Do you feel giant bronny or intimidating? I know I don't relate to the giant part seeing a strong side of me in one. But really, we aren't no just kids who settle and learn more about ourselves as the years pass. For four whole years or less, depending on your experience, we've been surrounded by the same familiar faces, the same oddly handed tile floors and the same school lunches on the moon and the same classroom windows when we wave to our friends from the other side as the class. It all became so natural, something that was so typical that we didn't even consider the last time we would experience that. Yes, this is a sentimental moment for most, but it also is an accomplishment. It's something to be proud of. I'm sorry to remind you, but this isn't even the end of it, just the end of the chapter.
Dr. Thomas. >> Sure. So what we there were a couple things we talked about. One was this the thing that was added here was for the ability for the public at a meeting to be able to suggest future topics um at the meeting which would then have to be voted on and approved by the entire board unanimously. And in discussing this, one of the issues was that when you make a suggestion for something to be added to an agenda, it ha it can't be added to that night's agenda at a board meeting. It has to be a future agenda because it wouldn't have been posted 48 hours ahead. So the policy also says we can't be in violation of u the open meetings act. So we added a little bit of language here um to it and it is highlighted on your page. So this would be um district residents may suggest inclusions for the agenda during public comment.
>> And And I know it's not always the same, but I know we've expanded our counselors at the middle school as well. And I know this is probably a question for Mr. Brimberry because he was the one to do that. But I'm from your perspective. Has that helped in the middle schools? >> Huge. That has been a really, really huge help. And it was like we knew it would be a help because we knew, you know, things were in a place where we felt like we were always just putting out fires. but seeing it in action and not only just um has it helped our students, but I think our staff like to be like that our counselors are coming to school every day knowing that they're not like scared that something's going to happen and they're not going to be able to address that.
answer this, ask this, say this, partner with this person, turn and talk all the time they're they're engaging their students in that way. Um, and so that kind of opportunity and environment is our goal. Um, and so when we're looking at opportunities to respond, it's just one data point, but it gives us a chance to see how much of the lift is on the students and how much is on the teachers. Um and then up there it said that there was on [snorts] one of the slides about the breakdown questions you improved on two of them. How many questions are there al together? >> Four. >> Okay. 50%. >> Yeah. >> And one of them stayed consistent and one of them did go down a little bit. So we are looking a little bit closer into that but um one of them stayed even and then the two were increased.
Middle school is an extremely tough time for many if not all individuals. It's a fragment of our life when pieces start thinking together and people begin to grow more independent and learn more about themselves. Differences are definitely sparking. People acknowledge what sets them apart from others and recognize how and where they feel best. Over time, people grow in separate ways or simply discover new factors about their internal. Although we are all different, there is one thing that we all have in common. Change. And no, I'm not talking about the change that you carry in your back pocket. I'm talking about an experience or a moment that has altered the person that you are. It's almost guaranteed that in some way you have changed since you maybe it's as simple as having your favorite color or getting prescribed glasses. If you did, hopefully you'd actually wear them unlikely because maybe more than 10 times.
So letting people know when that would happen. That would be during the public comment at the beginning and then those discussion items would be uh suggested by district residents may be added to a future agenda. So they could not be discussed that night. It would have to be at a next month's uh meeting agenda. Um, with that said, I will say there are a lot of opportunities during public comment, during committee of the whole or during uh a board meeting for the public to comment. Um, and the addition of having uh residents be able to suggest topics was just something done as part of a 5-year review, not required by law, just so everybody is aware. kind of part two of this is um this is recommend recommended language that isn't impressed that we would recommend just to make it a little bit more clear.
So multiplying, you know, yourself, so having one person go to two and really we did have one and a half previously. So, but really having a stable person that's there that the students are getting to know um has been so beneficial. So, it was definitely the right move 110% um to bring that to the middle schools. >> I've got questions and you're perfect time. I love I enjoy conversations with you uh every time I get the chance to talk to you. Um so, one kids, you don't have to stand up there. This is me having a conversation with her. So, I appreciate you, but you can go sit down. You don't have to stand up there anymore. Um and thank you again for coming. But as we have ended the school year, if you had unlimited funds and everything else out, we we we have a lot of counselors at the high school.
>> Can you go back? Yeah. um on one of the slides the um this one here. >> Yeah. So the first through 20th so that means the students and so the red means that they are first and 20th percentile. So like they're in the high end. Is that is that what >> Reverse. So they're low end. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. And so then the 80th means >> Yeah. We're shooting for greens and blues. Um and so when we get in the bottom two, if we get closer to that blue, the gap that we have for students to show growth, growth is a little bit more challenging because the skills are more advanced. Um they've already mastered a lot of the skills that are at grade level at that proficiency level. So that's why it's sometimes harder for them to show growth. Um and then um there was one for the the next slide, >> the action steps or the five essentials.
No matter what it was, we all changed. We all have something that united the blindness together. Maybe you experienced a good change and maybe there was a fort change at some point in your life. Despite what that change was or is, that change led to the person you are standing here today and you should be proud of that. There have been so many learning points for me and I know so many others throughout and throughout life. And that change that comes with each lesson and each hardship, each experience, it's consistent. It never stops. And I ask, as you continue to grow and shape yourself as life goes on, like you have these past four years, keep this in mind. Be yourself. Everyone else is already quoted by Oscar. No matter what life throws in you, never let the change that you encounter turn you into somebody you're not.
But also something the board will have to uh talk about um now or in the future would be exactly how does this happen logistically because uh we have to consider um when will the board actually vote on this topic that's suggested? Would it be right then at that meeting and when would that be a a roll call vote versus a voice vote? Where on the next agenda would it be? I would suggest section 9 as a discussion topic. Uh but those are some things that the board might want to consider about where those go. So for the policy itself, we would recommend that that little bit of change in language for clarity and then there would have to just be some discussion either now or in the near future if we're adding that to policy on just logistically how that'll work.
We have a lot of them at middle school, but we only have one at the elementaryaries. Is that enough? What are your thoughts knowing take finances out of it? But you know what? Where is that an area we're lacking? Is that the next area that I'm going to hear Mr. Brimberry coming to talk to me? >> [snorts] >> So, and I would want to say ask the counselors because I would want them to, you know, definitely speak for themselves. But when I look at kind of the vision for mental health, it's important to understand that the elementary, middle school, and high school counselors all have completely different jobs. So, you see school counselor attached to what they do, but they're three totally different jobs. So, our elementary counselors are able to see kids one-on-one, but they also do a lot of classroom pushin and a lot of wellness [snorts] and social emotional teaching within the schools.
>> This one here. >> Yeah. >> Uh so this one it says the ratings for the black, Hispanic, and Asians. Did the population stay the same? >> Like so if I you know if they >> there was let's say there I don't even know 20 black students >> last year. Yes. >> Are there 20 black students this year? Do you understand? >> Exa? Yes. Exact numbers? No. Very, very close. Yes. Our percentages are about the same in both of the groups. >> Just one thing on that. But these eight points, 13 points, 12 points, that's percentage points that went up, right? So, >> yeah. >> Takes into account >> population changes because it's a percentage. Okay. >> Yep. And then for the SE for the um the next slide, is it the uh this one? >> Yes. So the look at curriculum surrounding. So do we have curriculum for I thought when I started on the board we had it.
Being yourself become a valuable part of you. You were born as an original. Don't pursue life as a copy. True. True fulfillment comes from your heart, not validation by others. As I wrap up today, I want you all to remember that this is an achievement. We all deserve to reward ourselves with credit for making it through a strong day. I want you all to cherish the memories we've made during the long four years. The joy we experience in this The joy we experience in our memories is something that cannot be replaced and it's something you should all carry with you as an adventure. The iconic Tony Stark once said, "No amount of money ever bought a second time." This reminds us how memories and recollections are priceless. They can never be replaced or traded for anything. The moments we had in middle school can never be taken back and they can never be remade.
Any questions? May I have a motion to approve policy two semicolon 220 board of education meeting procedure as presented? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Discussion. Roll call. >> Bridget Sandlin, >> yes. >> Mindy Hartman, >> yes. >> Jason Jansik, >> yes. >> Stacy Salt, >> yes. >> Darling, >> yes. >> Julie Jetty, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Okay. Now, um 11.5 is the um 2026-2027 administrative and educational support staff annual raises and increase recommendation. Um so we we did meet in close session to go over this and um I guess Mr. Shepard, would you explain it? >> Yes. So, board policy 3 col 50 states that the board of education will consider the superintendent or administration's recommendation when setting compensation for administrators and other non-UN employee groups. District's goal for all employee groups is to provide an affordable, fair compensation package that remains within the financial limits of our budget uh but also helps us remain competitive uh attracting a strong workforce.
And from my perspective, it feels like we are doing well. Um, middle school doing great. Again, they have a different they're doing a lot of one-on-one, a lot of one-on-one meetings and then scheduling. And then at the high school with especially with the new graduation pathways, they're completely focused on their students and making sure their students are academically successful. And then they'll do crisis management and they'll see some for mental health. But if if someone's asking me this question and you want to know the answer, um so I'm really looking at um we're replacing our social worker and so bringing that social work position in and if I ever was able to have unlimited funds, I would say more social workers for the school system. Um so counselors are amazing and they each have their jobs, but social workers are magic people and they are able to do so many different things.
So is this curriculum not working? >> We have some. We're in a process actually. So we'll talk a little bit about this but the student services committee has been spending a lot of time doing like a gap analysis and an alignment analysis because the state is coming out with new SEAL standards which they haven't updated in 20 years. We have our portrait of the grad of a grad. And then uh we have castle which is like a a nationally known organization. We want to make sure that a curriculum that we're going to move towards in the future aligns with all three of those pieces. So they spent some time um studying that and looking for gaps with what we currently do and where we want to go with curriculum in the future. So teachers do have something. Uh it's not a researchbased best practice curriculum.
But most importantly, they can never be forgotten. I would like to thank I would like to take one last moment to thank all of the parents, guardians, families, friends, and teachers. Without you, we probably couldn't have made it. You pushed us and supported us through some of the most challenging parts of our lives. And for that, I and everybody else, thank you for making this possible. And to all the eighth grade graduates, remember, don't cry because it's over. Smile and happy. Thank you. And congratulations. Thank you, Danielle. I would now like to welcome Francesca Backl to the stage to address the class. Good evening, friends, teachers, principles, faculty, and my fellow graduates. Before I begin, I want to take a moment to say, our teachers, Miss I love talking with you and you are outanding. When I first met you, I was a little intimidated, but you became one of the most funniest and most memorable teachers I've had.
And as the board will know, that is part of our strategic uh plan. Um it was one of our goals. Uh so our recommendation for our administrative team and non-union groups, this would include principles, assistant principles, district coordinators, uh the accounting payroll manager, district maintenance technician, um the district executive administrative assistants or our central office staff, uh communications and fiscal specialist, occupational therapists, physical therapists and transportation staff, uh and technology staff that uh they receive a base salary increase of 4% for the 2026 2627 school year. This is slightly higher than the measure of CPI used. However, in light of uh some federal funding that is returning to the district for 2627, we feel that this would be an appropriate increase uh for these groups. Total cost to the district uh year-to-year cost uh of this compensation package would be $92,348 and that has been factored into the FY27 budget.
And if you have licensed social workers, they're also be able to provide therapy. So, they're able to do one-on-one therapy as well. So, if I'm looking at a vision for the future, I'm also always wanting more social workers within the district. >> And this is why I enjoy talking to you because I would not have went that way, but I appreciate that. And every time you come to talk to us, I always learn something. So, thank you. >> Well, Meg, thank you uh for what you do. Thank you for how you do it. And um thank to our four students who showed up tonight. Uh uh the peer counseling listeners as you said uh it's invaluable part of the school culture that we're going to be working on. Meg. So appreciate all you're doing. And I'm also going to say thanks for being here. I know you might have somebody running in a regional uh right up the road about 40 minutes.
It serves a need right now, but we're on that path to do that. >> You said like tomorrow there's what a meeting or something about. >> You're revamping your current >> Yeah. Our teachers are meeting. We have a collection of teachers that are meeting to sit and talk through what our bulldog block looks like. So that's our intervention enrichment um time that we have that also includes SEAL. and they're talking about the format of that time um and how they're going to best utilize that time to hit SEAL needs um any of our curriculum needs some reteing or enrichment needs and the teachers are going to kind of build that structure. Teachers have a lot of autonomy in those periods to help kids how they need it. Um so they might be completing a science lab or they might be retaking a math test or they might be getting a new lesson that they missed while they were absent.