01:58:34]Melissa Power, board member.

[01:58:36]>> Ryan Saxs, superintendent.

[01:58:38]>> Jackie Long, board member.

[01:58:39]>> Damn, board member.

[01:58:41]>> Board member. Okay.

[01:58:43]>> Anyone that is appearing today, if you think you may or plan to give evidence, would you please stand and raise your right hand?

[01:58:54]Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth in these proceedings?

[01:58:58]>> Yes, >> thank you.

[01:59:00]At this point, I will now ask the district to explain the reasons for the non-renewal and then Miss Thomas, you will be given an opportunity to respond.

[01:59:10]Um, following that, I will ask the board if there are any questions of the administrations.

[01:59:16]Uh, I remind you that only one person can speak at a time. This hearing is being recorded and broadcast at this time. uh because this is non-disciplinary in nature, the employee will have the burden to show why her contract uh should be renewed. So at this time, Miss Crows, you will begin.

[01:59:33]>> Thank you, Dr. Skoolie. Members of the board of education and Miss Thomas, there are two types of contracts that are provided to board of education employees. There are continuing contracts and there are probationary contracts. And the employees when they begin employment with a board of education like Berkeley County start off with a probationary contract. And then in order to receive a second probationary contract or a third probationary contract, they have to be recommended by the superintendent to receive such. Um once they hit that third probationary contract, the next step is to have a continuing contract.

[02:00:15]And the legislature has told us that the two types of employees, probationary employees and continuing contract employees are similar in many ways, but probationary employees have to go through that probationary period that they don't have all of the rights of um continuing contract employee. But one right that they do have is if there are deficiencies in their employment if they are if there is conduct that is unacceptable that they be given an opportunity to improve. And the case law and the grievance decisions say that that doesn't have to be a full-blown um improvement plan, but they have to be notified of their deficiencies and they have to be given an opportunity to correct those. Well, what you will see in the matter before you um with Miss Thomas is that she would have been entering into her third probationary contract had she been recommended uh 41 by the superintendent. She was not. And so under West Virginia code 18A28A, she's entitled to come before you after not receiving one of those contracts and ask for the reasons why. ask for the board to understand the reasons why she was not given um another probationary contract. And to support that, you have in front of you a packet of documents and they will I would ask that these be made part of the hearing. Miss Thomas has a packet of these documents as well.

[02:01:45]And we start out with the letter um that really brought us here today and that was on um April 22nd. She was informed that she was not going to be offered a probationary contract. behind that is a memo of concern um that was provided to Miss Thomas regarding her absences and reporting of those absences in the school system. And then behind um that we have the letter of August 5th, 2025, which explains that entering into this school year, she transferred from an aid ECAP position to a secretarial position.

[02:02:25]Um, behind that we have letters showing where her placement was and we have her contract. But what I'd really like to direct your attention to um are a number of things and that would be about halfway back. We have an evaluation that is dated or an observation and excuse me an observation which is part of the evaluation that is dated April 29th, 2026 and that you will see that this observation um indicates that Miss Thomas is unsatisfactory in a number of areas. So those are identified deficiencies and if you look at the area of focus you will see it explains that Miss Thomas has shown overall improvement throughout the year.

[02:03:16]However, there remain concerns with the ability to keep the duties of the physician needed to perform the job efficiently. Um and despite reminders and updates, there have been issues with um attendance sheets with notification letters, uh mistakes that lead to confusion in the office, um emailing another secretary to put in an absence when it was her job to do so. Um, and there have been documented incidents on that form and also on the two-page final evaluation that is provided to you that is not stapled as part of that packet that show a final unsatisfactory evaluation for Miss Thomas. Um, you'll note that that before that observation is an improvement plan that was dated 330 2026.

[02:04:08]um that gave Miss Thomas uh areas of deficiency um I ideas for improvement, programs to be followed, how it would be monitored, and of course what we just looked over was the observation that that the observation that there was not sufficient improvement. Um, prior to that, we have an evaluation from the prior school year that showed standards were met, which tells us that she does understand what the appropriate um, responsibilities are of the job. Um, prior to that, there's a record of verbal counseling that was issued to Miss Thomas in October of 2025, indicating um that there were problems with absences being marked incorrectly for students and then being erased. um not completing the tasks that were to be done and failing to follow established procedures that relate to those office tasks with with respect to attendance and with respect to enrollments. Um, preceding that is an evaluation that was performed um at the end of the 2024 2025 school year that showed um improvement that showed that although she was placed on a plan of improvement for that 2024 2025 school year that um at the end she met the plan of improvement and met expectations. And so what the school law tells us is that if we have an employee and they're placed on an improvement plan and they successfully complete that plan, then their behavior has been corrected and they know what to do and then know know what not to do and if they do it again then that can be considered insubordination. Um here we had problems in adhering to safety practices and working cooperatively with others um with a with a desired behavior uh coming out of that. So, the reason that we're here for this non-renewal, um there's also a plan of improvement that's dated um December, I'm sorry, not December, but January 10, 2025. Um the reason that we're here is that you have an employee who for the two years that she has been here has been on a plan of improvement each year. And this is an opportunity for the board of education to explain that um the the job is not working, that there are problems and deficiencies, and because of that, the recommendation for a new contract was not made, and the um employee would no longer be an employee of the school system as of June 30th, 2026.

[02:06:57]And um certainly the principal and Miss Hensel are here if there are any questions after Miss Thomas has an opportunity to speak or um she would have questions of anybody here. But that's why we're here today.

[02:07:11]>> M prepared your letter. I'm just going to read it right read it to you and the members of the Berkeley County Board of Education. Thanks for coming and I'm here to respectfully reflect your consideration and allowing me to continue my employment with Berkeley County Schools. I sincerely value my position and the opportunity to serve students, staff, and community within our district. In in my role as secretary, I have worked diligently to support daily office operations, assist staff and families, and maintain an organized and welcoming environment. I take pride in being dependable, professional, and committed to ensuring that responsibilities are handled efficiently and with care. I understand the importance of maintaining high standards within our school system and I remain fully committed to meeting those expectations.

[02:08:18]I'm always willing to learn and improve and adapt in order to better contribute to the success of the children and the overall mission of our district. Being part of the Berkeley County School System is very important to me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make positive impact at each day.

[02:08:39]I respectfully ask you to understand and for your understanding and consideration so that I may continue to serve in this role and contribute to mean in a meaningful way. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter further respectfully make.

[02:09:04]>> Thank you.

[02:09:09]>> Is that all that you have? Do you have any questions or anything?

[02:09:12]>> No.

[02:09:13]>> Thank you. Miss Croll, do you have any additional information you'd like to >> um No, just that um I know that the board of education appreciates Miss Thomas coming forward and and speaking to you. I I know that the um principal appreciates that she has maintained a very positive attitude that's reflected in her evaluations. Um and just just sometimes it's just not a good fit.

[02:09:43]>> Do you have any questions for the district superintendent or Miss?

[02:09:52]>> I do. Um, I appreciate you being here today. Um, it looks like when you were placed on your improvement plans, you that were taken off of them, but the the situations continued. Do you feel that way? I mean, do you feel that you had hardships in your position?

[02:10:18]Yeah, I feel like I reached out for help on several things and expressed my concern that I, you know, I'm not getting I'm not getting some help here and that I or that um I needed help with some things and it was just shoved aside like or whatever.

[02:10:39]But um and I didn't realize either that I had to contact you, Mr. fully about if I missed over the amount of days that I've had and um was made aware of it after the fact at which time I went to my doctor and she um submitted a letter um say stating that there were times when I might have might not be able to u contact him 24 hours in advance if I was having a tag or whatever.

[02:11:18]a flare up. Get flare up that um not always possible, but she sent that in on May 7th, but that has been my history since I started at the board of education. I came in through a program through Social Security disability stating that I had nine months to try to see if I could work again because I had been very sick for 15 years. But I did make a good comeback and I felt like God wanted me to be in with the prek children last year and I felt like he wanted me to be with these kids this year. And that I have contributed a lot I know that I came in not knowing anything that I had to learn all my job that I had, you know, that I have I had a lot to learn and they were helpful.

[02:12:13]Staff was helpful to me and stuff. It and yes, I had take notes. I've recorded my meetings and everything because I knew everything was brand new to me in this position because I was in Harrison County for 16 years in with the board of education and only ever had excellent evaluations and I'm just um you I'm still that same person. I have the same e work ethics and I do have something much to give and I have made I have made a comeback and I still like it is with children in this county >> Mr. go ahead >> just to respond to some of those things.

[02:13:02]So um as far as the support that we have given and help that we have offered um whenever she first took on the role I actually asked uh Mr. Barber who is our we this person I don't know he's official I'm sorry he been on set with Miss Thomas to help navigate the system because it is a new system and there's a lot of different tabs and effective have um Miss Maryanne Thomas our county attendance uh worker has come and worked with Miss Thomas as well she has a scheduled meeting every Tuesday with our office to discuss attendance >> and student attendance >> student attendance Yeah, student attendance. This is student attendance registar is what? Sorry, my um and then our other secretary is willing to help out. Um there was whenever we had the first round of the report cards, we worked uh I actually called another school to get guidance on how to show Miss Thomas to do that and we walked with approved. Um we have actually taken that once he did I didn't want to add another thing. So, I've made sure that I was we we were printing those out today um for the final one. So, we we done that. Um we have also anytime I I've expressed to Miss Thomas that anytime she had questions about things, she's more than welcome to come to me. There's there was one time where there was a task on weas that she asked the other secretary over the radio. This stuff just sticks out and I said, "I got you. I will show you how to do that." So when there was questions ar that have arisen throughout the year, we have tried to get that support and offer the help that we need to help our those things >> and and have you seen um for well let me back up the importance of attendance and working on the attendance with students. It's student attendance. Why why is it necessary that that we have student attendance done correctly? So the part of the reason for the improvement plan was that we were noticing that we weren't getting we our attendance move that way. So like it's we have we did a 103 relatively speaking but our we noticed that we were not getting our 10day letters to parents out which is important as far as the the legal process and holding parents accountable for that. Um that was on March 10th and I think there was only there was like 12 paper maybe letters that we had missed potentially. Um and so Miss Thomas County worker met with Miss Thomas as well to go over that. There was also emails that had been sent to Miss Thomas from This is so weird, Miss Thomas uh on the September 9th and November 12th in regards to here's the process to do these letters. Um and so then we found out afterwards after having those letters printed, which she was doing, that we're also missing the attendance reports that also goes out that we were supposed to send out with those letters. and so went back and checked and that was also communicated to Miss Thomas about the expectation for that um verbally verbally that was that was said to Miss Thomas. We did not see that I did not see that in an email but it was verbally said that hey there's part of this letter says this so we have to print this report. Um, so those letters are very important for us if we ever needed to take a parent to court for attendance >> insurance and they're also important to know why students are absent. So, and so yeah, there's sorry, there's one other time while she was on the improvement plan that um she had been out the Thursday and Friday. I think this was a Tuesday. Um and there were 72 job forms.

[02:17:11]The job forms are the parents way of notifying us that the student is not there. And so what when we saw those um the next day or that day I had my other secretary get those in because that affects our fiveday 3-day meaningful contacts that are done through Telespark. It impacts a lot of different tags and so that timeliness of getting those in there. So we did that so that way whenever she came back we were starting with a fresh fresh slate um was bad. And then so that's the attendance aspect overall.

[02:17:48]>> And and are there other aspects in addition to the attendance that you're mandated to do or procedures you're to follow that were just not happening?

[02:17:57]>> So one other instance that happened recently while on the proven plan was has served as the registar attendance secretary is that you know enrollment. So, and we'll only find enrolling students. To make sure that that is accurate, there was an email sent by county Miss Thomas on May 13th to drop a student because that student was now enrolled at Grafton.

[02:18:22]Um, there was a follow-up email on the 18th with mecc asking why that wasn't done.

[02:18:30]So, there's that there was that lag time there and that's just important for accurate record keeping. So once again, I told my other secretary, you can just we just need to drop them because we're being told to drop them. So we need to have that done.

[02:18:45]>> And and as the attendance secretary and register for your school, those would be the majority of her tasks. Correct. Correct.

[02:18:54]>> Okay. And so it's it's not as if there are other things that she was responsible for that rise to the level of of those tasks. So, so it is I mean it is the office for all secretaries is very hectic. Um so you have parents ringing and things but there are certain things that take precedent and priority over we have to get those things done. So, um, those are some of the those are the incidents that were while on the improvement plan and what caused the improvement plan was the the parent notes and how that was impacting our overall documentation.

[02:19:32]>> And I'm sure that it was a difficult um, decision and recommendation for you to make. Is that >> that is very accurate because Miss Thomas, as I've always noted, is extremely pleasant. Um, I think she cares deeply about the students. Um but at the same token I also needed all this to run efficiently and and have accurate documentation.

[02:19:59]>> Question Miss Thomas, how you said you worked in another county. What was the name of the county again?

[02:20:04]>> Harrison County.

[02:20:05]>> What did you do there?

[02:20:07]I worked at the county office and had four coordinators and over curriculum and instruction for many years. And I went to child nutrition and ran child nutrition for the county for 24 schools and was responsible for getting the school set up, you know, food out.

[02:20:27]>> You were the child nutrition director.

[02:20:29]Uh well >> was it service or professional or >> I was it was service personnel >> but my as it turned out my coordinator or the coordinator there had problems that came up you know knee replacements and different things. So I ended up running the program through one summer and happened to do the bidding and all that stuff. you know, I handled it and I got a letter of commendation from Victor Gabriel at the time who was an overall service personnel um giving me a letter of commendations. Thank you for handling it. And I was happy. I am happy to to work. I like to work. I like to be busy.

[02:21:12]Um, and as far as um these things that were brought up, when I'm told that they are when I'm told that I that I'm deficient in the I I make note like he wanted me to they wanted me to run a registure for a teacher one day and I had never done that before and there are several tabs on those on the on the attend and you know in those forms and stuff. So I did not know how. So when Mr. Burkhart told me how to do that, I I jot the notes down and I have it written there and um you know I know how to do that now. But I've never been shown that before and that's the kind of person I am. I take notes. You tell you tell me what to do and I will do it. And you don't I don't have to be told twice. back in September and November were pretty new to I was pretty new to everything there and and it is very hectic there and mostly for a 2-hour period. I'm there by myself between 11 and 1 while lunch is going on and the other secretaries are scan out scanning fingers and stuff and I'm handling all the phone calls and parents coming in and having to check their um ID to make sure that they're allowed to pick up their student then go to the TA system and call for that student to come down. That's that's all that's going on constantly for that 2-hour period. And then I said, "Well, I don't take lunch break." Well, that and yes, when that fell on me, according to Miss Pencil, I was supposed to check my lunch and then after that, which was just about a month or so ago, then I was told by Mr. Bart, "Yes, you need to take the lunch from 12:30 to 1." Well, I can't just leave the office unattended.

[02:23:09]So, I wait. And then then I'm Well, the other secretaries aren't taking lunches either. I might grab something here or there and try to eat something from my desk. I didn't care because that's that's what I that's what I care about.

[02:23:25]I care about getting my job done and I don't want to leave short-handed and I thought they were doing the same thing.

[02:23:32]Then all of a sudden they said, "No, Kim's taking her lunch on the way from this school to this school. She she's taking her lunch then." But she's still bringing in a lunch and said now I'm eating at her desk. So I thought she was just eating at the desk and had Tina I always saw her she was in and out she was eat she'd come in sit down she would eat her lunch at a desk too while she Anyway so I started abiding by those rules which took away from my time again from doing my work but I did as I was instructed to do and um I don't mind to work over and I have been given kids asked will you watch this child for me while we because they're having a stressful time. Can you spend a little time or give them something to do? And you know what? I will give them my time to that child who suffered and I will pay that back at the end of my day. I'll take that off of my own time because because the students do come first. And yes, when the parents were at the door or on the phone or whatever, they come before I sit down and say, "I can't answer the door or answer the phone because I have to do attendance or I but I do attendance first when I come in in the morning.

[02:24:51]That's first and I do that." And I've gotten very proficient on that. That works out fine. And I drop those skin in every day now. And I have been sick that week. And when I'm sick and I get a sub in, they answer the door on the phone, but they cannot do my paperwork. So that's piled up for me to do when I get back.

[02:25:16]So u this one time then the secretaries jumped in and pulled those dot notes.

[02:25:23]But a lot of times too, the dot notes don't come in until real late. Like parents don't they're supposed to come in within 72 hours of students being absent. That does not always happen. Of all, it does not happen.

[02:25:37]>> Mr. Murphy, >> thank you. First, you understand this could have been in the executive session, this this hearing, right?

[02:25:46]>> Right.

[02:25:47]>> I mean, you it it's out there at the open and >> everything else. Okay. We'll make sure >> you understand it. Uh, I was looking back at the, uh, 25 school year at Winchester Avenue and, uh, you had, uh, some negative, uh, comments, refused to comply with directions, uh, sharing personal food with students and not wearing gloves. But but then I was looking at these little monitoring log for you and I was disturbed to read still needs reminders not to take food for herself from students sprays.

[02:26:31]Now that is not a thing. I mean, I I I understand being on cafeteria duty is a tough thing, but that is a disturbing question there that we have adults working with children and taking food from their their trays. Um, is there an explanation for that?

[02:26:55]>> Yes, sir.

[02:26:57]>> Yes, sir.

[02:26:58]>> Yes. Yes. It was prek and we served family style in the in the classroom and it was breakfast time and they have new muffins that were sent in post muffins or whatever and they the other teacher and a were like I wonder what those taste like. I wonder what those taste like. Well, this little girl was done and she was throwing her tray away and I picked a piece top off that muffin and I tasted it and I went, "Well, you know what? It's not that bad." And that was the that was the incident right there.

[02:27:31]And then >> but it it's repeated. I I have >> I did not I mean and no I didn't um that's it. That's >> well let well let me >> remind you then I have this one paper signed 11525 by the principal Miss Bard and I have another one um classroom teacher brought to administrative attention still eating from students trays and this is on February 24th 25 so and I haven't had a chance to go through and look at every sheet but it's it's been it's been noted twice And I something here about students food on 2825 said >> what's going on?

[02:28:20]>> Yeah. I don't I don't uh I don't understand. I don't know what the I don't know what that would be at all. I don't what that would mean.

[02:28:30]>> Well, to the hearing examiner, this is part of the record, sir.

[02:28:33]>> Yes, >> it is. And it was it's came from with it's within the system inner funnel.

[02:28:39]Right.

[02:28:39]>> Right. Okay.

[02:28:41]>> But that I I also was felt targeted over there as I felt like I'm being targeted actually that um they were nitpicking at teeny little gloves. Okay. Gloves. The other people didn't wear gloves either. Plus you're supposed to change those kids in a private place. Diaper changing. That did never happen. And then I did turn my teacher in for >> I'm raising the issue of food trays belonging to the students.

[02:29:13]>> Okay. And I did not I have no recollection of any other time than that muppet >> and I knew that they ran and told the principal and I was told about it.

[02:29:24]That's the only that's the only thing that I recall about any of that.

[02:29:29]>> That's right. But I did I mean we sit with the children and eat with them but I don't eat their food. No sir I do not.

[02:29:38]>> Mr. Brooker how was her attendance?

[02:29:42]her attendance. Um I mean besides the days that are documented um there was I think there was only one time that I where I had to call Miss Thompson where she was because I didn't know if she was taking those days or not. So there it was in the system. Um that was recently but she shows up on time but she's so she's there about 8:00. Um there's days where she stayed later and order hey you got to go home like you know just you know so but she's trying to get those things done. There was one incident recently where she was there until 6:30 working on things. And the reason it sticks out me is cuz I came back for a concert, my kids concert. She was still there and I said, "You've got to go home." And then um best I did tell her for that one. She definitely had to put in a a job form, but she had to do that. So >> other questions from Miss Thomas or Mr. Ber?

[02:30:54]>> Yes. Mer, have there been complaints from other staff members regarding having to um has covered um some of her duties.

[02:31:05]There have been um there have been some frustrations as far as you know the repetition of things um as far as enrollments and what we have to do and not getting those things done >> working from the first valuation the December valuation of past summer and Then the most recent one, not the most recent one, the April one. We're kind of in this four months, you say that she met standards, but then was unsatisfactory, I was five. So I try to take into account of it being a new position and based on what was getting learning the task, I think as far as a new secretary, we were we had made some strides. the names of things. Um, full disclosure as well, this is me. I mean, I'm not going to get into that. Never mind. Not that we're different because that's a whole different day. But from that point though, I said you have to continue to learn the job. Can't just maintain the same here. Like there's other things to this job that we have to be more efficient at. We have to be better at and that needs to improve. And then whenever there not some things started coming, that's when I we're really seeing we're not showing that growth. We're kind of stuck in new secretary situation and not growing like we should be.

[02:32:43]>> Yeah, I asked that because I quit in the in the recommendations area focus. You don't see the burst launch at all.

[02:32:50]>> Yeah, it's it's a pretty it's a thing. I think it said it continues to learn job.

[02:32:55]I I forget like it's it's just continue to grow and learn and to perform the job in a timely man that they have and make sure it's accurate as far as enrollments because that's very important.

[02:33:06]>> Don't you take a test to get the job and have to show qualifications via the performance on the test? It's not like you're the job has a test that you please help me.

[02:33:25]>> Yes. Say you take a secretary test and she had taken it in Harrison County which carries through to our county.

[02:33:32]Once you take it once in the state as Miss Long knows it it carries to other counties because she had worked as secretary pass >> and you're considered competent to do the job that test.

[02:33:44]>> What year was that you took the test?

[02:33:48]Um, it might be I think I put the years of experience in there that show what year she was the secretary.

[02:33:56]>> Yeah.

[02:34:00]>> What a secretary could have been versus now this time.

[02:34:03]>> July, 1993, something like that.

[02:34:08]>> Probably in the beginning I worked as a substitute secretary and a substitute cook at the same time. And then I worked at um updating student files to >> for 2014.

[02:34:20]>> Yes.

[02:34:22]>> Yeah.

[02:34:23]>> On average, how long would it take? And and this I I know this is going to be it's going to be different for every person.

[02:34:31]Um but on average, what length of time would it take for someone to learn as a role?

[02:34:39]Um as a secretary and as a secretary, would it take a you know I I know I know there's going to be like different jobs throughout the year of course. So but would it take a year or two to kind of really get the hang of of all the ins and outs or or you know to get everything or is it just it six months?

[02:35:00]What what would be a good question?

[02:35:05]>> Well, I mean you would know on the school level. I didn't >> I would So when when she first started because there were some struggles was there said need you to focus on your enrollments job forms and get our daily attendance out every single day >> and the Intel spark tags like that that's a new thing for the county as well. So everyone was learning that curve. Um and so the parent notes and things that was I was not in the attendance training at the beginning of the year for those the secretaries but that expectation the 10day letter has has just maintained so there's not that but I would I would expect to be able to do the parent letters and the job and things by second semester.

[02:35:54]>> Okay. Um, so that way the the office is running smoothly like there's no I don't have to worry.

[02:35:59]>> So by like the third semester you should have you should have >> that's my rough that's my rough >> okay smooth smooth sailing by both >> I that's my in my mind I might be wrong I mean there might be sooner >> some hiccups there might be some days that are not so great but >> you should have some level of fluidity.

[02:36:20]>> Yes. So her uh main position, she was hired as an attendant secretary.

[02:36:25]>> Correct.

[02:36:26]>> So uh that was her only job.

[02:36:29]>> That was that was her the main >> her job.

[02:36:32]>> Yes.

[02:36:33]>> Um cuz you know I've been in the role where you your finance secretary or secretary you're all of it. But by second semester you should should have that under your belt. But still, I mean, there's things thrown at you that going to have to learn.

[02:36:54]>> There's always new things coming up.

[02:36:55]There's always and in the tends there's there's black, white, and there's also gray.

[02:37:00]>> And sometimes there's gray areas. It's need >> like um you know, I've got a problem working through those things, but I believe >> which is where I came in with does it take those those that almost quote year and I put that in quotes because it's like there's those are the one there's always >> right. Exactly. Exactly. So, where I guess I'm going with that is your expectations were okay, it's going to take a few months and you you gave for that and it's still not it's not even >> and so the the the day where the days that we have the job forms that were extreme that I had to get the other secretary to do because she she does have the access to those. So, she's she has to print those out because she's the one who gets those. Um, we went back and she had them printed and but we also went back and looked to see, okay, how many job forms and things had been done >> by by Miss Thomas. And over that that time period that we were looking at, there were 22 out of 139.

[02:38:07]Others were done by either not done, >> okay, >> or for whatever reason completed by the other secretaries. Maybe there was some other maybe they were handed notes or things of that nature.

[02:38:18]>> Okay.

[02:38:18]>> Um and that was from almost a week week and a half period with those. So that's that was what was of major concern is that we have that many missing.

[02:38:29]>> Okay.

[02:38:30]>> Mr. Markley >> to the council.

[02:38:38]People's personal freedoms are online here. If we go to court with mistakes in our attendance records and we're bringing charges against a parent, we're not doing what their responsibility is.

[02:38:57]The the courts have the discretion to lock people up. Am I correct?

[02:39:02]>> Correct. Attendance is um a a major focus for um county school systems. Um, you know, there the rules have changed over the years where we looked at 10 days at one point and now we look at how contact five days because we know that students learn when they're in school and if they're not in school that that learning is is very difficult and they get behind. We also have instances where, you know, sometimes students aren't in school for reasons that that can be harmful for the students in the situation that they're in at home. And if we don't if we don't know that and we don't document it properly and we don't tell the courts that properly, then we're the ones who are responsible for that. And it's the students that lose out. Those rules are in place to protect the students and their right to an education.

[02:39:55]>> I would agree with her though. um the two hours at lunch um when she's by herself.

[02:40:03]Um it's difficult sometimes.

[02:40:06]>> I've been in that situation. Kids are in and out. Um constantly interrupted.

[02:40:15]So, as far as a full two hours, um the scanning of fingers once she's done with the POS system and things, um that probably take about 15 minutes to the secretary that's out there helping is not out there like she doesn't need she can go back like she's running back and forth um taking her lunch as well um doing that. And then our we have a part time about the split secretary that is at Jared S. She comes over at 12:00 and then she has to go scan the fingers in at 12:15 12:20. So there's a there's a window there. Um and then she'll be back by So it's it's it is hectic. There is going to be times where she is going to be, you know, there they are alone. Um >> but there's but there's all she's not totally by herself. those two items. So what you're saying?

[02:41:11]>> Not completely.

[02:41:12]>> And I guess I would remind the board that u you know we've the evaluations that you see in front of you and the improvement plans that you see in front of you that span the course of of her full employment with Berkeley County School have not been grieved. And the grievance board and the courts say that you know if there's something that we don't agree with in those plans then the role is to file a grievance about it when it occurs. And if we don't do that then they stand as they are and you know and unfortunately um even even good people find themselves in jobs that are not good fits and it it creates you know the board at certain points along an employes career has decisions to make and this is one of those. Um the administration made the decision not to to place uh Miss Thomas's name at Brand View for renewal.

[02:42:04]That was the decision that they made upon looking at the undisputed record.

[02:42:09]And Miss Thomas is permitted by law to come before the board and have those reasons explained, which she has done.

[02:42:17]Um, but it it's not an opportunity to um, you know, rehash her work performance um, because that is now at this point said in stone.

[02:42:32]Miss Thomas, you were shaking your head a few minutes ago with something that Mr. Burkart was saying.

[02:42:38]>> Yeah. Nobody's back by 12:15 out of that out of the cafeteria. I'm there till that hardly anybody has ever come back by 12:30. And usually it's after that time, which is the time I'm supposed to go to lunch. And then by the time she gets back, if you've got parents at the door and you've got the phone ringing and stuff, I'm not going to leave her hanging like that. I'm because that's not to me that's not fair to her to leave her the way I'm let. So you're I tried to be fair. I tried to be fair. I tried to um I'm not stupid. I can learn anything.

[02:43:20]And once I was once I learned how to do the 10day letters, which I had reached out several times to Miss Thomas and to Miss Doyle saying, "I'm not getting to these 10-day letters. I need help." They were just they shoved it aside until that day. And then when they told me, "This is the day they you have to do these 10-day letters," I stopped everything else. I sat down and I was told I I did the 10-day letters. After that, the 10-day letters were on time every time after that. After I did get shown what to do each time, things were done on time, even if I did stay over.

[02:44:02]And I did that on my own free will, knowing full well that I would not be paid. And I didn't want pay. I didn't want to pay. I wanted to do a good job.

[02:44:12]I wanted to do a good job. And those um and those jot notes were for that one period of time, one week or two where I was sick and off for like three days and come and then came back and trying to catch up for all those days and even staying after till 6:00 and sometimes 7:00. you know, you you can't focus and do a serious work when you've got all this d going on. So, it's quiet after the kids leave. But in the morning, I do get the attendance done in a reasonable amount of time that's done and then I start on my job notes and my Intellisparks. Exactly. or and if I have an attendance to do or a a a person to register, I get right on that. That's a lot of information to go through. Court records, all kinds of things that you have to go through to get a child enrolled. Um, and I have to I have to do it right. And it takes time. It all takes time. And in a perfect world, it'd be great if if it just all came together smoothly, but there's always those things where the kids, you know, first year we didn't have a nurse or we didn't have nurse the wrong time. I'm acting I'm up here taking temperatures, putting band-aids on and and calling code three because kids are throwing up in my office and I'm and no one else can stand it. So, I have to call code three so that these people can go run and hide so that they won't be sick and I'm dealt with left with the kids. That's fine.

[02:45:56]You know, I didn't I didn't I don't complain about my, you know, but those things happened. Those things happened and I'm just not one to complain. The only time I ever did was at at Winchester Elementary when that when I knew my teacher was abusing those children and I submitted that that she was holding them down and and unreal expectations of our three-year-olds, especially the non-verbal children, and throwing them into bean bags and screaming and hollering at them and and such. I I was when I was told I was a mandated reporter.

[02:46:44]Um I had never heard that before in my position at board of education at home because I was working in board of education and I was like, you know, I I said something to the teacher first. I said, you're you're not following you're being mean to these children.

[02:46:59]Nothing. So the principal and then I did come in here and I filed a grievance against her. I reported her because she was not following protocol and the training that I had been in for two weeks. I took it very seriously.

[02:47:18]>> I took that very seriously and those kids loved me and I loved them.

[02:47:24]>> Oh, good.

[02:47:25]>> While we're not here to talk about that, I follow up on that, but we're not here to talk about that. I want to get back on track. Follow up on that later. Um, but it was brought up.

[02:47:36]want to give circle back and get back on track. Um I wanted to ask one last question um for you. Um when when you went through training, you said that you asked for help when you asked for help maybe you know anybody at the board office or anybody did anybody ever say no that they couldn't help you or turn you down or anything like that? they would just say, um, it's okay. We'll get to it. We'll get to it. We'll get to it. We'll get to it. Did Did anybody >> And then the day that we had to get to it was the day that they gave me the they said, "You got to do this now." And then they pushed my other things aside.

[02:48:19]But until then, I I'm I'm doing multiple I'm doing multitasking all day.

[02:48:26]>> So, she's saying that your question was someone at the central office.

[02:48:30]>> Yeah. I'm just asking if if she's reaching out to >> Mary and Thomas came in and when she would come in I did not join in on those meetings. One time I was asked after the fact you want to join in on those meetings and I was like okay that'd be great. One time >> what meetings are you referencing >> with with Mr. and Marian Thomas and then myself over attended or over. Yeah.

[02:48:57]>> Over the economy talk about all these super students, >> but those are but those are with all tenant secretaries.

[02:49:06]>> Yeah. We we started having that um towards the end because >> so as a support mechanism >> as a support to be like hey let's make sure you're you're getting what we need to get so that way it's not and I' I've been a part of those end you need to be a part of these because you can get valuable insight as to maybe the job forums or what students are standing or who's frequent or frequent students are absent you have that knowledge So being a part of that is something we need to get as a as a common practice for us. So like that just needed to happen to be part of that.

[02:49:46]>> And you did try to implement that and I went to one meeting and then it all felt it all fell through. It didn't happen again. I never went back to another meeting and and it is because it's so we just get really really busy. strategist.

[02:50:03]There's problems all the time.

[02:50:05]>> Sure.

[02:50:06]>> There's things that come up every day at our school that have to be dealt with that rise above other things sometimes.

[02:50:16]>> I don't know. Who are Kevin and Tina?

[02:50:19]>> Yes.

[02:50:20]>> Kevin are the two other secretaries.

[02:50:26]See >> the other questions I have.

[02:50:27]>> Other questions for Mr. Brook, M. Thomas anyone miss the squirrel >> I guess the question that I would have is for Miss Hensel um the expectations of Miss Thomas as the pendant secretary registar at Mount Rich those are the same expectations for those secretaries who fill that role in all of Burke County correct >> that is correct >> okay um and and the expectations would be the work expectations would be the same for everybody. Correct.

[02:51:02]>> And and and we're here because Miss Thomas is unable to fulfill that. Is that also correct? Correct. I have never questions.

[02:51:13]>> No.

[02:51:13]>> You have other questions from the board?

[02:51:15]>> No. No.

[02:51:16]>> Hearing none. Miss Thomas, do you have a closing statement that you would like to give?

[02:51:24]>> I try hard. I try really hard and I I would Yeah, I know sometimes people say you don't follow the rules and sometimes maybe I don't if I give a kid a piece of candy or whatever I'll say are you allergic to peanut butter or whatever you know and it's just that I just so love them. I just I really and I love working and I love working as a secretary again and this was the first year I got a chance to do that again.

[02:51:55]I had been fast for 15 years in between and I had to come back and I know God wanted me to come back to do something important not to stay home and I got that chance through the through social security through that program to work it and they saw what I did and and was it hard? Yes. And has it been hard? Yes, it has. But but I want to I want to give back to society and I want to give back to the kids.

[02:52:29]>> And I do love this school. I love the way they run this school. He runs. They work so well together. I never thought I'd be happy to work in a middle school, but they are on task with those children and um they all work together great. I just want to say that Mr. Birkhart and and staff they they are all they run a great over there.

[02:53:00]>> Thank you.

[02:53:02]>> Thank you. Do you have a closing statement?

[02:53:05]>> Yes.

[02:53:06]Thank you, Miss Long. This hearing is concluded. Turn it back over to you. Um hearing that this is concluded now session two.

[02:53:17]>> So move second.

[02:53:18]>> Second.

[02:53:19]>> All in favor?

[02:53:22]>> It's um 250 48.

[02:53:27]>> 49 49.

[03:16:34]session at um 311 or 12.

[03:16:40]Uh does the superintendent have some recommendations?

[03:16:43]>> Uh yes, madam president.

[03:16:52]Yes, I'm recommending that the probationary contract of Haleem Cresen Cres uh not be renewed.

[03:17:06]>> Are we voting on them separately? Yeah.

[03:17:09]Uh you heard the superintendent's recommendation. Can I have a motion?

[03:17:13]>> So second.

[03:17:14]>> Second.

[03:17:15]>> All in favor? I opposed. Nay.

[03:17:21]Motion carries.

[03:17:23]>> Uh, Madame President, uh, I recommend that the probationary contract of Miss Katherine Thomas not be renewed.

[03:17:34]>> You heard that motion. Can I have a motion?

[03:17:36]>> So move.

[03:17:37]>> Second.

[03:17:38]>> Second.

[03:17:38]>> All in favor?

[03:17:40]Opposed?

[03:17:42]>> Motion carries.

[03:17:43]>> Madam President, make statement. Yes.

[03:17:46]>> Um, uh, board members, um, this evening, I'd just like to be able to briefly address a statement that was made during, uh, one of tonight's personnel hearings. Uh, an individual alleged that in a prior role, they reported concerns involving, uh, suspected child abuse to school administration.

[03:18:04]Because student safety is our highest priority, uh the district will confirm that all appropriate procedures, policies, and mandated reporting requirements related to reported child abuse were properly followed.

[03:18:17]>> Thank you.

[03:18:17]>> Uh so I just want to make sure that we've assured the folks of that. So thank you.

[03:18:24]>> Yes.

[03:18:25]>> This concludes our hearings for today.

[03:18:27]Motion to >> adjourn. So move.

[03:18:30]>> All in favor? I