Thank you again for this recognition. >> [applause] >> I was looking for a way to Yes, same first name and last name of the students. Yes. So, that's Miss Dea Musolari and and Miss Amelia Wallace. Musolari, yeah. Thank you, Dr. Tomko. Okay. Dr. Tomko. Superintendent's report. District program update. Yes. Again, just to kind of reiterate what we were talking about. A lot of great things happening here. We're getting, you know, ready for that spring to come, spring sports, and um you know, standardized testing coming. Everybody's working hard, but again, at the end of the day, incredible things happening. We had an incredible play that was put on. I'm going to steal the thunder of some of the board members. I'll be talking about it, but just again, enamored by some of the stuff. Again, that gold mine I've been talking about. Enamored by the things that are happening here that we need to get out.
So we've come before you initially um a year and a couple days ago to um approve that initial uh strategic plan, but um we did an update in December. Um we're sharing one with you now. We have uh as mentioned a more comprehensive review planned for you in April and then over the summer we will be doing that full year and review look back. So priority one this is our future ready um components. >> Go ahead. >> All right. So some successes that we would like to share with you. Um first of all we have launched school links that was our replacement for our college and career readiness platform. Um we were actually recognized by school links um as exceeding uh benchmarks for our implementation. So that was extremely exciting uh for the team. Um another success uh during second semester at the high schools we have launched edu 200.
That's the time to do it. So, anytime uh we do HVAC work, the grid all when the grid comes down, LED lights go back up. So, it'll be the same with our gym. Uh just some updates at Van Buren. Some of these have been like kind of it's been a project that's going probably the longest because we'll do a little bit when we are able to get to a spot uh kind of throughout the time, right? So, we knew that we switched over to propane. We got rid of fuel oil. So, those propane things are now on the south end of the building. We were able to update the boilers, the Cleaver-Brooks boilers before winter. So, that project is already underway. Uh they a lot of the work that they did over winter break was up above the ceiling getting water lines ran in preparation for this summer.
4.02, personnel agenda. 4.03, voucher register check numbers 179697 through 180087 and vouchers number 311027 to 311802. Dr. Terrell. Thank you. This evening I'd ask for your approval to the consent item agenda the consent agenda items as Mr. Smith mentioned. Thank you, Dr. Terrell. Uh Board members, you heard the recommendation of the administration to approve the regular business meeting and public hearing minutes of February 3rd 23rd, excuse me, 2026, the personnel agenda, and voucher register check numbers that I previously cited. May I have a motion? So moved. So moved by Ms. Basin. Second. Second by Mr. Angel. Motions on the floor.
Hearing none, let's vote on that motion. Motion passes 7-0. Moving on to D1, recommendation for superintendent. Mr. President, I make a motion that we appoint uh Chuck Brimberry as the new superintendent for Hardin County schools. Thank you, Mr. Wall. Is there a second? Second. >> I second that. Thank you, Mr. McLellan. Any comments or discussion prior to voting? I just want to thank the board for going through this process. Um it was a lot of meetings, a lot of time together, but I think as we went through this process, we all learned a little bit of something about each other and about the process and about our candidates. I think we did a really good job of thoroughly reviewing the process. I know Mr. Allen's going to talk a little bit more about that, but I just want to commend each and every one of you on this board for doing the work that is needed for this community and this corporation.
And so this is just something too that we're looking at to adopt here in Hawaii. But yes, um under this current contract, automatic step increases are in there. Of course, it's something that will continue to seek in future contracts, but the bill also says if negotiated into a contract. So um just to keep that in mind as well. >> Okay. So it's already there. >> Yes. >> So then is this bill needed if it's already there and can be negotiated? >> It it is needed. We do feel that this is strongly needed to um because of the annual step increases are subject to funding and this is important that they're um and we codify this on the law >> but we we can fund it but we haven't fund it. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> And then and then just to point out too I mean there are things that the legislature does as well that is done through statutes.
Zoe. >> Okay. Zoe has three siblings, Elvis, Anelace, and Ethan. Her favorite subject in school is intro to painting, and her favorite hobbies include drawing, hanging out with friends, and playing the guitar. Her future career plans include becoming a veterinarian. Congratulations, There we go. Mom's >> Y. >> All right. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Our next recipient, Wim Rosa. We could not be with us this evening, so I will still read his um little biography, biographical information. Um Waqen has one sister and three brothers. His favorite subject in school is art. His favorite hobbies include playing basketball. In the future, he wants to become a carpenter. So, congratulations, Waqen. Our next recipient, Lady Miranda. Lady has two sisters. Her favorite subject in school is English. Her favorite hobbies include playing volleyball and running track. And her future career plans include enlisting in the Marines. Congratulations Sure. Absolutely.
Those are the positive things. People need to know what the kids in this city are doing, the great things that we're doing, how the sports programs are improving, how we're working on the music program. There's a There's a program that we're uh I'm recommending tonight to talk about community engagement with sports um sorry with music. Um so again, just great things happening in school five. Uh the beam signing ceremony was an incredible thing with a lot of excitement there. Uh so again, progress and uh I appreciate all the hard work that everyone does here. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Tomko. Mr. Labou. Thank you, Mr. Focarino. So, we're at that point in the in the school year where the seasons are changing and our facilities team is working towards getting um our spring sports team ready to um to use our facilities and and and be ready to practice.
This is introduction to education. This is one of the early college credit. So our students earn dual credit as part of that college and career pathway endorsement. Um and then very exciting also two things to uh celebrate. We have a college and career fair on April 16th. It starts at 5:00 here at OE. We have about 125 colleges slated to be here as well as a target of 60 careers. >> So, um it will be kind of throughout our lower level. Uh so, we would be very excited to have as many attendees as possible. Um, also new this year, we are launching on April 28th at 3:30 in uh this room here, OE's community room, the first SD308 skilled trade and military signing day. So, we wanted to expand our recognition of our students. So we will be um recognizing our skilled trade and military uh students that we're uh signing for the following year.
This summer is when Van Buren all the ceilings in Van Buren will get gutted, right? So, it'll be like the middle school was last year. All the ceilings come down. All new HVAC in all the classrooms. Um This is the steel that they did over spring break. So, they brought in telehandler, lifted and got all the steel work done. That is where the new main unit will sit up on the roof. Uh so, one of the Yes. So, one of the things they found out was uh they had their standoff metal things made, and they got up there and cut their first hole into the ceiling, and there was a lot more insulation than what was expected. So, their metal standoffs were short, so then they had to have them fabricated and two-day ship to them uh to keep them on schedule. So, all the plate metal steel is ready to go for the unit to be dropped in as soon as summer hits.
Are there any questions or comments? With there being no questions or comments, we'll move to a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Nays. Nay. And the vote carries 4-1 with Mr. Vasser dissenting. Mr. Smith, can we move forward? Can I make a comment real quick? Yes, you may. Um I know we had a Crown Point uh school system had an amazing group of educators that seemed to all come in about 25 25 years ago I think is the uh the bucket and Barb Merrill's retirement was on the personnel agenda. And she's one of that, you know, core five, core 10, whatever you want to call it. I mean, I think Mr. Key was in this bucket and his wife Annie's in this bucket. There's uh I just feel like that was an amazing group of hires on that bucket and you see now that they're starting to get ready for retirement, moving into retirement.
And I can't I I look forward to where we're going in the future. Uh it's been a great time. Thank you, Mr. Wall. Anyone else? I do have a statement. Um the the community's been very patient with us. Um during our search for a permanent superintendent, the board used an exhaustive process to review all the candidates. There were 14 total candidates and ultimately we narrowed the list down to five for the interview part of the search. We scheduled that uh interview part begin the week of February 16th through the 20th. After the first interviews were completed, the board met executive session near the end of that week and discussed who we felt qualified for a second interview. Three candidates stood out and we were and were invited back for second interviews the week of February 23rd through the 27th. The second interviews were more intensive.
We look at national board certification for example, this is in law where we provide an annual bonus um to NBC teachers of either 5,000 or it could be up to 10,000 in like hard to staff areas. We also see like even like um firefighters call rescue workers I think at the state airport where they get certain like hazard pay compensation that's done through statute as well. So even though we have chap 9 and things negotiated, we do things too legislatively as well that give various incentives like a bonus or like a hazard pay or something of that nature where it does occur already. >> So um what is your comment regarding the DOE's position that if we do this then the legislature should do it for all member >> um >> I'm not aware who they're trying to suggest for um which other workers. I talk about the different bargaining units talking about the exemp 2 and three >> um >> four 6 9 10 and 13.
>> Going up. Here she comes. >> Ready. >> All right. Well deserved. And last but certainly not least, Moazonem. Okay. Moaz has two siblings, Aala and Farooq. His favorite subject in school is English. His favorite hobbies include playing football and he hopes to play football at the college level and pursue a career in nursing. Congratulations, Moaz. Okay, Mr. Smith, don't go too far. At this time, we are going to announce our district employee of the month. Hello again. Ashley Levit of Bound Brook High School is being recognized as the district staff member of the month. From the moment one enters her classroom, Ashley's passion for learning and her ability to build meaningful connections with her scholars are immediately evident. She consistently creates an engaging and supportive learning environment where scholars feel valued, heard, and motivated to participate participate. Ashley demonstrates strong content expertise, presenting material in a clear and purposeful manner that makes learning accessible for all of her scholars.
Um so, that that work has been done over the last couple of weeks uh ever since the the the snow has let up and and all of the ice has melted. Um so, just a credit to to our team of continuing to stay focused on on things that need to be done to make sure that that our facilities look the way that they should. Um that the sports teams and our coaches can go out to safe, clean facilities. So, so, they've been working tirelessly on that. Um from a standpoint of where we are with the budget, uh we had our preliminary budget review which was approved by this board. Uh again, I want to thank the board for continuing to have uh productive conversations um in our closed sessions um throughout the week. Questions, concerns, being open and honest with with things that they want more clarification on.
So in terms of key next steps related to those things um we are currently working on to then launch in the fall the complement so edu 202 which is the next dual credit um course in the uh college and career pathway for education. So, EDU202 and then by the end of the year, uh, our teams are looking to launch a career pathway handbook which really integrates career information with the courses that we offer here at school. Um, so that there will be more direction and guidance of courses that they can take to really dive into some uh potential career. Um, also in the future ready component, uh, our high schools team with the communications team has really been partnering around engagement in our community. So, we're super excited to have our new community engagement coordinator, um, Miss Don Cino on board with um, communications team and she's coordinating directly with Mr.
Is there an opportunity like I just think about where those those tanks are? Like is there a way to make that look any better? Um well, we could like we could do a windscreen would probably be the easiest. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Something like that. There's like green something green Yeah. Just when it's like some landscaping and flowers like there's Um the one thing we have to be careful of is that this takes on water when the creek floods. Um So, that'll be the area that will get water. Raised up from the water? It is. So, if you see the concrete pad like around it, when when I even when I was there, we've had water come across the grass and goes into the driveway. Yeah, it kind of keeps going south, and then it'll kind of catch up with the creek before it goes along with the creek bottom.
Uh I I I know Barb well enough um and uh but I've heard, you know, through former students and other teachers that teach with her that um she did things she did things her way and sometimes that might take a minute to to uh to be understood, but then the people who have always talked about her had nothing but the best things to say and enjoyed her beehive and I know she'd be very proud to call it her her beehive. So, um I'm sure you see the has not in, but uh I want to take a second just recognize Ms. Marilyn and thank her for all the time on in the corporation. Uh that's well said, Ms. Warren. Um we do appreciate her services and I'm sure there'll be more comments during the uh board statements of appreciation as well. So. Uh we'll move on to item 5.01, textbook and resource purchase.
Uh we all thought if one of these lifelong educators were going to be asked to be the next leader of our schools, then we needed to dig a little deeper to learn what their plans would be for HCCS. Those three remaining candidates all held out had outstanding interviews, which made the choice very difficult. As we have mentioned before, the selection evaluation of superintendent for HCCS is one of the most important responsibilities for our school board. Accordingly, the board spent over 1,000 hours combined to assess the experience and abilities of all the candidates. There's a lot to consider. Like what experiences have prepared them to lead our corporation. What is their background in supporting school administrators, teachers, and support staff? What are their experiences on the financial side Having only one school corporation in our entire county, how will they connect with this county? And honestly, at this point in time for HCCS, who can best lead us into the foreseeable future?
>> I can't speak for the other bargaining units. We're the exclusive representative for HSTA and I don't want to speak for those bargaining units um and we're here advocating for um bargaining unit members. >> Okay. Um is there a concern that the department was able to go ahead and give their administrative um some of the increases and the CO increases? You're absolutely right. So, back about a year ago, um December of I believe 2024, if I'm not mistaken, um the department came in and requested um hazard pay for all of the exempt or basically like middle management. Those are the workers that work at the Department of Education building across the street. Somewhere around 2 to 300 workers got the same amount of hazard pay that was negotiated with um the HGBA um union. So they got anywhere between $10 to $20,000 also depending on how many days they worked, the hours they worked.