I found out from one of my players today. Excuse me. I has the I as the head coach was not notified that my program was even up for debate. I'm committed to my program tonight. I called out of work to make sure that I was here today. Um, I want to set a good example for my girls. So, I am here. Um, this season I had a baby and I was back on the field coaching less than a week after giving birth. 5 days postpartum, I was coaching my girls back on the field. Sorry, I lost my squat. Um, the girls deserve a committed coach. We have spent the last few years rebuilding our program. cutting the girls soccer team would be teaching these girls that it is okay to just give up and their their dedication has not mattered. I understand the difficult sorry I understand that difficult financial and administrative decisions sometimes must be made but I respectfully ask the board to consider alternative solutions before eliminating a program that positively affects so many students and families.
Um so if we could get there um over you know a course or path the the board would support um we can work with that. So then my followup question to that is how do we know if we do stagger it and we get to that point that when we're at that point we don't need to now raise it again and keep the stagger going and then keep that deficiency >> going in m we don't have >> but if we in theory if we need to um if the costs increase by 3 to 5% every single year a three to 5% increase is is much smaller than what we're proposing because we haven't increased we've increased 7% in eight years um with you know 3 to 5% annual growth in that same time period. So in in uh over this staggered approach and and every year that we kind of move away from co we'll have clearer and clearer data.
But uh but I know it's going to be great. So, congratulations and uh and thank you. Also like to give a shout out and a thank you to Connie Huntington. Connie oversees our backpack program. It's a program we do at the clearing house. Um a lot of volunteers meet down here every Thursday and make sure that the sacks are full and and some kids in need have their have their backpacks filled with with food to get them through the weekend. So, a lot of hard work and I'd like to recognize Miss Huntington for for all the wonderful job she does down there. And Dr. Brown you continue to amaze us. We we appreciate you and uh and thank you for all your hard work and dedication. We certainly wouldn't be where we are today without your leadership. So, >> thank you. >> Thanks, John. Jody, >> well, there's not much left to say.
And I look forward to hearing more about what kind of curriculum we have and what kind of blind spots can be fixed. But first, we have to dig in and find out these basic starting points. member Goodwin. >> I guess as a citizen, I was disturbed by some comments about our our staff because I know that it is very hard to hire people and we have worked hard to um the school district has worked incredibly hard to recruit people to our district. And there are charts if you want information about the diversity of staff on the Department of Education website and that is reported. Um and so some statements were were not accurate about um the staff in our buildings and I think that disturbed me because it sort of misrepresented who who our staff was and I guess I just took some if you have questions about that I mean and you don't have time to come here those are actual required state reports that are public information on a website.
So that that disturbed me as a citizen that um somebody perceived our schools um staff as as one race. Um that was disturbing. So I think I would wish that um if they had questions they would contact the superintendent or the school committee um to get accurate information. >> Thank you. Um, all right. I appreciate uh members um acknowledging this with me and thinking about how we proceed. Um, I know that everyone on this committee is committed to the well-being and success of our entire community. Um, so we're gonna we're going to do what we can do. Uh, all right. Thank you. Moving on to our budget and finance subcommittee. >> Okay. You've got the report in front. Um it was the meeting that was mostly warrants. Um aside from the clearing up clarifications, the big question of our meeting on May 5th had to do with contracts and bids.
>> Unfortunately, your two minutes is up. >> Thank you for your time and consideration. Develin Rice. Good evening, members of the school board, administrators, coaches, parents, most importantly, student athletes. My name is Devon Rice, proud father of three daughters that played and currently play at Combmes High School. I'm here today to speak against pro uh the proposal to eliminate the girls high school soccer team. For many people, soccer may look like just another sport, but for the girls who played, it's much more than a sport. Soccer teaches discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, confidence. gives these students a reason to stay engaged in school, maintain good grades, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Taking away girls soccer would just not remove a sport. It would remove those opportunities. For some students, soccer field is a place where they feel accepted, supported, and motivated. It's where their friendships are built, where leadership skills are developed, and where young women learn how to handle pressure, setbacks, and success.
I don't think it would be a mystery on on what the future changes would need to be. And out of the 40% that either do not qualified or applied, it might encourage those that have not applied because we don't know >> who has it to apply, >> right? >> Given the fact that they know that next year it's going to be a small cost, but the year after that it's going to go up. >> So, I better apply, >> right? >> Um, and then it wouldn't cost them anything, >> right? >> So, it might be a little motivation motivation motivation yes >> madam madam madam chair um I do want to state that I I'm in agreement with your u comments I'm also concerned with again just placing this on the parents and the families um at at the proposed rate right off the bat um I too am concerned in regards to you know most of our families have more than one student and they have them at different um levels whether you know they're they're infants, newborns, toddlers, um elementary, middle school, high school, whatever.
Um again, just congratulations to all the successes today. Um from, you know, student successes, um academic, Dr. Brown, um you know, all of it. It's just it's it's great. It's um love to see all that stuff that's going on um for our students and our staff. Um thanks to Deputy again. It's always so fun to see the different um like John said, the different ways they're doing things with their curriculum and stuff and just making um you know, school fun for those kids um because I think that that helps a lot with like they said, attendance and just being engaged. Um just want to kind of say a shout out to Lydia um today. Lydia Milton, they got their new playground or they they finished the playground. Um haven't gotten to see it um live yet, but saw the pictures and the excitement on the faces of um some of our staff and especially the kids.
Um you can access that. So that that disturbed me as a citizen that um somebody perceived our schools um staff as as one race. Um that was disturbing. So I think I would wish that um if they had questions they would contact the superintendent or the school committee um to get accurate information. Thank you. Um, all right. I appreciate uh members uh acknowledging this with me and thinking about how we proceed. Um, I know that everyone on this committee is committed to the well-being and success of our entire community. Um, so we're gonna we're going to do what we can do. Uh, all right. Thank you. Moving on to our budget and finance subcommittee. child. >> Okay, you've got the report in front. Um, it was the meeting that was mostly warrants. Um, aside from the clearing up clarifications, the big question of our meeting on May 5th had to do with contracts and bids.
Both the landscaping contract, which you've been hearing about, and the HVAC. So part of it was, "Wow, we have sticker shock. Why is it expensive? Here are the answers for why it's expensive." And then the other part of the discussion was about the bidding process. Um because uh those of us on the subcommittee, we really wanted to know like because sometimes the bids will go through our business office, sometimes they'll go through city procurement, but there weren't like hard and fast lines for this is where it is this way, this is where it is another way. So that is some information that our subcommittee is seeking. And of of course you've heard about the landscaping in the previous uh contract. the information I have, and correct me if I'm wrong because I am capable of being wrong, um, was that both uh, the HVAC and landscaping contracts, because the HVAC was a big discussion, are on extension and due to go out to bid and, uh, the administration will be looking into and reporting back to us about if this bidding will be handled by the district business office or through city procurement.
These lessons last far beyond high school school and high school sports. Girls athletic uh athletics also matter because representation matters. When schools invest in girls sports, they send a message that female athletes are just as valuable. deserving and as important as anyone else. There's also academic and personal benefits connected to school sports. Student athletes are often more likely to stay involved in school activities, maintain eligibility through grades, build habits that help them succeed later in life. For some players, soccer may even open doors to scholarships and college opportunities. I too understand the financial and administrative decisions sometimes have to be made, but removing these opportunities for students should be the last option, not the first. Thank you. We have um Diane Stewart Inklinkhart. Good evening. My name is Diane Stewart Inglehart. am a proud educator with 25 years in public schools and a clinical social worker with 31 years of experience.
I I'm also concerned with that. And um I I understand and I agree that the the cost of living and you know, groceries, gas, everything is just going up. It's not going to go down. And um I do want to make it affordable for for the families. And I do appreciate the fact that no student will be turned away or that they will go hungry. Thank you for for that and um I agree this will be a motivating factor for families who haven't applied or take advantage of the pro u the program. Hopefully they will. But um for the for the record, I I I would like to see a a staggered um in in the pricing or in the in the costs. And hopefully the the parents or the families can can budget accordingly rather than be hit with one because I'd hate for them to have to think, you know, well, what do I got to pay, you know, this or that.
Um so that was really exciting. Um and then Anderson will start working on that this summer. So um that's, you know, amazing. Um big thank you to Bethany again for helping us um you know, be able to do that for the the elementary schools. Um you know, fun stuff. Um, and Savannah, thank you for all you've done for us this um, school year. We've really appreciated um, all the information that you brought and made things um, you know, informative for us. So, thanks and good luck. >> Thank you, Jordan. Dustin, >> I think opposite what Mike said, the farther I slide this way, the less I have to say because everybody just by the time it gets to us, it's just like kick it to Dr. Brown. But, uh, I mean, I just think what we see tonight and kind of to echo what you guys said, it just continues to show how strong our school corporation is.
Both the landscaping contract, which you've been hearing about, and the HVAC. So, part of it was, "Wow, we have sticker shock. Why is it expensive? Here are the answers for why it's expensive." And then the other part of the discussion was about the bidding process. Um because uh those of us on the subcommittee, we really wanted to know like because sometimes the bids will go through our business office, sometimes they'll go through city procurement, but there weren't like hard and fast lines for this is where it is this way, this is where it is another way. So that is some information that our subcommittee is seeking. And of of course you've heard about the landscaping in the previous uh contract. the information I have, and correct me if I'm wrong because I am capable of being wrong, um, was that both uh, the HVAC and landscaping contracts, because the HVAC was a big discussion, are on extension and due to go out to bid and, uh, the administration will be looking into and reporting back to us about if this bidding will be handled by the district business office or through city procurement.
So, as of May 5th, we did not have the answer to that question yet. Um, something that we're very interested in is a standardized procedure both for when it will be done this way, when it will be done another way, and where we will find the bids afterwards. So far, the last thing that we heard at the meeting was that when the landscaping bid was done and it which was a few years ago prior to the extension that the city office did that, but that the person who used to be the procurement officer is no longer there and so we were just trying to find the information. That was the last I believe we heard. So, we're waiting for answers as well. Um, so yes, if you have more questions about the contracts, I could go into why the landscaping cost, why what it does, why HVAC does.
I am appalled, saddened, horrified by what has been shared with me by Holly and Maxelina. I have met with this family and will support them in understanding their special education rights and advocating for their daughter's educational and emotional safety needs. I am asking the Col school board to continue to ask hard questions of the administrative staff at Cols High School and to truly listen to students, parents, and community members so that no student ever experiences this kind of failure and empathy, safety, ethics, and legal responsibility. Again, on January 6, 2026, a student disclosed to a school social worker that a male student touched her private parts in a hallway at school and that she did not feel okay about what happened. At that moment, student safety should have become the number one priority and mandated reporting laws should have been followed immediately. Multiple district personnel became aware of this incident, including the social worker, assistant principal, principal, district leadership, and superintendent.
And u I think with the staggered that'll give them time to to budget, be prepared, and again opportunity to take advantage of of the program. Thank you. And although we we make sure that no student ever goes away hungry, there is a stigma to walking away with a cold lunch versus a hot lunch. Those kids feel that. And I don't want those kids to have to do that because they're resistant to that. So with that then um going back to the fiscally responsible part um everything that everyone is saying I agree with. On the flip side of that, the negative numbers, the numbers that we're seeing in red, going back to the M, are we then reooking at our budget to say, "Okay, now we're negative 320,000 from what we projected. What are we going to take away?" Like, how does that affect the already approved budget?
And, you know, for whatever a family would be looking for in the area, you know, we provide top-notch, whether that's like our academics with our dual credit program at IvyTech, I sit on that graduation this past weekend. you know, our fine arts that we honor tonight through band, theater, those things, sports, agriculture, uh, workforce development, any of those things. I think we just continue to show by the number of students and programs we honor at every board meeting just how great our school corporation is. So, congratulations to everybody tonight that we honored and kind of what Mike said, I'm excited to see the future keep growing for Madison Consolidated School Corporation. Um, Savannah, congratulations. Uh, I've watched Savannah grow up with my daughter, so it's even a little more special. And this week, uh, Savannah and Sophia, Devid and Colton have been over at the Boys Club volunteering, doing a theater workshop every day.
So, as of May 5th, we did not have the answer to that question yet. Um, something that we're very interested in is a standardized procedure both for when it will be done this way, when it will be done another way, and where we will find the bids afterwards. So far, the last thing that we heard at the meeting was that when the landscaping bid was done and it which was a few years ago prior to the extension that the city office did that, but that the person who used to be the procurement officer is no longer there and so we were just trying to find the information. That was the last I believe we heard. So, we're waiting for answers as well. Um, so yes, if you have more questions about the contracts, I could go into why the landscaping cost, why what it does, why HVAC does.
Um, but there was one other item brought up uh loose end from a previous discussion. Um, the uh subcommittee would like to ask the full committee to charge us with creating a transportation replacement schedule. And aside from that, our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18th at 11:30, uh, remote and in person, and it will be a budget update meeting. I actually have a question about that. And so, um, since I have been here, just one time did we work together with the business manager that was on a capital project or maybe twice. Um, so in general, I guess maybe for the superintendent. Um, if you're doing procurement of something, doesn't that happen under the school? Or maybe that's for Andy. We I know that we worked together um on the energy recovery units, but your general practice for ju just so we can say it out loud for like if you're hiring somebody for or you know I guess purchasing cars maybe that's off the bid list but what have we done in the past?