So, yeah, using the data we have available to make make decisions. >> At the student level and district level. >> Okay, when you walked away that thought popped in my head so I thought I'd ask, but thank you. >> Yep. >> Okay, thanks. >> Just like to mention the other of the meetings coming up. We have our last strategic planning meeting next week. An early board meeting this year month of May not because of the labor day Memorial Day, I'm sorry. >> I I think just to add to that, May is always busy with events as well, so what I'll do is try to communicate to each of you see if we can get these major events covered like the military stole presentation. retirement lunches and dinners and all that stuff. You have uh Yeah, I think there's a luncheon for Yeah, that's the internship partnerships.
Um or if there's any other additional items we need to adjust. And then so just going through this are pretty minor items in in the substitute handbook just that updating the address on the first page there. Um and the dates moving along to you have those approved. On page three you'll see we're just updating some of the personnel associated with the particular buildings. And we've also made it made a director of human resource a like a generic um email if you will so that it'll go directly to that person and they can monitor that. Instead of having tied to a specific person. Um it makes it easier for a future for future um handbooks. And then moving on we really didn't have any changes until page eight. Um under the rate of pay for substitute teachers, um, we added in there the consecutive. Um, and that is because per Indiana code 20-28-9-7, it says in there that's consecutive.
Board any questions regarding the calendars? >> I just have a clear a point of clarification. First of all thank you so much. I love the parameters that we hold tight to. Could you just explain I see here it says professional day elementary and ELCs then professional half day secondary and then in January professional day secondary but a records professional day. What is the distinguishing distinguish what distinguishes those? Sure. In our last calendar review as a as a committee one change that our committee members asked for us which we've implemented since then revolved around the secondary professional development day. Previously in calendars past secondary folks would have one day prior to the school year and then a whole records day prior to winter break. And what we did is we found it would have been a better use of time to do a half records day before winter break and put the other half to the front so they have a day and a half prior to students coming in.
Um, but we voted to send a letter um supporting against or not supporting going against the lottery that the state implemented and that we were going to affirm our position as a district uh committee on that. Um, I just want to I haven't seen that letter. So, I'm just going to put a reminder that we did vote for that resolution and that I think it there's some there's something that should be sent out >> with all of our names on it. >> Um, because it was a unanimous vote that we took uh to do that. >> Yep. >> So, there is a bill that's uh in the House and Senate now to re uh to um resend the lottery. uh one of the that's been put out there. So, we're going to we're looking at doing how do we support that bill? I personally can't start a campaign or anything, but the only thing I can say is that uh parents would be the ones that would So, um I'm going to ask um our legislative body when we meet on Friday, uh where they're at in terms of their support for that bill and uh and advocate for parents to uh send a letter to their legislators for or against so that there's clear so they have a clear understanding where their contingency uh where their uh contingents of their uh the people within the community uh are on the on the uh issue.
>> Mhm. >> And then in grade four, a reduction of two staff brings us to 23 students per classroom and the class guidelines there are 21 to 24. >> Okay. What about one and one? >> Correct, that may be an option. Right. I I understand. Uh again, um some of it is somewhat circumstantial. >> Yeah. >> But again, we we do agree and we are going to go for the ideal and the best case scenario and Dr. P is wonderful. He is looking at this like a hawk. Every day I get a new contact you know, request to talk about it. So, it's it's going you know, he's really on it. Any other questions? >> What moving down or just there? >> Moving down. So, now we're moving down. Um we would recommend the reduction of the nine uh 97 with I think we spoke about this last time.
It was proved many, many, many months ago. Um some of our teachers took advantage of it, some of our administration took advantage of it. Again, it's it's definitely throughout the county. Uh that's how we were made aware of it. However, I just want to say this because the word fraud was brought up brought up here and and and those are things that get me nervous because again, rhetoric up here when you use those words, it just really makes no sense. It's really really just not smart talk. That's what it is. It's it's it's exactly rhetoric. And and to think that any of that's happening is is absolutely not true. Um just so in case you don't understand the process of how this how it works with um getting co-pays back or whatnot, uh certain vendors uh the the insurance part of the check is mailed to the actual not the provider, the actual client.
So, that's correct? >> Yes. All of them? Mo- Mo- that like you know, that drop-down button, it just goes forever. Just had to ask. Yep. Thank you. Any other questions? These are going to be available at the district office. Yeah, they'll be there for 30 days. Sorry, I have one more question. Yep. Yeah. Well, I would This is one package, so Yeah, there's Wait, there's Sorry, I'm the science guy. Yeah, I have one more question. Don't go anywhere. I was hoping you don't go anywhere. Next, Kelly, and then we'll come back to you, so Can I ask one more question about the science? >> Yeah. Are we moving on from science? We are. >> we're never moving on >> to never, but we're going over to those Spanish Um do we know if there As part of our process, do we consult with other districts that have used these resources to see if they are satisfied with them?
East Science Department is led by Aaron Lenat, the department chair. There are nine science teachers at Columbus East supported by one teachers assistant dedicated to the lab space with 103 years of experience. I will hand it over to Aaron to help us celebrate the strong student outcomes generated from our Columbus East science department. >> Thank you. Good evening. And we also uh skipped the Harvard orientation to be here tonight. So, I just wanted to share that with you. Uh my name is Erin. I'll just take a few minutes of your time tonight. Um, I've assembled a an awesome crew tonight with students and teachers and they're going to help translate uh how retaining teachers uh what we're able to do with that, what that looks like in both quantitative and qualitative sense. So, um I have been very fortunate to to work here and retain.
So, I just want to make sure we got some coverage there. specific hangouts certain events that explore the I'll try to get the key ones down on these, but if you know you're attending if you can let me know that would be Um number two, I think it's appropriate at this time. I think Brook uh board members you guys each have something that was presented to you that outlines the budget reduction key points, uh ongoing pressures, and it explains it does a great job of explaining how funding works for schools between the education fund, operations fund, referendum fund, and debt service fund. Um I'm being told that Miss Allen put this together. At some point it may be released to the public, but I think I just want to say thank you cuz this is like uh note cards. You You ever seen like if you read a book you got these Cliff Notes?
And there was some confusion on that, so we wanted to be clear that that was included. Um, we also updated the rate of pay, um, to adjust with the rate of pay in our teacher agreement. Um, and so that um, at the bottom of the page there, we also updated and removed some items associated with our um, frontline um, absence management system to align with that. And then we're removing some items that we are not currently using and updating the phone number, so it's pretty basic information at this point. If you do see anything that needs to be addressed, please let myself, um, Miss Kevin McCormick here, who has done an excellent job in and and get gathering this information, and um, Dr. Sager.
Elementary and ELCs have always had the two days. We don't have the records day and then everyone comes back the day after winter break prior to students for professional development as well as time in their classrooms to prep one day before the children come back. So it's the same number, we're just split differently for the ELC and elementary versus the secondary. We have two at the beginning, they have 1.5 and then a 0.5. Ms. Lawrence. Yeah, I just have one quick question cuz I know we weren't scrolling all the way to the bottom for the graduation. Yeah, graduation is still in June for I'm asking both for personal and >> [laughter] >> You're preparing, aren't you? You're preparing, board member. We're trying to prep. We've got a couple graduations. Also, board, my secondary team, Dr. Thorpe, Mr. Kuzmic can also refer to this. We work in advance on location and we do have secure the location, which dictates our dates.
I I appreciate that update, but just to put on the letter, I think as a committee, we've since we voted on it and I I think we're clear on our position on it. >> Um as a way to voice ourselves as a region that we don't appreciate this system and it's not working for the kids. >> So, >> yeah. >> Um so, but that's Yeah, cuz I I I I'm seeing the numbers. >> Write it. >> Would you like me to write it? That's okay. I'll I'll send the letter out tomorrow. Okay. >> And then when they come in Friday, I'll reiterate >> the vote of the committee and the feelings of the committee. >> Yeah. It's it's in the minutes somewhere. We voted on it a few months ago. >> Um and just to make sure that that that goes out >> and that we discuss it on Friday.
It would be one dated team coordinator at CLES and three dismissal monitors and as you recall, the board has increased uh the teacher work day. So, we no longer feel like we need to have those dismissal monitors. So, these are stipend uh positions that we wouldn't be filling and we would be able to um you know, realize that savings. Uh the next one is instructional supplies uh and general supplies from CLES for a total of 33,390. Uh we uh Dr. P and his team did look very carefully and they do believe that they could um forego, put off, right? We are putting off uh the purchase of some supplies. They feel like they could potentially get away for 1 year and they're going to try to do that. These aren't easy reductions at all the time, but we want to make sure that uh we have to meet this bottom line um in the area of science social studies math reading uh some administrative general fund things um you know, things like maybe some chairs and stuff like that that they'll be able to kind of hold off on.
Uh so we'll get a check for whatever the uh insurance cost is, and then that check is supposed to be handed over directly to the vendor or the doctor or the company or whatever it is. Usually you endorse the back of the check. Now, if you don't do that and you put it in your bank account, that's tax fraud. I get I'm not tax fraud, that's insurance fraud, right? So So we're not talking about any teachers doing that. Obviously, that's not happening. I hope you're that this gentleman wasn't saying that. However, on the part of the company, this is exactly how it's billed. This is exactly how the co-pays are, etc. So I just want to make that very clear uh that none of that is happening. It's a approved program. It's a program around and and again, I don't think there's a stockpile of sneakers or whatnot, but but yeah, I think that's one of the benefits of this.
And if so, what >> reached out um I mean, I'll I'll go ahead and talk We had reached out to uh multiple surrounding areas, and then we also reached out to all of those resources that were recommended. And then through this team, this is what we thought was uh bringing us to that level where we wanted to be in terms of really revamping the uh the the material that we had available for our students to learn. Many of our resources now are currently from the early 2000s. >> Yeah. And things have advanced. Uh so, yes, these were These were materials that have all have uh uh dates that are newer, so many of the districts have not even gone to this level yet. So, we would be uh beating some districts to the punch. >> Hey. Good. We'll be the cool kids. Thank you. Thank you.
We have a high retention rate at both the high school and the middle school. And here in a second, I'll turn it over to a student that you've already met tonight. Uh she's going to talk to us about our AP scores. And then we'll turn it over um I would turn over to Mrs. Webb, who's also whose name has also been mentioned tonight. She's our lab TA extraordinaire and she manages chaos. If you've had the opportunity to go into lab on a together we lead, you've seen it firsthand with thousands of students in and out each week. And then finally, uh Mrs. Prather who comes to us a few years ago from uh we were able to wrangle her from u uh regional and she entered a TT uh program and she's a a rockstar teacher. Uh but before I turn it over, I had a serendipitous moment Friday afternoon and uh Dr.
That's what this is. It's perfect for a guy like me. All right, so thank you for taking the time to put that together and assisting with >> And if you'll notice that QR code it's [clears throat] a video series of seven like minute minute and a half max little videos that go with each of the different areas that just to kind of give you a little bit further explanation and all will be posted on our website as well. So, people can go there and find this information. >> The only other thing I want to say in response to Dr. Terrell's comments and in my 10th year on the board, I know we've all been on the board a few years, some longer than others, but I think this is one of the few times where we've had to make tough decisions and it's unfortunate. It's not anything that anybody wants to do or has to do, but we have to do it as part of our responsibilities.
Any questions for the substitute handbook? And this is first reading, so we won't do a motion tonight, but I did notice in the back that we're not we're dropping the, let me get the right phrase, the video professional development. How are we going to make sure our uh, uh, substitute teachers stay trained, for lack of a better term, or what what is the professional development we're going to provide them? We're not currently using that particular one, so we will come we will have something in time that will be established. Cool. Thank you. >> accurate right now. Well, that's good then we're moving it. Thank you.
Okay? And it will be at the fairgrounds, Martha, just so you will know. We're not changing venues. All right. Thank you for that. Any other questions on the calendar? Okay. Well, thank you again to the team. We will move to 3.9. 26-27 proposed Board of Education meetings calendars. Dr. Mulholland. Madam President, I present the calendar for the proposed Board of Education meetings for the 2026-2027 year. Thank you, Dr. Mulholland.
Um, but yeah, I think every meeting as I see the numbers come in with the students accepted versus the kids that are all the way in 7,000 6,000. >> Um, it's just an unfair practice and it's just not helping out right now >> in the process. >> Friday's breakfast. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Moving on. >> The bond vote. Mr. Lavoy, state qualified bonds. So um so we're working on uh trying to obtain a bond for the addition and um for state qualified bond but we have to uh u revote uh specific language for the issuance of a state qualified bond. And so I have some language here that I'm going to read uh in which we need a vote um voting on spec on this specific language. that the appropriate officials of the district are authorized to file an application with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Municipal Finance Oversight Board to qualify under chapter 44A of the general laws any and all bonds or notes of the district authorized as of the date adoption of this vote and in connection therewith to provide such information and execute such documents as the minister.