001Mr. Whiteman is excused tonight. He had a little fall. >> Jerry will be rolling in after >> bad weather. >> Bad blood. Yeah. >> Here he is. Right. >> Pledge allegiance. I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. right here. >> Mr. Weidman is excused. Um, and Mr. Warick is also I know he's mourning the loss of the Chicago Bears to Indiana. >> No, I'm not. Not all in favor of it. >> We do not have any community here to come in tonight. So, I'll look for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So, move. >> Second. Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Motion carries.
002Um we have administrative reports in our packet. So if you had questions on them or the athletic director gifted and talented reports um you could have posed them at that to them. Um superintendent. >> I have nothing other than items that are already on the agenda. >> Okay. Um we will not have our Daniel our student member tonight. I do not have anything. >> Um policy committee has presented us with policies. >> We've been busy. >> So nothing to report other than those policies. Right. >> Right. Yeah. This is what we've been working on with our new representative. >> Yeah. Um, did you have anything kind of that we need to hear about on the legislative area? >> Oh, lots going on there. Um, I'm sure everyone has heard that there's been a lawsuit filed
003now. Um, I just got something today from Dan Los Miller and uh, a lawsuit was filed by a group of public education stakeholders in Oaklair County Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of Wisconsin school funding system and alleging that the state has failed to adequately fund public schools. This is a lawsuit that has been discussed for some time but not revealed. The case, the Wisconsin PTA at all versus Wisconsin State Assembly at all is being brought on behalf of five school districts, Adams Friendship, Bloit, Oclair, Green Bay, and NDA. Joining them as plaintiffs are teachers unions in Bo, Oaklair, Green Bay, and MA as well as Wisconsin PTA and Wisconsin Public Education Network and eight individual parents, students, and teachers. The plaintiffs are being represented by attorneys from Law Forward. They are assisted by attorneys from
004Vietk. The defendants include the Wisconsin State Assembly, State Senate, legislative leadership, including the Assembly Speaker, Senate President, and Senate Majority Leader, the Joint Finance Committee, and each member of the Joint Finance Committee. These defendants are expected to be served with copies of the summons and complaint today and tomorrow. Um, and it goes on, there's a lot of detail. Uh, you can see the whole thing online. It's over 100 pages, but um we don't need to go into that. It is expected that the case will have a long timeline. The defendants have 45 days to respond to the lawsuit. A case such as this, which is complex, may take as long as a year and a half before it is decided and a ruling is issued. The plaintiffs have expressed hope that a ruling might be
005issued in time to affect state budget deliberations that will begin in the spring of 2027. So a whole lot more to come on that and >> that's going to be more than a year. That's >> pardon me. >> That's going to be more than a year that case years. >> Yeah. not just I hope it's done before I die >> and there'll be a lot of going out information on that and there's just been a lot in the media lately. I gave Randy an article from the press for that about uh the funding issues and uh the need for so many districts to have to go to referendum. The legislature is winding down on the state level. 21 bills have been sent to the governor. How many he will sign or veto, we don't know
006at this time. And the um today there was just information that the Senate Education Committee schedules public hearings on several bills that passed the assembly. If those are approved, they may go to the governor as well. Uh but time is running short and uh we'll see where all that goes. There's a lot there but probably not a lot that will actually become law. The governor in his speech is to that the state of the state he was very supportive of kids and of education. So, uh, we'll see if there might be a special session that would deal with funding, particularly um, for the special education. As I mentioned in my update, hats off to the Wisconsin High School District for all the work that they did to uh get people around the state concerned about
007funding for special education because it isn't turning out to be what the legislature said they would be providing. And there was a lot of discussion at the WASB convention regarding that special education funding and there was even an emergency resolution passed. The years I've been going to the delegate assembly, we've not had emergency resolutions, but we did have that one this year. So, I did give you an update as to what resolutions were passed and which ones failed. And I I think my view is that we came out doing pretty well on all of that. And then I just wanted to mention if anyone is interested that uh Michigan is holding a sextorion awareness community event on March 18 and I have all the details here if you're interested. Michigan has dealt with a very
008challenging situation in this area and u they felt the need to bring in u a presentation to address that and everything I read and hear and see about this topic is very disturbing so it's something that we all need to be aware of with our kids and then the uh global advisory education committee that I serve on is providing an opportunity for teachers to teach in China for two weeks and they get paid a salary and all their expenses are paid. So, it's a fantastic deal for any teacher who is interested in doing that. Um, it's a steam program for grades 5 through nine and these are partner schools that are with our glo advisory council. So great opportunity there for some of our teachers. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um before we move on,
009I neglected to read at the beginning of the meeting that of the school board would convene to executive session tonight to consider the employment promotion compensation or performance evaluation data over any public employee for which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. That will be at the end of our meeting. Obviously, we'll move to the old business then and we have a second reading and first reading of these policies last month. So, we um looking to move them ahead for approval unless somebody has further questions or discussion. >> Okay. Section six. >> Okay. I just when I read 3136 personal communication devices, it doesn't make any sense because it starts off saying students are not allowed to have cell phones and then it goes on the whole list of exceptions. Well, you have that
010the teacher tell you. So, what criteria the teacher given to allow these cell phones? So currently in the district um we have a cell phone van for our high school students from the start of the school day to the end of the school day. But let's say if a student um in a situation where they need to use the device more as a computer to be able to look up information or maybe they're doing um an activity where they're videoing or um basic really looking at instructional opportunities to use the phone. But um currently we don't do that. We our handbook, our students don't need to do that, but that gives us the flexibility if they would ever need to. >> Yeah. They can't have them in their toy by making I mean the the
011data is out there so much now from all all different corrections that cell phones and kids under 16, it it's really bad. Okay. And to me, having any type of exception allows the elephant to put the nose under the under the tent. And because we've been hear we've heard here before that there are still teachers who will allow the students to use. Is that true? >> But it doesn't say they can do that. >> We do our best, Jerry. >> I mean, if we know it, then why do we away? Don't we I mean to me cell phones are such a huge issue in this time period a negative issue with students ability to learn it prevents them from learning gets them into bad habits and if we allow it not to even mention physiological
012things of how it affects the the development of the brain and that's I let the doctor talked about that but just we can just see it in our every day life. How horrible these things, you know, we had no idea when it started. Like many things would happen in the world, it comes out of the box and it goes running down the street before we ever have any idea what's going on. And so to even tolerate it and allowing a teacher to tolerate, I mean, I think if we find out if we we I'm certain you can find you know who the teachers are. I think they should be reprimanded. they they don't have the ability to to uh take forward policy and say, "Well, I'm going to make an exception in my classroom." There's
013no redeemed reason why any student should be able to use a cell phone class. >> Well, they shouldn't need to use their cell phone to look things up because don't they all have a a computer, a a Chromebook or whatever they have which gives them the ability to look things up. >> I guess if they need to video, the school should pro provide them with the video equipment. But I think I agree with you, but I think at this time going all the way and saying no cell phones on the premise at all is too a step too far for our parents. What a parent would say is good for my kid to have a cell phon. >> Parents want their students to be able to communicate >> with them. >> Oh, why don't we
014all survive for death? >> There wasn't school shootings 50 years ago. >> Yeah. And there's like death. So, how many we've had in Tor County? >> What is it good that Why is it good to call the parents say I'm being shot at? Jerry >> Jerry the phones aren't in the class and they're in >> they can't be >> I think well in my opinion I think teachers and the administrators that are like boots on the ground are the best ones to develop the policies >> this is the this is our policies they can't have them in class >> right >> and the teachers are making exceptions to that >> right I think >> and it doesn't say they can't >> I like people doing the work to tell us what they want to and
015how to best instruct children in the year 2025. >> So what happens to the majority of the teachers say they don't harm the class? >> I think they will bring their concerns to the principal who will then bring it to the superintendent who can then bring it to us as the board to discuss. But this doesn't seem to be a huge issue right now from the parents, the staff or >> it is nationally though, >> I realize, but not at this school. It doesn't seem to be a huge issue. At least at my house or in with the friends of my kids, they seem to do just fine. But we have to look out for the kids who don't have that parental control at home whose parents are not concerned about it and they're damaging
016themselves in our in our institution. >> I think this is an issue for if it was that big of a deal then the principles and the school administrator would have developed or recommended a change in the policy. >> I agree. We're not there every day on a daily basis. uh let's let let's let the people who work with us all the time deal with it. >> Okay. So I Okay, if you say that and I say then the policy should include when an teacher can make an exception to this policy. >> Are you going to be able to cover every exception? >> Well, we expect them to keep every other policy. What's so different about this policy? They can't have liquor in class. Right. >> Right. Well, what happens when my teacher thinks, "Well, you
017know, I had a good time when I was if you want to bring it up against the wall." >> Huh? >> It's against the law. >> It's probably a bad example. >> Bad example. >> But there's other examples of >> Okay. >> I think teachers should be able to I think teachers should be able to make an example if it is indeed for >> part of the class, >> an educational purpose, >> but we know that's not going on. It's if it's just downtime in the class and the teacher says, "I'll go get your phones." >> That's not >> I believe it was in my knowledge of what comes to my house is that if a kid would bring a phone into class, it would be taken away or there would they would be reprimanded
018and there would be action taken or punitive things. It's not like we have issue with that. If kids break that rule, they're disciplined. If there is something that is needed for that or instructed bring your phone to class and they do that otherwise it is left in their locker it is a way that in between class if something horrible is happening or something needs to happen or change or an alert it is away that's the world we live in so I think we don't have issue this gives some flexibility and if it turns into an issue like it is globally and we can address it. But for now, >> so what do you think the teacher should be? >> This is the big issue. >> I'm Jerry. I I can't answer that. >> We just
019we just told it happens. >> I don't know. >> I'm sorry. I just >> I when I talk to Mike and say what are instances that you are It's not a We have rules and arrows and we'll bring it to the table. That's we have >> I think if a teacher is teaching a tech ed class and they're learning how to use >> functions on the phone. >> Okay. I think the policy, the way that the policy committee brought the policy forward, if I may speak for the policy committee, is it sets the parameters and it what it allows us to do as an administrative team is to create the student handbook with those parameters for us to define when and if a a cell phone would be used in the classroom. I think it's
020something that our staff has done a phenomenal job, our administration has done a phenomenal job of really managing when devices are used and when they're not used. The legislation that just came out um just in this last session tightens it down a little bit more. We already are in compliance with that policy. We don't we don't need to make any adjustments. And when we talk about an example of when it happens, if a student's taking an online course and they're using their personal device for their online course, they need to do two two factor authentication. And to do that two-factor authentication, they need to pull out their phone to be able to do that. So there are times inside of the educational day that our students do need to use the phone. I strongly believe
021that our staff does not allow our students to scroll social media because I I also want to reiterate, it's not the phone, it's the social media and the consumption of the content that's causing the problem. And that's what's really really important for us as educators to distinguish and to help our students understand what is a good tool and what is a poor use of a tool. And And it's not the tool itself, but it's what we're doing on that tool. And that's where we need to spend more time in public education is educating our students on the negative impacts of social media and what has what that can cause and how we need to be able to distinguish that. So >> I would move. >> So we have approved the second reading of policies one
022through 23 as wisdom. >> Second. I don't have a point of discussion. My only suggestion was going to be if that we either take a motion for approval or if someone wanted to send that policy back to the committee for um additional work to make that motion to remove that policy and send it back to the policy committee for additional work. But we have a motion on the floor >> and a second. Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> No. >> One. Um, we'll move then to new business and discussion on the school nurse option. Thank you. So last month I notified the board that DCMC is no longer going to be offering that contracted services for the the nurse. The board asked me to do a little research around what
023are our options in being able to fill that. So inside of your board packet you had information. Um currently we have 63 care plans that are serving 54 students. Um when I looked at and I've spoken to two contracting services for a nurse, their um rate wage is about $90 an hour. Negotiable can probably get it down to 70, but when I talked to Gibralar, who is in the same situation that we are, they've actually hired their nurse for about $56 an hour. And so, uh, my recommendation based off of the information that I provided in the packet and doing a little bit of research, I would really like to see us try to post for a 0.5 position, have that be internally. I think it's going to be a little more cost effective than
024if I have to contract for services. It does put the burden of the hiring and the licensing and all of that on district responsibility. But hopefully what it would provide is the flexibility for the hours so that we're able to have the nurse during those critical times of over the lunch period making sure especially at the beginning of the year when we're doing all of our field trips that we have those medical plans for them. Um, so I'm seeking the board direction on do you want me to to follow up contractwise and see if I can get a better rate on our contracted services? And then with the contracted services, if we would choose to go that route, um, they would do the hiring and we would have the ability then to hire them internally
025after a year as long as we maintained that year that initial first contract. So, um, but again, I Tasha and I have discussed this. We'd really like to see if we can't hire a 0.5 locally. >> I would move to approve the posting for a half time school nurse position. I think that this gives the administration much more control over the situation and uh to work with what our needs are rather than having to work around a contracted agency and who knows if you're going to get the same person. And the kids don't develop that relationship that they need to have with nursing staff. >> I would only recommend the um the contracted stuff unless you can't hire you know then they can be helpful in recruiting and you know all that kind of stuff
026but ideally to you know hire internally with nursing obviously they'll there is the issue with the you know state nursing license um but I think that's kind of There was a motion. Did we have a second? >> Yes. >> Wait a second. There was a motion and second to um approve the posting of a halftime 45 nurse position. >> All in favor say I. >> Oppos. Motion carried. Then we have a school bid. So, in the 2627 budget in our long in our long range facility and transportation, um we had the purchase of a school bus to replace one of our older school buses. Um Dan went out and secured bids. We're able to actually purchase a 2026 G diesel bus for the 137617. This one has been on the lot and so he actually
027had ordered it for Sebastapool a year ago and then we transitioned to the van instead of the bus. So it's a brand new bus. It hasn't been used. It saves us about $5,000 if we go with that one rather than a brand new 2027. Um Dan and I have talked about it. We'd also looked at gas versus diesel, but the diesel is coming in cheaper than what the gas was. So, we recommend that we would move forward with that purchase of 137617. It's a um it's a Bluebird bus, right? Yeah, a Bluebird bus dies. So, and it's in the 2627 budget. >> I make a motion to approve the purchase. >> I'll second >> questions or discussion. My question is you may know this. Doesn't the diesel in this climate create more problems in the
028winter starting? That's why truckers keep their trucks going. >> We had issues last year. Somebody forgot to do something. >> We had issues this year. Didn't Dan say at a building grounds committee that we paid we were paying more for the diesel buses but within so many years they were all rusted out and I thought they were all they were rusted out and shot. So we paid a lot of money for the diesel. >> We probably are better off with a >> guess what >> a gas powered. >> So why are we doing this? agreement >> because the diesel is cheaper. So our recommendation Dan made a recommendation to buildings and grounds a couple months ago that if we could get a gas, he would recommend going gas. We need to keep the two diesels
029for our long trips. For example, our fifth grade um field trip that we take. The diesel is just more efficient and the diesel also has the storage compartments underneath it where the gas wouldn't. So yes um ultimately we can transition to the gas piece and then not with when we have the 20 below and we gel up and um causes, you know, safety concerns. But at the end of the day, diesel will run. We've got the electricity out on our parking lots. We can plug our buses in, maintain the filters, putting the additive in the fuel. Our diesels run just fine. Um and if gas would be cheaper, I'd be recommending the gas one to you today. But because the diesel was cheaper because it was sitting on the lot, we're getting a good deal
030on it. Um, the piece that I do want to note is that they're for their projecting costs at 150. So, our bus costs are going to continue to go up. So, we've adjusted our long range plan budget as we move forward because we have buses on the replacement cycle for the next couple of years to keep our fleet up to date. >> Any other questions or discussion? All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. That motion is carried. >> Did we skip the gym panel >> or is that off? >> No, we skip the gym panels. >> Go back to the gym panels. >> Thank you. So, um, if you've been in the high school gym, you'll notice on the backdrop there's some significant tears in the vinyl, um, which was has been in there
031for several years. And so, um, buildings and grounds asked Dan to take a look at what a bid would cost. We got a bid. I'd like to recommend that we replace that, um, just to keep it looking nice for our facility. Um, it was not built into the budget, but we do have contingency inside of the buildings and grounds budget that will cover it and that could hopefully, if approved, can be done over spring break. So move that we approve the high school gym panels. >> A second. >> Question discussion I >> I motion carried scissor lift. >> So in the 2526 budget we purchased a a line item for a scissors lift. We currently have a scissors lift. This is a little bit larger scissors lift that will allow us to get to all
032of our high places where our custodians are getting on ladders. So, it's really about safety for our staff and our ability to be able to reach those high locations. Um, the scissors lift that Dan would like to see us purchase is the GS 1932 as presented in your packet. We purchased the the scissor lift as continue. >> There's a motion to approve purchase of the scissor lift. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion carried. Um, we then have the an update. >> So, tonight I would like to have our director of technology, Stephen, update you. As you are all aware, we have had some significant issues with our landlines over the last year and a half, if not prior to that. >> Wire
033call quality has always been an issue around here, and it's always been a fingerpointing game between AT&T and our internal lines. Um, they approached us end of June to try and move us onto a digital um solution. um that has been a struggle all year. Um we got moved to a solution that wasn't meant for us. Um and by the time we finally got on board and we got through working with the office of the president, um it was they have had so much expansion into our county, they didn't have a fiber line to give us. Um so we're currently working through that. Um we've been kicking around for a while potentially moving to a cloud-based solution with WebEx. Um aside from call quality, it would also give us some more features. Um, specifically on
034the security side, if a emergency call is placed, a dispatch would know exactly what classroom it was coming out of. Um, teachers would also be able to text to numbers or call um from their computers if they couldn't reach their phone. Um, looking to move to this, um, one because it's the next upgrade for us. Um, and two, because it would also allow us to break away from AT&T, um, due to the constant issues we've been having with them. Um if you look at the table that's included in your packet um this is a little bit of a costed for this year but I have that covered in um tech contingency but that would honestly um we would be saving money by about the third year when we do our next hardware refresh um because
035we would no longer be on premises um that saves us easily $65,000 piece of hardware um when we do our tech refresh. Um, I've talked um numerously with uh the director of technology at Al. Um, they did this the previous summer. Um, he said we have had absolutely no problems with it. My jaw was on the floor when I said, "Well, how long did it take you to port your phone lines over from AT&T to First Digital?" His response was 15 minutes. Um, doing that with AT&T to itself took over a day and a half. Um, so, um, yes. Any questions? Uh what you mentioned something about the penalty for breaking our contract. Is that figured into cost savings? >> So I reached out to legal and based off of the contract and the issues
036that we have, we believe we'll be able to break it without cost. >> The big thing was the contractors we signed was back in June and we still don't have that IP flex thing installed. Um, we signed the contract and our salesman dropped off the face of the earth for 3 months. Um, it was only when I reached out to say, "Hey, our phone lines are really bad." That I got a random support person that said, "Well, you guys are ready. We can switch you to this." And he pushed through that order, which was a small business plan. Um, which only works with six phone lines. We have 13. That's what's causing the dropped call issue. Um, yeah, it's been an ordeal um, at a glacial pace. And just to reiterate, if we're unable to
037break the contract, then we would delay it for two years because the the agreement that we have signed was for three years. So, we're one year in as of June. We'd have to wait another two years. My concern um is that I'll just give I was on a call today and they're like, I can't hear you. Do you have your phone to your ear? And I'm like, yep, I have my phone to my ear. you know, and I know my line a couple of times when I've been talking to Lisa, it just my line is definitely impacted. Um, and there's been we had a call this week where um, an outside entity couldn't get in. So, the documentation of those pieces um, and like I said, legal today gave me feedback that they believe we'll
038be able to break it at not a cost. >> And before this ordeal too, we had the option to stay with AT&T and still move to WebEx calling. The issue with that is we would be paying more monthly to stay with AT&T and also we would need to buy additional hardware in order to um interface with AT&T's equipment which would be about an extra $9,000. So it would be um if we can do a clean break now is the time. >> So the residential world AT&T is put fiber in all over the town. >> Yep. >> And giving it to us for bargain prices. >> Yeah. And so the problem was when when office of the president got involved for AT&T, they began looking into moving us to this IP flex which requires a dedicated
039fiber line and we thought we were going to be in the clear early December. Um then we had onsite text come out start looking at it. Um then the people the road crews started to say well they hit D county and they they just hit bedrock problems. They've run out of fiber lines and they need some 5-ft saw wheel to cut through everything. And then they told us the earliest that they would probably be able to run us a fiber line is May. So we've kind of been in a hold holding pattern until then. >> So you're looking for a my head just >> Yeah. My one question is just like security of the anything cloud-based um and >> um as far as like in inclement weather and regarding like satellites and Wi-Fi that's >>
040so it'll all be through internet but truthfully even if we didn't make any changes we would then as we move to IP flex we would still be dependent on AT&T's internet line where this moving away from that we're just on wisnetss which Wisnet over the past nine years that I've been in this role has had maybe five outages over the course of that entire time only two were when students were in the building uh the longest one was 45 minutes happened during high school lunch really good time um other than that we're that's just kind of the nature of the game now um FCC has said that all copper uh pots lines need to be out by 2027 and AT&T wants it done by 2026 um so either way internet connection and connectivity is going
041to be >> okay >> could happen. Um, but also on that note, if were something were to happen, we would still be able to use like bright arrow or another means to contact our families. If we could say like, "Hey, internet's down at school. We currently can't call out." We still have ways to contact our families. >> So, your carrier would become >> First digital. >> Another thing I had was uh says that staff can call or text other staff from their computers. >> Yep. Does that mean that gets treated as district records subject to retention and public records? >> Y. >> So then all staff would know that ahead of time. >> Oh, for sure. >> That anything that they say would be >> And again, that would that would all be internal. Like
042I would see that more as like a hey, I'm going to text middle school like math that hey, I'm sending a kid your way. Like I hope I wouldn't assume any high school or middle school or elementary staff use it as a hey what are we doing this weekend? >> Oh my god. Did you see what we just wear? >> Yes. >> So you don't have fiber phone now even though the fiber goes away. >> So we have fiber but uh the phone solution needs its own dedicated fiber. They can't just piggy back off of our wisnet dark fiber. I would have assumed when they brought the fiber and we got fiber that you got the phone on fiber, too. >> No, all of that. And that's why our call quality has been terrible, especially
043um precipitation. Um our phone lines always got really bad when it rained snow around here. >> And then this doesn't have to go out to bid to other things. Even though it's over 10,000, >> we don't have other services. Yeah. Um and to kind of do a moratorium on this to go a little bit beyond this. So currently our internal servers are hosted on VMware. Um we have a onrem Cisco phone server that's virtualized through VMware. A couple years ago VMware was bought by Broadcom and Broadcom's MO is basically if you can't afford us, we don't want you as a customer. Um we've had a couple year license so we've been okay. Um the idea is that when we can no longer when that runs out, we will be switching off of virtualization platforms. Um
044our on-prem phone server can only be virtualized on VMware. So basically it's uh if we don't move now, in two years we're going to have to have the same conversation again. Um yeah, or else the other the other thing is that we are then paying um 30,000 annually to host our internal servers instead of um prior to the uh merger we were doing getting three years for under 30K. Um yeah, if you want to know the back end of it work, it's a lot of fun. A lot of numbers, a lot of companies gouging. >> Sounds fascinating. Um yeah, >> thank I I know I don't I thank you for your work on that. >> Yeah, >> it's impossible to understand but >> thank you for your work on >> it's it gives us some
045confidence that you're handling it and you know what you're doing. So is there do we have a a motion? I would move to approve the phone system migration to webbased as presented. >> Second. >> Question to discussion. All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. >> Um a discussion on the middle school high school locker room. >> Just wanted to provide the board an update. This has been an ongoing conversation with building the grounds. Um, we are getting some momentum moving forward. We've identified the lockers on the in the girls locker room. We've identified the lockers in the boys locker room. Um, there will be enough lockers in the girls room that we'll be able to remove some of those because they're in much better shape than what our boys lockers are. And um,
046basically the girls locker room um, Tasha and I walked through today, some of them need to have their locks replaced because the numbers are really worn, but we'll be able to take a bank of those lockers and replace the boys lockers. We'll still probably need a bid on lockers for the the boys room just because we won't have enough to be able to replace it. Um, but we're going through that step by step. We have um contractor coming in on Monday to give us a bid to create the privacy stalls in both the girls and the boys locker room. And then once we have that, we'll look at a layout. So, bring the administrative team back together. Um, we've discovered that the even though there's cinder block walls in there, they are not um bearing
047walls. And so, we can do some movement of those walls to create the team space that's so important for our athletes. And then possibly get um some space for our varsity lockers to have a little bit more space more in the guys locker room with the football pads and stuff. Um, but we're we're moving that forward. We We set aside $60,000 in this year's budget and then we have another amount set aside for next year. So the combination of this year and next year we should be able to reface is what I'm going to say. We're not making the locker room, you know, a 2026 locker room, but taking a 1960s locker room and getting it up todate and meeting the needs of what our athletes have asked for, our student population has asked for
048and our um coaches have asked for. So, no action is needed tonight. I just wanted to bring this to the table. Um, we'll schedule a buildings and grounds meeting next week after we bring our contractors in to be able to provide some of those costs and then help phase in what is the number one priority, number two and number three and what makes the most sense you That's what >> Okay. Um, there we have the 20 2026 20 27 insurance plan update. And this again, I'm not looking for action. Just want to make sure that the board is aware how we currently are with our health insurance bids. Um unfortunately as a consortium the original um pull back from PA 360 for all four of the district was a 17.9% increase. That's $270,000 annually. Honestly,
049that's not sustainable with our budget. So, um, as a consortium, we've, um, asked M3, who is our broker, to go back as three districts, and see what we can get, um, for costs, which is a 6% increase, which is a $15,200 annual increase, much more palatable, but we'd really like to have some other options. And so currently M3 is looking at what are other providers and so they they're taking each of us individually as districts to say okay Sebastaple what can I get for you? Is anybody else interested in you your contingency yourself? Right now our usage is at 103% so it's ticked up a little bit from what we were in November December. you want your percentage of usage under that 100% to get the best rate, but it is what it is. Um,
050so we're continuing to look at this. I had thought we were going to get information from the consortium actually this week. They've moved that back. So, I'm going to ask that we change the finance committee meeting because we won't have the information by by that time. So we'll push that back because there's no point to meet until we actually get some proposals on can we join another consortium. So looking at Kiwani consortium, are they interested in us as a population? They're looking to increase their membership because as we know the larger the membership, it brings their overall cost down. Um I don't know if they'll be interested in us at 103% usage rate. Um we did look, as I mentioned in the notes, we looked at the Wisconsin system. the Wisconsin system would be more
051cost effective than that 17.9% but we shouldn't have to be at that 17.9%. So that's just out in the future as we continue to navigate health insurance and and know what those options are. Um, and then in individual bids as a district to see if there's another market. Is Aurora interested? Is Bellon interested? Um, is, you know, who can we who can we get to bid on us? We're more optimistic than we were a couple of years ago. Um, because our usage is down, but I'm not going to promise and underdel. So right now our best rate is that 6% if all three districts would say they wanted to go to prove 360% really good >> we've talked about selfunded before and I think Jerry said that that's kind of crazy that in trouble with
052that. >> So is is does are there businesses in town that selfund through the hospital? No, >> now you could work. You could I I don't know what the law is anymore, >> but the three school districts got together. >> I don't know if it was self. >> I I only asked that because I >> heard through the great friends that Gibralar is >> talking >> about self-funded. So, >> so we did look at we did look at self-unding um and we sought some proposals. So, we cannot go out as a consortium and be self-funded as a big group. We would have to be we could do our what is it called? A captive. >> So, that extra level of insurance, we could do that as a consortium, but individually we would each have to
053have our own plans. >> So, is that like where they only have catastrophic the catastrophic, >> right? So, we cover up to this part and then we get a captive that covers the rest. Um, and those rates were collectively all worse than the 17.9%. Um, with the exception of one school who could possibly do it, but it was still a very high increase for them. So, at this point, self-funding is not really an option either. >> I wasn't thinking of it because it sounds scary to me. It was just interesting that you >> Yeah, but we did look at it >> as an option. >> You need more Like a shipyard is self-funded, like caterpillar is self-funded. I mean, these are huge corporations with typically young healthy workers and so >> the hospital selfunded. >>
054They went back to it. They went from self and then HSHS forces there and they're going back to self. The rule of thumb is you have to have 100 members, >> right? big or small >> and you get in all the stuff you have to have the insurance for the insurance and that gets really pricey too, >> right? >> You also have to have cash flow. >> Yeah. >> So, it's also a cash flow issue for us. That was the other major hangup for our district particularly. >> Keep searching on that here. >> Thank you. Wait for more information on that. Um then we have the the athletic handbook update um addressing number of coaches for sports. We don't have anything to add to that. Um if there are no questions or discussion, I'll look
055for a motion on that. >> I'll make a motion to approve the coaches handbook language. Second. >> All in favor say I. Oppos. Motion carried. Then we have um I guess we'll take these in groups under policy committee recommendations the first and second readings of the technical corrections. >> Motion to approve. >> There's a motion to approve um first and second reading of the technical technical corrections. Is there a second? >> Second. Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Um then we have we'll do the first reading of policy to 330 administration of medication and emergency care. And this is just because they continue to come with new medicine um and forms of new medicine. And so the current policy restricts us to just auto injectors. So the nurse actually
056asked if we would modify the policy. Dr. Gaida reviewed the policy and made the recommendation to either remove um just the auto injectors. So it's just epic nephron generic. So depending on whatever form it is, we're able to >> I make a motion to approve the first reading of policy 5330. >> Second questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Um then we have the first reading of the school support organizations. >> I would move to approve the first reading of school support organization A through H. >> I'll second. >> Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Um then we have um three no hires. We'll take those each separately. >> I'll make a motion to approve Max Hawkins as head girls. >> Second.
057>> Questions and discussion. All in favor say I. Oppos. >> I make a motion to approve Josh Sawyer as a soft supervisor. I'll second. Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. >> I make a motion to approve Michael Odin, assistant golf coach. >> Second. >> Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. Um that then concludes our regular business and look for a motion to convene to executive session. >> Move we convene to executive session. >> Second. >> Roll call vote. >> I motion carried at 5:52 p.m. We'll take >> approve the superintendent goals for 2627 as presented. >> Second. >> Questions or discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. I >> opposed. Motion carried. Our next meeting is March 18, 2026.
058>> We have also the finance committee on March 4. So I would ask that we move the finance committee from March 4th to March 11th to be able to provide you with the insurance information because they moved the consortium um date back. So we won't have anything to provide you. Um, if we could move it to March 11th at 6 p.m. >> That would not work for me that FIFA night. >> Were you going to suggest? >> Yes. >> Sue said that doesn't work for her. Okay. Um, let me >> next door 18th or 25th. >> Could we do the 12th? >> I could do the 12th. Yeah. Next board is 18th or 25th 18th. >> 18. >> So I would propose finance committee which is committee of the whole for March 12th at 6
059pm pending Tasha's availability. >> Thank you. >> Okay. um buildings and grounds committee I'd like to do on March 4th but instead of six o'clock if we could hold that at 4. And then I would like to um hold a meet and confer committee meeting in March prior to the um March board meeting. That might be five or something. >> So the buildings and grounds committee is March 4th. That's Jeff, Lisa, and Mr. Weidman. Finance committee is committee of the whole. That'll be at six o'clock on the 11th. >> And then or sorry, on the 12th >> and then meet and confer. Um I don't have a date picked out. Okay. Was going to look at our calendar. We could do the 17th. Could do meet and confer. >> I've never been to one of
060those. What is that? >> We haven't had a meet and confer. Meet and confer is really an opportunity for staff to come and share what's working. Really, we actually had we didn't call it a meet and confer, but we had a staff meeting in January about insurance. And so this would be an opportunity for staff to um come and share what's working well and what they would like to see um addressed. I know that there's some conversation in our support staff about addressing salary and compensation um and professional development and this is a great opportunity as we look at that handbook update in April once we know what our um insurance packages are going to be. So it's a great opportunity to do that. But I that's >> it's not a we don't we don't
061make any decisions there. It's it's a listening session >> engaging conversation. >> We can we can ask >> questions and um but there's no decisions or finality. >> It's a good if you can make it. It's good to come and hear the conversation. >> Yeah. 3:30. >> So the 17th meet and confirm. works for me if it works for the rest of the board. >> 3:30. >> Yeah. 3:30. >> Yeah. >> Something that I can walk in like >> So, I'll get the message out to staff that we'll do a meet and confer on March 17th at 3:30. >> Thank you. With that then is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All in favor say I. I. >> I. Everybody.
062Okay. Um motion carried at 7:25