Regular Meeting of the Board of School Trustees, Thursday 5/21/2026

001Welcome uh to our monthly school board meeting. Um at this time I will turn it over to Dr. McCall um for the retiree recognition. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh this is always a special evening where we take a moment to uh recognize and celebrate uh people who have dedicated uh so many years of service uh to our children uh in a variety of different ways. We have teachers, bus drivers, aids, uh all certified and classified staff uh represented. And so, you know, it it's a good reminder that it takes everybody working together uh to help and support uh our children. Um you know, Valparezo is made up of almost 900 employees. Um and again, uh servicing students uh from the moment they get on the bus uh feeding them, making sure they uh can

002learn in a clean and safe environment. uh instructing and inspiring them in the classroom, uh molding them uh on the field of play, uh on their extracurricular clubs, uh just everyone working together with the greater good in mind. And um they get little fanfare and so this is an opportunity for us to celebrate everything that they do. Uh we have uh small token of appreciation. Uh we have apples uh for our classified staff and then we have uh bells uh for our teachers uh calling back to the old uh school days of ringing out the ringing out the school day. Um so uh without further ado um I'd like to begin by recognizing and we'll go one uh go through it one by one. I have some uh words uh sometimes uh other people's words,

003sometimes my words um in order to give you all uh a picture of who these professionals are. Uh and let me first thank uh all the family members uh that are here. Um it is uh a big part of your support that enables them to support our students. So, thank you so much for sharing your loved ones with us uh for all these years. Uh we're going to start uh with Daisy Alberto Martinez. Uh Daisy, come on up. Now, Daisy's worked uh many years. Uh first with uh PCES, our Porter County Educational Services. Uh she worked there for 30 years. Uh and then she became um uh one of ours uh at TJ Middle School back in 21-22. Um we count all the years uh that she was with uh PCEES uh because she was

004also in support of uh the students of Porter County and we appreciate that. Uh her principal Mark Mlin said that Daisy's love for her kids shines through each day. She treats and works with every student she comes in contact with as her own child. He says that last year we had students enroll at TJ who did not speak English and Daisy took the initiative to eat lunch with these students nearly every day to help them build a sense of community in their transition at TJ. Erica Clanden uh teacher uh says Daisy would often bring in personal items connected to the culture lessons being taught in class such as sombrero and traditional clothing worn in Mexico. These items help students make meaningful connections to the lessons and increased engagement through hands-on learning experiences. Daisy would also

005bring back small gifts and trinkets for the students from her vacations. So, Daisy, if you would come on up and receive your award and say a few words if you wish. That looks again. Well, we got another picture back here. She wants to get closer. Take that picture. >> We have a couple of folks who couldn't be here, but I'd like to uh also recognize them. Um Dr. Michael Bendixen uh who's principal at Vale uh is also retiring after 16 years of uh service. Uh those are uh not together. He actually started uh as a teacher uh worked at uh the career center uh and taught social studies uh from 93 to01. Uh and then uh he came back to us in 2018 in order to be the principal of Veil. And Mike is so

006dedicated uh to the program. He's really built a tremendous alternative school and he took on CTE, career and technical ed classes that were housed there. Um kids respect him. uh he cares about the kids first and foremost and he did a tremendous job making that program into truly a beacon program uh celebrated throughout the state. We often have visitors who hear about the success at the Veil uh and want to see how it's done and then they see what it takes, the investment that is made at the Veil uh and the dedication and uh they're usually uh walking away shaking their heads going, I don't know how we're going to do what they do um when they go back to their uh home district. So, um Dr. Uh, Bendixson couldn't be here this evening, but

007I'd still like to recognize him and give him a a nice round of applause. Also unable to attend, uh, and she retired in October, uh, Julie Bennett, who was our buildings and grounds coordinator. Uh, Julie worked for us for 32 years. Uh, she was actually started out as an instructional aid at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Uh and then she became the secretary at TJ in 2001. She then became the maintenance secretary at the service center in 2011. Uh and then became the maintenance uh coordinator and buildings and grounds coordinator in 2015. Uh tremendous uh professional uh she's a people person. Uh the people in in that department uh really loved her. Uh and uh I'll just add this that uh from Barb Johnson, Julie devoted decades to BCS in many roles. Her dedication was shown in

008many ways. Giving up family time on more than one holiday to address a burst pipe or other emergency at a school. Coming out at 2 a.m. because of pipe burst during construction, strapping on a a backpack blower and a dress and heels to prepare for graduation to just name a few. She was always available to listen and offer guidance. She led by example and with empathy. She was truly an asset to about both schools. So, Julie Bennett, thank you. We have another midyear retiree uh uh who couldn't make it. This was uh Angela Coyle. Angie Coyle uh second grade teacher at Memorial. She uh retired after 28 and a half years of service in December of 2025 to go be a full-time grandma. Um Sharon Mccoral and Megan Nellison uh two of her co-teers over

009at Memorial said that Angie was very passionate about her students and deeply cared for them. Her students knew this and always came back to visit her. She was known for her smartness, her positive reinforcement she would have for the students. She loved a good read aloud and her students knew how to use their voice in her writing. Angie always rooted for the underdog and deeply cared for the students who needed a little extra love. Angie Coyle, 42 years of service. Joyce Crowe, one of my absolute favorites. Joyce is a legend uh in the food service department. Uh she was hired as a food service tech at BHS and never left. Uh her loyalty and dedication uh is just tremendous and always with a smile on her face uh whenever I was coming through taste testing

010food uh saying hi to her uh when she was washing dishes. Uh from Ashley Bowman who's a food service director. She says, "When you think of true dedication, Joyce Crow is one of the first people who comes to mind. For 42 years, Joyce was a constant, reliable presence in Balpo school nutrition. Someone you could always count to be there no matter what. It became almost a running joke over the years. If you didn't see Joyce, you knew something had to be seriously wrong. Because the truth is, she was almost always there. Snow days, busy days, short staff days, Joyce showed up. Not for recognition, not for praise, but simply because that's who she is. Her commitment wasn't just about attendance. It was about pride in her work. Generations of students have come through our cafeterias,

011and Joyce played a part in feeding and caring for so many of them, often without them ever realizing the quiet consistency behind the scenes. Joyce represents the heart of school nutrition, hard work, loyalty, and a deep sense of purpose. Her presence will be greatly missed, but her impact will be felt for years to come. Joyce, you like to come up? You sure? Next up, we have Basil George, uh, who was, um, Yep, there we go. Who was with us for 7 and 1/2 years, um, but made a tremendous difference, uh, as a bus driver with transportation. Uh, from Jamie, uh, she says, "Basil George is a quiet one, but he's a model employee in so many ways. He doesn't have much to say, but when he does, he's always down to earth and so mellow.

012Basil has been a rock for us during some rough periods here at transportation. Post lockdown, he was ready to help in whatever way was needed. Whether that was working extra runs or helping to cover for sick drivers. Even being stung by a bee in the eye while in route didn't rile him up. He got on the radio and stated he was going to need someone to cover for him and why. and he said this like he was describing a minor scratch on his finger, "Basil is going to be so missed for his positive, easygoing ways and his dedication to his work." Basil, come on up. Also unable to attend is Tim Henderson, one of our uh groundsmen. Uh he was with us 33 years. Uh excellent salt of the earth uh type of guy. Uh

013filled in uh a lot of holes uh both figuratively and literally. Um, from Barb Johnson, uh, he says, uh, Tim was a quiet, detailed worker. He stayed in the background, but was always there when needed. He was dedicated to ensuring the grounds first at BHS and then the district looked their best. His loyalty to VCS did not go unnoticed. Then, Joseé Rios said that working with Tim for over 25 years, um, Tim was a quiet leader and always willing to help. We worked many football cleanups over the years and I remember writing on the back of the Gator at 5:00 a.m. talking about our families. Tim was a Valpo Viking through and through. Tim Henderson. Next up, Mr. Herb Hoer, math teacher currently at TJ Middle School, but he has served 36 years uh for

014Valpo schools in a variety of different ways. all of them extremely meaningful. Uh and this is sort of a full circle moment. Started his career at uh TJ Middle School in 1990 as a math teacher. Uh then moved up to the high school in '94 to teach math. Uh he was hired as the assistant athletic director uh for the uh 2011 12 uh year and then he was director of athletics from 2012 through 2019. uh stepping back into the assistant role in 2019 through 2023. Gave a bit more flexibility on his time uh to see his boys and then uh came back full circle uh to being a math teacher full-time at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in 2023. Uh coached football. Uh he's an excellent coach, strong teacher, but an even better person. Uh, I

015can honestly say that Herb is one of the kindest people you're ever going to meet. Most genuine person. Uh, and I'm so blessed to have spent my career with Herb and Tammy. Um, lots of, uh, Tammy was one of our, uh, coaches in track. And so, as a result, Herb was one of our coaches in track. Uh, and so we spent a lot of time, um, talking, uh, talking track, talking football. um and and really talk in life. And then as our boys grew up uh together, uh became friends, uh we got to talk about our families, too. So, um he's just a giver. Uh and if you ask any of the ads, uh in the Duelan conference, uh they will tell you that he is the real MVP of uh track meets because he

016runs them uh to a tea. Uh always does a great job. uh just a workforce. Uh his current principal, Mark Mullen, said that Herb is one of the more caring, kind people you will ever meet. His love for his family is so evident. John and Matt are his pride and joy. But he's very humble about how wonderful the boys are as a result of the job he and Tam, as he calls her, have done raising them. Herb is a giver. He donates his time willingly to assist students and athletes. Football games, he's there. Dances, he's chaperoning. You need a bus for an after school event? Well, he's a driver. Uh we're just so proud uh to have Herb uh be a Viking. So Herb, thank you for everything you've done uh for the kids uh

017for your peers and for me. So Herb I didn't prepare anything ahead of time, but I would like to thank Valer Community Schools for the wonderful opportunities that schools and everybody here has given me working with so many great people. Um, I kid around with my kids all the time when they ask what color is my favorite. Well, it's green because my blood comes out green when I get blood. Um, I'm biking all the way through. Um, always will be. Um, raising my kids here has been great. Having my wife work in the schools alongside has been awesome. And all the different people I've been able to work with and be with, I am so thankful and grateful. Um, it's been a great run. Um, it's hard to believe. It just seems like yesterday I

018was walking out there and Dave Watson um was coaching with me, brought me up to the high school and we took pictures. Mark Hoffman went over and I first saw when Mark was walking by. I looked I go, "What's my old brother doing here? He looks just like my old brother." Um, and from that day on, I knew this was home. This was great. And the people here make it great. And so I'll be around. You're not gonna get rid of me that easy, but I will be around a lot. And I enjoy being around. And so thank you to everyone for everything that's been I've been able to do and be around. So thank you. Jane Jones started in 1999 and gave 27 years of faithful service in a variety of roles. Uh she

019was actually hired as a kindergarten teacher for halftime at Northview for the 99 2000 school year. She taught second grade uh but in 201617 she made the jump and uh was one of our uh really founding teachers of our elementary STEM program. Um so she of course has since been involved in STEM club, science bowl and robotics club as well. Um Jane uh is a wonderful person uh first and foremost and from Holly Evans who's a secretary. Um after years of sparking curiosity and creativity, our STEM teacher Jane Jones leaves behind a legacy of lasting inspiration. She brought learning to life through hands-on projects, constant innovation, and a classroom that was always buzzing with energy. What made it even more impressive was that she did all of this uh not in one building, but in

020two buildings. She split her days between schools, somehow managing to make students at both feel like her top priority. You'd think that kind of schedule would make things repetitive, but it didn't. She was constantly inventing new activities, projects, and bringing fresh ideas to each class. I remember the day she flew a drone into the trees behind the building. And to this day, I'm not even sure we ever got it back. We're doing inventory, right? I have expect that drone is still up there, tangled in the branches, a permanent part of the TJ landscape. Her impact stretched far beyond the classroom. She dedicated countless hours to sponsoring robotics, coaching science bowl, and leading not one but two grade level STEM clubs, again in two different buildings to reach even more students. Jane embraced the crazy because

021she wanted to make sure younger students had the same chance to explore, build, and get excited about science and engineering. No matter where she was, her goal was the same, to make learning exciting, meaningful, and accessible to everyone. Now that she's retiring, the room she filled with noise and creativity will feel a little quieter. But her impact won't be. It's in every student who learned to think differently, to build something from nothing, or to keep going after something didn't work the first time. Jane, come on up. Also present, Kathy Leandowski. 39 years of service at Balo uh High School. Uh she's done it all. Uh she's served as athletic trainer, softball coach, longtime assistant girls basketball coach. She's actually a member of three Hall of Fames. uh VHS athletics, the college uh uh University of

022Wisconsin Whitewater, and athletic trainer hall of fame as well. She was member of the first ever VHS girls basketball sectional champs in 1978. Widely considered to be one of the best athletes to come through Valpo High School. She helped to establish the athletic trainer position at BHS with Todd Coffin in ' 87. She helped to establish the BCS employee wellness fitness program in 1990. She helped establish jobs off-campus program for alternative diploma students. You notice the trend. She sees something that needs to be done and she gets it done. Not only was she an athlete, but she was a scholar sumakum lad. Um, and because she just can't let things alone, she took on uh being a handler of the newest Viking dog, Molly. From Don Sutton, it's been her co-teer for a long, long

023time. Lev has many accomplishments that demonstrate how much energy energy she dedicates to helping others. As a special education teacher, I admire her patience, dedication, and insight. As her best friend, I admire her strength, empathy, and her ability to embrace life. She is always there to be a sounding board or act as an encouraging cheerleader. We've shared morning walks and conversations over lunch. From Jenny Lawson, Kathy is a true friend. She is always upbeat, even when life is falling down around her. She is a very strong person, but is also very compassionate. She doesn't enable her students. She expects the best from them, helping them grow stronger while showing them kindness. I will miss her every day at VHS. I know she will be around when she brings Molly to VHS, but it won't be

024the same. At Line, she expects the best from them, helping them grow stronger while showing them kindness. She does that for everyone. Uh I consider her one of my mentors when I first started teaching uh back in 99. she and and Dawn uh I think took pity on the young guy and uh held me to high expectations and then I was blessed to uh be in the room across the hall from from Lev and so we uh got a chance to talk uh a lot during passing periods and um she's just an amazing person. Uh I hope everyone gets an opportunity to have someone like Lev in their life uh because you feel like you can do anything uh because she believes in in you for it. So, uh, Kathy Lev, come on up. That's

025right. Thanks for coming, Leo. That was very nice. Thanks for the kind words, Dr. McCall. I used to call him Coach McCall. Um, thank you to the board. Um, Ashley, I don't know if you were alive in 1983 when I started teaching. Were you? >> I was. >> See, so a long time. Uh, thanks to the admin. I see admin over here too. my family, friends, some of the people, some of my friends are trying to hide in the back, but you did call Don Sutton out. So, so that's good. There's a there's a group of them back there. Uh, speaking of family, our family came here in 1969. My wise, wise parents selected not the place that had the best house or the best whatever. They selected the place that had the best school,

026Valparezo. They looked and you know they asked and said, "Hey, where's the best school?" Valerezo and I believe that is still true today. I'm a Valpo person. I went to Cook's Corners, Ben Franklin, Vapo High School. And the reason that I'm a special ed teacher, Lori Weisac was in charge of special education for all of Porter County. She was also my varsity basketball coach my first year here. And um I was the only person on the team that couldn't drive yet. And she said one day at practice, "Hey, anybody free on Saturday?" "Well, everybody else can drive." And I'm like, "Yeah, I'm free. I'm free. What are we doing? And she goes, "Meet me at the pines." And I go, "Oh, Miss Weissick, I don't know how to ski." And she said, "Meet me at

027the pines." I meet her at the pines. It's that little hill they used to have skiing on. If you're as old as I am, you're shaking your head. Yes. Everybody else is going, "What?" It's a little ski lodge. So, I met Lori at about 8:00 a.m. one Saturday morning. She taught me how to ski in about 10 minutes, and for the next eight hours, I took Special Olympians up and down that hill. It was a blast. I was sold. I was like, "Ooh, I'm going to be a specialed teacher." That was really cool. By the time I was a senior, I here right here at Valpo High School. I was like, man, I want to come back and teach here. The best high school. The best. It's true. You might think I'm prejudice. I am

028not. I'm very, very unbiased. Valreso is the best. Don't listen to naysayers or critics or any of that stuff. Just always do your best. Always do your best. So I decided I wanted to teach here. I left for school, started at KV in ' 83, and then there was an opening here. And I was like, "Oh, okay. Here I am back in Valareerezo, Indiana." Uh, you used my bleed green because my husband would say if I got cut, I would also bleed green. But, uh, yeah. Yeah. Uh, I love teaching and coaching and being an athletic trainer here. Uh, the kids here are great. The admin is great. Everybody is super supportive and it's just the perfect place. I will tell you in teaching, coaching, and athletic training, I never had a dull moment. I

029was never bored. My days are crazy fun, never boring. In closing, I'd like to remind you that therapy dog Molly is not retiring. She's only five. So, uh, we will be on call and we've already started talking about some fun things to do. We love Valpo. Thank you. We have a few other people to recognize who were unable to attend. uh versus Heather Millies, a fifth grade teacher at Memorial. Uh she's been with Balfo Schools for 40 years uh having been hired in 1986. She was uh served as a fourth grade teacher at Hayes Leonard uh fourth and fifth grade uh as well uh until moving to a fifth grade teacher at Helin and then uh moved over to Memorial in 2018-19 to teach fifth grade. from Barbara Rainey, a teacher over at Memorial. She

030says that Heather is a kind and dedicated teacher of 40 years. She consistently brings so much to the table and makes those around her better. She enjoys the laughing with the kids and watching them learn. Over the years, she has also had many adventures with them. Learning is first, but there's also time to have fun in the classroom as well. Heather embraced those moments, and that's why she's had an amazing career in Balpo. Heather Millies Sue Noak uh was our receptionist at the administration uh building. Uh she served in that position for 24 years uh having come to us in February of O2. Uh her last day was May 1st uh this year. Uh Sue is known for the green thumb of the office. truly. She keeps everyone's office plants healthy and thriving. Uh I'm

031afraid to look at my plant uh right now because she's been gone a few weeks. Uh anyone coming into the administration building is always looking to talk to Sue. You greet each person with a smile and kindly direct them where help is located. She is a great first impression for VCS. You always have a story to share and also a listening ear, even when it's something hard to hear. Sue's laughter is hearty and infectious. You can hear it all the way down the hall. Often someone from way back will stop in and ask specifically for Sue, and Sue will always know their name, even if it's been a decade since they uh last walked through the door. If anyone has a question, Sue is the girl. She is a wealth of knowledge uh that resides

032in her brain whether it be regarding district boundaries, substitute records, room schedules, meeting locations, and don't forget delicious recipes and expert plant care. Sue Novak, everyone. And then finally, uh, Laura Smith, one of our bus drivers, uh, retired in January after 21 and a half years. From her co-workers, they say, "We love Laura. She was our hidden treasure. When she came into the office, she was always smiling and would blend right into whatever conversation she walked into. Laura took her job here seriously. But at the same time, her mellow vibe combined with her sense of humor made her the perfect bus driver. Her driving skills were second to none, and the relationships she had with her kids were exceptional. She was always patient and determined to have a full bus of well- behaved kids at

033all three levels, no matter how much work it took. Her kids loved her and they showed it. Each time I covered her for a sick day, the kids always asked where Mrs. Smith was. We were so lucky to have her for as long as we did. Laura Smith Once again, thank you so much for the years of dedicated service on behalf of our students and families. Um, thank you. One more round of applause. That concludes the retiree recognition portion. I invite you all to stay but you are certainly welcome to leave uh at this time. So thank you. >> Yeah. No just then you have to >> I can't I can't >> I'll be right behind you >> along. yesterday. My eyes were just We don't speak for this part, do we? For this part,

034I got 410 44. Um, okay. I guess >> we can make an attempt to uh conduct uh continue to to conduct our business. Um, we're going to move on on the agenda. Uh, next thing on the agenda is public comments. >> We do have uh one person signed in, Brian Williams, on board policies. >> Mr. um Williams, as you come up, we'll um let Kay uh read before you start. Okay, we that a little closer. Sorry. We We look forward to hearing from you during our public comment. We recognize the value of public comment on educational issues and school matters. Just a few reminders, please come up to the podium to speak to the board. Please keep your statements to three minutes or less and discussions involving personnel, litigation, and student discipline will not be

035permitted. Thank you. >> Board members, Dr. McCall. Good evening. Um, I may have misunderstood, but in the recent interviews of schoolboard candidates, I thought I heard Mrs. Fatasha Cybird say that individual schoolboard members do not reply to emails. She later said, "I believe a designated spokesperson for the board will sometimes respond with a consensus reply. That is acceptable if the constituent receives both a quick reply and the follow-up response. But not replying to constituent emails is not acceptable. Except for emails containing threats, abuse, or profanity, all of you should reply to slashagnowledge every email you get. Are you doing that? Silence is not communication. So, I want to ask each and each and every one of you in turn, do you reply to each and every constituent email you receive? Mr. Blutoo, >> we don't

036pull. We won't we won't be responding, but we do appreciate your comment >> and we hear you. >> Okay. >> You must reply to each and every email you receive. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brian. We're going to move on in the consent move on to the consent agenda. Um or is there any discussion here? If there is none, I am going to ask that I have a motion um to um adopt the consent agenda with the amendments made >> as amendments. So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Um all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposes? None. Motion carries with the consent agenda given the amendment. Uh next on the agenda, we have financial reports. We are moving on for the performance of

037budget funds. Mr. Jim Holyfield. >> Thank you, Madam President. Each month, we present our financial report comparing our year-to- date revenue to our year-to-ate expenditures for our tax supported funds. Our year-to-ate performance of funds as of April 30th shows the following. In the education fund, year-to- date revenue of 18,221,845, year-to- date expenditures of 18,665861. The expenditures do include the monthly $655,000 transfer to the operations fund. Debt service has had no year-to- date revenue. Uh the expenditures of the payments have been made this year of $2,3,193. There is a tax draw coming in June. Pension debt, that fund has the $345,000 in revenue and expenditures was the one payment made in January of $72,962. Uh the 345,000 is a temporary loan from the rainy day fund for cash flow purposes and there will be a tax

038draw in June. The operation fund year-to- date revenue 3,31,478 year-to- date expenditures of 7,73,137. Uh the revenue does include the $655,000 transfer that I mentioned from the education fund and that fund will also have a tax draw coming up in June. The operating operating referendum fund has had no year-to- date revenue. The expenditures uh the payment made of 1 million I'm sorry has expenditures of1,860,25. There's a tax draw for that fund as well in June. Capital referendum has had no year-to-ate revenue and no year-to- date expenditures, but in June there will be a tax draw and a payment made as well. The raining day fund has year-to- date revenue of zero, but a the formation $345,000 temporary loan to the pension fund, and that will be repaid in December. We believe a review of the

039fund shows a positive financial position. If there are no questions, we ask for approval of the financial reports for April of 2026. >> So moved. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. You just jumped a little bit. >> I'm sorry. >> No, you're fine. I'm sorry. >> All in favor say I. I. None. Any opposes? Seeing there are none, a motion carries. Mr. Holyfield, forgive us. It's been a long two days. Sorry. >> Yes, we've been together way too much. >> Yeah. Um, we are now moving on to uh contract considerations. Dr. McCall. >> Thank you, Madam President. We have three for your consideration. uh first uhou between uh Balpo Community Schools and the Balpo Parks. Uh going through December 31st of 2027. Uh this

040just formalizes uh what has always been a great working relationship between the parks and the schools in the service of the community. Um and so a lot of it's been historical and institutional knowledge and uh just uh with change in leadership uh both in the parks as well as here uh we felt it prudent to memorialize uh everything that we partner on uh so that we have that in place. Uh, Skilman Corporation is the amendment to the original construction manager agreement to now include the middle school interior finish improvement projects. Uh, that'll be uh through 2027 in the amount of $17,500. And then finally, Frontier Services Agreement uh for 36-month period uh $495 onetime fee and $599.88 88 cents monthly thereafter. >> All right, board. This does require consideration. Are there any uh questions for

041Dr. McCall? >> Um, go ahead. >> So, theou with the parks, that's something that I know that we've always had a great share agreement with them, but it's just this is a newou. It's not a >> It is a a new one that just formalizes everything we've known to be true over the years. Okay. Uh I must say I appreciate you all for doing that. Um because in the absence of those two leaders uh we need to know what to do next. So thank you for that. Uh any other conversation board? Um if there are none, may I have a motion please to accept the contract considerations? >> So move second, please. >> Second. >> Um all in favor? >> I. >> Um there are no opposes. Uh so contract considerations um have passed. Now

042moving on to donations and gifts. Dr. McCall. >> Thank you. Uh at Hein, the PTO donated $270 for the first grade Challenger field trip and $1,000 to be used at the principal's discretion. Uh Memorial Elementary uh received $32.40 for box tops for education uh and $1,368.39 from Interstate Studio. Ben Franklin Ashley uh Hollifffield uh donated $51 for student activities. Teacher appreciation week saw a lot of donations to Valpreso High School. We appreciate uh the community support in that effort. A family express donated four dozen donuts, four dozen cookies, two dozen muffins, six cases of water valued at $180.56. Ashley and Shaun Evans donated a 5-day, six night stay at a condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama, valued at $1,200. Cosmos Restaurant donated 36 Peta Pockets valued at $72. Nothing bunt cakes in Valpo, uh, two bunt

043cakes, uh, valued at $90. Suz's Cafe and Catering, 60 breakfast treats valued at $200. Henzy's Bakery, five dozen donuts, valued at $96. Kostas Restaurant Group donated 10 $25 gift cards to local Kasis dining establishments. Drive and Shine Car Wash donated 10 $25 car wash coupons. Chuck Williams donated 20 $25 gift cards to various local restaurants. Regional Federal Credit Union donated 20 assorted $25 gift cards. Jessica Luth donated three $25 Target gift cards. Rainell Howlet and the Mullen family donated two $25 Target gift cards. Elizabeth Moore donated two $25 seven brew coffee gift cards. And then also donating $25 brew coffee gift cards was Cassidy Jacobson, Kelly Ellis, Stephanie Hawerber, Rachel Winnick, Judy Kulka, Sharon Castellanos, Britney Schwarten, and Michael Peterson. Nutrition Lounge donated 120 refresher drinks. Valpo Country Club donated two pans of mac and

044cheese. And Chili's Grill and Bar donated two peanut butter pies. Moving away from teacher appreciation week, Stu and Megan Summers donated $250 to the choir teachers discretion. Porter County Community Foundation donated $1,000 to the principal's discretion. And Northwest Indiana Area Health Education Center donated $1,888 to be used for the HOSA state conference. At the career center, they received two anonymous donations, uh, one for $40 and one for $30 to be used for CAD supplies. Districtwide, we we received a donation from Linda Siver or our students in need, three bags of clothing, two pairs of shoes, and a box of pots and pans. John and Vicky Lubec Living Trust donated $25 to school nutrition services and $25 to our backpacks and snacks program. Uh Backpacks and Snacks also received an anonymous $250 donation as well as

045$50 from the Heritage Evangelical Lutheran Church. That concludes the donation list. >> All right. Thank you to everyone who donated from that list. Um board is there anything you want to add to that? I know we always say how gracious we are um for a community such as Valparezo such a giving heart and I always believe that when you give there is a reciprocal so that there's a receiving on the other end. So thank you. This does require um board consideration. May I have a motion please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. I. >> Uh no opposes. Uh motion does carry. We are thought I was going to move on to grants. No grants tonight, Doc. No grants this evening. We are now moving on to Oh, business. Um award

046contracts for middle school interior finish improvements and authorized notice to proceed with construction. Mr. Jim Holyfield. >> Thank you, Madam President. With the uh board's approve permission, I would like to hand this off to our director of buildings and grounds, Mr. Randy Pearl. >> Yes. Back at the mic again, huh? >> I'd like to know how Judy got out of >> having to do anything here. >> Thank you, Madam President. What's that? >> Yeah. >> On April 29th, 2026, we received seven bids across three bid categories for the middle school interior finishes project. A copy of the bid tabulation has previously been provided for your reference. Following the pre-awward conferences and review of contractor qualifications, the Skilman Corporation recommends award of contracts and issuance of notices to proceed to the following contractors based on the

047lowest, most responsive and responsible bids. Category one was general trades golf incorporated $340,000. Category two was painting stands painting $554,400 and category 3 was the auditorium seating Lee Company at $86,500. Total awards would be $980,900. We are requesting that the board approve awarding contracts to Golf Incorporated, Stans Painting, and Lee Company for the middle school interior finishes work in the listed amounts. >> Um board any discussion? Just out of curiosity, so for the auditorium seating, um is there a reason that we didn't go with the low bid when we uh had our uh skilman when they looked at the bids, there was something about the bid that didn't meet the requirements of the bid, so it was excluded. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it wasn't apples to apples. >> Any other questions for No other questions.

048Uh, may I have a motion to move? >> Sorry. >> No, you're fine. Uh, second. >> This is for interior finishes project. May I have a second for this one, please? >> Second. >> All right. Uh, all in favor say I. >> I. Uh, no opposes. Uh, this motion carries for the interior finishes project. >> Thank you and thank you for the assist. Yep. >> Thank you. Next on the agenda, uh, permission to award bus bids. You want to take this one, Mr. Holyfield? >> I will. Yes. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, bids for replacement school buses were obtained from the Central Indiana Educational Service Center, uh, their cooperative purchasing website. Bids were received from both Midwest Transit and Mallister Transportation. We we are requesting the board approve uh the purchase the following buses

049from Midwest Transit and Mallister Mallister Transportation. First bus 172 passenger wheelchair lift bus cost 194,528. This is an international bus with a diesel engine. Uh the total price uh to Mid Midwest Transit uh after the $2,500 uh tradein value of our bus is $1928. Uh also to Midwest Transit, two 78 passenger conventional buses, each one costing $176,88. These are also international buses with diesel engines. uh trade in on those uh two times $3,000 uh will bring the total for these two buses to 347616. And finally 178 passenger conventional bus cost uh 185,183. This is a Bluebird bus with a propane engine. Uh total price uh to Mc Maller Mallister Transportation has a tradein value of 5,500. So the total is 179683. The grand total for all four buses, $719, $327. Be happy to answer any

050questions that you may have. >> Any questions? >> No questions. May I have a motion to accept the u uh bids? I'm sorry, the board uh the bus. >> So move. >> Thank you. I'm so sorry. To award the bus bids. It's a motion from K. May I also have a second? A second >> motion. Uh, all in favor say I. >> I. My motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Holyfield. >> Thank you, board. >> Um, we are now moving on to new business. Approval of secondary resources adoption. Dr. Allison. >> Thank you, Madam President, members of the board. Uh, as you are all aware, the high school has been working diligently on preparing for the new Indiana diploma seals. Uh, that has involved adopting some courses in the past year. um looking at the vertical

051articulation of programming and specifically beefing up the um dual credit offerings to be compliant with the Indiana College Corps, make sure our students have an opportunity to earn that. Uh as a part of some of that work, as well as a refresh on some of the materials we have, I'm going to ask Mrs. Ashley Monroe to come up to the podium uh as she has led the work for the high school in this resource adoption time. and I know she brought some uh dedicated teachers who also put in a lot of time, effort, and energy in getting us to where we're at tonight. So, Ashley, it's all yours. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the board and district administration. I'm pleased to be here tonight alongside several of our VHS department chairs and

052lead teachers to present the new resources proposed for three of our departments, English, music, and science. These leaders collaborated closely with their course-based teams to review our current curriculum, analyze student performance, and assess student needs. Their goal was to identify resources that would meaningfully enhance both the learning experience and outcomes for our students. After carefully considering options for each course, we invited other VCS staff and parents to join us in the review process. More than 30 participants came together in corebased review teams to evaluate and discuss the potential adoption of each resource. These teams included faculty from various VHS departments, educators from both elementary and secondary levels across the district, and parents of students at both elementary and secondary levels, including parents of students who have already graduated and experienced our courses firsthand. With this

053comprehensive feedback and after evaluating the instructional strengths and challenges of each resource, we are excited to present our vetted list of proposed resources for the 2627 school year. To begin, department chairs and teachers from English, music, and science will provide a brief overview of each proposed resource. We'll start with English. So, if all of our English teachers could join me up here, they're going to very briefly um introduce themselves, uh tell you what course they're representing, and give us a little bit of a overview of the resource. >> Good evening, board. Dr. PAL. Um I'm Stacy Paggel. I'm the English department chair here at the high school. And um the first text that I want to talk about is for advanced English 9. Um they were looking for another non-fiction text. The course is set

054up as a um genre study and the non-fiction text that they would like to have considered is called the other west more one name two fates. It tells the true story of two men with the same name and similar childhoods whose lives turn out very differently. Both grew up facing poverty and difficult circumstances, but the author received strong support from family and mentors who encouraged education and discipline. He later attended college, became a road scholar and built a successful career. The other Wesmore became involved in crime and the drug trade at a young age. His decisions and environment eventually led to his involvement in a robbery that caused a police officer's death, resulting in a life prison sentence. Through alternating first-person narration, this book shows how choices, community, and support systems can shape a person's

055future and how easily lives um their lives could have been reversed. This book functions exceptionally well as an anchor non-fiction text that prepares students for more complexformational and argumentative readings in the course. It was selected for its ability to help students develop a strong understanding of non-fiction text structures, identify and analyze rhetorical appeals, evaluate author perspective and bias, question sources, verify claims, and recognize limitations in non-fiction, and enhance critical reading discussion and analytical writing skills. The other book that I would like to speak on is for um a course that I teach the advanced placement and international balora English literature and composition book um course. Um the text under consideration is the importance of being earnest by Oscar Wild. It's a short three-act comedy of manners that satarizes society of the British Victorian era. Um

056it was selected to uh replace what currently is the final text in the first semester of the course. Um the novel Hard Times by Charles Dickens. Um this text has been used for a long time and is typically one of the least favorite of students in the course. Um so um we wanted something that would be more engaging for students as well as complimentary to the rest of the curriculum. Um currently the course has only one play. Um, we read Shakespeare's Hamlet during third quarter. So, adding another play and one that is a satire in place of Hard Times would help balance out the genres that we study and would provide something more accessible yet still complex for students to engage with at the end of first semester. Um, Ernest is frequently used in AP

057literature classes with great success. Um, the play's fast-paced, witty dialogue is filled with puns and paradoxes and and studying those will enhance students close readings and analytical skills. Um, students will need frontloading of historical, social, and literary context to grasp the satirical treatment of the Victorian era and the complex double lives of the main characters. But those literary complexities and the social implications of the characters behaviors lend themselves extremely well to both AP and IB literature courses. Good evening. I'm Danielle Stoy. I'm an English teacher here at VHS and I'm here to talk about first the adoption of Scythe for English 10 as part of our quarter 4 dystopian literature unit. So, Scythe would be a book to help replace um some of the works that we have been teaching um that have been around

058for a while or really well known and freshen up with a newer book and that's really hits on the topics that we go through in this particular unit. So, uh in the dystopian unit we are focused on looking at propaganda and how it's used for power and control as well as how we can see societal issues reflected in dystopian literature. This particular book uh takes the premise of if you have a world where no one can pass away anymore uh how how do you deal with the issue of life that goes on and so they have people called sites who choose who lives and dies. So this book really deals with a great deal of complex issues and a very exciting format. The characters of Citra and Rowan are relatable I think for teenagers. Um

059and it deals with a lot of the issues that we see in the dystopian unit. um as well as dealing with artificial intelligence in the book. So it touches on technology and its relationship to our lives uh as well as how we can get desensitized to violence. So there is um violence in the book, but it does deal with it in a sensitive way and deal with the philosophical implications of what do we do when we're exposed to it a great deal? How do we hold on to our moral power? So I think it does that well and it ties in well to our third quarter. we deal with uh McBth and we talk about control and power and so that's dealt with a great deal when you have power in a few hands how

060does that become abused so this book really explores it I think very well and intelligently but um with a high interest sort of way of writing that so it's an exciting one for them um the other book I'm here to talk about is for our public speaking course and so the uh this is going to be a new advanced speech dual credit course and so we needed a foundational textbook. So, we looked at a few of the textbooks that were available currently um and we decided that this one is a really nice option. It is an open online resource book called Exploring Public Speaking edition 4.2. when we compared it to um other printed copies from respected publishers, we felt like it still covered the same foundational materials and it's widely available and it gives

061us gave us flexibility to make it available to students. So it compared you know like there was really very few differences in those foundational concepts in public speaking. So we felt like it was a good a good choice uh for us at this time. Thank you. Hello, I'm Tim Matthew. I am a teacher here at the high school. Um, I'm introducing the book that we've selected for the new dual credit offering advanced composition. Um, in addition to being the text that uh um our partner IvyTech uses for their intro level um writing, the things that recommended this book for us were basically three-fold. There's a strong uh readily understandable uh approach to the rhetorical um arts of argument. being able to um form uh arguments and writing processes for students who are going to be

062doing writing beyond the high school at many different levels that don't necessarily approach the AP um literature-based levels that were there. So, there's a lot of good instruction there that teachers can build on. Um, it also has a strong hand ponet handbook component so that students can learn how to use a resource to find answers to their questions instead of just uh doing everything in terms of today we're teaching semicolons or today we're teaching every to show them how to use a handbook and to find answers to the problems that they're actually um coming across. And the third uh reason that we wanted to recommend this one is it has a wide variety of included copyright. Um like by buying the book, we're paying for the copyright. We're not dealing with bringing in outside resources

063that aren't uh under the copyright law. And there's a wide variety of many different types of readings that should apply should appeal to a broad base of readers regardless of their level of academic reading. It's not all um highbrow literature. It's not all workplace writing, but there's there are various uh readings across all four of the main assignments that we'll be giving over the course of the semester to let hopefully students have some choice in finding what they're looking for on their own. >> Good evening, uh um esteemed board members. I'm uh Joe While. Uh I'm a teacher of uh world literature, IB world literature and uh dual credit at um uh VHS and I'm here to uh introduce uh suggest three uh new text uh to supplement the course um and to provide depth

064uh scope uh and uh a more broader cultural context. The three of those are the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is an ancient Sumerian text. It's one of the oldest uh known uh literary texts that we actually have. um uh within global civilizations. Uh we also have the uh well-known uh medieval Italian um uh uh epic uh poetry Dante's Inferno. Um and then of course we have Oll, one of Shakespeare's uh um well-known shorter tragedies. Um and uh basically the background on all three of these uh shortly is it's genre studies and it's an extension of genre studies. So what is the epic of Gilgamesh? I mean it's the forerunner to I mean among other things any action movie you've ever watched. Um it's also a celebration of brotherhood but it's also a deep meditation on

065mortality. Um uh and uh with Dante's Inferno. Yes, it is a a a worldview from a a medieval uh Italian Catholic worldview, but it's also infused with Greco Roman mythology, and it also uh serves as probably one of the better examples of allegory within all of world literature. Um, it's also, if you're a fan of Mean Girls, it's arguably the original burn book because uh Dante throws all of his uh um uh um mosthated uh popes and uh Italian political leaders into uh various realms of hell. Um and he has a blast doing that. And then of course with Athell, Athell is of course this classic uh Shakespearean tragedy. Um, Iago is probably one of the best examples of a Shakespearean villain, maybe one of the best villains in all of uh world literature. Um,

066and it's also uh one of Shakespeare's uh more global uh texts in so far as uh he steps out of his comfortable spaces in England or uh in Italy and uh he gets to uh explore basically um uh race relations in the Mediterranean. obviously the titular character um Oll. He's a Moorish captain. He's black. Um and this uh this play is exciting. It has um um uh relevant themes. Um and it is also a meditation on just uh uh uh scheming, ambition, pride uh and uh prejudice. Um so um uh and thinking about it in terms of what this will uh uh uh do for the students in terms of enriching uh their literacy most importantly uh this would fulfill um 11-12 rc.4 For uh it would help the students analyze and evaluate works of

067literary or cultural significance in history for the way in which these works have used archetypes drawn from myths, traditional stories or religious works as well as how two or more uh works treat similar themes, conflicts, issues or topics and maintain relevance for current audiences. Um uh essentially I've I've presented these course or these uh works as a way to balance out world literature. Um we have many modern and post-modern texts that the the students engage with thoughtfully, critically. Um adding these foundational texts will allow for deeper, richer conversations. Um uh and ultimately what is world literature? It's a it's a way for our students to yes work on their reading comprehension, their uh uh critical writing, their collaboration, their oral uh communication as well, but it allows them to meditate on um the human condition.

068Adding these texts would allow our students to do that. And frankly uh it would increase their literacy and help them punch up. Uh uh many top tier uh uh uh English students throughout the world and just language students in general literature students are often reading these exact texts. Uh and uh we always want to especially you know in in the context of the national literacy crisis we always want to get ahead of of literature or literacy problems. Um but also we want to provide uh an environment where uh we can uh have our students uh become the the best well- readad students possible so they can among other things get into some of the best universities. So I think adding these texts will uh allow that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Aren't they impressive?

069>> Yeah. Before I let them sit back down, which I know they're dying to do, do you have any questions for our English teachers about the resources they've just shared? >> No, but I'd like to come and sign up for the classes. >> I Yeah, I was excited to see Syon there. That's not a book. I read it a few years ago and um I tell people about it all the time and they're always like, "What?" Um and especially with all the developments in AI, I reference that book a lot in the the future world that they live in. So, it'll be exciting. our students have access to it. >> Yep. >> I know firsthand how much work goes into the curriculum planning and and resource acceptance. Thank you for doing all of that. I

070also know how little everybody liked coming to a board meeting to present on it. Thank you as well for doing that whether it was entirely voluntary or not. But I appreciate it. Thank you for including Gilgamesh. That was one of my favorites >> just out of high school. So >> I'm excited about the other Westmore. So a great book selection. Thank you. >> Thank you, English teachers. We are going to go ahead and move on now to our music teachers. If they could come on up, please. >> Good evening, distinguished members of the school board. Dr. MCO administration and public. My name is Miguel Enrique Rosario Vega. I'm the director of bands of Alpriso High School, music department chair, and I also teach seventh and eighth grade orchestra at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. I'm here

071to propose uh we when the department of uh when the state of Indiana decided to cover textbooks for classes, I thought it would be a good initiative to incorporate our music program into that uh process to have to select specific methods that will go along with the current uh goals that we set for our students to uh achieve and different levels of different on the different bands that we have in the case or in the case of music uh choir and orchestra for we have currently three bands in our curriculum. Uh we have a freshman concert band, we have a wind ensemble, we have a wind symphony. Each one with their own ability level on the challenges that they face on the literature and the repertoire that we present. These books that we are proposing

072are books that the students are going to get to own and they're in the category of consumables. uh it is very challenging to find the correct book that you want to teach in a group setting and at the same time has the qualities in which student is going to be able to accomplish uh technical and musical goals on an individual basis. Uh a lot of the time uh quality music programs depend on students also taking private lessons. That doesn't necessarily happen all the time year in year out. So I think that having this supplemental material as part of what happens in a classroom environment which I professionally and and personally I am I do not believe that when we are meeting in the classroom we're having a rehearsal we're having a classroom we're having a

073music class and students just happen to play instruments that they keep uh developing rehearsals are not a thing in where you get paid for. Oh, I think uh or if it happens after the school bell hours. So then these resources that we proposing for band the freshman will be having the book rhythms and rests and then they will also be having the uh the nika musicianship book that you see on the top. The wind ensemble will have the we call it the fossil and this it says there's southern music but the title of the book is technique for band and it has a combination of many uh uh different key signatures and technical aspects of it and the top wind symphony will have symphonic techniques and the habits for a successful musician which is different

074than the one that you will hear from the uh from Mr. Merrill in the orchestra setting. Uh we believe as a department that this particular books and there many of them out there in the industry would address the priorities that we're looking to our students to to uh improve on their skills. Oh, sorry I'm tall. Good evening everyone. My name is Aaron Regal. I'm the coral director here at Valparezo High School. Singers sometimes get a very bad rap of not being able to read music, but not here. We work on music literacy skills every day. And these three texts I've selected will help to reinforce all of our our daily activities that we do in regards to music literacy. Um, not only is there practice with of course pitch, notes, rhythms, um, it also zeros

075in specifically to what we are working with quite often in coral music, which is text. And singers get to experience how to deal with the international phonetic alphabet, not only with the English language, but also with the many foreign language pieces we encounter. So they can manipulate words. Think about the shape of text, how we shape the vow. All of those things are so very important to creating a good coral sound. And there are activities in each of the texts for our different levels of singers. The green book you see at the top will be for our non- auditioned ensembles and the red book will be for our intermediate level ensemble, which requires an audition. The orange book will be for concert choir and they get progressively more involved and more difficult with the different

076concepts they that we encounter each day in our coral music to humbly bend the microphone back down now. Thanks Aaron. Uh my name is Kurt Maraf. I am the orchestra director for fifth grade through 12th grade orchestras as well as a AP and IB music theory teacher. Um and uh I don't have much else to say other than what uh my colleagues have added. Um other than um our orchestra program has seen a lot of growth. Uh we've basically doubled the program in my 10 years here and we're seeing a need for um some fundamental texts at the high school level. We have those for the earlier grades. Um but uh we're we have never had that for the high school. So, we're needing to kind of fill in some gaps. Uh, sports analogies are

077always popular. Um, so for you, I will say they are um it's kind of like we don't really have our our drills and skills and we are always playing the game of our our, you know, authentic literature and and original texts, but we are not really um at the point where we've had the opportunity to do that. So, we're welcoming that. Um, brief overview of the successful habits for the freshman orchestra. basically kind of gives an overview of the various keys and scales, arpeggios, as well as some corral style uh site reading that we we need at that that level. Um and then we kind of move into more positional work working across the instrument. Um learning new and different ways to interpret um the notation uh in the most effective way. And then at

078the upper level symphony orchestra, we we are asking for a a book of expressive techniques that kind of puts them more at the collegiate level in terms of their abilities and skills. So yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Likewise, any questions for our directors over here? >> No questions, but I am grateful because my son was able to play I want to roll my Rs and I still can't roll my Rs, so I will not tear. Um, and Talon is still singing and being able to read music, so that's exciting. She's been doing some recording pieces. And as for me, I did play the cello, and I would love to be able to come to your class to see if I still have any skills. >> I don't know. I don't know. Anything else

079for >> I will start. >> No, I was just going to say I'm so grateful for the entertainment that you provide throughout the community throughout the year. You're really a wonderful department. Uh when I was in school, high school, college afterwards, if there was a free moment, I was always in either the band or the the choir room. Uh the fact that you're giving them all that kind of fundamental skill set to to prep them to really enjoy it going forward. I think that's awesome. That is so much a part of my personal experience. I I know that it makes a difference for all the kids. Thank you for taking the time and care to go through and make this more meaningful. >> I'm more of a turn the radio all the way up in

080the car and just pretend that that's me. Um, so I am not musically inclined at all. I will trust your judgment and appreciate your guys um effort and time and just reviewing these and for everything that you guys do. you're free to come to our program continue double duty tonight. He's he's got to be in two places. Thank you very much. Last but not least is science. Our department chair Michelle Solomon will come and talk about that resource. Good evening. I'm Michelle Solomon, uh, science department chair, and I have a big department, but they sent me on my own tonight. Um, and as a science person, I'm pretty short to the point. So, we currently have an earthspace science class that we've had obviously for years and years. I will next year transition back into

081a dual credit course. Um, and so with that, we chose resources that have more rigor and allow stills flexibility in allowing the teacher to choose current topics and to bring those in um along the way also. So the text is similar publisher that we use for a lot of our other programs. So students will already have experience with the online resources and things like that. It's um honestly the same type same resources we used way back when we did dual credit through a different uh organization. So it's one of the most revered um resources for this course. Um all different areas. So we do geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. Um so with all the current topics going on, it'll be a cool opportunity to bring those things into also. Very hands-on class. There's a lab

082book that goes also with it. So that's about all I got for you. >> If you have any questions, I'm welcome to answer them. >> I'm bowing out of the science conversation. >> I will defer to your direct these things. >> All right. >> Thank you for your time. That's all. If you have any questions for me, I'm happy to answer them. I just want to say thank you to all the teachers and the departments and the department chairs because it really was a team effort. Um they just are wonderful and really worked really hard to make sure we brought forth some solid resources and worked really well with other colleagues and our parents. It was a really great experience. >> Thank you. >> This one um required for consideration. >> Uh may I have

083a second? >> I will second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> there are all eyes, no opposes. Uh this motion carries. We are now going on to board policies. First review. Dr. McCall. >> Thank you, Madam President. In your packet are two versions of a policy that is uh deals with the new law regarding a bell-to bell uh wireless device prohibition. Uh the two options are a leave at home uh policy uh as well as a secure storage uh in the building policy. So that secure storage could be pouches, backpacks, lockers, uh whatever uh fits best for the the uh school. Uh this is just the first read. I I'm sure uh in fact I know you've had plenty of conversation about it. Um and so no changes are required here. Uh but

084uh for the second reading in June uh this does have to be in place before July 1. So at the meeting in June uh you'll need to have a finalized policy. >> Thank you. All right. Any discussion? >> No, I would just like to say that this is a mandate from the state with banning the cell phones or storing the cell phones. We know that it's going to take u a lot of work to figure out how to enforce this and we'll do our best, but it is mandated by the state. It was not mandated by us. I know in conversation we um discussed this uh and we were mindful that every teacher, every administrative staff, you know, that that that's where the weight is really going to come from and you're in really enforcing

085it and I know that's going to be difficult um because as adults we have our cell phones all the time and it's something that we have all become accustomed to. Um but like uh Kay has said, you know, it's not a decision that we get to make. Um, and one thing we do know that we want to follow the law and so if this is what the law is saying, we just have to figure out what is the what is the best way for our Valpo students. Um, and so I I will be keeping you all in mind literally the first day of school. I am going to think about you and these cell phones because I can only imagine the feedback that you're going to get from students that we're starting to get emails

086from the community and we're just still really um, you know, thinking through this. what is what is the best option which you know what's going to work for you all and it's really hard I have to say as a board member is trying to make decisions for things that's going to happen in your classrooms um but knowing that we still we we still have to be in compliance and so what does compliance look like for Valareerezo is what's at this point >> I think we're all mindful of what some of those challenges are I know that there have been conversations going been going on uh within the school and with Dr. Paul and the teachers trying to figure out the best way to do this. So that to the extent that something has to be

087done that it's not going to be an issue of you you feeling like you have to be the one taking the blame for whatever it is like blame us. We're the ones ultimately that are making this policy that should never be you know it needs to be followed. So we need to make sure that it's done in a way that it makes sense that it's achieving the purpose that it's there for which is to enable the learning that happens without all this distraction. Um, there will be certainly some changes we're considering and trying to figure out the best language to use. Um, but for the community, I know that there are concerns. I know that there are um some feedback we're starting to get. I I do appreciate making your concerns known so that we

088can take that into account as we're coming up final policy looks like. So, thank you for um since it's in first reading, um it does not require further consideration. Not until we finalize that. And so, um just just know we're mindful. Um the next thing on the agenda is for me to give a superintendent um search update. Um so, I'm going to share. I really do lean uh on the board, so if I miss something uh I'll let you all fill in. But I do want to uh just acknowledge this is by far um when I became a board member, this is the thing that they all said. You are responsible for hiring and firing superintendent. And so didn't think that I would be at the point where we would need to hire a new

089superintendent. So there's a lot of pressure this last month um because we we're feeling a little pressure. But um on a serious note, we know that how important this is and so we're really mindful of that. We have been um really strategic in how we have been handling this process. You know what that looks like, making sure that the information is getting um out um getting community feedback. That was important to us. Um and so we do realize how important this is um this responsibility that we have. We have concluded our first round of interviews. So, if you see us exhausted up here, we are. We really, really are. It has been a long couple of nights, um, but we are committed. And one thing I said to them is we signed up for this.

090And so, when you sign up for something, you have to see it through until the end. And so, we've concluded our first um or first set of interviews. It's been to two long nights. Um our goal is to make sure that we are selecting a superintendent um that is mindful of uh tradition of Valparezo. Valparezo I keep saying has a way. It is it is a way and so you have to be mindful of who is coming into our community. Um does this person fit well? Um you know all all the things Valkarezo we are really looking at that. We took every uh question that came. Uh who whoever decided to share, we wanted to make sure we gave the community an opportunity to tell us what you're looking for, what questions you wanted us

091to ask. And I want to say we really considered every question. We were able to uh infuse all the questions that came in, separate them by category, and we were able to ask a sound set of questions. Um, each of the candidates received two additional questions and those two additional questions were based off of their application submission. And so whatever they said in their um application submission, a couple extra questions came that were that were presented to them specifically, but all candidates had the initial first questions. Just the two additional questions was based off of their application submission. Um, let's see. We heard some really great perspectives. So, it was really nice to hear this fine arts piece because we heard that a lot. Um, what Valpo already offers, who we are. It was great

092to see that many of the candidates um had done their research. They know our numbers. They know what we do. They know who we are. Um, they talk about, you know, growth, um, where we are financially. You know, we're mindful. We don't want to be at in in the red. you know, we want to stay where we are, enhance what we have, mindful of the legislation that is coming down and the effects that it could have. And so, there were a lot of conversations um that were had there. We will be meeting um next Tuesday. So, we have a lot of homework this weekend. A lot of handouts were presented to us. So, we need to go through all of those um and be mindful of every candidate that showed up. And on Tuesday, um

093we will have another executive session where we will be um considering who our finalist will be. Um we are considering maybe three to four um for our final um interview process and we're hoping that the first week of June we'll be able to do that second set of interviews so that we can have um whoever is selected in the seat by uh June 30th. That is our hope. We know we have some um uh by law some procedures we need to follow. So, we know that we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. We don't want to be hasteful in our decision. And if that means that we have to take time before we we uh make a decision, we're willing to do that, too. But we are thankful for the

094community for all of their feedback. Um, and even their support, every email that has come in, you know, every conversation we've had with community members and the like. Um, and I think I covered it all, but if I did not, my board will fill in. Well, I just want to say one thing. We do realize the the severity or the um sincerity the importance of this decision. This is the most important decision we will make. We really don't want to make a mistake. And one thing that has come up in even this meeting probably with Brian, but in the city council interviews with the emails, communication, communication, communication has come up over and over and over. And every candidate that we talked to, which I was really pleased to see, had a plan for increased

095communication. And so I feel however this decision goes, there will be some increased communication. Sorry, I'm not a big microphone talker. Um, I have to say I somehow made it to field day today, too, at my kids school. Um, Movember is in full effect. I don't know how we're all functioning right now, but uh I got asked so many questions about the superintendent search because people are curious and I I shared so many times that Valpo and and us as a board I consider us so fortunate because we have had so many great candidates and I know that that is not the case for a lot of other districts and I really think that that's a testament to our people, our staff, our families and the work that Dr. McCall and the team has done.

096So, um, appreciate it. It makes our job both easier and so much harder because we do have so many great people to to pick from. Um, so while it is a problem, it's it's a hard problem and it's one that we're we're excited to tackle. So, John's like, I'm good. Okay, we are uh moving on to um public comment for non-aggenda items. >> We have three people signed in. Um Tessa Troutman, uh Christina Roer, and Brian Williams. So, uh >> so I need to read the disclaimer one more time. We look forward to hearing from you during our public comment. We recognize the value of public comment on educational issues and school matters. Just a few reminders once again. Please come up to the podium to speak to the board and please keep your statements

097to 3 minutes or less and discussions involving personnel litigation and student discipline will not be permitted. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Tessa Troutman and I'm a parent at Northview Elementary. Recently, at a PTO meeting, Principal Nelson shared several thoughtful ideas about wanting Northw students to have the same opportunities and experiences as students at other elementary schools in our district. I appreciated hearing that vision and the desire to continue improving opportunities for our students. However, during that same discussion, it became clear that many of those improvements are difficult, if not impossible, to implement because of the way our building is currently being utilized and the lack of available classroom space. North View is currently the only elementary school in the district without a dedicated STEM classroom. STEM instruction is taking place in the marketplace

098common area because our building has lost dedicated instructional space. In addition, because of the lack of classroom space, small groupoup instruction and student learning are also taking place in hallways throughout the building. Parents have raised concerns regarding the current setup from both an educational and safety standpoint. My understanding is that the marketplace is technically a hallway or common area with security doors that lock from both sides during instruction to limit disruptions. Concerns have also been raised regarding emergency procedures, including the fact that portions of the area are surrounded by by glass entryways and do not provide the same level of protection as a traditional classroom space. I want to be very clear that I fully support inclusive education and quality programming for all students. My concern is specifically about facility capacity and long-term district planning.

099Many parents are struggling to understand why one of the district's smaller schools is absorbing programming that has resulted in the loss of dedicated learning spaces. While larger schools in the district may have more room and infrastructure available, I have attempted to better understand these decisions by reaching out to district leadership. I emailed the school board and did not receive a response. I also contacted Dr. Barb Connect and was informed my concerns would be forwarded to special education leadership. I still have not received clarification regarding the broader facility planning and capacity concerns being raised by parents. So tonight, I would respectfully ask the board for greater transparency regarding the long-term facilities plan for Northview Elementary and an explanation for how the district plans to ensure our students are receiving learning environments and opportunities equitable to those

100offered at other elementary schools. Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> I do want to add, I usually don't comment after somehow your email can't went to spam. found it last night and forward it to the board. So, we didn't get it until Sorry. I just wanted to say that we don't know why some of them are going to spam. So, I don't frequent spam often, but we did see it last night. >> Christina Roer. Okay. Brian Williams. kind of a followup to what I said before. You said you don't normally respond to public comment. I would encourage each of you to respond to public comment each and every one if it if only a thank you which is at the bare minimum but but comment or say that you will get back to

101the person or actually address the issue that they have raised. Thanks. >> Thank you, Brian. >> Thank you. >> All right, that ends uh public comment. We are now moving on to our superintendent comments. >> Thank you. Uh just one highlight uh in your packets uh is a email uh notice from the department of education indicating that we are once again a performance-qualified school district uh for the 2627 school year. That's an important designation because by being a uh performance qualified school district, we are given the flexibility for our school calendar that we are on instructional minutes requirement instead of 180 days meaning 180 days. So, uh being a performance qualified district is why we can have half days uh for parent teacher conferences uh end of semester records uh uh final exam schedules things

102like that. So uh it is criteria based on uh performance that we once again qualified for. >> Way to go. That's all you have. We all have what? Um okay. Well, we have uh board comments. I do just want to say a couple things because you've already heard from us. So thank you um for all the public comments that we get. Um I I really wish sometimes you all could be a fly on the wall as we're trying to navigate, you know, um best ways. You know, it's it's always this thing. I'm going to be honest with you regarding me. You know, sometimes I just you I I don't curse. And so you danged if you do and you danged if you don't. I'm like, my god, I'm never going to ever get it right.

103And I know that I'm not going to satisfy everyone. Um, but you know, if you only knew how many times the word communication, communication, communication, right? We we know that and we and and if if people were honest, they could say that it's better, you know, but we don't get an acknowledgement that it's better, but we always get the acknowledgement that we're not communicating enough. But we really are we really are communicating within to try to discuss more and more what that looks like. And so I do want you to know that everything that you all have said and are saying is honestly taken to heart. Nothing is ignored. If that even means to us who should this email really go to because sometimes we re we not even sometimes we're understanding more and more

104that one we what we thought um we were able to do as board members. It there's there's a system to it. There's a process to it. So what we thought really isn't all, you know, it really isn't what we're able to do, right? And so then on the flip side, we also understand that um what and who we're responsible for. Does every do we really have control of some of the emails that are sent to us, but we do turn around and we will forward them where they should go so that those persons could address them and then they're out of our hands. And I guess we could probably say, "Hey, thank you. We received your email. it has been forwarded to, you know, and then that way it takes the onus. I I I

105hate passing the buck though and so that's hard for me because did you did you did you email back? Did did you say anything? And so it's all of those things. But aside from that, I do want to um again acknowledge all teachers um for teacher appreciation. We tried to do something different and communicate. We literally went to every school and tried to do something, show our face in some way or another. And so hopefully you saw one of us in one of those schools. And so we are mindful of things that we want to do. We we tried to purchase something for the teachers. We ran out of time, but we said we'll show our faces. And some schools we were able to buy donuts. Some we just push carts and we spoke to

106every teacher and staff in the building. But we were really trying to make sure that we are more present as a school board so that you all know who we are and we know who you are and so that we from our mouth um can say to you, thank you for all the work that you all continue to do. And so that's another way that we're trying to communicate and be in be in the community um so that you all know who we are. And so I want to say um that is one thing that we did. I also um want to thank and congratulate actually congratulate Kay for her reappoint. Um and so well really her first so um really glad um to have Kay um back working with the team and um you

107know I don't know if the candidates or all the watching the the um live but thankful for everyone who sees the greatness in and Valparezo and as uh Ashley has said it's the team that has done it and so um kudos to all of you all for the work that you all continue to do for Valparezo. Um I keep saying it's a major hit for us to lose um Dr. McCall and so I'm going to keep doing my little side eyes until next month um because he he knows better than this. Um but um one thing that I have learned being in this community for a short while is that um Valparezo has a grit and it is strong and it will stand against anything that happens. And that is one of my own personal

108values is that no matter what I believe Valparezo will show up and not only show up, we will always show out. And so it's good to say that I when you when you see me in green, I tell everybody, you know, I have Valpo business. Um so thank you all so much for everything um that you all continue to do. Uh any other board comments before they all fall asleep over here? >> I think you covered it. >> Okay. >> All right. Um if there is nothing else uh meeting is adjourned.