001FL of the United States of America to the repu Elementary science schol team uh emerged as state champions this year in the science competition put on by the IAS and so we're here to celebrate their Achievement First with a round of applause and I'd like to welcome up to the podium uh principal of North View Elementary Mr Dustin Nelson good evening everyone it is my honor to stand before you tonight and to celebrate this incredible incredible achievement our science B team has won the state championship this Victory is a testament to the hard work dedication Brilliance of our students who have spent countless hours preparing to represent the school in our community with pride I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our school board and to our superintendent for their unwavering support of academic
002excellence and for inviting us here tonight to celebrate that to students thank you excuse me to the parents thank you for encouraging your children to be their very best in the development of their sharp and curious minds to our teachers and coaches your guidance and commitment has been instrumental in this success congratulations to our science B Champions you've all made us very very proud at this time I'd like to introduce our two science Bol coaches to share more about our team and their amazing achievement this year this is Kelly Jones and Mr Tommy Danel thank you for having us here tonight and the team and everybody for making it out um I am Tomy Gale one of the fourth grade teachers at Maru and one of Bowl coaches and some other extracurriculars to uh every
003year the science Bowl committee sends out a topic for us to learn about this year we learned about um the law of conservation of mass and some chemistry and some chemical compounds and elements and some pretty high level stop it's typically two to three grade levels above the academic level of students I would say this year it was probably more than that was some of the things we had to do uh there's also an experiment that students participate in um and have to learn about and go through that scientific process and account for errors and measure all kinds of things there uh the science B competition is kind of unique and that is a virtual competition so we don't go and face to face with the other teams it's the students in the room compete
004completing multiple choice questions as a complete group uh they have to discuss the questions come up with an answer that they can agree upon um and it's it's really interesting to watch them talk discuss advocate for themselves um just amazing teamwork from them and then listening to each other and then putting those hours in outside studying and practicing and learning all the things they needed for science Bowl this year there are three total rounds first round is an experiment round that's the kids as a group answering the questions together then the second round is some topic specific questions and then finally there is a third round which is an individual portion uh this has a little bit of reading comprehension that goes along with it uh as well as some general knowledge over the topic
005that was assigned to the students this year four students participate in that individual um um not only uh so there's different divisions based on the um population of your school uh a total round points there were 100 available points for the competition uh our team scored 99.75 [Applause] so one question on the whole thing uh and that is not only winning the division it's the best score in the entire state of Indiana for Science World this year on that note before I get started raving about how wonderful these kids are I do want to make a note that at Val brazo Community Schools was represented very well in our state um we did get the championship uh trophy but we had also Central Memorial lint Lake TJ and Parkview all in the top 10 in
006their division so I wanted to make sure would you uh believe that we have a slide made up with that inform I Thunder we're the it is phenomenal achievement I appreciate how iron sharpens iron Ino uh and as you can see uh the cupboard is quite full for the middle school science Olympian teams some science sence science athletes coming up uh to fill the ring so excellent job I recogniz everyone um only one and you guys were celebrate that tonight for sure and I just want to reiterate the amazing amount of material that these kids absorbed and were curious about and just wanted to keep learning um and that was what was so amazing about this group um I have coached science bll now for 19 years um since the first year that it it
007came around and it's years like this that really rejuvenate my love for Science and getting to watch these kids I think Mr McDaniel and I feel so proud because they desire to learn um they had to learn the states of matter which you think about elementary kids and the states of matter and you think solid liquid gas well there was a question about plasma as a state of matter and um they had to balance chemical equations and I don't know if you remember back to high school chemistry but those are the kinds of equations that I could find online for them to practice and so we would print out sheets and try to go through them and be like oh this one's probably too challenging and guess what those are the ones the kids wanted
008to do they were like well those are easy let's try these harder ones let's see if we could do it and we sent the sheets home and said you don't have to do it any more of these but they came back having tried them and I think that's a testament to their desire and their family's desire for them to learn and be a success and so we are just super proud of course we're proud of the results of being the state champions but we are proud of their perseverance and their collaboration and their hard work that they put in every day um at our practices and outside of them so with that I think we'd like to introduce all of the kids and have them up we we'll come down and then as you introduce
009them they can come up we' love to shake their hands congratulate them and then we'll take all together before break we're supplying cookies but imagine there might be ice cream if you ask your parents apparently I told them if they won I would buy them ice cream so I think I don't fully saying that was the first thing they remembered after they learned that they um well not everybody's here tonight but we have most of our team here tonight so um Eliza Snider [Music] [Applause] Pon Clemens Laura Welter Hy [Applause] Elanor Kar [Applause] El P it Wilson bar [Applause] shabby Steven s and Miker all right okay group picture and then if you guys want to fill in right here in front of the board coaches come on up Mr Nelson come on up uh
010Dr Al is kind of our official phot he he'll send a picture out to everybody but feel free to gather and take your own if you wish if you don't trust him sorry right [Music] nichting everyone uh congratulations Mr Nelson here you go achievement from us uh we we're going to be moving into the business portion so you guys are welcomed and even encouraged to go if it's so true uh cookies are in the foyer uh Miss Nichols is over there and she'll hand them out not only for the kids who are here but also any siblings who are here might want okay if there's enough my M already don't think involved with everything congratulations than I'm sorry public comment pertaining to the agenda nobody signed in so to agenda discuss discuss speak put all
011comments I don't see comments yes we do any other see as there is no discussion all those in favor of the consent agenda signified by saying I I all those opposed thank you Financial reports uh Mr mfield thank you Mr President each month we present the financial report comparing our year to-day Revenue to our year expenditures for taed funds our year to-day performance of funds report as of January 31st 2025 shows the following in the education fund year state revenue of 4,521 194 year State expenditures of 5,419 495 expenditures have exceed your Revenue uh expend do include the $645,000 transfer and also that J ex higher than normal in The Debt Service fund year toate revenue of zero but expenditures of 1 million 92571 which was our debt payment du in January all Debt Service
012payments due to dates have been made year and the next tax the Pion Deb state revenue was $150,000 temporary loan from the bring dat fund for cash FL purposes year-to dat expenditures is the payment of 7 $ 6,842 U the temporary loan will will be paid back in December and the next tax DW for this fund is all June the operations fund has year to- dat revenue of 79685 year expenditures of 26793 uh Revenue includes the form of $645,000 transfer from the education fund and again we have tax the operating referendum fund year to date revenue of $489 year to date expenditures of 68170 again tax draw coming up in June the capital referendum fund has has no revenue or expenditures year today and the r day fund no revenue and the only expend is
013the $50,000 we believe a review of the fund shows a positive financial position and if there are no questions we ask for approval of the fin reports for January thank you Mr do you have any questions Mr does require action I have a [Music] motion we have any further discussion from Mr H is there is no further discussion all those in favor of performance of budget funds signifi by saying I I all those oppon thank you Bo thank you contract considerations Dr Mall thank you Mr President we have a handful of contracts for your consideration um first Barnes andberg for serving Bond council5 based on hours power school is license and subscription fees associated with Navan 256 uh term it is $ [Music] 25716 uh we have an amendment to our mou with the B
014the police department for our school resource officers uh whereby we're increasing our contribution per SRO to $75,000 to ref the salaries officers and then with lwg advisers as our Municipal advisers have answer any questions I just have one question about the resource officers um the $75,000 is that their entire salary or do they receive some from the city as well that they receive some from the city as well ser equipment [Music] this item does require action I have a motion all those oppos grants good evening board I have one grant for your consideration this evening it's the title to Grant uh the allocation this year is 146 8673 uh this is a federally funded Grant and we intend to use it as we have in the past to provide retention incentives and professional development opportunities
015for BCS teachers happy to answer any questions but if there are none I would appreciate your approval any discussion for that about today that for the school year the 20 so this one stretches out so that it allows for continuous professional development through the summer so this grant always spans a little bit extra than the normal school year the school year in some of the cases like our hi ability Grant or some of the state grants but you you'll have overlapping yes okay so they over does require action we have motion move second those in favor please signify by saying I all those OPP thank you thank you donations and Gifts Dr Mall thank you Mr President uh we have Anonymous donation to Central Elementary of t-shirts and winter gloves for Temple Israel donated sweatpants
016and hoods to students in need to Thomas School Lake Elementary School received $100 from Cher Sue Lawson used the principal discre Ben Franklin Middle School received $150 to purchase shirts for the boys basketball team CAU andth comicso High School received $175 from Center wildcast 4 Club sensory items and Interactive Learning items appli skills program Regional Federal Credit Union donated 600 $ to the state competition Jessica grer donated $291 Fe for 12 students to attend the national heal Pizza Point Anderson $250 to give away to students attending the gr basketball Porter County Career and Technical education received $1,119 for lunch for student mentors District yde Corporation donations uh we had two donations for superintend discretion from Ernie shell $250.66 and $254 182 the holiday assistance program received 100 books valued at $ from and also $159
017as Don bluec living trust donated $25 once again to school nutrition services and $25 to the backpack SN backpacks and snacks also received $100 from Timothy and K olon as well as $250 from our BCS wellness program received two staff chair massage certificates from massage therapy and from Anthem uh our rep L Thompson donated two shoulder bags two Pelican drink cups to two Bluetooth speakers in small giveaways such as plastic cups coffee cups pocket hand sanitizers highlighters and a m head pen read that right M head pen Health Lisa tiger donated two Amon electronic blood each of the community once again always astonishing giving our community is thank them for that um or this does require some action tonight I have a motion second just like to say thank you to our community as always
018um all those in favor please signify by saying I I allos old business um preliminary determination on public hearing on two facility Improvement anding projects thank you Mr pres at this time you will be pausing the regularly scheduled board meeting and opening up a public hearing fin with your permission [Music] hearing we can invite uh our partners up to the podium uh Jeff bushberg Council he's going to start discussion on why we're here and where we're moving forward evening president M of the board so tonight is the first public hearing that is required to you're embarking on projects that are the size we talking about anything over $6 million you're required to have a public hearing both tonight and then again at your March 20th meeting on these projects at the public hearings you will
019have uh presentations on the projects themselves and the needs and what they're addressing and then you'll also have a financial presentation uh in addition to that and then we'll conclude with allowing the public to provide public comment and questions regarding solely the project and and our projects and the financing that are presented public time for public these are focused just on this the notice for the public hearing was published earlier this month at Le 10 days in advance it covers both this public hearing this evening as well as the one that you will have on March 20 tonight we will have background of how youve got here with respect to these particular projects and needs then we'll move quickly into a presentation from jalter that very high on a very high scale the project pres
020proposals that they're considering for you to address those needs then they will move directly to a presentation on finances from Mike Sho maker and regarding regarding the tax impact and some other Financial parameters then he'll turn it back over to Dr McCall to finish up with the project timeline and then at that point you will open it up for public comment on the presentations as well as being providing any question com um there after we conclude the process in March we will publish a notice for determination if you approve that resolution and then we will wait 30 days question presentation schedule or order that we have Reas I will turn over to Dr M walk you through some background you perfect okay uh again as we've discussed the last few months at our board meetings
021uh we have gone through a 10 year program where we started with our district WI stud through that we were able to have a successful Capital project referendum and from 201620 every building program providing more outcome and really overall growth for every aspect of this District during that time we had to focus on areas that needed to focus at moment as well as the evolution bothin our buildingin our economy other needs and so one example is that opportunity existed 2019 in order to move our alternative school in the high school move it out of the [Music] scho and we saw tremendous impact on that because of having ability kind ofip of that U we saw great outes and alternative school a room of requirement lot of programming Tove on their path sooner many early graduates
022have being employed going into trades or even enrolling INE program any so large amount of credit of 99% gradation rate be attributed from a backward design approach School the alternative early War models [Music] we took the opportunity in34 to expand our CT programing we have dig design sh there also on top of that also found great utility it's nicely really big part so with that we had back we have City Hall Construction and cated our partnership with Dr CL male students are Welcome Elementary students from across the tremendous growth it's not a credit Factory grow all so as we re up and went through our process me it really became clear that experiment in the veil was really out need students [Music] all the oper all the all our students us every student every day
023really isn't just a that we here so whe I student accessing this is kind of of addition as we went through the programming need assessment we identified lot of other areas that the segment of the presentation really want to set the stage where we've been that pass prologue going with that I'll introduce good evening members of the community and school board and thank you superintendent Dr mall first off Jim Thompson architect and president design with me is De gurus vice president construction manager of the skilp so first of all just thank you very much for the opportunity to continue the partnership that over 10 years now schools um I think one of the things that we gathered um probably Ser testimony like others as a witness to the intentionality and the manner in which valo
024school goes about serving students and constant looking for ways to proove make best better so having been a part just a small part of that Journey with all of you um and I think that goes into discussing and presenting how the projects going to meet your needs we've had previous presentations so my role tonight is simply summarize and briefly touch on the major components of what going to transpire forward things are still in preliminary concept and there'll be many more discussions input collaboration so for anyone that's looking at what's being seen just know this is the very first step and month month by month process of developing and finalizing exacting specifications that you as a school would want for your school district and school Community the first major component um is a bond issue that
025will address these three items um and think we talk about here the foras theil campus do call discussed so there are Improvement for that uh site is Le Elementary School site now B campus there's also aspects to the high school for curricular ex curricular that we'll show you here in a moment and then there is with this bond issue an opportunity to enance and level up the playgrounds for school district districtwide so we'll be reviewing that so here is some development of campus and some things that the attitude and change to create those opportunities um again compliments to your administrative team and the people that have given us input because this Vision Clarity intentionality what you're seeing is very well developed thus far I think as a result of the time effort that was put
026in even prior our arrival few months ago and thinking about how what could happen with this concept of your Veil campus there are two major components uh there is the existing building at the bottom of this illustration and some aspects of reorganizing that building and grabbing the um components and programs needed for whether it's CTE or other buing with the veil program on the top or North part of the illustration you'll see a new building which is to be the location for maintenance and the districtwide information and Technology Center and that new building will have an aspect on the left toest more than likely a maintenance component operating a district with the million plus square feet that you have is a major Endeavor every day compliments the team facili group that keeps that happening seamlessly
027I understand also includes snow all the things you're dealing with on the right hand side of this illustration we've developed a plan and although it looks fairly clal more inut coming um that is the district it I think rather than read the bullet points to you one takeway that we see is now the district can move spaces that are put into the schools into one location and thus free up needs for other purposes education in those buildings that the IT department currently occupies so that's kind of like a two for one bang for your buck with what you're trying to there are some opportunities to consider other programs a placehold c buildings such as this can also easily added on to some future Forward Thinking what things need to grow there'll be room and ability
028for that to happen later next at the high school beautiful campus there are some aspects of that campus have not been fully developed we still r of decades ago this is the northwest corner that you're seeing this illustration and with the proof of concept synthetic tur for student opportunity extra and Athletics um there's discussion and very CLE diagram here indicating that one or both of those areas on the that will keep students on campus have high school students there under the butterfly of the adults and then wonderful things about is as soon as spring comes used heavily you opportunities daylight hours to use it rain comes in early afternoon by after school your own so many many advantages to that typ increase the opportunity the last component for this Bond isue you talk about moment
029is the elementary schools and Elementary School rubber surface equipment there's discussions on do that funds that completes the overview for the first bond issue the second bond issue hearing about tonight starts to address these main components learning environment other purposeful and meanful things in the district so I will briefly go over those for you first the Middle School level both middle schools Frank Middle School think of this is like a shopping list or things that were identified like any building as a living bre entity a n systems windows and just lots of things going on in those buildings and so it is important to be alert to selectively updating things when out eaks and then there's also some things that just Auditorium C things so those are on this list both schools and then active
030cafeteras a little bit of might go a long way helping everyone communicate a little better inside those spes and then this is just a list that was provided with regard to equipment acquisition Technologies things that as part of second discuss relative to budget here's the first budget high level summary for you see construction cost with Bond ISS there are soft costs such as land surveys soil testings General conditions question fees and that's how the soft costs are listed they're just budgeted at this point through the process contr School District second bond issue is framed out in this manner the same understanding of construction costs and costs for although not a requirement of a project hearing very common question that's appreciated to be answer as timelines so this work begin here in the upcoming months April
031May through December work on construction documents the project Mak no reason why some of the work not all it couldn't start later this year also thank you that my confidence [Music] any questions on aspect just have one question we've had concerns about the air quality ATF will the air handling that you're talking about help address those issues yes that does contribute to the quity good evening members of the board Dr McCall um I'm going to briefly discuss the financial impact of the two proposed Bond issues that been discussed tonight and I wanted to start with this graph which shows the school corporation's total tax rate uh both going back and going forward without these new bonds and what you'll see is that the total tax rate was just over2 cents as recently as 2018 and
032as it sits in 2025 it is now 87 cents I show this because this really isn't the norm across the state if you look at most School corporations obviously we've had Rising costs inflation um in the recent years most schools have had to keep that rate pretty steady and flapped um to be able to keep their facilities um updated uh you all have done a great job of managing through that have not issued debt and almost 10 years and let that rate lower by by 33 cents which which is very impressive um talking with Dr mccolls in the administration it seems that the goal is with any new debt um to keep the tax rate as as steady as possible going forward and this graph shows the non-exempt that service rate which is the debt
033outstanding that was not passed via referendum exempt debt was passed with a referendum and the goal would be to to issue this debt in a way that the non-exempt tax rate does not go over where it currently is which is just above 10 cents see the light green bars is how we would repay that debt over time uh we got this paying off as quickly as 2033 to not go above that tax rate so when you put it all together and back their total tax rate graph uh the light green bars at the top would be how how these proposed bonds would be repaid being repaid pretty quickly and um the school corporation would the goal would be to keep the rate at or below 93 cents which is slightly higher than where it is
034in 2025 but lower than where it was in 2024 and with that um the school corparation would still be the have a tax rate that's the third lowest in Porter County below below the state average so really a good spot the next two slides are just information that we're required to show I'm not going to repat all of this off uh but just to highlight the veil project the bond issue would be a max amount of 16 million we do these parameters very conservatively so we don't have to come back to the board for further approval because these bonds may not be issued until as early as the fall so we use a 6% interest rate to calculate the total interest cost and the lease payments today if you were to issue these bonds you'd
035probably be right around 4% so we're very conservative that but obviously the markets have been pretty volatile and there's a lot going on so we want to be very conservative with that um as I discussed the The non-exempt Debt Service fund tax rate would not increase from where it is currently um the total rate would be at below 93 cents for the middle school projects the amount would not exceed 7 million again we bring in all the numbers 6% but it would be 4% if you issued it today um so with that can answer any questions or turn back um I know these are broad parameters so that costs come back and also we' allowed working with you in the past we've allowed um extra room in parameters so that you know when we know
036what our assessed value will be CL we can adjust the debt service so I I see like you have 8 million as the maximum what would you anticipate it if we were to issue the bonds the maximum lease payment so you put that very high at 8 million and that's really um to guard against we don't yet know if all of these bonds would be issued at one time in the fall or if some of them could be issued this year some of them can be next year and that really guards against if we see assess value grow a lot again which we probably aren't going to see it grow like it has P five years um but that 8 million assumes your ad grows 15% and you would need a payment um in 2026
037of that amount to to keep the tax rate where you want it to be uh likely the payment will be closer to two or three million so that's why we set it so high just so that we have full flexibility to to get the tax rate to one and that's the only reason question just so we let the public know that more than likely it's not going to be at 8 to correct you mentioned that we're the um third third as far as County that the other two districts neither one of them ref that is correct Michigan City and East FL yeah that is correct third we've had pass the capital in yeah also take public comment anyone AI onah her 17 dveo Indiana I want to First apply the board because many of board
038members were on the 2014 referendum we needed School renovated and I want Dr Baron or you know even put his own money where his mouth is and did the fund or to attempt to get um this referendum passed we all were the Ando hey Mr sender Dr Mall Dr fasha it and it work every school is magnificent and I'm glad that we're continuing to keep our schools and are we're like What top 10 now in the state I'm not sure what we're ring but we're keep improving our schools it's not just we're going to do this one referendum and we're just G to let it slide so I applaud what you're doing my only my question would be is that I I I'm so happy that Haz is used um my my daughter is a
039a freshman and Purdue she was the last president at hates so um but I would ask I mean I love that your expanding vocational and my daughter went to the produce vocational she had to drive all the way from near aine to the uh PR vocational comeb back for the nursing like medical program and they have the dental hygien program could we possibly just expand that into Veil now and so that we don't have to do it in the future i' rather my our kids stay in our community we have amazing we have amazing medical facilities for in the hospitals in the um our community we have and I think we could do a better job so I mean that's just if we're going to expand vocation I think that's amazing and that's what the
040state is going for that we should do it right so thank you and I'm in support down set 2358 bar Stone Drive in Val I got a few questions tonight um this uh this new these new projects when when this thing gets started do do these gentlemen here come to you you go to them who who initiates the needs you guys reach out to them to to to the design so we our our needs assessment is our own access for the mechanical evaluation we on on those and then as we talk about ours aot issues then a couple other questions um to some of the uh the renderings because this is this how it started right so when we do the renderings just like when we started the pool we see a rendering car there's
041two cars flow is great unfortunately with in reality FL isn't so great right so you go to to anything like that as adult I don't know how the kids feel when they're in school parking as adults coming to events the parking lot is terrible when you had the pool we took a bunch of spots away and have we got any plans for new spots to come back to fill that when we're talking about behind the football field adding these two fields in had anybody thought about doing a loop for for visiting teams and buses to go on the backside and not have the baseball stadium face the parking lot because I've been to a few games and they smacked Windows Major League or home run you see it so so it's like with some of
042these new design I'm talking about is like heav in my opinion was a Miss on design the blue right so driving in driving out the same road instead of having it a loop around the whole school and it was New Concept building so some of these and during the construction you know some some people say I'm a bad guy because I come up here and I call a lot of stuff I'm in construction field I do and I said when I call stuff out it's not it's not to be mean it's just pointing things out we're spending a lot of money on this stuff it needs to be done cor I said there was things I would bring up and they're like you know it's just Scott Cherry was here and you know I don't
043think he liked me about it but I'm like that's okay you don't have to be my best friend I'm just pointing some stuff out and I happen to see things I go to schools and I see stuff now and I'm just like one done right it's just you know and again some of the mechanical stuff isn't some of the Mechanicals like BF and uh TJ W weren't those done some aspects of that in the first referendum uh not during the first okay that's what I'm asking because I I wasn't 100% sure if we touched those Mechanicals I said I was just asking why are we doing [Music] this good questions are always that's why I said I have no issue it takes many hands Mak life work so if you see something a skew or
044a Miss bring it up might just be a la of cont or it might be a Miss on someone's part that we can up and it's it's it's you know if the community thinks I'm bad guy by asking questions you know I don't care that's fine I don't think that it is what it is um so the the uh John just so you know the three minutes are up but if you want to wrap wrap it up WRA it up but that's fine I'll have you have a good day yeah just you know just just like I said keep everything in mind when we do the projects be thorough about going through them because like I said one of one of the recent ones with the solar panels first Min one was for them to
045do design for the kids at the center over off Evans to to be able to see how the solar panels were were generating and that come with the second design so that they didn't fall through with that on the first design first video what that guy told me they were going to put that in the first section when we bought the solar panel first round then we bought the second set that design came so just things like that fall through with that stuff make sure they they stay with what they said thank you so much one thing Mr um some of what you're saying requires a little historical perspective a little bit and call a young guy so he probably doesn't know some of this but where that parking lot you're talking about at the
046high school that field that used to be there was a horse farm back there where where uh neighborhood is now and at that time unfortunately the land wasn't purchased by the school system people in charge of that time didn't want to purchase the land it was actually offered to the schools back at that time see John cyber every knows what I'm saying is accurate and it's unfortunate we you know there only so much do with the footprint you have no so it would be ideal yes to have had more land and unfortunately this board we weren't part of that decision at that time this was like the early 90s late 80s and you know I played baseball in high school of Al you used to hit the ball into that parking lot that was there
047were big oak trees back there where that parking lot is now um never forget we played a k from Portage went up in the top of the oak train and get drafted by the Oakland A that's why I remember the story pry well any um there there is a little history involved in that and then the property you mentioned out at heavin that property was owned by the school system for a long time long before Dr mall was even a teacher here so before I was born yeah before he was born yeah exactly so some some of the stuff you know you purchase land today you may not touch it for 40 years because you got to have really that Forward Thinking on where's the development going to be where's growth and some of us
048just your luck and you know you're right it's not ideal going down um heavin road to get back and forth throughout the School fortunately we were able to put that you know the out there which helped a lot remember that TOS was talking about doing a bridge when doc was here we talk about doing a bridge and then we were worried about the ice on the bridge and it was just not a good situation so there is a little history and kind of context that is important in that discussion but um one thing I know about Mr blastic and Dr McCall and the rest of the administration sta they really are on top of knowing almost every inch of the building are things perfect no of course not but sometimes you just got to you
049know do the best you can with what you got and anything you have to add believe me it's taken to heart and we listen to it mentioned I mentioned the Jim about the parking lot lights in October drive to the parking lot last night man that place is lit up like a a car car car dealership the high school I don't anybody driving through the high school lately it's phenomenal I mean I mean it is is safe as can be now nobody has any right to complain about the lights now because I mean it is awesome so I think I faed you last night this is this is fabulous so um it really looks awesome so people do listen that's what I want you to know your your your concerns do not go in one
050year I'll the other do list yeah I and I appreciate like I said I don't come just to to gripe about this school I said we we definitely need to improve it we definitely keep going forward just you know I'm a hawk on that kind of stuff that's just how that's how I do it so I appreciate it it takes all so that's great thank you I'm going to join the bad guy and ask a question to and return the courtesy of Dr [Music] bar you mentioned um 16 million for what amount is appropriated for school itself versus the build did I miss that 16 million that will be an appropriation for our new construction as well as to renovate existing building and I didn't understand what the appropriation of 16 million people for the
051various fac just on an estimate uh of course yeah we're looking at about 11 million uh in million so the footprint doesn't shink for the at any given time 120 students that are there accelerating or catching up it it uh increases opportunities again we're repr proportioning uh and then building a two classrooms on the Southeast corner of the Curr and so that's going to be able Arts Graphics design which will then make more room we can expand our uh 912 program I'm not done I give them full answers you know uh programing as well as have the option with respect to uh Charles um helping the public understand that the 8 million Le payments may be act to the public should also be aware that when our rate is deining it doesn't mean is sufficient
052car cons wait that [Music] correct there um I don't understand financing so I'm just wondering why two Bond issues instead of one yeah it could end up being one bond issue could end up being two Bond issues it really depends when you have the need for the money if it's all at the same time you could save interest by doing one later um and I think we just wanted to to specify exactly what the projects were since they are separate projects Jeff I don't know if you provide so provide flexibility with the timeing of projects the issu exactly if you remember from the jalter slide it talked about the the fact that some of the bids or most of the bids won't be until next spring and that's primarily for the bail campus project the
053middle school project would probably be move along a lot quicker and so we wanted to be able to potentially issue those bonds this far early winter uh and start the repayment on those and let the ve project has more design associated with it get done and get bit in the early spring of 2026 and then sell those bonds but it is primarily because there are two different campuses two different uh sets of students that are being addressed primarily although you are dealing with Elementary School Playgrounds it's very minor part of the project but it fits nice within that larger Veil project and keeps the middle schools all focused on just the two m too much else great questions about more we'll have another hearing in March okay um consideration permission to proceed with 2025 Bond
054project hearing right there to move forward with advertising does require action so would move that we proceed with our seconding all I consideration commission forward V for multis school asphalt and VHS track reservice project Mr Blaster thank you Mr President and board I come before you tonight to request commission to uh a bid for the asphalt project TR res serving we discussed board meeting we did receive bids um acceptable one from contractor and found requ action motion second any further discussion from Mr blastic see is there's no further discussion all those in favor please signify by saying I I was opposed just just to clarify that's not all about the track we do have multi projects thomasr walk Cur okay new business more consideration for cancellation of stale checks Mr hfield thank you Mr President
055noer no later than March 1st of each year a list of checks that have been outstanding for a period of 2 years as of the last it prepared and presented to the board these checks are void for Indian code 5-11 d1052 and they may not be nor Cas uh a list of 12 checks from the vald community schools for rizing bank accounts as well as two ECA checks uh have been submitted for your review and we are requesting the board's approval to cancel these scale checks and receive the funds back into the accounts from which they were written um note is with the cancell of these 12 checks from our dormant accounts p and p accounts with after two years you can find this is something still and questions no fur questions do require action
056I have a motion have a second second all those in favor of cancellation of stale checks please signify by saying I opposed thank you okay next item consideration for approval of employee hand Dr thank you Mr President the board just have approval of our employe handbooks handb process has updated with yes it does require action Bo I have a motion all those in favor please signify by saying I I okay new course adoption Dr Nick Allison thank you Mr pres members of the board and your board packet is a proposal to add a course to our current course offerings the shortest most succinct reason for adding this course would be that new diploma requirements are going to require that every student who graduates from high school has one credit for science uh a slightly longer
057story as to why we're adopting this is um we have a a really robust experience for our kids starting in elementary school with our stem programs and computer science Robotics and in the stem stem area and then in sixth grade they get computer science uh for at least seven and a half weeks and then in seventh grade they get some more computer science in our digital apps and resp so by the time they get to high school they really have had good exposure to it and are making decisions about whether or not they have common interest passion we've seen a growing interest in that field the state values that all students have some experience and understanding about the impact of computers and Technology particularly with the way things are moving with AI and some of
058the ethical implications of that and while we address many of those things through Middle School they want to do establish a course where all stud guaranteeing that all students C at least a semester so um they have established a course computer foundations for a digital age it looks a lot like our Collective curriculum that already exists in our programming but we need to get it in place so that our students are able to have that exp be able to earn the credit for their requirements currently where we anticipate this being slotted will be somewhere in freshman or sophomore year we've also looked at middle school and possibly supplanting some of the computer science curriculum that we already have there and could fit well as AAL option like we need to get it on the books
059so that we can make it available to our students who are current ath graders that are in outside of that I would say that our student services department principles Administration leadership itively the Departments working together have really done a great job of analyzing our the new diploma requirements there aren't any major shifts or changes in the way that we do school about so I anticipate uh maybe later in the spring giving you guys a more full and complete kind of update on what that's going to look like for fouryear programming for our immediate incoming freshman we are well prepared to receive them and I would just add that uh currently as the eth grade materials have been out the promises that we made follow counselors going down to the middle schools and spending those kids
060are this week um and overall it's gone very very smooth feel really good about position that we're in to prepare these kids get school successfully and give them opportunities to really take advantage so have to answer questions about the course I think if you could go into the yeah happy to elaborate that stopping going too long on it but yeah so what we found is with all the preparation our students who have gone into to our current intro to computer science class which is not currently recognized by the state of Indiana as a computer science exploratory class um that may change over time but it's not currently as they've gone into that course what we found is that they are so accelerated by the time they get to the middle of the semester um they're
061really advancing in their coursework beyond what that course itself offers so we're now three years down the road on that and our students have just complet completed most of the curriculum for AP Computer Science and they're starting to just explore the cyber security course that comes after that because they're ready for it so we know that we're preparing for the path so what we've looked at in in this situation is an opportunity to say right students you're coming in for a semester and that semester experience is very similar to what our in computer science class students are having but if they find that hey this really kind of gets to hold me I enjoy this I want to maybe explore this more as a you know as a high school major or minor I have
062the opportunity to go into the second semester but then and continue to advance in the computer science program as it's established already without any kind of delay or Interruption and if they find out you know what I thought I was interested and this isn't for me after the semester after their credit interest yeah so I know earlier um in December is there's some concerns especially around the state of Indiana with schools about kids being able to move in and out of some of these Pathways actually finding every of those the mechanism understanding is there wither um well I'll say this already from a Content standpoint the content is in this course already covered in midle school students very sucessful the I say the mechanism at this point would be involving the teachers administrators in the
063process of what would this look like if we were already there or to include it in the middle school program something has to come off or something is going to have to be reconfigured that involves a whole host of stakeholders teachers you know sometimes the student just what experiencing this class do we feel like the students administrators working with Master sched as so it's kind of one of those we'll evaluate just give kind of a time I will evaluate it through the spring and into the summer but be prepared so if the eighth graders have received a lot of this excuse me a lot of this content do they still need the course to get that credit yes they do Dr Alison thank you so much for all okay Bo this does require action by
064motion further discuss foron there's no further discussion all those in fav iOS to public comment on non-agenda informational items I think speak first I think Dr Baron several of us may want few things to say if that's all right St I'd like to share we the Board of Trustees have heard from a few of our residents about the residency issue Dr Robert I believe the questions regarding presidency have been asked and answer we have also been advised by our school board attorney and the City attorney that the board does not have the authority to remove its members we can only fill a vacancy if there were to be a vac we have also heard from our residents on matters about the matter involving civility I believe as as a board we should conduct ourselves with
065Civility and respect to public meetings we appreciate the thoughts you have expressed either verbally or in writing and as always we welcome continue to listen to your concerns thoughts ouro okay I have some comments I would like to make as well this has been as you can imagine sort of an ongoing issue since the last board meeting past two City Council meetings it's been way heavy on our minds and so I would like to go back to the last city council meeting many of you may have been there or may have heard the statements but I would like to First repeat what the mayor had to say and then give my own personal opinion that's all right so in the words of Mayor John cus he said at the February 10 city council meeting he
066said before we begin I want to pause and share some thoughts about civility in public meetings and in person public engagement is one of our City's great stengths in presiding over more than 400 Council meetings in the last 17 years I try to give all who wish to speak a wide birth in expressing themselves as we truly listen to all voices over the years some have suggested that I allow speakers too much time in arriving at their point others have suggested that I should be more aggressive in moderating the remarks made during public comment although no standard is perfect I've chosen to air on the side of allowing all who wish to express their opinions publicly the ability to do so uninterrupted first amendment's right to free speech is an American quarterstone that government must
067respect and Foster in public meetings to attempt to ctail a person's words even if hurtful or offensive to others is not in the spirit of our constitution those who aspire to lead soon learn to grow thick skin as it invites criticism and reasonably so yet at the same time leaders are human having emotions and feelings they are not made of teon the mayor continues I've seen over the years that one person's Free Speech can be another's offensive remark that said there are times when elected officials must follow and enforce reasonable guidelines for commment public meetings for example shouting and aggressive finger pointing are not appropriate nor is addressing the audience rather than the elected body it is the clear desire of those serving you on this di to continue to set a positive example of
068respect and decor and to expect it of the citizens we serve moderating public meetings can be challenging at times making decisions on the spot is never easy it is more fruitful and instructive to analyze best practices upon reflection and input from others following inappropriate unacceptable actions the mayor concludes since our last meeting I met several times with council members capan and Hunt who review events of the last council meeting I've also met with Alison quakenbush ahrc president although there is a comprehensive Overview at the bottom of the council agenda concerning appropriate behavior at Council meetings it is likely time to revisit and possibly expand certain aspects I've asked the ahrc to assist us in that process as they promote the goal of Civility in our community going forward the council and I will strive to
069Foster robust but respectful civil public comment as we work and grow towards being effective peacemakers and leaders in our wonderful Community I'm mayor so in light of the mayor's words I would like to add the following personal comments these comments reflect my opinion and are not meant to reflect the opinions of the entire Board of Education we as leaders and as human beings are not perfect as the mayor said we are not made of Teflon we do strive however to be good leaders acting in the interest of the V raisal schools children and Community as imperfect human beings it is inevitable that one will make a mistake from time to time when an individual has been a loyal citizen servant leader for decades has contributed in ways to numerous to count to his or her
070community that loyalty and Serv leadership need to be considered and recognized there are times when we need to offer Grace and forgiveness to one another no one not one person in this room is perfect after a lifetime of loyalty and service is one suddenly to be defined by a single mistake I would say no I would ask that we consider giving Grace and forgiveness in dealing with each other and with recent actions and words that have transpired we need to enter a time of healing and unity to effectively focus on critical matters at hand we have a school district to run here many critical decisions to make in the coming months I like to remain like our Focus to remain on the business at end with civility Andor if is before anyone else speak this
071say a reminder to the patrons of the school we'll be given three minutes comments issues reminded The Forum is expected discusss charges complaints involving Personnel litigations to discipline you to address your comments to the board not to the audience attendance asked not to provide any comment REM the speakers this is an opportunity for you provide information to the debate okay we have six speakers signed in Frank spop Jennifer first all I really appreciate all your time um take two or three minutes of your life and want to thank you for that it means a lot to me um thank you thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of Dr Dr Rob Baron my name is Frank spinops and I was born and raised in valo my last adversary was 1856 Manchester Court with
072you St Paul's Ben Franklin and finally VHS class of 89 I'm still very connected to what's going on in valo and it growth is amazing the one thing I love the one thing I am proud of is was the education I received at Val brazo Community Schools especially at VHS it prepared me to have a successful cows experience which led to a good job and finally my wife and I were aspired to open a cver because of the one here in Balo I give huge credit for the leadership over the years preparing me at valza high school for my success I still follow how strong and respected valal schools are regarded throughout the state a lot of the credit goes to this board and since Rob has been on this board for eight years to
073his vice president and to his president kudos to you I'm still engaged in this community Through friends and family matter of fact I'm an investor with journeyman and I'm here for an event Saturday called the Trailblazer celebration a financial as well as Community leaders to support the expansion of Bill and Johanna Welter successful Venture what has been happening over the past couple of months is not only embarrassing to watch and follow but really kind of sad Rob has invested a consider amount of time energy passion and money into what he calls the veil of paradise the attack on his character and his Integrity as well as what his family has had to endure completely should take the air out of this room shocking Behavior directed at someone who was helping run one of the pillar
074School corporations in the entire State this kind of reminds me of Little League Sports adults are always the ones who tend to make it stressful because their own agendas and Egos and forget who really matters the kids here's what I'm asking for the board don't let this group of nasty whatever it's called tarnish his legacy or diminish all the things he has done for not only the school system but for the community of B Rob when this is over please continue your passion and support moving forward as you and Karen have planned to do before all these politically motivated attacks which exactly what this is politically motivated there's a Mount Rushmore about brazo over the last 30 years and Dr Robert Baron deserves one of the spots one final thing Rob I appreciate your friendship
075over the years and I really appreciate you opening your house at 1852 Hamstead court for me to spend the next week while I'm in town stay strong and continue putting the students first as you've always done don't spend any more energy on this distraction and just focus forward thank you again board for your time this evening my name is Jennifer hor I'm a political science Professor here in town there are Concepts called Spirit of the law and letter of the future lawyers that I teach certainly try to respect both now we understand the guiding documents for the board specify that you must live in the district when you are appointed and the letter of the law says nothing about continued service but I think we can can all agree the spirit of the law means
076that you need to sincerely live in thect it's frustrating first as a political scientist that I do not get to vote on any of my schools it's even more upsetting that as a resident of Center township a body that I am not allowed to vote for at all the city council appoints for to five seats the third level of frustration that with the exception of board member Wat in 11 years of writing you numerous times I have virtually never heard back from you that includes even when you the board under the leadership of Jen Bogner ask me to serve on your superintendent focus group and use my expertise to help make recommendation and never forget you are supposed to represent us how can you represent us when you don't know us and by your own
077telling Dr Baron you spend us cons able amount of time on domestic travel international travel and visiting your many homes that you listed at the council meeting as many people have watched now Dr Baron you embarrassed our district by your yelling your unhinged accusations and by literally foaming at the m i was seated behind you I have no idea why you and others many others now have accused me of a conspiracy formatting since October I was just working on a whole bunch of other election stuff as a good political scientist um I'm just a political scientist who takes governing really seriously and a parent who wants its best for the district so I end by asking the members of the board where is your integrity how are you comfortable having this leadership you are deciding
078if the current Bo president best represents you and all of the district all of you up there I don't think what we saw on January 27th does best represent have any of you actually K Carl Erica spoken to the mayor or city council members and then pressured to keep Mr Baron on the board or do all five of you really think what we saw on January 207 is best for our I'm not going to talk about Behavior or motivation I'm going to talk about integrity leadership a lot of people were not here in 2011 2012 when we really had some serious issues Dr Baron was there he don't lead us through three referendums he got us through Co we kept our it's safe we're continuing to keep our kids safe we're continuing to move the
079school system forward I mean you can look at the meeting tonight where we have plans in the future this thing is running like clockwork this whole episode has just gotten completely out of hand and what should have happened Dr Baron's term is up in just a few months what should have happened if you want to have replace Dr Baron you apply for his position you go through the process and see if you can get pointed I don't know if he wants to run again it's certainly within his prerogative to do so I don't know why he would but up to this point right here even with all the stuff swirling look what happens tonight everything went done just fine not a problem at all the question residency has been raised and answered multiple times we
080cannot remove a school board member we can't the city council can't the school board count and why this question keeps coming up is just infuriating it's fine everything's working just fine what we should have done is at the end of Dr V's term and shake his hand T him on the back give him his golden gamble say thank you very much for your service that's all I got thank you and we have and finishing up with M thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak in light of some of the things that were said um other comments that have been made to me by members of this board and by U City Council believe city council was stunned at what happened and that's one of the reasons that they did I comment um I will
081say that um Dr Frank Baron um Father Robert but my first son in this world he was a um chologist at moral hospital and my wife endured a very very difficult cesarian section almost died and I'm deeply indebted to the family I've had enormous respect for Robert bar and the things that he's done and will feel indebted to the family forever and the doctors on the staff at that time that his dad did an exemplary job and just did incredible care and keeping my wife alive and bringing my son on to this earth um to some extent I'm here to support Robert and and the great job that he has done up until now in listening to that rant in front of city council it was quite embarrassing to use one term put it nicely
082and so many things were covered so many people upset about it and it was apparently all due to the fact that some people presented evidence that Dr Robert does not live in the community any longer there was one thing that bothered me in particular there were several things that during that speech Dr Baron said that he had pledged a huge amount of money a donation that he was going to give what he called opportunity housing Enterprises think the term that he used which was a homeless shelter or was going to be a homeless shelter for um for single man and he stated that he was going to r or um remove his dedication to make that a donation because what happened I felt that that was inappropriate or misguided almost cruel to say that he
083wasn't going to give money for homeless shelter because some of the parents had accused him of being on the school board when he was not adhering to the requirements um I also know thank you for letting me speak I I do feel it's it's time for Dr bar to take a break thank you bzo Indiana I'm out of um I'm unincorporated Center township so I I want to thank the board for all they've done past all these referendums to make my kids educational experience so much better from renovating every school in this um School District increasing educational advances my daughter is going to have this in her fifth year Spanish bir language so I thank you that pool's also nice too and we just got 10 in state um so what and I think Dr
084Baron for everything he has given he puts his money where his mouth is those tennis courts he didn't want to take any and he want to know what he's he's done he he did help the schools what I'm upset about is we're talking about his credibility his integrity and his character and Miss Watkins I would also say thank you for talking to me when we didn't have a coach at that time so I appreciate everything that everyone's done now we need to right now not put partisan politics into because that's what this is get three months before his ter in because we all can because we need Unity we have an amazing superintendent we have amazing board because we're going to have to be dealing with um downstate issues and maybe lacking about $13 million
085of funding we're going to be dealing with the Department of Ed that may go away so instead of doing political posturing we need to join together fores because you know yeah he there was he has two houses in the city LS who cares if he has also a house in Wisconsin but you know the the card with respect to a we moved well miss Watkins your Facebook page also said you live in forage until the 15 but and then as Incorporated Center township resident I wish about 40 49% of kids live I don't have a representative we want to talk about law as an attorney you know then apply for Mr Baron spot because you live in the city limits in in HW bar so let's play the rules so we could get someone that
086represents my kids and my foreign exchange student that take it takes an hour to get from our residents to the high school in the morning so let's play nice let's get together let's just work about the kids so who cares do you think that kindergarten cares about do you think that kindergarten really cares about who's the president of the student council or most of the parents let's get some work done because we're going to have to have a fight in the next four years thank you evening um Dr M school thank you for letting me speak name's m m I live 9 Yellowstone road here in B preo Indiana I moved here 15 years ago to start a nonprofit I put all five of my daughters school system and I felt something was unjust few
087years ago five years ago I stood up here and I yelled because I thought something was wrong and I was defending my children and what did Dr Baron do he said ma can we go to coffee and we talk about what we can do to serve your children better in that moment you went from being our school board president to my friend I'm coming here tonight to say that we all have different opinions of what's offensive and I will say this as a parent if you thought what Dr Baron did defending his family was offensive I would encourage you to see what someone like myself would do after mine and I do represent a great number of people in this city I think there is a political agenda going on and I think it's worth
088stating in front of all of you to be politically agnostic that is our job as public servants I did it for 25 years I stood in front of people I didn't speak my mind about politics when I steep down from that position you can probably check my Facebook wall things have changed but while I was serving in that position I knew it was my duty to serve the people it's our duty to serve the kids yours and mine as their parents I now have eight in the school system between my daughters and my three stepchildren I will tell you I I rest confident in the leadership that we have here I praise the diversity that I have seen in the moving and this Schoolboard looks very different than the last time I stood in front
089of it and I'm very happy about that but I would also encourage you to look at the leaders this is the leader that grew up here this is somebody who's given his life his time his energy and his money here and we are we are defaming his character in public and I'll say this publicly shame on anyone who would do that in the name of political game you want this position run for it or ask for it it is appointed I'm I'm actually glad that we appointed you guys I think that's I think that's that's what that's one of the reasons I moved here so I don't know about how everyone feels in our community about that I'm I'm glad and I celebrate the way we do things here and look the numbers don't lie
090doing quite well Rob I'm sorry you had to go through all this I'll be praying for all of you guys this is a very difficult time when you when you get challenged this way by the public I just want you to make good ethical decisions I would stand behind any of your character as I've seen it work with work with you work with your husband I just appreciate everything you guys are doing I thank you for my time tonight again I want to say when it comes to Integrity sometimes when we say things publicly we may you you may maybe you spoke out of your turn that's that's fine but different different people see things as offensive that others don't when I look back at what was said I really wasn't offended thank you [Music]
091apologize I was at a reorganization meeting for elected position um been a while since I've been up here um so let's remember oh Jessica Jackson let's see if I remember how to do this um first of all four kids in the school district now finally got the youngest one in kindergarten all the way up to a junior in high school all completely different thank you for everything you guys do because I know we're a pain in the buck because they're all different kids from inside the Box getting ready to look for engineering schools and baseball programs all different personalities um one thing they all do have in common is they're all really smart you guys know that um one thing I noticed um during the meeting the stale Texs and Indiana unplan through the Attorney
092General's office I just wanted to throw that that out there because I don't that would be a place to put um I'm GNA just hit the nail right on the head with this I haven't been out here doing much lately but this really struck an interest to me because I know it's it's politically motivated I'm pretty to a foure request that was done and gby Watts who was behind a lot of this she's attacked me and my family and she's part of the nassy women at B County so it's exactly everybody's it's not just an assumption it is politically motivated and it is disgusting and embarrassing to see is happening in our community and if I was Dr Baron knowing what these people are capable of and what they've done to me and my family
093in the past every right I'm a mama bear I would have been out there way louder than he was um I don't know Dr Baron very well I do know that I sat on a board with him when I was seven months pregnant at the VA when William was four years old I've seen him in the community every once in a while he lives in his house I live between his dad and him they're always walking the streets and driving I see them all the time so you know do research first um been doing a little project for work I do Wellness Consulting across the country actually for schools and just very timely that this whole thing kind of merged can we get back to focusing on what school what you guys need to be
094doing and not the politics is are harder to manage now after Co because of all the electronics I mean I have entire shoes all right one little quote that I had from a principal today at came through it's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men dougas let's get back to work stop the political thank you hi my name is Timmy Anderson I reside at 588 Road North on of Dr Baron as well speak a little bit character integrity and his dedication to the students um my third child I also in the school system to a graduate my third child on interested she wanted to get into a number of programs so Dr Baron heard that she was interested ining a dentist and reached out to me to help her get into marquette's
095PR program that offers 10 spots five of which go to state of Wisconsin children five for the rest of the nation so you can imagine the level of competition uh that these programs offer he went over and above to help my daugh he WR a letter recommendation he offered to let her shadow in his practice he referred her to other doctors or dentists in the area to Shadow as well he personally called the Director of Missions Marquette to help her get in he recruited both of his sons who are currently at Marquette in their dental program to talk to anuka answer questions help her learn about the program and also speak on her behalf for the admission board that is absolute dedication to the to the students that our school he didn't have to do
096any of that but he did he did the right thing additionally over his tenure I've also had two other children graduate my oldest I just graduated from the na with distinction to his class getting into the Naval Academy is no easy feat he's currently getting his Masters now in physics and eventually will be a pilot for the Marine Corp his younger brother Seth is a junior at Purdue in Premed and is also a 40 student if my three children are a representative what this school can produce under his leadership and I think we're doing right this is a man of Liberty this is a man who goes over and above to help the community and the students that he guides as the president of this give me a little more time I did not take
097time to construct I really hoping that we be in place we were a month ago so it has been extremely difficult um as it has well beyond and so I I had an opportunity finally that's fine have a problem to Residents through Community um find that interesting that many people think that this is politically driven to be for all the way back from October 1st 31st cases that we conjured of this plan to this C be distributed the community there's no way we could have done there's no way um asked Mrs Baron to present that in any way to cause this political divide that happening here sad to say this isn't the reason probably has always and so as you all can so eloquently speak about Dr be which I have I I won't even
098dispute that um because Dr bar knows that I came to his doctor's office as soon as he and I were up appointment four years ago and I learned that he was a dentist I'm coming to your doctor's dentist office that's exactly what I did um so I'm not going to dispute that that part that everyone is so El about tonight I wish I could uh I can't wait until the years that I can say I have 54 years in Alo I only have 13 I'm not that fluent enough on my Facebook to really uh change my statuses and things of that nature yeah that was in 2011 but we all know that I live in Hawthorne and I've been here Dr m is my neighbor and moved in shortly after my so I look for
099the years that people will get a chance to know my care and people will have an opportunity to allow me to do the work that Dr Baron has been able to and so as this conversation continued throughout the community about me being upset whether I receive the presidency if you all look over the years there's there has always been a rotation on this SCH board you serve as secret you serve as a member you move to secretary you go to vice president you go to president and so if you all ask and you say I could ask for that position well before Dr Baron became the president of the school board and because we were our appointments happened around the same time and I I guess logistically that may be difficult to kind of determine
100but I did ask and I have the opportunity to have that cycle because I'm really not sure if I'll go up for reappointment many of you all know that I've run for office and so I'm really thinking more so along those lines and always making sure that this board is going to be healthy which I'm sure they will be when I leave and what I mean by that is not having to find a replacement if I move to do something else if I decide to be on this and so I am mindful of that so the same way that you can speak about Dr Baron I want you to get to know who I am too in this community and know that I am striving to I I don't have millions and I won't be
101able to invest in that way but I truly love this community and how my family has moved here and I always tell people when I get a chance to talk to them I really feel like I've matured significantly in the time that I've been here and so I truly love this community but I also want this community to um reciprocate that same response because I am often overlooked and I know nobody's going to say it I appreciate you for talking about the diversity that's on now right but nobody's going to talk about that I'm really the black woman that's how things are um constantly the way that I hear it being said and be attached in the stairs you can only imagine the things that I've had to encounter being a resident of this community
102and then having the audacity audacity to say that I want to run be appointed on the school board and then run for office in a predominantly white Community I am a black woman there are already two strikes against and whether anybody is clever or comfortable enough to say it you thinking and so no this isn't politically driven Kathy and I did not sit up and as I said to many people Kathy was not the first person to tell me about this this card how could we have gotten the card in our hands how was she able to present them if somebody didn't make it available I didn't get a card in the mail and I don't know if any of my other counterparts received one I did not so I want you to know that
103no one set up in October and said J I'm going to tell them to send a card out a Christmas card that they move from the area I wouldn't do that but I am grateful for the opportunity I'll say this I am a Christian and I know sometimes we don't see eye to eye and I really we do need to get that Rob and I talked about that earlier today we really do um need to get back to the things that are going to matter most because we know what's happening you know nationally we know what's happening Statewide and we need to really prepare for those I I had nothing prepared tonight and I hope that I've answered some questions and if I have not most people who have spoken to me in this room
104know that I will get back to you and and try to clarify some you but um I gen I really really you know initially I did not want to come why because I was afraid because my grandmother never let us go um past g into Porter County and she always born and raised in Chicago and you all probably know that give you that address too and so but these are the things that I say I was terrified about coming this way I brought my children here for public schools which is one of the reasons I wear the button because we know that public schools are under attack I brought my children here because I wanted them to have the same stories that I've heard from the parents that I have spoken tonight about how well
105their children are doing I wanted my black children to have an opportunity the same way your children automatically get so you'll never understand life in the same way that I do that's okay but I will keep talking to you and I'll keep showing you that just like you belong here so do have just like I don't expect Rob to be pushed out of the community I will not be pushed you push and I'll keep pushing back so I want you to know that I am happy to be a resident of alzo now where initially I was absolutely terrifying and is there still some Terror absolutely because when you know that there are people in this community who say I'm going to find a way to break you and take you down talk about motives talk
106about Lifestyles outside of here when you can commune in your homes commune on Facebook and attack me I'm fine with that unfortunately black people have to have a tougher skin sometimes because already been kill and attack and I know you probably don't want to hear it but because you won't put yourself in a room to hear it you're in the room now and I'm going to tell you exactly how it feels it is not simple and maybe you'll never understand that but if you don't take time to understand well never so when we talk about unity in the community i' say that's part of unity get getting to know people who may not look think act or feel the way that you do is just as important as it is to making sure that we
107have a successful school and I say that because there are more children of color who are coming into this community if we don't have representation like we have here we don't have representation in our classrooms and we cannot support those children that's not un so I think I've said enough if there's anybody who want talk to me later open to I really wish saw how much more we are alike than we are different I said something today we had a great meeting with our spouses it wasn't easy but we got through it so I'm glad that we had that glad that he allowed me that so if I have offended anyone in this community in any way I'm going to absolutely apologize some people will say why are you apologizing you've done nothing wrong but
108because I was raised the way that I am and if I hurt you I never intended to hurt anyone I don't even think that this was the cause for that it is the what we had was a card and this is information what do we do with that what what what do we do with that we have done nothing and so there are some parts of me that say we still need some work now we still need some work because I'm I'm willing to believe that if the shoe was on the other foot the attacks would be much more different if it were I who had something if it were I who responded and I get it my husband used the word passionate he's like listen I get it you're passionate you and Erica have
109this you guys are different um but if it were me who displayed that passion I hope I would have had the same support I'm going to ask this community to open up and to can donate dollars in the same Light That B can but I can give up my time I can tell you I can I can give you some experiences May thank you and I do hope that we can continue to work together as a board I I'm very proud to have to be appointed and have work this um I want Rob and I we talk to be able to continue and finish our time so as he supported me and even I turn sharing that was kind of I should have been on time got a lot of ROM here waiting to see
110uh just how everything and I wasn't even sure if I was anything tonight um I tried really hard to be extremely and thoughtful with my work I'm still processing right like happening um so that includes not only the invents themselves but the narratives that have been shaped in this past month I try to be extremely aware of this that um your you know neutral as possible right um and at the end of the day I try to remind myself that I can't control everything but the one thing I can I respond to and you get to choose what you take from it and how you move and growing up whenever I was faced with challenges or Road Blocks my father would sit me down and make the worst part of the situation best part and
111in that exercise it really taught me two things one that as catastrophic as the event seemed in the moment um kind of looking back at it it wasn't as you know awful as I really thought it was and the best thing I always took away was that there was always something to learn from a situation or something to um grow with and I want to say that one of the best things that I can say from this situation is just the open dialogue that has developed with me and um I'm well aware that I'm not a I think out of everyone in this room people may know me but they or know of me but they don't know me right especially with the way some of these members and I have really valued just the
112conversations that we've had the time spent getting to know each other and the willingness to have those conversations with each and everyone um um I do wish the issue at hand was more directly tied with improving their schools but maybe that's a silver lining in a way as well that if uh the biggest issue I've had in my seven months on this board is uh of a self-inflicted one I think that speaks to the strength of our schools the work that Dr M and the team um that being said for me leadership often requires reflection responsibility thoughtfulness and as board members we're all here to be we're all here to represent our community to serve as an example students staff and and I also fully recognize that not every situation especially tense or stressful ones
113will be handled with perfect for humans right mistakes are going to be made um I shared a conversation with Rob where you know he expressed remorse for kind of the situation what it's become and how it's affected board and I was really hoping that he would have started this meeting with that acknowledgement and apology just because I feel like from a community standpoint it would have gone a lot I think that you know beyond behavior that was brought up I know that some really hurtful things that were said that I know are not a true reflection Rob character or not how he really feels about but again I know that sometimes [Music] emotions um not sure where I want to go with this class all right the end of the day I think this the
114decisions that we make here just don't impact today right they're going to shape the board's credibility the public trust and just the expectations I've already shared my concerns with my fellow board members and I feel like they've been really fruitful conversations um that said I think my focus is really going to remain on the work ahead actions an example speech really think wish is I agree with what Max said I'm very happy you know what it you know what it feels people can feel left out or demoted in society certain all the terrible things my child so take it very seriously America's concerns we all should everybody should feel well com comfortable I EP people in this room would be surprised out ways that takes all ship all people there several people in this commity
115that love some great things instruction we got teachers we gotra we got facilities we got a lot of things that kids could really FL be wonderful if all kids could have same OPP basically my pretty lucky guy then didn't grow up that way up with really enough food on the table actually I may not have started the meeting but like to tell the community I'm sorry for my city council meeting sorry if I make excuses excuses apologize to offend anybody that day see never really felt like this was the profit venue to discuss that for the children that was my way of getting stuff off my chest apologized any single person was never intended to be I like many in this room stated we really need to some politics out of the schools thing if
116people know me single single first thing you can say about me is that sticking sword 5 ft deep in my heart because I mean this is this is my town love this place I absolutely ER found this out today why my wife volunteered to her but she did one of the conditions me getting married to my wife was she had be will raise up was no joke either me that to I really love this community so when people were saying that I no longer live here it was just it wasn't true bothered me very bad hurt me more than bothered me hurt me affecting my children I'm Facebook site know man they shouldn't be but they are they're reading all this stuff what an awful person their father is and try my best to do
117as much good as I can community and some of the things that I've done and some things that we've done the last eight years in the school I said this earlier today I hope it's moreing today than it was 25 years ago people from Chicago the time think that's what our committee should so I was so upset business that happened 5 years ago it's kind of done behind our back as a board done within 36 hours a letter went out families Carl and I were on the board at that time we were just totally blindsided basically know what the heck met with several people in the community and got that thing restored as quickly as possible I still think it's one of those shining examples of what a great Community we have even if the
118test scores are or they need to be I mean that because that that program is so inclusive and that's Miss we can't miss they say this the forish Tres that program is so inclusive and it helps invite so many other families to this community Dr Mall can tell you you know when all the crazy stuff is happening on the federal level right now stuff's going across CNN I watch CNN can going across the T that you know Trump's going to go into churches and schools and start pulling kids out first text was to him are we prepared for this and alzo we probably have some kids in our schools guys that are trying to get an education how is this going to disrupt our schools and the other kids so I care very deeply about
119this community I care very deeply kids I want I want the best for these kids so if I misbehaved in any way I apologize for it and U sorry the whole episode has even happened March 20th March 20th 6m here f