001[music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [cheering and applause] >> 6:30. If we could please stand for the pledge. nation. >> Thank you. Item 1B, approval of agenda. Items for discussion. >> I move that the agenda for the February 16th, 2026 regular meeting be approved. >> Support. >> Motion by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Heller. Is there any discussion on the motion? Hearing? None. The item on the on the table is approval of the agenda brought forward by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Keller. >> Mr. Gogleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> Yes. >> Name? Yes. Motion carries. Item 1 C, consent agenda. >> I move that the consent agenda for the February 16, 2026 regular meeting be approved. >> Support.
002>> Okay. Motion by Mr. Keller, support by Mrs. Shaw. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? >> Okay, hearing none. Consent agenda brought forward by Mr. Keller, supported by Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Mr. Gogleski. >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott. >> Yes. >> Nami. Yes. Motion carries. Superintendent's report. Mr. Hugh. >> Yeah. First of all, I'd like to start with recognizing our maintenance department. Um, we had our set SEG um uh company come in and walk the district. They walked the high school and uh sent a really nice letter to me and and Matt saying that we looked at everything. Uh the only thing they found out of place was someone had a cart in front of a door and they
003called that a hazard, but other than that, the they just kudos to the maintenance department, kudos to Matt and his team, and they just could not uh believe that a 410,000 foot building was in the shape that it's in. So Matt and your maintenance team, again, thank you for making sure that we're doing what we're supposed to do to keep our buildings up up to date. So thank you. [applause] >> Um, next I'd like to bring Melissa Frasier up with Lakes Elementary happenings at Lakes. Melissa, Melissa's our principal there. >> Well, good evening and thank you for having me. See if I can Oh, I'm not well versed in PowerPoint. What do I do? >> Bottom right. >> Two more right there. >> This one. >> All right. >> There you go. >> That's the
004first win of the evening. >> Well, good evening and thank you for having me. Um, my core belief about education is that quality instruction maximizes student potential. Uh this evening I wanted to update you on Lakes's work towards our strategic plan goals by introducing you to those hard at work making it happen. So thinking about the district vision and mission statements, soaring is only possible because of the partnerships between our community and our staff, notably the tireless work of our instructional team. We believe that quality employees are essential to student success and parent partnerships are an integral part of that student success. And while we recognize that all of the goals in the strategic plan are important, tonight I'll be focusing on the areas of academics and programs, communication and community engagement, and the culture
005and learning environment. I have several groups to introduce to you this evening via this presentation. First are the staff members taking on the work of the academic and programs goal of the strategic plan. Meet our classroom teachers. They are the front lines of student academic growth and behavior supports. Our Lakes and instructional staff is experienced and instructional decisions are intentional. Our teachers consistently deliver quality tier one instruction using district curriculum. These teams spend a great deal of time planning together and analyzing assessment data to monitor student growth. We continue to grow together as we collaborate to support each and every child. Some highlights so far as we strive towards that 3% growth. In kindergarten, 91% of our students are meeting their mid-year expectations in literacy. The midyear point is really where kindergarten starts that intentional
006intervention. First grade, they've recognized an increase in the number of students demonstrating proficiency on our district reading assessment. 93% of first graders demonstrated expected or accelerated growth in reading during the first half of the school year. Students that did not demonstrate that growth yet or in are participating in um reading recovery or reading support. In second grade there was an average growth of 1.6 levels in reading whereas you would expect to see one level. Um 91% of our second graders are currently meeting or exceeding the grade level expectations. In third grade, every third grader has made progress towards the end of the year proficiency levels or is already exceeding that mark. Our third grade teachers are excited this year to be able to devote time to deeper um higher de depths of knowledge work with
007their kids. And fourth grade is using a variety of sources to monitor their reading progress. They are sharing students this year which creates um an efficient way to build the idea that all students are ours not just to their one assigned classroom teacher. Our district belief that all students can learn and the goal of providing quality instruction to maximize potential can be especially highlighted through these educators. Our special education and intervention teams support students with a wide variety of learning and behavioral needs. The goal is always to accelerate student growth through dis um through specific and intensive intervention. These instructional leaders help guide our team discussions around intervention. Our essentials team, they have the most unique experience of all Lakes educators because they get to know each and every student in the building. They not
008only provide highquality instruction in their content areas, but they also support our academic and behavioral intervention efforts. They provide students with extra repetition in reading and math skills as well as deliver behavioral interventions such such as daily student check-ins. And the final group uh educational group I'd like to introduce you to, and I didn't get a picture, but um it's a new team at Lakes this year. We're calling it our continuous growth team. And this team is tasked with the monitoring monitoring the big picture of growth at Lakes. These building leaders lead their grade level teams during our data meetings to analyze assessment data for student growth. This year the main focus of this team is training to support their colleagues through our new behavioral um support system. So, we've been working with our district
009behavior specialist uh who's providing professional development to the team on student behavior, evidence-based strategies, and data collection. Our next goal that I'd like to discuss tonight is communication and community engagement. Lakes Elementary has a very highly engaged uh have has very highly engaged parents that partner with us in a variety of ways. We especially love when our parents are partners in the education process. So, just a few pictures here of way our ways our parents are involved. You see our mileage club volunteers, volunteers working with our highly capable group, volunteers that come in just for special projects. And then we have a motor moms and dads program that works with our kindergarteners. A new event at Lakes this year, we had a career day in November. We had 42 parents and community members come into
010the building one day to share information about their careers with our students. Lots of positive feedback from teachers and parents. It was it was a really cool thing. And last, culture and learning environment. We continue to partner with our stakeholders. Our watchdogs program and the leadership program that's being facilitated by Mr. Larioza are just a couple of ways our stakeholders are involved in our three hours education. Our parent perception survey results showed continued growth in all almost all areas. And the result that I'm most proud of, the item that said this school has adults that care about my student, 99.4% 4% of our respondents said agree or strongly agree. So, our parents know that we love their kids. With that, I'd like to thank you for your time this evening. The Lake staff appreciates your
011continued support as we work to help all of our students soar. Questions? >> Thank you, Mr. Frasier. I had the pleasure to have Lakes last year. It was nice to meet with you. Um, and thank you for referencing some uh the items in that from the strategic plan, the 3% growth. Appreciate very much. >> Thank you very much for sharing. That was great. >> Thank you. >> Perfect. [applause] >> So, Melissa, I really appreciate that all of our schools take the career focus seriously. It's never too early to introduce our students to potential careers that they might be interested in. Uh like all of us, I'm sure we changed our career focuses many many times uh since we were young ones and uh end up where we are because we finally found our niche. So,
012thank you for doing that. And then also board I wanted to point out again thank you Melissa for highlighting that all of our buildings are working tirelessly uh towards the objectives as outlined in our strategic plan under the goals that the board adopted and the objectives that the administrative team do adopted to show evidence of effort towards those goals. So um we are working really hard on that and we're seeing a lot of positive growth throughout the district. So, thank you again and thank you for our building principles who are doing that work on a daily basis. So, so ends the superintendent report. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Hughes. >> Renee, do you have some cards for call to the public? Thank you. >> Thank you. the lights. Oh, can you do the lights for
013me, please? Put the lights back up. Thank you. [sighs] >> Okay. For call to the public, um, speakers are asked to express themselves in a civil civil manner with due respect for the dignity and privacy of others who may be affected by your comments. Each speaker may be limited to three minutes. I'll hold up this yellow folder at approximately two and a half minutes to let you know that that time is almost up. my timer set. Okay, first up is Mark Eggets. Sorry if I mispronounced that. >> Sat so far back. Um, good evening. Thanks for hearing me tonight. Um my question basically relate re relates to the banner behind you um the three Rs and primarily responsibility. Um the last sentence of that paragraph says being responsible means demonstrating accountability for our own actions
014and representing our school district in a positive manner without exception. So my question related to that is um what if any consequences are in place to hold an active uh board member responsible or accountable for uh inappropriate or negative uh actions. Um, and then be and I'm not sure if there's any dialogue or or that's okay, but just real quick, um, I normally don't come to these meetings. Uh, I'm a retired architect. Um, my family's been here since 1938. My dad was class of 52. I was class of 86, graduated in this building. Um and then all three of my kids uh graduated 2016, 18 and 21. So very invested in H Heartland. I was the high president for nine years. Um, so I just feel with with things happening to in today's society and
015we need to really be accountable for what we do out in public, what we do on social media, unfortunately. Uh, it becomes magnified and um it it's a reflection on H Heartland and I love our community. I love our schools. I wouldn't have brought my kids back here to if I didn't. So, uh, anyways, that's my concern. And I don't care if it's Democrat, Republican, we can't have negative actions out in public, especially a board board member. So, that's my concern. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Eggets. Um, we'd be happy to uh have Mr. Hughes follow up with you after um following the meeting. Um I think we've got your contact info here on the card. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, Mr. Gogleski. >> No. Okay. All right, no
016more cards. So, moving on to item 1F, committee and building reports. Mr. Gogleski, would you like to start? >> I would. I had the pleasure today going over to farms and speaking with uh Crystal Briskkey and Tom Urick and um I had a quick little meeting with them and found out that the uh Crowain Library kicked off their reading challenge by ma paying a visit to the school. And I also had a chance to meet Mojo the Wonderdog, which uh I'll tell you what, I met him and he calmed me right down and I was pretty impressed by that. So, but uh things seem to be going really well there every time I visit. Um there's always something going on, something positive, and uh I appreciate uh the staff there at farms. That's it. Okay.
017>> Thank you, Mr. Campbell. No report this meeting. >> Hi, Mrs. Shaw. >> Thank you. Um, I a few weeks ago met with Mrs. Hodam and I always appreciate the fact she allows me to disrupt and interrupt her busy day u being principal at at round. Um, and this time we we didn't really have an agenda. We didn't really have anything planned, but we we visited visited some classrooms, walked the halls. But what I notice every time I go into that building is just that that everyone is smiling and happy and and I think it's just a reflection of the culture in the building. And I mean anybody that knows Daddy um I don't think she's ever not smiling. I don't know about when she's sleeping but um you know it's such a happy place
018and I think that you know clearly the um our children are showing that they're thriving in that happy environment. So staff are always so welcoming to chat with me and to let me come in their classrooms and observe. And I think last time we had two lost teeth within 30 minutes. [laughter] >> So you never know what you're going to run into at an elementary school. But um but no, thank you um you know for always welcoming me into the building and I always enjoy spending time with little people again. So thank you. >> Thank you Mrs. uh Mr. Keller. >> Thank you very much. Um I had the opportunity to meet with uh Miss Hayes this past week similar to Miss Shaw. Didn't really have a specific agenda. Just um sort of catching up.
019Um I you know I think can't be said enough that you know when we lose Carol it's going to be a big hole in this district. So not looking forward to the the future when I won't have a chance to talk with her. So, Carol, if you're out there listening, we will, you know, we thank you for your service to the community and the district, and we will certainly miss you. Um, I guess relevant to our meeting, we did touch on a little bit of the um the pool stairs renovation. So, I think next time we meet, I'm going to try to head out there. It's been a while since I've been to the pool. It's not I would actually like to be going to a pool right now, but it's, you know, it's too
020cold. So, um, but I guess I'm wishing that I was able to use it. Um, also kind of topical for today, um, I did not meet with Miss Frasier. We we were planning to and then sort of based on the some of the events, um, actually going to be meeting tomorrow. So, one of the um, things going on is actually this week is uh, kindness week. Um, so tomorrow I'm going to go and see the quest for kindness assembly. So, get a chance to participate and see all the kids there. So, I'm looking forward to that. Also, this uh this week is the the glow party February 20th, and if you're out there listening, still looking for volunteers. So, if you can please help out, we would appreciate it. Um on February the 23rd, there's
021a first grade in-house presentation. Um looking ahead to the next week, uh we got the popcorn day. on February the 27th. And then coming up in March is a field trip, the Encore play. I think it was Annie or something. Um, if I got that right, I apologize if I didn't. And then just again in March is the reading month. So, a lot of fun things coming up with the Lakes family. So, that that concludes my report. >> Thank you. Elementary schools are the best place to be for March's reading month. [laughter] So much fun. Uh, Mr. [clears throat] Scott. >> All right. So, at the middle school, uh, big shout out to Mr. Shannabe and Mr. Howardan. I am after spending a couple months, you know, with my son being there and hanging out
022there a little more. Uh, I have to imagine that both of these guys just sleep in their office when they can and and spend every waking second um, out in the school cuz there is always something going on. you drive by that school, doesn't matter when, there's always something going on, positive things happening. Um, this month, the quiz bowl team had their final competition. Uh, the gold team got sixth place and the blue team got first place. So, yeah, a shout out to those team members, Harvey, um, Eli, Ellie, Daniel, Meadow, uh, did a great job and, um, and closed out the season strong. uh February students of the month from uh 7th Brantley Grimley and from eighth grade Addison Cone. So great job to those uh those guys for being student of the month.
023The seventh grade basketball team defeated Novi on Wednesday. Um but then this is boys basketball then lost to uh to Brighton on Tuesday. So kind of a toss up there. But the eighth grade girls basketball team swept both Brighton and Novi last week. So a big shout out to them. Uh the the band had their recital performances last week and I got to catch up with Mr. Howardson at that and as usual, Mrs. Lively students did a just a fantastic job um seeing how quickly we are able to take students from introduction to an instrument in fifth grade to playing very enjoyable music, you know, in in middle school is a real treat to be around. And uh you can tell they all enjoy it and they love their environment and they especially love their
024teacher and she loves them. So it's a a really special one to watch. Um unified basketball uh played Leavonia Frost last week. Mr. French officiated and uh the girls basketball team was there as a cheering section for the players. So that was a special one too. Uh wrestling team played Wade and Westland won. They are undefeated for the season. And then we also just wrapped up the uh yearbook contest, coloring contest. So Payton Todd got the front cover. Um Chrissy Cyscowski got the back cover and Quinn Y got the cover of the planner. So a lot of people put in their their designs and uh some great winners coming from that. And then the uh the Palm team took fourth place recently at the Mid-American uh Pom Pon State Championship at Eastern Michigan. And uh
025finally, congratulations to the Wintergard team who uh got second place in Junior Regional Class A at the Michigan Color Guard Circuit performance over the weekend. So, thank you again to everyone that helps make that school great and give some fantastic activities to uh prepare these young students for high school. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Scott. Miss Custodia couldn't be here at the last minute, but she did say to give a shout out to village. She didn't have anything to report, but she said that um things were going great and um she's looking forward to her next visit. And then I have [clears throat] um unfortunately I have not been able to connect with Mrs. Connley. We actually had scheduled appointments to get together two snow days in a row. Um I I guess
026I'm like the great snow day predictor because every time I scheduled a meeting with her, it got cancelled because of a snow day. So um we have not re reconnected, but we will soon. So my apologies for not having an update on um on HVA and legacy. Um, but I was able to catch Mr. Fitzgerald at the main campus high school last week. Um, staff and students of course there are in the throws of testing season preparations. Um, you know, I guess they include I didn't realize this, but they include tests or quest what do I say? Questions on their tests and quizzes in class that are in the similar format to how they have the questions asked on the PSAT and SAT. I never considered that, but I thought that was pretty pretty smart
027to do that to start get them in the mindset for those tests and for MSTEP. I imagine um things have also been busy in the counseling department this month as counselors meet with each of their their 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students to discuss scheduling for the next year. Um and this will continue through the end of the month. Winter sports of course are wrapping up. Um regular season ends for basketball and probably some others I think this week. Um but of course we've got a number of teams that are going to be heading into postseason uh competition which should be pretty exciting to watch. Um, and then they also have a couple of fun things on the calendar. Two new things. Um, student council, I believe it's 9th and tth grade student council are
028putting out a Winterfest ice skating night at the end of the month on February 28th, open to all high school students. Uh, it's 20 bucks for two hours of skating. It includes your rental. Um, so hopefully they're they'll get a good turnout for that. Um, there's also a big new fundraising event for the unified program in conjunction with Special Olympics. It's a Polar Plunge. Um, H Heartland students in teams um will be competing against Brighton students in teams um to see who can raise more money for these two deserving organizations. Um there's lots of details yet to come and there is a QR code which I was given a flyer um with more um information that's available and there'll be more information to come but it should be a great communitywide competition. It'll be on
029Tuesday, March 10th. And no, it will not be in the creek, just in case anybody's wondering. All right, that's everything I have there. All right, [sighs] moving on to item 2 A, new and revised policies. Um, there is an alternate motion below. Um, but I think, um, it's probably best to take these one at a time if everybody's on board with that instead of trying to group them all into one. I think there's going to be some separate discussion on a couple of items. So, okay, first motion, if somebody could read it. >> I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent in the assistant superintendent of curriculum adopts revised policy 2210 curriculum development approved courses as presented. >> Support >> motion by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Campbell for policy
0302210 curriculum development approved courses. Is there any discussion on the motion? This is obviously based on the discussion that we had what two weeks ago um in our policy committee meeting. So, the changes um if there were any changes to the policies that we'll be discussing tonight or voting on tonight, um Renee was was thorough and captured any changes that were from that discussion or any other subsequent discussion and noted those in the packet. So, hopefully you've had a chance to review all the changes versus your notes or your recollection of that discussion. >> Any comments, questions? Okay. >> No. Okay. Then policy 2210 curriculum development approved courses presented by Mrs. Shaw supported by Mr. Campbell. >> Mr. Gogleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller? >>
031Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. Next motion. I move that the board of education upon the recommendation and the assistant superintendent of personnel and student services adopts revised policy 2266 non-discrimination on the basis of sex and education programs or activities as presented >> support. >> All right. Should we flip a coin? [laughter] Okay. Mr. Scott. >> Okay. So motion for policy 2266 presented by Mr. Campbell supported by Mr. Scott. Is there any discussion? >> I'll just jump in here because I was probably pushing for the most changes here over the last few months as we reviewed this. Um I thought the discussion was really great at our January meeting. Subsequently, um Mrs. Gregory and I sat down and went through here in detail to find some other uh little
032places we could add. the the big thing being making sure that when it comes to Title Nine, we're keeping parents in the loop and law enforcement when needed. So, I I'm confident that that has been achieved with this. We found maybe some other policies that might get added down the line uh that need some similar tweaks, but I want to thank Mrs. Gregory for her time and her professionalism in going through that. And I thought it was very, very productive. So, thank you. Great. Thank you. Thank you both for taking the time to to dive in. Any further discussion or questions? Hearing none. Motion to approve policy 2266 non-discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities as presented. Presented by Mr. Campbell, supported by Mr. Scott. >> Mr. Goleski. >> Yes. >>
033Mr. Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw. >> Yes. Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> I'm Yes. Motion carries. >> Next motion. I move that the board of education upon the recommenation of the superintendent and the assistant superintendent of personnel and student services adopts revised policy 5517.01 bullying and other aggressive behavior towards students as presented. >> Support. >> Okay. Motion for policy 5517.01 presented by Mrs. Shaw supported by Mr. Keller. Is there any discussion? >> I I will ditto my remarks from the previous policy. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. Any further discussion? Okay. If not, motion to approve policy presented by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Keller. >> Mr. Gogleski. >> Yes. Mr. Campbell. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw, >> yes. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >>
034I'm a yes. Motion carries. Next motion. >> I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent adopted policy 144.2 board member ethics as presented. >> Support. >> Okay. Motion for 0144.2. to presented by Mr. Campbell, supported by Mrs. Shaw. Any discussion on this? >> I would just like to thank fellow board members um Mr. Hughes, all of the discussion that we had to get this policy in this format um in front of us this evening. I appreciate all of that. Um yeah, that's it. And obviously there were a couple of modifications I mean that happened subsequent to the meeting just through your communication and then also um with feedback input from council and all of that is noted in the policy as well as you've got it. Okay. Hearing nothing further.
035Uh motion to approve policy 144.2 board member ethics as presented uh presented by Mr. Campbell supported by Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Gogleski. >> Yes. Mr. Campbell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shaw, >> yes. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. >> Next motion. >> I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent adopts new policy communication as presented. >> Support. >> Thank you. Motion by Mr. Keller, supported by Mr. Campbell. This is for a new policy called communication. >> Would you like to start the discussion? >> Yeah. So, I know I've had some conversations um offline individually with many of you on on this policy. I do think it's a a good attempt to try to formalize and um put some structure around some
036expectations and and with respect to communication. Um there was one point that I think I still wanted maybe some modifications to um and that is in I'm trying to find the page number it should be >> page three of four out of this policy. Yeah, I think it's yeah, page three in the policy. Um, item number five, the very first one that that's listed there, the sentence that talks about the information requests, it says if a request for information requires significant staff time, two or more hours, it must receive a majority board approval before proceeding. I think I still have some concerns about that language and I guess kind of looking for some feedback from the rest of the team whether or not it makes more sense to either open that up to be something
037like four something a little bit more significant. I think two hours might be a little bit too strict. And so one option would be just to remove the sentence alto together. Another option would be to expand upon the, you know, the time that's that's listed there. I think potentially I can live with either. So I don't know if what what the preferences are from the team. >> I think as we we talked earlier, I think just removing that time limit alto together I think makes sense to me. I think leaving it as significant staff time I think makes the most sense to me. I think leaving that judgment up to the for coordinator and the superintendent and not putting a time limit on it. That's what I would support. [snorts] >> I would be in
038favor of eliminating the line altogether. I think we put that in there though because there were concerns over when it's deemed too burdensome on the staff. >> Yes. >> And if it was more than those two hours, then the person that requested it would have to justify why. >> Um and I think if we take out the time example, then you have that vagueness of maybe we may hear of one incident but not another. Um, two hours are just something we came up with and threw out there to to start with based on the recommendation from Superintendent Hughes during discussion. Um, I think with what we went through for the FOYA, it's nice to have something so there's an understanding of what significant staff time is for a request. I'm not stuck on two hours,
039but it would be nice to have something in there as an example so that they kind of have an idea with when it's acceptable for us to know that we hear of a a request. I don't know if President Coleman, if Superintendent Hughes has any thoughts since that's been a while on the on the time. >> Yeah, since um who else who was in on this discussion? It was Gogleski, you and Keller. Okay. And then it was Chuck. It was you and just Kate >> and Renee. Okay. Okay. All right. Do you have any any input that you'd like to provide? >> No, I think uh what it really comes down to is, you know, the scope of what is being asked for and whether or not it pertains to a decision or an action
040item that the board is pursuing to make. And I think what the conversation also was around was, you know, if it's not and it's just requesting a bunch of information and it's going to take us a lot of time to gather that information that really has nothing relevant, it doesn't make sense. So, because if it's relevant to what the decisions the board is going to make, we probably already have it and it's easy to put together, right? It's a snap. So, it's when it's not relevant necessarily or it doesn't seem to be relevant and then like Jess said, then coming back to the board and saying, "Here's why I'm asking for this seems to make sense. That way it connects the relevancy to the job you're doing as a board of education." I I don't
041know if that makes sense. So, so is it appropriate then, you know, in terms of my understanding that if it's something that's before the board, there's really no restrictions on the amount of time. I mean, if it hopefully it wouldn't take 20 hours, but if it if it was a question or something that the board had to vote on, if it took 20 hours to to pull the information together, we're not going to have to bring it in front of the board to get the approval that we do the work to have all the details needed to be able to vote. I mean, is that your >> If we already have the information and it's fairly easy to gather, that's not an issue. But if you're asking for something special that's going to take 20
042hours, then I think that's a conversation the board should engage in to say, "Hey, district, it's it's a wise use of our dollars and staff time to spend 20 hours putting this together for you." Because a majority of the board might say it's not relevant. You think it's relevant, but it might not be anything we really care to see. It's it's not something that we want someone spending 20 hours to do. So, normally we would have stuff ready if it [clears throat] pertains to the board business because remember this is a business meeting, right? So, >> you know, I guess what comes to mind though is like for for bond, right? There's potentially going to be a whole lot of work going into preparing details in terms of what we would want to potentially put
043in front of the community for a vote of a bond, right? And I I can imagine that's going to take more than two hours to do. And so I would think that this policy wouldn't require us to to vote on whether or not we again do the work. So I think that's kind of the trying to illustrate the point with an example. But to answer that question, I think that it it behooves the administration who's making recommendations for the board to talk about and present a bond baggage that we have an obligation to do that anyway. So, we would be working on that and the pieces that we need to work on to put together for a presentation of why we're recommending the board to adopt these items for a bond package. Well, and I
044I think that's where the the the wording that's here. Self monitor requests to ensure they are essential and then in parenthesis it's need to know versus nice to know. So need to know is something that they're going to provide for the board anyway that Chuck and his team would provide for us anyway because if it's information what we need to have in order to make a decision, then they'll provide it. And if it takes them teen hours to put it together, then so be it because this is information that we'll need for say a bond package or what have you. So I I think that's like the the tipping point. I guess it it's not so much how much time it takes, but whether or not it's relevant to the decisions that we're making at
045the table. So I don't know how much the the time commitment needs to be stipulated. I don't know because it it it seems to me that that the the the question is more of whether or not it's relevant, >> need to know versus nice to know versus how long it would take to pull it together. Did I did I understand that appropriately? Is that what I mean? Do you guys recall that that was the intent from the conversation? >> Yeah, I think it goes both ways, too. So, Superintendent Hughes would come to say, you know, this is taking us 20 hours. I think it's a nice to know. And then the requester, Mr. Keller, myself, whoever, whatever board member would say, well, it's necessary. It's essential because it's related to the bond. So, we need
046to know this regardless of the time you have to put this together for us. That's the justification. So, it goes both ways. It's not just a cell on the requesters's part, but this front office would have to say why they think it's uh nice to know and not necessary for them to put in the time. I'm indifferent if the time example is on there. That was just kind of as a reference. I would defer myself to Superintendent Hughes if he wants the time in there or not, but it was just a a mark for them to use where we may expect to be presented with a you know a request. >> May I? Um so I I mean I have significant issue with the way this is written um especially given the history here. Essentially,
047you know, everything everyone has said at the table sounds good in theory, but what we're really doing here is setting up a situation in which a majority of the board can gatekeep information from a minority of the board. And you know, the majority minority can switch on a dime. Um, I don't think it'd be fair at any point in time that one or two or three board members be prevented by for accessing information that they find necessary to uh completing their duties. Each one of us was elected by the people in the community. Each one of us deserves access to information necessary to make decisions. No, we can't make decisions on our own. We can only make a decision as a body. But if four people of the body say [snorts] this information is not
048going to be shared, then how can everyone make uh a an educated decision on the subject? So, I have a real hard time with this. I'm I'm okay with everything in the policy except this. Um, the only way I could possibly move forward with this policy if the second sentence was struck completely, I I'm fine with self-monitor requests to ensure they are essential. That's fine. But, um, but setting a time limit, we've seen how that has been abused in the past when we're talking about timing, uh, how much time things take. The second thing is, as we discussed at our uh policy meeting in January, is we don't have a list of what board members have the right to access. Most districts have a list. Every board member is given these things or has the
049right to access these things. If we had that list, then could we say anything beyond that, you're going to have to, you know, get approval from the board? I I still wouldn't have a hard time with it, but at least I could live with the fact that I still have a right to access a bulk of the information. The fact that we don't even have that, we don't have the basics. We don't have the building blocks of the uh pyramid, if you will, it makes it real hard to say there's nothing we have the right to access. And if one or two or three of us wants to access some information, you have to get the approval of the majority. I think that goes against the best interest of the taxpayers, of the community, of
050the students, of the teachers, uh, of the staff, everyone. Um, we need information to make our our our decisions. And there's plenty of times I've requested information, who's told it wasn't important, and I would disagree. Things that are are in other districts a right for board members to access. Um, I'll I'll use an example. After the last meeting, we received a presentation on school of choice. I asked for some follow-up statistics information because we were told at that presentation we would be making decisions regarding school of choice in the future. I was denied this information. I was asking I was asking school of choice retention rates um and and some things like these not even things that would take two hours probably. But it's not fair that any individual board member has to come crawling
051in front of the board and say, "Oh, please, please, you know, can a majority of you agree that I get to see information necessary for me to do the job that the public has hired me to do." So there is there is no scenario that I would be okay with uh the second line remaining in five. So, I will make a motion to amend item five to remove the sentence that reads, "If a request for information requires significant staff time, two or more hours, it must receive a majority board approval before proceeding." >> Second, and I have to agree with Mr. Scott, I too have been um told that information requested is not necessary for me to do my job. and it certainly was. So, I uh I agree. I'd like to see that sentence
052taken out. >> Okay, Mr. Scott. So, we've got a motion on the table to amend the policy that is currently on the table, the comm the proposed new communication policy. Can you restate your amendment? >> Uh, essentially to uh remove the second sentence in item number five, the sentence I am asking to be removed reads, if a request for information requires significant staff time, two or more hours, it must receive a majority board approval before proceeding. Okay, thank you. And then again, that was brought forward by Mr. Scott, supported by Mr. Goleski. Is there any discussion on this motion to amend the policy? All right, no further discussion. We are mo we are voting on the motion to amend the policy that is before us. So we would be adjusting what was presented in the
053packet. This was brought forward by Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. Goalleski. Specifically, we would be removing the second sentence of item five at the top of page three of the proposal, I'm sorry, of the proposed policy. That sentence that would be struck reads, if a request for information requires significant staff time, parenthesis two or more hours, it must receive a majority board approval before proceeding. Hearing no discussion, motion on this or vote for this motion to amend. Mr. Mr. Gogleski, >> yes. >> Mr. Campbell, >> no. >> Mrs. Shaw, >> no. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> I'm in no. So, that motion does not carry. Okay. Returning to the original motion on the table which is the polic the communication policy as presented. This was motioned by Mr. Keller
054supported by Mr. Campbell. Is there any further discussion on this motion? >> Um I guess my followup if if that's not uh accepted is you know the the title of this section is board communication to the superintendent. Um, and all of these items are preceded by to support mutual transparency, the school board and individual members shall communicate with the superintendent as follows. So, I guess my question then would be how how does that sentence that we've said we want to keep fit in this section? Because the section is our the ability of the board to request information from the superintendent. It seems like we should have if if the if there's going to be limiting factors that would belong in a section detailing the superintendent's responsibility to respond, not a section about our ability to
055request. >> So what are you proposing? >> I I'm just making a point that it really doesn't fit in with that section. Again, the section title is board communication to the superintendent. Individual members shall communicate with the superintendent as follows. Well, the first part of Are you talking of still about number five? Because the first part of that sentence is board members will selfmonitor requests that. So, I'm not sure what you're I I don't understand what you're saying. I'm talking about the section that this is in, right? >> Which starts on page two is titled board communication to the superintendent. And that section applies to board member communication to the superintendent. But then this item five, it starts out the first paragraph belongs in that section that the it is the the board member's responsibility
056to self-monitor the request. The second sentence does not belong in that section. >> You mean the one we just voted on to not remove? >> Correct. >> I think it does because it passed. Um the list of information available to the board that you referenced. I can't even begin to think how long that would be. And if an example is school of choice retention data, I would never think to add that to the list. So I think that is where you come to the table to compel the board to get that data. And if you can't and it doesn't pass, then I would argue that the majority of the board decided that it's not advantageous for the taxpayers money, the majority of the district, for the central office to take that time, two or more
057hours, whatever it may be, to get that data put together. >> All right. I guess I'll I'll rephrase it. There's three of us that that like the policy with the time limit, three that don't. We need four to pass it. I'm trying to find a way that we pass this tonight. So, I I'm trying to extend an olive branch to try and find a way we make this happen because if this if this is not removed, then likely we're going to have three vote for and three vote against, which is a failure of the of the policy. So, I'm looking for a way to pass this tonight. Now, if if we don't want to work through that, I I'm fine not passing it. Um but I I would like to find a way to do
058that that we can all work with. >> I I appreciate that. Um but if we if we just voted to keep the sentence in, finding a different argument or a different reason to remove the sentence, it's still I mean, >> we can modify it in another way. I I'm open to ideas. I guess if if if we want to just give up because we can't agree on one sentence, it's >> I'm not in support of removing it because this has been abused in the past and that's why I'm not I am not in support of removing the sentence. We operate on a majority vote. It's not always seven to zero. A lot of times it's four to three. Like that's how we operate is what the majority of the board votes for. And I realize
059that the minority sometimes may not get what they want and and they are not happy with that decision, but that's how a seven member board operates is that it's the majority vote. So again, this has been abused and I am I will not I'm not I am not in support of removing the sentence whatsoever. >> I'm going to be very interested in tracking how many requests are exceeding the 2-hour limit. Well, I think we know that uh because this is kind of here because of the FOYA um uh concerns and I think Superintendent Hughes it was it was actually pretty insignificant number that was over two hours I believe and also an insignificant amount that had any cost. So I think maybe that's how I remember that chart that we were provided and two hours
060seemed low to me. uh for Superintendent Hughes to provide. I was happy with that, but I think that's why that number was brought up and that's why number five is here um because there were so many requests coming in for data. >> I I think I might be willing to to vote in favor if we can at least increase that time frame from two to four hours. And and I guess if if we find that every month we're voting on whether or not somebody can get information, then I think, you know, then we dig into this a little bit deeper. >> I I can live with four. I think that's fine. >> Is there any further discussion? I mean, uh, Secretary Campbell brought up the FOYA and the result of the FOYA that that we
061discussed at the table was an estimate of hundreds of hours and when the data was actually turned over, it probably took about 5 minutes to attach some spreadsheets to an email. So, that's my concern. If I I I made a request that would have taken mere moments to complete and was forced to put through a foyer and give an estimate of hundreds of hours. So there's no situation I'm comfortable with estimating hours to complete a task when we've seen that abused several times. So as a board member, I received an estimate of hundreds of hours to turn over data from a survey. And in reality, it took minutes. So I I don't know, you know, how I could possibly go along with some number of hours that's that a person is going to arbitrarily choose
062in in advance of conducting the search for the information or compiling it or whatever. >> Okay. Thank you. Any any further discussion, >> Mr. Keller? >> Yeah, I I'll move the amend the time from 2 hours to 4. >> Second. >> All right. All right. There's a motion to amend the communication policy to reflect 4 hours versus 2 hours. And that same item number five at the top of page three. And that was Mr. Keller. And I'm sorry, who supported that? Was that Mr. Gogleski? Thank you. >> Okay. Motion to amend the communication policy. So, taking what we've got as presented, swapping out the number two for a number four and the number of hours in that statement. Again, this was brought forward by Mr. Keller, supported by Mr. Gooleski. Any discussion on that motion
063before we vote? Okay. Hearing none, Mr. Gooleski? Yes, >> Mr. Campbell. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Shaw. >> Yes, >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes, >> Mr. Scott. >> No, >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. 5 to one. Okay, back to the original motion on the table to approve communication policy proposed communication policy as modified as amended. Again, the original motion was brought forward by Mr. Keller, supported by Mr. Campbell. Is there any additional discussion on the motion? >> I appreciate that there was some movement on that. Um, as I said, I I can't support it as is, but obviously it will likely pass. Um, so I I do hope that uh that that this is not abused by administration or by a board majority now or in the future to disaffect uh board members. So, thank
064you. >> Noted. Thank you. All right. Hearing no further discussion. Mr. Goleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> No. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. >> All right. [sighs] Moving on to item 2B, HCSAA contract extension. I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent and the assistant superintendent of personnel and student services approves the hcs administrative association contract extension as presented support. >> Okay. Motion by Mrs. Shaw supported by Mr. Campbell. The HCSAA contract extension. Is there any discussion on the on the motion? I don't necessarily have discussion, but I know some of our administrators are here and just want to thank them for all that they do. Um, you know, a lot of times
065the work that they're putting in is not noticed. It's not exciting and flashy, but um, buildings could not operate with their leadership, long hours, hard days. Um we you are very much appreciated and I am happy to support um this tenative agreement for our administrators >> and I think we all feel that way up here. >> Well said. Thank you. Any further discussion >> hearing? None. HSA contract extension presented by Mrs. Shaw supported by Mr. Campbell. Mr. Goleski. >> Yes. Mr. Campbell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shaw, >> yes. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. >> Item 2 C, 202526 budget amendments. >> I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the chief financial officer approves the 202526 budget amendments as presented. support
066>> a motion by Mr. Campbell, supported by Mrs. Shaw, 202526 budget amendments. Is there any discussion? >> I just want to thank Mrs. Boyce for getting this out uh couple weeks in advance rather than in the just in the packet. It was very helpful to have the information a couple weeks ago. Plenty of time to review it, ask questions, etc. So, thank you. >> Yes. Thank you for and also for making it easy to understand for non financial people. You make it very user friendly. So yes, thank you. >> I would also echo my colleagues sentiments. Rachel, thank you very much. You always do a very good job. Very professional. Um always make yourself available for questions. So just want to acknowledge that that it's greatly appreciated. >> Okay. Any further discussion or questions? Okay.
067This is 2526 budget amendments presented by Mr. Campbell, supported by Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Goleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. >> Ratifying resolution for bond refunding. I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of the chief financial officer approves the bond refunding ratifying resolution as presented. >> Support a motion by Mrs. Shaw supported by Mr. Keller. Ratifying resolution for bond refunding. Any questions? Um I would just have maybe one request either Mr. Hughes or maybe Mrs. Boyce could just give a couple sentence overview of exactly what it mean what it is. >> I'm on the same page. I was going to ask the same thing, Mr. Hughes. >> And since Rachel
068did all the work on this, I'm going to let her talk about it. Thank you, Rachel. >> No problem. Um, so back in October, you authorized um us to enter into u exploratory um phase, for lack of better words, on whether or not we would be able to successfully refund our 2016 bonds. Uh we went through that process. We um did all the steps. We sold the bonds back in January. Um thankfully when we originally uh looked at this back in October it looked like our savings was going to be close to 800,000. Um upon the sale it's closer to a million. Um so that's all uh savings to our taxpayers. So we're very pleased with the overall result. And so, um, this resolution here is just putting your final stamp of approval, um, on
069that sale that that you're comfortable with with closing, uh, which is set to take place on February 27th. >> Awesome. Thank you. That's a million dollars saved is always great news. >> Any appreciate the work that you put in to, you know, try to find savings for the taxpayers. So again, great job and thank you very much. [clears throat] >> Any further questions or discussion? >> Ratifying resolution for the bond refunding presented by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Keller. Mr. Gogleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller? >> Yes. >> Mr. Scott? >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Motion carries. Moving on to item 2E, resolution for assistant superintendent position. >> You want me to start? >> I need a motion on the table first. >> We
070can make a motion first. >> Yeah. >> Can somebody read the >> I move that the board of education upon the recommendation of Jeff Scott approves the resolution regarding the search process for the position of assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction as presented. Second. >> Okay. Motion by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Goalleski, Mr. Scott. >> All right. And so, just a note to the to the public. Um, there was a resolution in the in the board package. Uh, I have made some changes to that resolution and resubmitted it to the board earlier this afternoon. nothing was added to it and I can kind of go through what what was taken away but the the gist of the of the resolution um Mr. Minsker has announced his retirement. So, we're thankful for his service and
071but that leaves a a real big hole in the central office. And um I think it is the the best practice of any school district to open jobs like that up for application for applicants internal and external. Um, and so I've put together a resolution that essentially states that the reason it was altered a little bit is uh, you know, there's always two parts of a resolution, kind of the reasoning and then what what the result is. And so I I don't think from conversations with other board members, um, most people are okay with the reasoning. Again, that being industry best practices, uh, MDE recommendations, our ethics policy, which says we should find the best possible person for and most qualified for any position. Um, changes in the industry, especially when it comes to curriculum,
072etc. Um, on the flip side, the kind of um what the board is asking for, some board members thought that what I put together was a little overreaching maybe into um the the role of the superintendent. Uh there was some stuff in there about, you know, the board approving the job, the qualifications, etc., approving certain things along the way. And I I think the general consensus from from some other board members was it was kind of crossing boundaries but also um possibly slowing the process down. And I said, "Okay, well in reality, my biggest concern is that the job is posted and that people have the ability to apply again, internal applicants, external applicants, that it's not just a a position that that is um appointed. We, as a rule of thumb, post all of
073our openings um so people can choose to apply. This one, for some reason, there was a a process that was going to occur in which the job opening would not be publicly posted. Um not all current employees would have the ability to apply. Uh there was just a select few individuals who were who were hand selected and would be considered. And I thought from an ethical standpoint, from the board, having, you know, one person handpick three people and then pick the best from them didn't necessarily um reassure anyone that uh equal employment opportunities uh laws were being followed or that we could really judge uh the best candidate. So, what's before of us is essentially a resolution asking the superintendent to publicly post the job of the assistant superintendent for 30 days, asking him to
074write an updated job description and qualification criteria that matches our strategic plan and the the decade to come, not the decade behind us. You know, Mr. Mer has been with us for quite a while. We can't just dust off his job description from when he took the role. We really need to be forward thinking on this. So that's what's asked for in this um in this resolution uh that it's posted for 30 days. We make a good faith effort to encourage applicants from from internal and external. But I also have in here what didn't change is that internal candidates um still receive some u bonus points for their knowledge of the district and the knowledge of the culture if all else is equal. So the idea is we're going to find really go find the
075best person for this job because it has an enormous impact on the academic success of our students and each and every one of us wants to make sure that we put the most qualified person in that role so that our students benefit from that. So uh that's what's before us and I appreciate all the input from all the board members over the last few days. I have a I [clears throat] have a couple of things I'd like to say. Um I have never had more discussion over a policy or resolution the last 24 hours with board members the way I have uh with this. Um [gasps] yesterday um I was of the opinion that I and I'm still am of the opinion that governance through resolution is not smart is not good and should be
076avoided at all costs. But considering the timeline of what we have in front of us, I do understand that the these guidelines should be put in place ASAP. And I just want to tell the board, all board members here, that if you do decide to vote for this resolution, I am willing to head up um the effort to ensure that the proper policies are revised. we have a working revision for our next policy meeting and we can codify it through our policies and not just have a simple revision because I don't I don't like governance through um resolution. Also, I want to speak specifically to the administrative staff here. Um, I want to let you know that this in no way, shape, or form, um, should give you the idea that we don't believe that
077a lot of our homegrown talent isn't talent enough. We do respect you. We do think you do a wonderful job, and I think you saw that in the vote that we made a little while ago. Um, we just want to make sure that those positions available are fairly listed, um, fairly given out to the public, and that we're doing things above board, and we're not getting ourselves into cries of either cronyism or or favoritism. And that's what we're looking to accomplish. And I think it's very important that you know that. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> I have a few comments. Um the first one is that Kristen's name is spelled wrong on the signature line. It's IN. Um I am not in favor of the governing this school district by resolution. Um, the way
078that this board has worked before and the resolution that was passed in December of 2024 states that we will change policy at policy committee meetings, have a discussion, and then those policies, just like we did tonight, will come to a vote one month later. Um, resolutions do not change policy. They're not. Um I have had to ask for the resolution that was passed in December of 2024 a few times because it's not anywhere in board policy. So as we've operated just recently last month and tonight is to have this come through a policy committee meeting, update the policy, and then we go from there. I understand everyone is saying because we have a retirement and we and we need to get this change in. Um but this resolution just feels um like we are inserting
079ourselves in an administrative process where we don't belong and I will not support this resolution for for that reason alone just not not governing this district by resolution. Mr. Hughes has been very transparent about the process. Um we received emails um January 22nd 26, February 2nd, February 5th. We also talked about it at our public meeting on January 26th. Mr. Hughes and I have had, I don't know, four or five conversations about this topic. Um, he also sent the job description to the board on February 10th. Um, regardless of this resolution, policy 3120 states that any hires will come to the board for approval. So resolution or not, we get the ultimate say by majority who is hired for the assistant superintendent for curriculum and that is the board's role is to have a final
080say in who is chosen. So again, my for all of those reasons and and not wanting to govern through resolution, I am a no on this resolution. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I think similar to what some of you have stated, I I do want to just also emphasize that the board does not know who the candidates are. So, kind of in the spirit of what Mr. Goal Goggleski mentioned I I hope that you know some of the conversation isn't perceived as the board sort of being against someone here that may be in this room that potentially could have this job. Um and instead I'm looking at this as the board is advocating for all the rest of the employees that are in the district that may not have known that this position was available.
081Um maybe there's somebody from the outside that you know a clone of Mr. Minsker that lives in the neighborhood that you know potentially could would also be a great person to have in that role. Um so again do want to make sure that the our team knows that that the situation is we don't we don't even know who the candidates are. So um this is really an concerns over process and I think you know the concern of inserting the board into business that it shouldn't be I I don't know that I agree with that you know as it was pointed out in the resolution and commented earlier right that the ethics policy states specifically that we will support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff and insist on regular and
082impartial evaluation of all staff. So I think what's happening or what's attempted to happen here is is following through with our own ethics policies which we just looked at today and and we voted on all six to zero in favor that we support these. So I mean that that's one element of it and I think the other important point for me is that you know kind of talking with my colleagues there was not a lot of certainty around you know the consistency of our hiring process and I I worry that not having consistency could you know result in some type of you know deliberate indifference situation. which I think as a board we have an obligation to our community and to this district to ensure that if there's potentially an issue that exists out there
083that could result in legal ramifications again we have an obligation to make sure that we are protecting the district from that. Um so I you know for me I don't view this as something that is inserting into district business. I agree with the sentiment that this is better to be a policy, but I think, you know, unless, you know, there's a, you know, something from Superintendent Hughes that says he's not planning on filling this position before we would have a policy meeting where we could talk through and sort of cement any potential changes to 3120. I see this as a necessary step in order to ensure that we maintain a fair and impartial hiring process and that we are again looking out for the best interest of all of our students and potential staff who
084may be also interested in this position. You know, just one other note on that is I think you know other districts I I talked to two other districts within this county. they had an administrator leave and they had three board members who participated in the hiring of that administrator and I don't think this um resolution is asking for that but you know I just contrast what others are doing with what we're doing here another district you know when they hire somebody they get all the supporting documents obviously we get resumes but there's also additional information that would um tell the board why a specific candidate was chosen over others. So again, I think there's opportunities for us to have a a more robust process. And again, given the timing of of the hire, [clears throat]
085I think it's important that we make it clear so there's no misunderstanding at what the board wishes. >> I can't believe that we haven't done this before. This is nothing more than a best practice for any organization and we owe it to the community, to the schools, to the children to show due diligence in selecting the right personnel for the right job. It's as simple as that. It is a best practice. And the fact that we haven't done anything to this point um does frustrate me. But again, as I said, I am no fan of uh governance through resolution. And I do want to make it a point to ensure that we correct the necessary policies and keep this in play for the future for whoever is superintendent, whoever is on the board. And we
086have something that can be workable and is fair. Um, yes. So, the reason this is a resolution and not policy is because this can be acted upon if it passes as soon as tomorrow by Superintendent Hughes as opposed to waiting 30 days um after policy and then a regular uh board meeting. So hopefully uh we'll see to it that before the next policy meeting we can put something together to propose. Um yeah, because resolution needs to become policy otherwise it's just a waste of time. Um, but if I could bring the board's attention to paragraph six, that third line begins with and performance metrics. I caught that after review and I'd like to strike that and performance metrics because that was removed from paragraph nine during one of the revisions that we had. Uh and
087the reason we did that was because performance metrics uh during conversation with a few of the a few of you would be uh set by superintendent Hughes for this individual. Um and then scored on his per performance evaluation. Uh, super uh, excuse me, President Coleman, I can read that paragraph if you want, but I would make a motion to strike in paragraph six and performance metrics in this resolution. >> Okay. I have a motion to amend from Mr. Campbell. Is there support? >> Support by Mr. Scott. In [clears throat] paragraph six, remove just those three words and performance metrics. >> Yes, ma'am. >> About one sentence. Okay. Remove. >> Backing up, we would insert the word and before qualification, which is just two words prior on line two. >> Sure. Okay. So, the motion on
088the table from Mr. Campbell, supported by Mr. Scott, is in paragraph six to amend what was presented. I'm just I'm sorry. I'm just rethinking this because this is not the version that was in the packet though. It has been presented to all of us. Is this I mean do we need a motion just to work with the revised version that was sent out this afternoon >> first? I think in >> the idea >> I think in the past we have worked with revised versions that we've all seen without it being in the board. >> We've all seen it before we came here. Okay. I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page. >> So technically this is version two, >> right, >> of this? Yes. I yeah I think we're >>
089because it wasn't in the packet but it was presented to all of us. So that is it is version two. We're calling this version two >> and we're amending version two to remove and performance metrics. Again Mr. Campbell, Mr. Scott, is there any discussion on this motion to amend version two as presented? Yeah, I guess I'd just like to clarify the what does performance metrics mean to you? I guess in my mind I think that you know that's the personnel evaluation that happens annually. >> Yes. >> And I believe those would already be established. So, I'm I'm just trying to understand if there's something specific about that you would you have issue with or can you help me better understand the concern? >> For sure. Simply put, the whole reason of this second draft is
090to remove the board from this as much as we can outside of really the two things I think it's asking is that it's posted internally and externally. The second thing would that would be that there's a clear u somewhat better job description. Um you reference resumeumés uh and I don't want to see any of that. I don't want to see the performance metrics, the eval. I put that solely on uh the superintendent that evaluates um and I don't think that's our place to see uh how he would choose to to score that individual uh when it comes time to their evaluation process. So that was also again uh it was previously in paragraph nine um but we removed that during conversation. This is just an oversight that at least I missed uh during initial review.
091>> So your your concern though is that we would if that's left in there and there's established performance metrics that somehow we are obligated to receive them as a board. Is that your concern? >> Yeah. To me that's going to be done. I mean, he has to the superintendent, superintendent Hughes has to score uh his employees underneath him. Um, so that's on him to uh establish without us seeing. But I think our main thing that we're looking for that we asked for previously was the job description. That's essentially all just we wanted to ask for in those two paragraphs. >> Mr. Hughes, do you have anything that you would need to add to that or to clarify or does Mr. Campbell covered it. >> Yeah, I think he covered it because that's evaluation performance and
092that changes from year to year depending on what needs to be done. >> Okay, thank you. Um, okay. So, we're back to the motion to amend paragraph six. Mr. Keller had a question. Is anybody else have a question or any further discussion on making this change to version two in front of us? Okay. Hearing none, this is a motion to amend paragraph six. Mr. Goleski? >> Yes. >> Mr. Campbell? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw? >> No. >> Mr. Keller? >> This is just the amendment. >> Yes, this is just to amend paragraph six, taking out the words and performance metrics. I'm a no. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. Motion carries. >> Okay. So, we have an amended version of version two in front of us for the resolution for the
093assistant superintendent position. Um, I just wanted to chime in. Um, kind of reiterating, I guess, what what many of you have said. Um I I also don't like to govern through resolutions. Um Mrs. Shaw pointed out that you know resolutions a couple of you pointed out that what happens to them? Where do they go? How do people refer to them? Um but my hesitation with building some of this in policy is that this to me this resolution is kind of it's a little toe in the door of overreach. It's a little toe in the door of stepping through to stepping out of our lane. I don't I don't feel that it's appropriate for us to tell the superintendent how to go about hiring, how to go about doing his job. We are to hire him.
094We and we provide the policy. We provide the the what he does the how. So I just it's borrowing actually your words. It's a slippery slope. Um that you know putting this in place then kind of tease it up so that oh well we could put in a little bit more into policy. So when we look at 3120, oh well, if we did this much with with this resolution, well, maybe we could do this much more in that policy and insert the board more into a lane that isn't necessarily the board's lane. So that that's my concern with putting this this resolution with enacting the resolution and then subsequently changing policy to match it. So, it's definitely something to be to be aware of and I wanted to say it out loud to make sure
095everybody understood that there is there is a line between what we are supposed to do and what we're not supposed to do. Just wanted to say that out loud. Is there any further discussion? >> I I have two quick things. One, just to be clear for for those in the room, this this resolution requires two things. that the job description be created and that it be posted internally and externally for 30 days. That that's the extent of it. Um I don't think that's overstepping the board's bounds, although I I respect I respect that. Number two, uh, revised school code 380.129, uh, subsection 2 specifically states, now this is about administrators. The board shall prescribe the duties of an individual described in this subsection, meaning administrators. So um in this case it is our responsibility to
096set the duties for administrators and I think in most cases that is done um because we don't have the drastic changes that we do with this particular position just because of how fast the industry is changing. Um, but uh I again I'm I'm happy with with the way it turns out, meaning that we will post the job internally and externally >> and Mr. Hughes retains the um final say in who it is. So I don't feel that it's overreach. >> Okay. Thank you. And um with respect to um prescribe the duties, we have a policy that does that too. It says that Chuck is responsible to hire and to go about doing that. So, we we do have a policy that says that. Uh, all right. Any other comments? Mr. Campbell, you had something more
097or no? >> Yeah, quickly. Um, do we h how do we handle doing away with this resolution if this becomes policy? Does it just disappear? Do we need to make a motion to remove it or it's just it just sits there on a shelf? I I think you'd have to bring it back for discussion to I don't know what the correct term is, but to >> resend >> to resend >> resend this resolution. Right. So that would have to be a board action down the road. Is it have to come before us to resend? >> Yeah. Once so it doesn't it won't disappear. If there are policy updates that um cover what the board feels needs to be covered that's incorporated into those policies then yeah we could resend the resolution at that time. >>
098Okay. And then finally this just covers um Mr. Minsker's position and then we'll decide at policy what else it will cover if anything. Um, but I don't know if it's practice that'll be in place uh for other positions, but that'll be clarified then at the next policy meeting. >> Right. Yeah. The way that this um resolution is written is specific to that position only. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes, Mr. Hughes. >> Thank you for calling on me. All right. So, this is Mr. Minsker's uh the actually the assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction position. Uh we have out there um the potential to replace the director of community ed. I don't hear that that's as big as a concern to you all as this position. And we do have some candidates that are good candidates. And
099so unless you as a board give me direction tonight to say, you know, do something other than that, this is you're just dealing with this tonight. So, I mean, as I've been very transparent with you, my plan was to at least have some candidates forward in March when we bring rollovers over, right, to do it all at the same night. Obviously, this one's not going to come to you in March because of this resolution if it passes tonight. So, um I just I I want to be clear so that I can have the right conversation with the individuals that are interested in these other positions that we can move forward or and are we going to be here at the next meeting with another resolution saying you can't do that? >> Well, at the same
100time, I don't think there's anything preventing you from posting it publicly or getting outside sources too for your evaluation. So, I think that's something you could do on your own. >> My question is, do I have to? >> Is it your intention? >> I think I made that clear to the board prior to this resolution that that's what I was doing. So, >> I I think just to answer it, the answer is no, because there's no motion made for that position. But, as I stated previously, that's why I brought that up. If this becomes common practice, maybe that would be something to consider. Uh, but you have the right to hire that position right now if you see somebody qualified. But we're doing this for at least Mr. Minsker's position because we wonder who else
101may be out there. That's going to be very impressive to you. So, that could certainly roll into other positions also. So, that's whatever you want to do with that position unless somebody makes a motion tonight to bring that position up to talk about. But, um, just for consideration, I think just to give it a thought. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. I mean, when when I sent this to President Coleman a couple weeks ago, I I think I said in the email that that that position certainly deserves some discussion. Um I I thought it was pertinent to focus on this position because this individual sits at the table with us. Um and again has the out oversized impact on academic performance which is our our primary objective here. I think it's best practice to post jobs
102um especially for the public sector, public education. >> Yeah, I mean I would I would agree. I think in in my mind this a fair, open and transparent search process should be universal from you know for every position top to bottom in in the organization. So, I would certainly hope that even though it says assistant superintendent, that the the spirit would apply to to every position. Is there any further discussion regarding [clears throat] the motion on the table which is for the resolution for the assistant superintendent position brought forward by Mrs. Shaw, supported by Mr. Kaleleski? Okay. And again, this is version two as amended removing and performance metrics from that paragraph six. So, this is the amended version that we are voting on. Mr. Gogleski, >> yes. >> Mr. Campbell, >> yes. >> Mrs.
103Shaw, >> no. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> I'm a no. Motion carries. Moving on to item 3A, administrator contract rollovers. Mr. Hughes, >> just uh reminding the board that uh per our operations uh usually uh by the end of March, the board considers rollovers of contracts for all the current administrators, including administrators covered under 1400 policy 1410. Uh so uh we'll bring those uh rollovers that will start on July 1st. So we're not in violation of the law. A three-year rollover starting on July 1st. So you don't have to count the three months remaining in the year. July 1st through um uh June of 29, I believe. So those will come forward. Have no concerns whatsoever with our administrative team. uh as I've uh shared with you all that
104I finished all of my process for the midy years and and we're in really good shape and really really happy with all of our administrators and I think they deserve that continued rollover uh moving forward. So I'll bring those forward at the March meeting as we always do. >> Any questions for Mr. Hughes on that before we move on? >> It's obvious it's obviously discussion item now. you've got until, you know, now between the ne now and the next meeting to be able to address any concerns or questions that you've got. And moving on to item 3B, revised policies 1410 and 1410.01. Mr. Hughes. So, being the superintendent, I'm not covered under these policies. So, uh when we negotiate contracts, you know, I'm that party that's not part of. So, just so the community understands
105that I sit here making this recommendation from the standpoint of doing what's right and fair to all of our administrators. So, the board adopted the HCAA uh HCSAA contract extension tonight. Uh took those terms and applied them to 1400 and 14 or 1410 and 14101. 14101 covers all employees that are not in 1410. uh central office administrators basically pretty much right there's a one exception director of uh technology um and these people are not covered under an organizational unit so we cover them in 14101 uh also in 14101 you'll see that we added um uh Jessica well I shouldn't say I don't have to say names we added the director of early childhood which would be Jessica Panzenza uh as that moves into the GSRP realm. We added her to 14101 so that she would
106be picked up and covered as that is going to be overseen by the assistant superintendent curriculum instruction next year and not the um community ed department. So that just makes sense as we are moving forward with our preschool universal preschool program to prepare for um entering kindergarten. So that's all that is is just those adjustments. Uh so if there's any concerns about that, please reach out to me. >> Yeah, I just have a question in the longevity. It does actually list superintendent in there. So is that does that need to be removed then if if you're not covered by this or how does can you >> that's always Yeah, that's always been in there just to be very clear and transparent on u my contract that I also get longevity. And so while my contract
107spells out longevity, that's been in there because um if the superintendent like myself moves from one of these positions to the superintendent, that that should carry with them in any contract negotiation that I would have as a superintendent moving from one of these positions to the superintendency. So that longevity was always kept in there. it. I think it should only from the standpoint is again if I'm moving from the ranks to the superintendent that should be guaranteed that that just doesn't get wiped out. Um, we had we had talked last meeting about um kind of making sure that the administrator contracts match some of the discussions at at the board table uh our intent to post central office positions etc. So, um, because the what's been said tonight is that 3120 requires approval from the
108board before a position is filled, which is partially correct. The other side of that, which we discussed, is that it has been inserted in administrator contracts that the superintendent has the ability to move people around as he see fit without board approval. And that's how central office positions have been filled without board approval. Even though we've hit on that 10 times tonight, it hasn't always been used. So, I just want to point out I think it is um the expectation of the board that when we review the contracts next month, there's a provision in there that that loophole is removed so that nothing in the administrator contract supersedes board policy. And again, I think we've had the discussion the administrative assoc administrators association, I think their collective bargaining allows you to move them around within
109the schools. And I don't think anybody has an issue with that. I think the issue we have is showing up here one day and one of those seats has a different person in it and none of us have been notified and that's what we want to avoid. I think that'll be addressed in the policy discussion that this resolution goes into uh where you guys can address that to make sure that that's clear because I do agree that it should not be uh hindrance of the HCSA contract that allows a superintendent to move building principles or assistant principles around within the buildings. I think that's definitely a different story than central office. So, >> right, but that's not clarified in the contract that was sent to the board within the last few weeks. That that's what
110I'm saying. We need to make sure uh that the contract the board reviews at March meeting removes the loophole that supersedes policy. >> If you could uh mark that policy up that I sent you and send it back to me, I'll take a look at it. >> It says by board vote or superintendent discretion. And as I've said before, it needs to be an and. >> Will you mark that up and send it to? >> Sure. Thank you. >> Okay. Any further discussion on these two policies that we will again revisit um for a vote at next month's meeting. Okay. Moving on to item 3C, pool stairs renovation. Mr. Hughes. >> So I have Matt here if we need him. Um, we've uh given you information about the pool stairs. I think it's pretty clear
111unless you need Matt. Um, are there any questions for Matt? Um, we we started out with a really high price tag to renovate the stairs at the pool and luckily Thank you all. Have a good night. Um, we we uh we then went through the process. We couldn't find biders for a while. We went it's it's been what two years that we've been trying to get this. Three years. Um, but the pool stairs need to be renovated because they're rusting and they are, uh, you know, are going out of, uh, commission if we don't get them fixed. So, uh, we got a pretty good price, uh, that we're looking at potentially that we hope to bring to the board, uh, in March as an action item, uh, to get this done at a cheaper rate,
112but just as good. So, Matt, uh, do you want to just What did I say? That's not right. >> I think you covered it. Um we did get some preliminary pricing which started us off this year to um look at some different vendors. We are putting together bid specs so that we can bid it out. Hopefully the same biders uh bid on it but you know uh that type of situation. Um they are structurally sound. We have had a structural engineer look at them. So that's that's a good thing um as we put uh people on it. But uh condition is deteriorating and that's kind of where we're at. Yep. So, >> so is it correct that it's just impacting the slide >> the the large slide? Yes. >> Yep. Okay. Correct. >> So, if
113we do not find biders, um we as Mr. Hugh said, we might have to determine a course of action to shut it down, which obviously we don't want to do because it's a huge benefit to the community as well as the pool itself. Um so, we are trying to re um renovate it. >> Correct. Do we do we know how often or approximately how often it this this is getting used? Oh, >> it gets used. >> I know the pool gets used all the time. >> It gets used every day. Um open swims, things like that. Uh they do obviously community education does rentals for birthday parties and things like that. So it is a huge benefit to the community. >> Yep. >> And do we know how that compares to a brand new slide
114and stairs? you know, maybe something that's >> so better with future maintenance. >> I don't um you know, that preliminary price that we did get back in a year and a half ago, two years ago was for a new structure. Um and that was upwards of $400,000. Um and then that was even they're hoping that that would solve our problem. Um that type of situation, but that that did not include the slide itself. That was just the the metal structure with the staircase. So, one of the concerns was getting the structure into the space, which obviously it's not an easy task. >> Can we make it a CTE project for our students? >> Good welding project. Yeah. Right. >> Thank you. >> No problem. Do do we have any um financial projections as far as
115um what the what the negative impact would be if we did have to close the slide down? >> I do not have that cuz that's not my forte. But, >> and I know it's probably a hard thing to um to model, but >> I think it's a very difficult thing to model because again, it goes back to, you know, pools are great, but sometimes they're more of an asset to the community than what the cost is. Um, they bring dollars and community members to Hartland. Um, I know that's some districts have not put in similar apparatuses in their pools knowing that H Heartland is the the the place where people go. So, >> what do you think the life will be on that once they're fixed? It's like $180,000, I think it was, for the
116repair. And what do you anticipate to get? >> Roughly, it's another 10 to 15 years, probably. It's It's not a ton. One of the unfortunate parts is it's a metal structure in a pool environment. Um, if we were to do it differently, I don't know if you've, you know, been to a Great Wolf Lodge or whatever else, we would go concrete. Um, but we're trying to obviously rehab, uh, the structure we have in place. >> Maybe a question for Rachel. What would be the funding source for that type of a >> if we decided to move ahead? >> Sure. This wouldn't come out of the general fund. This would be part of our capital projects uh, fund expenditures. So part of the million dollars you just saved a nonpool. >> Not even [laughter] different one.
117>> Yep. No problem. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it, Matt. >> See you next month. >> Okay. Item 4A, future meetings. We've got March 2nd is our next policy committee meeting uh here at 6:30 and then March 16th is our next regular meeting also here at 6:30. Any additional information items? >> Okay, we are adjourned. Thank you.