Our students with special needs deserve this level of commitment. Having a voice and having a say are two different things. A SEAC is a voice. A subcommittee is a say. Maybe this is the problem. All the while our kids are passing through schools and learning little and leaving while we're all still fighting over whether or not we should do anything at all. Our kids don't have years to wait. So, as you debate tonight, let's not go back to the nitty-gritty of whether or not there have to be three members from the board on a committee. There is nothing in our bylaws that states that. We need community voices if the board is going to get this right. For example, has anyone on the board noticed that our special education policy is way out of date, number 6159, that Cave has a much better and updated, yet still lacking policy?
She steps in whenever she is needed, offering a helping hand and a steady presence for both students and her teacher. She brings patience to challenging moments, encouragement to uncertain learners, and warmth to every child she supports. She goes above and beyond each and every day. She builds strong connections with children, helping them feel safe and ready to learn. Whether guiding a small group, supporting a child one-on-one, or simply offering a comforting smile, she makes a lasting difference in ways that cannot always be measured, but are always felt. Her dedication, flexibility, and genuine care uplift not only the students she serves, but also our entire building. She reminds us that education, especially at the preschool level, is a team effort and that every role matters deeply. It is with great pride that I present the GPPA GPPA1 Para Professional of the Year Award to Ms. Genesis Ferrara at the Santana.
All these are possibilities to help reform the courses if needed. So, I do not see any major excuse of how the district can strip these classes away. I'm not asking the district to choose online over in person, but to allow a hybrid model. The availability of these online courses in the districts have provided these students, friends, family, and so many people with the opportunity to excel and genuinely learn according to their unique learning needs. Allowing these people to truly grasp and absorb knowledge on a self-paced after school online learning workspace. Coming in for tests to check in with their assigned teacher. This should be seen as a support, not a privilege reserved for only students who have failed. If anything, it should be used to help students succeed earlier rather than letting them fall behind and then catching up to them then. Our students need to be thought of as individuals with people with futures that genuinely benefit from these accommodations, not just a one-size-fits-all classroom.
Outside of just musical instruction, he's dedicated to instilling positive values in his students. One nominator said in all aspects of his role, Mr. Cano models personal and professional integrity continually seeking ways to improve his teaching and contribute positively to the school community. Congratulations, Devon. James Milner Industrial Educator James Milner leads with kindness and a deep commitment to the district's vision. He makes school enjoyable for his classes with his student-centered approach. He takes pride in his work and inspires others to do the same. One nominator shared he is the kind of educator that every school hopes to have. Congratulations, James. Shannon Menassi In her role as a language arts teacher, Shannon supports her students creating a learning environment that enables them to grow as readers and writers. She challenges her students and makes them feel excited to participate in class. A parent stated it's all the time she put into both creating meaningful lessons connections with her students and building their confidence that has made her an unforgettable teacher for my son and I'm sure many others.
4.6. >> Yes. see myself, Julie Jetty, Katherine Potter, and um our new HR person, Belinda. Okay. And then 4.8, appointment of technology representative will be Bridges Handland and Katherine Potter. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So now we have a vote. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Julie Jetty, >> yes. >> Stacy Salt, >> yes. Katherine Potter, >> yes. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Okay. Establishment of regular board and committee of the whole meeting dates and times. Um 5 approval of the regular meeting dates and times for the fiscal year 2627. Uh we did talk about this a little bit last year or last week but um I we are not going to change it. Okay. May I have a motion to approve the meeting dates and times for fiscal year 2627 as presented. >> I was going to say I'm making I just want to note for the record the proposed schedules are not in our agenda.
And so we just could not be prouder to celebrate our high-achieving Orioles and what you're doing at Avon Middle School North. Thank you for being here. Yep, I would echo that and I would say my favorite part of each of those perfect scores are amazing. Don't get me wrong. I don't want to take anything from that. But all of those other things, that whole child aspect, um we spend a lot of time and a lot of effort talking about how do we make sure that everybody's getting the breadth of experience. And hearing these stories just really uh exemplifies so all of those other things um that that lead to excellence everywhere else. Um, just kudos all around, um, but especially that side. Congratulations on all your achievements. Big kudos. I mean, you guys are the role models for, you know, younger kids and older kids.
The two students standing next to me embody that spirit. It's a simple reminder that the work we do in high school matters and should be a source of pride. When we think about the ideal school graduate, both Ren and Paige really exemplify uh what it means to lead uh lead our students and lead our class not only in academic excellence but outside of school as well. So with that, I'm proud to rep uh announce that Ren Bae is our class of 2026 valadictorian and Paige Fininky is our class of 2026 saludiatoran. Ren and Paige are now going to share a little bit about what they enjoyed about high school as well as what their plans are for next year. Hello, I'm Ren. Uh, for my post high school plans, I am committed to IU Indie for nursing with direct admit to their school of nursing.
There's again that 250 is hopefully a conservative estimate of our savings. Uh you asked about what would happen if the if we the Y and the daycare would come on to on to they would stay in the Albion campus. Um we'd find a place for them. We have a place for them. Um and and that's being worked out now, and we have a place for them. So, that So, the the the preschool and daycare will be staying. And then most third question was, does Y pay us? Kim, I don't even know that. Does Y pay us? They don't pay us like a rent or anything. They um because of because we allow them to use our building space, they keep their prices very low for our families. Um they do pay for the meals that they um eat with from our food service, um but they don't pay us like a lease or anything like that.
Um, and so tonight's idea is just one more chance for people to speak before the vote, uh, is taken. Remember, this part of this this this first meeting is public [laughter] meeting. We can't make any or can't make any decisions. The board can't vote on anything. Really, all they can do is hear what you have to say. So, that's kind of the purpose of this. I I don't know I how many how many speakers did we have sign up? Three. So, um, you know, it's 3 minutes to talk, and uh, then we'll talk kind of talk amongst ourselves again and ask for the vote for the issue. >> [cough] >> Kim, one more question. Uh, if we close Wolf Lake school, what do we say that what are we projecting the savings to be per year? By closing the school. $250,000. And that would be a we hope that is a conservative estimate.
Uh I'm Jennifer Bianchi, the adviser. This is part of my Inkling staff. I have Devion Outten, Anna Sarosi, Allie Landgrave, Peyton Spargo, Iris Estrada, Mason Urbini, and Dan Dommer. Uh they All of these have been on staff with the exception of a couple just for for two, three years now. So, this is a staff that has stuck together for quite some time. This past year was quite a large year for us. We won um about seven individual awards, and uh this was probably the largest sweep that we've had in quite some time. And then we won the Hoosier Star Award, which is, as you said earlier, the highest honor for the state of Indiana. Uh they work hard. They work to write authentic journalism and to be authentic to themselves. Uh they work really, really well together, and uh they produce quite the product. So.
And I'm going to have to be honest. I'm going to make a mistake. I just So, if you go to the very last worksheet of this You got the signature. That's 16 and 1/2 cents. You're going to see where that table was going. That is incorrect. I really almost an entire life is tracking people that have I would go back and check every single I can't It's a mental I can't So, with that being said, let's get one If you saw in your packet we paid all our last months. And it's the same thing with the that I can't I can't smile at all. Mhm. Okay. So, you don't have it in your packet, but what you're going to sign tonight is previous for March 2026 is 1 month 1 month and 2 66 hours and 20 cents. So, if you take the 1 month from the packet subtract that 1 month which is what I added twice, you're going Does anyone have any >> No, you answered it.
Um that's we're not in it for a profit. We're in it to to give back to our community. >> [snorts] >> Any other questions? If not, the floor is open for a motion. I make motion that we approve the tree nursery MOU as presented. Is there Second. Oh, Aaron, I got Aaron first, so. Any other further discussion?
>> [applause] >> Swimming and diving head coach, Juan Salazar, swimming and diving assistant coach, Christopher Robinson, and Deja Burns, MIC champion and school record breaker in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke. >> [applause] [applause] >> Good evening, Dr. Smith and Lawrence Township school board. On behalf of Fall Creek Valley, I'm proud to celebrate our winter sports athletes. I'm going to introduce our athletic director, Ms. Robin Lewis, who will introduce you to our teams that had a tremendous season leading Fall Creek Valley to an unprecedented number of wins and championships through the season. >> [applause] >> Boys and girls MIC swim and dive champions, head coach Jazzy Kitten coach Alex, Quinn Kemper, >> [applause] >> Henry Plaster, Lila Drake, Dylan Drake, Harper Pritchard, Stella Pritchard, Zoe McConaughey, Lex Johnson, Penelope Holtz, Lillian Coringle, Katie Stevens, Hattie Stevens, Jacob Meglin, Elliot Humphrey, Jude Uthrich, Scout Hoffman, Sadie Hoffman, Lucy Flanary, Steven Zacharias Flores, Gavin Stinson, Cat Carlson, Abrielle Andrew Jetski, Hattie Tatum, Ellie Hoover, Nellie Franklin, Emrick Roberts, Elias Andres, Alexander Ratchford, Max Pouch, Denver Drake, Aiden Kitt, Graham Courtney, Tayomi Henson, Jackson Macaloon, and Alex Stanich.
Another save. So, one of my favorite stats in um hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, it's all around the goalies and some of theirs. So, Alana Duffy, so she's a three-year starter over here. That's a goal by Westwood. I think that was number two this year alone, not including today. 93 saves. So, it's pretty impressive. Over 176 shots, about 52.84 84 save percentage. So, incredible job by our junior goal over there. Love watching her play as well. Very active behind the post over there. So, she's going to get uh she'll get a ton of shots today against Westwood Wolverine team. Pretty high powered offense. Probably a team I think the MIAA um rate um playoff ratings or standings I should say officially come out on Tuesday. I'm expecting Westwood to be one of the top teams in their division. to goodwin by Maggie to Payton over to Lily Vidy.
>> See, I feel like back when we were playing, that was totally illegal hit, but I couldn't tell if it was quite from behind or Can you see it on the screen there, Cam? On the laptop? >> No, it's a little delayed. >> But, yeah. >> Hopefully, number 16's all right as he's trying to walk it off. This would be a good chance for get the team back in it on a power play. >> This is a welcome to the league moment if he's a if he is a on the JV squad. >> Yeah, if he's not on this roster, there's a very good chance he got brought up from JV. >> Oh, the high pass gets over. >> Oh, and Montemayor up. >> Ref blows the whistle. It's going to be Raider ball. Fowler has it on the 40. Fowler. Nice couple of jukes there.
>> Pitier to Crims. all the way back out to M Whitler. Mac Whiter, the head of steam, goes through one, two, turns around and gets the ball, >> taken away from her. Northampton once again comes up with the ball as Dinkz has it. >> That's Yeah, gets gets called for a card. Those are the ones where if you're already kind of getting getting beat, you don't want to reach that stick over and get the tap on the head. >> At least if you're going to do it, get your money's worth. That's what I always say. >> Worth giving chase to gets over the restraining line. for that. >> And now the ref will have to take a girl off. >> Now Northampton will be a man up. They get the ball over one timer. >> Mary Deoy there. Ball was out of bounds. Northampton comes up with the ball.
It had to be in at a certain date, >> otherwise they wouldn't give you the money. Well, we got it in two days before the grant was supposed to end. So, we did get it in on time. They thought we didn't get it in on time. And so, they returned the money. And so, uh, when I contacted them and said that they that we did get it on time, I provided them documentation that showed we did get it on time. they realized that they had made a mistake and that they owed us the money. >> Okay. >> But they didn't have the money on hand until until they got a new allocation for the next skills capital grant which was just recently. And so that's where we expect to get the funds from. Can I get a motion to approve uh moving the 425 and change?
These are the types of things that parents on a special education ad hoc subcommittee could work on and bring to the board. Putting regulation and policy in place that gives us a system to make sure we're tracking what our students with special needs need, are required, are they getting their services, getting the parents involved, and making sure that information flows to the parents easily and correctly. So, I'm asking you when you vote later, please keep this as an ad hoc committee. Consider later on changing it to a standing committee when you see how good the ad hoc committee works. And one last thing, I know I'm out of time, but whatever we do, please make those meetings hybrid because if there's ever a time for accessibility, it's for these meetings of the special education subcommittee. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Lori. Hello. >> Hello, Lori Middleton, 37 Elbow Hill Road.
>> [applause] [applause] [clears throat] >> Okay, next we honor our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Mary Rowan. This is an award that represents dedication, compassion, and the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of young children. Early childhood educators hold a very special role. They are often a child's first teacher, first mentor, and first introduction to the joy of learning. They nurture curiosity, build confidence, and mentor and um introduce the joy of learning. The work they do may not always be visible, but its impact lasts a lifetime. This year's recipient embodies all of these qualities and more. She brings patience to every challenge, creativity to every lesson, and kindness to every interaction. Her classroom is not just a place of learning, it is a place of belonging where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and discover who they are. She inspires not only her students, but also her colleagues and the families we serve.
We urge the SD308 district to reconsider its decision and reinstate online courses. We should work together to foster an inclusive and supportive educational environment where every student has the chance to succeed regardless of their personal circumstances. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you both. Jessica Quintero Good evening, board and staff. My name is Jessica Quintero and I am the HSA president at Plank Junior High. I also serve on the BPAC board and I'm a proud parent of two students in the district. Um tonight I would like to take a moment and share some wonderful experiences we've had at Plank Junior High and highlight the incredible sense of community within our district. Thanks to our wonderful admin team at Plank. First, I want to recognize the outstanding support we've received from students at Oswego East High School. This year, the high school volunteers have helped tremendously with our HSA events.