I think being in a lot of different clubs gives us those different backgrounds, but being recommended was super helpful, at least to me, to like get into this space because I wouldn't necessarily see that. Martin, by the way, still watches the meetings. They messaged me the other day um talking about watching the meetings and seeing stuff here. So, they're still watching. But I think there can be a balance between applications and recommendations. I think hearing what the teachers have to say about your spot in the classroom also gives a certain voice because I guess speaking for myself I talk to everybody in class like that's just the type person I am. I like talking to everyone and I think that's something that would be heard in an application from a teacher but the sorts of voices we're looking for could be different. I'd appreciate a spot at the table.
So, if you'll pull up the first slide, Angie. Um, that's at my house. Uh, I got the chainsaw out because I don't ice fish. So, I decided to cut the ice and then for some reason I thought I'd set it off to the side. So, that's how thick the ice is. >> Um, >> we are today. >> Are we getting photos of >> Go to the next one. >> There's more. There's more. >> So, that's me standing by the hole. Was Barb supervising? >> No. >> So, that's me not just AIing my picture there. >> Uh, go to the third. That's me. sitting on the bottom. It's only about two feet deep or no, that's me standing. So, you know, going knee deep doesn't really count. So, the last one is you'll see my face is a little [laughter] different. That's me sitting in the lake.
Um, and so just, you know, I I've talked about the school to prison pipeline before and so just something to be cognizant of that that's not something that goes away or that seems to be like a thing that people think I don't know like just more punitive measures seem to be what the legislature is interested in. Um, and so that's been disheartening to see. There's even one right now that's like the most annoying one, which is basically if you've been adjudicated or convicted, uh it doesn't even say as an adult, uh of a felony offense, which can happen in the juvenile court or in the adult court if you're over 15. Um you would be banned from participating in any school activities or sports from that point forward. So, which is just wild because we already know that it's like antithetical to the idea of them being able to like improve themselves and like kids do so much better when they're in activities and sports.
So, I think there's a lot of different conversations that especially with like the phone policy, I think being in the classroom um would be helpful. Sometimes when Kai and I come up to this, we're like close friends outside of this. So, we have a lot of conversations talking about like, okay, what do the students want us to talk about if we talk about anything serious? Um, and I think sometimes not having it defined, we're like, oh, yay, let's talk about all the fun things, but we're not really sure where to fit in more of the serious topics. So, if we were encouraged to do that, I think that's something we'd be happy to do. The tasks would be something super helpful for us. I think if I was given like I should be here from 7 to 9, like that's a commitment at least I'd be willing to make just to sit down.
It's about deep enough. Um, [laughter] so that's uh I fulfilled my pledge to >> be in the polar plunge even though no one else will be in 12 inches of ice. So >> that might be >> Oh yeah, >> I could care less who you show. >> That could be AI. I I don't see you physically in the water one of those [laughter] first. Well, you can come out tonight and you can join me because >> actually still look out. I want to see some witnesses. So, [laughter] >> actually, we need a video. >> I'll need a photographer. >> Where was Barb? Why wasn't she videoing you? >> She's in Lafayette at the basketball game. >> All right. >> That's great, Tony. >> So, if you want to donate, I'm a little short of my goal of 400. So, >> yes, >> click in there and but that's me.
So, it's just wild to think that that's like on the table as a solution for something. I'm not quite sure what it is. It feels just pretty punitive to me. Um and and would probably push the kids to maybe recidivate. So, I don't know. Um I'm hoping that doesn't get signed by the governor. Um, but yeah, so that's that stuff's been kind of troubling to me and seeing all of that. But the problem is is that you're getting bombarded with all these things. So, it's hard to like adequately advocate against some of these things, especially in a system where we're not sure what the governor's going to sign. We're not sure how desperate she is for reelection and what it is that she's willing to sign this session. And honestly, it's up in the air, folks. And I'm just being real with you. So, you might see some very interesting things get signed into law um this year.
Sorry I had to pop out. I had another meeting that I planned for 8 um and then I pop back in. So, having that defined, I think that's definitely something that could be made out. Um, we would just need to know like the topics beforehand. I think being able to do our own research coming in and being educated on the topic sometimes as a high schooler um if you're not necessarily in leadership positions or super involved it can be scary to come to a board of adults and say this is what I'm thinking and this is what the students are thinking if it's not necessarily like the same as everybody else around you. So having that prepared ahead of time would be super helpful. That's kind of mostly all I had.
Nice face. >> Well, that's >> I'm done. >> That's great. >> Well done, Tony. And I'm sorry we'll miss it, Carrie, but >> we'll be there in spirit, but we'll be in Louisville. [laughter] >> That'll be awesome. >> Um Valerie and I were in Indianapolis today attending the um legislative day for uh Indiana School Board Association. Um this morning the ISBA presented about um the 34 bills that they are currently tracking at the state house that affect education and >> short session. >> Yeah, for the short session they started with 90 bills that were affecting education, they're down to 34. And um I would say the three they kind of highlighted the most. They went over more than that, but there were three that they're kind of highlighting. Um HB uh 1004 is the they're calling it the deregulation bill. Um they're removing about 17,000 uh words out of the codes.
It is an election year and so just it's a lot to pay attention to and I think that's also part of how these years go is people are trying to get everything through because they're trying to campaign on something but it just results in just this crazy whirlwind of well we already know how things go here so it's wild. Um, and so that in combination with kind of the other things Miss and I already spoke about at the federal level, um, it's easy to get, uh, a little disheartened and, uh, bogged down with the idea that like there's all these things moving around you that you're going to have no control over. But I will say that there's still good people fighting the good fight every day trying to to to to fight back to these things. It's not even through just public comment. There's so many people that meet with these legislators at the state level even individually.
Do you guys have any questions about how the process has worked for us like coming into the role or like how we've learned what we're expected to be doing? >> When you guys have something that you want to bring just to if if it's not like a task that is given to you whether you're an ambassador, board member, but maybe you're hearing a lot of student voices like you did with the weather. Um is that something that you would normally run by during the principal like advis do you guys you have like a principal advisory committee? Like do you run it by Dr. Smith first and kind of like, hey, we're going to probably bring this up. Is that how that works for different types of things that maybe aren't on the board agenda? >> In the past, typically we've not done that. That's definitely a smart idea.
Um the last time they did this was the last time we were there and that time they re removed 35,000 words out of the codes, unnecessary words. So that's nice of them. Um and um so that was an interesting one. Um SB78 is currently kind of being uh called the cell phone bill and we're we're busy um following that because that will affect um how uh schools are dealing with cell phones in their in our schools. So uh that one is going to pass in some form. So our our schools will be affected by that. Um, and SB 199 is mostly about social media and it it has more to do with parental controls and social media, but it will affect schools um and things like that. So, those were kind of the three main ones. Um, we did we were very excited. We did invite um uh Senator Tyler Johnson and uh State Representative Ben Smaltz to join us.
There's also people that, you know, inform the governor's office, write memos. Um, and and so there's all these different ways that people are trying to advocate. And so I would hope that people also don't like lose faith in in everything potentially because it is easy to do when we're in these situations. Um, but knowing that I I just know that we're doing the best that we can with the political landscape that we're dealing with and trying to anticipate things as as proactively as we can. Sometimes that's a hard to do, but >> yeah. And one of the most powerful tools that we have and that's available to every single one of us, we don't have to be an expert on any type of civic engagement is called RTS, which is the request to speak. It gives everybody an ability to sign up at the legislature and I we can give you guys more information, but any bill that comes on, you have the opportunity to say thumbs up, yes, I like it, neutral, thumbs down, or have an opportunity to speak in person.
I think the process we've gone in is hearing comments just in classrooms about what people are thinking. A lot of people, at least with like the weather, because that's the most recent example. A lot of people were talking about that like the week leading up and we were like, "Okay, interesting thought." and trying to hear like where that voice would be valued and it would be at this board meeting and so we kind of talked about it thought about if it was like a serious issue or if it's just like students complaining to complain because I mean we're teenagers I complained about doing homework and I do it anyways like it has to be done there's a value in it um so [laughter] I think we just evaluate if it's like a worthwhile topic and then we bring it to the board meetings but if we had a standardized process for bringing serious issues and having that go by Dr.
Tyler was able to join us for lunch, which was really nice. And we talked to him about a couple of bills and um talk to him about how our opinions about some of them. Um and then we walked over to the state house and um Ben Smaltz was able to come out and talk with us and took us back and we also shared some opinions with him about some things that um we felt pretty strongly about. Um and both were very good listeners and um so we appreciate their time and um them being able to and willing to talk with us. So, it was it was a really good day >> and we zipped right back here and came for this. So, yes, we left at 6:00 a.m. and got back here right in time for this meeting. So, it was a good day and um yeah, thank you to uh Tyler Johnson and for Ben Waltz meeting with us and always willing to listen and work with us and help support us.
And legislators actually look at that. They're I think they're tired of seeing other elected officials or CEOs or business people putting their names on, yes, I like this. But if they start hearing directly from their constituents and they start seeing yes to certain bills or no to certain bills, they pay attention because I've heard them in committee say, "Well, I don't have anybody on this bill, so nobody must care. So yes, we're going to pass it." And that's sometimes how things get passed. So >> same names over and over and over again. And it's really going to take all of us um to really really start advocating every single um one of us, even our parents and all of us. Um but with that being said, do we have any other >> um just one other um coming across the state legislature. I believe it was at the house today.
Smith first. I think that would help. I think a definition is what we need. >> That's a good point though that it shouldn't always be about us tasking you to get feedback. That there should be also an avenue for you to come to us and say this is what we want to talk about. >> Thank you. And thank you for staying so late. >> Is there anything else? Do you guys want me to pop in stay? fails with it. >> Do you feel that it's beneficial because when you started you were a junior, right? >> Do you feel like it was beneficial to have a senior kind of passing some experience down, getting to shadow them a little bit and then going into the role or do you feel like if you were a senior coming and you just you would be fine? Like would did it make an impact to you to have someone ahead of you?
So, >> yeah. So, that was Yeah, that was our miscellaneous. Not as exciting as yours. There was no polar plunging. We did take some pictures, but I did not make a slide. >> They weren't like yours. >> No, [laughter] >> that's safe statement. >> Tio and I got to go up to Country Meadow today and work with the uh the fourth graders and Mrs. Keith as far as their simple machine projects. So, all those kids were so proud to share their creations. Everybody had a presentation, kind of worked on um you know, some of the interaction that we had. So, that was a really you had today as well. >> I figured he'd be there. [clears throat] >> That's awesome. All right. How about administration >> just briefly? U normally Mr. Wagner is here, principal from the high school, but he attended a council meeting, city of Auburn, where Carol Fe was named Auburn citizen of the year.
It's going to senate tomorrow. HB2313. So, this really affects um our teachers, especially any that are part of the union. Um essentially this one if if I trying to understand it correctly, but if like two teachers decide to like walk out during a protest or something of that nature, then the district could be penalized. Um you know, they could the it could affect their reemployment rights, benefits. Um, so and especially right now with excuse me with today's climate, you know, obviously there's been some protests, there's been some strikes and um, you know, and there's I'm sure there's there's more to come. And, you know, I personally believe in, you know, and everyone, whether it's our students or teachers, their right to protest or or, you know, make make their voices heard. So, I think this is this is kind of a preemptive punishment that they're trying to put down to quash any any um you know, I think public public outcry against what's happening.
>> I think it's dependent on the person. Um I come from a background in like different types of leadership roles. So, I'm someone who I can read a manual and probably do it, but I can't speak for everyone else, especially because leadership is so different depending on the person and depending on your experience with it. So, myself, I think either way was helpful. I think learning the the mentorship program part of it, I picked it up pretty quickly and just know to make my slides and go on Instagram and find pictures and find the fun things and if there's a serious topic to go pull the people around me. But if we were given a specific set of instructions going into it as a senior, I personally would feel comfortable stepping into that sort of role. >> This is weird not having like the Kai Grace show where I'm up here [laughter] like this.
>> Carol's a special ed teacher at the high school and unified coach all across the board. So very deserving. We're proud of her and uh we're happy that Mr. Wagner could be there to support that and I think you'll probably see it >> in the paper and across social media. So just wanted to reference that. >> And I didn't have anyone else sign up to speak tonight, but if our I will open it up to our audience if anyone has anything tonight. >> Just want to thank our guests for being here with us. We appreciate your services and spending your evening with us. So, okay. At this time, I will read into the minutes that we will hold an executive session immediately following this meeting. Um, and I believe that's it. This time, I'll ask the board to adjurnn. >> Move to adjourn. >> I'll second.