001the Byron Independent School District number 531 on September 2nd at 6 PM. Our attendance roll call, please. >> We have Kelly >> here, >> Alicia here, David >> here, >> Jeremy >> here, >> Harry >> here, Lisa here, Nadia >> here. >> Vision Byron Public School is a community of learners committed to making the world a better place. Mission: learn, share, innovate, inspire. Priorities are to personalize learning in the pursuit of academic excellence, inspire students and staff to develop their character, share their talents, and apply their learning, and maintain excellence in resource management. On to our agenda items or any questions or discussion on the agenda items. Would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> I. All
002opposed. Motion carries. We'll move into our referendum update. >> Thank you. Uh good evening. Um like to recognize the high school students here. Um I never knew that schoolboard meetings could be so popular and I have a feeling they aren't here by obligation at all. So, >> um, anyway, uh, for referendum updates, um, I did send out an email, uh, last week just about the trying to give any feedback that you might see for the referendum website. Um, I want that to go live this week, um, and send out a note to all the families and the community members so they can start looking at it. So, it's important that we have our best foot forward. So, if there are some items that you see on there, even if you think it's tickytac stuff, just
003please provide the feedback. Um, cuz the more eyes we have on it, the better. Um, when I looked at the chart this morning, there was maybe um I would say at least 16 to 18 items and those have been forwarded to the web designer to to make corrections and alterations. So, um if you see anything, please take a note of it so we can um we can be in a good place. Um, as I also said, the FastFax flyer should be hitting people's mailboxes this week. Um, we have a very large box that arrived here for extras. Um, we'll have those FastFax flyers at all of the buildings and then as we go and do community presentations, we'll take those with us to hand out to folks um as a as kind of a leave
004behind so that people have something beyond the memory of our amazing presentation that we'll give them. So, um the last item to update you on the referendum is I have some more um community dates and so I want to start going through those with you um so that we can just coordinate our efforts and then I'll take note of that. So, if you wanted to get any calendar uh situation you need out. Um thank you so far to those who have come to participate. Um this week we were going to be with the football association uh tomorrow night. Um their uh president chairperson leader um he said that they needed to uh change their meeting date and so um we won't be going there tomorrow. Um so some a few things end up changing as
005a result. Um but the first thing I wanted to highlight was and these aren't necessarily in chronological order. I'm sorry. Um, but the community education has a discovery day and there's an open house basically from 9 to 11:00 on Saturday, September 27th at the CEC. Um, and this would be one of those passive ones where we aren't necessarily getting in front of people and and hitting talking points. It's more you're there with the board, you have some flyers, you're passing out, you're ask answering any questions. Um, I have to um I had a text into my schedule planner cuz there is something on my calendar, but I'm trying to see if if how obligated I am to participate in that activity. Um, so I'm only a maybe at this point, but I wanted to see
006if anybody would know that they would be available. Again, it's the 27th from 9 to 11 at the CEC. It's a community education kind of fair showing off um showing off the different types of classes and activities community offers. >> I can do it, >> David. Okay, >> I think I can too. >> Okay, we'll put the two of you down for now. Thank you. Um let's see. Christ the King Church. Um, I'm just waiting to hear back. Their count, their next council meeting is in October. Um, so nothing there. Christ Lutheran, same thing. Um, Community Celebration Church, um, he was just double checking with two more of his council members. And then, um, that then takes us to I think that knocks September out already. Oh, the other one was um the Byron Farmers
007Market. I put that down on the list. I don't know. Some of the sometimes those farmers markets aren't much of a thing and sometimes they are. Tell me, can anybody give me the vibe on the Byron farmers market? >> Maybe nobody knows the vibe. >> I have not attended this year. I haven't seen, >> but um last year it was very well attended and I know that they moved it out to the um BCRC because of that it's outgrown its space over by across from McDonald's. >> So I think it is well attended. >> Okay. >> It' be well worth having a table out there, people out there. >> Okay. Anyway, I did send an email to Ashley and Amber. I just hadn't heard back yet. So I will um I'll continue to push on
008that. Okay. All right, then. Let's see. We have the senior citizens lunch and I believe that was going to be me and Carrie and Jeremy on September 17th at 12:30. >> That's right. >> Okay. And then we have the Byron Youth Basketball Association and that was going to be on Wednesday, September 10th. That'd be next Wednesday. And that was going to be Alicia and I. Is that right? >> I have 6:30. >> Oh, 6:30. Yep. You're right. Sorry, I said the wrong I said the wrong number. Okay, perfect. All right. And then we are going to jump into October. Um on um October 13th, that would be Monday, is the Byron PTO's next meeting. Um, I got a 5050 invite, mostly because I only talked to one of them and they wanted to double check
009with each other, but she felt reasonably certain we could take time from them. Um, I believe they meet at 6:30, but I don't uh don't write that time down cuz I'm not totally sure yet. Um, on 10:13, would anybody know? I would be able to go, but would anybody know they'd be able to come along with? >> I cannot. >> Okay. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I cannot name. >> Okay. >> I cannot. >> Okay. >> I should be able to. >> Cool. >> Great. >> Thank you, Nadia. >> All right. I will flip that to green. Good. Um on October 24th, I believe that's a week day. >> Friday. October 24th. Thank you. Um, that is the black and orange bash at the CEC at 6:00. Um, I would be able to go
010to that. Is there anybody? >> I can. >> David. Okay, let's take David and Kelly [Applause] and we can talk about coordinating Halloween costumes, too. >> I have a a big bin if you need anything. >> Oh, good. Let me know. Good to know. Okay. Thank you. >> I have the 14th that you and I are going to the city council meeting. >> Let's see. I >> I have to move it to Tuesday because Monday is a holiday. >> Yes. On 10:14 at 6:00, right? Yep. I have that. Thank you. >> All right. Um let's see. Um sorry to keep jumping around. on October 23rd and October 28th are the primary and intermediate school conferences and they go from 4 to 7. Um anyway, I uh just knowing the nature of conferences at the elementary
011schools where it's less about a million people all at once and it's kind of more a couple of people. I wanted to to glean any wisdom or we could talk through together as to if we felt like it was critical to have us there, you know, talking to people knowing that, you know, everybody gets a pretty finite set of time in the school and most people are rushed. If you I mean at bare minimum min minimum I would put the foam boards up on a table with the flyers but if you if you felt like you it would be a good show to have us there at that time I'm I'm happy to we could coordinate that but I we're closing in on the election at that point >> people won't be in a hurry
012on their way out of the building so >> that's a good point >> maybe to have people there to talk on the way out >> I think right on the edge I think is fine it if it's outside the entryway, I wouldn't see it being worthwhile. >> Are we allowed to ask folks if they've voted, if they have a plan to vote, that kind of thing. >> Um, we can't ask them if they whether or not they have voted. >> Okay. >> I think we can you can ask them, do you have a plan to vote? >> Okay. >> That's kind of a sneaky way around the landmines. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Only because it's so close to election day. >> When does when does early voting end? So they can early vote up until
013the day of the election and then absentee ballots are accepted by postal mail or agent delivery on the day of election. >> Okay. >> But if they were to come in here the day of election then they're directed to but like the 28th extended voting night. Um so I'll be here in this building at 7:00 for anybody that does absentee. Um and I don't they have to look at my timeline. Direct balloting may even start at that time because I think it changed from years past. I think it's earlier. I think if we can tell folks you can go vote now at this location, I think that could be valuable. >> Okay, let's let's do it. So, we have two dates and two sites. So, if we want complete coverage, there needs to be four
014of us. And I I can do There need to be four slots and I can take two of the slots. So, >> I can do the 28th. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I was going to say the 28th works for me, but if you two want to do the 28th, then I won't do that one. >> How about if I just put you down for now? >> Okay. >> Just so then um on and you said the 28th. >> Okay. >> And we're talking like 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.ish. 6:00 p.m. >> Honestly, just 4 to 7. Like I would have I would have everything set up so you just >> blow in like the breeze and you're ready to go. >> And I think if the polls close before 7, I think we I don't
015think we need to be there. >> Yeah, I only they well extend it's only on the 28th because I can't um I think it's too late to change the dates now. You have to know them so far in advance. And so the 28th is from 3:30 to 7. And the 30th that week is 3:30 to 7 as well. >> Okay. I don't know what you guys think, but I feel like I mean it of course it's great to have someone there, but I don't I think having the information on the 24th might be enough. >> You have to have a donate >> or the 20 >> you're talking about the 24th because >> the 24th conferences. Yeah, >> I'll be there for the conferences anyways. So, 24 and 28. Not yet. >> So, were you
016were you saying that YouTube be available the 24th? Maybe. >> Is it the 24th? >> Oh, sorry. The 23rd. I'm so sorry. >> Um, >> yeah. Mine would depend on when >> when your conference is. >> Okay. And, um, here's a really dumb question. I'm sorry. You all don't find that out until later, right? >> Yeah. >> Or you sign up for that or >> whatever weeks in advance. [Music] >> Okay. All right. Well, maybe we can um we can touch base on the 23rd. We we still have two more meetings until then. So, >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Um, the Lions Club is hosting a senior fall picnic on Monday, October 20th at 6:00. Um, yes, that is the third Monday. I would direct us to one of our agenda items. This would be
017agenda item F about moving our board meeting from the 20th to the 21st. And this is one of the reasons why um just because um Don from the Lions said that they usually get between 60 and 70 senior citizens from Byron to attend this picnic >> and it's at the it's at it's at our house already. So um at the community ed center anyway. Who um who would be available? >> I can do that one. >> Okay. It might be helpful to have another person. >> Okay, I'm gonna write Jeremy down. Thank you. >> So, should we also vote for this right now or later? >> We can vote for that one later. Yeah. Whoops. Jeremy. Okay. Let's see. And then on October 21st, Jeremy and I were gonna do lunch with the chamber. Right.
018>> Okay. And then um October 1st >> is the rescheduling of the Byron Youth Football Association and David and I already talked about that so he's good to go there. >> That's Salem Township meeting too, isn't it? >> Yes. Okay. Yeah. Thank you for bringing that up. that's coming up here. Um, we talked about Byron PTO and then yeah, Salem Township is at 7:00. Um, I did ask the Byron football group. I was like, well, we have a we have a presentation already at 7. Is there any way that you could maybe go early or or whatever? It's not that I don't trust either of you to go solo, but I want to be there for you. So anyway, um so uh depending on what the football association says, um we might have to, you
019know, one of you might have to fly solo or um I might try and place it strategically so that you're more towards the back end of the agenda so that I could Oh yeah. >> go present one place and you know, for example, I start at Salem, >> I just present and then I leave and leave you to the wolves to answer all the questions. >> Right. Right. That's that would be fine. And then I and then I come up here to Byron and and and navigate the football one and then you could start the presentation and then by the time I roll in we could be answering questions. So I think there's a way that I could do double duty there. But um and then the other one was Calmar Township is also on
020October 20th in the evening. Um so that would be the same time as that um senior fall picnic. Um, so, um, I do think it's it's probably a good show to have multiple board members at the senior picnic. >> Agree. >> Um, but that at the Kalmar Township, um, I would assume that whoever or if there were two of you that were going, you'd probably be flying solo. I I would I could try to get there, but just given the advertised size of this senior picnic um >> and demographics are much more engaging and conversational. >> Yes, thank you. Very nice way to put it. So, um would anybody feel good about uh potentially moving to the Cal or going to the Camelar Township? I did send an send an email to request to be
021on the agenda. I haven't heard back from them though. >> I'd go to Cal Township. Okay. >> Will a friend come with me? Okay, good. Good. >> Okay. >> Do you know what time their meeting starts? >> Um 7 o'clock. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> If you don't hear back from them, please let me know. I know. One of their officers. >> Okay. Will you have the schedule available somewhere because they have some opportunities? >> Absolutely. Yep. I um the problem with this sheet that I'm working on is it's shared with like the yes committee at the same time and they don't it it wasn't organized in the way I would organize something and so it's kind of herkyjerky but I I'm going to clean it up after tonight so that then it
022it more flows in like chronological order. I don't want to sound too >> type A but I kind of >> Okay. So yes, I will um I'll build a better schedule so that you can see who has signed up for things and then what's still waiting out there for us. Okay. >> Okay. Any other uh pertinent questions? That's the end of the community organization meetings that at least I am aware of. >> All right. >> Okay. Are there any other big referendum updates that you feel like you'd like to hear about or that you need? Okay, thank you. >> All right, move on to reviewing the school sponsored fundraisers for 2526. Um, this is a start of a yearly process where you approve um fundraisers that the school um school board, which is you, um
023are okay with the the different organizations completing throughout the year. Um, I will note that the link with the activities and athletic fundraisers, um, that one is not close to completed yet. Um, but that Chad was working with Brad to kind of compile what's happened in the past, specifically last year, and to move those forward. Um, because even this 2425 list, this one is not complete from what actually happened last year. Brad was using a different spreadsheet that hasn't been shared with us yet. So, um, so I will have an updated spreadsheet for you to take a more take action on for the next for the board meeting at the end of September. >> Okay. Any questions or discussion on the fundraisers? All right, we'll move on to our discussion of the schoolboard goal development
024for 2526 goals. Okay. Um this was the last component um that was left over from our schoolboard retreat a few weeks ago. And so I'm going to hand everybody these um standards for schoolboard leadership. You can take one. It's also linked. If you prefer using a a device, that's fine. I recognize um some people prefer having it in front of you, and either way is fine by me. Um so, what I want to do is I want to give um I want to give you as a school board some time to work with each other to evaluate where you think you are as a school board on certain items. And so that first step of that is um I'll assign you with a partner that's sitting near you and your task is just written up
025here is that using these standards there's a front and a back um in your group I want you to identify one of the standards um that you think the school board does very well um and identify one that you think you could grow in and then on that one that you grow grow in if you would identify or brainstorm a practice that you think the board should adopt to be better in that area for growth. Okay. So, when we're talking about a standard, uh you can look in like one of those boxes is the standard and underneath the standard there's all these little competencies underneath them. And so, you don't need to get down into the brass tax, all these little details. You're really just determining which of those five you think the board is
026best at and which the five you think you need we need to grow at. What you'll do after is each group is just going to share. So, you should identify somebody in your group that feels comfortable talking about your conversation and um and then we're going to work together, the eight of us um to deciding on well which of the standards that we identified should we work on together and what is a practice or practices that we brainstormed um that we can work to start implementing if that makes sense. >> Okay. Anybody have questions about the the process at all? Okay. So, um we'll have Nadia and Kelly be one group and if the three of you would be another group and David and Lee should be the three group and I'll give you um
027about 5 minutes to look at the standards and again I'll leave the directions up here for you to consider. >> 5 minutes signal. >> All right. And Um maybe focus on >> a lot of these areas last I don't think >> for sure. Yeah. So I feel like you said there's everyone accountability is probably the most pressing. It's an area we are improving. But that might just be my personal, you know. It sounds like [Music] >> strategically, but I feel like >> in my mind you All right. Two minute warning. Two minute warning. Right. Right. We can't do the follow. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I feel like >> like I think especially I feel like >> agree. >> All right, one minute. >> I think that will get better. Yeah, I think that's >> always
028wanted to use Google chat more. >> I feel so cool right now. This is >> okay. About 30 seconds. Finish your uh thoughts and writings and musings. Do you want to discuss or do you have a little different. But if I speak public um does any of the groups feel like you need some more time? >> Days. Yeah, five minutes. >> I know. I know. But here's the thing is sometimes we can we can allocate way too much time to things like this and we just get spinning in the mud and we say the same thing five times over again. So I am the the stereotypical test case of saying more when you should just say less. So um okay, first off I compliment you on working productively together. you are proof that elected officials
029can in fact work with each other regardless of their background. So, good for you. Um, is there a group that would like to go first? You're going to be Oh, sorry. I have to scoop down on my little protocol here. Um, you have to share if you wouldn't mind sharing what you thought the board did well. Um, and then as long as you you kind of cut to the quick, you welcome to use an anecdote or an example. Um, and then also, um, what you thought an area of growth would be and your idea for improving that. Is there somebody who'd like to go first? >> Go ahead. Yeah. >> Um, so Kelly and I started initially from kind of different positions, but I think by the end of the conversation, we converged into a
030point of view that we can both support. So uh in our opinion the board has done and we both joined uh relatively not that long ago in January. Um so from what we have seen so far the board has done a great job um working on the accountability and uh conduct and ethics. And for us so far, this has been primarily what the board has been doing over this half a year, 7 months. Uh again, I think we we we have done a lot here. Um and we still have some room for improvement. And the main topic and we had not had a chance to discuss all the all the different standards during those five minute minutes but for us the priority would for like the next phase of our work would be vision um
031to how we well first of all what we do if how the vision will be impacted if we pass or don't pass the referendum and uh you know best case scenario if we pass the referendum how what would be the best way for us to incorporate um that financing it to improve the vision for our students to prepare them for new age of AI everything to make them as competitive as we can anything >> thank you great who's next >> I'll go so since there was three of us we couldn't follow the rules as described. >> So we felt we felt that the board does two and three very well uh with the hesitation of the vision and the structure are handcuffed by the levy. Yay or nay but it's there. We think we do
032it well. We do think that we're making improvements in one four and five. But those are areas where we all have uh an opportunity for growth and the way to do that would be having an all day retreat that would allow us to communicate openly uh and have in-depth discussions on how to move forward in certain areas. >> Okay. >> And by openly meaning in close session >> potentially closed. Yes. >> Can we do that >> in the retreat? No. Um, but that's something I said we'll we'll get together and be able to have discussions how to do that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right, David. Alicia, >> um, we decided that in each standard there's things we're doing well and areas that we feel like we could improve upon. Um, I think we
033kind of are all on the same page. Basically, we we just we chose standard one conduct and ethics for where we're um excelling the most consistently, especially when it comes to encouraging members to express their individual opinions, respect others opinions, and vote according to their convictions. Um and we've kind of felt like not kind of we feel like standard two vision is where we should prioritize um working towards improvement. it feels like a lot of the other standards are tied to that and without a clear strategic plan it's um it'd be tricky to like hold yourself accountable in some ways. Um, yeah. Anyway, so I think strategic plan, developing a strategic plan, like a three year, fiveyear vision would be anything to add. >> No, I was going to say we just we've had we've
034had goals in the past or things that we want to focus on, but we've never really stayed true to them or even continued to push everything towards those. Um, and I think I think that's where we haven't necessarily made a clear vision and made the vision the vision and not a wishy-washy choose as you want kind of thing. So, >> I do feel like though with mental health that's our number one priority that we have really worked hard towards that. We had Emma Benois come in last year and do a presentation and then we had the other guy at the middle school and the high school >> where everybody was hugging different people and stuff. And I I I think that >> can't say that we haven't made strides in in in there, but I
035don't think every decision we've made in the district has tied back to those specific pieces. Um, something you said, this is really going to go back into American culture, but if you all remember the Saturday morning um, incredibly culture sophisticated TV show American Gladiators. >> Yes, >> of course. Um there was one of the events that was the joust right where they stood on these these platforms and they had does that has everybody know I mean not that I don't know if that reached Ukraine. >> Okay. Anyway, but when you're talking about vision, especially in the the seats that the eight of us sit on, it's very much like like participating in the joust because there's so many easy ways to get knocked off the pedestal and to get um to get to a place
036where you shouldn't be, which is down at the bottom. And you we may think that we're doing our best efforts and a good work by being down there, but that's that's not the function and the purpose for which we exist. Uh we we are intended to be on the pedestal and um to be setting a vision and sometimes you know what the wheels fall off the wagon and we have to we have to do something different. That's fine. But um but I really liked what David said about setting a vision and and staying true to it because it's a delicate balance and there's lots of stuff that comes swinging at you trying to hit you off and the real question is how committed are you to that vision? You know, have you have you taken
037a process to listen to the community members about what they want their school to look like? Have we have we talked to staff? Have we talked to students? And once you feel like you've done that, then you know, hey, we we're setting this vision for 5 10 years to come. And then no matter what comes, we can keep returning to that and being like, well, this is what the community told us. Even though this one community member or this one set of community members wants this, that's fine and that's important, but that's not what we are going to deal. We're dealing with guiding the ship towards that horizon, if that makes sense. >> Absolutely. Um so I wrote down that it felt like most of you most groups landed on needing work on that vision
038part. Um is that I felt like you all were you all felt like in some sense there was some vision but that you were more you more felt like we were we had less experience with >> one um four and five. Did I write that down there? Maybe I didn't. Okay. Well, I could buy their the discussion of everything ties to that vision and you really can't function in >> four and five until you have a vision to to get there. >> Okay. >> I I I don't know how you guys >> Great. Um so um Nadia and Kelly's group um they talked about um some of the vision in a in a very real sense being determined by the the resources coming to us um in a or not coming to us in a
039referendum pass or fail. And um David and Alicia's group talked about um development of a strategic direction or plan. And then you all had talked about um having an opportunity for this body to continue in-depth discussions and and vetting of ideas and where we've been, where we want to go. And one of those could be a could be a retreat. So to that end, um we now just spend some time trying to decide on what is a goal that we want to work on. And um the referendum is kind of the clear and present danger thing that we're we're all going to work on, but now is the time that we need to start thinking past November 4th, regardless of what the outcome is. >> What happens on what do we work on on November
0405th? >> You know what I'm saying? So to me it seems working together to establish a vision or a strategic direction is what the three groups were talking about. Does that does that seem >> all right? Um and in some cases like this group over here was talking about trying to come together in different ways and in different circumstances to to navigate through that and some you all um were talking about development of a of a strategic plan. Um as it relates to establishing a vision or strategic direction. How how do you think the board or what would be a goal or some goal ideas that we could set together so that we could hold each other each other accountable and then essentially like tell the staff, hey, this is our goal. This is what
041we're going to be working on this year. Um, and if we don't meet that goal, we want you to well, we should be held accountable to that, I guess. >> What would be some goal ideas? >> I mean, could it be as simple as developing a strategic plan? I know that's a big undertaking >> to do it right, but >> like introduction of new classes >> or sections for students to choose from. So that will involve if approved by finding staff that has the >> Mhm. everything they need to have to provide that education. >> Staff retention, >> other goal ideas that aligns with this vision, that vision standard there. I think Nadia and correct me if I'm wrong but we I mean we can't tell them what classes what what do you mean we
042can't tell them you should be offering this class and that class >> and that's where people don't know right >> so maybe it's not you know new classes right but maybe it's introduction of I don't know after class activities right around AI literacy or whatever right so in that in for um additional training for the staff in the topic. So that's where we have not had a chance to talk about this things yet. We have been busy doing accounts. >> Good point. >> What do you like I feel like that those are those specific things are things that will come up once we work on the strategic plan. Yeah. So, what about something um more like it might be too basic, but just like somehow evaluating that we're sticking to our strategic plan once we
043have one. Is that too basic? >> It's kind of a >> Yeah, I think I think fiscal responsibility is still >> something that has to be a goal and it has to be a focus. >> I would love to add a million things. I would love to add a million teachers, but if if the referendum passes and all we do is go spend the money right away, we aren't being responsible with >> with the funds that we're given. So, we have to we have to strategically plan out every single piece of >> money. I think developing a communication strategy because it doesn't matter what we do, >> somebody says, "I didn't know >> and I don't know that we'll ever reach everybody." But I think having a plan of how to communicate >> will at
044least resolve some questions. >> Transparency and communication. >> Other goal ideas. Um well my two cents you know when I when I see things like working on staff retention um and you know where um and maybe not if I could twist what you were saying in a sense like setting a a different direction for where instruction and student outcomes head. uh excuse me along with fiscal responsibility and communication strategies to me and I know that I've talked about this almost adnauseium at this point but to me that seems part and parcel of a of a grander strategic plan that we develop together. Um, I think one benefit of setting the goal of a as a school board and saying our goal will be to develop a strategic plan. One really nice thing about it is
045that happens to also be one of my goals, >> right? Um and so that so so already we're we're demonstrating for our community and our staff members um that we end up in alignment and we end up working on the same things and that um it not only sends a really great message but it also makes it so that that's just one less thing to keep track of which also >> has gives us a greater probability of accomplishing the goal. Mhm. >> Um, is anyone super against the board's goal for the year to being developing a strategic plan? and I'll keep track of these these ideas that we had here tonight so that when we start talking about that strategic plan, we'll not only call ideas from all of these different work groups that we'll
046have, but naturally since it's the eight of us working on this plan and setting the tone, you know, we have great freedom, latitude, and leadership on deciding what happens to it. So, um, I'll take these ideas and then I am sure many of these ideas will come up from the work groups. looking at the fiscal responsibility and the communication. Like I said before, I haven't met a school that's done communication well yet. So maybe we'll be the first. >> Yes. >> Who knows? >> We're going we're not the only ones. >> I know. In a shocker. >> So do we want like a time kind of like a a timeline on that to make our goals measurable and >> Very good. Absolutely. We do. >> Smart goals. >> It is smart. >> Yeah. Mhm. >>
047And what's realistic if we're going, you know, it's a process, right? >> Yeah. >> Um the process I'm used to for strategic plan is basically from start to finish you can put one together um in about 3 months. Okay. And that's, you know, surveying, focus group meeting, building with a with kind of a leadership team, um, up until the board meeting when you all say this is our strategic plan and you vote on it. >> Do you think it's feasible to put it uh for potential approval the second week, the second meeting in January? >> Um, too soon. Yeah, I think that's a bit overzealous. Um but uh but I I don't think it's obnoxious to put it um like towards the end of May or June. And I mostly I mostly say that >>
048um well for a few reasons. one uh we'll not only have the referendum that you know we'll be closing shop on the referendum at the beginning of November >> but then there are a number of required things that happen in November and December that will occupy a lot of your time like the um the comprehensive assessment and civic readiness um and and that's where you evaluate the results of the MCA exams and fast bridge exams and then everyone's favorite meeting in December is the truth and taxation meeting. Um, and so that'll be a thing. And then starting in January, um, that's when we'll start uh, thinking about the budget. Um, as wonderful as that sounds. >> So, it's kind of like you have three months, November, December, January, um, where you'll also be reorganizing the
049school board at that point. Um, and so those three months I generally, it's kind of a strange time to start something. I do think in January is when we could start talking about, hey, we're looking for people. We could potentially start doing a survey in January about the strategic plan and then look to complete it by, you know, March or April. Okay. The other nice thing about it is your strategic plan. If you vote on it in May or June, um specifically if it's May, I can start having the buildings and our departments align what they're doing in the summer to those strategic plan goals. Um and so we can start planting, you would plant the seeds in May, for example, and our employees would start working the soil and putting fertilizer on in June.
050for a the beginning of a harvest in August and September. >> So, stole the words out of my mouth. >> Very good. >> I was going to say July 1 is the beginning of the new school year. So, I think it would be perfect to have it done, ready, presentable. Here's what we start. Brand new school year. >> Yeah. >> Other thoughts on that? Okay. So, I'll say we're going to make a strategic plan and we'll call it uh vote on it by the May board meeting. >> Yeah. >> Is that okay? >> Yeah. Sounds good. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. We'll take a look at the board handbook, pages 22 to 24. Um, this is the topic I am least acquainted with on the agenda. It sounds like
051the It sounds like you all as a team were starting to navigate through this book, uh, reading, discussing sections together potentially. Mhm. >> Um and so, um just with the transition and me starting and all that, um I'll admit that it it went off my radar. And so, this is me bringing it back on the radar. >> So, this is something that the the template came from MSBA, but we've been building it because we haven't had one. And the way that we got to where we are is we said we need to stop until we have a new superintendent to be able to get your input on what the proper discussion would be or how it lays out. For example, um or my associated policy 205 open meetings and closed meetings situation and district protocol.
052We didn't want to address any of that. What page? Oh, yeah. Interesting. >> Until you were here to say, >> well, this is what I would prefer. >> Okay, >> that's great. So, you were basically taking this template handbook and I see there's comments and suggestions on it and then you were saying we're just navigating through this to make it to eventually make it our own. >> Yes. >> With the goal of having it completed by the end of the year or, you know, as soon as we >> Okay. >> Yep. And then from here there would be probably an annual >> Yeah. update. That's what I was trying to think of. But it wouldn't have to be anything where we go through the entire book unless we have other stuff. >> Yeah. Okay. Um
053that gives me much better direction on this. Um, >> we don't currently have a schoolboard handbook. So, this would Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Having and I think a lot of that came from it was us four and and three new people join join the board where we had only been the board for two years before that. So, none of us really had >> experience any way, shape or form up and down there. direction or mentors really. >> So I see >> that's right. >> Okay. Um uh here is what I wouldn't mind doing right now about this now that I understand kind of what this thing is. >> Um I wouldn't mind an opportunity to look through it and all of your comments before we decide to proceed any further. Is that okay? Yeah,
054>> I I don't think I'm going to come up and have this anything very different from what they're doing here. >> Um, but now that I know what the end game was and the process that you had established, I now just kind of want to read through the comments and just see where everybody's headsp space has been. >> And now that I know you all better, I I feel like I have a better idea of where you all are at. And so, um, then I I do want to go through this because I think something like this is wise, especially for >> new board members and in the likely situation where you and I face a disagreement or you all face a disagreement, this can help provide some guidance to to help us out. Is
055that okay? >> Yeah, that's great. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. I appreciate the the insight into that. Okay. So, we'll put that on the back burner. We'll move on to discussing the schoolboard committees. >> Um, in policy 213, which is linked here, um, it it governs the establishment of schoolboard committees. And the basic idea, the supposedly basic idea behind schoolboard committee is these committees are intended to provide the heavy lift of all the things that a school board does. so that when we come together for work session meetings and schoolboard meetings that we aren't here for 3 hours every time. Um and that good decisions are being made and vetted out and appropriate information is being brought to bear and that schoolboard members um who are on these committees are able to ask school board
056level questions of the administration. And sometimes we come up with a recommendation and because of the nature of the questions we end up walking away with that recommendation say we aren't going to go that way or sometimes that recommendation ends up getting forwarded to the full board. Um to that end as I looked at the layout of the committees um I have some redline suggestions here for how I feel the committee should move should uh happen moving forward. A couple of these have already happened and then I also want to provide some rationale and then naturally I'll stand for questions. Um and then there's no action to take tonight but this is just obviously an opportunity to talk about it. Um I believe it was last year that the finance and facilities committee was torn
057apart and one was called the budget and one was called building and grounds or facilities or whatever. Um and so um I would suggest just in our policy manual stating what's in existence which is there's one committee that is the budget committee and there's another committee that's called the facilities committee. >> Okay. So that's one change. Um change the next change is to the ne uh is to the negotiations and personnel committee. Um the negotiations committee is responsible for participating in negotiations with employees specifically with the collectively bargain units. Um and um there was a personnel committee um and it and we talked about this a little bit at the retreat where it seemed that in some matters this personnel committee would get involved with personnel and human resource uh processes and protocols. um in
058an effort to maintain a distance between some of those professional duties that the administration as embodied by myself take on versus the guidance and the vision that you all take on. Um I would move to strike the personnel committee meaning schoolboard members would not really be involved with human resources pro processes and protocols um and that there would just be a negotiations committee. >> Okay. The second part of that is there was another committee that was called meet and confer. And the meet and confer committee is is uh really a reaction to the teachers master agreement where um and sometimes um like the pair professionals master agreement has this as well. Um our pair group does not have a mut and confer demand. Um but the meet and confer committee is intended for if there
059are is a working condition issue between the that the teachers union has discovered and the administration. The meet and confer is intended as a as a venue where the where the teacher union leaders can bring that up to the administration specifically the school board and say hey this is a working issue that we're having issues with. Um it's slightly different than negotiations in that generally speaking meet and confer issues are not contract related at all. Um so that means these aren't issues that are specifically laid out in their contract. Rather these are issues um like the most common one is uh what time teachers can leave the building at the end of the day. Um in most contracts that's not a contract thing. That's a managerial right or a working condition issue. And so if
060teachers feel like they should be able to leave earlier than the practice is, they could bring that to the meet and confer meeting, we can talk about it and uh we can either try and resolve the situation and then the administration communicates that or we can say, well, we appreciate your concern, but this is we're going to stay the course. Um because meet and confer is so closely aligned with the tenants of the master agreement, it is really best to have your negotiations team also handle the meet and confer meetings. These these meetings are designated usually I think in our case they're for two times each year with members of the teachers union and we meet together they bring up any issues we can bring up any issues and then it's done. It's useful to
061have your negotiations team be part of that because some of the issues that the teachers bring up might end up being contract issues that they end up negotiating in the future and it can it can provide some context for those negotiations in the future if that makes sense. So having that negotiations team walk away from personnel stuff but walk into meet and confer and every it's all just called negotiations. I know that was super longwinded, but I really want to be as specific as possible just to make sure that there isn't any confusion because there's a couple of moving pieces and it absolutely feels like a shell game and I can appreciate that. But it's a strategic shell game to try and put us in our right spots. >> This is very clean >> um
062structured >> scenario. Agree. Um, and I also think eliminating the personnel committee um, leaves no room for I know this will never happen, Nate, but our job is, you know, oversight of the superintendent. And so if there ever was a conduct issue or anything, it would come before the entire board and not just the personnel committee. And I think that's a a really good change, too. Mhm. >> Any other questions, discussion on the on the committees as as they've been presented? >> So, do you want to put in writing that for example a negotiation meeting will include the previously known confirming colle for example >> to the handbook? >> Um that could go to the handbook. Um it it doesn't necessarily need to be designated. You don't have to have a committee designated as being
063conferred. Um if you wanted to put it in writing somewhere, it's most appropriate location would probably be in in the schooling school board handbook. >> That's a good idea. Do you think we should um note how many members of the board we want on each committee or put a range or do you think it's better to leave it open? >> Um I think as much as possible on all committees we should try and have three regular members and one alternate. >> Right. Right. >> And that would be quorum. Right. >> Four. four, >> right? >> So, you can only have three regular >> like right now we only have two on our negotiations and I'm an alternate. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> in facilities we have two. >> We have two. Well, two and a
064treasurer though, so that feels like three. >> Yeah. >> As long as the two aren't the treasure. >> Something to think about. >> Yeah. And I I think I just say three mostly. And the reason I go my rationale for that is just to try and get as many of you involved as possible. >> The other side of it is you all live busy lives and this is not your profession. >> Right. >> So I say we should have three in an alternate but that's >> that's not the the law or you don't have to follow that. But >> I do agree with you though. I think leaving room for if one person can't make it. Right now we it'd be hard if one person couldn't make it. I think >> that's the alternate role.
065Right. >> Right. >> If one person can't make >> Right. >> But with three and an alternate, the alternate would not be able to be at >> any meetings unless they >> Right. >> Yeah. And what what generally happens if you wanted to go that route, and we should probably do this regardless of of if we go with three or two, is that I try and brief the alternate on the side so that they're at least keeping pace with the story, >> right? especially for negotiations like this. >> And I think the maybe if I would make a recommendation right now, I would say we should keep the we should keep everybody where they're at, keep the numbers where they're at, but this could be a thing we consider in January when we when we
066redo if we're going to redo things. um that that could be a place where if you wanted to entertain having more board members on these um then we could do it then because that's more of kind of a natural break point, >> right? Yeah. Okay. Sounds good. Okay. >> All right. Well, let's move on to discussing uh moving the October 20th board meeting to Tuesday, October 21st, which we had discussed earlier. And this this doesn't really require a motion or action by you all. This is more just a do we all think it's a good idea? And if you all think it's a good idea, then that's what we'll post and life goes on. >> I think it's a good idea. >> There's so much going on with you. >> Okay. Okay. So, we'll move
067it to Tuesday. >> Thank you. >> Well, let's move on to discussing the MSBA transition workshop. Okay. Um, as part of or the the followup to your MSBA search um service is they offer a transition workshop where members of the executive search committee um come to a a meeting. It could be a work, it likely would be a work session and they spend time talking to you all about um relation your relationship with the superintendent, how to interact with the superintendent in appropriate and helpful ways and then also um provide some suggestions on ways to evaluate the superintendent as well. Um they also provide some insights into what you should expect during the first year of a superintendency. Um um anyway, the the nice thing about moving through the transition workshop is that um that
068also uh qualifies us for MSBA's search service warranty where if between now and July um you decide to get rid of me, please don't do that first off. Um, but if you decide to do so, um, then MSBA does, uh, provide another search for you at no cost. >> I don't know. Was there anything else that I'm trying to remember? Those were kind of the big ideas behind it. >> So, um, like I said, it and I think she said you can anticipate the transition workshop lasting at least an hour and a half, maybe as much as 2 hours. Um, so lucky us there. And um but if you um I more just need to hear if you all are in favor of that and then I can work with Barb to to schedule it.
069Um >> I just think with all of the stuff that we've had going on like this is just a piece where it's like okay we have MSBA here >> and their guidance up front and we're not asking reactionary questions. We're able to be in front of everything and have that knowledge. >> Yeah. >> Agree. >> I would definitely agree with that. >> Agree. Agree. Okay, we'll do. Thank you. >> All right. Well, let's move on to some policies. Let's take a look at policy 506, student discipline. >> Um, this one I I do have a little bit of commentary on. Um, you will notice uh that NSBA's model policy on this is um instead of our what is it? four pages. MSBA's model policy is more like 26 pages. >> Um, and there there are
070a lot of specifics and nuances and um and protocols and procedures that are very specifically laid out. Um, in working with the principles, I do feel like this policy that we have um meets the muster and expectations of new legislative requirements. Um it also provides um freedoms for the principles and their staff to be creative and making um making discipline an opportunity for learning as opposed to just um wanting punishment. It's just it's a sensible approach I guess is is what I want to get down to. So um I've looked this over with the principal specifically. We all think that this is a good approach to head. >> Okay. And I know that this is a big this is a big topic, the idea of student support, >> right? >> And when I was on
071the budget committee, there was a principal there that said >> they wanted the policy here, but they didn't want the procedure here to allow them to interact on a case- by case basis. So, it wasn't like this is what I have to do, even though the situation may not really warrant it. >> Yeah, I think that's great. As long as we're looking at our student discipline data and making sure specific groups of students aren't being unfairly targeted or things like that, I think Yeah. Yeah. I think that's right. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions on discussion on 506? >> Let's move on to 806 emergency and crisis management. >> Yeah. The only um This will would likely get updated next year. Um we're going to be we're in the process beginning next week of looking
072at a different approach to emergency and crisis management. One that is more universally adopted across the state of Minnesota at this point and and an approach that is being asked of us by um the county and our local first responders just so everybody uses the the same types of language. Um I will have many more details for you um once we can navigate through it at through it as a leadership team, but for right now just know that we're um there's nothing wrong with our approach right now, but just for the sake of simplicity and ease of communication in the event of a crisis. Um we want to adopt something that's similar to what other area schools are doing and the first responders. So, >> okay. >> Any questions or discussion on that? >> So,
073is that one just being on hold now? >> That that one we should still adopt, but just know like next year we we could potentially be looking at some changes to that one. >> Move on to 202, the school board officers. No updates on this one. >> On 412. >> Um, no updates. No updates on this one. I will say that there are some enhanced practices um that Sean and his team have already been putting in place to account for greater transparency um and easier reconciliation and accounting um when it comes time to do those you know at year end. So >> and can you tell me the difference? So this is obviously a policy. those procedures that he's written, are those also called policies? Like are they enforceable if an employee doesn't follow them?
074Are they more internal policy? >> Absolutely. Well, it's pretty easy. It's >> it's pretty easy to enforce because the employee doesn't get reimbursed, >> okay, >> for their expenses, unless they follow this practice. So, it's uh so yes, it's super easy to enforce. Um, and it's um it it facilitates the ability for us to so, you know, we can just pull up here all the expenses that Alicia was um uh reimbursed for throughout this past fiscal year. >> Okay. >> And we can search it by Alicia. We can search by the object code across everybody who's who's been reimbured on that object code. It just it just removes the paper that can get lost or can be misrepresented. and it puts it all into a database and SC that can be accessed. Okay, move on
075to 577. Um, no major changes to this one. This is just about our student records. Um I know records especially in today's ransomware world are becoming increasingly more important to hold forms. So >> move on to 826. Speaking of mold and tools, this just identifies um identifies the legislatively required um safety uh safety procedures that we have to have in place. Um you know, employees are trained on this on a yearly basis. Um no change there. >> 208 It's very meta. >> Yes. This one this one goes into a completely different side of the brain where it's talking about how we adopt and and change um and review our policies which is ironically what we're very good. That's a good way to describe it. >> Moving on to 9006. This completes a um legislative requirement
076that we have a process for notifying the community if there are um offenders or predators that end up moving into our area. >> And then finally to 10 >> and this just describes the conflict of interest as it relates to schoolboard members specifically. Okay. Any questions or discussion on any of the policies that we went through? >> And then a recap of the listening session. >> There were no >> attendance. No. Thanks to the students who >> brings us to ajournment. I make a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Motion second. All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. We are journ.