So the other part uh after retiring in May of 2022 uh I decided to go on a completely different uh educational journey and that was to become a school bus driver. It had been my goal for about five years that I was going to do that. Most people looked at me like I was crazy and yet I did it and I'm really happy that I did. Um, so for four years I've been a school bus driver, the last three, uh, special needs bus, which I just find so personally rewarding and fulfilling. Um, I didn't know that I could have the level of pride being a bus driver that I had as being a teacher, but I do. Um, over the past four years, I've gotten to know most of the drivers and monitors and most of the trans all the transportation staff, including the great J.R.
Carmisha Leary um, Siddique, sorry. I've known her a very long time and I'm still getting used to the addition to the last name. Um, presented on behalf of Fall Creek Valley in in this school district, and I just want to say how impressive the programming has been at Fall Creek Valley, at all of our schools. Uh, but it was really nice to see our students there um, supporting uh, and able to answer questions very articulately, um, and to just to see our schools highlighted in that way. Thank you for that. Would anyone else like to go? Just real quick, um, a reminder of Teacher Appreciation Week. So make sure to love on our teachers. They change generations, so. Just a reminder. Yes, thank you for that. Dr. Mulholland. Well, I I think there's just so much to celebrate as we can see and uh, I had a chance to attend a activity at my son's school and just in conversation with the principal just was reminded and reflecting on you know, we have so much to celebrate and it's not just those big wins and the milestones and the achievements but also just getting through and working hard the resilience and and pushing through in the growth, right?
We do need a a strong um district mission, vision, and goals >> Yeah. >> with a professional learning trajectory aligned to that, right? >> Right. I >> And so this money would then support the achievement of that. >> 100%. >> Which then do allow us to meet the state requirements of every teacher getting 18 hours of what they need, right? >> Right. >> So that all needs to happen, and I agree we need to kind of come back to the table and rebuild that and restructure that, so that way there's a lot of coherence and alignment. So that's that's pin that. That's number one. But number two, when we identify all that, now where is the financial backing to then engage in it? And and all I'm saying is right now, we're reducing it significantly, but we have to get to a bottom line. And it's either people or this.
Um, you know, some more procedural, some more aligned to policy shifts, and then some, you know, simply just format. So, starting with um that first bullet point, again, we really have done a lot of focus around our updated language around visitor management, including visible badging for staff, students, and visitors. So, again, that is something that um really has been a a focus for our team um as we look at the strategic plan and we look at some of those, you know, safety and security initiatives aligned with the safety and security audit survey. I'll pause, cuz I thought I saw a hand. And is your requesting that we are using our badges as well, I believe, if I saw that in the document, correct? In terms of the Board of Education members? Yeah, so that was a that was like >> wanted to make sure that we were aware of that.
Owen right there. Um, and they too have the same level of pride and dedication um that I feel like I have in the job. And so I really admire that about them. Um, according to AJ McKeon, the director of transportation, we we transport over uh 8,000 students. And for those 8,000 students, uh the bus driver and monitor, uh bus drivers and monitors are critical to the day that they have. Often they are the first school personnel that they see that greets them in the morning and the last that they see when they get off that bus. And uh that is uh certainly uh incredibly important uh to set the tone for those children's days. Um the last thing I wanted to mention though also is that uh before those students are able to step safely into their classrooms and before they are able to step safely into their schools, they have to be delivered safely to those schools by their bus drivers and monitors.
So just remembering to celebrate both what we what we push through together and what we accomplished and our resilience and just just awesome to see all the celebrations take place in this last month as we wrap up. Yeah, thank you. I I just appreciate Dana. Thank you for always ensuring that we remember our assistant principals and principals. I know we had assistant principal recognition as well as principal recognition and so would be remiss if we did not thank the tremendous leaders that we have in this Township for all the work that they do and also just for those individuals who are working after hours on various committees to ensure that they are giving their input. It is so critical to ensure that we have teacher student family all the voices at the table and then I saw too that we have teacher leadership Academy. Again, thank you to Facebook for allowing us to see the next generation of leaders.
>> I I I certainly hear that in the in the moment at hand. I think forward-looking, you know, next year's budget cycle, the one after that, it would be much easier to articulate a story that says we have 25K in PD to get to our mission of this, to our goal of that, right? And I'm not sure we're there at the moment. Well, anything that as things have >> That's what's really hard with this budget cycle, right? Like it you look at the budget, we were having a really hard time trying to tie anything to you know, the portrait of a graduate, you know, we couldn't you you we struggled in finance with it. So I think, you know, moving forward that we really have to try and tie these pieces together. Um you know, being a parent of an identified student, I mean, there's PD that we absolutely have to have in order for the schools to get compliant, you know?
Yeah. Oh, sorry, did you want to say something? You want me to go first? >> was just going to add it you're probably going to say that came up during our committee meeting and it was a suggestion from Mary Jo that we thought was appropriate just to, you know, lead by example of um having a badge with us when we're at um during school hours when we're at events and things like that. Yeah, and so, right, um you know, part of that is that, you know, a visible badge is, as a lot of us have here, Dr. Kilgatti is always repping the badge. Um and then, right, for our visitors that are in the building, um that may not be a staff member or may not have their badge, you know, just making sure that that that visitor sticker is well represented, so we know who are in our buildings um and we can ensure the safety and security of staff and students.
And I'm proud to be part of that team. Um so I really support uh the referendum uh from a certified standpoint and from a classified standpoint. Um and I uh would support it in the future as well. Uh so that the drivers would be you know would help to compensate them for the uh really awesome dedicated professionalism that they exhibit 360 times a day a year. That's 180 days times two routes. So with that thank you very much for your time. >> So much thank you. So, as has been provided through data and stories this evening, as our investment in our teachers and our classified staff increases through that operating referendum, so too do our student achievement outcomes. And of course, we were proud to boast about a 94% teacher retention rate and that was presented to you in July of 2025. You will receive another update in July of 2026 and that is on track to be strong as well.
It is looks like a really good group and so thank you for your continued work on behalf of our district superintendent Smith. Well said board. Thank you for that. To go along with that good luck to our students taking Ilearn this week. Thank you to our staff. I'm being a mom go to bed early get you know, make sure you're there. But no, I I know it's a big week and it's a big push to the end of the year. So thank you to everyone involved. Couple housekeeping things that's a reminder to myself as well as other fellow parents in the district. The online RSVP is active now. So if you plan to return to Lawrence which we hope you do go ahead and fill that out and then also early voting is going on as a point of clarification. It is not at the old LECC right now Craig middle school.
So, um >> So, there are those matters as well. So, we have both compliance matters and >> Of course. >> I mean, I I know uh I didn't lay out a perfect uh trajectory of professional learning to go along with it, but we know that we need a systems analysis of our MTSS system. >> Yes. >> We need that. And then we need to uh reframe it to be aligned and coherent and the professional learning that goes along with that. That generally requires some consultation from outside folks to come in and support that. That requires money that we are now taking away. So, me just articulating that, which I think I tried to do at finance meeting, you know, every time I had the opportunity to talk, >> Mhm. >> I did share that. And that's why I needed the 4.525, right? However, we didn't get that and that that is okay.
Um another, you know, added change that we wanted to make sure that we highlight, and this is definitely going to be more to come, is um we added some language, and this was in collaboration with our technology team, um around that implementation of a district-wide AI plan. Um there's a lot of conversations and policy and legislation that are happening right now, so that is definitely going to be um a full-force team that is really going to be engaging in the work with a variety of stakeholders across the district, um but we wanted to make sure that we had something captured cuz we know that that work is ever-changing and it's going to is and it's going to be fast and furious. So, as we think what we need to be prepared when we return in August for students, we wanted to make sure that there was initial language in there to to highlight that.
Again, our overarching goals for the operating referendum include great teachers and classified staff, safe schools, and strong student outcomes. I don't know how you could not be just so proud of every single one of our students and staff members here tonight. I thank you so much for giving your evening to us.
>> would you chime in on that and board understand that is not by our choice. The early voting center has moved. Yeah, as you might have gathered with the We find out a lot of things later and they asked us they they gave us a heads up that they might move the site to the library on 56th Street and we said we really do like hosting that and we think our patrons do. They're they're familiar with the site. They know to come back but they made that choice and that's out of our control. So. And that's done by the Marion County election board. Now is there a possibility they could switch it back in November Dr. Nesmith, have you heard anything? Yeah, they they might switch it back in late October based on the current track record here. So yeah, it's certainly possible. I think they're going to have some hiccups with parking and we have a nice new parking lot new facility there at Craig.
We will do what we can for next school year and again, either try to find it somewhere else or or do what we can until we can maybe articulate it better and maybe the story will be told in a way that is more acceptable and that's great as well. Um but that is what we would be doing. That story probably won't change too much even after we strategically plan. >> Mhm. So, I guess my question is then, since you clarified that a little bit more, so, are we taking away PD that can potentially help our MTSS model and our systems and structures because that's really a critical piece of our puzzle right now and what we need to improve and build upon and strengthen? Because if that's the case, um then I wouldn't support cutting that because that is student facing, right? That's impact directly to the students in an area where we have to strengthen.
Um, staff and student communication protocol. This was a uh welcome and added change in partnership with HR. Um, there was some expanded information around health screening information. That was a a section that was lacking in the previous um versions of this document that we find ourselves and our families asking questions about, especially on the onset of the new school year, you know, when we look at some of those requirements. Some clarity around enrollment information. This is a This is another one. Um, that section was always titled enrollment and attendance, but historically it only captured attendance information. So, making sure that it was true to that title, um, we know that enrollment, um, right, relies heavily on our parents, our guardians, and and our community members, but also knowing that that end user, that student, um, does have some some implication there, um, in terms of, you know, what that looks like for them returning, um, whether as a new student or a returning student.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have and I might call on specific people to come up and answer them for me. >> Can I say I thought we were stingy with applause. Those were fantastic presentations. Can we give a round of applause? >> Thank you, Miss Wingen. Yes, it was a wonderful series of presentations. Questions for Dr. Stalbomb or any of the presenters?
So we're hoping they'll move it back. Okay. Well, we have the building ready for them should they change their mind. Yeah, I just wanted to bring that up. It's the early voting is at the Fort Ben library. The hours this week are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I'm saying that to encourage our residents to get out and vote especially our fellow parents. It's a big primary going on and also May 2nd and 3rd the early voting is available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you need time accessibility to due to work schedules. So thank you again and if that's it, I will turn it to Dr. Smith. >> My comments will be short. Board pay close attention to your calendars. It is the end of year and it is time to celebrate. This weekend we will be at Lawrence Central High School for our distinguished graduation program.
>> Right. >> Um >> So, yes and maybe. And and I'm I'm not trying to be like >> Yeah, no, I know. >> You know, I'm vague. >> But I agree that we need to really look at this. >> So, I think I think um we are also looking at is there a way to supplement through title funding, uh grant, right? Professional cuz a a specific amount like has to go toward professional learning there. So, that is is one area that we can. Some things that are more compliance based, we might be able to use from some IDEA funding and grant that goes along with that. So, we are looking at that very carefully. Um and for the time being, we might just be in the process of analyzing and reframing some systems and structures and just working from within and and capitalizing on the people that we have in-house, like we talked about, to be able to do some of that work.
There was some refined language around attendance supports and procedures. I'm going to specifically highlight including information around student demonstrations and walkouts. Again, I think this is a really powerful example of how we listen to our community, we listen to our students and our staff, and we try to really look at the year, um, you know, in its in its entirety and understand what has happened, what's going on that we can make sure is reflected in the years to come. Updated definitions for bullying and cyberbullying. This is, you know, so that we're aligned, um, in compliance. And then another big section that you'll see a lot of uh proposed changes to is really just the um alignment and the structure and the formatting around, um, student conduct. This has been a work of a work of labor and love with our building administrators and really making sure that this this section is is comprehensive, is aligned to policy, matches what the Illinois State Board of Education is saying, and matches what we are entering in terms of our student information systems.