001creation to you. the auditorium during the morning and then if students came in between um like they went to the mass science center or other places that they would park in the auditorium parking lot and then walk around the building to the front door. It's really imperative that we have one entrance for our our kids and our visitors um for safety concerns and so we're working hard to figure that out. Um Miss Howard gave us a update on cell phones and she said it's not perfect but definitely uh it's been reported by the assistant that it is better than last year in terms of cell phones. uh and not and as you know they're not supposed to have them during the school day, but we do compensate some on a daily basis because kids are
002kids and you know they're going to try to get away with that. Um that was about it. Then we went uh into a little bit more of a conversation. Chief Mackey from EMTT Township shared something from a conference called the mass shooting playbook review to see what the latest in active shooter are um processes. And when we looked at it, there was only a few things that we could um improve on. One of those is making sure that we have um tactical medical kits in all rooms. Some people call it the stop the bleed kits if you've heard of that before. Um and then ensuring that we have go bags if we had to do a re reunification event at the school. So those are two things of of areas of improvement. Uh beyond that,
003we said the Wattles Park pickup and drop off is a little better at this point with the work being done at Waddles, but we still understand that doing more parking and larger parking is necessary. It's not certainly not perfect. They said reported it's a little better. They're laughing at me. The wildest parents are laughing at me like, "Yeah, right, Rob. you're sugar coating that >> but it's it's being worked on. If we were to do a bond issue, it would be a big piece of the pie for sure for waddles. >> And that's the safety committee update. >> Anything you want to add, Miss Aaron? All right. Any questions? If not, we'll move to strategic plan. Mr. Rididgeway. >> Oh, boy. All right. So, really again, the biggest thing is working on the the bond
004potential bond that that's coming up. did community meetings. Um the steering committee did meet last week. Uh and we have one more meeting coming up. The last piece of this whole thing is to is a recommendation to the board. I think there is general agreement that the priority list is is what people believe is what we need. So I think that that is true. We did do a survey which 138 responses. So it wasn't ginormous in terms of response but I think it was pretty accurate in terms of what people think. We had some areas that popped up, school of choice being one, and there's some misunderstandings about school of choice. So, it felt like some people believe we we don't receive any money for school of choice kids, which is untrue. Um, we we
005received the foundation allowance, the a district and a school of choice kid student, we received $10,50 for within foundation allowance. Um, and I don't think people understand everybody in Michigan, every homeowner, every business pays property tax. six mills of that goes to the state and that's what funds the foundation allowance. So, their property tax is going to pay for their students. It just isn't going to pay for the bond issues. Um, I really believe that school of choice enhances our district. The board has limited it. So, we're not just trying to grow and grow and grow. We're trying to stay at the most efficient level possible, which is about 2,800 students. I received an update today. Our current enrollment is 2,799 kids. And I think our most efficient district is 2,800. If we didn't have
006that, let's just say we had no school choice and we had 2,200 kids, there would be a lot of differences in the district, we would more than likely have to to shut down an elementary. We would more than likely um have to have less programming um for extracurriculars in all levels. So, there's things that would change drastically if we didn't have school choice. I just think being wise about it, making sure it's not unlimited that we we can keep a what I would call a cap on where we're at with school choice. So, that was a big issue. But beyond that, um the casino money wasn't a huge issue for the people in the survey. Uh and they agreed that keeping facilities up at a rate of 64% of people thought that that was important
007to the district. Now, when I met with people in person, it's much easier for me to explain things and they can get on board. The other thing that we want to make sure is no matter what we do in this particular bond, it'd be no tax increase. And then I I I talk about a master plan. So, some of you may or may not know that the the current bonds we have will be paid off in 2034 and it was supposed to be 2037. Because we knocked off three years due to um uh re >> financing >> refinancing, we saved about $16 million in interest. So a significant amount of money in interest is saved. And the plan is we do this smalish bond issue now with a no tax increase and that bridges us
008to the uh to a bond issue in about 2034 when we pay out the bonds so that we can take care of all of our needs. So the needs that are most immediate and then all the needs in 2034. And like I said, next step is the steering committee will come up with a uh proposal that they'll bring to the board in January. The vote if we did this would be August by the way. >> So just I mean Ashley and I are the uh board representatives on the steering committee and I I do think I think the committee's done a good job of uh getting the priority list to a uh a manageable level. We still got a little a few more things to to tweak. Um, and I think also I think we're
009we have a clear understanding of what the messaging needs to be. You know, how do we understand the uh uh folks in our community who might not support this and how do we how do we turn that around? How do we make sure we're giving them the information they need to want to support it? Um, and Rob mentioned some of those. I mean, connecting this particular bond issue to a long-term strategic plan. So, I think that's important. I think understanding about school of choice and how that benefits benefits Harper Creek is a strong message. So, um I think you'll see a good uh solid priority list when it's presented to the board and then the the heavy lifting becomes the messaging to the community and get to get this thing across the finish line. >>
010Y I agree. We even talked at the meeting suggestion was why don't we because people in the survey said they wanted more community meetings. So instead of saying we're going to have a community meeting to talk about a bond we're going to have a community meeting to talk about school of choice and we thought maybe we would get more people to come because it's more of a hot topic and then we then we I could talk through school of choice and people may not agree 100% with it but at least they would know the facts. They would know that what's what the what the facts are. Um other things on strategic plan one thing under communication you know we have talked about a digital sign out here on the corner of B drive north and
011be lake it's a hight traffic area um we know a lot of our parents especially and community members travel that and so an idea was brought to the board of what if we looked at this more as a combination of communication from the school and maybe even paid paid advertising to help pay for the sign. Um, and so I know the the board would like to well at least some of the board members would like to have a discussion about should we move forward with this outside of a bond issue because some people may not agree that a digital sign is like something that's a high priority list. So I leave it at that and open it up for discussion about a potential sign. Anybody want to speak first? I will um I I think
012um that for a lot of years that that we've been missing the boat on that corner out there. I think there is a uh very high traffic area. I think um that it we are missing that ability to communicate with folks that are not necessarily tied to the school district, our stakeholders out there that um you know are taxpayers that uh don't have kids or grandkids or don't have any relationship to the district. as well as all those folks that have direct connection in some, you know, some manner to the district and keeping them updated um on what's going on. Everything from sporting events to potential bond issues to everything in between. Um and uh I've I'm a big proponent of getting something done now uh rather than than later. We don't know that uh
013the community will support a um a bond proposal. We do have excess funds uh that in our our budget right now and I think it would be a good spend especially if we could rent it out to different businesses and get those um some of those funds back maybe a 8020 type of deal. We see those types of signs up near EMTT police station at the corner uh of the gas station right there in front of Walmart. And whether ours would be that big or not uh would be a you know a different question. But um I think we could get a lot of great communication out to our district um as people drive by. >> Yeah. The thing the thing I like about it is, you know, part of our strategic principles is community
014engagement and connecting with the community. And the fact of the matter is is you have a lot of folks that don't consume media the way we send media out into the world. Um, and really trying to drive awareness, trying to connect with community. It's all about impressions. And we do have very, very valuable real estate right at that corner as a hightra area. I think it's not only something that can help ensure that we're communicating on things like the bond proposal, but we have a lot of great things that we do as part of our community and a lot of the folks who aren't really plugged into Harbor Creek really don't have ways to understand those things. Whereas, you know, if you're sitting at that stoplight or you're caught up in the the uh drop
015off or pickup traffic during the day, it gives you an opportunity to have some form of um connection to the district. So, I definitely feel like the exploration of something like that um could be very valuable. I also like the piece of, you know, that is val valuable real estate. um it gives us the opportunity to maybe plug into a couple of uh local businesses or other businesses to generate a little bit of long-term revenue as well. >> So I I I guess my point of view is kind of morphed on this over the years. I probably wasn't a big proponent of it. Um but then I also look at just from a financial standpoint because it always comes down to the dollars. Um, I think uh I'm I'm very concerned about I mean I
016think we've uh this board has managed our district's finances very well. I think we're in a good position. Uh but I really get concerned of where we will be heading if the bond issue doesn't doesn't pass. And so this I could see this communication device being one of many that we'll need uh to to to help get this uh bond issue across the finish line. So um I'm I'm I'm I've moved to be more in favor of of doing it. It seems like a a reasonable spend, particularly if it helps us. It's one of the tools we can use um to help communicate messaging on the bond issue. And I'm not asking for any decision tonight, honestly, just information and thoughts. Anybody else have anything they want to say? Um maybe that's something that we
017can target for the next meeting to have some >> Yeah. some we were talking a little bit they they do have a number in the priority list of what that would cost to see what it what we're talking about and what the costs are would be interesting. >> Um >> I guess I'm most curious about the design what it would look like. >> Right. >> And so we'd have to have King Scott design something just to see what check. I got check see what we're allowed for. >> Yeah, we would probably have to go to EMT township for permission on a variance for a sign. Typically, you have to fit within wherever the parameters are. >> Jim, if we wanted to get something up, I mean, obviously times of the essence if we want to
018be able to communicate to people in regards to the bond issue, which is again August. August would be the >> So I mean I would think we would need to have that that sign up by you know May or June to have some effectiveness to make sure we're communicating about the bond issue. Is that doable? >> Promise anything because I don't know how long if it's computerenerated I can't promise it would take time to get >> we those are questions we would have to ask to see what the what the lead times are and the build wouldn't take longer than putting it up that's once you have it it's you know maybe two two to two weeks to a month. Yeah. >> So, working backwards, you know, know that time's of the essence to if
019we're going to do something, we put it put it together pretty quickly. >> Correct. I can I can do some ding as we all know parts and pieces sometimes hard to come by but and maybe this is something once we find out a little more information what we're going to be allowed to put up sizewise because I know there's a lot of requirements sizewise especially on the corner busy intersection we can research that and I can reach out tomorrow and see there's somebody I can talk to regarding that and then I can reach out to our folks at Kingtown they've in the past and then I can reach out. There's some sign companies we can reach out. >> I'd be curious who put those signs up in over there next to the police station and
020and if there's any synergies of I I don't know how that worked, but I think there's some type of >> relationship there. >> The advertisement, the company that put them up, the advertising is paying for the signs. Emma did not pay anything for the signs. >> But don't they get some of the either revenue or don't they get sign space? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> Honestly, I don't know. be interesting to see how that worked with them, but >> I'm not sure. >> I just definitely better understand the expense of it. >> Yeah. >> What it's gonna take >> out of our general out of our budget. Right. >> Right. Out of our general budget. >> Oh, I think all those factors are important. So, we'll we'll do some research and we'll bring
021back to the board on next month. Uh costs and then feasibility, those two things. And then the last thing on strategic plan, I've talked quite a bit, but I've I talked about this I think two or three times, potentially hiring a part-time middle school athletic director. And it's I call it part of strategic plan because we really want to support our staff. And the group that's not supported well is our is our middle school coaches. And we're not just talking about our seventh and eighth grade. We're talking about the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth into the junior sports. And we want to make sure that our kids are having a good experience so that they continue on through their their sports athletic career. And so having a middle school athletic director, they would have a
022person that they could report to. This person could also help shape some of our youth sports so that we feel good as a board when somebody puts Harper Creek across their uniform that they're representing us well. And we know, we've all been there where we've seen people not represent well. So having someone that is overseeing all of that, I think would be good. Um I am basically saying we've talked a lot. I just want to get a little bit of input and would like to move forward with with this second semester. I think the total annual cost would be about 28,000 approximately. Um that's with ups or with uh taxes and all the FIC and all the stuff. So the cost for the second semester would be about 14,000. And so I would like to
023move forward with that. I don't think I need a board vote to do it, but I wanted I don't want to do it if you look at me and say, "No, that's not a good idea." >> But I've talked about it. I think it's time to to do it. I think it will help. It won't just help our adults. It'll help our kids ultimately. >> Is there is a part-time position enough? >> Yes. >> Or Okay. >> I think so. It would be a couple hours a day, two, three hours. And if there's a game, it's a little probably a little bit longer. making middle school events, let's say they go from 4 till 7 at night or so. >> So, we've talked about this quite a bit over the last couple months at the
024um practice meets we do. And, you know, I think Barry would agree. I think it'll give the those younger coaches, those new coaches structure and continuity that they don't have right now. Um give them some framework to work under. um and some some kind of some rules to play by because like Rob said, you know, we've seen some some examples of some situations whether it be here or in other places where coaches have enacted their best behavior and not demonstrated um good good decisions to our our students. So, um I think this is uh something we should do. Um it's been something that's been missed for a while and um >> yeah I mean we've talked about the at the outset I mean this person probably whoever it is going to spend a lot of
025time kind of documenting processes procedures what's the Harford Creek way of coaching um you know that that to me is a a a critical part of the job okay so that the and that whoever does it what is the Harper Creek way of of coaching and then actually act being the one leading the onboarding of every new >> Yeah. having coaches come in and go through a class, let's say. Yeah. >> Would that would that position report to them or >> they would they would work together? I would think working probably either with or under, however you want to see it, but >> I think she's done a fantastic job of driving accountability. >> Yeah. >> And so I'd want continuity. >> Oh, yeah. for sure piece >> y >> of implementing some of the
026tools that she's done. >> Y >> I appreciate the um component of the liaison between the junior sports and our school district especially. I mean they are wearing our name and it's a reflection on our school district. So >> I appreciate that. Like we we've like we've talked about there. If they are a Harper Creek team and using our facilities, they definitely have accountability to us. If they're wearing the Harper Creek name and not using our facilities, we don't have anything necessarily to say about it. We might not like it, but if they if they use us, our name and are here, then they're definitely have accountability um in doing what's right. So, >> yes, ma'am. >> Um related, a little unrelated, but I feel like one time you were in um You talked about
027there was going to be like evaluations for parents to do on coaching staff. Is that something we do? >> Yeah. So, right right now um the uh the evaluation for coaches is done. We we survey the kids on the team and then the athletic director then done then does the evaluation. But the it does have a a parent piece. I don't think Mel has done that but her master plan was to like it was over a three-year process. >> Okay. >> So I can see are you ready to go to the next step which would be the parent view. >> Okay. >> And it's it's >> I think it's worked pretty well with getting the kids input. I think it's important. >> Is it only high school or I know it's harder >> at this
028point it's only high school. Yes. >> Yep. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. I I I I know from experience the um current process utilizing feedback from the kids has been pretty well received by the athletes. >> Y >> and I think Mel's using it in a very responsible way. >> Yep. I agree. >> So yeah, I feel good about the evaluation process. >> All right, we're going to move on to bus fleet. >> Okay, I have oh lots of information on bus fleet. So, we have our transportation staff here. If I don't know everybody, there's Stacy Henden and then we have Sean Sutherland and we have Shannon Sheffller who is our mechanic. Um, and we're all concerned about the fleet. It's getting old, getting older as as we speak. We have unfortunately been unable to
029replace the fleet at a at a pace um that's going to keep it up to date. Um, we did uh go out and ask I think Midwest Transportation who we work with, what would it cost to to lease the buses and so the bus lease was 540,000 for 18 buses. Our fleet currently is 32. So we would not be leasing the entire fleet. That 540,000 is much more than we pay in bus costs a year to a tune of probably if you added it all together. If there was less maintenance because they're newer buses, maybe we would save 300, not save, but have 300,000 we would spend on buses and we're at 540. So, I'm not sure if if it's a viable option. It sounds great to have new buses, but maybe not great. Um,
030and then we looked at and I I studied what would it look like if we replace the buses ourselves. And the best thing that we could potentially do, in my opinion, right now we're trying to buy two buses a year with casino money. We we've bought all of our buses with casino money over the last 10, probably more than that, maybe 13 years. We need to buy three buses a year for four years, three new buses a year. And so what that would mean, and I, you know, it it would be part of the budget. So, we'd have the amount we normally spend in casino money, which is a couple hundred thousand, and then we would add probably another $100,000 out of general fund to make that happen. Um, if we don't, you know, doing
031something like leasing is probably going to be our only option because our the fleet's getting old. I I I listed inside of the board packet the fleet and you can see we have several 2009 and 2010 buses that were purchased in a bond issue that was done a long time ago. I believe 10 10 of them were purchased at one time if that sounds right. And obviously you know 2010 to now is 16 years old. Um the life cycle of a bus is about well depending on how how well it's maintained anywhere from 15 maybe 16 17 years at most and so we need to do some replacements. I do want to say that I have looked also at how many buses should be in our fleet. We currently have 32. We have 18 regular
032runs. If I if I'm wrong with any of these, let me know, Stacy. 18 regular runs. We have we have five lift buses, but one of them is going to be retired soon, right? We have four >> bus the new one coming. >> Four including the new one. Yep. >> One is being retired. >> One retired. So we have four lift buses. >> Thank you. >> We have we will have five once the new one here >> and then we'll retire the oldest one. >> Yep. So that'll put us at four and those are for special ed runs that we have that we're running. So that would be what 184 is 22. We have 32 buses. My opinion. Um, and it may be a little contrary to what some folks think, but my opinion is
033we we do need to reduce the number of buses we have total. And so if we had a fleet of about 27 or so buses, including those I talked about, that would give us, you know, buses for spares and um, and extracurricular runs. And doing that process, replacing three buses a year and reducing the fleet of some, I think, will put us in that position. And one of the problems that we're having is buses that are sitting break down. Buses that are really old break down. The average age of the fleet I believe should be around six years old and ours is more like 9 years old. Average age. >> So if I'm if I'm hearing So your recommendation is you know when we do the budget we always have our set of assumptions that
034go into it. But I hear so you would like our assumptions for the next budget year to include 200,000 of the casino money >> and a h 100,000 in general fund to go towards >> Yep. for the next four years. >> But but >> starting this year. So when we sit down to when the board considers a budget, there'll be a set of assumptions and there'll be 300 in the assumptions >> and that will get us close to being over the hump. And it's a so it's a 100 incremental. >> Yeah. >> If not if we don't do that I mean we can't keep some of the buses we just won't be able to keep on the road. >> I don't >> and and what 10 years ago 11 years ago we looked at at
035at going out to with Dean and >> yeah out to bid we we did that a while a long time ago. One of my first years and we could do it cheaper. Our bus all of our bus folks they they're very efficient. We we do things efficiently. But one of the problems is our fleet is getting old and buses cost a lot of money. About 135,000 for a brand new bus. We typically buy at least two year old buses is typical fleece. >> Yeah. >> And the the findings were is that it doesn't didn't seem like there was very much difference. Once we gave up our fleet, we were done. Then we'd have to go back out to bond to get a new fleet. And in other words, we'd be under their control to, you
036know, whatever they wanted to charge us, we kind of would have to pay. >> Yeah. Same is true with leasing. >> Yeah. Um I'm a big fan of keeping our our own fleet and um and bridging this gap for the next four years, keeping us on the road and um I think that uh is a much better way to travel. >> Well, I agree. I think they all we got to decide tonight is is that is that how do how we want to start the budgeting process for next year, which I I'm certainly comfortable with that. >> I'm not really comfortable with it. There's a lot of money. No, but I mean that's a that's a starting point. I mean, and then we'll we'll consider that as part of the overall budget and and >>
037it's not this is not a need or not a want. It's it's a need. We have to get do something with our bus fleet or we could be in trouble and we might be saying we need to go buy eight, nine buses at once, which we obviously can't afford. >> Yeah. Go ahead. One thing I need to add about our older fleet, I have probably seven buses that we are having a little trouble also obtaining parts for as they stop manufacturing because of the ages and it's the 09s, tens, and the 11s. So that is something that sometimes we have a back nationwide back order on a part and that's another reason why the older bus is set because we're waiting on on parts to repair them. >> Yeah. And you could on the I
038got on the board you know kind of the age of the bus you see the manufacturing date. Not too bad at first but when we get down to the bottom of this list I mean we got all these buses that are nines and tens. That's very old. And you see several that are down right now. all the ones that are in orange. So, basically knocking off trying to knock off all the ones that are 11 and older in the over the next few years is going to be critical. >> Well, I'm comfortable with that approach. Just, you know, >> we could we could avoid getting the new bus and spend a lot more money on repairs. And >> uh one other thing, >> bigger issues. >> One other thing to consider is we have how
039many more payments on the HVAC system? two. So, two more payments away and that's going to >> that would open up money for >> that opens up money in the third and fourth year. So, um I I think we can bridge this gap right now and and then after four years we go back to buying two. >> I guess we'd have to take a look at that point. I I I can't guarantee that, but that would be what I would suggest because it would put our fleet at an age that would be acceptable. And then if we, you know, he starts in what how many years we talking in four years, you know, we be talking about these buses that are 18s and they wouldn't be that old. 18 and four years, 30 years old.
040>> They're a few years old. I'm I'm getting too old. That doesn't seem like that long ago. >> I know. A little kind of a long discussion, but I want the board to see it. Uh we did have a complaint from a parent um about buses breaking down. Um and we didn't do this in response. We knew this was an issue and we've been looking at leasing I think pretty much almost from the very beginning of the year of could we I was really hoping it would be the same cost that is for two new buses but I was way off. It's not going to work. I was hoping that would be an easy answer but once you lease you can't it's hard to go backwards at any given time. But giving you the stuff
041that we have currently I don't there's no decision to make but that will be what we'll look at in the budgeting process. >> Do you guys want to weigh on anything else in while you're here? >> Thing I have to add in is also in the next four years we're probably going to have to add another bus and those run about $200,000. Year three and four could I could fit with a HVAC system coming off >> possibly. Yeah. >> Perfect. Have we received our lift bus? Yes. Yet that we ordered way back when. >> I am getting it on the n 19th >> in the morning. Yep. >> So about six months ago we ordered it, right? >> We did. And then so they had to build it. So that's actually pretty quick. Yeah. >>
042Yeah. >> And we're still going out for uh for the regular buses on used buses. >> Yeah. >> What? >> Those are usually two years old. >> One to two years old. About 30,000 miles. >> I like it. >> I will tell you the new buses that they're manufacturing right now, the 2026 is rolling out, every single bus is going to have air conditioning. It's going to be a standard option. >> Interesting. Yeah. The only other thing that, and Stacy and I have talked about this, I haven't really talked about with Sean or Shannon, is electric buses. Some you've seen, I'm sure, in the news, some districts are going completely to electric buses. They're all paid. Our problem is we have two runs. So, our our drivers leave the the garage between 6:00 and 6:30
043and they're on the road until 9 9:30, somewhere in that range. And then from 9:30 you could charge it till 1:30ish two. There's just not enough time to charge them to go back out again. >> So one of our problems is we have two runs and other districts don't. They have one run. >> So it's a little bit harder to do. And then we were we were definitely worried about longer trips. But so you have to save some diesel buses for longer trips. >> Also the upgrades that would need to be done to that facility for >> Oh yeah. Yeah. But I just want to you probably read about that and you might say why don't we do that. I >> I just not I don't think it's a viable option. >> It'd either have
044to be grant funded or to be in a bond pro. >> Well, I just I don't think it would work unless the batteries lasted longer than they currently do. >> Okay. >> In talking to other superintendents. >> I think that's a different discussion for another decade. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll move on to a superintendent evaluation. By the way, thank you for >> Yeah, thanks for coming. Uh, this is real quick and simple. We just have to schedule my evaluation either, you got two choices. I think I wrote it down somewhere. Either at the regular meeting in January or a special meeting in January. The regular meeting is the 12th and then the fourth fourth Monday would be the 26th. We typically do a special meeting, but kind of up to up to the
045group. Anybody have any feel for what might be easier for them? >> I'm always just to say I'm always a fan of of getting as much in in one sitting versus two different dates, but I can make either work at this point. >> What time would we start on the 12th? Would it be beforehand like a 5:00? >> If Yeah. If all members could make it or we'll make sure nobody's left out. If we if we did an early meeting the 12th. >> Yeah, we can. >> Oh, for the 12th for the regular meeting. Yeah. So, we'd have to do five. >> You think we an hour we can get it in? >> It all It all depends. >> You think we should >> That's a pretty busy meeting that >> that January. >> Yeah.
046I mean, I'm I probably have the most flexibility of anybody >> in the room here. So, >> Sarah, any thoughts? >> I'll defer to >> Yeah. one. Jay, I know that's tight on your schedule. >> Yeah, I think that'll be okay. I mean, like I'll be okay. Actually, I'll be honest. I would prefer to do a special meeting than to have that. Like Barry said, that's a lot of time to be here. Um, but I can make >> Brad. Any thoughts? >> The 12th. >> You prefer the 12th. >> All right. Ch if we shoot for one meeting. Sounds like that's where the consensus is at. So >> I will try to get efficient as possible with information to you. >> Yes. In advance >> beforehand. I think that best way to make it efficient
047>> and and then we will be doing a review of Rob's contract at a different meeting. >> Absolutely. Yeah. I would say >> all right. Um move on to curriculum course proposal. >> Yeah. And I'm not sure if everybody took a look at the AP pre-calculus class that we're talking about. Um, traditionally we just bring to you and say, "Hey, we're we are considering this for next year. It'll go through our processes and if everything does work out, we'll come back in January for an approval. But if you have any issues or questions about AP pre-calculus, um, advanced placement, uh, typically when high schools have a have a significant number of kids taking AP classes, it is a sign that your high school is thriving. And right now our AP class numbers are up significantly
048over the last three years. Honestly, much much more stuff. I think adding more of these types of classes will help the our kids that are wanting to go on to higher education into a better spot. It would be an addition to what we currently offer because we have we offer a pre-calculus class now. advanced placement. You can get college credit if if you do the class and do well in the test. >> Comments, questions? I'm in sport. >> Okay. >> All right. We'll move on to the CASB nomination. >> So, Ken Area School Board, you can nominate a citizen and or a professional award. We did nominate um Don Myers and Gary Lincoln a couple years ago. Um and they both received the awards. Um, I don't know if we have I don't I don't
049have a recommendation at this point unless somebody on the board does, but um, yeah, I don't have a recommendation to move forward with a local nomination. >> We did discuss it at breakfast. Didn't didn't necessarily >> when of the nominations do >> uh I think January Oh, I'm looking at the wrong person, Carla. January like 19. >> I think we could do it at the next meeting. Yeah, if we want if we had somebody we could do it with next minute if you have somebody in mind. >> Shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot me a text or email if you think of anybody. >> All right let's move on to elementary ovens. >> All right so we're we are looking at potentially purchasing three
050ovens, one for each elementary school. Um I believe this is the company. Does that sound right? The merchandise one. Yeah. And so we received two bids and this is the same company that we bought the ovens for the high school and middle school with last summer. The total cost of the ovens not installed is $62,900. So I divide that by three 30ome,000 a piece. I'm sorry 20ome,000 a piece. And uh we would have to install. So I am asking the board to approve up to 75,000 for these ovens. Um, you know, we talked to John a little bit. I'm not sure if you if all of you talked to him about the ovens he currently has, but they are so much easier on staff. They also cook the food in a way they air fry
051a lot of let's say instead of fry. We don't fry food at school, but we cook like I don't know chicken nuggets in the oven and they don't taste as good as air fried. So these these ovens would make the food taste better on top of he said literally there's thousands of foods that you can cook and it just is a single button push for the staff. It will help our elementaryaries to cook more food which is probably our number one goal is to have each kitchen cooking more food for kids. I don't want to well I I don't like to see prepackaged wrapped stuff, you know, getting away from that even more than we currently have. I think our elementary staff does a great job, don't get me wrong. But, you know, getting less
052and less prepackaged food is better for our kids. >> And this would come from the spendown plan, >> food service spend down plan. Yeah. And we have plenty of money in that in that account. So, this would be a small hit to it. John is also looking at this the servery in the high school. We we replace the one I can't remember which side of the building, the south side. So, it'll be the north side as you walk in to the right. I'm looking at that survey also update, but this is for this meeting. 75,000 installed. Jim tells me that's plenty of money for the install part. Got to run some new pipes, electric, things like that. >> We installed the other ones, did a lot of the work ourselves. We had electrical company in
053that. >> Yeah, it gives you almost 12,000 to work with. >> So, I am asking for a motion on that one. Yeah, I think it's a good idea and especially with the um immense amount of spend down we have to go through. It's good spend. All right. Uh open it up to comments from the audience. Hearing and seeing none, we'll go to action. Elementary ovens. Chair calls for a motion that the Harper Creek Board of Education approves the purchase and installation of three elementary ovens using the food service spend down plan with a total allocation of up to $75,000 as discussed and reviewed. >> So move support. >> Been moved and supported. Do we have discussion? >> You're going to see none. Please call the role. >> Mr. Hverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >>
054yes. >> Mrs. Wat. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Albert, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> Mr. Bess, >> I vote yes. >> Motion carry 70. >> Thank you for that. Um, items for the next meeting. And before we get there, um, it just in the back of my head that I just want to annunciate that on the schools of choice, we give up about 500 students and we gain 800 back. Is that correct? >> Correct. So, it's about a 300 net plus positive. I I think we really need to as we talk to members of the community, we really need to share that, you know, it's not like we're getting a thousand students through school of choice. We're really netting out about 300 in the process. So, um, with
055that being said, anything for the next meeting anybody wants to discuss now? >> Yes, sir. >> I just received a text to Mr. Ridgeway and I've been working on this. We have received possibly We may have the wall to >> Yes. Yes. Um been working with Colonel Walker. The only thing is it will be during school, which is good. Um we'll just have to do some coordination. It'll be before athletic events start. We're looking at probably August 18th through that weekend. Um I'm still working out some details, but I just received a title like 10 minutes ago. Um, we're excited. Most school or most areas that get it back, it takes seven to 10 years to get it back. >> Uh, TR Shaw had talked to me on on Wednesday. Um, and of last week
056and mentioned it and I was remiss in not bring it up to you. I think you had already you'd already >> Yeah, Jim, I I got a I got an email from the committee. >> Yeah, that's such a high honor. And Jim, to your uh congratulations, um that that group thought that we at Harper Creek really did a bangup job um here. So, I mean, I've heard about it several times as I've talked to those folks. So, congratulations. >> Group effort. It takes a village all the time. >> This does take a village because it's huge. >> Um we'll do have to do some coordination. What'll be nice, I talked about also is we'll be able to uh employ the uses in school groups, get some kids down there and go through with both the
057middle school and high school walking distance. So, this amazing thing for because last time we had it was in the middle of the summer. >> So, our students couldn't particate partake in it very well. >> So, we're excited to have >> another thing that elevates Harper Creek from from other entities in in Battle Creek. I think you know we're getting that because we're doing it right now. Yeah. Awesome. Any >> Yeah, thank you for adding that. Anything else for um the next agenda? Yes, ma'am. >> Um I just was wondering I think I brought this up before. I'm kind of wondering like if we could hear from the high school students about the new schedule and then like the lunch changes, how they're feeling. Um and then just kind of an update on the open
058lunch. Um because I think are we already doing juniors? I have no idea. >> Miss Miss Howard, are we doing juniors at all for open lunch? >> I don't think so. >> Okay. Yeah, just I know that the group that had like brought up the that proposed the open lunch were most of them were seniors, so I know they're gone. Um and I we don't have our little plug in the high school anymore. And so I've just been kind of looking for some some feedback on how it's going. And um I don't remember the the lady's name that is kind of like the keeper of the doors, but >> Judy, >> that's a cool That's a cool title. >> Yeah, >> I love that keeper of the doors. That's a great I that is awesome.
059>> Judy Rawlings >> Rawlings and um her husband >> works in the middle schoolings. >> Um I think she brings a lot of fidelity to that position. She owns it. Um all right, with that we will adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Good evening. No construction.