Want to highlight two different groups. Mrs. Michelle Howard is going to um have some students talk to you about the genius hour work that her and her students are doing here at Middle School West. >> You guys ready? >> I love a microphone. >> How am I not giving up? >> Uh this is Lucy and Stella and they have a project that they've been working on pretty hard in collaboration with one of our special education classes. >> Oh, I'm getting microphones. Wow, >> I gave it up. >> Okay, good morning. Our genius hour project focuses on helping organize and support a school store for our functioning special education students. >> We chose this project because we wanted to create something that helps students gain real life skills like handling money, responsibility, and confidence in a supportive environment. >> Our goal was to help make the school store possible and sustainable.
But before we dive into that, I'm Will Ser >> and we're here to tell you a little bit more about what we do in our class. Is that working? >> It should. >> If not, I can. >> Can you just tap it? >> Perfect. Thank you. So, just a little bit of an overview today. We're going to be talking about the better invent videos that we do, the sports magazines that we make, and a few other of the fun things that we also get to do. >> So, our premier thing we think we do is the better videos, which we post about twice a month. Um, so it just covers a lot of things that go around the schools. uh been central classes and programs like our auto mechanics, you know, otterman features and clubs and then some things that go on at pray. We just like to cover a broad area and see like what's going on in each of these schools and what can we highlight, what can we say why it's better.
I just picked out some of the things we've done so far this year in 26. So the group that you see there in the picture that that's the group that we took to our district or excuse me our area contest at at Purdue. Uh the 4 and FFA areas consist of about 10 different areas. So out of those competing events, uh the top five to six teams then get to compete in the state contest. So I've got highlighted forestry. Uh we had first and third were our top teams. We actually took five forester teams. I think the others were 11th uh don't hold me to the placings 11th and no 7th 11th and 18th. So we actually had five teams that competed at the at the area. Two of those teams then qualified for the state. Uh and then you can see how they did at the state contest.
She's a dedicated worker. Uh when we are short staffed, Tanya was willing to step up and clean extra areas other than hers. We never have to worry about whether or not she will show up. She shows up every night and does her best. Thank you for your hard work, PLEASE. [applause] NEXT, we'll invite up Shelby Henderson. All right. Shelby is a 12 month day custodian. Shelby has been with ECS since May 12th, 2045. Shelby is a hard worker. On the days, even when it was two degrees outside, she was outside helping shovel snow and putting salt down. Um, she goes above and beyond and helps out wherever it's needed. even running to Dollar General, buying bows for students hair for picture day, you know, making sure she has dress on, those types of things. She sees it and she does it without being asked. So, thank you so much for all you do.
You can't just move them. That's been with you. That's not only custodial work but maintenance and you know them we know them. So please you know what I haven't heard is are we negotiating in good faith under the current agreement and we're asking you to please negotiate in good faith and keep in mind the moral issue here of what's going to happen to these employees if that happens. Thank you. >> Thanks Steve. Anyone else? I have a nephihood and it's his future and I'm sure others on that do the work the same thing and just I have a hard time understanding I know it's money it's got the money but I have a hard time wondering why you guys I never want your job I know it's hard decision but if it's your family your good friends would you still be the same thing because of the money or you take consideration.
She is a senior at Wrights High School. In fact, we're going to go out tomorrow with the media and talk to her because this is worthy of a celebration. Dr. Hoover, with your high school experience to be a na, you know, you hear us talk sometimes about National Merit semi- finalist, which is amazing that she is a national merit finalist. So, she made it to the top and you can see she is among the top 1% of high school seniors in the country. To attain this is just almost mindboggling. So, congratulations to her. Uh we look forward to talking to her with media tomorrow and can't wait to see what she holds in her future. And that is it for good. >> Thank you. I think we also had a Harrison High School wrestler that >> Yes, we did. And then we'll have some updates later.
Congratulations, Gunnar. >> And last for social studies, we have Vanessa Callaway. So, for those that are here for student of the month, you are more than welcome to stay for the rest of our meeting, but you are also more than welcome to leave at this time. >> Like, oh, thank you for standing. >> Good job, man. Gunner lot of people that want to come too. Good day today. Okay. >> Follow the leader. Okay. >> She didn't say >> yes. Get your head. >> You better picture it. Thank you. >> He bullying you. Ready to move on? >> Yep. >> We'd recommend your approval from the minutes of January 26, 2026 board meeting and board of finance meeting. So move second. >> Yep. Dan, all in favor 70. >> We'd recommend your approval for the corporation claims and payroll. Second. >> Jill Haiti. All in favor?
And I think that that's something that's going to change. You got to also understand that there's still some Neanderthalss that are doing the things that I'm doing and as an AD and uh maybe are fighting this push for girls wrestling and so the reluctancy to move those conference meets is still out there but I don't think ISA is going to give them an option for that going forward. >> Yeah. >> So thank you. >> Thank you sir. >> All right. Have a great meeting. >> Have a good week. >> Is this right, Jason? >> Better. >> There's a 5-second delay. You have to give me a minute. >> He told me not to stand over here because I'm off camera. I said, well, maybe that's how it went. >> Our four viewers want to see you. Next up, we're going to recognize the Applebee's teacher of the month from Loganport Intermediate School because we were unable to do it last month because of a little accident, a real accident, which we're glad that they're fine.
That that, you know, they really freshened that that space up to where it looks, you know, practically brand new." >> Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? I did have one question, just a point of clarification. It's awesome that they're ahead of schedule on some of the elementary schools. >> Even if they finish completely, though, the the students will not move in until the next school. >> Yeah, Principal Ble and I talked about that this week because I said, "Hey, I'd like to get those portables out of here so we can start working on the playground uh maybe a little bit early, but we we always try to in construction projects not move a teacher more than one time because that that's tough, especially elementary, they have a lot of stuff on the walls, etc. So, no, we will not occupy that space until the fall, but we'll as soon as school's out, we'll start moving furniture and and getting it ready.
And I think the combination of those two things is an appropriate response, but I don't want to be accused of not supporting democratic processes. >> Thank you. Sarah Bess, you wanna take over now with your motion? [laughter] >> Sure. I would love to make a motion there, Margaret. Um, >> is that is that what you said? >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. Uh, so I move I don't I'm sorry. I don't have the document in front of me, so I don't know if there is a is there a motion on there? No. Okay. So, I move to accept the open meeting law respon Oh, I mean, Margaret, it's your you Yes. Yeah, let me let >> Okay, so I believe the language needs to be something like this. Um, I move to authorize the chair of the Pelum School Committee to respond in coordination with council to the open meeting law violation filed on January 23rd, 2026 by Mateo Pang Gallo.
We know that education matters and I mean that in all the ways you can interpret that sentence. Schools are the lifeline to kids 3 to 22 when we what we do in those buildings matter. But in addition to that, the act of educating others matters. It's how we move the needle and create change. Those of us plugged into these meetings are aware of the challenges you face as a board with the budget and the revenue issue that impacts all parts of this town, but not everyone is. I've stood here before and asked you to fight for the kids and your staff. You've done that, and I thank you. Today, I'm asking you to help those of us working to amplify your voices. Whether it be by a website or social media, it would be really helpful to share your work in bite-sized information, clear and concise, to get the word out to help others in the town understand why funding the schools is such an important choice.
Um, unfortunately the cost of special education services, regular cost of living, contract increases, and inflation are not our 2018 prices. So, I would love for that to to to also rewind. Um, but it's just really the enrollment component. So, I just want to make sure that that part of it was clear. Um, we did take that into account into our budget. It's one of the reasons why we're able to kind of hold steady in some areas uh and float a little bit, if you will. Um but mostly you know health insurance even though even though we um are reducing the number of people in the volume health insurance for everybody else around us is going up still right 10% 12%. Um so you know that those numbers continue to rise even though we're offsetting this year. Um transportation is a big driver. those that contract every single year from this point forward for the next three or four years will be 6% on top of the year prior which is huge.
So that's something that's really important as well. Um and then also increase participation in all three buildings by working with our staff to remind them how important it is to remarkable service and keep a great attitude. Sometimes you're just so overwhelmed, you just want to get them fed so fast for just smiles. Um, at the beginning of the year, we had a we had set a goal for our breakfast program to have 35% participation. At the end of December, we did have 43% part participation um serving a total of 16 450 meals. Um we do currently have second chance breakfast in all three schools. Had a great execution of the OA breakfast week. Um we do need to make sure that we maximize our utilization of program planners and the elementary also has daycare breakfast that includes the toddlers. Um we like I said we didn't utilize we are utilizing a breakfast cart at the high school and we're still to change the second chance breakfast for the middle school.
>> What is a preserved cat? >> The what? >> Preserved cat. >> Which one are you? >> It's her. A >> It's an actual cat. >> Yes. >> I accidentally opened the box. Terrible decision. >> Oh, preserved cat. >> Yeah. Just dissect them for >> careful what you >> will first check us. >> Any other questions or comments?
>> Okay. >> So that becomes number seven. >> Um and then in the consent agenda um number seven only the senior trip is going to be pulled out of that number. And I'd also like to request to remove the um vote to convene in into executive session number H and number I >> Yes. >> We got We got the numbers. Is there a motion to approve the February 9th? >> I didn't make the motion. I was just stating the changes. >> Motion to accept it. >> Motion made by um board member um Dion Leonard and seconded by Sylvie Hendricks. >> All those in favor? Kathleen J. >> Masappo. >> Sylvia Hendris. >> Masappo. Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Next is uh number two, approval of January 12th board organizational meeting minutes. um board, I'd like to um go ahead and add both number two and number three to um a motion that will be the January 12th regular 2026 board meeting minutes as well as the organizational meeting.
From this point forward, nobody gets to say that they weren't aware that there's a problem. Okay? I'm telling you there's a problem. If you choose not to act on it, if you choose not to see it as a problem as I do, that's that's fine. That's up to you. But there is a problem. Further, I'm going to suggest that this is not a problem that's going to be dealt with by assigning it to the administration to deal with. I believe the board needs to get directly involved. and that the board or subcommittee of the board needs to interview the appropriate administrators, your coaches, your assistant coaches. You need to talk to your trainer and in her case, sooner would be better than later. Okay? Figure out what's going on, where you want to be and get on a plan to get there. As you can tell, I'm not happy about doing this kind of thing.
So that was cool. I didn't even know they could do something like that. I don't know how it works on their end with like having to, you know, just quickly go around the numbers, but I thought that was really cool. And now moving on to that photo over there to the right. Um, this is Joy. This is a by Comedy Dance Chicago. It's this high energy place for performed and artists trained in Second City, IO, and the annoyance. Students attend this with their math class and I'm excited to go and I'm going it tomorrow with my stats class. So, it's cool that all students get to see that cool performance. But Odyssey week is obviously not only that. There's a bunch of stuff going on for Odyssey week and as you know, Odyssey changed a lot. You know, it changed from having two days where we're off of school doing, you know, something fine arts to now being part of our extracurriculars.
Anybody any questions on the update? >> Any questions on second reading for the board policy update? >> Can I please have a motion to approve the recent board policy update on second reading? >> Motion second. >> Tiffany and Vivian. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Eyes have it. The seniority listsbody.
>> Hi, good evening. Nicole Wallace. I am the chair of the uh Grove Express Junior Board. So, we are incredibly honored to receive this award. Um, nothing meaningful is done in isolation. So, we greatly appreciate the cooperation and collaboration of District 99, Dr. Courtney Dement, Principal Arwin Lip, uh, Superintendent Thleey, our two activity directors at both schools, Jennifer Martinez and Mark Marandola. Um, and again, just, you know, very appreciative of this honor. Um, and we love working with our students. We had 10 junior board members this year. Not all of them could be here with us tonight, but um, it's just an absolute joy and pleasure working with them. Um, we've been doing this since 2022, so continue the tradition moving forward. Thank you so much. [applause] >> These are the best nights, right? Like you get a chance to just celebrate all the cool things.
So, this upcoming Friday, we're going to JJC for the Black Teen Summit where multiple different schools come together and we talk about being great as African-Americans and up uplifting each other. And specifically during this time, they sometimes help seniors really push themselves and understand the process for going to college cuz we need more black education, more educators. Um, we're also having days where we go out as a group together and having days like that. So, we're going bowling on Monday, February 16th. And then later on, we're having our Black Excellence Bowl, which is um February 21st. And that's where we honor all of our honor students, our black honor students at the school, and uphold like all their achievements throughout the year because it was a very long year and a very hard year, but we all stayed determined and we all got our grades up.