001for coming. The first item on the agenda is the pledge of allegiance. Please stand and join me as we recite the pledge. I pledge allegiance 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. >> All right. Next item is the adoption of the agenda. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Vote. Second by Miss Slaughter. Any comments or questions? All those in favor say I. I. Motion approved. Next is public participation. Any audience comments? Okay. Next up is the consent agenda. It is recommended that the minutes from the January 26, 2026 board of finance and regular meeting of the board of school trustees and the minutes from the January
00230th, 2026 executive session of the board of school trustees be approved as presented. It is recommended that the claims and payroll subject to audit be approved as presented. Kate Johannesmeer, principal of Arcola Elementary School, is requesting permission to accept a donation in the amount of $7,500 from the Archola PTO to be used on a new basketball goals at the playground. So, it is recommended that the grants and donations be approved as presented. And then it is recommended that the field trip request be approved as presented. It is recommended that the board school trustees approve the consent agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Ladder. Second by Miss Chaffy. Any comments or questions? All those in favor say I. I. >> Motion approved. Um, next up is the superintendent's report with
003Mr. Bucker. >> Thank you, President Hathway. Good evening, everyone. I'm pleased tonight to uh announce that the Northwest Allen County Education Foundation has met all legal requirements and is now formally recognized as a nonprofit organization by the state of Indiana. Uh the foundation's preliminary board of directors comprised of two board members that were assigned uh by the board uh are uh Mrs. Hathaway and Mrs. Schlott along with myself. We met on Friday, January 23rd. And during that meeting, the board formally appointed Mrs. Amber Tulle as the executive director of the Northwest Allen County Schools Education Foundation. Uh the board also authorized Mrs. tool to establish checking and savings accounts on behalf of the foundation uh to support the operational needs of the organization. At this time, it's my honor uh to introduce the executive director
004of the Northwest Allen County Education Foundation, Mrs. Amber Tulle, who will provide an update on her work and early efforts to establish the foundation. >> Thank you for having me today. I'm thrilled. Is it ready? Okay, there we go. Um, I'm thrilled as we start to bring this to life and introduce the next education foundation. This foundation represents a new way for our community to come together around our students and teachers in the future of our schools. Today, I'm going to share what an education foundation is, what makes ours unique, and what we've already accomplished, and how our community can begin to engage in the work we hope to accomplish. So before we talk about the foundation, I'd like to take a moment just to introduce myself. I'm a former classroom teacher with nine years
005of classroom experience. Um while I'm no longer teaching, I remain deeply connected to our schools. I'm actively involved as a volunteer and through the PTO, supporting teachers and school initiatives where I can. My three children attend Cedar Canyon, which gives me a personal connection to the day-to-day experiences of students and educators in our district. Beyond our schools, I also bring nonprofit experience through planning community events, serving on the board of a local dog rescue, and volunteering as a CASA. I'm looking forward to bringing this background, perspective, and commitment to the work of the Knack Education Foundation as we support students, teachers, and our school community. So, what exactly is an education foundation? Uh, an education foundation is a nonprofit organization created to support a specific school district by raising and distributing resources aligned to our
006local needs. This is directed primarily from individual donations in corporate and business sponsorships. An education foundation works closely with district leadership and exists to fill gaps. Gaps that can't always be addressed through state or federal funding. But most importantly, they are designed to adapt to the needs as they change over time. So, what do education foundations typically do? Some education foundations um are primarily focused on scholarships for graduating seniors or classroom grants for teachers. Others take a broader approach and that broader support can include things like care closets and food pantries, technology access, school supplies, outdoor learning spaces, STEM labs, kind of those bigger project ideas. What every foundation um has in common is a focus on the unique needs of its individual community and the flexibility to respond as those needs grow and evolve.
007So our vision and mission um guide everything we do. Our vision is a community where every student is supported, every educator is empowered, and every school has the resources it needs to help students succeed. Our mission is to strengthen Northwest Allen County schools by mobilizing community resources that support students, educators, and schools so every learner has what they need to thrive. So how are we going to do that? Um in action, the mission and vision will be achieved by keeping a focus on four core pillars. The first pillar is ready. This pillar focuses on meeting essential needs so students are ready to learn. Students learn best when their basic needs are met. when barriers like food insecurity, lack of supplies, or unmet basic needs uh don't interfere with attendance, focus, or well-being. Ready is about
008removing obstacles so students can show up prepared and able to succeed. The second pillar is Ignite. Ignite represents the goal that students should enjoy and be excited about learning. This pillar supports experiences and programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and real world learning, helping students develop into lifelong learners. Ignite is where innovation, enrichment, and inspiration live. The third pillar is Elevate. This pillar is about supporting teachers with the resources and opportunities they need to teach at their highest level through classroom grants, supplies, and shared resources. We aim to reduce the burden on teachers so they aren't paying out of pocket for materials required to be excellent educators. This may also be an opportunity for teachers to request professional development or continuing education funds because when teachers are supported, students benefit. The fourth pillar is connect. This
009pillar focuses on building a more vibrant and connected community by strengthening relationships between schools, families, and the broader community through inclusive low barrier events and shared experiences. Connect works to ensure that everyone feels welcome, engaged, and invested in our schools. So what have we done so far? So to establish the foundation, we've done a lot of work behind the scenes to prepare for a public launch. We've opened a dedicated foundation bank account, designed a logo, created a public-f facing website and social media pages, defined a clear board member expectations, and developed a plan to recruit additional board members. We've also designed our initial fundraiser, the founders campaign, and begun conversations with principles, social workers, and teachers about the real needs across the district. So, with all of that in place, we're excited to announce the
010official launch of the Annex Education Foundation officially tomorrow, February 10th. This launch is especially meaningful because it coincides with Indiana Education Foundation Day, which is being celebrated by the Indiana Association of Public Education Foundations. On a day dedicated to statewide celebrating and strengthening education foundations, we're proud to officially introduce ours and begin work for Knack Students and teachers. With this launch, we join more than 70 public education foundations across Indiana and stand alongside East Allen, Southwest Allen, and Fort Wayne Community Schools education foundations in supporting students, teachers with resources they need to pursue their passions and achieve more. So, what are our next steps to move this work forward? One of our most important next steps is building a strong and engaged board. We're seeking board members who believe in public education, bring skills like
011in areas like finance, fundraising, marketing, law, education, or just community leadership, and are willing to advocate for next students and educators. Board members commit their time, talent, and strategic thinking to help guide the foundation's growth. Interested individuals are invited to complete a board interest form on our website and forms are due by February 24th at 5:00 p.m. The other thing that we need is um with the official launch, we're also kicking off our first fundraiser. Uh this is called the Founders Campaign. The Founders Campaign will be open during the first 60 days of the foundation and provides an opportunity for our community to fund our very first year of programming including grants, technology, and student resources. This campaign invites community members, local businesses, alumni, and families to partner with us from the very beginning and
012help create district-wide impact together. Anyone who donates during these first 60 days will be recognized on our website and receive special recognition at future foundation events. We hope uh our founders share in the vision that we have for a strong supported school community and are willing to invest in our students immediately. So, we to learn more about becoming a board member or contributing to our founders campaign, we invite you to visit our website, knacked educationfoundation.org. I'm excited to partner with all of you um to invest in our students and empower educators and strengthen our schools. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we launch the Knax Education Foundation. I am truly excited about the opportunities that will grow from this work together. Thank you, Mrs. Dul. One thing I I didn't mention uh
013in in my introduction of her, this is something um that she probably came to me. I should have looked it up before I say, and maybe you know for sure, but it's been a year and a half to two years ago, I would imagine. U when she came to me saying, "Our district needs an education foundation." And at the time, I didn't know Mrs. Tulle at all. I had no relationship with her, but I left that meeting incredibly impressed by her and her her goals to help this district and and what this foundation could become. So, I'm thankful that we were able to get through the legal paperwork to get this accomplished. I'm looking forward to working with her her role. I did also did not mention this is a a voluntary role uh at
014least until such time that uh the full board would the full board of the foundation would be able to make changes to that based upon having funds to do so. Uh so we thank her for her uh love of Knack schools and her love of wanting to help uh our students and staff and community. Um so looking forward to what what what the future holds. >> Yeah. Thank you. I'm super excited too what we can do for the community and our staff and students. So, thanks. >> Are you done with your superintendent? Did you anything? Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Parker. Next up is the personnel report with Mr. Dreo. >> Thank you, President Hathway. Um, as indicated, I'll be referencing the personnel section of your packet. Uh, to kind of set things off, I
015do want to acknowledge that there is quite a bit to cover. um more so than I typically have. As the uh poem goes, settle in for a long winter's nap. Um so to begin, please refer to agenda item 5.3, retirement. We have uh tonight uh three staff members uh to bring to you. Um they will be retiring at the end of the current school year. Jod Aspund, Kathy Brothers, and Sher Shade. Mrs. Daspin was hired by Knack in 1984 to teach art at Carroll High School where she did that for 16 years. She then split her art teaching duties between the high school and Maple Creek for one year before transferring full-time to Maple Creek Middle School in 2011. She will have been at Maple Creek for 15 years when she retires at the end
016of the school year. All told, Mrs. Aspen will have served in a students for 42 years. She has been in education for a total of 42 and a half years. Mrs. Brothers began her service with Knack in 1991 when she was hired to teach at Arc Colola Elementary. She spent 16 years there before transferring to Huntertown Elementary where she stayed for 14 years before culminating her career by spending the last five at Aspen Meadow. Mrs. Brothers will have served in ACT students for 35 years. Her total time in education will be 38 as she was teaching in New Hampshire for three years prior to relocating to Indiana. And Mrs. Shade, she began her teaching career as a substitute teacher for three years before being hired by Knack in 1996 to teach math at Carroll High
017School. She has served in that capacity ever since. And when she retires this spring, Mrs. Shade will have taught math at Carroll High School for 30 years. We wish to thank each of these individuals for their commitment, years of service to Nax and our students, wishing them nothing but the very best in their future endeavors. The reviewing and strategizing process in preparation for Willow Creek staffing has been completed and we are now moving forward with actual needs. You will note in the personnel report today numerous requests including posting new positions, transferring positions, and even removing positions that student numbers no longer support. Some of the requests impact various schools that are not Willow Creek. All staffing decisions were impacted by student enrollment, budget constraints, and teacher lensure. We have and continue to scrutinize all openings
018to make sure that student interest and enrollment supports posting openings. If you would refer to agenda item 5.2, extracurricular resignations, particularly the the middle school team leaders. We currently have 16 total positions, eight at each building. So there's two at each grade level, one special education, one related arts. With the addition of Willow Creek Middle School, team leader positions have been reconfigured to the following. There will be five team leaders at each building, one at each grade level, one special ed, one related arts. This will be a total of 15 positions. For efficiency, the listed team leaders have been notified that they will need to reapply for the position at their respective buildings for next school year. As such, we are submitting a batch removal resignation to the board. So, there is no need for
019multiple resignations. We will also make new ECA positions a batch recommendation uh a little bit later on, much like we do with summer school assignments. If you would look to 5.6, administrative recommendations, 5.7 permission to post the position of executive director of student services, and 5.8, 8 permission to eliminate an administrative position. These three items are all related. So we will be asking the board for permission to transfer Caleb Miner from the position of director of operational services to executive director of human resources starting July 1st, 2026. We also will be asking permission to add and post the position of executive director of student services. This position will provide strategic and operational leadership for all student support programs and services across the district. This role ensures students receive equitable access to academic, behavioral, social, emotional,
020and health support in accordance with state and federal laws and district policies. The director partners with administrators, families, community partners, and regulatory agencies to promote safe, inclusive, and highquality learning environments for all students. They will collaborate closely with key stakeholders including the CFO and other district leaders to create and manage budgets, grants, and resources related to student services along with assuming many of the responsibilities previously handled by the director of operational services. Please see the attached job description uh in your packet for more detailed um account of responsibilities. As a result of this, we are also going to be asking that the director of operational services be eliminated effective June 30th, 2026. This will negate any financial impact caused by the addition of the new executive director of student services. And lastly, if you would
021look at 514, permission to post, transfer, and remove ECA positions. The permission to post positions, of which there are quite a bit, include the ECBA positions that Willow Creek will need to have in place for the next school year. The transferred positions are those positions that can transfer from current middle schools to Willow Creek based on student numbers and pose no additional cost to the district. The removed ECA positions are no longer needed again due to student numbers or have activities and duties being absorbed by another group. For example, the reactivists, much of what they do or did is now being absorbed by student council. So those those responsibilities will still be intact. They'll just be performed under the student council umbrella. Recommendation highlights for this evening's meetings include basically a boatload of classified and
022certified positions. So, it is recommended that items 5.1 through 5.14 in the personnel report be approved as presented. >> Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Jameson, second by Miss Chaffy. Any comments or questions? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Motion approved. Thank you, Mr. Premier. >> Thank you. >> Uh next up is curric curriculum instruction and technology with Dr. Toller. >> Yeah. Thank you, President Hathaway. Uh for my first agenda item tonight, uh we we have our usual uh professional learning professional learning and training activities for the board's approval. Uh the majority of requests tonight are for the uh virtual state board of accounts training for several several of our building treasurers. Uh we have one more uh request for uh virtual access to
023lit con. That's for our um elementary literacy interventionist. And then finally, Mr. Dale, our director of technology, is requesting to attend um a tech expo in Indianapolis. So it is recommended that the professional learning and training activities be approved as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by M. Letter, second by Mr. Vote. Any comments or questions? All those in favor say I. I motion approved. >> Uh for my next agenda agenda item, I'd just like to give the board an update and say thank you for uh approving the flex waiver day. So we had a professional development day last uh Wednesday on February 4th. It was a great day. Uh lots of lots of collaboration and PD taking place around the district. Uh just to give the board a quick update on kind
024of the some of the the bigger bigger items. Um, our elementary teachers spent the morning uh collaborating and going through PD in relationship to our new literacy curriculum. Uh, in the afternoon they spent time working on we've we've begun implementing new intervention times at the elementary this year intervention blocks where we're splitting the students up and trying to to fill in some gaps for those kiddos that need it. Um, and then we also use that time to get all the elementary teachers together at one time virtually and update them on the new math uh intervention legislation that's going to take place next year. have to make some adjustments next year. So, we kind of we reminded them, hey, we don't we don't need to fix this right now, but give them kind of a first
025exposure to to something coming down the road next year. Uh it was a great day for the middle school teams and really good timing because they were able to meet in their 26 27 staff configurations and we had the Willow Creek staff here in the boardroom and it was great to see that team together for the first time and and Mrs. Dr. for bidding did a great job uh leading that time with those those staff members and it was it was a very positive atmosphere and environment and they got a chance to go out in the building and and pick out their classrooms for next year and and spend time working on schedules and and curriculum. Um at the high school level they spent time looking at their building schedule and some uh possible changes
026for next year. Uh talked about data and how we know whether or not our kids are getting it and doing some some other um curriculum work in departments. And then it also gave them an hour and a half block of time to go through some necessary SAT training. That's hard to find that time time otherwise. Um, our SPED teachers uh met between elementary and middle school level to talk about transitions for our kiddos going from fifth grade to sixth grade next year. And then outside of that, we just had we had some IIA training uh related to behaviors and teaching social skills to students with autism. Um PE teachers, art, e literacy interventionist, counselors, food service, transportation. uh this building was full that day with meetings and and we we went around the district to
027visit schools and and a lot of positive stuff going on. So again, wanted to update the board and say thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Any questions? >> I just want to thank you Dr. Toller and all of our leadership administration for making that day so effective and um providing so many opportunities for our staff. And I was excited. I think echo saw a couple pictures from the building here. Just to see Willow Creek Middle School staff all together for the first time and to think about the other middle schools working for towards next year too. I just really appreciate all the time and energy and effort put into making that day so effective. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. Thank you. It was a positive day. Uh for
028my last agenda item, um >> I had one more. >> Oh, sure. Sorry. Was there a lottery pick for rooms? How did they do that? Uh I I think it was uh I we were there when it happened and it was just kind of like everybody running, you know, kind of like for musical chairs and grabbing their No, in all honesty, uh I wasn't in the room when when Dr. Bidding, Mrs. Dr. Bidding, explained to them what the process was, but we were all there in the building together and she had a map and she was kind of posted up in a central location and they walked around and talked with each other and it was I didn't I didn't see anybody fighting over over space. It was pretty uh uh pretty pretty a pretty
029pretty friendly uh competition, so to speak. But uh they those teachers were definitely excited and excited to see that brand new space. >> Very good. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh for my final agenda item tonight, uh Barb Kiplinger, our EL director, is once again requesting permission uh to hold and staff an EL camp at Ill River this summer. As a reminder, this camp for our EL students is just to help them continue with their language acquisition and continue making progress over the summer. Uh for the for the students and families this is offered to. It's at no cost to the families and it's funded through our title three grant. So it is recommended that the EL camp and staffing request be approved as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Vote, second
030by Miss Chavey. Any comments or questions? All those in favor say I. I. >> Motion approved. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next up is business report with Mr. Basham. >> Yes, thank you. Up first tonight, we have the Huntertown Electrical Project. Uh, if you recall, we we approved this project back in May and there were long lead times for this and then we we had our bid opening actually on May 14th and never never took our results back to the board. So, wanted to do that tonight. Um, we did get three bids for the project and Kissinger was the low bid for $326,625. If you recall, the purpose of this is there's a lot of faulty electrical work there. Um, lots of outlets that won't work and really the big big issue
031is in the end a lot of the circuits aren't working and this is due for u boiler chiller soon and you cannot replace those if this does not get fixed first. So that's really the reasoning behind this project just as a reminder to everybody. But I do recommend the bid to complete the Huntertown electrical project from Kissinger Electric be approved as presented. >> So moved. Second >> motion by Mr. Vote, second by Miss Ladder. Any comments or questions? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion approved. >> Thank you. Up next, we do have a bus surplus resolution. This is to uh declare surplus property for the buses that we're going to be trading in and excuse me, not trade in that we're going to go ahead and send to auction. And so
032attached to this also has the information for for the auction. Uh we're going to do the same process with Indiana Auto auction that we did the last time. You can bid in person or online, but specific details are are listed there. So, I do recommend the bus surplus property resolution 2026 be approved as presented. >> So, moved. >> Second. Motion by Mr. Vote. Second by Miss Chaffy. >> Are there any comments or questions? >> We didn't you say we're using the same auctions last time? Thank you. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion approved. >> Thank you. Up next, we do have a rate category one service. uh request from uh Mr. Dale for internet and wide area network services. Uh this was bid through the -ate requirements. We did
033end up with three and Comcast business communications submitted the lowest cost that month contract. So I do recommend that internet and wide area network services bid from Comcast Business be approved as presented. >> I entertain a motion. >> So move second. >> Motion by M. Letter, second by Mr. Vote. Any comments or questions? No. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. >> Motion approved. >> Thank you. And and up next, we do have a a locker purchase for Maple Creek. Uh if if you have been in the middle school buildings, Maple Creek's lockers are about half the size of Carol Middle lockers. Uh really tricky to get things in. And um you know, the kids of course they don't want to wear a coat anyways, but a great excuse to say I can't fit
034my bag and my coat in there. So something that's been on our radar for quite a while. Uh two years ago, we had to purchase extra lockers because uh Maple Creek's enrollment was so high and we ended up purchasing the right size lockers and did not attach them to the wall. That way, when the time ever came, we would be able to take out the ones that are too small and install new. Um as we've gone through the project uh projects, we were hopeful that we might have some funds left over to go ahead and replace all of the lockers. So, um at this time, we feel like we're in a good spot to go ahead and do that and get them installed yet this summer. Uh so this purchase would allow allow us to
035do that. Uh again, we're going to do the special exemption with this as well. Uh got great pricing if you if you look at the attached documents again uh to be able to go ahead and complete that project. As we go through this and I Dr. Bidding and I over the next few board meetings, we'll probably talk more about this, but as we build on another school, you want to try as much as possible to make things consistent. This was a great opportunity to get that part of the building done and out of the way. So so happy to do that. So I do recommend the Maple Creek locker purchase with Pver Cove be approved as presented. >> Oh so moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Chaffy. Second by Mr. Vote. >> I have
036a question. It was it was Miss Jameson. >> Miss Jameson. What will you do with the old lockers? Can you sell those like you do the buses or what do you do with the old >> Yeah, I most likely will scrap them because they really won't have value. you're going to have to have the right space, the right size to do. Um, we will certainly have conversations with elementary, but they really are small. They are >> uh it really is tricky and so I'm not we we've talked about you almost need a two for one and that can become tricky to try to organize. So, I'm not sure that there's really much of a value. We've we've not found any yet. So, most likely we will end up declaring surplus property and scrapping those. >>
037Okay. So, so they don't take them away for us and we have to pay somebody else to >> scrap metals. >> Scrap them. Yeah, I was going to say >> scrap metals up. >> Okay. >> Omni source. What? I have one question I want to go back to. So, we can vote on this and I have one more question for him that I >> about this. >> No, not about this. >> I just had a question. I do have a question on this. When you talked about special pricing, um that was about half of the list price, correct? >> Yeah. >> So, I just want to take time to thank um Paul Reov and Mr. Lee for helping that be a possibility for our district. what possibly puts like $400,000 in savings. Correct? >> Yes.
038>> So, I just want to make sure that's >> acknowledged. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion approved. Okay. Mr. Vote, >> Brandon, can you I was apologize on this on the buses and I I forgot my question. I want to go back to it. I noticed that we've got bus mileage from 60ome,000 to 140,000 almost 150,000. Um, are do we do anything to rotate the buses so we have a more even mileage? And the reason I'm asking that is maintenance has got to be different on a 60,000 milei bus than a 150,000 mi bus. And if we have all our buses around the same mileage, or do we just give a bus to a route and that bus
039driver takes it and that's the route it stays. Do you know the answer to that? And I may not. >> I'll let Dr. Bidding elaborate, but no, they will rotate buses and move them. Uh, one question that's fairly common to come up is, do you have to do it every 12 years? Because that's really what these are. These are on a 12- year bus cycle. The answer is you don't. However, uh, things can go downhill fast. Number one, I mean, that that's just the the lifespan of a bus is the lifespan of the bus. Um, and more importantly, there are a lot more requirements, a lot more checks. So, right now, you've got your yearly your annual check. Um, some of these, depending on the age, could be two to three times. So, your your
040cost to do those can can increase quite a bit. Um, but that is something that we'll continue to monitor is is what is the cost efficiency to keep some of those lower mileage buses for two years. Right now, it's been in our best interest of what we're getting at to be at this auction to go ahead and take care of them now. Uh, but in terms of the rotating, they do do they do that. I don't know to the extent of the detail. >> Yeah. And some of that also additional mileage is um let's say Mr. Barker's a driver and I'm a driver. Mr. Barker signs up for all the band and require extracurricular trips. he's going to take his bus which is going to roll the miles up on that. So that's another some
041of the inequity of the of the mileage comes from some of those drivers that take extracurricular trips either over some of the other ones. So that that a little bit impact. >> What would be curious is to see if there's a difference in the maintenance side of that because maybe it's it's okay. We don't want you to take your bus all the time when you're doing those kind of things because we want to even out that mileage because if we can keep the the 10-year buses at 100,000 miles, that saves us X in maintenance when they get to 150 and 100 miles and more. So, just something to think through from a maintenance standpoint is, you know, the more even we can have if maintenance is higher in the end years, which I'm assuming it
042is based on inspections and and anybody else who's got a older vehicle that has a lot of miles on it, you have to do more to it. So, >> yeah, I'll talk to Troy about that. Ironically, sometimes that stop them going lower mileage can be harder on some of the pieces parts too. So, but I'll definitely talk to Troy and see if we can find out. >> Yeah. Great. Thank you. >> Okay. Awesome. Right. Thank you. Um, thank you, Mr. Basham. Uh, next up is operations and safety with Dr. Bidding. >> Thank you, President Hathaway. Um, taking a break from our normal normal project update. Um, as Mr. Bashman and I have been talking, uh, I know Mr. vote. One of the boy as the first couple board meetings you were part of, we talked
043about some things with capital projects and you had made a comment that kind of stuck with uh with Mr. Bash and myself about you know a big plan long-term plan and so we've kind of been doing that and I know over the last year or so you know I've talked about playgrounds and roofs and pavement and things. So um tonight we're going to talk about the capital projects that we have on slate for this summer and then we're going to come back in March and Mr. Basham and I may team up on this. We're going to come back in March and kind of lay out a 5 10 20 year kind of state of our buildings sort of presentation to to to kind of show you that we've put some things in place for hopefully
044uh several years to come as far as budgeting and keeping on our radar. So tonight, these are just the capital projects that we have on slate for this summer. Um the first is the Archola roof. Um this was approved a few board meetings ago. Barton Co Villa is the architect for this. Um it already has gone out to bid. You can see that we had five bids for this and Shust Construction is the winner of this bid. Just under 60,000 square feet is what's going to be done. And as you look at the roof, the the one in the rectangle, the gym roof is not going to be touched. Um but the other parts of the roof um are going to get completely redone. And we've built in some things. There's this roof has got
045many many um different fragments and chunks and it's not just one tear off. There's a lot of different levels to this. And so, um, we've kind of built in some contingencies on going clear down to the, um, undercoat and under insulation in case we get to some rough spots. So, this one's going to be, as you're going to see, this actually, um, is less than what the maple, excuse me, the Carol Middle roof is, but this is a little more complex because of the different levels to it. Um, so the next project is another roof project, Carol Middle School, phase one. Um, again, Moch Park, the architect, Wolf Commercial Roofing. This was, we're excited. We had eight bids for this um 64,000 square ft. We're going to start on the north side of the building.
046Um we're going to do this in thirds kind of like we did Maple Creek. And so again, this is a very uh less complicated, I guess I'd say, than our cola because it's one level. And so um this is we decided to start in this area because um this has been where we've had to do we're getting leaks and we're getting some interior, you know, tile damage and things like that. So going to take care of the what we feel like is the most critical and then hopefully get this done in three phases over the next three years. Um again this is the original roof and so this is going on uh you know 20 plus years old. Huntertown Electrical appreciate the approval of that. Right. I had to go in here and delete this
047slide real quick. Um but uh again as Mr. Basham kind of explained this again thinking long term we're going to take care of uh the home runs and kind of that first level branches. And so, you know, you got power coming into the building into the main box and that goes out to other boxes and that continues to branch out. It's really those first two layers that we're really trying to get wired right now. Um, if we have some contingency, we we'll we'll go out into even clear down to receptacles. But, uh, really just cleaning this up gives us the capacity to boy, it's been a while, but when I did my, um, my elementary editions, you know, that couldn't be done unless this gets done. uh boilers and chillers as Mr. Basham said can't
048be done until this gets done. So just trying to clean up the electrical to give us capacity for future projects at Huntertown. So very excited about uh getting this taken care of and and excited to work with primary engineering and Kissinger to take care of that. After that, if you recall, uh, a couple years ago, we started a pavement analysis and we had an outside independent engineering firm kind of do a pavement an analysis, presented that last year. And since that time, we've been, you know, working on budgeting what does this look like? And so, um, this year we're going to tackle the the I guess the most in need areas of pavement. And, uh, Hickory Center is one of those areas. And it's uh again about 81,000 square feet and you can see on
049this map um we're going to take care of that west lot. Pretty excited about this because through the construction through the design project of the career center, you know, we did do a harder look at bared road and realizing we got a lot of backup on bar road at some of the times today. And so we're going to use this opportunity when we're redoing the pavement on that west lot to uh we've learned this from Arc Colola. We've learned it at at Perry Hill. We can stack into some, you know, kind of repaint some things and restack into those those uh um parking lot areas and get people off the road. And so we're going to use this as an opportunity to also hopefully clean up for our neighbors on Bared Road. So we shouldn't
050be out on that road during uh drop off and pickup time. Cedar Canyon. This is really just one section. Um the the cold water entry drive there about 18,000 19,000 square feet. Um this is kind of a rough spell. If you if you have been to Cedar Canyon, you know that this is probably the worst part of the of the parking lot, but we're going to take an opportunity to get that done. Um and again, all these other areas that are not touching, you know, there's still some seal coating and type of things that can get done. Again, this is the stuff that we're looking at. Let's get this is we're tearing it clear clear down to the subgrade and starting over. Um and so if you look at the different areas, these are all
05120 plus to 30 years old. And that's you know this stuff breaks down as well. And so just a little bit of the entry there at Cedar Canyon. And then um our winner of the worst asphalt got the lowest grade was the Perry Hill entryway. And so we're going to take care of that as well this summer. Um and that should get us in a nice place for the drive-thru. The biggest part of the project is the Maple Creek pavement. And again, if you've been in those parking lots, the parent drop off and things, you know, um that there's a lot going on there. Uh again, this is original, so it's it's 20 plus years old. Um and it's it's deteriorated into the subgrade. And so this will be a tear off. Get down in
052the subgrade, make sure we bolster that up a little bit. And um and this is both lots. So, this campus is going to be busy um and it's going to be blocked at times and and we will coordinate this drive along with the Perry Hill drive making sure that there's at least some entryways through the campus at that point. But, um pretty excited to get this done and kind of start and work our way out of this. Um this has been a long time coming to get that done and get the drive done um up through Union Chapel. So, a lot of pavement. Appreciate all the work that Andy and Nick from A&Z engineering have done. Um, this is going out for this kind of in the bid process now. So, in the near future,
053we'll be bringing the bids to you as far as getting this taken care of. But, um, pretty excited, like I said, to kind of take some of this care of this infrastructure in our in our pavement and, uh, getting, I think, Mr. Bash and myself a better handle on in totality the just the the enormity of the pavement, trying to take care of it from a bigger picture lens. So, that is the upcoming capital projects we have for this summer, and I'll do my best to answer any questions. Have you looked at some of the areas where we have to take it all the way down? Does it make sense to consider concrete if it's a hightraic zone for the buses and that or is that just out of the realm from a finance? I
054know concrete's much more expensive, but long term, what's the the we got 20 years out of this and I'd say we probably got five years to went five years beyond where it should have been in reality. But u has have you looked at that or is it just >> That's a great question and I will tell you that no to be answering the question, but when we looked at when we're doing the transportation, we did put some concrete in the high turn areas like when you pull the bus in and they're turning into a into a spot. Um, we did put concrete in those areas because that's where you're really gaining the ability to hold up on those turn radiuses. And so, um, I'm not sure in a parking lot if the cost would benefit
055because of just the deterioration of it. Um, I'll definitely ask as we >> the drives is mainly what I was thinking. >> That's a It's a great question. It's something I I've never asked. Like I said, during the transportation design, we definitely are pouring some concrete up where the buses are going to be turning a lot on it and saving it there. But I don't know. I'll ask Andy and Nick about kind of the cost benefit of what that >> pin on curves in some of the corners where you know if you go to Maple Creek I mean people can't understand driveway stops here. Yeah. You know they still continue even when the hole is this big. >> Suspensions have to be bad. >> Cut cutting that corner. Yeah. Uh no it's a great question.
056I'll see what I can find out for you. >> Thank you. >> That's great. Any other comments or questions? Okay. Thank you so much. And closing items. Is there any board comments? Okay. Uh, next up is superintendent comments. >> Thank you. Um, as you know, we've had some issues with Diligent that we're continually working through. Um, and one of those uh in this week's agenda was uh the legislative update um was there and then it wasn't there. Uh, so I'm going to do a legislative update tonight during the my superintendent comments and I'm just going to talk about a few of the bills that are out there as we get, you know, in now into February. The session again will end here at the end of the month. So, uh, things will really speed up
057over these these next couple weeks. Uh, Senate Bill 78, which is the wireless communications device policy, um, is, uh, continuing to move forward. So that's a a bell-to-bell ban on cell phone use for students. Um I think there seems to be a lot of momentum around this bill. So I would assume it continues uh forward. Bill we haven't talked about uh the final two bills I want to talk about tonight. We haven't I don't think spoken about in a meetings yet. And the first one is Senate Bill 25. This is a schoolboard candidates bill. Uh this bill specifies the listing order for schoolboard candidates on a ballot. Um and basically it essentially names um candidates by being a part of a major party first alphabetical then independent then anyone who would be um running as
058a nonpartisan position. So, um I I this was somewhat of a surprise after what happened in in the last session where they made changes so that board members could declare a party or not. Um I I hadn't heard much talk about this until the bill ended up being filed, but uh my assumption is that this will continue to move forward as well, but wanted to make you aware of that. And the final bill that really causes me uh the greatest concern for our district is House Bill 1210. This is a department of local government finance bill and basically we're we are aware that um the homestead credit is been is given protected tax status um through Senate enrolled act one. We were aware of that. We are we have been planning for that uh to
059go into effect in January 1 of 2027. However, House Bill 1210 is taking that and actually making that retroactive back to January 1 of 2026. This results if this this bill goes into law and then has that retroactive date, it will have a effect on uh Northwest Allen County Schools of a loss of $1.2 million out of a already uh inadequate operating uh fund that we have. So, this would be um u a really difficult blow to our operating uh fund if this bill uh is passed. Uh we were certainly surprised by it. I think school districts across the state were surprised by this because we've been planning for um Mr. Basham, as you know, has already approved a budget for 2026. So for this bill uh to come out and uh impact a a
060budget that is already in place with no ability really to react to it is concerning. So we're going to continue to monitor this one. I have contacted our local legislators to let them know of the impact and and asked for their uh support in delaying this until uh January 1 of 27 as it was originally slated for in Senate Rolled Act One. So, wanted to make you aware of that bill tonight. >> Do you know what committee that bill is in? >> I don't. Uh, >> that's fine. >> I don't, but I'll find out for you. >> I think SB25 was just to make it so it was consistent across the state on how they labeled them. That's what I understood it to be because they didn't have the election board was like, "How do
061we list them? What do we And they didn't want it to be >> uh one county one way, another county another way. >> Right. >> I was told that it did come from the election board on how do we do this? How are we to do this? Because there wasn't guidance given originally. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks. >> All right. That next is our uh next regular board meeting is currently scheduled for February 23rd at the Ronald D. Felgger boardroom in the administration center. Next is adjournment. I'll entertain a motion that we adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Vote, second by Miss Chaffy. Um all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Meeting adjourned. Thank you all and have a great
062evening.