001as well. A really hard worker from what I've been told, knows elementary curriculum and now and has had a plethora of experiences from different schools and a lot of different things. So certainly just like with any new job, there's a learning curve, but um I highly recommend this position. Again, having um to look so close to the start of school, it was was difficult. um am very harried, but I think we found a great candidate that I'm very proud to to bring to you to recommend and um hopefully get an opportunity to meet her here in a moment. There was an addition now that I'm looking through on assignments. Again, things came in last minute of a cook um and several movements at the elementary with folks moving from one grade level to another as
002we shifted um vacancies. Again, like I said in my notes, we have a lot of area schools that are reporting their kindergarten numbers are lower than they have been and people were all assuming that's kind of the COVID l >> um and so we only needed five sections of kindergarten this year. So we did move one of those teachers to fill a position. So we did not have to so we had one open position which is again in this day of cuts that we've been talking about as a help on the education fund to not have to replace a position. Also I would want to take a moment and welcome Carrie Neil. Um, upon your approval, um, the assistant director at Adams Wells Special Ed Cooperative, Julie Pett, um, moved back to Ohio to be
003with her husband and she had been basically maintaining two residences and they were trying to meet up on weekends and it just became, I think, um, tiring and overwhelming. And so Carrie Neil has worked in special ed for a long time in Huntington County and so she is being recommended for the position of assistant director and she would be working with North Adams like Julie did um upon her hire. So I've already met her. I'm very excited to work with her. She comes with a lot of experience working um with more intense intervention students um a lot of experience I believe in working with autism. So we're excited to have her on on our team potentially. I think that's all the comments I have right now. Oh, sorry, one more. So, you remember that you
004approved a policy a month or two ago that technical corrections of policy can be concluded in consensus items. And so, there were four policies that did just have technical corrections. Two of them were just changing wills to shall literally. Um I think one was the addition of the word corporation after North Adams school corporation and then the other one probably remember I have it. That one was the one that added school in front of corporation. And then the third one I think was just an addition of a legal reference. Yeah, a policy reference and a legal reference. So not much in technical corrections that changes the meaning intent or anything of substance. So those do not have to have a second reading when they're just technical corrections. That's why they're in the consensus items. Any
005questions or comments for motion to approve the consensus items? >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Motion by Dave. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by Joel. Motion by Dave, seconded by Joel to approve the consensus items as presented. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I. Oppos. Same sign. Approve. 70 to zero. Yeah. >> So, at this time, since she's been officially approved, I'd like Nicole Screen to come forward. Um, Nicole is coming to us from East Allen Southwick Southwick Elementary. I'm going to let her introduce herself and kind of tell you what her journey has been here and very excited to have her on our team. I think she's going to be a great addition and work really well with our team. >> My name is Nicole
006Screen. I'm originally from Franklin, Indiana. um that I started my journey in education um up north and so I've been in Manchester Community Schools. I was an elementary teacher there. I was also an EL director and then I moved to East Allen County Schools and I have been an instructional coach there the last several years. I'm looking forward to this opportunity and I'm very excited to be here. >> Introduce your family. >> So I have my crew with me today. So, we have the twins, Austin and Austin and Elizabeth. They are both in fifth grade. And then B is here. He is in second grade. And then the caboose is great. She had a birthday last week. That's little Miss Laney. We're very excited to be here. >> And my husband Eric works at Leo
007High School. He's the students there. >> Well, welcome. And I can tell you after my brief foray into grants, I am looking forward to you coming to get started. >> Well, welcome. And I told Nicole since she has young kids with her and I'm sure they have to get up and go to school tomorrow. She doesn't need to stick around. But thank you so much for coming down and we are looking for you. Um >> East Allen um was willing to not hold the 30 days. So hopefully I think Monday now that we have approval. We'll be seeing on Monday. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Okay, >> so no program update tonight. Uh next up we have our community partner update. Danessa Bitner with Life. I have a little hand out for your guys's
008reference. You going down? I do not normally read off of the paper, but I wanted to make sure I uh kept under our time limit so I wouldn't ramble. Um, but the papers I just passed out, they contain QR codes to go to our policies and procedures. um just our general handbook that has been um approved by the principal and myself, our support center for from Lifewise um as well as our strategic plan that lists out our next plan for the next three to four years. You may need my access to I might need to approve you to um >> for the QR code. I will do that as soon as I'm able to. And then that also >> I know >> as my email, the link to our website and our Facebook page. So,
009thank you. >> Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. Um, uh, feel free to look at that paper at your own leisure. Um, and let please let me know if you have any questions or comments about it. Um, my name is Vanessa Bner and I have the privilege of serving as the program director for Lifewise Academy North Adams. Um, I began this role in April 2024 and since then I have worked to establish the program you see operating today. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share a brief update on where we are and where we hope to go. Um, our program officially launched last January on the 13th and we served 104 104 students throughout but consistently 101 students in grades 1 through 4th. Each student attended once a week during their computer lab
010time and this schedule was developed in collaboration with Mrs. Hutter and the specialist teachers to ensure minimal disruption to the school day. Um our um as with any new program, we faced a few challenges. Some were simple communication gaps such as not always knowing when Lifewise was paused for field trips or special events. Others were unique situations like an extreme thunderstorm that kept us from uh returning or go with students. Last year there was one really bad one. We were like, "What are we going to do? It's not to venture out right now, but we have learned and we have added those policies to our policies and procedures as well. We've learned from these experiences and are putting the new systems in place to improve communication and flexibility moving forward. Um, lifewise exists to serve
011not only students and their families, but also the school as a whole. For example, during last year's very brutal flu season, we prepared get well packages for the teachers. We are also exploring more ways to be a resource, whether by volunteering at events or offering small tokens of appreciation to the staffs throughout the year. Um, our classes will begin August 18th, so next Monday, and uh that our second enrollment period will remain open until September 15th. None of this would be possible without your support. I tell everyone who will listen how grateful I am for this school board, for your openness to our program and your dedication to the students and families of the district. I'm proud to call Belmont my hometown school. Um I think a lot of um other lifewise programs you're probably
012not familiar, but we're um this program is in over a thousand schools all across the country. And I think we honestly have one of the school boards. Um, you guys have given me very little grief, if not any. Um, the principal has been amazing to work with. Um, you guys should just really be really proud of yourselves. Um, because any anyone who will listen, I'll be like, I have the best school board back with me. So, I'm just really um really really grateful for you guys. So, thank you for your time and your trust and your continued partnership. >> Thank you, Vanessa. >> What are Vanessa? real quick. What are some of your goals for expansion or what what are you thinking? >> Um, so right now our program uh is basically limited just by
013its resources. We have the ability to grow in as far as enrollment but only based on our um only based on the resources that we have right now. So our cap so last year our Enment was 101. Our cap for this year is going to have to be 120. Um just to do some um logistical things, our space size, our vehicle that we're able to use, um our teacher hours, that sort of thing. As we're able to gain more financial support, we're able to expand the program and be able to have no cap at all. So, we're really just waiting on those resources to be able to expand the program even larger. >> And you said that students can enroll up until September 15th, right? >> Um, our so our classes, the first enrollment period
014closes August 18th. Okay. >> And then those students who are enrolled that day will begin that week. And then between the 19th and the 15th, students who enroll will begin on September 15th. >> Um, this was just a policy that Mrs. Hutter and myself put in place to ensure new students weren't enrolling just every week so that teachers would be able to kind of keep track of that a little bit more clearly. Um, we really want to make everything as seamless as possible, especially for our teachers. Um, because they already do so much, we're just not going to trying to inhibit them any any more than we already have to. >> And what is your goal to do with the students in the time you have them? >> I'm sorry. What >> what is your
015goal to do with the students? >> Yeah, so our program um the way that it kind of works is we have what we call the head, the heart, and the hands. So the head is our Bible story. So what they're actually learning um reading through the story and then the heart is what we call our Jesus connection. So every single lesson we tie it back to the gospel because our ultimate goal is to use these character traits to teach kids how to be better people and um our ultimate example of that is Jesus. So um we tie everything back to him and then our hands is the character quality trait that they learn that week. Um, so for example, if that week we learned about a story that taught us about respect, then we teach
016the kids what the word means and how to live it out and also how Jesus lived it out so that they get kind of that visual example of um exactly uh the best way to go about it. I appreciate you coming in tonight. Hey ma'am, >> what grades are eligible for this? What grade? >> Uh, first through fourth grade. >> Just for those four. >> Thank you. >> No old business. So, new business. First item is consideration of policies. We've got a big old packet. And I wish I could say this is it, but this is just the July update. And all this for the most part is related to the legislation from the 2024 session. And these were the recommendations to our current policies or new policies to meet those legislative changes. Um, so
017the first one is real easy. It's one that somehow got missed in some of the other slew we've done before. 0165.4. It's a bylaw. It was already absorbed into policy 0165 you recently approved. It just needs resended. >> So that is a very easy one. >> And again, these are all first reads. So this is time for questions, comments. I know I got Darlene's question. Probably a good question. I need to read it more thoroughly. Um the next set of policies I tried to group them by things that the legislation dealt with. Um so there was some legislative change this session in how in human sexuality instruction. And so policy 220 221 um mandatory curriculum which starts on page seven of your packet. Um it just included number one, the reference to personal financial responsibility
018as a required curriculum um for high school students for graduation. And then it talks about requiring written parental consent um including letting parents know the gender of the instructor um whether students are taught in same gender groups or not. um giving the parents the right to inspect materials being used to teach human sexuality and access to allow allowable materials through our website which we are currently trying to curate. Um so that's that policy that has the additions on that and then policy 2414 is specifically about reproductive health, family planning and human sexuality instruction. Again, a lot of the same verbiage added. Um, emphasis is still on abstinence outside of marriage as the only means to guarantee and a and avoid disease pregnancy. The importance of consent in any relationship, age appropriate visual education, um, depicting
019fetal development from conception to birth, and also the requirement of written consent and the ability to review any materials used again in that instruction. So, are there any questions on the human sexuality instruction? And again, if you have any later, please just email me. The next group has to do with attendance related legislation. So, there were a couple of additions in this legislative session of things that were allowable exemptions that did not count as an absence at all. And so those were spelled out um to include including armed forces active duty and also FFA andor 4 exhibits for no more than six days given certain parameters. The student has to be in good standing. The grades have to be good, can't have attendance issues otherwise. Those kinds of things. And the big one that this
020legislative session um again one of our state legislators um big pushes in education law was attacking chronic absenteeism. But this legislative act added that schools may not suspend or expel students solely based upon their attendance. And so that language had to get included. Um the second policy 5223 that dealt with some attendance related items was again had our lifewise presentation release time for religious instruction. Um you can have up to 120 minutes a week for elementary and the time equivalent to one period for high school. And then um three policies are pretty much just the one sentence about you may not suspend or expel a student for attendance related reasons solely. That impacts policy 5600 student discipline 5605 which I think is suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities and 5610 which is suspension and
021expulsion of students in general. Any questions about attendance related policies? I will say just because we have I know a lot of folks who listen and watch. I did try in the newsletter to send out some information to allay some parent fears that I was hearing from some of our local um healthc care providers that I think the media had put out information that the legislative session was saying that going to the doctor a counseling appointment whatever would not necessarily be an excused absence. And while the not necessarily part is in there, our absence policies have not changed from last year. Basically, the state just put a lot more in there that they're wanting to get a better handle on what different schools are counting as excused and unexcused so that they can get a
022better definition developed. And they're going to start um tracking a lot more through our power school notations, what kind of absences are being logged, how many, for what reason. So, we're going to have a lot of coding changes. But as far as what we allow and don't allow, I included an infographic that was the same as last year after that legislative pass legislation passed. Um, basically what I wanted to communicate to parents is, um, certainly kids who have chronic or intermittent conditions or illnesses that they need to have ongoing care for or counseling appointments for, we want your children getting those services. That only makes them better in the classroom, better at school, better for themselves, better for your families. And all you have to do is call in and work with your assistant principles
023at the high school, elementary, middle school, and they'll work with you on what kind of documentation you need, you know, making sure that you know your your child's schedule that well, if you can't get it before school or after school, then you know what? Did you know that on Thursdays they have this class and that's going to be or a home room or a study hall and that would be another good time to have an appointment that wouldn't necessarily take their reading block or something like that. Um so some of those kinds of conversations. Um I also though did point out that when we see patterns again it's not about a sole incident. When we see patterns of of children coming often with with um script pads or ex or or excuses or notes from
024different providers that are from lots of different locations and don't seem to be addressing a common um a common condition or a common illness, then we're we may start questioning that because we want to make sure that that child is getting their access to their education and not missing so many days. Um and again, Basically, the state also expanded from elementary that all the way up through high school. Anytime a student has five or more unexcused absences within a 10day rolling time period, we have to set up a conference with parents and the child to develop an attendance plan. Um, I think they lengthened it from 5 days to 10 days after that first or that fifth unexcused absence. So, those are just some of the changes. Nothing was big on how we're doing things.
025It's more on what the state is doing and changing so they can track attendance because chronic absenteeism is one of the things they're wanting to see impacted. The next group of policies deal with things related to parent rights and so policy 2410 um audio video and digital recording of meetings. Um, it's Indiana is a state that has always allowed a recording of any conversation as long as the person doing the recording is a part of that conversation or meeting and are a participant, not just an observer. Um, this has broadened to address um, IEP meetings with students with special needs that if a parent wishes to record, whether it's audio, video, or otherwise, they may do so. Um I can tell you if we we are going to start every conference asking a parent if
026they wish to record the meeting and that's fine if they do that's their right. If they record we are going to record as well and if we record we are legally obligated to look at that as part of the student's educational record and we have to archive it just like we do our meetings tonight. Um I think until the child's 25 or 26. Um, so we've been working on the cloud system and how to get that, but we've not had that a lot of issues there. But that is just again that's another legislative change. 5771. We're not no one seems to really know where this one came from. It was a big deal to somebody and that's okay. But basically all it's saying if a student leaves school for any reason and it could be
027from death to expulsion to they withdraw and go to a different school. Um the parent gets first right to come and collect their personal items from their lockers, their desks, whatever. Um and typically more parents when we offer that are more than happy for us to put them in a box or a bag or whatever and have them ready in the office for them. But if they wish to go do that themselves, that is now legislatively their right. Um, any questions on those two? The next group deals with harassment related items. Um, policy 5517, anti-harassisment, is a very big policy, lots of pages, lots of changes. It reflects a lot of the Title N changes that have happened. Um but basically it goes through the new title nine legislation um where the main emphasis on
028mandatory reporting um what an investigation has to entail when it has to be offered what kind of documentation must occur the resolutions potential resolutions that need to be offered if appropriate and any of the follow-up requirements. So again, it's a lengthy policy, but it reflects Title N and what schools need to do. I can tell you this is a bigger deal um than it ever has been. And we did special training with the whole district on one of our first teacher days on what is Title N. Um we had a video that Church HD and Antrum provided us so that the staff would understand it's not anymore. Usually when you said Title N, a lot of folks think it's about how many women's sports and men's sports you offer and making sure they have to
029be balanced. Well, that's that's an outcropping of it, but it's really about sexual harassment and making sure that that is addressed and reported and then dealt with appropriately. And so making sure they understood what it was, what needs to happen, if they hear any talk about it, see anything, and then the a few of the steps just again 30,000 foot view that need to happen. But the big thing is if you see hear something, you say something immediately. Do not wait. Don't pass go. It gets taken up the food chain. Um so right now we also made sure that staff knew that I'm the title N compliance officer presently um for certified staff and students. And then Scott Miller is our title n compliance offers officer, excuse me, for any thing involving classified staff. Um,
030we were very lucky because Tiffany did go to a national training a couple years ago, so she was very well verssed and we had a lot of our policies tightened up and a lot of our forms and things. Um, I wish it was something we never had to worry about, but unfortunately in this day and age it is. Um, the other um, one I kind of put with this group is 5517.01 and it's specifically about bullying. Um the big changes here in the policy was just again and this is a title nine again focus on the safety of the victim and that the victim's needs are being met. Um as well as um the new legislation. This one is a little bit more difficult um for us to kind of figure out what it means
031and I'm going to a school law thing here pretty soon. So I'm hopefully get a little more information, but the necessity within 24 hours of reporting to both parents of both parties, the alleged victim, the alleged bully, that there may be an incident of bullying that's being investigated. And sometimes we have to tell them that before we even know if it really is bullying. Um, but giving notification. Any questions related to the Harris one? The next group, it's not a group, it's just one. Student assessment. Um, this one just adds again the mandatory I read passage by the end of third grade in order to be promoted to fourth. As well as there's new legislation that is now starting to go down the same road with math as we've gone down with literacy, which is
032a former math teacher. I like that that we are to a point >> science is right behind. >> Yes, it is. and science will be right behind is making sure that we are identifying early on if students struggle with math so that we can get appropriate interventions and are using best practices in the instruction in math. Um not just um for the most part this the focus has been on literacy for so long I'm happy to see that numeracy is being looked at too. >> Um the next one is an athletics related policy. Again, this is um pretty much a one-statement thing. So, you probably heard and saw from IHSAA. They received a lot of pressure from some of our legislative folks that um the rule that students were not allowed to transfer schools on
033the basis of athletics only. They needed to repeal that and um they did. So, our new policy says that at least up to one time in a given year, you may transfer even if the sole purpose is for athletic participation. >> That's been a big change in Indiana. >> Yes, >> lots of different thoughts on that one, but >> and then the final group are just hodge podge. um 12:20. Unfortunately, we had just approved, I think, at our last meeting or the meeting before employment of the superintendent. Um I'm still not sure why this change did not qualify for a technical correction because it was a very minor change. I think just one word, one or two words. Um but they didn't qualify as such. So, that was just an addition that needed to happen.
034Um 6320 is a monster of a policy. It's all the financial stuff about how purchasing needs to happen. It starts on page 68 of your big policy book. There are some things that you will need next meeting to kind of confirm or provide input on. So the things that are highlighted in yellow in different places are things that I wanted to have you consider. So what has been happening in the yellow is that um the trigger point or threshold of different costs of what we purchase that happen between 50,000 and 150,000 we have to get at least three quotes for. That's been standard practice here. I would recommend we keep it in that range. Um the next one that has options is the next page, page 70 at the bottom in yellow. These are just
035um options that we may if desired ask a potential bidder or vendor to provide information about their experience, their financial condition, performance on other contracts, um so on so forth. My recommendation is just to select all. We may not very often ask for this, but if there were a reason that we might want to ask some of those questions because it's a may statement, not a have to. >> Might as well put it in there. We don't need to use it. Great. If we do, that's fine, too. On page 71, I talked to Beth about this. And so, you see, um, there's two options, A and B in the middle of the page. Her recommendation was to choose both. And so basically what this is talking about is when we have a situation where we
036have to have bids and we're opening our bids. If if a bidder, a vendor determines that they have accidentally misqued a bid, misfigured something, which does happen, um can they rescend it basically? And so our recommendation was we would rather it be correct than number one stick a bidder with something that they don't feel they're going to make money off of which does not necessarily mean we're probably going to get great work um or we're going to end up having to pay later to fix something correctly. Um so basically her recommendation was choose both. her our recommendation is that they can provide notification to us um no later than five business days following the opening of the bids and then also if we find out a bid is correct we can cancel the award of
037the contract. So again our recommendation is select both see what we may need to do a better. Next area um for conversation is page 72. Different boards prefer different levels of involvement in some of the purchasing. What we have been doing and what we recommend we continue to do is the second option where the purchasing agent is authorized to make emergency purchases without having to come through the board first um of those things that allow us to keep school in operation. So for example, when we had the um boiler go out or whatever and we needed to get one order, we could go ahead and do that and then you would get it at the next board meeting to approve it. Um, so that's one recommendation, but you have consideration. The next one is on
038page 76. I don't know that there was a big thought one way or the other. For us, we recommend choosing all specifically identified purchases that are within a program as that kind of was broader. Um, be made upon authorization of the purchasing agent. Again, this doesn't happen real often. And then page 77 at the top. Um, again, it's kind of a repeat of the other one. We off we have had the autonomy to as a purchasing agent authorize emergency purchases without prior approval. and we suggest continue that. Um, in the middle of the page, A through E are all options. I recommended C and D minimally be considered. Um, then at the bottom of the page, I would probably Guess I didn't write in I'm sorry I didn't write in the recommendation for how long
039a lease agreement with the option to purchase. I'm going to do some work on that one because I don't know. I want to say probably five years, but um I'm going to go look at that one a little closer and see what we've really done. did recommend um to take the option there right above procurement that um as long as the cost is less than $50,000 the purchasing agent um can go ahead and purchase it. We did want to select the procurement with federal grants because we do get some federal grants. So that language needed to be in there for us. And that gets us to the end of that policy that's very convoluted, but one of the main things that Beth deals with every day. >> And we're glad you do that. >> Then
040the last one in that miscellaneous group was supplemental payments for teachers. And I had recommended um this addresses the legislation that allows the superintendent or the district to provide supplemental payments to recruited staff. And basically this legislation didn't put a lot of restrictions on what we can offer it for. And this one was not from this July 25. This one was from last year. Um if it's in the best interest of the corporation. So previously that had to go through discussion or negotiations and then discussion became a um after the 23 session discussion became um voluntary basically optional. So now um certainly best practice to at least notify your teachers union and discuss with them how much and we've kind of had that informal conversation with NATO that as we start each negotiation se session
041or here in the first of the year to let them know how much in supplemental payments um we offered in order to recruit retain staff just so they kind of know when we get into bargaining what in addition to what has been just the new hire contract or schedule, excuse me, on the back of the master agreement, how much more has been offered. So that again, take it off the top of our bargaining amount that they're thinking or we're thinking. So that's what this one addresses. Um I did recommend option one. We are in teacher shortages. We are in a situation where we're often trying to recruit from other districts and money is one of those things that's going to talk and it's going to get people to come or stay unfortunately. Fortunately, it's just
042human nature and life. >> Any questions on any of these? I know Darlene, do you want to raise your question? You have one >> um on the privacy policy. 16 page 13. >> Yeah. Starts on 13. The part that I had issue was at the bottom of 14 onto the top of 15. Okay. Um, basically says the board can collect personal information, use it for marketing and selling information. And it includes a whole host of things as far as that personal information. Names, address, social security numbers, telephone numbers. I don't see a reason for for that to be in there. Is that in that second full paragraph or is it >> the bottom of the bottom? >> What would the purpose be of selling? >> I was going to say when would we >> especially
043social security identification. >> Yeah. And I understand that when they're getting kids set up for college classes, they use use the social security number to get them registered. That's not selling or marketing. I'm thinking on that piece, I think that section is talking about a survey that kids may be given and the survey or the outside organization may ask some of that information and then they can use it and that's what it gives the parent the right to review and decline any survey that we may give students. I could tell you >> I would never want to put their social security. >> Absolutely not. >> Isn't there a part in registration for the student too where you can opt out of any of that? >> I think there probably is. We have to have written
044consent. >> We Yeah, there's so much of that anymore that we don't really participate in too much of that at all. There is also kind of a typo in that um bottom of 14 second board will allow permits the collection. >> I'm wondering if one of those is supposed to be not. >> Oh, we're not allowed. >> Yeah, >> I'll have to go back and look. This all comes from Niola. So you cut and paste what they >> I don't feel comfortable giving our kids information to anybody. >> No, I agree. >> What Scott says, >> especially since my kids information's in there. >> I really think that's what it is. >> I think it probably is an omission. >> Okay, I'll look at that. >> Good catch. >> Thank you. saved all of our
045kids credit. >> They'll be able to buy a house. >> Well, that might be bushing. They might not be able to buy a house anymore, but just love good credit. >> It's a worry, isn't it? >> Or as the parents as the co-signer saves your credit, too. >> Again, if you have any other questions or comments, please just email me or call and we can work through them. It is hefty. I know a lot of them it's nothing surprising based on the legislation but there are things just like that but sometimes get admitted. Thank you for Okay, next item on our agenda is the Belmont Middle School athletic handbooks for read. So this was sent with your packet which I know some of you had some issues getting some of that opened. Um, again, their
046first readings. Um, this is not something that's been brought to you before. This is something that Tim Meyers did according to him back in 200910. Um, that he, you know, he's he's received a couple of um distinctions for being I'm not going to get this right, the National Intermediate Athletic Association or something like that. Um, and he's reached a certain level of distinction. he's going for the master certification and as part of that you have to do a complete a project in intermediate athletics and he's like well I've already done this because I've done two handbooks back in the day and I think he did he said he did send them to Scott and Scott looked him over so basically for him to be able to apply for this master I'm say certified master athletic
047administrator he has to have board approval on these projects so that's why this is coming >> I can tell you I reviewed them the first time they were submitted them again this time. >> Okay, >> I didn't have any problems. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> And good for Tim on going after something we learn about. >> Well, I also think it's needed in our middle school program. I mean, we keep adding more and more sports to it >> with coaches and everything else like that. So, >> it's expected. >> It is. And it it can save you when unoured things happen. Next up is the approval of the BHS course changes. So, just like every year when you are asked to approve these, some of them are just new titles of old courses. Um,
048there's a few additions with the new diploma requirements. We went, it's amazing how things cycle back in education. I don't want to be one of those old people that say that, but you know, a few years ago when I first came here, we had all these different art classes. you had the drawing and the painting and then they wanted to put everything together and it was 2D and 3D and now we're going back to separating them out again. So, there's some of that just again trying to give kids more I think elective choices and more um pointed athletic or elective choices. There was one change that we went from one of the courses being an AP class to dual credit, which usually is a positive for our kids because that's something more kids are able
049to access. Not every kid's going to get a three or higher on their AP exam that will be accepted at a university. So that's a good thing. Glad to see that happening. And so again, just need to approve those things for the auditors so they say we have permission to offer them. Okay. Any questions or comments or a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by WY. Is there a second? >> Seconded by Darlene. Motion by WY. Seconded by Darlene to approve the BHS course changes as presented. All those in favor announced by saying I >> I oppose sign. Approved seven to zero. Next is the approval of the Tri Share Plus employer agreement. I don't know how much this is going to end up being a revenue plus for us, but as
050I've been telling you with the state cuts to on my way prek and what we anticipate is going to happen with CCDF. So again, just to review, on my way prek um previously had had just a global over $340 per week reimbursement for those folks who qualified by their household income. um we have never charged families that much, but it did help for those folks who qualify to cover um part of what it cost to cover the whole program. Um and it's an expensive program. Our preschool vest and our preschool transportation is well over $400,000 a year itself between salaries, benefits, curricular fees, and that probably doesn't include too much transportation. Um we run two buses and they're pretty much on the road five hours a day taking kids back and forth. Um, so this
051has been pretty devastating when we were we and I don't know why Wley's probably had his ear to this one too. We really felt we were were on the cusp of universal preschool >> two year last year even two years ago um because that was the word on the street. That's why these vouchers were getting subsidized so much more that the state was going to come forward and it would just basically be like K to 12, but it would be prek to 12 and that schools or probably even some private entities would get so much um reimbursement from the state per kid for quality prek as part of kindergarten readiness. So, we were very surprised when the decision was made to have what they were reimbursing providers for, but also they capped the number of
052vouchers that could be given out in the state >> um at a very small number basically. And so, it kind of came to the point that if you didn't have a voucher already, it was going to be hard to get one. And that's what we're seeing with our families right now. Um, And so that's impacting our revenue source for preschool and our child care. CCDF, which is what we use for three-year-olds and it's um a different reimbursement voucher from the federal government, already has 22,000 kids on a waiting list. >> Oh wow. >> Um because lots of families who had on my way prek are now trying and are eligible for CCDF are trying to transfer there. And so we are in an early childhood crisis in our state right now. Again, and it's kind
053of sad because we had been for years and years and years. And I know again when I first got into education and I wasn't an elementary person, so I didn't pay as much attention until I got in this seat. that um been saying for years how more kids needed access to quality prek and just quality child care for families because most of us need to work now to maintain a home and a family and having affordable child care for kids is huge because number one there's not that many especially for kids under three um and having it be affordable is a whole other discussion especially especially depending upon your household income. You I think there's a lot of folks who choose not to work sometimes, at least one of the parents, because they can't afford
054to pay child care and work and have any money. So, I have been looking for other revenue streams. Um, and this was something I met with Colton BL um from the economic development council because that's one of their big pushes for Adams County is early childhood education. And so, we did receive information about the tricer program. So, even if it's not a great um fit for us this year, I am excited about it um for our community. So, basically, it is a pilot this year in Adams County. It's been in Noble County for a bit, I think, and maybe Stuen, I'm not sure. Um but basically it is a grant that um the state economic development council received and what happens is a provider, an employer and an employee kind of make a relationship with
055one another. And if the employer agrees to pay a third of the child care or prek costs, the employee pays a third of childare prek and then this grant will pay a third of the care or prek. So this year, Adams Memorial Hospital is participating as the pilot for Adams County in it. And so when I met with them, they're like, "Oh, we're just now starting. We have a few dollars left over. Would you like because we're not going to have that many staff here?" >> Um, and we had been trying to provide child care and pre-k for our staff for free. We were going to up it to just a minimal amount, nominal amount this year. like that could at least be another thing to just help offset >> trying to give a perk
056to our staff. Um, so we're going through that process. There's a lot of hoop jumps with it, but I'm not sure how much. We're again, we don't have that many staff this year compared to other years. Last year we had had close to 20 staff members, kids, and so that was a pretty good amount because that was most of our afternoon um child care numbers. Um, this year we only have about six to 10 somewhere in there. Lori, is that right? Six to 10ish staff. So, it's not nearly the number, but again, we're just going to continue to try to share revenue streams. But as part of that, we have to have anou with this organization. And so, that's what's in front of you for us to continue to try to um work with them
057to provide a benefit to our staff. Now, what I will tell you, you see two things on the agenda. One is we redid our rates. There is our staff will not pay any more than we've already told them they're going to pay. They're not going to pay more than the $20 um for the afternoon postm morning prek and prek. Um, but also for the on my on my way prek, we decided and were told you need to have a rate sheet that shows the $147 that on my way is reimbursing you for because they're going to start looking at how much providers are actually charging. >> And if you aren't charging that much, they're not going to give that family that much. >> Yes. So whether we choose to do an in-house discount, which is
058what we're calling it, this is what we're charging. If you get a voucher, great. It pays for it. If you don't, we're going to not charge you any more than we told you we were going to charge you, and we'll >> basically eat it, for lack of a better word, because we want our kids kindergarten ready. Um, this is going to be something we're going to work really hard at because I do believe very strongly that prek is very important um for every child, but especially in a community where we have a lot of working parents and um we've seen the difference that kids going to prek makes for them being ready day one to access curriculum. just know school procedures, going to lunch, standing in line, waiting their turn. Um, it makes a huge
059difference. And we, again, way before I was here, WY, I don't know when it started, if that was your addition or what, but making a choice to invest in early childhood education, even at our own expense, was >> it's very important. So that's what this is about and it's what the next one is about where we redid the rates. Again, we are not going to charge anyone different than what we approved last time, but this is for ant in anticipation that the reimbursement rate of some of these revenue streams are probably we need to maximize what we're able to charge because we have been very well very affordable compared to other places. Any questions or comments or a motion to approve the tri share plus employer agreement? >> Pleased with the share is a very
060positive program. So as long as that grant holds out, but >> it is they said they have it approved for at least five years. So, >> I definitely have um already talked to our folks at the elementary to let us know kind of where what what businesses we see a large number of our prek kids coming from because then after this pilot year other companies can get interested. >> Motion by WY. Is there a second? >> Second by Joel. Motion by WY. Second by Joel to approve the Tri Share Plus employer agreement. All those in favor announce saying I >> I oppose. Same sign. Approve 7 to zero. Next is the approval of the updated best daycare rates. And that's just the rates that we adjusted to kind of again when we ask for reimbursement
061for some of these programs to maximize what our reimbursement rate can be. >> Okay. Questions or comments or motion to approve? >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by WY. Is there a second? >> Seconded by Darlene. Motion by WY. Seconded by Darlene to approve the updated best daycare rates. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I oppose saying signed. Approve seven to zero. Next uh item is the approval of the North Adams food services agreement with parochial schools. So I think we only have two parochials that actually use our food service program. Aaron did increase um fairly nominally how much she is charging just because our lunch rates increase too and so does production for how much staff get paid to do their jobs. So get ready to send out those bills.
062>> Okay. >> Any questions or comments or a motion to approve? >> What's the cost of like do we break even? Like are we eating any of that? >> Oh yeah, >> we increased it. Well, that's going to probably be another discussion, but um No, we don't break even. It's pretty It's a lot closer than it used to be. I would say right now we're not losing handover fist like we were three years ago. >> But it's not we're not making money off of it. >> So even when we our equipment goes bad, we're the ones replacing it, but yet we help >> them out. So, >> I'm almost wondering future reference we start charging a little bit more just in case >> at least break even. >> Yeah, >> I think that's a discussion
063I'd like to have with you folks just because things are becoming so much more expensive and >> Erin's really increased her production staff pay just to try to again recruit and retain from fast food for example. >> Um, so some of those things are things I think we need to talk about just we don't need to money for something as a service, >> right? >> We take it to them. Correct. Too >> I'm not talking about like filling a budget need with it, but >> no breaking even. >> Yeah. Costing our school money. >> Transportation is a similar conversation. >> Any other questions or comments or motion to approve? I'll make a motion. >> Motion by WY. Is there a second? >> Second by Joel. Motion by Wley, seconded by Joel to approve the North
064Adams food service agreement with Poial Schools. All those in favor announce by saying I. I oppose. Same sign. Approve seven to zero. Next is the approval of theou with IWU stepup program candidate. So, this is um a young woman who had worked with us as a skills coach for a couple years and did a great job and really impressed Renee and her team. And when we had an opening in our special ed department, the elementary was very interested in seeing if she could transition. Um, I don't know if you remember or not, the state changed licensing for special ed a couple years ago where you cannot get an emergency permit any longer to be a special needs teacher. But there are several other options that have popped up since then. So, we currently have one
065staff member that's already in this program that is working toward their special ed endorsement and bachelor's degree through IWU. So, this person would be the same kind of um situation. Basically what happens is we as a school agree to pay for their tuition and fees. Um it's a discounted rate with IWU so less than anyone else would be charged if they were going there. It's also an accelerated program and so the person finishes faster which works better for everyone >> um because until you actually get that degree you can't do an IEP for example and so somebody else is probably getting a stip in to help with paperwork and things like that. Um the other piece though that that the payment this person receives from us is basically our tuition fees and cost is the
066balance that what they get paid is the balance of what a first year teacher is minus what our tuition fees and costs average is for that person for that year. So we're getting somebody who is becoming a special needs teacher or a teacher because it's not just special needs in this program. this particular person is in our special needs program um costing us what a first year teacher costs and accelerated program and then we also as part of theou they agreed for us doing this to stay at least five years or they have to reimburse us >> prorated however long they will stay >> you have to stay for so long >> yes because otherwise it's a big investment >> to not recount the reward but special ed is a major shortage area, there aren't
067a lot of people um that you're going to get a lot most schools struggle to get that their special ed rosters filled. Um and again, this this because she's worked for a skills coach, she knows our kids, she's worked with some of our kids who have different struggles, and knows how to work with them, knows our processes, our procedures, um knows our team already. So, it was a great fit. How long until like how long is the program till you think should you be certified? >> Um well this young lady has a communications bachelor's degree already so it will be much faster. It could be within a year >> nice to have that transition when they start with a bachelor's in anything. It's a much shorter process. Um but we've had people start with a
068little bit of college and then they've had people some of them they're actually targeting are are folks who are pair of professionals and have no >> college credits. But it's still um not going to be a fouryear program. I think at most it's two and a half to three years. >> Um if you start with nothing. >> That's great. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Okay. Motion by Jill. Is there a second? >> I'll second Dave. Motion by Jill, seconded by Dave to approve theou with IW step up program candidate. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. approved seven to zero. Next is the approval of the 2526 Bowen Health Service Agreement for mental health services. >> I'm going to kind of talk about Bowen and Park
069Centers because they're the same um type agreement for us. There were no changes to these agreements and we have no financial commitment to either one of those organizations. Basically, this is just anou that allows their personnel to come in and meet with students who are their clients um here. Um usually park center are um have a have a relationship with their client that has been started outside of school. Bowen usually we are help we are part of referring the referring process unless they have a family wraparound service going on and then they also may service their their children here but again um park center we don't have a ton of of staff coming in. Bowen Center, we could have anywhere from 15 to 22 skills coaches a year in here working with kids um at
070different times, usually fairly regularly. Like some of them are here every day working with multiple kids across every day. And it's a um it's a big help to have it's number it's more hands and feet number one, but number two um they make a relationship with the kid. They're seeing exactly what the behaviors are in the classroom setting. And so point of service is um a strong strong thing there and um especially when they're working with potentially a psychiatrist or um therapy too. It is very helpful. Any questions or comments? So motion to approve. >> Motion by Wley. Is there a second? Second >> second by Dave. Motion by WY. Seconded by Dave to approve the bow health services agreement for mental health services. All those in favor announce by saying I. Opposed. Approve. 70
071to zero. Go on for approval with the park center as well. Any questions, comments? A motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Joel. Is there a second? >> Second. >> A second by Jill. Motion by Joel. Second by Jill to approve the center for mental health services. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Approved. 7 to zero. Next is the approval of the Adams County Memorial Hospital mental health services. So this one we do have a financial commitment and it did go up again this year. Um we're all in financial straits. A local hospital's no different. and often they're running their mental health program at a deficit. So I want to be very aware of that and conscious. They do provide the therapist, the licensed therapists
072that actually come and work with our kids on site and we have I think I forget how many hours it's around 20ome hours a week that we contract with them to come in. So, it is a huge positive for our families who again may work and struggle getting off work to get their children to a regular um counseling appointment. And it's great to have that service here that our social worker and guidance counselors can help facilitate that relationship. Um I am concerned about the cost going up annually, but again, their cost is going up annually as well. So, it's probably something that we're going to have to talk about um in years to come, but that's something I'll be talking to Dr. Smith and Baltimore Silva some more about and see what options we might
073have. We might have to look at numbers of hours. We might have to look for some outside support funding or something. But, um we're very appreciative of the work they do because it's very needed and we always have a waiting list of students who need a therapist and just maxed out on hours. So, um, again, I recommend that we approve it tonight with the idea that I'm going to continue to have some discussions about what we might be able to do to make the cost a little more palatable. >> Do they do this with all three schools, Adam, Central, South Adams, or just more of North Adams? >> I think they do. I think we get more services because we're we're paying for more. Um, >> that was my next question. So, is it all
074like a flat fee between all three schools or is it just by services? >> By amount. >> Is some of the cost transferable to an insurance provider? Health insurance. >> Um, I'm trying to I wish my social worker was here. We have one of the providers. I know we Yes, but I don't I don't know that all the cost to us is trans. I do think the individual at times is having their insurance ran, but sometimes this is like for the kids who can't pay and so we're covering that. Bowen Center, I believe, is the one that deals with most of our students who are on Medicaid. Um, >> that's what I was going to ask is is there a breakdown of what each facility has to offer? Is it different? Is it just like
075a certain population or insurance? >> Owen, I I do believe is our Medicaid provider, but their services are simply skills coaches. They do not send any licensed therapists. I know if I put a referral in for a kid, a lot of times they'll run it through their insurance if they have it and then DCS will get the remaining that and that goes like placement facilities too. >> Those are benefits though have changed. It's they used to be much >> yes >> more open to that and >> and there's a lot of organizations that no longer take Medicaid because of the red tape that you have to go through to process that and Health is definitely one of those that several organizations no longer take Medicaid. And we're also concerned now that we're talking Medicaid, Medicaid's
076getting cut starting January one for many many families and many kids. And depending upon the type of service program they're on, I'm assuming some mental health services might be cut for some kids depending upon the type of Medicaid they have. And so that's it. usually doesn't touch the kids that don't need it, you know, the most. So, that's another reason that I wanted to go ahead and find a way to make this work this year because I know we're going to have kids that are going to be losing their access otherwise. >> I mean, this is just a question, but like have you ever thought of just hiring somebody? Like when I look at the cost, it's almost a salary and I don't know what is out there just to have them on staff 24/7
077but during school school year school days >> don't get to account for malpractice insurance. I was going to say between that and the continued education say between that and gota >> it's more than just the staff >> just more than >> and unfortunately this is I mean all healthcare is ever changing but this particular there's so much more of a demand now >> that it's it's it's tough >> okay >> we have thought about it and it is by the time you figure in benefits and then that particular situation and and to have to process the Medicaid yourself or process the insurance yourself >> at times just to try to help. >> I don't know. >> Yeah, >> it might come to it. >> Um, getting a licensed counselor would be pretty expensive, but we
078definitely >> also competing with the salary range too. >> Yes, >> the turnover in the Adams Memorial has been very stable, but the other organizations have a very strong very high turnover rate. >> It's a hard area to work in. >> It is. >> You know, Park Center did I used to be on the Park Center board. >> Oh, yeah. >> 11 years. >> It was kind of a rotating door. >> And that's hard for those kiddos, too. >> Yes. >> I know. >> That is a very We have explored it, but it's probably something I need to keep my eye You never know when we might encounter somebody who wants to be on their kids schedule or >> is willing to take some cut >> to have that flexibility in their hours. >> Okay.
079Any other questions or comments? Motion to approve. >> Make a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Motion by Darlene, seconded by WY to approve the 2526 Adams County Memorial Hospital mental health services. All those in favor announce by saying I oppose saying sign. Approve 7 to zero. Next is the approval of the 2526 Great Heights OU. So, we are very blessed to have an ADA center, such a quality ADA center right here in Decator. And it has been such a joy and so fulfilling just to see the partnership we've been able to have with them. Again, we transport some of our kiddos who get partday services there um if they want it. Um just like our preschool kids that we take home, if they need dropped off at ABA, we drop them
080off there or pick them up from there. And it We've seen a lot of growth in the kids that have chosen to go there and are able to go there and the services. So, it's definitely something we want to encourage. We have a lot of our kids who do attend there um on our our ASD population. And the goal of this center as as it should be is to get the kid back in school or to stay in school longer and to develop stronger skills to allow them to be more successful. So what they were wanting was anou that would allow their behavior techs who are the folks who work individually with those kids at their center to be able as the kid is transitioning back to school or extending their day to be able
081to come in and observe them so that they can work on different things in therapy, provide suggestions to the teachers, um provide suggestions to the parents, work with the kid a little bit. They're not really they don't want to pro um provide therapy here. They just want to come in and observe their students who are transitioning. So if you remember, I think it was last year, you approved basically the template of thisou that we got through Church Hill and Antrum, a law firm in Indie um for a student who had an ABA therapist. Again, this this person was not from Great Heights. They it was a out of state, I think, therapy center that that contracted with a therapist or behavior tech, excuse me. What I wanted was a template that we could apply with
082Great Heights clients that come to to our schools that basically covers all the legal protections we wanted and that it can just be filled in as we have some of these students because it's going to be probably relatively often and um I really don't want to have to bring back individual ones every time because the the signature pages are still going to have to be there. The protections are still there. I had Scott at it again. He made some suggestions. Their um legal team has approved it. So, I I think it would be great. Again, they've been very good to work with and have we've seen a lot of great strides with our kids who go there. So, I think it would be a win-win to continue that relationship and have them help the kids
083transition um back to school, back to full day, back to a longer day, whatever whatever their needs may be. you know, ABA in an effort for kids to do better in school is such a huge blessing. And unfortunately, that's happening so much more. And before that was even thought of. Um, for someone coming in to observe in order to know how to give these kids therapies that they need so they can excel in school. >> Um, and that was had a lot of red, you know, it was just not very many people were willing to do that. Actually, it was wy for us that let that happen. And that was huge for Austin. So, I love this whole idea of wanting to meet our students on uh the spectrum where they are, give them what
084they need outside so that they can come back into the school where they need to be. It's where they need to be. So, I think this is awesome. >> I make a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. No more discussion. Well, we've got a motion from Jill and a second from WY. Is there any other comments, questions, or mot uh a vote to approve the um 2526 Great Heights? All those in favor announce I oppose. Same sign. >> Approve seven to zero. >> Sorry, I didn't give a whole lot of room for other steamroll. It's only passion >> approval of the adjunct teacher employment agreement and permit. So we did approve um an adjunct teacher permit last year and as I looked at the permit it is an annual renewal requirement and so they
085are close to being done but not quite done with their bachelors and their program so that they'll transition to a professional license. But for right now, we need to continue with the adjunct and um so I just needed to review the dates on and Dave will be abstaining. >> Okay, >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by WY. Is there a second? Second by Jill. Motion by WY, second by Jill to approve the adjunct teacher employment agreement permit. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Approve. 6. Dave abstain. Next is the approval of the donations of Belmont Elementary School in memory of Kelly Shinbury. So I didn't count how many people made a contribution, but Kelly um as I told our staff the first day um we kind of
086take took a moment to remember um all the staff we had lost in the last five years and it's been for a smallish district quite a few. >> Um, but what I really wanted and hearted to them was when Lori brought me the stack of things that the funeral home had sent us of folks who had made contributions in Kelly's memory. Um, it was probably this tall. >> And what a testament to her and the impact she made. This was former students, colleagues, friends, staff, family. um and such a sweet sweet spirit and certainly um I think my message to staff was it one of her favorite quotes and I think we're going to put a mural somewhere or something was in a world full of hate be a light was be a light um
087and it really segueed so nicely Dave gave our invocation that morning um but just the importance of loving on those kids even the hard ones >> that don't necessarily want to let you love on them but they're the ones that probably needed the most. And just the fact that in all of our roles, seeds are planted every day, whether they take root and grow that moment or not at some point down the line. Our hope and prayer is that something takes root and it sprouts and it often does. and people like Kelly, we were so lucky that she had the calling on her heart to be an educator and to work with kids and serve kids. and um as so many of the others that that we honored that day, Dale Mayus, Paul Gunet, Keem
088Dicki, Kim Fricy, Gary Gistler, um Lisa Stettler, um those were just I think I didn't leave anybody out that we that we talked about or thought about that day, but just in the last five years, so many people who have made a lot of impact on a lot of people's lives. Um, and they're not gone because their legacy has lived on because they took the time and had the passion to to care about kids and love kids. And um, it was beautiful that Kelly had that opportunity to plan what her what her memorial service would look like and she chose for her memorials to go to our preschool program. So, we're very thankful for everyone who contributed to her memorial and we are definitely thinking about what we can do to um make best use
089of those funds that will be a memorialization to her and what she did. She loved those those kids, especially those little kids. Teaching preschool those last few years and being with those babies, she called them, >> was precious to her. And so, I'm so glad that she got to do that. and that all of us got to know her and all these kids who had the blessing of having her were able to see and know her and know her spirit and have her impact them and their lives. So, I recommend that we accept all these donations in honor of Kelly Shann. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. Motion by Joel. >> Second by Dave. >> Seconded by Dave. Motion by Joel. Seconded by Dave to approve the donations to the
090Belmont Elementary School in memory of Kelly Shanary. All those in favor announce by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Approve. 70 to zero. Next is the superintendent report. Well, we got the construction project done. It was right up to the 11th hour. We did have one room that wasn't quite able to get in until a day or two later, but um Mullen Camp and all their subs did a great job and really put in I know a lot of overtime this summer to get while I really honestly thought when we were talking about this in May, April, it there was no way we were going to have the Raz Hall in the elementary middle school anywhere near done. I figured it would be two weeks into school before they were there. We were walking
091down that hallway day one and I think Justin, you posted something today that kind of showed the before and after and showed the hallway barereft of carpet with a big trench down the middle of it with pipe laying and it's carpeted and it's solid and we're using it. So, thanks to first of all all those teachers because they had to pack right at the end of school, move everything out and then do amazing things to try to get everything packed in. and several of our students have been helping get some of their things slowly put in. So, we appreciate the kids, too. And um our custodians had to put in a lot of extra time and some overtime getting floors ready and a lot of cleaning there at the last minute. Certainly, our contractors did
092a great job and and um grounds guys again, they always they impressed me. Um just huge difference in what our campus >> has looked like and looking like and >> very proud of them and Scott doing a lot to try to working with them and getting um even just new fence and different small things painting gates things like that make a big difference. >> Did they move all that stone with a wheelbarl and shovel? >> That is a lot of stone. >> Um we had a dump truck but it probably was largely wheeled. >> I was like wow. >> Yeah. Well, we had some high school boys. I guess I should say thank you to them. We had several high school boys that worked with our custodians and on our grounds crew all summer and
093they got the grunt work job. So, thank you for them. >> It's good for them. They might not agree, but they you know what? They did it and they didn't complain and they worked hard and they it definitely we're going to miss them because several of them are seniors and we're going to miss them because they they worked hard and they didn't have to have a lot of direction and very very blessed to have them. First days of school it boy it did not seem like August should have come around when it did but it has. I don't know what happened to June and July, but they sped past um my first two teacher days last week went really well. Um flurry of activity. We're now in day four with kids when several of our
094schools around here are just starting tomorrow and I have to give it to our kids. I I asked all my administrators that first student day. I'm like, is are all the kids back because it just seems like eerily smooth? what has happened here, but they've done a great job and really proud of them and proud of the staff. Um, we are getting ready to launch Belmont Next live on the online part tomorrow with those students and that's been a heavy lift. So, thank you to our middle school and and uh high school admin and guidance counselors because that's been a lot of last minute trying to figure out um less basically it's an individualized learning plan for every kid that's coming in here because they're each of them are talking about what they want and
095it's ended up being a lot less of like all online and a lot more of kind of alocart of I've done homeschool or I'm on online but I want to do this and I want dual credit for here and I want these electives. And so it's been a lot of learning curve for us. It's not a bad thing. I think it's going to be great when it's done. We're going to learn a lot this first year is what we finally just decided that we'll work through it as we go along. >> How many we end up with? >> Right now, I think we have about 14 at the high school and I think four at the middle school. So about where I was hoping >> we would get around in there. Um and and that'll
096be a good workable number. I think we can we can manage that with the staff we have. >> Um had pictures start today. Um, my little boy likes to wear his suit wear and I'm so glad that this year hopefully we're not going to wear it three times a week like he demanded to do last year, but he had his whole suit on this morning for his yearly picture. So, his spaceman backdrop. So, they were so cute. All of them were so cute. Um, and so I think the middle school's tomorrow and high school and elementary were today. high school >> yesterday. High schoolers yesterday. Sorry. Okay. They probably could handle the Mondays. >> Other um >> I don't know about that. >> After a week, it's always hard for everybody. Um other things that
097are upcoming. Right now, we're still just kind of in August settling down, but in September, we will have um our first flex day coming up. Is it September? Justin, I'm looking at you. I don't >> I don't know. >> Tiffany's not here. Now it's your >> I know she was always my calendar. Um it's in September and it's on the website with the calendar. We'll also have Fall Fest again this year. September 11 September 11th. Thank you. >> Fall Fest um more in October and we're excited about that. >> Um Renee, it was very cute. She had her second annual kickball tournament for the second day of school and so that was fun and the kids had a good time. It was super hot. I think she went and bought popsicles for the kids that
098played in the afternoon. Um maybe the adults too. It was very hot to stand out there. But they had a great time and it was good way just to kick off the school year. So, um, new cafeteria is going great and, um, like I said, besides just being extremely busy, it's been a great start overall to the year. >> Okay. Okay. >> By the way, September 10th, everyone's Sorry. >> Thank you, Jill. >> Please come to school on the 11th. >> Jill said that's >> they said it. The board. >> Sorry. Sorry. Well, that's what happens when >> it's going to be 6,000 times. No one's going to be in school, >> right? >> All right. Any other matters come before the board? Board member public comment. Okay. We'll adjourn the meeting. Thank you.