001Well, >> it says we're being recorded and live streamed at this moment. >> Live stream is now up. We're ready to go. >> All right. All righty. A motion to uh we have approved the agenda. Um, first thing on the list was um, okay, close to home. Uh, I didn't get the, um, improved or modified scatter plot maps from Travis yet. So, I'm going to have to table this one. The only reason why I wanted to have those up was so that people could see um the benefits um have a have a um a pictorial u benefit from u uh noticing the the closeness and the likelihood that it's going to save money. But we can do that another time or just bring it up to to the um the board for discussion. The next
002um let's see uh music and stringed instruments. Um well even though we have it approved one of the things one of the things I I put on was to discuss some of the points from the work session such as alt ed ASL teachers being brought up to par and salary and testing um reduction. I don't see that on the on I have it on my agenda but I don't see it on this one. So I we can talk about that if every everyone's comfortable with that. But the next one number two is music and string to instrument instruction. Um does anyone have anyone want to say something about this? I didn't know what I want to say. Well, I wanted to say that um I'm thinking that the principles that each building manager should um
003get with their department head. So let's say for EC Glass, Dr. Peru should get with his music director and come up with a budget and submit that to Dr. Majette and then it should be hand and it shouldn't come to the board until until Dr. Majett is ready to sit submit her entire budget to us. >> I think that's a building that's a building thing. That what the way I would see it. >> I I agree with you. My point is that um with regards to um uh music instruction, I think it's important and as a as we talk about the things that should be in the budget, uh the importance of stringed um um um instruction, uh music is is something that we should have on our on our radar and we should be
004including that, making sure that it gets included so that it can be something that we can have on our on our radar to to uh make sure it doesn't go away. >> What do you think, Dr. Majette? >> I was gonna ask you, can I speak to it? So, um first uh good afternoon. Um I do I've received your email, uh Mr. Depal, and I do appreciate you going by there and checking on everything after Tuesday's meeting. So, as you know, Tuesday's meeting, um, we had a young man from Glass come and speak about the orchestra and, um, band equipment and what was going on with the stands and and what was happening from there. So, the next morning I went by, met with the young man because I just wanted to tell him thank
005you. I he seemed a little nervous. That is a big deal when you're coming to speak before school board as a student. So, I wanted to tell him thank you for sharing his voice and then just kind of get a general idea of what was was happening. Um, unfortunately on that day there was something that was a former staff member that was associated with the band who had passed away. So they were kind of dealing with some of that. But he was just saying he was really excited to speak on it. He was doing it for a civic engagement project and he thought, "Hey, this is something I can still tap into uh as far as needs." So I then met with the principal just trying to get some general um, you know, general insight
006as to what's going on and everything. And so what he shared was there's still plenty of money in that band account. He said that he will go ahead and work closely with the orchestra instructor to look at, hey, how can we make sure that if they're resources that they go through that process of getting those things submitted? Um, so I did have him kind of write up a few things. We were talking and just kind of making sure. So it is he's working with them to see what are those things that they need so that they can work within that budget because I told him as build level principal and I've been a high school principal. I said, "These are the conversations, you know, have with them and then you p push it up to
007us to see what we can do if you need something above and beyond what's happening there." So, he just said, you know, there's still room in the budget for purchases and that budget line for EC Glass. They're monitoring it. He said, you know, they're close to the halfway point where they typically are this time of year, but um they're going to go ahead and continue to collaborate with Mr. George who's orchestra and Mr. Brown for band um and Miss Harvey as well as um the office manager just to kind of start working through are there some additional material supply needs that weren't sent to the principal weren't addressed. Um and then I know there were instructional considerations in terms of like the waiting of classes and they've been working through that. They started in the
008spring with teaching and learning but they've been working through that with the program of studies. Currently, the program of studies committee did go tell them that that needs more discussion. So, there's some pieces that they're going to need on the EC glass and him working with them to look at the weights. And when we talk about weights, I believe um and Mr. Mr. Paul, if I say it incorrectly as to what some of your concerns were if that some classes were weighted as a four versus weighted as a five and because of that just trying to figure out why kids are maybe making the choice to not participate in orchestra and strings and so um that's something they they've started that work through the program of studies to see what they can do there. And
009then um interestingly enough, so even during my visit on Wednesday, there was some discussion of of spacing and and some things. So I think they've been kind of having their internal conversations of looking at some spacing and stuff. So it's it's all those things is in progress. Is it done? No. Um but I they are there is plenty of room in that budget and so Dr. rule is going to work with them so we can find out what are those what can we support in the budget they currently have and then if there's anything beyond that then that's when he needs to adjust his request to put it up here so that we can look through all of those budget requests together so so I agree with you arts are very important strings and and
010orchestra and um and we want to maintain that but I just want to be clear they are having those conversations they've been working on it but I will make sure that we close a loop on that >> super that's Okay. Um, any other question input? Okay. Band equipment and music stands. One of the things I went in there because I was thinking of maybe involving some of the local fabrication welding shops around. They do have some damaged uh items and one of the things I came up with is um trying to harvest u parts from things before they throw them away. And maybe instead of going out to the public, but actually using um the shop class, uh trying to involve them in some of this, they have the ability to fabricate or add on
011to some of the plastic parts or if they can do some welding, um make these stands more viable uh for a longer life before we have to go and and purchase them. uh at least in in the short term uh the if we have the materials already on site it would make a lot more sense. So from a financial point of view we're saving money from a uh instructional or um management point of view that's up to you Dr. Majette and not that I would want to step on your toes. I didn't go ahead and talk to Paul Euing about it. I wanted to see what your ideas would be on this >> and and I appreciate that. No, and that was one of the things and um when I talked to to Dr. rule
012was just basically he was saying that some of their classes do the shop classes will fix items but to go ahead and elevate those pieces to see what can be fixed, what can be, you know, what can we repair and and um you know bring it up to a certain standard to where the kids could use it and then also looking within the budget as well. And it does give good skills for those kids in the shop classes as well as um being able to revitalize some of the things that we have. So he said that he um he was definitely working on that and we circled back around to that last night as well. >> So Dr. Mij, anytime you feel the board's role is to make policies. So anytime you feel board members
013are uh getting into your lane, uh don't be hesitant in speaking up because micromanagement is not our role. So anytime you see us crossing that lane, uh don't be hesitant in pointing it out. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? Um, some of the things that were brought up on um at the at the public comment um alternative ed expansion, uh testing reduction. I don't know if that's something that is um we need to talk about if that would save money. Um and and then of course bringing the ASL teachers up to par with regards to their um pay grade or pay their payout. Is this something that we can discuss or make sure that we if they're not getting paid the same as teachers? I was wondering why is why are they not? >>
014So if it's okay for me is it okay for me? >> Yeah, that was directly. >> Okay. I was to the board first. Okay. So, as far as um the ASL teachers and their um their pay scales, that is something all of the requests that we're getting, all board requests, community requests, everything that's come up from buildings, everything that's aligned with what what we're doing to move forward, we're putting um Sonia's, Miss Jamus is putting all of that together in one document so that we can start parsing through seeing what the costs are of everything and see, you know, how everything aligns. So everything that we've heard goes into consideration because we have to capture all of that. So that's that's not an issue there. We just have to have an opportunity to examine it.
015As far as alternative ed space, that has been a big project all year. And I know we've met with um the discipline committee and then you know some chair vice chair things of just kind of looking taking walks through sites and things like that to look at space that we have because we do have some space and and different facilities and how do we best use that space to serve serve kids and to serve teachers and serve kids. So, we are working on alternative ed plans that's already in in motion and expanding that space because we have I've I've spoken with LEA. I've heard from you all. Um I've talked to teachers and recognize that yes, we need additional space to support those kids and and staffing. So, we're working on plans for that. That's
016all in motion and that'll all be part of the budget pieces as we put together. Um so, it was and then testing. When you start talking about testing, we do what's required by the state. There are certain tests that we have to do. And I think the the thing is even if you took all the testing programs and things away, that is not a substantial savings to where you're really going to be able to do something different. But we do need the testing. Um we have to know where our kids are. We're 122 or 131. It can't be a guessing game. And as we um when we start sharing data next week, we might meet with academic success tomorrow and then we share our data with the public next week because um finally got everything
017from the DOE. I think it's indicative of we have to see where our children are. So we're not doing anything that's unnecessary and that's not required by the state that you know the method of how we do it or maybe which program may not be required but it has to be on the approved list and we pick things from the approved DOE list. But we have to be able to assess to see where we're going. It can't be a guessing game of when we get there in May, we're going to test everybody and it's like or May, June is surprised because then we don't have any reprieve at that point. So I understand the concerns. Um we're actually and we'll dig a little bit deeper as as we kind of go into plans for things,
018but we literally just had a training yesterday with administration to look at assessments and looking at assessment differently because it should guide our instruction and what we do. And I think sometimes we look at it, oh it's a test and it's ugly word. No, if we're taking that data and saying, hey, now how does this inform my instruction? How do I make sure I move the needle with these kids? It it's about looking at it through a different lens and then also looking at in a grand scale. We have the things coming from the state, but are we as individuals adding extra test on? I know when I taught, hey, you got a spell and test every Friday, you got this on Wednesday, and you got that. Are these things guiding the the instruction that
019we need? So, so it's sort of a yes and yes, we're examining the testing, but I think it's deeper than what we're looking at in terms of what the state requires. We're looking at what can we do to simplify processes that we have. So, I've heard um that before. I work uh with the LEA every month and I know that that's a concern of theirs and they've shared that with me and those are pieces that we're just going to have to to dig through. Um, I know you didn't mention this, but I want to hit it because it was the other piece that came up was the technology. Um, technology is where we are. Can we learn to use technology better? Absolutely. Um, and those are things that we're working on as we develop those
020systems and processes. I know I sound like a broken record, but we have a lot of broken pieces. And so, right now, it's a matter of we have to get structures in place for how we do the work we do. So technology is not bad, but what's can be bad is if we are not teaching people how to teach with the technology appropriately. And so when I say we, I always go back to what do we do as far as administration and central office administration and myself. I always include myself in the Wii because I'm a big part of the Wii. How do we restructure things so that people can use technology in a way that's going to best support kids because it's not going anywhere. So we can't just get rid of it, but
021we do have to learn how to live in this world. So, I know you didn't mention that, but that was one of the other things that came up last week. >> Okay, that's that's I appreciate that. Um, with regards to the ASL teachers being on different pay grade, um, what is what is the basis for that? >> I honestly couldn't tell you. I don't have that historical context. Um, so I don't want to be dishonest and tell you something otherwise. I I don't know the history of that. We're still kind of digging through um a lot of different processes and things the way things were structured. So, >> is that uh something that you would do or does the board have to request that we upgrade ASL teachers to standard? Uh how how does how
022does that work? >> Okay. I think that that's something that we would internally look at because we there are a lot of things you have to compare because sometimes it's not as easy as saying, "Hey, we're just going to move this group and not another group and we have to look at some comparable things." Um, you know, as always, and we're a little late in the year for this type of thing. But, you know, as always, you could do I think there were compensation studies maybe done in the past and that could be some future work when we start looking at next year and doing a full compensation study so we can see where people align because it's always a slippery slope. It's like, hey, if I move them, then the next group is like,
023hey, why did you move me and why did you move me? And so, I want us to kind of look at it internally, find out kind of the we'll try to find the why, but sometimes with you lo, you know, when people a lot of transition, you lose some of that context. But we are going to go back and examine where are they, what's happening there, and then look and and make we would make recommendations for adjustments there or anywhere else just like we brought the substitute bus driver pay to you all um I believe last month. So as we we work and navigate through these things um we'll we'll bring those recommendations forward. Yes, sir. >> Dr. Mitch, one thing good about you is you take action. So when the substitute bus driver issue
024was brought to you that they're not that minimum wage that issue has been addressed, right? That's the >> Yes. Yes. We we're we're working through it. Like like I said, it's um this is I I've never said this is going to be a fast process. We didn't get to this place quickly. I don't think we're going to get out of this quickly. And I know we focus on academics, but they're like you said, salary scales, HR functions, all of these things play a role. And when everything isn't functioning as it should, then we're taking action. You know, we're triaging things as we go along, but we're also planning and doing building those systems so that we're not living like this next year because it's been a lot of, hey, we're just trying to patch up,
025you know, holes and, you know, stop the bleed a little bit. Maybe this coming year or the following year we could do a comprehensive u pay pay study. That way we don't really as you mentioned you take only one piece of the puzzle and read leave 90 other pieces out. So we do a comprehensive study to see who's lagging behind the market rate. >> Yes. Yes. That that would be wonderful. Sonia and I have talked about it extensively. That would be wonderful because that even helps us when we go and we have conversations with city council. We can say, "Hey, this is where we are. This is the funding and support and resources we need to write the ship." But until we have firm, you know, some firm data, um it's it's that kind of
026process. But this year, like I said, we're working through the strategic planning process. We're building capacity. We're building processing systems. We're doing a lot of cleanup. Um so we are absolutely I I heard exactly what she said. said she was very passionate about it and they are needed. They needed >> and everybody >> I'll say something about that substitute. I think what happens is um and it's not just substitute bus drivers it's also substitute custodians anybody in that classified field what happens is and we tried to argue this when I was there um when we we have qualified substitutes we don't have to provide insurance for them. there's a lot of costs that they we don't carry for them. So, we were asking um for for them to get a higher wage, not, you know,
027contracted wage, but it was like almost a $5 difference between what we were paying substitute bus drivers and custodians compared to what we were paying entry level contracted bus drivers. And what we're saying is that contract and bus drive, we're carrying insurance. We're carrying a lot of extra costs on the back end for them that we don't carry for the substance because they aren't on contract. And we were trying to say, well, get their at least get their wage up because we're saving money where them by being non-contracted employees that just coming in to substitute. So people, we had um potential like GLTC and Liberty drivers that would come and they say, "That's all you're paying?" No, we don't want to do it for that. So, that's all I think and I think we had
028the same thing with substitute custodians where um we're not looking for them to make contracted money, but at least since we're not paying all those back-end fees that we pay for contracted employees, that's something. So, when you're looking at that, consider those um additional costs that are saving by by having those non-contracted subs. >> Mr. Connor, you brought up a good point. We cannot pick one group and leave the other employees out. We got to look at the each and everyone. We know we are our employees are underpaid and so salary study is important to see what the fair wages and that time we can go to the council and saying the because this will be a operating budget. This will be for permanently in our budget. So they have to fund it year after
029year not onetime funding. So I think having the study behind us will give us some momentum to go forward. Okay. Anything else that anyone wants to bring up and discuss? Okay, we're up. Um, well, we're at board member comments. Any questions, comments? Um, I'm excited about Oh, you didn't give me you didn't pick anybody yet. Go >> ahead. Board member comments. Um, I'm excited about um the strategic planning. I saw something come out about input on the new on new logo ideas and I think um very shortly we'll be getting some um opportunity to have input on the um mission statement and the um what's the other thing that I hate? the >> that were recorded that the the vision the mission and vision >> the vision and mission. So I'm I'm excited about you
030know moving forward and getting the opportunity to get some input on those things. >> Okay, >> that's all in that um contract. So >> good. Okay, hearing nothing else. Um, next finance and facilities meeting will be January 13th in the boardroom hopefully barring any natural disasters or snowstorms. Uh, do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> Second. Good.