So, we have definitely some strategic ways this would really help our budget. Um rate of grow. I'm gonna This next uh page doesn't uh it just tells you the rate of growth of Lake County sales tax. Um it just kind of goes, you know, it's this is economy related. So if the economy is moving well, you're going to see more sales tax. If the economy drags, you're going to see less. Um so what are we what's your role in this tonight? you're going to be proposed with voting yay or nay on just putting this on the ballot in November. And uh board school boards across Lake County are doing this in April and May. Uh they're considering whether or not to to throw their support behind it. If uh school boards representing more than 50% of the students in Lake County approve this resolution, then it goes on the ballot for the whole county.
Based on her experience, leadership capacity, and alignment with district priorities, we are delighted to welcome Liz to SD 308. Yes, we have special Dr. [laughter] Mr. McPherson and Ms. Perez, come on up. We're going to just a little token. Dr. Kilgati, you want to lead us? >> [laughter] >> Yay. All right. Our first presentation for today is 6.1, the IHSA cooperative athletic teams update. All right. Can everyone hear me okay? Yep. Yeah. All right. Good evening, Dr. Kilgati and members of the Board of Education. Dan Arson, the Executive Director of Athletics. I'm here tonight to present with Stephen Tracy, the Athletic Director of Oswego East High School. I do want to take a minute to pause and congratulate a 2002 or 2022 graduate, Noah Schultz, for the remarkable achievement of uh his MLB debut tomorrow night for the Chicago White Sox. So, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn't do so as a White Sox fan and >> [laughter] >> as an athletic director myself.
Dyne serves as the poetry original performance and programmed oral interpretation captain. Dyne has demonstrated perseverance to achieve excellence at a high level. Dyin has demonstrated excellent work ethic, determination, and commitment. Douy has earned the respect of the entire school community for her high standards and expectations. The highest level of distinction given by the Avon Community School Corporation is accommodation from the board of school trustees. Dween is hereby commended for her success and achievements. And one other thing to quickly add in the six years that the the the high school speech and debate team has been having some successes. We've had the good fortune to have a lot of state champions. We've had a couple win two state championships. Dyene is the first person in the history of Avon High School who has won three individual state championships. All right, with that board members, I will entertain a motion.
Um, I need a motion, a second uh to approve second reading on these policy uh approvals. I'll make a motion to approve the second reading of policies 2221 through 32320. >> I'll second it. >> I have a motion to second.
They were created to kind of mimic the questions that are on the checkpoints and that's what we were really looking for. So we just felt like that was our best option. How long does this last? Six years. Uh so the cost of the reading adoption is approximately 151,537.07. And we will be taking this out of the education fund. So I need a motion to approve that. I'll make a motion to approve. Okay, I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Okay, motion second. Any further discussion? Uh paid out of what? Education fund. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed the same. Who seconded? Roger did. Sorry. Yeah. So that's a That's approved. Madam Secretary, taking notes on the project. Good job. Okay, this evening we have personnel recommendations. Just wanted to point it out a couple of things. We The board just received this morning the recommendation for Cameron France as the Wood Memorial High School girls volleyball coach.
Also, congratulations to KV senior athlete Max Dutlinger, who was one of 13 recipients across the state for the IHSAA Jean Cato Memorial Scholarship. And they were And they he was recognized yesterday, as well as KV senior student athlete Aubrey Hanger for being recognized as one of two recipients for the Teammate Award for the IHSAA. And that was yesterday down in Indianapolis. So, congratulations. And the Indiana Department of Education did grant the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation a waiver for instructional days for the two lost days due to the tornado. And one additional item, congratulations to you as a school board on being recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association for earning the Commendable School Board certificate or or pin, which is in the display back in the back for your professional development activities. Also, Bill was recognized that night. And as well as Katie was recognized.
>> [laughter] >> I am going to go with it. Okay, so can you stand with me? >> Yeah. So, [laughter] so Mrs. Caitlyn Hilton is an impeccable teacher. So, I'm going to make her cry. So, I I I cannot say enough for what Caitlyn does in the classroom. Um academically, like it's here. Like you like you're going to be here. And students will and parents will fight that. And Caitlyn's [clears throat] like, "No, it has to be here." Every darn day. Day and and not that I have got not gotten some crying phone calls. Um [laughter] but like talking you off the cliff, next day come back even tougher. Behavior. Behaviorally, this girl has been was loaded up this year. And she just kept trying different things, trying different things, keep working, keep working. And again, her parents learned that her that their students can do hard things.
Any opposed? There's an abstention. Any There you go. So, we have four in favor, one abstention, no opposition. Terrific. Um Next up, we have our student representative report from Charlotte Alphonse. Good evening. My name is Charlotte Alphonse. I am here representing the Dartmouth High School Student Advisory Council. I would like to share some recent upcoming events happening at Dartmouth High School. On April 1st, Dartmouth staff participated in the annual Dartmouth Education Foundation Spelling Bee, which helps raise money to support educational grants throughout the district. Representing Dartmouth High was our team Permanent Records, made up of Mr. Shea, Mr. Martin, and Ms. Santos, who placed third overall. On March 27th, Dartmouth High also hosted TEDx DHS 2026 with this year's theme Making Waves for a Better Tomorrow. Student speakers presented in the auditorium throughout the day, and the event was live-streamed on DAHS TV media. Looking ahead, Dartmouth High will hold its third annual Day of Kindness on April 16th during all three lunches, hosted by the Black Student Union along with eight additional clubs.
So, so far it's going well, but credit to our staff for willing to recognize that something's not working and then instead of waiting till the start of next year to change it, doing it now, collecting that data, see where we go for next year. Good stuff.
Um it just gave an opportunity for us to recognize students for meeting your AR goals and the Read Across America goals and there's all kinds of things. I still need to color my hair purple so there's that coming down the pike here and some other fun things that we're still trying to get all sorted out so we get it all in. Uh this month I would like um Dudley would like to send out a sizzle snort to Mr. DeLaubell our sixth grade language arts and PE teacher. It that should say fifth and sixth grade. I apologize. Um he keeps students thinking and moving and engaged with his dynamic approach to learning. I'd also like to recognize our third grade teacher Miss Major. She makes her classroom shine through her enthusiasm, creativity, and genuine care for students. These two I can't talk this afternoon. These two truly bring the sizzle with their dedication and the snort with the positivity that they spread throughout Wilson.
These are agency responsibilities. So it's pretty pretty pretty detailed and and um covers all the different responsibilities of sides and for the students. The same form we've had for years, right? Mhm. Yes. Good. Okay. Any further questions on the move? Mr. Laura do you have any further comments to the board or the commission? Mr. President members of the board, uh this is this is we really want to celebrate this as this is a good news. Um We met on Friday uh Mr. Laura finance consultant along with Mr. Kuteyi Ms. Andrea and myself, the administration recommended to the board the decision to move medical blue uh insurance carriers from United Healthcare to MetLife. In March the administration was given notice that cost to the district and employee with United Healthcare would increase 34%. Costing an additional $142,786 for a total uh um annual premium of $564,000.
We have cooking club which also benefits me but not my waistline. Um, we have good news club, which is members of local churches who are coming in and talking about morals and ethics on campus. We have crocheting. We have a new book club. I'll come back to our librarian. She's something. Um, and we're involved with our fifth graders and next year fifth and sixth graders um with high with middle school sports as well. Cross country, track, wrestling, basketball, archery. Did I miss any for middle school? >> Soccer. >> No, no, no. but that fifth graders can be in. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. So, obviously we have a a variety of things that are that are going on on campus um that that kids come to school to be part of that they may otherwise have not come to school that day. Go ahead. Thank you.
This proposal respects the taxpayers' wallet while directing directly addressing specific concerns voiced during the last two failed attempts. This lean approach eliminates the percentage or perception of bloat that often triggers skepticism, replacing it with a high accountability roadmap that residents can see reflected in their own neighborhoods. Some key advantages I want to point out is a maximized voter trust by moving away from a blank what what some would consider a blank request um blank check request and focusing on a shorter, specific project list, the district builds the credibility needed to secure yes votes from fiscally conservative residents. Another item I would like to point out is direct impact, minimal friction. Data has shown that referendums and bonds focusing on tangible fixes rather than vague growth tend to see significantly higher approval rates. Voters easily connect their contribution to visible improvements in student safety and learning.
So what that means is uh like like walk I think has 15% of the students in Lake County. So if walk's board passes it then that's we're at 15%. So we need a school board's representing 50% of the kids. Um, from what from my conversations with Lake County Superintendent, it's a it's a wide support across the county for this. It's not going to be 100% support from the boards, but it's a very wide support. I think we've got enough that will uh pass it. The regional office uh will certify it. We were going through a procedure tonight to pass this. if you if you to vote on it, if you choose to pass it, uh we will let the ROE know and then they will uh begin the process of certifying it, making sure it gets on the ballot. And the this will go on the ballot for November.
But obviously, it's a remarkable achievement that really gives our student athletes something that their dreams can be attained. And uh it's it's just remarkable to think that, you know, a few years ago he's pitching on that field out there and now he's pitching for the White Sox. So, it's remarkable. Yeah. He was drafted in the first round, too, right? First round. Yes, first round selection. So, uh we've had some He's had some I've received incredible success and uh I can't wait to watch it tomorrow night. I just hope it doesn't rain. So, that's that's the downfall of that, but Yeah, and we did share some stories with Teresa this afternoon as well, too. So, Uh all right. So, tonight we will talk about our cooperative athletic programs. As you all know and probably are aware of, the last few months have been a little bit of a up and down with what are we going to do with cooperative teams.
>> I move that the board of school trustees approve the accommodation for Dyene Aande as presented. >> Second. >> Motion by Kim, seconded by Jennifer. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? That motion passes 5-0. Congratulations. >> We'll have you move and we'll do a photo, but we'll do it all. Okay. Individual because we got a couple more to get to. All right. Let's talk about Nancy, Oregon. In foreshadowing, this isn't the last time you'll hear about u resolution of accommodation. The Avon Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees would like to congratulate Nancy Oregon with the passage of the following resolution. Nancy placed first in the informative speaking category at the Indiana High School speech and debate state speech competition, earning a state championship. Nancy was an integral part of the Avon High School speech team, which won their third consecutive 3A state championship.
Any questions on any of those policies? >> No questions. All in favor? I >> I >> uh none opposed. This leads us to new business. Uh review and approval of a CTE early childhood education program. We got Mr. Ruby here tonight to kind of represent and and uh talk about that a little bit. >> Okay. So, well, thanks for inviting me here today and and uh first I want to start off by as always thanking uh thanking all of you for supporting career and technical education for your students and and uh some great things are happening with your students and throughout the the four counties. So, so thank you for that. Uh commend uh Mrs. McGee for for her vision uh to to definitely look at what the needs are for our community and and uh and potentially create a way to to meet those needs and and there's there's a definite need for people to work in early childhood education.
Wanted to make sure that you everyone saw that. Also I want to say take just a moment. Mrs. Engstrom is retiring this year as a second grade teacher at Winona Memorial Elementary School after 40 years in education. I'm sure some of you sitting at this table have had her as your teacher. So, but anyway, I just wanted to bring that forward and thank her for all of her years of service to the kids in this corporation and we wish her the best on her retirement. We will be recognizing our retiring teachers at the May 4th meeting with the corporation again. So, just wanted to make you aware of that. So, anyway, also Mr. Bingham is here this evening. We are bringing forward him as the new Winona Memorial High School boys basketball coach. Also, the other only one I didn't mention was Dustin Hizer and he's taking an FMLA for the birth of his child.
And many of you have been recognized in the past as well, so it's based upon your tenure as a school board. Many of you have already reached the highest milestone, so congratulations to that to you all. Under your employment items, we have no retirements, but under resignations, we ask that you accept the resignations as listed. So moved. Second. Joe, Christine. All in favor. 7-0. Under leave request, we ask that you would accept the leave request as presented. So moved. Second. Joe, Dan. All in favor. 7-0. Under extracurricular, we ask that you approve the ECA recommendations. So moved. Second. Katie. Joe. All in favor. 7-0. Under classified, we have one recommendation for employment, and we ask that you approve that recommendation. So moved. Second. Bill, Joe. All in favor. 7-0. Under new items, we received a list of several generous donations throughout the corporations that to support our students.
And that's we need all of our teachers to be like this. Her Ilearn scores, checkpoints, amazing. I read, getting more students to pass I read in third grade. How many do you have left? Three. I mean, to have three students in her class that are still working to pass I read, that is just it's it's Yeah, we know. It is huge. So, I can't say enough. The leader in her class in her team, the leader a leader in our building. People will go to her to seek out help, no matter what it would be. Something in the classroom, something at home, something personally, whatever it might be, they can go to her and she's trying always trying to raise us up to be more positive and to do things that better better our students and better our staff. So, you can handle it. >> [laughter] >> So, >> [applause] >> So, I'm just very very very proud of you.