001[clears throat] Good evening. It is November 17, 2025. This is the Wash City Schools Board of Education meeting. Um, it is 6 o'clock, so I'll take a roll call. >> Um, all members are present. >> Having a quorum, we'll call the meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat] >> Wash city schools provides a relevant and rigorous education founded upon relationships to ensure each student is college and career ready for success in a global community. Welcome. Uh we have no recognitions tonight. We do have a revision. We need to approve revision 4 G through M. >> So moved. Second. >>
002All those in favor of the revision say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Revisions pass. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to comment on an agenda item? Not tonight. Okay. Item H, the consent agenda. We have minutes from November 3rd. Um, some claims donations. We have We are to approve a don donation from Neil Miller who is a WHS 2011 graduate for the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Seminar. It's also called Hobie. Registration for a high school student from Wabash High School. And then we have some financials tonight. Accept a motion on the consent agenda. So move second. discussion. >> Uh first like to thank Mr. Miller for his donation um which will allow one of our students to attend the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Seminar and then we will move on to our
003revenue and expense report first. [clears throat and cough] Um these are for October. We're a little bit behind. Um, we missed the September would have been the August. So, we did those. Is that right? Or no, we did August because of fall break. So, [laughter] >> we're on track now. >> Okay. So, um this is our October. You can see that we are um our revenue was about $100,000 more than what we had projected. that was mainly um between we had more LH tuition uh more state tuition than we thought we would have and we had higher cafeteria reimbursements. Oh, >> great. >> Um so that's a good thing. >> Um our accounts payable expenses were a little bit higher than we had projected. Um and our payroll expenses were also a little bit higher.
004um looked into the payroll that was really due to we had our second installment [clears throat] of our fall coaching stipens on the second pay in October and when I looked at our projection sheet we actually had put that on for the first payroll of November. >> So so this month we'll we should be a little bit lower because we paid it earlier [snorts and clears throat] than what we had projected. Um, so we were projected to have a small net loss, but because of the increased revenues, we actually ended with a net income of just over $42,000 for the month. Moving on to our key fund balances, um, you can see that our ED fund is just a little over $1.7 million and it's doing slightly better than this time last year. um operations
005is at minus $19,691. Um it's doing much better than this time last year. Um it was over a million dollars uh negative last year. Rainy Day fund has dropped to 87,000. Um we use that for some of our operational expenses. We are monitoring that use because we only have a certain amount that we are able to use. So, we'll make sure that when we do payroll for the first um uh first payroll in December, we'll see where we're at. We may end up for the second payroll having to move some operation uh salaries back into our operations fund, but we should be very very close. We There are some things that we've already moved back into operations. Um subbus driver pay, that was one of them. So, um like I said, that that will will
006go down. Um but it has helped our operations fund. So if you look at the total of our key fund balances last year at this time at the end of October they were 857,182. This year they're 1,73,239. So we've almost doubled our key fund balances from last year to this year. Um, we will move on now to our appropriations report. And if I can get it, so our target for our appropriations report, um, our percentage we're looking for is 83.3%. So, um, ED fund our revenue. [snorts] We've collected 82.1% of our revenue. So, not doing too bad. We're a little bit below that 83.3, [snorts] but we knew that it would with our um enrollment dropping. We knew that we were going to be getting less money. So, that's not a major concern at this
007point. If you go through each of the different lines, we have a few of them that are over the 83.3%, but most of them we already knew that they were going to be. That's our summer school fund. [snorts] Um, and then the our instructional software. Um, when you look overall, we are at 77.9. So, well below our expenses are well below that 83.3% target. um we want to keep it that way for the rest of November and December. When you move into operations, we have collected 84.2%. So, we've actually collected more in operations than what we would be at um or what our target. We do have some areas that are a little bit over that [snorts] 83%. um not a lot of them and some of them are things that again we knew that
008they were over and we've moved those into rainy day. So while they're still over, they're not going to be getting any larger at this point. Um when you look overall where we are at, we are at 80.7 for our expenses. So again, well below that 83.3. So um we want snow to stay away so we don't have snow removal expenses. Um uh just want everything to cons continue the way it is and we should end pretty I think okay in our operations by the end of the year. Yeah. Like I I'm optimistic. I don't want to say too much. Um if we can be like I said Matt and I have always joked that if we can end with $1 in operations and it be positive, we'll be thrilled. So we are on [snorts] track
009hopefully for that to happen this year. Any questions about financials? >> Thank you. >> Okay. All those in favor of accepting the consent agenda or approving the consent agenda say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. The next regular scheduled board meeting will be Monday, December 1st, 2025 here at Wabash City Hall at 6 o'clock p.m. There are some items of communication. No old business, new business. A the board will adopt the recurring transfer resolution for 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Um we are required to pass a resolution each year that allows us to make our monthly transfer from ED to operations. [snorts] We [clears throat] are allowed to transfer up to 15% each month and that's what this resolution does. It gives us permission to do that each month.
010>> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Item B, board to approve Spencer Brown as longterms long-term substitute for music teacher at OJ Neighbors effective November 17th, 2025. >> So move. Second >> discussion. >> Uh Mrs. Brown is willing to serve as our long-term sub for music. I do have a meeting with Mrs. Philippy um Friday to discuss how to move forward with this position. We do have someone that is interested that does have a music degree. Um but that will cause a ripple effect. Um so it's moving one person to another. So we need to come up with a plan. Once we have that hammered out, we'll bring a recommendation to the board. >> I do know Spencer was in band. She played in honors band with my
011son. >> So she has >> Was she? [laughter] >> She might have been. I'm not sure. She was in 42. >> All those in favor of approving Miss Brown say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Item C. Board to accept the resignation of Madison Inman as LH Carpenters preschool teaching pair professional effective November 25th, 2025. So moved. Second >> discussion. >> Uh we'd like to thank Miss Inman for her time and service to Wabash City Schools and wish her the best of luck on her future endeavors. She is [snorts] moving out of state and um was able to secure a position similar to what she's doing. Um her class will be divided between our other two three-year-old classrooms. they will still be in compliance in regards to teacher and student ratios um that
012are required and as we move through the year will evaluate if a replacement is needed. >> All those in favor of accepting the resignation say I >> those opposed motion passes. Item D board to approve the attached ECA positions for the 2526 school year. So move >> second. >> Discussion. >> First, we want to thank all of our teachers and staff that filled these ECA positions. We do have a few positions that were not filled. If they are filled later in the year, we'll just bring those recommendations to the board as they occur. Um, stipens for those will be prrated. The stipens that these folks receive are distributed half in the winter and then half in the spring. We said this says attached ECA positions. If somebody wants to know those positions, they can find
013the agenda and the link on our website. Right. >> Um I believe they're able to or they can come to central office and look at them. >> All those in favor of approving the position say I. >> Iain. >> Okay. Those opposed? Motion passes. Item E, board to approve the following classified staff pay increases. One, classified staff paid from the education fund 1.5%. Excuse me. [clears throat] Two, classified staff paid from title one 1.5%. Three, bus drivers additional 50 cents per day on their base. And four, classified staff paid from the operations except bus drivers 1.5%. So move >> second discussion. >> So first all of these raises were built into our 2026 budget. Um so we're good. We can cover these. Um I do want to point out that in the past or our
014our bus drivers receive an automatic increase or increment at the start of each year for a year of service. Um, and so in the past we have not included them in the January increases because they get that automatic increase at the start of each year. We were able to give them another increase on their daily uh base pay. All of these increases will go into effect on January 1 of 2026. >> How many staff are we looking at getting out of the classified? Um there is probably close to a hundred >> between Ed. Yeah. Ops, title. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the increases say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. F. Board to approve a salary increase for Chad Nickham, director of maintenance to $65,000 effective January 1st, 2026. The
015salary increase is in lie of the 1.5% increase for classified staff. >> So moved >> second >> discussion. So Mr. Nickham is our director of maintenance, but he's really our only maintenance personnel that we have. [snorts] Um he has the sole responsibility of making sure that the inner workings of our buildings are running smoothly as well as a lot of responsibilities outside of our buildings. Um, so this raise is to help bring him more in line with what us other districts are paying for similar roles. It was built into the 2026 budget. I will say that we probably should be increasing him more, but you know, in working with Mr. Nickham, we looked at a two-year plan. Um, so we will be bringing another recommendation next year to get him up a [clears throat] little
016bit higher. How many maintenance personnel have we had in the past at one time? >> Um, probably just one. Okay. And for the age of our buildings, I think we do need more. Um, Mr. Nickham and I have talked about like what are ways that we could get even if it was somebody that worked part-time that if we had plumbing issues, we could get this person to come in and work 10 or 20 hours to take care of some things. >> Almost contractual. >> Yeah. Yeah, because I mean Chad does a lot. >> So, >> okay. >> How long how long has it been since he's had a raise? >> He's had the very small little raises each year. Um, and I believe that when he took over for the former director, he did not
017get moved up to the salary that he probably should have. >> Okay. >> And he does that over all four buildings. >> Yes. >> Okay. When did he start? left when and >> uh four year about four years ago. Yeah. >> Yeah, I remember. Okay. >> Okay. All those in favor of approving the increase um for Mr. Nickham say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item G. [clears throat] Board to approve FMLA leave for employee number 1293 from November 20th through December 19th, 2025. >> So moved. Second. Discussion. >> I recommend the board approve this FMLA leave request. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Item H. Bo for to approve FMLA leave for employee number 1149 from December 17th through December 19th, 2025. >> So
018move. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. I board trip to approve hiring Maddie French as a midday special needs bus aid. This is a position that we were having a bus driver cover due to no available aids. Maddie worked as a special needs bus aid for WCS during the 2425 school year. Her start date will be November 24th, 2025. >> So move. >> Second >> discussion. >> Um we're just happy to have Miss French back with us as a special ed bus aid. >> Okay. All those in favor of the hire say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Item J, board to approve hiring Maddie French to cover as a monitoring and afternoon special needs. >> I think that's supposed to say as
019a morning and afternoon [laughter] special needs. >> Okay. A morning and afternoon special needs bus aid for employee number 15202. leave from December 12th through January 9th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second >> discussion. >> Um the board had already approved this leave for this employee. Um at the time we did not have anyone to cover that position. Um Miss French is able to cover that during those two weeks. So we're thrilled for her to be able to take that for us morning and afternoon. All those in favor of approving Miss French, Miss French say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Motion passes. Item K. Board to approve to change employee number 6077 FML leave dates to December 1st through February 2nd, 2026. The number of days remains the same as the original leave request.
020>> So moved. Second >> discussion. So, like you said, this is to um change the dates of an already approved leave. The individual would be going out one week early and will return a week early. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Item L, board to approve leave request for employee number 660. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. This leave request does not qualify for FMLA. So, we are requesting to [clears throat] allow this employee to be out last Thursday and Friday, this week, and possibly the two days next week that we're in session. If the leave goes longer than the nine days, we'll uh bring back an updated request. And this employee has more than enough PTO days to cover this leave request. >> Okay.
021All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. M. Board to approve hiring Miranda Stellar as a preschool paraprofessional at LHC at an hour hourly rate of $12 per hour. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Miss Stellar will assist in one of the three-year-old classrooms that will be receiving additional students. This may only be until Christmas break. Um we believe in January we may have another open position that we may shift her to at that time. Um, so it is good to have her now because this is someone that we do think can take over uh another classroom if necessary. >> All those in favor of approving the hire say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion passes. Items from superintendent. >> I want to share that Wash City Schools
022has a tree in the Waw Bash Museum's Festival of Trees. Our theme is celebrating the warmth of the season and the tree is decorated with gloves and mittens that were donated by our faculty and staff. After the festival of trees is over, we'll take all the gloves and mittens and [clears throat] they'll be sent back to the buildings um for the nurses um for administrators to be able to give out to students that might need gloves or mittens this winter. Uh reminder that the big idea event at OJ is this Wednesday, November 19th. We want to invite all of our families to come out and pick up some food that's provided with our partnership uh with Second Harvest Food Bank. Also on Wednesday is the Wab Bash County Winter Banner Competition reception. Uh want to
023wish all of our students, WCS students that have entries in the competition. And reminder to families that next Wednesday starts our Thanksgiving break. We do not have school November 26th through the 28th. And we'll get something out reminder out in parent square and probably on Facebook. And then when we come back from Thanksgiving break, we only have three weeks until winter break. >> So [laughter] um we'll skip right down to do we have anything from our visitor? >> Just want to thank you and council meeting. I know there was confusion getting to that point and quite honestly our council meeting seemed a little bit out of sorts. [laughter] If you didn't notice >> I didn't see like those quiet moments and such. >> Yeah. Yeah, I did notice that. >> Thank [laughter] you for the
024communication and for handling that, Brian. That was great. >> And for the reappoint. >> We want to do things the right way and not kind of indication that we were circumventing the system to do what we did. So, congratulations to both. >> And just just a question, not necessarily my council hat on, but as raises are being approved, I know you've done for teachers and certified staff who all that includes custodians. The raises tonight would be all like paraprofessionals, office staff, custodians, um, >> librarians. >> Yeah. Well, if they're a parah, the librarian would have gotten the teacher. Yeah. Like, so yeah, so paras, office staff, custodians, >> Michelle will be included. Well, [laughter] I was asked to ask the question, not advocate, but [laughter] >> I told her that it was on the agenda.
025I said it looks like and she said they were questioning her and her >> coworker. Yeah. >> Weren't sure of their classification. >> Yes. >> I don't know. >> Yes. >> Going to school board meeting. [laughter] >> Thanks for clarifying. >> Yep. >> Congratulations to you too as well. >> Thank you. >> I appreciate you wanting to stay another term, [laughter] Mrs. get her first >> her first. [laughter] >> Okay. Items from board members. Uh we'll start with John. >> Okay. We're still raising funds for that park. I'll take a check for the park if you want to write a check tonight. [laughter] Uh we got to do it by the end of this month to get our funds matched. >> How much do you guys need yet? >> Um >> 6500. >> 6,500. Thank
026you. >> It seems like that's what it was last meeting, wasn't it? Um, I think it was a little bit I think >> it was eight something. >> Yeah, it was a little bit higher than that. >> Remember, it's tax deduction >> and if you donate at least 50 bucks, your name gets on a plaque. Yeah. >> Oh, >> when does that close? >> The end of the month. >> Patronity shuts down at the end of the month. >> I wonder if the city refresh. >> Yeah. >> Would you please do that? >> I haven't really seen anything about it to be honest. I haven't either. [laughter] >> Um, I have nothing. We haven't had a meeting since our last meeting with H Heartland, but I did want to give a shout out to the
027seventh and eighth grade spellbull um >> team. They ca came in 11th at state um in their division out of I think there were 23 teams. So, it was a very riveting comp, >> you know, um competition and they did a very good job. >> So, thank you to Mr. Winrich for his effort to put into that. Okay, Jason. >> Um, we had an RDC meeting that got moved and I was unable to make that moved date. Um, so I know there's a few things that they had to cover. Um, but nothing of any significance that I can recall that I can share tonight. Anyway, um, the only other thing that I can bring up tonight was uh, the Wash County cross country middle school team. like so it's kind of like a club after
028the middle school seasons went was done uh Erica Cordez um got together with several [clears throat] runners multiple from our middle school and I believe a few from Northfield um and they went down to uh Louisville or however you want to call that in Kentucky uh and they uh ran I think it was yesterday actually or Saturday morning what was Saturday I think >> Saturday morning I it was this weekend I apologize but uh they did really well. Uh few of them PR. Um I know Jeffrey Small got like 21st >> I think out of like 200 some odd kids. It was like he did >> he just smashed it and they and that was also like a longer race. They did a 4K instead of a 3K. So >> Oh wow. >> Yeah. Like
029just Yeah. Just really cool. And it was awesome that you know community members stepped up. Someone knows what they're talking about too and took you know took kids from the county and went down did something like that. So it was really cool. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I don't have anything. We collected cans, John. I didn't colle we we visited with a lot of the [laughter] were there and the kids were great. They were fantastic. >> Yeah, it was the um seven it was the student council, middle school student council. And uh the other thing that was really cool, a lot of some of the parents stayed as well, you know, and the kids stood on the corner with and stuff and you know anything for the community. It was great. >> It was a
030slow night downtown which was amazing. >> Really? For first Friday it was slow. >> Yeah. I don't know what was going on. >> The high school might have been decorating for Harvest Ball. >> I didn't realize that until Saturday. >> Okay. And I have no updates from the library board or and everything else I was going to say has been said. So with that, we'll adjourn. Thank you. >> Thank you.