She does the right right things simply because it's the right thing to do. She is a drama-free, kind to everyone, and always willing to help a classmate who might need it. Cynthia's kindness doesn't stop at school, either. I'm lucky enough to know her outside the classroom. She's my neighbor and was the absolute best dog sitter for our dog, Izzy. She Just like she does with people, she showed responsibility, care, and a big heart. I know she also helps out a lot at home with her busy household filled with four other siblings, and I know her parents definitely appreciate her. Cynthia Our students like Cynthia remind us that character matters just as much as achievement. She leads with kindness, works with determination, and treats others with respect. Honestly, the world would be a better place if there were more Cynthias in it. So, congratulations on earning this Soaring Eagle Award, Cynthia.
So if you get an opportunity to come and stop by and see their projects, they're pretty impressive to see what these kids have put together learning the scientific process as well as part of um the experience of STEM. Uh in addition to that, they actually had the opportunity last week or the week before um when they've gone to the Indy500 for a field trip, but this year the Indy500 came to them and so they had it at here at our school. They had stations, they showed them everything that you needed to know. This is also tied into STEM. Um, and we actually had an indie car in parked on our sidewalk, as a matter of fact, between the middle school and the elementary school. So, it was really exciting for the kids to get that chance to see everything up close. And I actually feel like it was almost a better experience for them having them come to us because they really had a little more um onetoone information about that learning um having to do with STEM and the IND500, which also ties into Indiana history as well.
Uh, I know as the Senate President said, immigration policy is very much a federal thing. Uh most of the bills I've long advocated for uh to protect our immigrant neighbors have not actually done what we had hoped they'd do in other states. And so we have been working hard to reform our proposals to make sure that we don't pass laws that make us feel good that we're we're accomplishing something and in reality not making anyone's life any safer or decreasing uh a legitimate fear. So, I am confident in the weeks ahead, the House will be passing a comprehensive immigration bill. Uh, I'm also confident in the months ahead, we'll be passing a data privacy bill. Uh, the Senate took up a data privacy bill uh earlier this year or at the end of last year. Uh, and I'm I'm looking forward to seeing the House version of that bill as well.
Hiring a quality coach isn't just about winning games. It's about making sure our kids are trained properly, supervised responsibly, protected from preventable injuries. If the district chooses not to put the most qualified person in that position, then it also accept will accept the responsibility that comes with that choice. I hope the board will take a step back and truly ask yourself, is the decision about personal viewpoints or is it about doing what is best for the students we have entrusted to serve? Because at the end of the day, every decision made here should start and end with one thing and that's our kids. Before I begin, I want to acknowledge that I understand the board is not legally required to respond to questions during public comment. However, I did some research and under the Brown Act, there's actually nothing preventing you from providing clarification to the community you represent.
Um so hopefully we can figure something out before the um as it gets to conference. Thank you chair. >> I do have a question for SP after. >> Okay. But you have the resources. You are able to do these things. It's just that you folks don't want to do it or yeah feel that it's not necessary but it is. So okay thank you. >> Thanks for being here. So, so I just want to figure out is there a way that we can kind of tie this this bill clearly, you know, to kind of make a statement that this is important. Can we tie it back to some of your rules in that that so that the DOE can operate to to make sure that it's clearly outlined in this bill that you know they're following some of the SPO rules, but they have a specific potential route carve out.
Um this was the this is my fourth third or fourth budget season now. This was by far the easiest again. sure that is to me the first one that we actually got money. Um, but the communication piece was amazing. It genuinely felt like it was a a district team pulling together and and doing what is best for the district and not um anything else. So, thank you very much for for what you brought to the the table this budget season and and keeping us connected appropriately and um thoroughly. Uh the second thing I just wanted to bring up um I only will be sharing like my the print out of the legislative updates once a month because they are a lot of work. Um but I just wanted to touch base there were two uh items that have officially left the um well one left the health assembly health committee.
Thank you. >> [applause] >> Good evening. I'm Elizabeth Wilson. I'm the computer teacher here at CHS. And my Soaring Eagle is kind, quiet, intelligent, has a genuine care for others, and consistently stands out. I first met her in my Intro to Financial Literacy class, where she regularly demonstrated strong character and dedication. While she may not be the most outspoken student, she thoughtfully volunteered her input, answered questions when called upon, and regularly contributed meaningful insights to class discussions. At the beginning of the year, she was hesitant to enroll in Web Design and Development. However, encouragement encouragement from her family led her to give my HTML class a chance. In doing so, she truly surprised herself by excelling in computer programming and quickly became an outstanding student. She showed remarkable determination, working through challenges with patience and persistence until each project was successfully completed. Some challenges left us both, along with other students, scratching our heads, trying to figure out why things weren't running correctly, but through determination and her willingness to put the effort in, she always figured it out.
So, they kind of incorporated both of those in that. Uh, the other thing we have coming up is April 9th is our Meccanqua Roundup. And so that is if you know anybody who has um children who need child care uh preschool and or entering kindergarten, that's the night to come and uh go ahead and meet folks and see what's going on and get all the information that they would need to be prepared to enroll their kids uh next year for that. And so please spread the word on that. That is April 9th from 4:30 to 6:00 um at P Creek Elementary School. So, and with that, I hope you all also have some time if you have kids or whatnot, have a great spring break yourself, and we will all be off and be fresh and ready to go when we get back. >> What time is this?
Uh, the Senate or Karen or the Senate President mentioned that the House took up a energy affordability bill. Uh it's now moving over to the Senate. Definitely trying to maintain our commitment to accelerating our uh our our we're we're accelerating our commitment to uh combating uh climate change while also uh green energy, green energy jobs while also realizing that families are having a tough time and that things are more expensive than ever before. And so the tension between we can't ignore our green commitments while also not being able and not wanting to ignore the the day-to-day needs of of our community's families. So uh primarily baked into that law are attempts to lower cost and uh seek greater affordability as it relates to energy. Uh three of my bills that I filed this session are also uh incorporated into that that larger energy omnibus bill.
You were elected to represent the public and tonight many members of the public are asking for transparency and accountability. So I'd like to ask a few straightforward questions. There are members of this board who by public understanding do not live within the areas they represent despite district bylaws requiring that and who have chosen not to enroll their own children in this district. How can this community trust decisions being made on its behalf when those making them are not fully rooted in or personally invested in this district? Nothing. Okay. Uh this is for the athletes in the room. Football, volleyball, and others. How many of the athletes in this room feel that the board's actions over the last several months have represented what is best for you as students and athletes? None. Right now, there are multiple programs without leadership, no coach, no direction, and athletes left waiting.
We could we would have to amend uh a different statute uh which is HRS the enforcement statute which is 70 chapter chapter 7 which is enforcement contract enforcement so it's like 701 702 >> all the way up to 709 talks about enforcement >> um you know what they would do need to do and one of the important things which I don't know uh based on the DOE's contract if there is a performance bond in there. So they could call upon that. Is there liquidated damages in there that should they not provide the bus route for that day, the the bus company would be liable for so much, you know, so much dollars. So that is typically put in some of the bigger contracts where it's necessary to to move forward or to put a performance bond in there which can be substantial because they have the vendor would have to go and get a bond against that.
It was approved on March 9th. It is a bill for vaping awareness. Um if that does go on to pass fully, uh what it will do is uh develop guidelines for school districts and institutions of higher education to implement um and facilitate onampus anti- vaping awareness campaigns targeting student populations. Um it's the guideline is to assist school districts, colleges, universities, and equipping students with researchbacked information on the dangers of vaping um to combat the increased use of uh to eat cigarettes and sadly it is not something that our students are immune to. Big thing is is is here and uh what this bill will do if it pass is help give better guidelines and regulations on what districts can do to educate students on the harm of vaping. Um couple other ones passed that were related but not enough to really go into yet. But the other one I found uh interesting uh the assembly uh children families food security committee uh on March 16th voted and approved a bill on banning artificial dyes in school food.
Not only completing the basic assignment, but adding her personal touch to create a unique outcome. I'm extremely proud of her motivation and growth, and I'm so glad she took a chance on my class and discovered her abilities. Her friendly nature and kindness makes her a joy to be around. She builds strong, meaningful relationships wherever she goes, and I can't wait to see how she will continue to succeed both academically and personally in her remaining years of high school. For my Soaring Eagle, I have chosen Grayson Butler. >> [applause] >> Good evening. I'm Dana Merman. I'm one of the high school business teachers. Tonight, I'd like to recognize my student for two reasons. First, they represent a group of a group that often goes unnoticed. You students here in the stands tonight. The ones who show up not for recognition, but to support the people around them.
>> Uh, 2 to 3. >> 23. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Next, Nigel. >> Evening. We uh middle school has finished up all of our sports. And it's interesting cuz they already started practice for soccer, track, and golf. >> Uh so hopefully when we get back, um some of you guys can bring some more weather with you so that they can have their meets and their matches and we can get everything rolling. Um as some of as as the elementary's been doing too, we've gotten most of our iLearn done, checkpoints done, all the fun testing stuff in anticipation for the summit of that's coming up later in April and May. Uh, one big one that I want to talk about that was last weekend and Dave mentioned it last board meeting was the uh, ISSMA, the Indiana State School Music Association Middle School competition was at the high school last weekend, Friday and Saturday and and what was neat was and I even mentioned this to Mr.
uh one of them primarily about streamlining solar permitting. Uh something we've seen happen in other states. Let's cut some of the red tape. Let's make sure that if folks want solar and are able to move forward with solar, uh how can we automate some of that uh permitting. So excited and hopeful that that those three priority pieces of legislation of mind uh stay in the bill as it moves forward. Uh the Senate President also mentioned our offices. We're here for you. Uh, none of you are ever shy to grab me at the farmers market or the senior center, to shoot me a text, uh, grab me at the grocery store. Uh, if you have an issue or you hear of somebody in the community who has an issue, uh, as a Senate President said, we don't have a magic wand. Uh, but if there's anything we can do within our power, we will do it.
What do you have to say to them? Nothing. My next question pertains to your decision to decline Coach Grand's reinstatement on February 11th. Before that decision, by a show of hands, how many members of this board actually reviewed or briefed themselves on the details of the case regarding Coach Grandal, including the district's own investigation findings? >> You said you did on video. >> None of you, right? Yeah, I see that. So, let me scroll down to if no one raises their hand. Thank you. If the district's own investigation cleared the coaching staff of all wrongdoing and no criminal charges were filed, how would rehiring someone who was cleared, create more risk than hiring a new coach who could face the same type of allegation tomorrow? If allegations alone, even when later disproven, are enough to permanently damage someone's career, what protections do any current or future staff members or coaches actually have?
But at least you have a fall back. Should the contract fail or be terminated for whatever reason, they're calling the bond. They're calling the company that's holding that bond to make sure that those routes go. >> So, at least we get something back. >> We get something. Yes. >> Okay. >> So, it's it's possible. I don't know if we could do it this year because, you know, I don't think it's addressed in it's not addressed in the um HRS right now about enforcement except for what is already stated. >> Okay. So, but are all those things that you outlined is already under your statute? >> It's Yes, it is. Yes. >> Okay. So, maybe the remedies it needs to point to your statute then. >> Well, it's not our statute. Procurement code is across the board. Okay. all counties, all state agencies, any government entity, it's already in there that all all jurisdictions uh should be following or must be following.
Um so it actually called out a a number of poor specifically um substances uh to the general prohibition list and it added an additional six substances um uh on top of that. So, it's good to see that we're looking at these these our food, you know, American food system is probably not the biggest. Um, so it's nice to see that uh we're putting these things in place to try to, you know, protect our kids where we can. Um, so again, that passed the uh on the 16th the assembly and where it will go from here, we don't know. But those are the two updates I had for today. Um, for next meeting, we'll have another full update. Thank you. Seeing no other comment, I will just uh throw out one small thing to the members of the board. Um we are very well underway with achieving our board goals.
This student excels at flying under the radar. They come into class, take their seat, and when the bell rings, they're ready to work. No complaints. No shortcuts. Approaches their assignments with effort and integrity. They never say, "It's good enough." And they don't quit when something is difficult. They simply keep working until it's done right. I also think that if this student goes through a class without ever being called on, they're going to tell you it was a good day. Second is how this student represents their values. I'm not sure if I've had a student more loyal to the things that truly matter. His family, his friends, his faith, and his personal well-being. Tonight, I'd like to recognize Reno Daniel. Not only for the work he does, but the for the person he chooses to be every day. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening. My name's Hannah Phelps, and this is my first year teaching social studies at CHS.
Burn because he really organized all of it uh, with a lot of help. There were 65 volunteers and twothirds of them were our students. Mr. Chevrolet spent a late Friday night there too, didn't he? And um and I talked to Mr. Vern. I was like it was just amazing the number of people that were there helping everybody get where they were supposed to be. Um and and I think it went flawless from what I saw. Um and the kids did great. All the kids from the different schools were, you know, well behaved. We had uh about 780 different students there from at least nine different school corporations um Friday night till pretty late and then all morning Saturday. So, it was a great time and and we appreciate the high school hosting us and letting them do that and and giving our kids that experience of not having to travel somewhere too to have that competition.