001I pledge algiance 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. >> Well, good evening everyone. As you can see, we have uh Carl Cinder on Zoom with us. That was the echo that you heard reciting the pledge. Um we are here. It is um what day are we on? April 16th uh 2026. And so the time is moving quickly. I am going to um now pass it over to Dr. McCall so we can go over student and staff recognition. >> Well, we've got several and so it's going to be kind of a team effort. We're going to start with Dr. Barb Connect and throw it to Dr. Allison and then Mr. Poland field's gonna be
002batting third. Uh and then I'll take uh cleanup hitter. So, >> all right. And we have all kinds of good news. >> We have a baseball theme tonight. >> Uh you know what? We're we're hoping for the best with them again. >> Lots of fun stuff to celebrate. Um we had an opportunity. I think there's a photo um to go to Indianapolis again to participate in the literacy celebration. Um, the IDOE invites schools that have an I read passing rate of 95% or higher for the third grade group to this celebration. And I'm excited to report that we had six schools uh that hit that mark this last year for the 2025 IBER assessment season. Um, with our other two really right on their heels. I mean, it was pretty close to not taking everyone,
003that's for sure. As a district overall last year, we ended up uh the assessment period with an overall passing rate of 97.5%. So, it's definitely something to celebrate. It is worth noting that Central, Cooks, Corners, and Thomas Jefferson had 100% of their students passed. >> Something to celebrate for sure. Um I believe we had uh the highest representation of schools again this year of all the participants having six of our elementaryaries there. This success of course is attributed to the hard work of our teachers, our students, our parents uh not just in third grade when that test you know finalizes for our kids but in kindergarten, first second grade laying that foundation of good strong literacy um through our comprehensive approach to literacy instruction. So, it really was a pleasure um being with the principles
004representing Valparezo Community Schools and highlighting one of the really many things that's good going on here with our elementaryaries. So, just wanted to share. >> Very nice. Thank you. >> Yeah, great picture on the state house steps. >> Yeah, I like the coordination, >> Dr. Allison. >> Thank you, Dr. McCall. >> Not to be outdone. I think I have a picture as well, right? Yeah, there it is. Uh, so in March, we had a very exciting visitor uh to Valparezo High School and the career center. Uh, Michelle Harris and Lauren Coington, our two education professions teachers have done an amazing job of providing exposure and opportunity for our kids. Uh, getting them downstate to see how things work, bringing in guest speakers. Uh I believe we had a uh an incredible list of guest speakers
005on the day that Dr. Jenner, the state secretary of education, visited us. Uh that list included Sue Foster, one of our instructional coaches from special education department. Uh Jim Sarkeesian was one of those guest speakers. Uh Diana Reid spoke for the ISTA and then Dr. Jenner followed that up after taking a tour of the high school. Uh the tour was really exciting and I think for our part what really stood out was just her authenticity in interacting with the kids and with the teachers. Uh so we started the tour at the main office. Uh as we were walking past the hall of honor, it immediately caught her attention. So even though it was later in the tour, uh she wanted to stop right there and was just in awe at what we do to honor
006our uh those that have taken the oath and have graduated from Valrazo High School. So that is one of the main highlights that she put in her March 27th newsletter. So which the newsletter goes out to the state every Friday and we were one of the features uh for the March 27th newsletter. Uh additionally we made our way around to um Mrs. Krauss's classroom which was a biomedical science class. She got to see the kids interacting with the anatomage table. Asked a lot of great questions in there of the kids and of the instructor. Uh, and I got to be privy to that conversation which was all about the new diploma seals. Uh, at which point she said, "So, how does this class fit with the diploma seals?" And the teacher very candidly and politely
007responded, "Well, actually, this one came off the list, and we really would love to see it come back on as a replacement for the biology class." She said, "That's what I thought. This is one of the things I've been hearing in most of my stops around the state. Can you please give me your email address, and I'm going to give you mine." And so she wrote down her email address for her and I want you to email this conversation to me. Uh and this is one of going to be one of our priorities in the first things that we do in tweaking the diploma the the diploma requirements. I've been on that communication back and forth and she responded in a very timely manner to the teacher saying I I've got this information. Thank you
008for sharing. Asked a lot of questions about PLTW and it was a great dialogue back and forth. So that's what I mean by the authent authenticity piece. Uh then we stopped down in robotics arena where once again the kids were showcasing their competition robots which they were getting ready for their competition. Uh they got to brag a lot, talk about the three different robotics teams, the one that had actually qualified for the nationals. Um and that was really exciting for her. She talked about robotics around the state. But then when she walked around to the VR flight simulator portion of it, uh you could tell like just her mind was blown. She she couldn't figure out how we were doing all the things that we were doing for the kids. She stepped into the flight
009simulator with one of the kids and then sat next to another one. So there you can see in the picture uh she's in the flight simulator. They took her on a flight from the Porter County airport. Uh took her up, landed her safely, which she also acknowledged in the newsletter about deplaning and um you know then going on the rest of her tour. And then uh from there we she made her way into the classroom where she really did a very nice job of talking about her non-traditional pathway into education and really about the importance of networking and no matter what setting you're in with all the kids and how all the networks that she's been a part of and the people she's connected to whether it be around the state or from her small
010little county where she came from those things have led to bigger and different opportunities than she ever could have anticipated. It was a really nice moment for the kids. They asked some great questions and uh it was just a really special day. And then she followed up her time. She went over to the career center and got to see some of the magic that happens over there in the radio and television program as well as the machine shop which you know as you know we're were big investments for our part in helping upgrade that building and get it prepared for the uh the next level programming that's available to our kids in CTE. So uh all in all it was really great morning. uh very um invigorating both for the kids and I think for
011all of us too just to kind of know that somebody that authentic was uh engaging with and and working on our educational initiative. So it was a good day and it was really nice to be highlighted as Valareerezo. I went back through all my IDE newsletters. There's only one other time that we've been featured uh where she was making stops around here and it was in regards to our reading scores and she had stopped by Parkview that year. That was about three years ago I think. So, uh, so it was pretty cool to be highlighted and be in that newsletter. I I see you nodding that you probably get that newsletter and saw it. Yeah. It's pretty exciting, right? >> Yeah. >> So, a good moment for us. >> I love that. That's because that's
012the work that we do every day. It wasn't just set up for that day. >> That's right. >> Thank you, Mr. Olifffield. >> Thank you, Dr. McCall. I'm very pleased to talk about one of our outstanding employees and a state award-winning employee, Nicole Bean. Nicole Boon started with Valbridge Community Schools in October of 2017 as the human resource coordinator. In July July of 22, she took on the role of benefits coordinator as well. During her tenure, she has transformed the HR and benefits department into a highly functional and reliable resource for employees. As one employee recently said, "I'm not afraid to call HR anymore." Our employees know that Nicole will provide answers to their questions and will also go to bat for them against insurance providers when issues arise. In fact, she was selected as
013a most valuable Viking for the 2324 school year. Nicole is the 2026 recipient of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials School Support Professional of the Year. She was nominated by her peers in region one and recently selected as uh the award winner by a statewide selection committee. Not only is Nicole a val valuable resource for VCS, she is also very involved with a number of activities that help her HR and benefits friends across the state. For example, she earned the Iasbo human resource specialist certification in 2023. She's a 2025 graduate of the ISBO Leadership Academy. She's a member of the IASBO HR professional development planning committee. She was a presenter at the 2025 IASBO annual meeting and the 2025 IASBO HR seminar. And she actively participates in HR benefits list serves to provide information
014and advice to colleagues in the areas of FMLA, retirement issues, health insurance benefits, etc. We're very fortunate to have Nicole as part of the VCS team and we are in wholehearted agreement with the selection committee's choice for the 2026 school support professional of the year. Nicole speak I just really appreciate this. Um you guys know I'm not good at um just accepting the praise um because you know what we do is really important every day for our employees and um we're really proud of what we do in our office. We've come a long way and um we're going to continue to move in that direction. Um I'm really just grateful for a district that supports professional education of all of our staff. Um IBO has been instrumental in teaching me all the things with school
015um school offices and so um it's also Thanks to um Jim and Jim, they've pushed me and I as both have pushed me to uh put myself out there a little bit more. Um share the good things that we're doing in Belo with other people. Um and so that's been really great. Um in this last year, I feel like I've really um been able to do a lot of that and share our knowledge and the great things we're doing with all of our HR buddies out there. Um, so I just really want to thank everybody for um, acknowledging um, this honor that I I'm going to accept in May at our annual meeting. Um, it's been truly a pleasure to be here. Um, I'm I tell the all the time I am going to retire
016from this place since I love my job. Um, I love the people I work with. This district is really important to me. So just thank you everyone. Appreciate everyone. And thank you your family for well I'm thanking them for sharing you with us. She makes such a tremendous difference that it it can't be done without strong support at home. So thank you very much for that. >> Uh if we could call you up one more time, I'd love to take a picture with you. >> Yeah. And then while you're coming up, I do want to say thank you because we felt a little pressure yesterday and you made sure that our information was posted. So an extra thank you from this from the board. I'm staying up here. Your wife, two, one. Carl in the
017corner then. And then finally, I'd like to recognize uh the board uh both individually uh Erica, Ashley, Carl uh all earning uh commendable status with ISBA for their efforts uh professional development and attendance at meetings. And then as a board uh the Valpreso Community Schools Board also earned a commendable distinction as well. So, uh, when you talk about commitment to professional development, it starts with the board and goes all the way down. So, appreciate your guys' efforts and shared leadership. >> Yeah, we need a picture now. >> So, Rob, >> oh, that was great. Congratulations, you know, for all the great work that we continue to do here in Valkarezo. And so what a way to start a meeting, right? It gets better. It gets better. Any public comment? >> Uh none for action items.
018>> Okay. None for action items. All right. We are now moving on to the consent agenda. Is there any discussion there um before we um take a motion? >> Um I feel like I did have a question. Um, I did not get it down though. Hold on one second. Let me look. I think it was on the check. I did it. Sorry, I forget which attachment it was on. Um, >> I did have one. I don't think it's consent agenda, but it was about the awards that teachers were receiving. There were three tiers and we had several who received awards in the two tiers. And I just wonder was wondering what does it take because we didn't have anybody in what the highest level was and um >> what was the criteria? >> Yeah. Yes.
019What What does it take to get to that highest level? >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. Like Ashley, we had a lot of attachments. >> Yes. So, I found what attachment was. Um, and this is really random, but I saw that there were yoga classes on the docket. Do we know what that is? >> There's two yoga classes listed. >> Yeah, that's part of our wellness program. >> Okay, perfect. uh we used to uh charge uh per person they would have to pay to attend it and our Roma's uh committee decided that it's such a benefit that uh we open up everybody and we cover the cost of >> Nice. I'm guessing that was Nicole's doing and she >> she's gone now. >> No, thank you. Yeah, I always just try to scan those and that
020was one that kind of popped up that I was like what is that? So, appreciate that. >> We did uh the financing for that. We did receive money back from our insurance >> from nice >> that we can use to pay for touch soon. >> Very cool. >> Any other question? >> Glad people are taking advantage of >> Yeah. those resources. So that was my only question. >> Any other questions regarding the consent agenda? >> If there are none, may I have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> A second. >> Second. >> Uh um no discussion. Any other discussion? Um all in favor say I. >> I. Any opposes. Uh there are none. Motion carries. Um we are now moving on to our financial reports. Uh performance of budget funds. U Mr. Holyfield. >>
021Thank you, Madam President. As you know, each month we present our financial report comparing the year-to- date revenue to the year-to- date expenditures for our tax supported funds. Our year-to- date performance of funds report for March 31st shows the following. and the education fund year-to- date revenue of 13,758,733 year-to- date expenditures of 14,49,649. The expenditures do include the $655,000 transfer to the operations fund. In debt service, there's been no year-to-ate revenue. Uh the expenditures was a payment of $2,3,193. All debt payments have been made to date, and uh our next tax draw is in June. In the pension debt fund, the year-to-ate revenue is a $345,000 temporary loan for cash flow purposes from the uh rainy day fund. And the only expenditure was our last pension debt fund payment of $72,962. We do have a
022tax drop for that fund as well in June. the operations fund year-to- date revenue of 2,310,155 year-to- date expenditures of 5,713,478. Uh revenue does include the $655,000 transfer from the education fund and that also has a tax draw in June. The operating referendum has had no revenue to date expenditures of $1,460,816 with our next tax draw in June. The capital rent referendum has had no revenue and no expenditures. The rainy day fund has had no revenue and the only expenditure is the aforementioned $345,000 temporary loan to the pension debt fund. We believe review of the fund shows a very positive financial position and if there are no questions, we ask for approval of the financial reports for March of 2026. >> Any questions? I just have one comment kind of uh slipping back in the
023teacher role since we have such a large number of students. Uh school finance is obviously extremely important. It pays for everything around you. Pays the mortgage on the buildings. It pays the salaries benefits of uh not only the teachers but all 900 employees that we have in Valera Community Schools that makes this place go. pays the utility bills, the insurance, the buses, everything around you is paid through this. Comes from two major sources. One from the state, that's the education fund that pays for all the classroom things, classroom people, uh you know, the buildings for that. You have then tax supported uh funds. Those are your debt service, pension, operations, operating referendum, and capital referendum. Those are tax supported. So, your parents just got their tax bills this past week. It's due May 10th, I
024think. Uh those get collected and then paid out to the different taxing units, the city of Alparezo, Valparezo Community Schools, the county, uh the airport, the library, those are taxing units. uh and so they get paid uh their portion of the dollars in June. So when you hear Mr. Holyfield say, "We have no revenue. We've only been expending out of here and we're expecting our tax draw in June." That's where it's coming from, from all the residents paying their property taxes that then get distributed back out to the taxing units. they do it in May uh paid in June and then uh all the taxpayers also pay in November to be then distributed in December. So that is how schools are able to run with a combination of state dollars and again the education fund
025and local property tax dollars make sense on a very macro scale. All right. Uh, thus ended the lesson. All right. >> I could tell they appreciated that. And you missed being in the classroom >> a little, >> just a little bit. >> Well, and that ties in to all of us and the parents um who just received our tax bills that are due in the beginning of May. So, they'll come back to you in June. >> So, bittersweet. Bittersweet. All right. If there are no more discussions regarding uh the performance of uh budget funds, may I have a motion, please? Salute. >> Uh, may I have a second? >> Who first? Who was first? >> I think that was the tie. >> We can let y'all know that, right? All right. John is first. Um,
026taking K second. Um, uh, all in favor? >> I. Any opposes? None. The motion carries. Uh, thank you. Uh, moving on to contract considerations. Uh, Dr. McCall. >> Contract considerations. We only have a couple right over tied to our uh projects that we have going on. Uh it's amendments to original agreements in order to include the multi-chool asphalt improvements and HVAC work uh for Skilman Corporation uh in the amount of $89,750. And then Jialter, uh, their amendment is for their architect agreement to include their middle school interior finish improvements, and that's in the amount of $18,000. That's the bond project. >> Uh, any questions regarding those two contracts? >> So, are these for change orders or what is this for? >> This is the additional work. So, we we have an original agreement. Yep. >>
027Uh, and then just as we extend that to include the additional projects. we introduce amendments to it. >> Okay. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure it was still for the original projects and not something that's added. So, perfect. >> All right. Board, this requires our consideration. U may I have a motion to accept the contracts that were presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. It's been first and second. All those in favor? I. U. There are no opposes. Uh, this motion also carries. Uh we are moving on to our grants. Uh Dr. Barb, >> we have two grants for your consideration this evening. The first one is the Project Lead the Way Gateway Grant. It's a grant in partnership between Project Lead the Way and the Ardog Group. Uh it was granted
028to Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School for $15,000 each to expand their current PLTW coursework by adding the building for the future model. This funding will be used for teacher professional development and supplies for the course. And I'm going to hand over the teacher appreciation grant to Mr. Holyfield. Thank you. Uh the total amount awarded to VCS for the 2025 teacher appreciation grant was 236,15347. Uh House Enrolled Act 100125 created new requirements and tier levels for the reward or for the award. It's very different from the old tag award. Um, working collaboratively with the Valkarezo Teachers Association, the VCS administration determined the list of this year's award winners. Uh, and there were 45 winners in tier 1 who will receive a $3,500 award and 15 teachers in tier 2, which will receive
029a $5,000 award. We did receive the grant funds from the DOE on March 30th. Uh pending board approval of the payment roster provided in your board packet, the grant awards be paid out as part of our April 24th payroll. Be happy to answer any questions. >> And I think this is what I was asking about tier three. What does it take to get to that level? Because and we had a lot in tier one and tier two, but we didn't have one in tier three. Are we do we need to do something differently? Well, uh, it was it was news. So, let's start with that. Uh, there wasn't I think I used the line before on a different topic that a lot of litigation, very little guidance. And, um, so we worked together in order
030to uh create an application process uh where teachers could uh demonstrate uh their tier one uh achievement. Uh tier two uh included uh then uh specific subject areas STEM and special education. And then tier three to get to that level uh you met the requirements of one and two and then also demonstrated you know uh high proficiency which was undefined. uh mentorship or leadership uh in a formal program uh or uh subject to a geographical shortage area. Um we didn't have anyone who met all three tiers to get to tier three. Uh that's not to say we don't have a plethora of leaders uh people who serve as informal mentors. uh but uh but to reach all three levels uh was difficult to do. >> And you said the proficiency guidelines were not really defined.
031Do you have a rubric now or is it more clear? No. >> No. But what what I can say is that we were uh extremely proud of the process that we developed uh in tandem with the VTA in order to create uh something that was accessible. But then also at the tail end, we were only allotted the $236,000 which we had more applicants, people who qualified at those tiers than we had money to award. And so we had to create then a fair uh lottery system in order to award that. You know, to say that we only have 62 uh exemplary teachers who are appreciated with the teacher appreciation grant is laughable. Uh you know, we we should be awarded uh 360 awards. Uh why not 400 is well, you had to teach the previous
032year. So, you know, we we had first year teachers. Uh we should have that. But this is the system that was designed uh by the state and so we were able to award 62 awards uh of significant value to our teachers what what we were given. >> Okay, that's great. And I have one other this is more so for Brian to be able to put in the the minutes, but um a lot of times when I'm walking through the buildings, people will say, "Well, what is that PLTW?" I know it's Project Lead the Way, but could you explain that just a little bit, too? one. >> I am going to be talking a little bit more about that later when we get to the RDC grant. But in short, Project Lead the Way is a
033curriculum program that was developed by some engineers um who got together and said, you know, we really see much stronger results with our students uh understanding the engineering concepts by getting them more hands-on project-based learning. So they developed a program where you specifically brought people in and trained them in the mechanism of project-based and exploratory learning uh geared towards engineering concepts. And from there it then spiraled out or bloomed out into biomedical science, computer science um and any other area kind of that's STEM related. So that became the basis of what Project Lead the Way was um and is now. Uh it's it's one of those things that currently and I I shared this actually with the RDC, the state and even Dr. Jenner herself said the state will not endorse any one particular curriculum
034product for all their course curriculums for any of the course curriculums that are listed. However, um they do find PLTW to be a very strong partner. And in many cases, when you look in the course description list for the high school, it'll say if you're if you're utilizing PLTW training, uh and curriculum, this course, it can replace the curriculum that is listed, uh by the state of education. So, uh it's a curriculum program really geared towards STEM. >> Yep. At the secondary level, it's course-based. At the elementary level, it's modules. So, we incorporate that some into science. um instruction and also some into STEM. Ours is life science as well, robotics, engineering um are uh components of it for the elementary level. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Um this requires um a motion.
035>> I'll make a motion to accept the two grants. >> May I have a second, please? >> I second. >> Um all in favor say I. I >> uh no opposes. Motion carries. >> Thank you, board. >> You're welcome. Thank you. Um now we move on to donations and gifts. Uh back to Dr. McCall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh we have several for your consideration. Uh at TJ, the PTO donated $500 for the fifth grade field trip and for the math bowl team. Uh TJ Middle, uh Ronald and Linda Azinski donate $100 to the Science Olympia team, and Stu Summers via the Porter County Community Foundation donated $400 to that same team. Valparezo High School received a limo rental valued at $1,380 for the Vik team uh to travel to the state competition from
036Clay Patton. Class 1968, uh, Rebecca Wagner and Gail Lindsley, uh, donated $400 for senior activities, and Jeff and Nikki Templan donated practice shirts valued at $2,740 for the softball team and coaches. At the career center, the culinary program, Skills USA competition, received $100 from Medatrina Market Cafe, $100 from Sarah Glenn, and $400 from the uh, Northwest Indiana Feminist Book Club. The uh auto program, Skills USA competition, received $1,500 from the Valparezo Eagles organization. Districtwide, our backpacks and snacks program uh received $250 from Robert and Linda Papovich, $25 from the John and Vicky Lubec Living Trust. Uh school nutrition services received $25 from the John and Vicky Lubec Living Trust. Uh for our students in need uh we received seven prom dresses from Dolly Fatkkey and three bags of clothing and one box of housewares uh
037from Linda Siver. And we received uh another uh in our annual donations uh from Wiseway Charitable Foundation uh in the amount of $50,000 which goes to our various student and staff programs. >> Very nice. >> All right. Um any discussion regarding any of the um contributions, donations, and gifts? >> I think we just want to express our gratitude to our community for being so generous and supportive. >> Thank you. U may I have a a motion, please? >> A second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Uh no opposes. Motion carries. Um, now we move on to old business bonds projects update. Uh, Dr. McCall, >> Mr. Holyfield. >> Thank you. >> Uh, >> only because there's not a construction update per se. This is more a financial upset. >>
038All right. Thank you. >> I know, not to sound like a broken record, but we had another outstanding bond sale. Um some things of note uh we had another standard and pores uh rating call and we continued at the double A minus rating which is excellent for schools. Uh our bonds were priced on March 25th and we'll close on the bonds next Thursday. We maxed out the bonds value realizing a very competitive interest rate of 3.04%. And the second series of bonds netted approximately $7.4 million for us to complete the remaining projects that we have slated. uh such as the improvements to the middle school interior finishes uh 6 through 12 musical instrument refresh and some HVAC projects. Uh we wish to thank the board for their foresight in approving the bond sale as well
039as the people who assisted uh Stifl Barnes and Thornsburg uh LWG and of course the legal the legal expertise of Mr. Sarkeesian. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the bond issue if you have any. >> That's a good broken record to hear. It's a good broken record. You can repeat that over and over and over again. Um, thank you for that update board. Did you have any uh discussion regarding the update? >> All right, John is like, no, >> there's not a whole lot to add to it. I mean, we can't really take credit for the expertise, but you explain what it is. And I appreciate that we're able to >> happily approve things that make a lot of financial sense looking forward. So, thank you everybody else that was involved long before
040I ever got here. But thank you. >> See, that's good, John. That's what I needed. >> Information only. No, no action required. >> Absolutely. Again, just an update. Thank you. Um, moving on to uh new business, approval of the elementary science curriculum material. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President. We have um in your board packet this evening a proposal for inspire McGra Hill uh as our new primary resource for science instruction. Um I would like to bring up a couple of members of our ILT to kind of talk about our process and how we landed on this particular resource. Was one of nine um that is approved by the IDOE that we could choose from. Um our teachers evaluated eight of those resources. the 9th. We chose not to because it was only in digital
041format. It offered no uh actual physical materials. So, we chose to eliminate that one right off the bat. So, I'll let the ladies talk a little bit about it, but I have Emily Bolan. Emily is our third grade uh representative and also the representative uh from Flint Lake Elementary. Kate Estridge is one of our instructional coaches uh for 3 to five. And Kristen Schmeck is an instructional coach as well um serving kindergarten through second grade. So, ladies, come on up. Good evening board. I talk loudly. >> Um so as uh Dr. Barb connect said we are part of the instructional leadership team and that team consists of teachers at each grade level. Um we represent all eight elementary buildings. I'm here representing Central Elementary. and uh we're here to share the thoughtful and collaborative process
042our district used to select our new science curriculum. This was not a quick decision. It was a result of over a year of intentional work. The process began with grade level teams examining our current scope and sequence as well as our existing science curriculum to identify strengths and gaps. We also evaluated how our literacy programs support science instruction, ensuring alignment not only with the content standards, but also with the principles of the science of reading, specifically building background knowledge, vocabulary development, and comprehension through contentrich texts. In addition, we collaborated with the STEM teachers to ensure comprehensive understanding of what is already being taught and where opportunities for deeper alignment exist. Through this process, it became clear that our current science uh curriculum did not align with the next generation science standards. As a result, we
043moved forward in reviewing the eight state approved curriculum options. From the start, our focus was clear to select a curriculum that is strongly aligned with the next generation science standards to support highquality instruction and to ensure that our students are prepared for the Indiana assessment. This work was truly collaborative. Our teachers, administrators, and instructional coaches all played an active role in this process. Together, we took a holistic approach focusing every step in standards, student needs, and instructional best practices. After initial research, we reviewed state approved curriculum options, and all teachers were given access to uh to the materials in approximately six weeks to explore them in depth. During this time, teachers evaluated the resources independently within our grade level teams and alongside our instructional coaches. To ensure consistency and gather meaningful feedback, teachers completed a
044structured evaluation form, and some of the included criteria was representation of diverse perspectives, strategic use of science tools and inquiry, alignment to those standards, and support for student engagement and understanding. And so once all the evaluations were submitted, um the instructional leadership team along with instructional coaches were able to kind of analyze the data that we were able to gather from the rubric. Uh we identified three different uh curriculums that came to the top and from there two scored fairly close to one another. So then we kind of narrowed our focus within that rubric of looking at the following components. differentiation for diverse learners, the alignment to the next generation of science standards and integration of science tools and hands-on learning. So through that process, we were able to work collectively to identify the curriculum
045that best meets the needs for our students and our teachers. So that is why through this process we have decided to go with inspired by McGraw Hill. >> Excellent summary ladies. Thank you so much. I think it's worth noting uh thanks as well to Cassie Riley, Erin Gibson, uh Jennifer Hoffler, um Megan Warren, Emily, I mentioned, Heather Trice, uh Kelly Jones, and Mary Zimroski who served on uh that team with these ladies as well. So, we also had um some parent volunteers uh Mallerie uh Medlin, Kelly uh Chisinski, and Laura Daly from a couple of our schools evaluate the tools as well. So, it's a very thorough process. So, we're happy um to be able to explore this curricular tool and uh bring it on board if we have your approval. >> Happy to answer
046any questions if you have any. >> Actually, I did, but it was already answered. I was concerned. I wasn't concerned. I'm just interested to know is there another uh curriculum that you were considering over and how would how did you manage that? If so, but your teacher see you answered all my questions. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I I like that it's both hard copy and digital. Yeah. Um you know, I'm sure you guys read all the studies, too, about, you know, too much being online now. So, I'm glad that you guys took that into consideration process. >> One of the things that we took a look at, too, was the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiments, but there are components for our fourth graders to test in science, entering data on the computer, and working
047in that platform as well. and there's those options for practicing that particular um skill going into that uh assessment. So, we like that component. >> I like that you had parent feedback too on this. I think that's super important. So, >> what's the book that you all reference you and John often about um >> the anxious generation. >> Anxious generation. Yeah. So, that that ninth one was >> teachers are all the ninth one was >> we've done that as a book study a few of the schools. Yeah. >> Very nice. Uh, mau, were you getting ready to say something? Sorry about your lean in. No. Okay. You're just relaxing over there. I don't know what's going on. >> Very interested. The really the only question I would have is uh will there be any need
048for supplemental materials to fill in any gaps that were identified through the rubric process? >> Not that we identified upfront. Um, you know, some of that is we got to date it for a little while before some of that really comes to the surface, but there were not glaring red flags, uh, with it for sure. So, um, one of the things we're going to do next is look at the experiments and figure out what things we, uh, want to align with those. You might find a little bit of that, but we will still believe it's a good resource without gaps. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We appreciate the time and energy you guys spent in reviewing that and bringing that to the table. Excellent work tonight. >> Thank you, ladies. >> Now you can breathe.
049>> You're part of the meeting. >> They haven't approved yet. >> Uh board, we need to uh consider this. May I have a motion, please? >> Oh, we're all so moved. >> I know. There. Go for it. >> Okay. So moved. >> Then second. >> Second. All in favor? I. >> No opposes. Motion carries. Now you can breathe. >> Thank you, board. And thank you again, ladies. >> Thank you. All right, Dr. Allison, you are up next. Approval of RDC challenge grant. >> Madame President, uh, every year annually, this is a, um, just a fun opportunity for me to bring an exciting community partnership, uh, what we do well as Valparezo um, grant before the board. And so I'd like to take a little bit of time to just kind of go through it slowly,
050but I'm going to start with and kind of call back to the Dr. Jenner visit. Uh, as we were going around and she was seeing all the pieces that we have at the high school that we offer to kids that are beyond what a typical high school student would be able to experience. You know, her first question was, "How do you guys pay for all this?" And she said, "Is this TIFF district money?" I said, "Yeah, actually that's spot on. A lot of this does come from TIFF district money." uh and she said, "You know, around the state and in all my travels, that is that is not the experience that I have in most places. Very few tiff districts give this kind of funding back to the schools to allow them to do the
051things that we do. And ours, uh, as you can read in the beginning of that application, is specifically dedicated to creating modern 21st century learning opportunities for kids so they're ready for the modern workplace. And that's exactly what we use it for every year. um a big chunk of it annually goes to replacing our devices and keeping our onetoone program up and functioning. Uh but beyond that we always have a little bit of um extra that we try to reserve for creating some of those exposure and opportunity moments. So uh this year um a little bit thinner on some of those but certainly not any less exciting or interesting. I want to read one one line from the application that kind of came out as we were putting it together that this new equipment will
052allow students to execute simulated laparoscopic procedures uh separate charged molecules associated with DNA and explore objects that are too small for the naked eye and more that that line even and of itself is not something that traditionally comes in a high school environment. most of these most of this equipment that we are securing and that our kids are deploying and using on a regular basis is college level or beyond. Um and so that's a great opportunity that we can provide for kids because of this TIFF district money um that comes to us in the form of this grant. So um just want to cover a couple of the things that are on there. Uh maybe head off a few questions you might have just because I get excited about it and I like to talk
053about it. >> Uh on the list this year and in the extras category uh STEM 3D printers. So, if you remember last year, for those of you that were here, we did elementary 3D printers across the board. Uh, and then that worked out so well that we had a few more who said, "Hey, our demand is high. We need another one." So, we're going to get a few other 3D printers for the elementary. Uh, hard to believe, but 3D printers that we've purchased for the middle schools and high school have started to reach their obsolescence. Uh, and that is evidence just you can see it in the picture there that's associ associated with the application. Uh you can see in there there are multiple spools with multiple colors that are all feeding one individual model.
054That's something that just wasn't uh 3D printers weren't capable of when we first got them. It was a singular color or you had to change out the spool every time and it was very timeconuming, not very conducive to classroom work. Now it can feed from multiple spools at the same time. They can be multicolored 3D prints. Um plus the materials they use are more than just plastic. So, a couple years ago, we got one for the engineering lab at the high school that did more like metals. Um, most of these can do something that's a little bit more than plastic. Not quite the metal level, uh, but certainly more durable materials for heavier or more more robust projects. So, uh, that's one element that's exciting. Uh, another one is the, um, the chompsaw. So, when
055Dr. Barb Connect brought this one to me from her elementary people. I was very curious myself. Uh particularly having some elementary kids in my house. Uh and I immediately jumped on and was hooked on it. Just I want to get one of these and I want to try it. Uh it's basically like a little rotating saw that is completely safe for kids. You could touch it, not hurt yourself, but it cuts cardboard. And they give you kits to kind of start with with like here's what you need to do to plan out your model and then cut it and then you build it. but it advances to your own creation and it kind of builds that again that exploratory learning piece. So, we're excited to see what the chopsaw does in the elementary level. And
056then for the uh high school STEM side of things, humanto human kits, uh they're actually giving each other bio feedback by hooking themselves to different probes and uh like uh cathodes and stuff and and allowing them to give bio feedback to one another. says one person is the aggressor. It says the other person is feeling their bio feedback and how they're responding to things and that just helps with neurology but also can be used in some of our psychology classes. So there's a neat crossover opportunity there. The laparoscopic simulators are exactly what they sound like, laparoscopic surgery but in a simulated environment. Um and then the uh blood pressure simulator is just a big arm that has blood pressure cuff on it and it simulates all types of blood pressures and um how they might
057respond when you're trying to measure them. So, uh just some really neat things that again we just would not otherwise be able to do to the extent that we are able to because of this money. So, uh this grant does require approval uh both from uh our school board or you guys and um the RDC. So, the RDC meeting happened earlier this month. They have approved their portion of it, but it still requires approval on your part. And again, I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have about it. >> Well, I don't know if I know enough to ask questions about some of this, but with the BOF feedback. That sounds so if you're hooked up to another person, does it let you know how your actions and behaviors and words affect the
058other person? >> Yeah, that's that's the way I read the I mean, I don't fully understand it, but as the teacher was explaining it and as I read kind of the description in the product, that's that's exactly what it sounds like. >> That is interesting. >> My kids have a a chomp saw and I will tell you it provides hours of entertainment. Um, lots of Amazon boxes. I think my favorite thing that they made was a a vending machine >> that they made out of boxes. It's It's cool. I'm excited the kids will have access to that. And uh outside of STEM, I'm sure the art classes and everyone else will use it, too. >> I anticipate next year we'll be asking for seven more chomps or more than that. So, >> yes, you got
059to keep up with the demand. >> All right, board. Uh, may I have a motion? >> So, moved. >> Second. All right. Uh, all in favor? >> I. >> No opposes. This motion carries. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Uh, now we are moving on to the legislative is on report. >> Yes. So, we were all at the ISBA regional meeting last week. >> Last Tuesday. >> Was it just last week? It feels longer. Oops. >> I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. um last week on Tuesday. So, quick legislative update from the 2026 session. Um again, this was a short short session running January through late February. About 750 bills introduced with roughly 12% related to education. So, in total, 163 new laws passed, including 28
060that directly impact K12. Um, in some of my research, I've seen that that's pretty consistent with what we've seen in Indiana over time. I think over the past decade, uh, and when I was looking at numbers, we continue to see an average around 35 to 40 education related laws each year. So, that pace remains steady. I also kind of looked at the number of education bills per year by state. Um, we are a little bit over average, but nothing alarming. So, it kind of seems like we're averaging what's typical in the US and related to education. Um, a few highlights. I know some of these we've kind of gone over, but obviously the first and foremost kind of being the new student device law. So, I know we've received some guidance from ISDA on that
061and we'll have to meet to kind of develop that and make sure that that's set before the 2627 school year. Um, a lot of updates about the schoolboard elections, which doesn't directly impact us, but a big law that was talked about a lot at ISBA and the state house day that Erica and I had attended. On the academic side, their continued focus on literacy. So, it was nice to hear um some of our great accomplishments for VCS and that. So, a lot of that included um required intervention if those reading benchmarks aren't met over time. So, um hopefully we'll continue with our great success and we won't necessarily have to worry about that one as well. Um there are some operational changes, things like restrictions on certain vendor contract language, flexibility in school finance, and
062a statewide study on funding of charter schools. Um, one of the biggest themes from ISBA update was also the um, House Bill 104. So that's the broader deregulation bill which touches on a wide range of education requirements. Um, that one I believe it was 24 requests from ISBA to be included in that deregulation bill and 12 of them were actually included. So, um, they were really excited that that was actually taken and, um, put into law. Um, I also try to look at perspectives from other organizations when putting together some of this. Um, while viewpoints vary, the broader themes are consistent and that's really ongoing conversations about local control, student safety, and school choice. And so, from a district standpoints, the biggest next steps we have are going to be reviewing the student device policy.
063Um we'll have to review some of the vendor contracts to make sure that those are falling in line with um the regulations they put there and then just continue to monitor the guidance from the state on some of the other policies. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> I don't have questions but I think the student device policy is going to be the most difficult and you all will feel the impact of that. The state legislature makes the rules. We have to make policies to go with that and then your teachers and principles will have to enforce it and that's going to be one of the most difficult policies to enforce. You're all shaking your heads because you know it it is going to be difficult. >> Going to have to put those devices away. >>
064All right, we are moving on to the superintendent uh search update. I made sure I wrote down notes because I want to make sure I don't miss any of that because I imagine that's the highlight of our community. Um, and it's just another bittersweet moment for me. Um, I did not think that I would see this in my time uh on the school board. I told Dr. McCall had he told me this, I may have reconsidered um reappoint, but it has been a pleasure um working with Dr. McCall, but we all know that um he'll be leading us um uh this after this school year. And so uh he has given us more work that we are already dealing with. and I told him we will address that at a later date. He and I
065um but I wanted to make sure I wrote my notes so that I didn't miss anything, but if I do, I know that our board will definitely chime in. Um on April 8th, uh the board held an executive session to discuss the framework for our superintendent search process. We are also utilizing the university search group to assist with this process and to help ensure a thoughtful, thorough, and pro professional search. The application process officially opened on yesterday and that's why I was thanking Nicole because we wanted to make sure that that information got uploaded and out to the community. It was posted on the Valparezo Community Schools website, uh the human resource page and on Nimble. Uh that application will continue to run through until April 30th. Our hope is to have a list of
066candidates um available for the board to review. um we said by May 4th, but we are still uh dancing around some some dates and things and make sure um that we have enough time to look at those applications and develop what our process will look like to review those applicants. Uh the team is still finalizing the interview process. We want to be thorough uh thoughtful and intentional as we move forward. Our goal is to conduct a process that is organized, that is professional, and focused on identifying the best possible leader for Valparezo Community Schools. We do appreciate the community's interest, uh the feedback that we've gotten, support from emails, whether they've been phone calls, text messages, or what have you. Um we thank the community for reaching out, and we want to make sure that
067um we continue to receive that feedback. Um what are we looking for for our next uh superintendent? Um we are patient. Um we know that this is an important matter. If nothing else, this really does identify our role as school board members and they are we reminded when we interview school boards hire and fire superintendent. And so we are at the point where we have to fire hire not fire but hire our next we're going on fire. We got a couple more months hanging there. He seems so relaxed this meeting. I'm going like who is this man sitting next to me? Um, but that is where how far we've gotten as far as our um search and our candidate um or our uh superintendent uh search. Um, but if the board would like to add
068some more, I want to yield the floor for you to do that. Yeah, I just wanted to expand a little bit on it that one of the things that I appreciated was the the willingness of everybody to kind of look for what are the different options here to make sure we're getting um hearing from as many people as possible, hearing from as many applicants as we need to to make sure that we know we're getting the best person that we can find. And so university search committee has uh not just posted immediately here, they also have uh connections throughout the state to help get the word out. Um so that it it effectively becomes a nationwide possibility. Um that doesn't necessarily mean we know where the person's coming from, but we want to make sure
069by law we have to to look to as a wide geographic area. We want to make that as genuinely as possible that we are trying to find the best fit uh wherever that person may be. We look forward to meeting them at some point uh over the next couple months to help us uh keep the the great progress going forward that Dr. Nepal has given us these past few years. So, thank you for everybody's patience. Continue the feedback if there are things that you want us to know about what the community is looking for. We cannot guarantee what, you know, the end result will be in terms of who we're picking because we don't know any of that yet. But we do want to make sure we are listening for the types of things that
070people think we should be on the lookout for um and consider that as we move forward. >> Yep. Uh anybody else want to add anything that I may have missed? >> Well, I would just reinforce what um Mr. Palo said. We do want to hear from teachers, from principles, from the community. We want to know what is it, what's most important to you in the superintendent of your schools. Um, is it communication? Is it safety? What what do you see that you really want us to look for? We take this decision very seriously. I've been around long enough that I've worked under multiple superintendent and I've seen some things that are excellent and I've seen some things that I think we need to avoid but and I've seen it from different perspectives from teacher to
071parent to administrator's wife. So I just know how important this decision is. So when Erica said that she had she known she would not have reapplied for school board the minute I heard I said I have to reapply. >> So um but we do want to hear from the community and as he said we we can't guarantee that we can implement every single decision but we will certainly do our best. One other thing I wanted to ask is that if people are out there and they're wondering kind of where to start on this, the the application packet, etc. that we we posted is a starting place because it lists for now what we are have in mind of these are the types of things that we're looking for. Read through that. We did craft that
072language specifically to sort of reflect what we believe we're looking for right now. If you think something is missing from that, let us know. Um, but we chose that language purposefully. Um, so take a look through that and you'll understand kind of where our priorities are right now. Um, and if there's something else that you feel we need to add, let us know. >> This process is uh I don't want to say it's consuming a lot of our time uh because we realize how important it is. Literally from the evening we received the phone call, we did our um we we start making phone calls back and forth. you know, what are you thinking? What what what's going to happen? Um, did you know this was coming? You know, I even said to Dr. McCall,
073this has to be a April Fool's joke. I know I know this is a joke. You know, it's coming in a few days, but uh he said, you know, I I predicted you say that, Erica. Um, and it wasn't a joke. And so, we have taken this moment seriously from the moment we received the news. Um, and we've been trying to uh we contacted as many uh organizations that well, we didn't have to. people started contacting us first um and we chose who we thought would be the best fit uh to make us or to assist us in moving through this process. >> I guess all I have to add is you know I really appreciate just the different uh personalities and backgrounds that each of us on the board brings. you know, even when
074we were putting together the umformational opportunity packet, everyone had a different perspective of, you know, what they're looking for. So, I think, you know, we're already having those conversations or having those conversations in the community. Um, I know change can be hard, but it can also be exciting. And so, I'm looking at this as kind of an exciting moment in BPO history where, you know, we're sad to see Dr. from a call go, but he's leaving us in a very good spot to kind of continue on our journey. So, I'm excited to see what the the applicant process looks like and what our applicant pool goes to. I don't I failed to thank you all. Um, literally you, too, Carl, even though I know you're watching from the other end. Um, but thank you all
075just for, you know, your input in the way we just jumped in and trying to create timelines and processes and so, um, it's it's a board effort. It's definitely a fiveman um uh collaboration. So, thank you all so much because I wanted to make sure I thanked you. Um and we'll we'll we'll hang on. We got Dr. McCall for a couple more months, so I don't want to. >> And we need to thank you for your leadership too in the process and helping us >> to move forward. >> Yeah, we we we do. We do. He he made sure he is mindful of uh what he shared with us and um really providing that support. So, thank you, Dr. McCall. All right. Now that we have gotten through that part of the agenda, it is
076now time for public comment. We have one uh Mr. Brian Williams. >> I'm gonna have I'm sorry. Just before you start, Brian, I'll let K >> He could probably recite it with me. He's like, "Yes, I know." >> We look forward to hearing from you during our public comment. We recognize the value of public comment on the educa on educational issues and school matters. A few reminders. Please come up to the microphone to speak to the podium and please keep your statements to three minutes or less. Discussions involving personnel, litigation, and student discipline are not permitted. Thank you. >> Good evening. In the In the fall of 2025, a VHS teacher lost her job because she posted to social media on a topic that was very sensitive to many, and her post was seen as
077very offensive by many. This was after the killing of Charlie Kirk. And this teacher posted to me with a quote, "One should only say good things about the dead. He's dead. Good." Certainly a teacher or anyone in America has the right under the Constitution to say offensive things. But in the end, this teacher and her job went separate ways because a teacher, rightly or wrongly, is seen and held up as a role model to our youth. And ultimately, she was seen to have violated that unspoken but sacred trust. On the occasion of the death of Robert Mueller, an American highly distinguished in his military career and his government service, Trump posted to social media, "Good. I'm glad he's dead." The very same offense, and the result should be the very same. Remove Trump from VCS
078schools. He is an atrocious role model. But more widely, just because Trump offends common human decency constantly, that does not let him off the hook for any and each particular offense. He must be censured for each and all of his affronts to common human decency. And he must be censured publicly. If we let it pass, we let it infect us. We must tell our children clearly, words matter, and this man is not to be admired or aspired to. It is difficult to withstand his deluge, but our country's moral integrity is on the line. This is not about policies. This is not about his policies or politics. This is about modeling morality for our children and standing up for what is good and right in life. We must say yes to that and we must say
079no to what is bad and wrong. If we are meh, our children will learn to be meh. In conclusion, Trump is a damaged man without character, without values, without morals. He is an immature man, a vulgar man, an unkind man. He is emotionally empty, intellectually empty, and spiritually empty. He and his example do not belong in our Valpreso schools. If we let it pass, we let it infect us. I love this country too much to let this pass silently. I urge you and others around the city to stand up, to speak, and to join me in censuring Trump publicly and saying no to his history of repeated injuries and usurppations. >> Whoa, you timed that perfectly. >> Thank you, Brian. Uh we have no other public comments. Uh so now we'll move on to superintendent
080and board comments. >> Uh well I'll just say uh first thank you for the kind words. I I appreciate it. We have a lot more work to do. Uh you know I used to coach track and it was always about sprint through the finish line and so rest assured uh we will be doing such uh for the next three months. Uh we have a lot of work to do. Uh we're in the throws of testing season uh and we get into the uh all the end of year uh traditions and pomp and circumstance uh to enjoy um you know I said a lot in my uh letter uh and uh stand by those words uh you know it's been my great honor so uh but we have a lot of work to do a lot
081of work to focus on u and you know I'm reminded uh this evening why we do it. We do it for the kids uh every day. So, uh again, I I appreciate the kind words. Uh but no, it's not one person, never has been. Um we have an excellent team, uh excellent people. You heard from a few of them today, who do all the good work uh with our kids, uh with our curriculum, uh you know, every day. um and top to bottom 900 employees who work extremely hard on behalf of the youth of this community. So um miles to go before I sleep. So uh just a lot of lasts that I'm going to savor uh all along the way. So I'll have more to say on the topic uh maybe in June. Okay.
082So thank you. >> So poetic, right? Robert Frosty, brother. Uh anyone else? All right. If there is nothing else, uh the meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you.