Cullman City Board of Education Place 5 debate

0:32 Hello and welcome to the beautiful Bailey Center auditorium on the grounds of Wall State College in Hansville.

0:38 Thank you to our gracious hosts Wallis State College and Dr. Vicky Carlos. The

0:43 2025 debate series and question and answer forums continue today with the municipal elections. more specifically

0:50 Cullman City School Board. These events are designed to give the public more unfiltered answers without the questions

0:57 ahead of time, direct comparisons, and meaningful conversations. Now, we shift our focus to candidates running for

1:04 place five. Both Amy Carter and Mark Britain are present te today to answer

1:10 questions voters and residents would like to know. We would like to thank both candidates for showing up as we

1:16 know this can kind of be a taunting task sometimes. With all that being said, let's get into

1:23 the rules. No electronic devices permitted. So, if you have any smartwatches on, please go ahead and

1:28 turn those off. Questions will alternate, so no candidate answers first or last more than the other. Opening

1:37 statements will be limited to 60 seconds, and it may be a prepared statement. Time allotted per question

1:44 will be two minutes. Closing statement is limited to 90 seconds and must be

1:49 spoken without notes. One rebuttal per question, but only if one candidate calls out the other. And the the other

1:59 candidate is set for an additional 45 seconds. Facts only, no accusations without proof. This will allocate

2:07 additional time to your opponent. Voters voters deserve substance over slogans. So, let's begin.

2:18 >> Amy, if you would like to go first on uh your introduction. >> Thank you. And thank you, Noah. My name

2:25 is Amy Carter. I'm running for Cullman City School Board, Place 5, where I

2:29 currently serve as president. I have resided in the city of Cullman for the

2:34 past 22 years. I'm married to Matt Carter who is also a lifetime or who is a lifetime resident

2:42 of Cullman and is a proud Bearcat. He says coach that he was your best player

2:47 ever, but I kind of doubt that. So, um, but I also have a son, Griffin, that is

2:52 a Bearcat and just started school at Alabama. I graduated from Sanford University with a bachelor of science

2:58 and education and I practiced as an athletic trainer for many years in many

3:02 different schools in the Birmingham area. and I'm now in the oncology field. My um

3:09 I'm running for office because five years ago we started out with a strategic plan. A plan that we felt like

3:17 would take this school system into the future. We have accomplished a lot together as a whole school system, but

3:23 there's more to do. I feel like I need to do four more years and one more term

3:28 to finish what we started. I feel very importantly that we need to finish what

3:32 we started. >> Thank you. Mark Singh, uh, if you'd like to start with your opening statement.

3:40 >> All right. My name is Mark Britain. Uh, I am a former coach here at Cullman High

3:46 School. Um, enjoyed about 30 years in the classroom. I was American history teacher. Many of our candidates I've

3:56 I've had relations with and and uh in the classroom. They're former students. And so it's been a blessing and I'm

4:05 excited to try to serve our school. Uh I would I would appreciate your vote. And

4:12 the reason I want to run is I've I've worn many hats. Uh I've been athletic

4:16 director. I've even been a temporary principal for three or four days uh during a little small hiccup we had. But

4:25 I've worn many hats and I have many things to offer back to Cullman City

4:29 Schools. um our classroom teachers. Uh I I'm I'm my passion is is for them and

4:36 our students and uh so I I appreciate the opportunity to be here today.

4:43 >> Thank you and thank you both for uh answering and getting us started. Amy,

4:47 we'll start with you with question one on motivation. Why are you running for

4:52 place five and what specific priorities would you focus on if elected? I'm glad I get to finish my opening

5:01 statement where I ran out of time. Um, I am running for place five. Again, as I

5:05 said, we started out with a strategic plan five years ago. And that plan is

5:09 not just building buildings, but it's also focusing on the inside of the schools as well. And I feel like we have

5:14 done so much. We have all A's on our state report card, which maybe 15 to 20

5:19 school systems in the state of Alabama can say that. We have accomplished so

5:23 much, but there is still so much more to do. I'm running for one more term to

5:27 finish what we started. We are on an upward trajectory in this school system

5:31 and our students deserve the best and that's why I'm running again for place

5:35 five on the school board. >> Thank you so much for your answer. And

5:40 Mark, the same question on motivation. Why are you running for place five and

5:45 what specific priorities would you focus on if elected? Um, I think my main priority would be to

5:54 be a voice for our classroom teachers. Um, many of our our teachers are they're

6:02 under so much pressure with uh state testing, those type things that come up,

6:07 all of the regulations that they have have to do. And I I'm very concerned

6:12 that we're um our teachers are are losing the opportunity to to use their

6:20 professionalism um because they're having to maybe teach a test, those type things. And so I want

6:27 to be a voice to our teachers, go and listen to them when they're they're

6:32 having issues, be available in the classroom, uh in the hallways, lunchrooms, wherever that they can talk

6:39 to us informally and maybe find out some more information that maybe you can't,

6:44 you know, just on a more comfortable setting. So those are things that I

6:48 would like to do u for Cullman City Schools. >> All right. Thank you, sir. and we will

6:55 stay with you for question number two which involves mental health. How should the district improve support for

7:03 students struggling with stress, anxiety or depression? Well, as board members uh you know I

7:13 think our role as board members is to maybe not I mean we our main role

7:20 is the CEO and the CFO. Uh so when we have these mental health

7:25 issues which I think that is a major issue in all um communities throughout

7:30 we should go to our experts uh as best we can utilize our our local government

7:37 um our our various uh entities we have with with the police department all of

7:43 those factors and try to bring everybody together to get to get a great plan for

7:49 for our young people. and uh mental health is a real deal. We we're we may

7:54 not talk about it as much as we would like, but I think by working together

8:00 with with organizations that are already in place, uh it it's how we could come

8:06 up with a great plan. >> All right. Thank you, sir. And Amy, we're going to ask the same question.

8:12 It's on mental health. How should the district improve support for students struggling with stress, anxiety or

8:20 depression? >> I think that there's no doubt that we have seen an increase in mental health

8:24 issues after COVID. Um I think you see that in the work in the workplace. I

8:28 think you see it in the schools. I think you see it basically everywhere. You see

8:31 it in your hospitals with your nurses. We have counselors at our schools. We do

8:35 have a mental health counselor and we have partnerships with resources locally where we can plug kids in when we see a

8:41 need. Um teachers are trained to look out for these kids that might be at

8:44 risk. We have an anonymous um posting on our website where somebody can come like

8:50 you talked about bullying and and mental health. If a child if has issues with

8:54 that they can anonymous anonymously post and it will go straight to their administrator and we will take after

9:01 take we will look after those children. So there are many ways that we are

9:05 trying to protect the mental health of our children and we realize that that is

9:08 a reality now and it is very important and um it is it is on the forefront of

9:13 what we do and we will continue to move forward with the resources that this

9:17 board can provide to provide for those students when we see an increased need.

9:22 >> Thank you so much for that answer. Uh Amy, we will stay with you on this next

9:27 question which is on inclusion. How can Cullman schools ensure that students from all cultural, economic,

9:35 and learning backgrounds feel included and valued? I've always said that there's a lot of

9:43 things in life that aren't fair and that aren't equal, but I do feel like in a

9:47 public school setting, every child should be equal. Every single child should have have the same supplies.

9:53 Every single child should have the same teaching opportunities. And I do feel at

9:56 Cullman City, we really do a good job with that. I do think that combining

10:01 east and west is going to help with that because I think there was a divide with

10:04 children. We were when we came on this board, we were more of a system of

10:08 schools and not a school system. And I think it is great for our children to be

10:14 to not be separated between second and and fifth grade. And so I think that

10:19 that's so important in how we how we make sure that all these kids are equal.

10:23 I also think at the high school level there's so many opportunities there. If

10:27 you don't want to go to college, if you want to go to college, if you want to be

10:30 in a medical profession, those those opportunities are out there for every single child regardless. And those

10:36 opportunities are some that they might not get otherwise in other school systems or in life. And so it gives them

10:41 a head start. These kids are going to be able to come out of school now at that

10:44 high school, like we talked about, making a living wage, a great living wage just because of our STEM program.

10:50 And that's something that that other school school systems don't have. and every child has access to those

10:56 opportunities. >> Thank you for your response. Mark, we'll move to you. Same question on inclusion.

11:04 How can Cullman schools ensure that students from all cultural, economic, and learning backgrounds feel included

11:11 and valued? >> Well, I think uh the first thing we should do is get all of our teachers to

11:18 collaborate. bring all of the experts in in in all of our various um whether it

11:24 be the elementary uh our principles and uh guidance counselors bring everybody together. Um you know, you may ask my

11:33 opinion and I'm just going to tell you I'm not an expert on those type things,

11:38 but but I am an expert on teamwork. Uh getting people together, working together. Uh we cannot make mistakes

11:46 with our children. Um, you know, children are so precious to us. They're um I mean that that's that's what we do.

11:53 We we we do everything we can to protect our children and give them great

11:58 opportunities. And I think with that type of collaboration with our administration, many things already in

12:05 place that uh getting getting these folks together and talking about it is how we would best u set a plan for our

12:16 children. Thank you sir. And we'll stay with you for this next question on testing and

12:24 standards. What role should standardized testing play in shaping curriculum and evaluating school performance?

12:37 Well, I I I know that many of our standardized testing is in places. It

12:43 caused great stress for a lot of our our teachers. Um third grade um you know

12:50 that's that's such a big deal with the reading right now. Uh certain levels

12:54 they have to be um it's a lot of stress on our young people and and and for our

12:59 teachers because if you have a student fail, you feel like that's a direct

13:05 response to the job that that you personally did. Um, I'd like to see us

13:10 have more of the reading initiative opportunities, more uh maybe teachers aids that we can take some of these um

13:19 student that might be struggling and have more individual attention. Um, your your general ed teacher is really

13:27 stressed uh on many IEPs, 504s, and requirements that they need to meet in

13:33 the classroom. So I think that's the best way to to bring in more uh help

13:40 like in aids and those type things for reading specialists. >> All right. Thank you sir for that

13:46 answer. Amy, same question on testing and standards. What role should standardized testing play in shaping

13:54 curriculum in evaluating school performance? Does Amy Carter think that a standardized test is the best way to

14:02 evaluate a child's success? Absolutely not. Or or or teacher success? Absolutely not. But unfortunately, it's

14:08 a hand we're dealt. Um the literacy act has come down. We've had the numerousy

14:14 act. There's a lot of things that have come down from Montgomery and and from

14:18 Washington that that we're we're we're dealt the hand and we have to comply.

14:23 Um, I hope that we are supporting our teachers in that. And I do feel like our

14:27 teachers and students are killing it with the AAP right now. And our great

14:31 our scores came in and they were excellent and they were amazing. And that's a true testament to our teachers

14:36 and our students and and our parents and our parents that get those kids ready

14:40 and and are are focused and and so while I don't think that a standardized test

14:45 is the litmus test for a child's success, I do think that we have to work

14:49 within those parameters that are given to us. and um do the best that we can

14:54 and and support where we can. I'm I'm all ears to any way that we can support

14:59 with this given the parameters we have. And according to the um literacy act

15:04 this year there were 3900 students in the state of Alabama that that were held back in third grade

15:10 because of it and Cullman City Schools had zero. So while these are challenging

15:14 and we do understand that our teachers and our students are really doing well.

15:20 Thank you for that response. And Amy, we're going to stay on you for this next

15:25 question, and it involves school choice. Would you support new specialized programs inside Cullman City Schools,

15:33 which would give students an advantage in either the workforce, college, or both? Why or why not?

15:40 >> Wait. >> Yeah. Clarify. Are we talking about school choice as far as

15:46 >> All right. Uh, would you support new specialized programs inside Cullman City Schools which would give students an

15:54 advantage in either the workforce, college, or both? >> Oh, 100%. Um, I think that we we're

16:00 living that every day. Um, like like I think someone said earlier, these kids

16:04 are building robots now in the third grade or second grade and and we're

16:08 teaching cyber security and we're teaching robotics. I've said robotics, but we're teaching auto mechanics and um

16:16 modern manufacturing. We are opening up new products every day. And our person, Miss Brandon in career tech, is always

16:23 looking at best practices that other school systems do and can those programs benefit our kids? What's the trend? What

16:29 do the industry around us? What do they need? What do they need from their

16:32 workers? Because they love the fact that we are investing all of this money in

16:37 career tech and all of this time because those are the workers that they need.

16:41 And as you know, we all there is a labor shortage and Cullman has like a 3%

16:46 unemployment rate. So they are dying for these kids that come out of school that

16:50 are skilled and are ready to go to work and they are so excited. So yes, my

16:53 answer is yes. >> Thank you so much for your response. Mark, same question dealing with school

17:00 choice. Would you support new specialized programs inside Cullman City Schools which would give students an

17:08 advantage in either the workforce, college or both? >> Uh yes, I would support that. I think

17:15 when um I retired in 23 and we were teaching classes um we had a report come across that

17:24 teachers today that are that are teaching the students that you are teaching currently and this was in 2023

17:31 that about 30% of those students are going to retire from a job that has yet

17:39 to be created because of you know AI and various things that are coming up. So,

17:45 you have to prepare your students um to be able to adapt and to learn and

17:53 to seek out um you know new challenges. So, I would yes definitely support that

18:00 and I think Cullman City Schools does a great job great foundation for that for

18:04 learning even though you may specialize and go into a profession that um you may

18:10 retire from that has yet to be created. All right. Thank you, sir, for that

18:16 answer and we'll stay with you on our next question, which involves tough decisions.

18:22 How would you approach a difficult vote on reszoning or re or redistricting or

18:28 budget cuts that may upset part of the community? Well, uh, like I said, I was a football coach

18:38 for a long, long time, and a lot of decisions I made, especially on Friday

18:41 nights in front of a crowd, wasn't always popular. I hate to say that, but

18:45 we made made some choices where there were some, you know, various problems. Redistricting,

18:53 um, I know this may come up with with east and west, uh, merging, and I'm

18:58 sure, uh, there has been a lot of discussion on that. um you know, right

19:04 right now moving the sixth grade up to the to the um middle school as um you

19:11 know, there's going to be more traffic issues. There's there's a lot of difficult questions that need to be

19:15 answered. I I think we're doing as well as we can, but I would always look for

19:21 better answers. Um, again, bring the experts in, go to your te your your

19:27 principles primarily at those respective schools, and then go to the teachers and make yourself available for new ideas

19:34 because a lot of times um their ideas and things they're dealing with, they're

19:39 like the fathers of invention on some things to to get these answers that you

19:43 need. So, as a board member, we need to be available for that. But difficult

19:48 answers, difficult questions. I think if we are um you know transparent, bring everybody in uh have conversations

19:58 whether it be a board meeting um I think those are the ways to to reach out to

20:03 our community and and try to get the answer that best fits our community.

20:10 >> Thank you sir for your answer. And Amy, we will move to you. same question on

20:16 tough decisions. How would you approach a difficult vote on resoning, redistricting, or budget cuts that may

20:24 upset part of the community? >> I think open communication first is is very important. Um, most people

20:34 in in this school district have my cell phone. If they don't, we can give it out

20:38 to anyone. I take every call. I take every phone call. I'll meet you for

20:42 coffee. I'll sometimes just have a phone call like if I will explain any tough

20:47 decision to the extent that I can. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions as a board that we simply

20:53 cannot talk about. Um sometimes if it's a personnel decision that that person has has has privacy rights and so we

21:00 can't talk about those things. But other tough decisions when it allows I would

21:05 be happy to talk about those with anyone. And then when you said tough

21:09 decisions are tough, maybe sometimes the board doesn't always agree. And that's where you just seek to understand where

21:14 other folks come from. And I would always say, help me understand where your where your thought process is. And

21:21 then sometimes it's I say I I didn't even see it that way. You're right.

21:24 Sometimes I say you're crazy. I I'm I'm right. And so it just kind of depends.

21:28 But you have to have mutual respect and you have to listen to your constituents

21:33 and know that tough decisions have to be made. and um we stand behind them and

21:39 sleep well at night. >> Thank you for your answer and we'll stay with you for our next question which is

21:46 involving industry partnerships. What opportunities do you see for Cullman schools to work with local

21:54 businesses in preparing students for the workforce? >> We are currently doing that now with um

22:01 several different local industries in town. um the hospital. We also have partnerships with all the local

22:07 universities within probably a 100 mile radius. But um I think we just need to

22:13 continue to strengthen that and and like we said earlier, ask the questions to

22:17 these local industries when they come into town because we know that Cullman is growing and when they come, what do

22:22 you need? What do you need? We're building this huge STEM wing. Are we in

22:26 the right direction on the needs that you're going to have in the next 5 to 10

22:29 years? because we want to be able to provide to provide you with those

22:32 workers and the people that you're going to need. And we may be way off and might

22:36 have to pivot and we might have to change something in our STEM department

22:39 that we didn't see coming, but like coach said, you know, some of these jobs

22:43 haven't even been created yet. So, we work with them on a five and a 10-year

22:46 plan and what does that look like and how can we best service your needs?

22:51 >> Thank you for that answer. And Mark, we'll move to you. Same question.

22:56 Industry partnerships. What opportunity do you see for Cullman schools to work with local businesses in preparing

23:04 students for the workforce? >> I think we have uh great opportunities. Uh I I think the um STEM program it is a

23:15 very productive program and and will answer a lot of our upcoming needs. I

23:20 think um you know again our our principles are the the folks that I would uh rely on in that

23:29 regard. So many jobs coming open whether it be um robotics uh Ray Hall down

23:36 there. They have a lot of robotics. Um a lot of things going on with our Walmart

23:41 industries uh truck driving. Uh we've got so many businesses in that regard. there's just so many opportunities for

23:49 our young people um that may not all want to go to college. Um I do think

23:55 that uh you know was alluded to earlier about some of the some of the jobs uh

24:01 plumbers those type uh electricians those type things. I do think that we should incorporate some business for

24:09 that that situation. Give them a business background to have their own businesses. And uh so I I think those

24:16 were would be things that uh I would really push for and and be open to ideas

24:22 uh incoming from our local industries. >> Thank you sir for your response and

24:28 we'll stay with you Mark on this next question involving special education. What changes would you make to better

24:36 support students with learning differences or special needs? I'm open to any ideas that would help

24:45 the child. Uh in the classroom for 30 years, uh we've had personally had so

24:52 many children in our classrooms. Excuse me. We've had um I've had children that

24:59 were legally blind. Um I've had children that were deaf. Uh we wore a microphone.

25:07 uh they wore an instrument that was on their head just like a communication. So

25:12 many adjustments we've made for special ed. Um when we set standards out there,

25:19 no matter what the standard is, there's a child out there that cannot meet that

25:22 standard, whether it's to walk up these two stairs, whether it's to make this

25:27 grade reading level. and we've got to accommodate that child and make that child

25:34 confident uh to to to be able to reach these new goals. And so our special ed

25:42 uh we've had such great workers in special ed that I personally have worked

25:46 with over the years. Um uh great parents and these parents just want opportunities for this child

25:56 uh and these children. And um uh it's been a soft spot for me personally in

26:01 the in the coaching business. Uh we've had so many kids help us on the

26:05 sidelines and do what they can and um I I I love the inclusion because at the

26:13 kids at the high school age that I had 30 years working with um just the

26:18 interaction between those kids uh it was it was great. So the more opportunities

26:22 we have for our special needs children I'm I'm 100% for that. >> Thank you sir for your response. Amy,

26:31 same question on special education. What changes would you make to better support students with learning differences or

26:39 special needs? >> What changes? Um I think I think we're seeing especially even postco that is is um that that that

26:54 area is growing and I think that right now 40% of our children in our school

26:59 system have a 504 and IEP and that does create itself some some challenges and

27:05 so we have to meet them where they are. I think it starts with a great special

27:09 education coordinator that has has done this for a long time that communicates with the teachers and um and and provide

27:19 those children what they need and still and keep them safe. And so what changes

27:24 I really don't know of any changes except to continue to listen and to

27:28 continue to support them and give them what they need because it's going to

27:32 change every year. Thank you for that response. And Amy, we're going to stay with you on this

27:39 next question involving fiscal responsibility. How would you ensure spending decisions strike the right balance between

27:48 innovation and taxpayer accountability? >> Well, when you look at our budget, 80% of our budget is salaries and benefits.

27:58 And so 80% is fixed right there, right off the top. Um, every dollar we have

28:03 has a name. We are less than 4% of our salaries are out of the central office

28:08 and administrative. That is all your principles and central office. The rest is what lies in the middle and that's

28:13 what I guess what they say keeps the lights on. So, as far as fiscal

28:17 responsibility, we really lean a lot on our CFO and he's done he's been a school

28:22 CFO for a very long time and he can tell us where every single penny is and every

28:27 month we sit down with him and we look at the budget where we are where we are

28:31 in reserves, where the money has been spent and when, you know, accidents h

28:35 are, you know, things happen that we didn't expect and and sometimes we have

28:39 to borrow from Peter to pay Paul, but we try to to be studious of that and we

28:44 know this is all public like every bit anybody can go and look and see where

28:49 any dollar is spent and so I do feel comfortable that we are spending every

28:53 dollar and are held accountable and I hope we continue to be but um every

28:57 dollar has a name. >> Thank you for your response and Mark same question on fiscal responsibility.

29:05 How would you ensure spending decisions strike the right balance between innovation and taxpayer accountability?

29:14 Well, I would like to see our money get say more bang for their buck a little

29:19 bit. Um I think at the budget meeting we had um 22 23 units that were currently

29:28 um u coming out of uh our local funds and um you know I think our um CFO did a

29:38 good job the other day at the budget meeting explaining those t things. although you're not able to absorb the

29:45 whole budget. I think it I think the printed was 155 page packet that that

29:50 was available. Um the budget dollars uh I I would like to see even though so much of the money is

30:00 going towards new construction and I'm not against new construction at all but I don't want to lose the opportunity of

30:07 education in units. uh for example in in special ed getting aids to help help

30:16 students and I think over my career I've watched the last few years that our aids

30:24 and those type of helpers for our teachers classroom teachers have been reduced in the numbers and it it falls a

30:32 lot on that general ed teacher and so I would like to see our monies u to make

30:38 sure we we're not losing ing the opportunity to have smaller classroom numbers, having more specialized

30:46 education for our special needs students and help in in any regard we can as far

30:53 as teachers aids, those type things. >> Can I? >> Yes, you may have uh because of the

31:00 >> I'm glad I'm glad you brought up the the locally funded units because and when

31:04 you bring up AIDS, that's exactly what those locally funded units are for. Those locally funded units are for those

31:10 assistants, the aids. Um those locally funded units are some where we are we

31:14 felt like we need smaller classrooms, but we don't have the state and federal

31:17 funding for that classroom. So we came in as a board in certain situations and

31:22 said no, we've got to fund this. We have to fund it. We cannot give we cannot

31:25 have 28 kids in this classroom. We were going to have to fund a local unit. And

31:29 so that's how we decide those and that's where those locally funded units are

31:32 going is to those aid positions and to teacher positions to make those classrooms smaller.

31:38 Thank you for that. Mark, we'll go back to you for our final question from the

31:43 Tribune side. We have uh legacy. Looking back after your term, what accomplishment would you want to be

31:51 remembered for? >> What would I want to be remembered for? >> What accomplishment would you want to be

32:02 remembered for? Um, looking back on my career, is that what you said? >> Uh, maybe I'm not understanding.

32:12 >> Let's say uh if elected >> Yes, sir. >> after looking back on your term on your

32:18 career on school board, what accomplishment would you want to be remembered for? I think very simply that uh I helped

32:28 improve I think an outstanding school system but in wearing so many hats over

32:35 the 30 years that there's a lot that I could bring to the table and hopefully

32:42 just like anybody else we would want to do a good job by our students and and

32:46 hope at the end of this uh in just about everything I've been able to do um I

32:52 have improved situ situations in my entire career and uh I would want to

32:57 continue that on the school board. >> Thank you, sir, for that response. And

33:03 Amy, same question. Legacy. Looking back after your term, what accomplishment would you want to be remembered for?

33:12 >> I would just simply like for my legacy to be that she cared about students. She

33:15 cared about students, teachers, administrators, the whole system as a whole. And it's as simple as that. that

33:21 that I gave my heart and soul for this school system for as long as the school

33:25 system will allow me to do it. >> All right, thank you for that answer.

33:31 And I have one audience question. This can just be a simple yes or no.

33:38 Do you live within the city school district limits? >> I do. >> Yes.

33:45 >> Okay. And with that, we will get to our closing statements. Andy, since we let

33:53 you go first on introduction, uh Mark will let you begin with closing statements. You have

34:00 >> Let me be good. Okay. Thank you. Uh let's go back to the question. Do you

34:04 live in the city? >> Okay. We had other members have to ask that question, but I think everybody

34:11 here knows that that question is designed specifically for me. Okay. And um I don't I don't really like this cat

34:22 and mouse, but that's that's a great question. Um my wife and I bought a house um closed

34:32 on May the 13th, two weeks before the deadline, somewhere in there. I think

34:37 the 26th was the deadline. talked to the secretary of state, talked to Wes Moore

34:43 at city. Uh Wes uh Moore, who is at the city, uh handed me a packet. I qualify.

34:52 My wife and I voted. Um we qualify to be in the city. My house that we

35:01 bought was not livable. Today we still do not have hot water at that house. Okay.

35:11 But the state of Alabama, Secretary of State sets the rules for residency. We

35:17 made that residency by two weeks. We We have a house. We are in the past 100

35:23 days revamped the entire house. There's not a plug, not a door, not the roof.

35:31 We've removed a wall, front door, back door. Everything's brand new. There are rumors out there

35:39 that we're taking pictures of where we lay our head. That's kind of creepy

35:44 having the whole time. >> That would be fun. >> Thank you. >> All right. And closing statement. Amy,

35:52 you have 90 seconds. >> Thank you, Noah. First of all, um I want

35:56 to extend a heartfelt thank you to every single candidate that's here. every single one. This is hard. Running is

36:03 hard. Sitting up here in front of everybody is hard. Serving is hard. So,

36:08 I hope everybody's intent is great. I hope that there's no agendas. And whoever comes out on top Tuesday, I

36:15 genuinely wish you all the best, whoever that is, because this is our kids'

36:20 future at stake. And that's what matters is these kids. And so, I thank you. Um I

36:26 thank you for sticking your neck out there. Again, it's it's hard. It's not

36:29 easy. And so, thank you. And that being said, I I think, you know, I've already

36:34 said I'm running because I want to finish what we started. I have a heart

36:37 for this school system. And on August 26th, I would humbly appreciate your vote. Thank you.

36:43 >> Thank you so much. And I want to thank you both for coming out and coming up

36:48 here and answering our questions. I know this is not the uh most ideal situation

36:52 for most people. Uh this is part of an election. And we want to thank uh Dr.

36:58 Carlos and Wallace State College for allowing us to be here uh and being a

37:04 great host uh for these debates. We want to thank all the candidates who came out

37:09 today. We want to thank all of the people in the audience and everyone who

37:12 was watching at home. Uh thank you for being involved in this. And remember to

37:17 get out and vote next Tuesday. This Saturday we do have Cullman city uh

37:24 council debates beginning at two o'clock. It will take place here and also on our Facebook pages Cullman

37:31 Tribune and Cullman today. So thank you so much and you all have a great

37:35 evening. Thank you.