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>> GOOD MORNING. AS PRESIDENT OF
[I. CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING STATEMENT]
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WICHITA FALLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, I HEREBY CALL TO ORDER THIS SPECIAL SESSION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT FORUM OF THE BOARD IS PRESENT, THAT THE MEETING HAS BEEN DULY CALLED, AND NOTICE OF THE MEETING HAS BEEN POSTED FOR THE TIME AND IN THE MANNER THAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME EACH OF YOU TO THIS SPECIAL SESSION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD IN PUBLIC, NOT A MEETING OF THE PUBLIC.
PLEASE BE SURE THAT ALL YOUR CELL PHONES ARE TURNED OFF OR TURNED TO SILENT OR TO VIBRATE MODE PLEASE.
WE'RE PLEASED TO HAVE YOU TAKE THIS TIME TO JOIN US THIS MORNING AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AS ALWAYS IN THE WFISD.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WE'LL NOW, ASK MRS. CAMP TO OFFER AN INVOCATION.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, PLEASE BE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES AND IN BUSINESSES.
I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE WITH THEM IN THE CLEAN UP, AND DEAR LORD PLEASE BE WITH OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND ALL STAFF THAT AS WE START THE SCHOOL YEAR, THAT YOU WILL BE IN EACH ONE OF THESE CAMPUSES EVERYDAY DEAR LORD, AND THAT YOU WILL BLESS THIS CAMPUSES AND BLESS THIS DISTRICT.
PLEASE HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS, AND IT'S IN CHRIST JESUS'S NAME WE PRAY.
>> VANESSA, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> SINCE THERE IS NO PUBLIC WE'LL ASSUME THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENTS [LAUGHTER]
[IV.A. Consideration and Possible Action To Adopt A Resolution Delegating Emergency Authority To The Superintendent To Enter In Contract For Construction Services To Repair Damage Due to Unforeseen Damage in the Hirschi High School and Denver Alternative Facility and Waive the Requirements Under Chapter 44 Of The Texas Education Code Due To The Emergency Situation Pursuant To Texas Education Code 44.031 And 44.0312 ]
DO YOU WANT TO START AND GIVE A SYNOPSIS OF WHERE WE ARE?>> YEAH, WHERE WE ARE IS 13TH.
>> EVENING WE HAD A STORM COME THROUGH AND DID SOME SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO DENVER AS WE KNOW, AND THEN ALSO DID SOME DAMAGE TO HIRSCHI.
DENVER, IF YOU'VE LOOKED AT THOSE PICTURES, IT IS IN REALLY BAD SHAMBLES, AND WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL BE SALVAGED OR NOT, WE'LL FIND THAT OUT ABOUT 8:00 AM TOMORROW WHEN THERE'LL BE AN ADJUSTER.
THE ADJUSTER WILL BE HERE TOMORROW TO SURVEY THAT.
THAT'S WHERE [INAUDIBLE] AND PETER GRIFFITHS, HAFLEY SCOT THEY'RE ALL AT, EVALUATING THE DAMAGES THAT ARE AT HIRSCHI AND DENVER.
WHY WE ARE HERE IS WE HAVE GOT A DEDUCTIBLE, AND DEDUCTIBLE ON ROOFING IS $1 MILLION, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT IT DOESN'T COME TO THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT IS FOR OUR DISTRICT, THAT AIN'T PER ROOF BUT THAT'S, WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOFS IN THE DISTRICT AND THEN WE HAVE A DEDUCTIBLE OF 100,000 FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.
IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, THIS RESOLUTION IS AUTHORIZING US ONCE WE FIND OUT TOMORROW WHAT THE COSTS WILL BE IF IT'S OVER 100,000 THAT WE CAN DO FOR IT BECAUSE OTHERWISE, I DON'T HAVE AUTHORIZATION TO DO ANYTHING OVER $100,000.
THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE WE'RE AT IN A NUTSHELL.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS.
>> HOW ABOUT QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?
>> WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT HIRSCHI? I DIDN'T HEAR [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]
>> HIRSCHI, AT THE NORTH WEST CORNER OF THE LIBRARY AREA, FROM WHAT THEY SAID, IT PICKED UP THE ROOF, IT SAT IT BACK DOWN RUNNING THAT AREA.
WE HAVE A TEMPORARY ROOFING ON THERE, TARPING, WINDOWS ARE OUT SO WE HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONER DEBRIS AIR THAT'S GOING IN THERE.
THERE'S AN E-SPORTS ROOM AREA WHERE WATER GOT IN AND FLOODED THAT AREA, SO WE'RE AIRING THAT OUT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ROOF AT HIRSCHI, OBVIOUSLY.
>> WHAT DO WE DO WITH THOSE KIDS DOWN THERE?
>> WELL, THAT'S THE LIBRARY AND E-SPORTS AREAS [INAUDIBLE] NO LIBRARY FOR YOU.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU WALK IN AT SOME PLACES, YOU LOOK UP AND YOU SEE SKY, AND I'M TALKING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE THERE.
THE ENTRYWAYS ARE GONE, ALL OF THE NURSING WINDOWS, THREE CLASSROOMS, ALL THE WINDOWS ARE BLOWN OUT AND THE RAIN GOT IN.
THEN SOME CLASSROOMS, IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING WAS EVEN TOUCHED AND THEN THERE AREN'T ANY EVEN DESK KNOCKED OVER.
THE PORTABLES ARE COMPLETELY DISASTER.
>> CAN USE FOR CLARIFICATION, DENVER IS WHAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS CAROLL ELEMENTARY ON THE SEYMOUR HIGHWAY.
THE PARALLEL ON THE WEST SIDE, IT LITERALLY RIPPED THE ROOF BACK AND TOOK THE BRACING, THE JOINTS, AND EVERYTHING OFF, AND ON THE EAST SIDE, IT COLLAPSED IT DOWN INTO WHAT WAS THE CAFETERIA, I SUPPOSE.
>> RIPPED THE AIR CONDITIONER UNITS OFF THE ROOF, THEY'RE LAYING ON THE GROUND.
THOSE KIDS WILL BE GOING INTO FARRIS, WHICH IS WHERE THE CREWS ARE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE WORKING AT FARRIS, AND WE WERE JUST LITERALLY FIVE DAYS FROM GUTTING THAT.
>> THANK GOODNESS WE DIDN'T, AND SO WE'RE REPURPOSING THAT AREA.
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WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO WITH FARRIS, SO IT'S JUST GOING TO SIT THERE ABANDONED AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE USED WITH THE DENVER KIDS.>> SO COULD WE GET CLARIFICATION IF YOU HAVE A $1 MILLION DEDUCTIBLE ON ALL BREAKS?
>> SO IF WE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT THIS YEAR AND WE HAD SPENT OUR MILLION DOLLARS ON A ROOF- [OVERLAPPING]
>> -THEN WE WOULD HAVE COVERAGE?
>> BUT ANYTHING UP TO 1 MILLION ON JUST THE ROOFS OR ALL THE DAMAGES?
>> ROOFS, THAT'S JUST THE ROOFING.
>> SO WE HAVE TO, THE FIRST MILLION IS ON US?
>> WHERE WILL THAT MILLION COME FROM?
>> WE HAVE ABOUT 25.5 MILLION IN OUR FUND BALANCE, WHICH WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY.
THANK YOU, MRS. HORTON [LAUGHTER]
>> FOR KEEPING US ON TRACK FOR THAT.
THAT'S WHY WE TALK ABOUT FUND BALANCE SO MUCH.
FUND BALANCE FOR THE PUBLIC IS OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT, THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED IT.
THE INTERIOR OF HARRELL, IF WE CHOOSE TO PUT THE NEW ROOF BACK ON, THE INTERIOR WOULD HAVE A $100,000 DEDUCTIBLE?
>> THAT TOO WOULD COME FROM FUND BALANCE?
>> IS IT PER CAMPUS $100,000 DEDUCTIBLE OR TOTAL YEAR?
>> NO, WHAT I WAS TOLD THAT'S PER THE DISTRICT.
IT AIN'T 100,000 AT DENVER AND 100,000 AND THE NEXT CAMPUS, AND THAT WOULD BE 2.6 MILLION MORE DOLLARS.
>> PRETTY QUICK. THERE IS A RESOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN MADE AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY PURCHASE FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES.
>> WHAT WILL HAPPEN, DR. LEE WILL HEAR FROM OUR ADJUSTER AND THEN HE AND HIS STAFF WILL DETERMINE THE PATH WE NEED TO TAKE.
AT THAT POINT, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ALL GET BACK TOGETHER TO APPROVE THAT, SO WE NEED TO CONSIDER HAVING AN EMERGENCY PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION FOR DR. LEE. YES, SIR?
>> WITH THE DEDUCTIBLES AND EVERYTHING, YOU SAID WE HAVE ANOTHER STORM THIS WEEK AND WE APPROVE OF ALL OF THIS.
YOU CAN GO OFF OF THAT, RIGHT?
>> SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS.
>> THERE'S A PRETTY LENGTHY RESOLUTION THAT I NEED TO READ, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
I'M GOING TO GO GET MY GLASSES TO MAKE SURE.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE WICHITA FALLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY PURCHASE OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES.
WHEREAS THE WICHITA FALLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OWNS AND MAINTAINS SCHOOL FACILITIES INCLUDING HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES.
WHEREAS ON AUGUST 10TH, 2023, HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES EXPERIENCED A MICROBURST, WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE AND FLOODING AT THESE TWO SCHOOLS.
WHEREAS THE MICROBURST RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY, INCLUDING THE WALLS, FLOOR, AND ROOF OF THE LIBRARY.
WHEREAS THE DAMAGE, LET'S SEE, WHERE DID I GO?
>> WHEREAS THE ROOF DAMAGE AND FLOODING WERE UNFORESEEN AND HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE ABILITY OF THE DISTRICT TO CONDUCT CLASSES AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AT THE HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES.
WHEREAS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FINDS IT A MICROBURST AND THE RESULTING ROOF DAMAGE AND FLOODING TO HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY CONSTITUTES AN UNFORESEEN OPERATIONAL FAILURE OF THE SCHOOL FACILITIES.
WHEREAS PURSUANT TO BOARD POLICY CH LOCAL, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO MAKE BUDGET PURCHASES OF GOODS AND SERVICES COSTING LESS THAN $100,000.
WHEREAS THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, SECTION 44.0312, AUTHORIZES THE BOARD IN THE EVENT OF A CATASTROPHIC EMERGENCY OR NATURAL DISASTER AFFECTING THE DISTRICT TO DELEGATE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR DESIGNATED PERSON, THE AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT THE REPLACEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OR REPAIR OF SCHOOL EQUIPMENT OR FACILITIES UNDER TEXAS EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 44, SUBCHAPTER B, IF EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OR REPAIR IS NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DISTRICT STUDENTS AND STAFF.
WHEREAS THE TEXAS EDUCATION SECTION 44.031, (H), ALLOWS CONTRACTS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF SCHOOL EQUIPMENT, A SCHOOL FACILITY OR PART OF THE SCHOOL FACILITY TO BE MADE BY METHODS OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, SECTION 44.031, IF THE EQUIPMENT SCHOOL FACILITY, OR PART OF THE SCHOOL FACILITY IS DESTROYED OR SEVERELY DAMAGED OR AS A RESULT OF UNFORESEEN CATASTROPHIC OR EMERGENCY.
UNFORESEEN CATASTROPHIC OR EMERGENCY UNDERGOES MAJOR OPERATIONAL OR STRUCTURAL FAILURE,
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AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES THAT THE DELAY POST BY THE METHODS REQUIRED BY THE TEA, SECTION 44.031 WOULD PREVENT OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE CONDUCT OF CLASSES OR OTHER CENTRAL SCHOOL ACTIVITY.WHEREAS DISTRICT EQUIPMENT FACILITIES OR PARTS OF THE SCHOOL FACILITIES, SPECIFICALLY THE HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY, HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR SEVERELY DAMAGED, ALL AS A RESULT OF AN UNFORESEEN CATASTROPHE OR EMERGENCY HAVE UNDERGONE MAJOR OPERATIONAL OR STRUCTURAL FAILURE.
WHEREAS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FINDS THAT THE DELAY POSED BY THE METHODS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, SECTION 44.031 WOULD PREVENT OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE CONDUCT OF CLASSES OR OTHER CENTRAL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AT HIRSCHI IN THE DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES.
WHEREAS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FINDS THAT THE DELAY POSED BY THE PURCHASING METHODS SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 44 OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE WOULD PREVENT OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE CONDUCT OF CLASSES OR OTHER ESSENTIAL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED, ONE,THAT THE FINDINGS AND RECITALS IN THE PREAMBLE OF THIS RESOLUTION ARE HEREBY FOUND TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT AND HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED.
TWO, THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DELEGATES THE SUPERINTENDENT THE AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT FOR THE REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION OR PAIR OF HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES UNDER TEXAS EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 44, SUBCHAPTER B, IF EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OR REPAIR IS NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DISTRICT STAFF AND STUDENTS.
THREE, THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THUS HEREBY AUTHORIZED THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OR HIS DESIGNATION WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ANY DELEGATED PURCHASING AUTHORITY, INCLUDING EMERGENCY PURCHASING AUTHORITY, TO CONTRACT FOR NECESSARY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY IS SUITABLE FOR OCCUPANCY BY METHODS OTHER THAN THE METHODS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 44 OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE AS AN EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT, CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR IS NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DISTRICT STUDENTS AND STAFF.
NUMBER 4, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RATIFIES THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATED AND INTERVENED TO BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE EMERGENCY REPAIR OF HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY.
NUMBER 5, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING, ANY MAJOR CONTRACTS MADE UNDER THIS AUTHORITY.
NUMBER 6, UNLESS OTHERWISE TERMINATED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THIS RESOLUTION SHALL APPLY UNTIL THE USE OF METHODS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE 44.031 WOULD NO LONGER PREVENT OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE CONDUCT OF CLASSES OR OTHER CENTRAL SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
AND NUMBER 7, IT IS HEREBY FOUND, DETERMINED, AND DECLARED THAT A SUFFICIENT WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE DATE, TIME, PLACE, AND SUBJECT OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THIS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED, WAS POSTED IN A PLACE CONVENIENT AND READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT A REGULAR MEETING PLACE OF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE TIME REQUIRED BY LAW PROCEEDING THIS MEETING AS REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 551, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND THAT THIS MEETING HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW AT ALL TIMES DURING WHICH THIS RESOLUTION IN THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, CONSIDERED, INFORMALLY ACTED UPON.
THE GOVERNING BODY FURTHER RATIFIES, APPROVES, AND CONFIRMS SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE IN POSTING THEREOF.
THE CERTIFICATION FOR RESOLUTION IS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN THE WICHITA FALLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT DURING A MEETING ON AUGUST 14, 2023.
A QUORUM OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEING PRESENT, IT WAS THEN DULY MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED AND A RESOLUTION WILL POSSIBLY BE ADOPTED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING VOTES.
DO WE NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION?
>> I'LL MOVE THE MOTION. DO I HAVE TO READ THIS? [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING]
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED TO DELEGATE THE EMERGENCY AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADDRESS THE UNFORESEEN DAMAGE OF THE HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY, INCLUDING WAVING COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER CHAPTER 44 OF THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE,
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AND DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TO ADDRESS EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE HIRSCHI HIGH SCHOOL IN DENVER ALTERNATIVE FACILITY AND RATIFYING CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE EMERGENCY REPAIRS.>> WE HAVE A MOTION, MR. JOHNSON, YOU SECONDED THE MOTION.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SO THE CALL FOR THE VOTE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.
WE WILL SOON GET BUSY ON GETTING ISSUANCE ADJUSTER OUTSIDE.
>> 8:00 AM, TOMORROW WE'LL BE OUTSIDE.
>> THIS WILL BE OUTSIDE BIDS OR JUST MORE GOING TO BE DONE BY THE DISTRICT STAFF?
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE DONE BY OUTSIDE BIDS.
THIS IS OUTSIDE OF OUR PURVIEW OF DISTRICT STAFF, IT'S TOO MUCH LIKE THE HIRSCHI ROOF, THERE MAY BE A TOTAL LOSS.
THEN THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO PUT OUR OWN EYEBALLS ON.
WE HAVE THE ADJUSTER TELL US AND I'LL REPORT THAT TO YOU AS SOON AS I KNOW WHEN WE TO COME BACK TO OUR MEETING WHICH WE ARE TOMORROW, BUT IF I HEAR SOMETHING FROM 8:00 AM UNTIL NOON, WHEN WE MEET, OF COURSE, I'LL REPORT OUT TO YOU.
THEN BY THE TIME OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING, THAT'S THE REGULAR ONE ON THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY, I'LL REPORT OUT AGAIN, BUT I'LL BE DOING THAT [INAUDIBLE] ANY STEP OF THE WAY.
>> SINCE THIS SPECIAL SESSION NOTHING ELSE IS ON OUR AGENDA, THIS WILL CONCLUDE OUR MEETING.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> THANK YOU, MS. KATHERINE. THE SECOND?
>> THANK YOU, MRS. GRISEL, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAME SIGN.
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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.