And since we already did the pledge of allegiance, we're going to skip that part and get right into >> Sorry about that. Um, we'll go ahead and call this meeting to order at 9:30.
>> I'll make a motion. of director meeting the board of finance meeting of January 12th, 2026. >> Go ahead. >> I'll second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion on the minutes?
All right. See if I can get this. >> Well, thanks for inviting me to spotlight some things that our students are doing for uh a education and how we tie that in with FFA. If you look at that those VIN diagram circles that are there at the bottom, I'm going to focus on a few things that our students have done classroom wise and then how that ties in with FFA and some of the activities that they have they have done. So, um, let me just go. Here we go. All right. So, just real quick, there's a rundown of the courses that we offer and the number of sections for each of those courses that we have. Um if you look at the top one a principles it's our introductory course that ties in with how we do the pathways. So a power structures and technology a fab and design along with a principles earns a a student a pathway and then um the natural resource pathway that we have a principles natural resources and then forestry and wildlife management.
[laughter] >> Any discussion? Okay. All in favor of the approval of the amended agenda say I. I opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Uh public comment. Um we've got a signin sheet here. Several people here tonight. Pretty big attendance. Uh I don't have anybody that has written down that wishes to speak. Um so we will move forward uh to the recognition session. Uh DC Mr. Staff students first we will invite up Mr. Chris very special person in my life because I've been called Chris King more than anything else. [laughter] The number of times in my life I've been called Mrs. Hawk almost equal. Chris brings optimism and enthusiasm to his classes and do staff members at DCS. You can tell that Chris is at his element when you watch him interact with kids. He speaks with them respectfully and his expectations for mutual respect from them isn't difficult for the kids to meet.
the >> and then the effective date to start would be July 1st. But I mean, you know, them dates can change a little bit, but that's that's what we're putting in the proposal. >> I appreciate that information that the uh I used to set on the board of director for a long time and so when we would do stuff like that, you know, we we had a list of what it is we were looking for out of contract. Do you have that or is that going to be taking place during your walk through or >> We've got that but it's not been finalized yet. We got a few things to add to it >> but it's it's we're close. >> We're close. >> Okay. >> A lot of lot of the stuff put in there and we're trying to get it just right. >> Oh, I understand that completely.
>> That being said, would you all please stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance, please? I aliance 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. >> Thank you. Melissa, can you hear? All right. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. Um, next we have good news. Thank you very much, President Duckworth, Superintendent Hoover, members of the board. We start once again with good news, and we never have a shortage of that here in EBSC. So, for good news this evening, uh you may have seen this. We had media coverage of this recently. Uh last week, the mayor's initiative uh on reading citywide, we read launch. Uh Dr. Hoover was certainly part of that along with Clifford, the big red dog, in case you missed that on the pictures.
So, Savannah is a hardworking student who comes to school ready to learn and always does her best. Savannah is already reading and continues to grow as a learner. She is kind, positive, and super sweet. She truly goes above and beyond to include others. Savannah cheers on her classmates and helps make our classroom a joyful place to be. Her kindness and leadership do not go unnoticed. Savannah's parents are doing a wonderful job raising such a thoughtful and caring child. We are proud of her. Congratulations. >> This is for you. And who did you bring with you today? >> My sister. >> Your sister. >> Okay, you can go sit down. Next we have Grayson Wandle from Wheatfield Elementary. Grayson moved into our kindergarten class second quarter. He was very shy and nervous about coming to a school and being in a new class. With time and great perseverance, he started picking up routines, making friends, and even coming into school on his own.
I can't even pronounce what it's called now. um uh down there for the girls wrestling state finals where Olivia uh this is a repeat for her. This is her second trip to the state finals, fifth last year, fourth this year. And Aaliyah um lost in her first round but but wrestled really well for a sophomore who I'm sure um has admirations of also making a repeat performance. So definitely wanted to take a moment to recognize Olivia and Aaliyah and we appreciate the opportunity. Thank you. So, Miss Olivia Gibson, come on up, OLIVIA. >> You want to You want to get the coaches in the picture? >> Oh, yeah. Definitely. >> Definitely. Let's coach. >> You thought you guys ran out of These two men have been great mentors for these ladies and have done a wonderful job with that program. Optimistic, >> you're good to go.
So we're excited to have those in place before the weather starts to turn here at spring break or so. uh Crest View. There's a look at the outside of Crest View. And then there's a look at the uh a gang bathroom with no fixtures or walls. And then inside Cresview, there's a hallway. And there's one of the four classrooms. And that's a pretty standard classroom how they look. One of the rooms is a little bigger. It's a music room. And then we look at Forest Glenn. There's a look at the outside of that. We have the sheathing up now. And then inside you can see that's a six classroom. And you can kind of that right picture see the large uh high ceiling there, the canopy. And then Mary Castle. Mary Castle, we're looking to be done at the end of the month. Uh sidewalk is in.
And so I guess I don't feel like we need to go above and beyond um to make this individual feel heard. I think the response that the lawyer is suggesting feels appropriate to me. >> Thank you, Sarah Bash. Sorry, on my phone. I'm not as good at this. Trying to figure out how to put my hand down and turn my microphone on. Okay, so I agree. I like Thank you, Jenny, for stating that. Um, I am very com I'm comfortable with the way the open meeting law response is written. I think if there are asks that we would like to take into consideration, um, and how we're moving forward in conversation, I think that's fine. And I think if um I think uh if the chair wanted to reach out to have conversation as the head of the committee, I also think that's fine. But I think the way the open meeting law response letter is written, I'm I'm very comfortable with it.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation with liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. Miss Gner. >> Kathleen Emerald, >> here. >> John Nunes, here. >> Chris Oliver, >> here. >> Mary Beckwith, >> here. >> Jess Coughlin >> here. >> Uh, this meeting is being recorded and it will be rebroadcast on DCTV and can be streamed on their YouTube channel at any time. Uh, we now welcome public comment from the audience on any topic of this evening's agenda. We have allowed 10 minutes for this.
Um, so we did have a significant decline in in in a category categorically with a a certain population across the um across the school system. So while categorically that we dipped um and it does reduce some costs um and those of you who've been um participating in this a long time every year we have a significant second language learner need right almost every year that I've been involved in the budget process we've had you know at least a half a dozen or so positions that were requested for second language learners um because that was a continually growing sector of our population and they have legally required um services. So with the decrease um we have did not really need to ask for additional staff. We have a couple there might be one one staff member in there um for a school that still has a number that needs to be addressed but across the board when we dip down this is incremental across the system.
So, um, and like I said, I am really lucky to be called the director of this great district. Um, we're going to start with our business review today. OPA is currently in nine states with Missouri leading the pack at 110. Kansas with 65 and Oklahoma 44. I know you guys find this very interesting. Um, support team for the southeast Kansas district is going to be Rob Bon for the operations manager, Milin Wford the director of operations, Jack Cohen is going to be the business development, and Becky is a VP of operations. And speaking of lucky, I am really blessed to have the best team. They give 110% every single day and for the camera. So, I'm really really lucky. Um, our community or OPA is really big in community involvement and this year we've already done Grandparents Day at the elementary school. We've also done um Veterans Day at all three of our schools.
>> Any opposed? Same sign. Motion passes 6. And the treasures report is on there for you to review. Any questions, comments? I would entertain a motion to approve the treasures report as presented. So move. >> Motion by Allison. >> Second. Second by Josh. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? Same sign. Motion passes. 6. Approval of the invoices. Are there any that you would like to draw our attention to, Mr. Murphy? >> There are there are a few on here. So, our billable credits for last month came in at 143,721 for graduation alliance for our adult learners. Um, I do want to turn your attention to a couple items. I'm going to refer back to these whenever I do my superintendent report to talk about our sped uh assessments moving in next year. So, our sped flow through was a little under 58,000 for this month and then we had our sped assessment for this quarter as well that was 106,000.
Number five will be included. Um there's one section on RCA um updates from the governing board request. um they're part of that board report this month, but we also include it as part of the board rem uh board report for the month of March. Um it's in the February, but we'll include it in the month of March as well. >> Which one? >> That one is under five principles report. It's embedded in the board report. They're going to present the board report, but the section on RCA, we're going to bring it back. So, um it is we don't have to eliminate number five. just for um this uh uh transparency purposes that is also a board request. Moving down um we will need to move out of consent agenda, one of the new um hires. Um it is Juan Pablo Diaz. Due to a conflict of interest, I will ask principal BK Lewis to present that recommendation since I'm related to that person.
But >> and then the sidewalk is the timeline, >> right? >> But it's in such bad shape now. It's not ADA compliant. So, >> yeah, I'm just concerned. We'll have some kind of a big decommissioning ceremony and >> I mean anytime the >> Arizona had standards in the fourth grade for years so that was good. It was age appropriate and all that but they moved it to third grade and it's not like all the activities and stuff aren't really appropriate. >> I didn't say anything. until the very end of the day. Yeah. Brenda, >> whoever were the original donators >> historical society may be interested in school. >> You're feeling brave enough to pick the rough pickle ball in the rough. I'll get you this. said, "I had >> too many devices. So like if you have a mold toxicity or mold sensitivity, it only makes it worse.
So that's a huge number 162. But obviously these competitions very much in competition season season this month and next month very much so. And so students get to once again kind of highlight their skills, showcase their skills of what's going on and how much they they do this passion that they have for moving on to athletics. Just two things I want to talk about here. The left one is the Patriots. They got uh state they got third in state and then they went to nationals and they recently got seventh place in nationals. So great job for our Patriots there. You know, amazing performance from them. Moving on to the right one, the Stevenson Bullseye Archery. Uh something I want to highlight about them actually is there was something where there was two different coaches that complimented the students based on their sport sportsmanship and their kindness that they presented where they always cheered for the you know opposition even even though they're like in you know against each other they still cheer and still having a great time.
or you can feel free to leave at any time. It's up to you guys. Uh board member code of conduct review. Joe, I will [clears throat] I will take no private action that might compromise the board or administration will respect the confidentiality of privileged information. >> All right.
[snorts] >> Good evening everyone. I'm Dr. Dan Dr. Dan Krauss. I'm the principal of Willburg High School but also past president of the Illinois Principles Association. It's an honor to be here tonight. >> Thank you. >> I'm currently the region chair for the IPA for DuPage and tonight the first award that we want to give is called a BU the building bridges award. This award celebrates the power of partnership and today we're proud to honor the collaboration between district 99 and the Grove Express Foundation. The foundation's impact is extraordinary. Through their annual Thanksgiving 5K and the student led junior board, they have contributed over $500,000 to local education, provided students with real world leadership experience, and strengthened the bond between schools in the community. They are a true BU bridge between our classrooms and community, which is exactly why this award was created. So, if you are part of this amazing organization, please come come on up and receive your award.
>> All right. So, I'm Kevin Mintosh. I'm here representing BSA, also known as Black Student Association. And within our club, we like to celebrate our culture in our And what we do mostly is we like to >> hold the mic up close. >> Oh, my bad. >> Well, it's everybody else. You We heard you crying, but yeah, it's it's the audience. >> Start over. There we go. >> So, uh, my name is, uh, Kevin Mintosh, and I represent, uh, Black Student Association, also known as BSA, at Augo High School. And within our or our organization, we like to put on different uh like different activities throughout the year uh such as like Halloween and re and currently we're about to go on a trip to an H.B.CU. Yeah. In Tennessee. And in the recent years, we've been to uh Atlanta, we've been to where we go Alabama as well, things like that.