001anticipation. Silence. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all. Okay. Uh board uh before we begin uh with the business of the board, I would like to take a little time uh and have some staff and student recognitions. Uh and primarily uh to celebrate the baseball team uh coaches and players uh in Accentia. uh you know, baseball season runs late and uh uh finished in uh later part of June and so they're it's summertime and they're enjoying their time off. We've had a very senior lad in team. They're getting ready to go off to college. Um but we do want to take the time to recognize uh the baseball team uh from Alzo High School. Uh they
002had an incredible season uh garnering their the first regional championship uh in the story program's history. Uh semi state uh playing two games in day and then of course uh the state uh championship uh that we're celebrating. Uh their final record was 26 and five uh including uh ending the season with 20 straight wins. So they were six and five season, but it's not how you start. It's how you uh Kayen Cole uh you know obviously celebrated pitcher um tied the state championship game record for hits with four and hits allowed as a pitcher with two. So he he put his name in the record books. A little bit about this championship itself. This is the 31st state championship for Valreso High School programs. Uh we also have 28 state runners up as well. So
003for a school our size uh competing against the schools we do uh extremely uh impressive. I think one of the things that we uh come to really appreciate and celebrate as well is the mental attitude awards. Uh and so uh Drayton Wilcox was named the mental attitude award recipient which is very difficult to do. Not only do you have to compete at the state level, whether it's a state meet like in cross country track or in the state championship game where your team has to be there, but you also have to demonstrate exceptional uh scholarship uh leadership and uh athletics as well. And so Drayden uh is our 25th mental attitude award all time. Uh first one was 1967 without injury. Um and the third this year to join uh boy swimming and gymnastics as
004well. Uh the last three school years we've had five which I think is a testament to uh not only Den excent man uh but also know everyone along who we so congratulations to coach Todd Evans uh you know his entire staff all the boys uh and Dr. just a wonderful season. So, uh, even though they couldn't make it, uh, still would like to recognize and give them a round of applause for the rest of our show. Good evening board. Pursuit to Indiana law office must be administered to two of our board members. Miss Watkins, can I get you to come down in front of me, please? You please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Erica Watkins, >> I, Erica Watkins, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of
005the United States of America. >> I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of Indiana >> and the Constitution of the State of Indiana >> and the laws of the United States >> and the State of Indiana. I will faithfully execute >> I will faithfully execute >> the duties of my office >> as a member of the governing body >> of the Valrazo Community Schools >> of the Valkrazo Community Schools >> board of trustees >> so help me God >> congratulations >> Mr. Can I ask you to come down here, sir? You please raise your right hand and repeat after me, sir. >> I, Johno, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America >> support the
006Constitution of the United States of America >> and the Constitution of the State of Indiana >> constitution of the state of Indiana >> and the laws of the United States. and the laws of the United States >> and the state of Indiana. >> State of Indiana. >> I will faithfully execute I will faithfully execute >> the duties of my office >> as a member of the governing body >> of the Valkism community schools >> Valerism community schools >> board of trustees. >> So help me God. So help me God. Welcome aboard sir. board. In front of you, you will find a conflict of interest statement document that uh we fill out each year. We would ask that you do the same and please get it to Chris Nichols within a week so we can have
007that executed and make sure that's >> I'll be back up in a few minutes. >> We now move on to >> We have no one sign in. >> All right. announced for the election >> board. Pursuant to Indiana law, uh we will now organize the Valariso community uh school board of trustees. We will begin with the nomination for president. Do we have a nomination for president of the Valariso un Valaso community schools board of trustees? >> I would like to nominate Erica Watkins as president. Is there a second? Any further nominations? Nominations being closed. And seeing that, that is where we're at. All those in favor of Erica Watkins being the next president of the Garissu Community Schools Board of Trustees signify by saying I. I. Oppose. No oppos. Congratulations, Miss Watkins. You guys are
008doing well. Moving on. Vice President. Is there a motion to nominate a vice president of the Valera Community School Board of Trustees? >> I'd like to nominate Ashley Cruz as vice president of the Verizon Community School Board. >> Is there a second? Sir, >> any further nominations? There being no further nominations, the nominations are closed. All those in favor of Ashley Cruz being the next vice president of the operation community schools board of trustees, please signify by saying I. >> Opposed. Congratulations, Miss Cruz. Moving on to secretary. Is there a motion to nominate a secretary of the Balfa Community School Board of Trustees? >> Yes, I'd like to nominate Mrs. K. Natasha second. >> Is there a second? Any further nominations? Seeing no further nominations, the nominations are closed. All those in favor of K
009for Tasha Cyber being the next secretary of the Valko Community Schools Board of Trustees signify by saying I. >> Opposed? No opposed. Congratulations. Okay. Moving on to board treasur. Is there a motion to nominate a board of treasures of Vario Community School Board of Trustees, Mr. Holoffield? I would guess nominate Mr. Holyfield. Is there a second? Any further nominations? Nominations are now closed. All those in favor of Chip Holfield being the next board treasure of the Valera Community School Board of Trustees signify by saying I. Any opposed? Congratulations, Mr. Holfield. Moving on to deputy treasure. Is there a motion to nominate a deputy deputy treasure of the Baptist Community School Board of Trustees, Miss Samantha Douglas? >> Is there a motion? >> I will nominate. >> Is there a second? Any further nominations? Seeing that
010there are no further nominations, the nominations are closed. All those in favor of Samantha Douglas serving as deputy treasurer, please signify by saying I. >> Opposed. Congratulations, Miss Douglas. Would you like to purchasing agent? Is there a motion to nominate a purchasing agent of the Bris Community School Board of Trustees? Mr. Holoffield. Nominate Mr. Holings Hill. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further nominations? Seeing that there are no further nominations, nominations are closed. All those in favor of Mr. Holfield being the next purchasing agent of the Baptist Community Schools Board of Trustees, please signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Seeing no opposition. Congratulations. Moving on to deputy purchasing agent. Is there a motion to nominate a deputy purchasing agent of the Bristol Community Schools, Miss Samantha Douglas? >> Yes, we're almost done.
011>> Second. >> Okay. Any further nominations? Seeing no further nominations, nominations are closed. All those in favor of Samantha Douglas serving as deputy purchasing agent of the Bal Community School Board of Trustees, please signify by saying. >> Congratulations, Miss D. I believe that Madame President uh concludes the reorganization. Uh and I go to the back of the room and pay attention and turn. >> Thank you. We now move on in the agenda. Uh first let me congratulate everybody in our position. I am excited about this school year and how we will move forward. Um the next on the agenda we have the legislative vote. Um and this is a new position that we have talked about in the last few months of adding to uh the school board. Um and so after conversation, we think
012tonight is a great night to present that to our community. Um it is a position that um will bridge uh bring that that legislative knowledge to the board as well as the community uh and that that buffer in between that is keeping us all informed. I keep saying we're educated body because we are serving an educated community and so it would be great to be able to add that legislative component to our discussions. And so I'm I'm really excited to see that on the agenda. I'm not sure if anyone else has anything that they like to add to that for >> I think this is a good time to add a legislative leaison. I think there's a lot going on down the state. I think we get sort of brief updates by emails each day,
013but I think our community and our school system needs to be fully aware of what's happening. And I think having a person who is willing to analyze and present sort of summarize in more layman's terms for us to to bring that back at our meetings and in between if necessary. I think that's a very important decision. >> Anyone else? Just want to say thank you to my couple board members. I know we've had lots of conversations. Just appreciate your good support and questions and just thoughtful interaction. So we realized that John um uh so we knew that we needed to put someone in position. Um so we wanted to take some time to do that in the same fashion that we put our officers in position tonight. Um and so uh we would need a
014nomination for legislative. I would like to nominate Ashley Cruz as our next legislative lady is on second session. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing that there is none, we have our first official on Ashley Cruz. Next on our agenda is to approve the consent agenda. Um, any discussion, any comments regarding what was presented? >> I will be voting in favor of the consent agenda, but I will abstain from uh the personnel portion with the the ten coach, assistant t. Any other discussion? Um, all right. Now motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Um, all in favor? We have. We have our IO. Motion carries. Next on the agenda are financial performance of budget funds and Mr. Jim. I'm moving you up. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh each month
015we present our financial report comparing the year-to- date revenue and the year-to- date expenditures for our tax funds. And our year-to- date performance and funds report for June 30th shows the following. In the education fund, the year-to-ate revenue 27,311,684, year-to-ate expenditures of 27,639,641, the expenditures of exceeded revenue by a little over 1%. Uh the expenditures do include the monthly $645,000 transfer to the operation fund. In the debt service fund, year-to- date revenue 2,239,195, year expenditures 1,975781. uh all debt service payments due to date add fiscal year in the pension debt fund year-to- date revenue $78,32 year expenditures $76,842 uh $150,000 temporary loan from regain fund the pension debt fund uh is part of the revenue and will be repaid in December in the operations fund year-to- date revenue of 12,783,172 year expens expenditures of 11,84,836
016and the revenue doesn't include the aforementioned $645,000 transfer from the education fund. In the operating referendum fund, year-to- date revenue of 3,147,315, year-to-ate expenditures of 2,859,28. The capital referendum fund year-to- date revenue 6,172,64 and the year-to-ate expenditures of 5,683,500 and the rain day fund no year-to-ate revenue and the only expenditure is the aforementioned $150,000 temporary loan to pension fund for cash purposes. We believe review of the fund show a positive financial position and if there are no questions we ask for approval of the financial reports for June 2025. >> Any questions board? >> No questions. Motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. Second. Um all u all in favor say I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none. Organ next on the agenda, contract considerations. Dr. Hall. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh we have several
017contracts. First with Ben Franklin Middle School Theater International for the theater production contract, uh $890. Uh it is, this is not top secret like we do for the high school ones. Uh it's going to be Disney's Newsies Junior. So mark your calendars uh for December to see these student grants performed. Uh our eight elementary schools uh their school credit charge accounts with Town and Country uh for 256 school year. Uh that's up to $500 per year per school. middle schools, uh, town and country, uh, those are for secondary school ECA related expenses. And then Valzo High School and the Porter County Career and Technical Education uh, building uh, Town Country and Stamps Club uh, for secondary school ECA related expenses. We also have our meal provider agreements for the 25 26 uh, academic year for
018St. Paul's Victory Christian and Salt. So, happy to answer any questions you may have on the contracts. Is there a reason why the TJ Elementary and the middle schools and the high school don't have them? So, the other elementary schools have 500 camp. Is there a reason why the TJ Elementary, the two middle schools and the high school have no amount listed as far as maximum, but the other elementary schools all pay $500? >> Uh, we need a motion to approve. >> I will I will be voting to approve them. However, I will be abstaining from the offers of my school. I am in my learning seat and I will ask questions that students should do no matter what position that we hold. So, I need to just get some clarification. >> The only man
019on ask what do I do with that? Thank you. Thank you, John. It was really a good question. Um motion to approve. If there's no more discussion, >> I move to approve the contract. >> Second, all those in >> favor. [Music] All right. say um that we have eyes in place. Um this uh is all contracts happening. Moving on. We don't have any grants for tonight. Um but we do have donations and gifts. Dr. J. >> Thank you. Uh we have several uh tonight that we'd like to recognize. Ben Franklin Middle School and $500 donated to Accens by Matt Whan. Uh the varsity baseball team for mentioned uh had support uh in the amount of $500 from Jeff Bailey, $500 from Chuck Williams, $300 from Team Chevrolet. Uh pizza and games for the team outing
020at Zo Island valued at $500 by Red Stone. Uh team treats after semi-state championship game valued at $300 by Kevin Rogers Dairy Queen here on the north side. Uh Clinton J. Henry donated the charter bus driver tip loop for players and coaches for the IHSA state baseball game valued at $3,000. Uh fraternal order of Eagles donated $2,000 to the boys tennis program. Uh Cindy Urchel uh via Porter County uh Community Foundation established uh the Senate PH STEM aviation endowment fund for the STEM program with preference for aviation education. Schultz Floral donated a memorial arrangement valued at $125 for the class of 2025's commencement and P. blog store donated $15 in memory of Miguel Rosario's mother who recently passed away uh and has to be used at the band director's discretion or at the veil. Dr.
021Judy Holler donated $2500 to be used at the principal's discretion. Uh the Port County Career Technical Center uh received $1,000 from virtual labs for the end ofear student picnic cost. And at the district level, uh Fleming Brothers Oil Company, the 202 giving pump Ernie Shell donated $104.58 as well as $85.80 to be used at the superintendent's discretion. Aaron Schmidle donated $500 to the backpacks and snacks program. Family Express Corporation also donated to the backpacks and snacks program in the amount of $255. And of course the John and Vicky living trust uh kept their uh streak alive. Uh every month uh they donate $25 to the backpacks and snacks program and $25 to the school nutrition services. Appreciate their consistent support of our Nice. This does require um action. Um so we need a motion to
022approve all donations. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing none, this item is approved for donations and gifts. Um moving on to old business. >> Yeah. Uh this is the next installment of uh items as we are moving toward our uh projects funded by the issuance of bonds. And so first order of business is uh the public hearing on fourth amendment to the lease agreement and additional appropriation bond proceeds and interest earnings. So uh we'll open up a a public hearing and anyone who is present would like to speak on this agenda item. uh and speak inform the board. >> Okay. Public hearing is open for the fourth amendment to lease agreement and additional appropriation of bond proceeds and interest. Is there anyone who would like to speak from the audience regarding
023the sign? Seeing that there is none, uh we will move on to uh our next boarding board consideration. >> We'll close the public hearing. >> Closing. We will now close the public hearing that there's another public hearing. >> And now we can move on to uh our action items. Uh and for this I'll invite Mushberg council to the podium to any questions. >> Thank you Dr. Mcll. Madam President members of the north Jeff Foxber. Um tonight before you is a resolution that approves and confirms the fourth amendment to lease. At your last meeting you approved the lease preliminarily subject to this public hearing this evening. that was then advertised in the local newspaper. It had to be out there for at least 30 days which we did have. And so tonight, this resolution approves and
024confirms the fourth amendment to lease as previously presented as well as then approves all the financial terms that have been presented all the way back when we started this process back in the winter of this year for these two projects financing. Uh if you approve this amendment tonight, then we will publish one further notice of execution of the amendment's lease in the local newspaper and wait at least 30 days. And during that 30 days, after that is finished, we can then issue and sell bonds that it's currently contemplated that we will probably not sell any of these bonds until either late this year or early next year after construction bids are in on the project. So even though you're approving this these this evening, we may not be issuing bonds right away. We may be
025waiting a little bit. The rest of the resolution is very standard in form and substance as it has been in the past. The only other thing we do authorize in here is what's called a bond anticipation note which is just a fancy term for a construction loan to the extent that the school corporation confers any expenses with construction professionals and doesn't want to actually issue the bonds because we have not received construction at that point. We might issue bond anticipation notes and those bond anticipation notes would just be repaid from the bond. It's like a short-term loan to fund general expenses that you might have. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding that resolution before we move on to the appropriation resolution. >> Yeah, believe there was some reference in
026this to exhibit a addendum and that there's another reference to appendix I there's a rental schedule uh and it talks about the details will be on the subsequent pages. Can you explain what that is and when those subsequent pages can be available? >> Absolutely. So, in the lease amendment, you're approving a lease payment for both series of bonds, each of which will not exceed $8 million. And that's based on an assumed interest rate of 6%. Interest rates are well below that, but we put that artificially high just so we don't have to come back and repeat the process again if we for some reason have to exceed those ranks. But what you do build within the lease amendment is to say that once the bonds for each series are issued, you will execute the addendum
027to lease that will reduce the lease payments down to match what is necessary to pay principal and interest on those bonds together with some miscellaneous fees like trust bond trustees fees and administrative costs for continuing disclosure. So the maximum payment is 8 million. It'll be obviously a lot less than that. We're at 4% now. We would anticipate being at or below 4%. you go forward with fund issues in the future, but we do want to have that flexibility in there, but you have to have that mechanism in there to reduce those payments. So, under the resolutions, you've delegated to the board president and the board secretary the authority to execute that document once the bonds are issued subject to those parameters that it has to match the debt service cannot exceed that piece. So it's
028essentially a placeholder for now and then you have what the specific terms are going to be based on what the rates are then that's what would publish the additional pages. >> That's correct. Yes. >> And so those addendums also support like you said previously that we don't have to come back and do some things because we've already approved and they're they are there in the waiting. >> Absolutely. Yes. Correct. >> Then you also reference there that there are some trustees fees that would also be paid. Um do you know the approximate range what those fees we talked about are? Yes, the ones that have been charged by the Bank of New York on your existing deal will be identical to the ones that are going to be charged on this new deal, and it'll be
029on a series basis. So, it's roughly between $1,000 and $2,000 per series per year. For that fee, they will then receive the re the lease payments from the school corporation every six months in June and December. And then they will then use those months to pay the principal and interest on the bonds to the bond holders. They're responsible for keeping what's called the bond registar which lists all the bond holders. Now today there's just one electronic bond holder so it's a lot less taxing. So that's why the fees are so so much less. When I first started every bond it was a $5,000 denomination. So you would have hundreds of hundreds of bond holders and it was a very tedious job and so fees were a lot more. They've come down significantly with that new
030uh innovation that it's about $2,000. >> And you said the customer rate rental rate. >> Exactly. Yes. We typically uh on new transaction will take bids or quotes on those and look at if there's been a significant change in those or if there's been a poor service performance, we might recommend a change. That's not the case here. Any other questions? To the extent that they're in there, is there a process those? >> What I will do on those that you and I talked about, I will send change pages to uh the school board secretary. Thank you for welcome. All right. This uh requires action. Um so we need a a motion to approve a resolution of the fourth amendment to lease agreement issuance of the bonds and bonds anticipation notes and related matters. >> So
031move second. Thank you. All in favor? >> Any oppose? Seeing that there is none historic consideration item has um next on the agenda we also need forward consideration >> a resolution of the school board approving the additional appropriation of the bond proceeds and interest earnings and related matters. >> So this resolution gives you the permission and authority to spend the bond proceeds and interest earnings that you'll receive when you actually have the bonds issued. The bonds will be issued by your building corporation, but then they will immediately turn those funds over to the school corporation and will be deposited into two separate construction funds. One for the veil project and one for the middle schools project. And then those will be spent through your normal claims process just like you do any other fund of
032the school corporation. But just like any other fund of the school corporation that requires appropriations, these do as well. So it becomes not a normal budget process. This is why we have this process today with the Senate public hearing. So this merely gives the authority the permission to spend $17 million on a veil project and $6 million on those project. >> Question it correct? Yes. I just want to get a long time ago is in the veil project. There are no more questions. Um or this does require action. We need a motion to approve. >> Second. We need a second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing this item is approved for the regul resolution of the school board approving the additional appropriation of the bond proceeds and interest earnings and related matters. All
033right, we have one more resolution a resolution approving the insurance of the refunding bonds and related matters. >> Yes. So this is the third resolution and then I promise I will sit down. >> This resolution actually is is uh allowing you to uh have the building corporation issue what are called refunding bonds which refinance or repay your 2015 2016 bonds and create a savings in annual payments to the school corporation uh as a result of the difference in interest rates that were charged back in 2015 and 16 on those bonds versus what interest rates are today. Currently, uh, it is anticipated that savings to the school corporation would be in the range of 6 to9 million over the next 10 years. That's roughly six to eight% of the present value debt service savings on the
034bond. So, it's a significant amount of savings on those payments over the life of the paying term of the bonds. Uh, the building corporation did approve their resolution earlier this evening sub to approval by the school corporation. If you do approve this resolution, it is anticipated that we sell the refunding bonds as early as the end of se middle end of September and then close around the middle to end of October. We cannot close any earlier than that under certain tax rules and keep within certain tax parameters, but we do plan to do that. And so we anticipate those savings numbers to be very close to what we're seeing now because our numbers time between the two of those. We would then pay off the uh 2015 16 bonds on January 15, 2026 and then
035you would start making payments on the new refunding bonds on that date and thereafter see >> any discussion any question >> I would just like to highlight that this is not only sound financial sense for us but you know we're obligated to pay our debts and we raise money to pay those debts those mortgage payments uh by levying taxes. And so by lowering our debt obligation for the referendum, we're going to be able to lower that portion of uh the levy for our tax as well. I will just also reiterate that this is a significant savings and these are on our referendum bonds and so that's going to lower all of our residents rate uh that we're paying for the referendum bonds and I know several years ago we had folks out there kind of
036trying to say hey why don't you go ahead and refinance them now but it been on a taxable basis and the amount of savings would have been considerably less and so I'm just glad that we waited to and um I see Mike Shoemaker from Steeples here. Do you have anything you want to add on timing and predictability where we're going to be on this? >> Um not a lot. Again, we've been talking for a long time and savings are in a great spot. I don't think they've been too much higher than this. Um interest rates are in a good spot. Hoping they come down a little bit. That's supposed to cut rates sometime this year. So that that would help. But um seems like good timing to move forward. And I agree with you. It's
037significant savings. >> Sometimes we have to have a little bit of patience till we get our reward at the end of the game. Right. >> Absolutely. >> So then I have a question for you. Were you I'm sure your um financial advice played a part in making these decisions that we get to see them or will you not take credit for that? >> Well, I didn't have I I really shouldn't take any credit for this, but I did have two conversations with Dr. Paul and and also Jeff and Mike and and they kept me apprised as to kind of the process that they're looking at doing. Thank you for saying that. I was interested to see his office and a lot of favor. I know he's a busy man. Um so if there are no
038more questions, no more discussion. >> I just wanted to thank Jeff for explaining what's fairly complex process. Um, for anybody that's listening, it's not, this discussion is not the only discussion that people are having and reviewing this stuff. It is complicated. Uh, but I appreciate your your help, advice, and taking questions. My pleasure. >> Not saying Carl, we trust Carl had those conversations with us and, you know, kind of made it sure that we understood at our level kind of everything that's going on because there's a lot of moving pieces. So Carl, appreciate it. >> Yes, John for question. Thank you. >> Very important question. If there's no more discussion, no more questions. Um, this item does require action, I will need a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> We need a second. >>
039Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Seeing none, um we have just approved a resolution approving the issuance of the refunding bonds and related. Thank you, Mr. Rush. Um so now we move on to total quality energy management update. Dr. Jim call. >> Thank you. This is information only. Just would like you to keep you apprised. We're making progress and have a little look back. So I'd invite uh Mr.field field to share with us some some data on uh our EMP. >> Thank you, President. Uh just a quick update on favor one. Uh the substantial completion was on December 31st of 2024. So we experienced about half a year of uh savings. And in last month, I asked Bobby Kidney, our consultant at Stratine, to give us a number. How much have
040we saved as far as energy on two buildings where we have solar? Um the solar at TJ and TJM along with the LED lighting, which we have all buildings. uh at those two buildings as of May 31st, the first five months of the year, TJ had a 48% reduction in kilowatt hour usage. Had a monthly average of 9,000 kilwatt hours compared to a monthly average of 19 and a half kilowatt hours in the same five month period last year. Even better, TJ Middle School had a 92% reduction in kilowatt hour usage, a monthly average of only 10,000 kilowatt hours compared to a monthly average of 4,000 for the same five month period in 2024. So we are saving real money with with our solar uh bar will continue to monitor our uh savings because it's
041on them with the guaranteed energy savings contract. They if they don't get it to say that they promised they're on the hood right check. So everything's looking good at this point. Uh of course we still have Bob McHine verifying ver these numbers to make sure everything is good. Uh, and also other good news on phase one, we did receive a month ago today our $915,000 inflation reduction act credit from the top of that bonus. We'll cherry on top of they receive a letter from the IRS saying that they owe us about $7,000 of interest on that. Even better, uh, phase two is moving along nicely. Micro turbines are placed are placed at Ben Franklin Middle School and at the high school. making everything hooked up there. Uh very continue continuing to procure the domestic solar
042materials which you approved at the last meeting. Here we have a picture of the uh high school micro turbine and I think there's one coming up for the middle school as well. There we go. Uh the work is in progress on updating the HVAC control developer building and we'll start seeing the solar go in the next few months. Phase two is going to take a lot longer than phase one. Completion date at the end of next year. Look forward to seeing the savings we'll realize from phase two as well. >> I'm sorry. When you say end of next year, is that end of next school year or end of next calendar year? December. >> Mr. Holy good, will we also get um this tax credit um on phase two as well? >> Another excellent question
043because uh once things are put in place at the end of 26 after the first of the year in 27 we can apply for the uh the credit and we're looking at $4.2 million. So timelines are the same. We apply after the first year by the summer we should have $4.2 million. course in the direction of qualifying to see those all time changes. I mean was probably a good part moving forward when we get you know the harder we work the ler we get >> well let's keep working hard >> sorry another question with the current increases do that factored into the savings >> yeah that's the price increases are on provision they guarantee the project at certain price price. >> I met the NIPO um price increases. Is that factored into their savings guarantee
044>> when they figured out the uh the 20-year uh payback? They factored in a certain amount of increase every year. >> Keep in mind too high those rate increases jump. It's more savings for us when we have 48 and 92% reduction on our redundancy of that. >> So this I know this might be an odd question. Um if like power goes out these buildings sustainable then off of just solar. Uh I hesitate to answer because the experts discuss we are moving on to our construction update. We've been extremely busy this still had enough time to put together this week. Um yeah, we have been busy this summer. So just a couple of updates on what we've been doing. Um, we had six locations um, go under the night for X fault. Um, we're going to
045just highlight a couple of these. I don't have any before pictures, but rest assured what you're about to see is much better. If the cracks got any larger, some of our smaller kindergarten may have. This is memorial. The east lot was totally redone, taken down, put new. This flight services is who we had to say. Came in, they got its good. >> So nice to have. Uh this is TJ Middle. This is the east lot that also was completely ground down and redone along with the bus the pickup line there. And this is the south drive that was also completely milled down, redone the valley. So again just quality work. Um, got to give a shout out to all principles and summer school folks. There were some unsuitable soils when they did this, so it
046took a little bit longer, but collaboratively we work through new driving, pick up, drop off, and everything still. That's always my worst fear as facilit. But we work through it. Um, we completed a three-year uh flooring project at PJ Middle. Um, this is one of the highlights in this last bit is the the media center. Um, we went a little bit further and show. But, uh, these caps here were all extended bookshelves. We took those out, put a finish cap on it, made it more of an open collaborative learning area at the request of the Mr. Modlin and the media specialist there for kids. There's another nice picture of the micro turbons. I just like so much I thought too. take. Um, and then the big one for this year was the track. I don't
047know. Many of you have been out there to see it. Um, this was an aerial shot of what it looked like before again collaboratively with the athletic department coaches and all kinds of input. Think the product and again overseen by site services and completed by track services. Thank you. There's the south end. There's the middle. So, um, another kind of neat thing that they did is they made it track reversible in a way kind of a wind direction. So, they can on this this side they can run sprints either way. Hopefully that helps a second. a former track coach. I'm going to tell you that is a key innovation especially because we host regionals. Uh and we are susceptible to a north wind and it's always been set to run south to north. So you're
048running into the wind when you're trying to qualify for state. Uh and so by being able to reverse it, we're giving kids opportunities to qualify for that. Next really a great idea by the utility. The other major thing they did out there was you see here just mostly grass, couple of growing pads and this is what it looks like. So again just quality work by the contractor great input by all people involved and I think it shows in you know obviously they'll be seen and grass seed and things still in there much. So that's the major ones. Uh, I really did want to get a picture because they are redoing the gym floor. They finished up today and you're not allowed on it until next week. So, >> next month we can do another presentation.
049>> Yeah. >> Thank you so much. >> Any questions? I'm happy to answer. >> That's such a great update. I believe I can see your personality. Truth be told, truth be told, trained to be a teacher before going into uh construction. So, uh he does have a teacher's degree and he's done plenty of practice in that way. So, had to exercise those muscles again how well you did it. >> Andy, be careful. It might get called. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. No. No. All right. Thank you so much um and blessing for that update. We are now moving on to new business. Um policies first reading. Dr. McCall. >> No action required in your board. Just three policies uh for update. uh looking to retire the teacher appreciation grant policy uh because this
050will no longer be issuing teacher appreciation grants and that's the recommendation um to retire it and archive it. Uh annual review of 48 uh for the determination of legal settlement and this is really about the uh documents that required to uh establish residency. Uh no changes to it just an annual review but it does require two readings and and approval and then uh 1103 board compensation uh SDA 287 that passed this past year allows the board uh to pay a salary not to exceed 10% of the beginning teacher salary. So uh that will be for your consideration uh to amend it and receive it. So uh no no no required action just brief. >> Any questions or anything for Dr. Paul? >> Okay moving into staff evaluation plan. >> This is again another review. Uh
051we present the staff valuation plan. There are not any changes. Uh the beta model that we put in place has uh really been beneficial. some more collaborative model for established highly effective teachers uh you know engaged school setting u supportive accountability uh and really uh has really been a benefit to the collective selfacity of so um this is just uh approval for you uh to approve this Are there any anticipated changes to the legislature or from the legislature to how that might impact whether or not this is feasible? >> Uh not at all. Uh actually they have really leaned into the idea of local control on staff evaluation plan. Uh so we couldn't change it without regard to uh some of the uh circumstances that it was derived under. But we've evolved it over the
052years to something that really works for us as I know impacts are are thought by any legislative changes and we don't anticipate it but we'll always have our head on the slope >> and so just to confirm no no changes moved All any questions? None. None. Okay. All in favor? I have notes over here. I'm just working on this. All in favor say I please. >> Any opposing that there is none. Um action. Um next item on new business permissions and 2026 bus replacement plan and capital projects plan. U Mr. Jim. >> Thank you Madam President. uh Indiana code 20-40-18-6 uh says that before we can purchase uh any use operation fund money to replace our school buses or for capital projects activity uh hearing must be held followed by a resolution approving the school
053bus replacement plan and the capital projects plan. This resolution then must be submitted to the department of local government finance. Uh also required by Indiana code 20-40-18-9 C. The school corporation shall post the proposed capital project plan and bus replacement plan on the school corporation website before the hearing and publish a notice of the hearing in accordance with the code 5-3. So we are requesting permission to advertise the hearing for the bus replacement plan and capital plan to be held on August 28th uh 2025 as well as permission to post both plans on the Valo community schools website and in gateway. Is there any questions for regarding the bus replacement? Just a note that this is something we have to do annually. So just routine business and we'll see the plans this 28th week. >>
054Again this does require action board motion. So second please. Thank you. All in favor say I. Any oppos? Seeing none, the action item regarding the 2026 buses have been approved. Next on the agenda, we have approved micro purchase threshold resolution. Mr. Jim, yes, >> thank you, Madam President. Um, the current micr purchasing threshold for using federal dollars is $10,000. In other words, the procurement of any items that cost $10,000 or more required that we obtain three quotes before making the purchase. Our procurement policy 6223 as well as Indiana code 5-22-82 sets the threshold at $50,000 for all other purchases. As of 2023, the code of federal regulations allows for government agencies to self-certify raising the micropurchasing threshold for federal dollars to be consistent with state law, which is in Indiana is $50,000. In order to
055do this, the board has to pass an annual resolution to set our threshold for microp purchasing using federal dollars at $50,000. Uh, as with other i.e. non-federal dollar purchases. Having thresholdable to hire will simplify and expedite procurement for our nutritional services department as well as procurement done other using federal grant dollars. Uh the board approved raising the threshold in 2024. If the board does not pass the annual threshold, the threshold will re revert back to the $10,000 limit listed in policy 6325. Uh we are requesting that the board approved increasing the microurchasing threshold through June 30th of 2026. Thank you, Mr. H. Any questions for discussion? >> So, have you had issues in the past trying to find enough, you know, vendors to bid certain projects or what what is the the impetus behind? >>
056It's just when $10,000 limit was set, $10,000 was more money than it is nowadays. So, just to make things regional, they raised $50,000. Um, and you are correct. This is where it fine. So, this must be >> so there's still going to be controls in place to make sure that when they're not being bid out, there's still double checking on whether or not the proposal is. >> Yeah, you're still getting several if it's possible and those are kept in the file. They are correct. There are some items that are single because no one else makes the but you are correct. Below that amount, we still have proper internal controls in place to make sure we're doing what we need to do to spend the dollar. Any other questions? No other question. This item does require
057action. We need a motion for raising the purchasing threshold. So second you all in favor say I. Any opposed? Seeing none, this is approved for the micro purchasing version. >> Thank you. >> Um next on our agenda, we have technology equipment unusable and no value. Mr. Chris Good evening. We unite to request approval to claim the equipment on the list as unusable andoring schools. Uh the equipment on this list is serveless well but is now beyond end of life unrepaiable or has been replaced by more current technology. One special note, the 25 retired that are on the list would actually like actually like to donate to the Val creative council to be used at the downtown creative center. Last year we donated the 29th to the Southshore parks. Uh the remainder of the equipment on
058the list will be offered for vendor buyback and anything that cannot be sold will go to OE secure shred who for some years now we have disposed our ways responsibly guarantee of data destruction those considerations as for the board's approval to dispose of the equipment. >> Any questions say none of this comments can't explain that enough. um in terms of the resources that we use in our community. We're mindful of um making sure that we're not just supporting one agency over another but making sure that um it's really spread throughout um sharing that just always um so I would like to reiterate that because I'm a part of and those iPads be so helpful for that group. >> Um this item does require action. Um, may I have a motion to approve? >> So move.
059>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? There are none. This item is welcome. Mr. Clifford remain and we will now discuss student technology repair fee schedule. Each year we update the student technology repair fee schedule to reflect the current prices for repair parts, the addition of new hardware as well as updating the replacement values to reflect our actual cost of replacing devices that are lost, damaged beyond repair or being run by a car, that sort of thing. We make our best effort to keep the any charges for damages as low as possible for students and families and pass on only our actual repair parts cost prices. With that, I ask you for your approval for the updated device repair. >> So, I get to see your personality tonight, too. So, we
060have some devices being right on that. Okay. Uh, any questions for I cannot help myself. There are no questions. This item also requires action. May I have a motion, please? So move >> second. All in favor? Any opposes? Seeing that there are none, this item uh has passed for student uh repair. >> And last new business, uh 2526 mill approval. Dr. I will call up to the podium. Uh this is Ashley Bowman, director of school nutrition to go over this item. >> Good evening. >> I would like to ask for your approval for the if proposed mail prices for the 202526 school year. I'm pleased to share that due to program performance and continued growth in student participation, I am not recommending any increase to our current prices at this time. Our program remains financially
061responsible while providing nutritious award-winning highquality meals that support student success. Holding praise and steady helps ensure continued access for all families. I would like to ask for your approval on the proposed mail prices for this school year and I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Actually, I cannot recall him, but we haven't had an increase in a while in a three school years. >> All right. Any other questions for Ashley? All right. We need a motion to approve the school meal prices for the school year. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Uh all in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Seeing none approve 256. >> Thank you. Ashley, before you go, >> I will commend you. The cookies that uh your team developed for our student
062celebrations have really been a a huge hit with the kids. They wonder where those cookies are uh during the school day. So, just excellent excellent work. Thank you. >> And you alluded to it and so it's my opening to uh have a surprise staff celebration that your awardwinning meals. If you could share with the board and public the specific award award that that you were recognized for uh take them through it. >> Sure. So, we were awarded the innovative school lunch award from the USDA um and the action for healthy kids um through the healthy meals incentives program. I applied for that award in June and we were awarded um back in March. There were only five other districts in the state that have been recipients of um the healthy meal incentives awards. So, we're
063honored to be awarded and to be recognized for our school meals that we are serving students. Um, Dr. McCall can attest when he stops into the high school and has lunch with us. Um, one of the meal that we actually applied for is that loaded baked potato bowl with um a local baked potato with local pulled pork barbecue with all the toppings the students could want. So, it has been a hit in our program and we strive to continue to bring more award-winning meals to our students. >> It's my understanding that Dr. McCall frequent Facebook when the loaded baked potato is there. Is that is that true? >> That is true. >> Is there an email when he gets the email? >> You can stop by any day. >> Is it there? >> Um, we'll
064be debuting it more in the winter time. Um, but you all know, >> but I welcome you to schedule meetings specifically when it's being served. And he debuted it on St. have to stay, which is appropriate >> uh for that for that item. And it really is it rivals anything you're going to find anywhere else. >> Um it's fantastic. But truly the high school uh menu uh is fantastic. You know, Captain Kane did wonderful work uh really professionalized uh the department and uh when she retired uh in January this year, Ashley uh assumed control and has just evolved it even farther. So, and I think that the dictator commitment to student input and process uh has really been a just excellent work so far. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> Thank you. So that ends our
065new business and now we move on to public art. >> Okay. Thank you, Brian. Now I get to read the guidelines. It's not necessary. >> Do you mind? >> Okay. We look forward to hearing from you during our public comment. We recognize the value of public comment on educational issues and school matters. A few reminders. Please come up to the podium to speak to the board. Please keep your statements to three minutes or less. Discussions involving personnel litigation and student discipline will not be permitted. Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks. Good evening uh board members and Dr. McCall. This year saw two school board appointment processes with a total of three rounds of interviews between them. And of course, two of you, Mr. Paluso and and Miss Watkins took part in one appointment to this board.
066At those recent interviews, several themes and concrete suggestions arose again and again. These were raised not just by Mr. Palo and Miss Watkins, but by the other strong candidates who threw their hats and often their heartfelt uh ideas into the ring. So, I'd like to remind the appointees and the continuing members of the themes and suggestions that came up and urge you not to let them just fall by the wayside of stuff that people say when they're running for school board. Number one, communication, communication, communication was called for and promised if appointed again and again and again. Better communication by the school board with both the VCS community and the wider city community was called for and was promised. and better communication by the school board with the public who bring their concerns to you
067at board meetings was called for and was promised. Number two, so number one is communication, communication, communication. Number two, transparency in what you do and say and the trust that connects to transparency was another theme that got a lot of hits. Number three, financial prudence and frugality on the part of the district was another theme. Intertwined with this was the idea of ongoing continuing communication. There's that word again with your two communities, schools and city in regard to financial matters and ongoing continuing involvement with your two communities in addressing financial matters. People want to know what's going on. They like like like to give their input. They want to be involved. Number four, student health and well-being and an effort to educate your constituencies on these topics. Mental health, physical health, social health, online health.
068I list student health as number four here, but that's not a ranking among the schoolboard candidates in their interest. In fact, student health may have been the number one concern. Um, many of the board candidacy candidates this year called for and if appointed promised to work for public forums that address these concerns. Some called for taking schoolboard meetings on the road again to to the several schools and perhaps at varying times to allow to allow a wider spread of people to attend board meetings and get involved. again greater communication. Uh but in general, the board interviews called up a desire for and a vision of the board being a better neighbor, a better advocate. And for example, a series of public forums on aspects of student health would address both the the at the same
069time the concerns about health and about communication. There's a win-win one. So please board don't waste the energy and ideas that came up this year from Mr. Pluto, Miss Watkins and their fellow candidates for appointment. Please make these concerns a focus and maybe even a theme of your schoolboard year. And I will email each of you my uh comments if you'll be mind. Thank you. >> Thank you. all our initial visit superintending head long into August gear up for another excellent school leader um August 13th day students who teachers coming in uh for work days the 11th and 12th and then of course our new teacher orientation is on fit. Um we're really excited uh on the talent and acument that we attract with our positions. Uh and even a couple of uh people who
070uh left us uh went out into the wilderness and realized uh what a great place we have right here and come back. So, um, Andy and his crew, uh, all the custodians as well are hard at work, uh, getting the buildings in tip-top order, playgrounds, outdoors, inside. Uh, they're really been really appreciated, but we're we're excited to welcome back our staff and our students for another great year. um expect up at the office. >> Just want to welcome John to the board and look forward to working with you this coming year. >> I add to those sentiments. Such a pleasure to have you. I am um already pleased with how uh this board has started to communicate and um how well we really do intend to work together um throughout the year and hearing the
071points that uh the community has been sharing. I am really honored to be in this seat um and to be able to work collaboratively collaboratively with this team. Um I'm really excited about it. Now I can sleep well. They all know I've spoken to them. I have struggled the last few nights. Um just really getting um just some rest because I want to do what's um and it's not about us individually. Um but we realize we are a team effort and we really want to make sure uh that we are rising to the occasion. There is a lot um that is changing uh legislatively um in our state and we want to from the way things sound we keep uh sounding the bell that we are in a good position and that feels really good
072really good place to be in in comparison to you know other things that you hear in other districts. Um so I commend the work that has already been done prior to any of us serving here. um my prayer is that we'll just be able to continue in that fashion and set the foundations um for generations to come. So, it's such a pleasure. >> I would also like to say I appreciate getting to know each of you. Um I'm looking forward to being able to kind of dive into some of these issues going forward. Um regarding the the comments that that we just heard, um I do think it's important to highlight the things that we are doing. Um, and one of the things regarding communication, for example, we can't communicate if we don't have enough
073of the facts. And so part of the the impetus behind having this legislative leaison is to make sure we know what's coming so that then we can decide how to address that and bring that into the community and find ways to open up discussion about how should we respond then. But until we know more about what's happening, that's hard to do. Um, as far as the uh the idea about student health, we just had a great example of that with uh the sort of innovative meal programs. That's one component of it, but it's there. U making sure that the the district is in good financial shape. We just heard about how we're saving 6 to9 million on this bond refinance and how the energy programs are saving several million dollars over the next, you know,
074foreseeable future. that's really important to being able to offer the community more of what I think they expect out of the school corporation. Doesn't mean we can't do things better. Doesn't mean that we can't try and find ways of engaging more. But I even just from this first month of sort of diving into the hundred different documents that we're trying to make our way through and asking questions and making sure by the time we get up here to discuss them or approve them that we know more about what we're talking about. Um, that that's a lot, but it's part of what I think the community wants to do. Um, I appreciate people's willingness to come forward and talk at these meetings and hopefully we'll have, you know, some additional ways of of interacting with the
075committee going forth. Thank you for the comments. Um, and I'm I'm looking forward to what the next 200 documents that are going to get dropped out of that portion next. >> Thank you. If nothing else, meeting.