001Uh we have some modifications to the agenda. >> We just have a separation from the Brown County High School business teacher Harmony Vincent at the conclusion of the 2526 school year. >> We get a motion to accept. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? >> Vote. >> Yes. Yes. >> Motion carries. Oh, it is. I'm so sorry. I missed it. We also have the modification um for the appointment the Hford Elementary School pair professional L Gabriel. Um we just made an error. It's not 1325. It's 1568. >> I amend my motion to include that. >> I second. >> Any discussion? >> Vote. >> Doug, >> yes. >> Carol, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Motion carries. That brings us to recognition of visitors and comments from the audience. And now brings us to presentation. >> Yeah.
002So, I think you know me, Gavin Stale, principal of the middle school, safety director for the schools. Uh so I just wanted to take a moment this afternoon not to do a real long presentation but just to kind of walk you through uh over the past year and a half we've been working through um a way to categorize and process through threats when they are made whether that's on the bus on playground in a classroom right um we wanted to get away from a threat being reported to one person. That person typically being the building administrator, that person being on an island by themselves and trying to investigate this, making a decision, and then a consequence is handed out or deemed not, and then the process moves on. Uh so we we've been very intentional
003over the past couple about a year and a half um with trainings and going through an entirely new program in short for SEAG. So it's comprehensive school threat assessment guidelines. That's what we follow now. Um that's what we're training through. Um and then there's a couple really important things. One is it slows everything down. So it's not something comes in, one person makes a decision, right? when that comes in, every school now has a threat assessment team that can convene when it's when it's called upon. Um there's there's a flow that you go through. There's interviews that happen from parents to teachers to victims, right? It's it's a longer process and it's intentionally and it's done that way, right? to really investigate and see what's what's happening. Um so when and there's different levels in
004which things get screened out and then as you move on more people get involved and at the end the whole point right is what's what resources can we provide for students. So, it's not always just a punitive consequence that our students need. Sometimes it's making sure that we get them connected with the right resources. Making sure that we have a plan in place for a re-entry back into the school. Making sure that we have a safety plan in place if we need to have a safety plan between two students for a while. and being very clear with families along the way that this is the process that we're doing. So, it's it's a totally different approach, right? It's it's not well, I reported this to so- and so, so and so made a decision. Here's
005the consequence for it. Um, when it comes to threats, it's it's a researchbased approach. And like I I tell people it's it moves a little slower for a reason. We want the information so that we can make the best um uh plan possible for that student and make sure the resources are there for that student. And some of those resources are within our within our walls. Some of those resources are outside of our walls and we we leverage our partnerships with our community and uh opportunities that are even outside of our building as we start to make connections for kids. So, I'm happy to take questions. I I just wanted you to know that this has been going on in the background for a year and a half. So we started with a small group
006that got trained and then we went to our school group and now as we onboard um new counselors usually on this team. Uh but it's it's important to know that that every team has uh every building has a team but there's also people at central office that have also been trained in this that we call in at certain points of the process um to to make sure we're looking at everything. Now, are you talking mostly about [clears throat] excuse me, students students who have made a threat against someone else in the building? Is that the circumstance you're talking about? >> Yeah, it could be that kindergartener that got really mad on the playground who said something that they probably shouldn't have, >> right? And it's not, well, you said this, so you are now expelled
007because we can't make friends at school, right? So when you look through the process, typically that's probably going to get screened out as a transient threat. And we work with that student on appropriate ways to express ourselves. And it's not >> this equals this. So it's very individualized [clears throat] for each game. >> Is that in our our manuals now or have we changed that language? Because I felt like there was there's the processes in there. >> So it is I don't >> if on top of that maybe. >> Yeah. So this is right we still have school discipline like >> consequences still happen right we still can't say or do things in school >> but this is another layer that encompasses all of that and part of it at the end it could include
008school dis like that is a very realistic outcome as part of what may happen when everything is investigated. >> Is it also like um for us to be able to determine any potential credibility to any credits or >> Yeah. So, I mean, that's what's really nice about the whole interview process, right? Is is you're not just talking to one person. You you talk to people that are involved and it's it's very scripted. There's questions and right sometime sometimes we'll bring somebody in who has not been a part of it part of the plan or you know the process at all just to get a fresh set of eyes on it and meet with a student and ask a a series of questions that are scripted out so that we can then bring that to the
009table and talk through that as well as a team. And it's it's it's really nice to set around a team of administrators, teachers, counselors. It's it is a true building based team approach. Uh I know we're talking about this but should we should we be thinking about this support when the student comes back or should we be doing this or >> did were we could we have done this better to prevent this from happening in the first place and so it allows us to change things as well. How often have the teams have the teams had to been activated to get this year? >> Yeah. So, >> so there's right the deeper you go into it, there's more team that you're pulling in. Um we we ran the first one at the middle school, right?
010So there there are things that come to us. We start with this initial level, right? kids said something that they shouldn't have. They they have no true meaning like like feeling of of doing anything and so things that happen that get screened out as transient and then you move down. So we we ran a full case at the middle school and created a a really amazing opportunity for a student that I don't know the outcome would have been the same a year ago. So it's pretty powerful. >> So is that the the only time you've had to use it or has it been used? >> That's the only time we've used it. Maybe you're in rand. The high school the high school is rated one. >> Okay. >> Good. >> And and and anytime we
011can get more people at the table talking about positive outcomes for kids, good things happen. >> Happy [cough] every week situations. >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Steel. Um discussion items none. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes December 1st 20125? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Vote. >> Doc. >> Yes. >> Carol. >> Yes. >> Vicki. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. That brings us to action needed items. >> I have the recommendation to approve the donation of $114 to the Brown County High School student council from corn I county. Get a motion to >> accept. >> Any discussion? >> Appreciate partnership. >> Thank you. Uh vote >> dog. >> Yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> And the recommendation to approve
012the donation of $200 to be split evenly between the B County History Club and the B County High School History Day ECAS in honor of John K. Can you get a motion to accept? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Doug, >> yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. I have the recommendation to approve the donation of $250 high school student council [clears throat] county high school national honor society and $250 to the county baseball interact club from empowering county youth grant to the county community foundation a motion to accept so move >> second >> any discussion >> vote >> yes Carol, >> yes. >> Vicky, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. Jice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> I have the recommendation to
013approve the donation of $500 from Empowering Brown County Youth Grant through the Brown County for TED Ed $100 going to each school. >> I get a motion to accept >> second. >> Any discussion? >> I personally am incredibly grateful for this. Um, lots of times we get donations for TEDex and it goes towards TEDex to a big fund. Um, but the buildings all hold site events um in addition to the big event. And so I think this money could help the TED put those site events on. >> And what is empowering Brown County youth? What is that? This fund was developed um because the grand penny no longer has a big brother's big sisters program and so we had to go through the attorney general to dissolve both of those funds and then the way
014it's set up is that those funds and dollars have to go to something that's comparable. So we created something that would empower youth in the county. So we kind of looked at >> right what was >> all of youth organizations within the county that could potentially empower kids. So we kind of divided those that way. >> That's super >> Doug. >> Yes. >> Carol. >> Yes. >> Vicki. >> Yes. >> Amy. >> Yes. >> Janice. >> Yes. I'm going to add note. Um if you think of [clears throat] organizations that could be could utilize this funds, let me know because we're kind of generating a list. We obviously don't know all of them. I had a comment from somebody who's on live stream who says the audio is very difficult to hear and it is
015in and out. So I don't know Jackson if there's anything you can do or we're just talking quietly. >> See what I can do. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Motion carries. >> I have the recommendation to approve the out of state professional leave request for Josh Bolts to attend the National Athletic Director Conference in Tampa, Florida December 13th through 16th, 2025. I get a motion to accept. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? >> Yeah, it's December 18th. Um board meeting was supposed to be Monday. >> I know we um we talked about this as a board I think months ago and then um just didn't get it the paperwork in in November. So it was slated supposed to be Monday, but >> he's already back. He's already back. [laughter] Was it a good experience?
016>> I think yes. Like he sent the entire time he was gone. Um, other things that he was getting to to do and to learn. So, >> so we better vote on this. >> Doug, >> yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> Yes. J, >> yes. I I'm just gonna and won't make a habit of commenting after the discussion part of this, but I personally want to thank the board for always supporting our people to leave Brown County to go and learn things, even to leave Indiana. Like since I've come here, you have supported every out ofate trip for our team to be able to learn as much as they possibly can. Um, and I truly believe in that. So, thank you. >> I think it's very important. >> Motion carries. Uh, I have
017the recommendation to approve the donation of $500 from central credit union for TEDex. >> We need a motion to accept. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Thank you. >> Vote. >> Doug, >> yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicky, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. >> Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> The recommendation to approve the donation of $500 [clears throat] Ken Wing to Van Elementary for the Angel Tree program. >> Motion to accept. >> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Thank you very much. >> Yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> yes. >> Amy, yes. Jenise, >> yes. Motion carries. >> I have the recommendation to create the following positions as listed. >> Do I have a motion to accept? Some moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Yeah, I can
018talk just a little bit briefly here. I know we've talked about it at length. Um but uh these three positions of district director of safety and operations um obviously a district level position that will oversee safety, emergency management, um facilities coordination, operations, efficiency. Um ultimately I need someone to come alongside and help strategically plan out a vision for all of our facilities across the district. um four I think four and a half years in and um we have spent four years reacting to facilities and operations across the district and I truly believe until we get somebody that this is their sole focus um we're not going to be able to climb up straight and fix some of the problems that we have right now. We also have a district career coach. This was a position
019that was grant funded for the last uh 18 months. Um and so that grant is up December 31st. Um we have throughout our priority plan. Um and I think even in the short time the board got to discuss tonight um steps to move towards updating that priority plan. Um career and connected learning is is a big part of it. It's not going anywhere. Um this position continues to be grantf funded, which we're still waiting for that information to come publicly. Um, I believe that the district needs to create the position. If that grant funding were to leave, we would sustain that position moving forward because it's important part of our priorities. Um, and then the elementary nurse, we we technically had um this position a few years ago [clears throat] and when the person in
020that position, we just build it. Um, and we've seen an increased need for our health services across the district and and Holly is the district or corporation um nurse needs help. So, it's time to to refill this position. So, >> is it fulltime? >> Um, it it can be either. Um, so if the we have the right person that comes in and it's part time, we will the part time. Um if they need the full-time, we absolutely have the capacity or the needs to have a full-time. So, we want to make sure that we find the right person. Um and then we will we will kind of frame it around that. >> I'm glad we look at a nurse because we need someone with the training. >> And you still have the health assistance at
021each. >> Absolutely. >> We need a second registered nurse in the district. >> So, does it have to be an RN or can it be an LP? uh has associates degree, registered nurse. >> All right, great vote. >> Doug, >> yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Brings us to consent agenda items personnel. Yeah, we'll start with the separation the B County schools maintenance position position Shannon Coffee effective December 2nd, through the appointment of Helmsburg Elementary School pair professional Lyn Gabriel fulltime with benefits at the 1568 per hour effective January 5th, 2026. >> Can I get a motion to accept? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Vote. >> Dog. >> Yes. Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> yes. >> Amy,
022>> yes. Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. Uh, transfers none. That brings us to our superintendence report. >> Yeah, we Sorry. We have a Helmsburg Elementary School uh winter concert going on at the same time. So, I'm going to keep it brief so you pop in there and see those kiddos. But, I think that's what I wanted to start with. This is the last week before we leave for winter break and um the last two weeks have been interrupted because of of weather, right? Um so I just want to thank everybody for their patience and um just simple support as we work through school cancellations. It's never easy to make those decisions. Um this county is unlike a lot of counties in the rest of the state that that have some other resources that that
023we don't. It just looks a little bit different. So, um we'll be out checking the roads tomorrow morning as well. Um we have one e-learning day left um allotted from the state and we have one makeup day that is um left that is in the school calendar. So, we will continue to provide updates if we would have any further school cancellations. Um but we were able to have the appearance winter program last night. Of course, Helmsburg is tonight. was able to reschedu for tomorrow night. Um so we're getting them all in and excited to see it. Um and then after tomorrow, um we send everybody home for a couple weeks and then we'll be back on January 6 to see him again. That's all I have. >> Thank you very much. Uh a motion to
024accept claims. So move second. >> Second. >> Discussion. Vote. Yes. >> Carol, >> yes. >> Vicki, >> yes. >> Amy, >> yes. Janice, >> yes. >> Motion carries. And that brings us to the German of our meeting. I have a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Thank you.