001Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Beginning of each meeting, we like to go over our district's mission and vision. It is our mission to create a culture of academic excellence through inclusive and innovative learning opportunities for the whole child. And it's our vision to empower all learners to reach their full potential in a globally competitive world. Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> I. >> Mr.
002Balant, >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Stager, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for the approval of the minutes? >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Stager, for your motion. Thank you, Dr. James, for your second. >> Is that right? >> Yes, this would be for both. >> Yep. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. Seager. >> Hi, >> Dr. James. >> Hi, >> Mr. Balant. >> Hi, >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Bidder. >> Hi. >> The next item on the agenda is public participation. Mrs. Logan, do we have any public participation today? >> Did anybody I'm not sure if anyone has filled out any forms since they got here. Okay. And no one reached out to me via email. If
003so, thank you. Okay, the next item on the agenda is the superintendence agenda. Mr. Lewis, >> thank you. And um before we get started on the agenda, I just because um I don't know what her time frame is like and she's later on the agenda, but um wanted to introduce to the board u Mrs. Jessica Schmidt. Uh she is here in person. I I swear we did an interview a long time ago and we've have been working through the process to get her hired. Um but there was, you know, a few things that we needed to work through just from a um respecting her position that she's currently in uh to have her come here. So um we are super excited to have her on board. Um her title is the director of communications and
004community relations. Uh which we have talked a lot about the need for someone that can help us connect with our community in a different way. Um and one of the things that became really evident in her um interviews was that she has a natural talent for that ability. Um and that ca came through in every round. Um, from a fit standpoint, um, she just fits our team. Um, fits in well and and she has already come to numerous things that really just kind of getting the flow and feel of who are we about just to get to know us a little better. Um, from a social aspect and uh, just being around. Um, some of the things that she's done, she's been in uh, broadcast journalism for 12 years. uh most recently serving as a
005reporter and anchor at Fox 19. Um so if you look her up, you will see her on camera doing numerous stories because one day um just in the hiring process and it was after we had already made the decision to bring her forward. Um some one of our team members was at the gym and sent me a video like hey Jessica's on TV. So and sure enough there she was. Um, but she's also had an award-winning podcast and I I think about some of the things that again she didn't get asked to do that by her employer. She just had a natural instinct and desire to do something like that. So, uh, we are excited to bring her on with new ideas and fresh perspective and to help us um, think through some of those
006things and how we can better connect with our community. Um, that's about it. Mrs. Lawson, did I leave anything out? >> I don't think so. >> Such a treat to have her with us tonight. So, >> you want to wave at everyone, Jessica, so they can see you. >> And is the actual start date? >> She will start September 8th. So, she finishes her commitment to Fox 19 on September 5th. She takes no time off and is coming in September 8th. So, um we're super excited to have her get started. >> Welcome. >> Yeah. Welcome. Welcome to six more. >> All right. Moving into the agenda handback. Um two handouts. One particularly and it is attached to the agenda. Um just a strategic plan update. you know, this is the really important work and um
007I'm glad that we get to give you these updates and talk about some of the things that have been going on uh since the approval of our strategic plan. And you'll recall, of course, in education, we do everything with an acronym. So, Avees are our core pillars. Academic CH achievement, vibrant community partnerships, excellence and operations, and a student- centered culture. Um we're just going to start in the academic achievement area and just kind of give you some highlevel updates. Professional learning in this district never stops. Um but we are well on our way to accomplishing that goal. What I do believe is special about what we're doing is we're not only um providing what we know needs to be provided because of the curriculum needs or uh the needs of our students, but we're also
008taking in a lot of feedback um from our staff. And one of the most successful uh professional learning opportunities last year was really a staffdriven and staff performed professional learning. And you know it went from anywhere from best practices in the classroom to I went to bread makingaking by Carrie Karate um and Mrs. Chapman and it was great. It was just I think everybody got to experience their colleagues in a different way. um so that there was some fun learning but also uh some learning that they could use in their classroom. So I think that the word that keeps coming up to me is the alignment between the district and the building needs and being respectful of those things together. Um we've been evaluating some of our programs. We have talked about this in the
009past. Um our alternative program at uh Warren County is gone. Um, so I do think that will be a gap for us and a need and we have to evaluate how are we serving that need. Um, we still have AES Academy that's doing great work with students with credit recovery. Um, but it's also how can we serve some of those other students that have some significant needs and a lot of times it's um therapeutic needs that need to be addressed um and being a barrier to their education. So, um, we're going to be working on that this year and looking at ways that we can come to you with some recommendations on how do we take our programs, uh, such as those and, um, bring you an idea or maybe a path that would change
010the way we do things. So, >> Mrs. Logan, when when we do bring that back, can you make sure there's a financial analysis to those components as well? >> Absolutely. That will be part of the process, but yes, >> thank you. >> We'll make sure. um portrait of an aviator work is well underway and has been finalized to the point where it's being integrated into our course of study work. The alignment of our field trips to that work uh making sure that the field trips we are taking are meaningful and engaged in that work and then uh certainly there's some other activities in that planning process. But our college and career pathways are critically important uh for the success of our students and we want to make sure that the education we're providing here meets
011the needs of our learners and that they're leaving here with um good information. You might recall that we started um surveying our seniors coming up on that first round of the survey is it was not only for when they were seniors but it's also 18 months after graduation in five years. So we will start getting some of that data back and start collecting that information to be able to share with the board. And I think what we're looking for is even after graduation, do they feel they were really prepared for whatever path they chose? And if not, then we need to address it. So >> are we coming up on the 18month? >> We should be coming up on So we should be coming up on our we have had two groups take that. So,
012we should be right in that sweet spot of getting that first round of data at the 18month mark. Um, we it'll be a while before we're at the five-year, but still important. And then our MTSS team, uh, they have worked hard, um, implementing the framework, aligning their professional learning and the goals, uh, for a team of teams model. Um, district-wide theory of action created and Mrs. Lawson and the academic affairs team, they are deep in this work every single day. So, um, and it's it's tough work, but it's also, again, every word always goes back to that necessary alignment, uh, districtwide. So, um, kudos to our staff for getting in there and mixing it up with us and course of study work, curriculum work, alignment work is all difficult, but at the end of it,
013we will be better for it. And you know, if we do all the right things all the time, our academic achievement will follow. Um, so, so we believe in the work that we're doing with vibrant community partnerships. U, none of the things there are surprises. You guys have been a part of a lot of these things, whether it be career events, internships, sponsorships. We're going to be expanding all of those things. Community share was implemented. U, the business breakfasts were launched. You know, we're we're in good shape there. doesn't mean that just because we fully implemented something that we ever stop. A lot of these goals are always going to be ongoing. Um we talked about the education foundation. I think we made the right move by kind of moving that away from us. I
014do know there is a group of people uh from the boosters that are well underway in that work. Um pretty far into it. So um and then communications. We are in the website redesign process. Certainly with Jessica coming on board, we will want her input. Uh but we didn't want to wait and lay that on her. I don't expect uh Jessica to be a um director of communications and also our web master. You know, we have people that can do that and so we're working through that process. Um we certainly want her input, but I don't want her sitting there all day updating website and web pages. Um she has bigger work that's going to be important. So, >> Mr. Lewis, in concern in relation to the education foundation, when it's appropriate, I think it
015would be good to update the board. >> Sure. >> Either at a meeting or in writing on kind of where we are and what the plan for that is. I know the board isn't leading an idea what's going on with >> Yeah, happy to. Um, I do know a lot of the people that are involved are from the athletic boosters. Um, and they may be willing to come in and just share with us. >> Is it Yeah, that would be >> they're working it. They're working with lawyers. They're working I mean they're doing this all on their own. Um so their cost there but they understand the the purpose behind it. >> Also do doing it with the alumni like >> as well. >> That's that key tie in. >> Okay. Yep. Good >> um
016for the communications part for the website. Uh it's I I would I think we all agree that we want to see the website get updated and we know that it's not a skill that every person can do on I mean it's not something that everyone knows how to do it. Do you need additional resources to help get that up to date? Because I know that you I know that you have you have some staff working on that. I understand that and and we appreciate that. But do you need any additional resources to help get that where you want it to be? Because that's such an important part of our district communication. >> I would say luckily I'm still very good at um my old business operations mode. My first question that I asked the web
017design company was what did we actually pay for because I'm not happy with the product. So tell me why should I pay you more to fix something that you didn't provide us the first time? And I kept asking the same question. This was you're talking five, six, seven, eight meetings and finally one of the people from their company slipped. And I knew it would happen if we just, you know, you keep asking questions, finally somebody will slip. He said, "Well, this is all wrong. These are some of these design elements are things we provide on our basic package." And I was like, "Excuse me?" And so that led to a conversation where u we had already committed a just like a small pot of money to update things. They immediately moved to well let's let's
018repurpose some things and let's restructure and so we were able to not have to require a lot of additional resources and we're going to get the product that we want. I do anticipate the front page of the website will look different early September. And if you want to get a good look at what like I anticipate it will look like, if you go to Medford, Oregon, it's another Final Site customer. Um you you will see and what I really went after was we want ease of um navigation. We want our parents to feel like whatever I click on makes sense to me. like I shouldn't have to click 17 times to find the board minutes like it should just be easy. >> So >> people are really using the website >> and they are and
019it we want easy navigation. So and people and the other thing is mobile navigation. Everybody's looking at it on their phone so it has to be mobile friendly. So >> yeah, we we really need that. >> But I appreciate you asking that question. We'll certainly come back to you if there's additional resources needed, but honestly, we're trying to keep the cost down, but get the website that we should have gotten, if that makes sense. They I just don't think they did a very good job with the first rendition. So, I think we're well on our way. I'm excited about where we'll be in a month because And Miss Johnson in my office has been doing a lot of the work. She's also training building secretaries. We want people in the buildings. Again, I don't I
020don't want Miss Schmidt updating web pages. I want her dealing with community and working with community and engaging community, not sitting behind a desk updating web pages. And Miss Johnson loves this work. So, she's kind of taking it as a captain, but she's empowering other people to help out. So, and I think that's the right way to do it is the buildings are going to make their pages the best they can be because they're passionate about it. So that I think being able to train other people I saw her in today training a group of individuals um with that work. So kind of the train the trainer model. Um the only other thing I would say about vibrant community partnerships is just um we did before um we hired Miss Schmidt, we had Hamilton County
021ESC, Mrs. Kersace that we've all worked with before. We had her and her team come in and just do an audit of our communications. So, it'll be something we'll be able to hand right over to Miss Schmidt for like consideration, like what do you think about all the things they found and what are some of the things we need to do? Uh, being a parent of multiple kids in the district, I think one of the things that we need to revisit is how much communication are we sending? I almost get annoyed when I get the Sunday email at 8 a.m. from one of the buildings because it's like and it's tons of information. I'm like, man, I just don't have time to go through this. So, it's like, are we being as strategic as possible
022or are we just checking a box that says every Sunday we send out a newsletter? Is it necessary? Should we look at every two weeks? I don't know. Um, but we need to ask our end users, our stakeholders that is it too much? Is it not enough? Is it the right amount? I think we can get some information. And again, if it's just Chad Lewis parent being annoyed, then it's probably not enough to go. >> We have to respect some families are only in one building. Yeah. So, I know what you're saying because I've gotten multiple, but some might only get that one. So, >> and I think the other thing is the strategic information we're putting in. Are we enticing people to read it? Are we enticing people to just close it and throw
023it away? Um, excellence in operations. Um, a lot of the operational stuff, um, Mr. level. We gave him kind of an extra year to number one get his hands around all the work that we were doing and he'll work on some of these things, but really we're in a mixed bag of some of the efforts he's already taken care of like salary reviews um looking at our salary structures, looking at how we um pay some of our classifications. Um he's done a great job getting through that work with his team. Uh recruitment and retention is always something that's on his mind. Um, so how we how we can better be um in those areas. Fiscal transparency. Mrs. uh Logan and I are going to be working on a fact sheet that we really want to
024be making sure that is um top-notch andformational to the community about um our district. It's probably not going to be called just the facts. It might be called um I had a name for it the other I don't I'm blanking on it right now, but I know it had something to do with aviators and things that we want the community to know about our district. Um we will be conducting some additional community sessions down the road and we did a lot of sessions this past year um on various topics. And then you've been a part of the capital improvement plan um our raptor system that is our visitor management system. Um it's being used in multiple different ways now. It's also an alert system for situations that happen in our building. Uh Mr. Zimmerly led
025that work. Um and then the last area, student centered culture. Um you know, we're certainly working on all those things that we talk about, engaging our families, making sure that we have student voice, um engaging staff, and having visible leadership. Um the social emotional support. Um, I put that down there and I gave you an extra sheet that's not attached to it. Um, there is an area that we're suggesting a change in. Um, area, it's letter S 2.1 and that's what we call it. It's just basically the objective and the action step. So, uh, the second objective, we want to change the action step. Um the this the new action step is more reflective of the work we're doing and it really goes in line with your resolution um that you did in April which
026is and it really I think was kind of what you encouraged us to do which is it says support and expand the work of the AES culture and climate team to identify implement and share school-based practices that strengthen positive relationships build community and enhance the overall student experience. Um Mrs. Lawson already leads this work. Um, previously, um, Miss Bonite was involved in this work, but it's probably more appropriate, uh, that Mrs. Lawson is leading this work. So, we wanted to make that adjustment because that really is where we're doing this work is the ACE culture and climate team. We already have the meeting set up for this year. Um, Miss Lawson and I will do a review of our um, committee members and we'll make some decisions on whether or not and I know the
027board had asked that we add some additional community members to the uh, committee and you know I think we're very open to that. Definitely want to hear that voice. So, um, unless the board has any issues, um, with making that adjustment, um, that would be a recommendation from our team to, uh, make that adjustment to this new S2.1. And then, uh, we already talked about portrait of an Aviator, but it gets captured in a couple of places. So, um, one of the things that we're very excited about, uh, I know that Miss Lawson is very excited about, is we're we're always trying to build our partnerships out in the community and connect with, um, other people that might be able to provide experiential learning for our students. Um, and I I feel like there's a
028thirst and a hunger from our students for it, and there's a thirst and a hunger from our community to provide it. We just got to bridge that gap. Um, so I think we have some ideas on how to do that. So that's going to be a focal point for us this year is just um, Mrs. Lawson is very passionate about that portion of the work. So knowing her as well as I do and also my passion for the same thing, we will get this done this year and make those connections. >> Quick question for fiscal transparency or just the facts. I'm going to ask for you Mr. Ballot. Um, is that your perspectus that we were have talked about in the past or is this just the different? >> This is in addition to so
029the financial perspectus or whatever we determine to call that um publication if you will would be something that we would mail out to all of our households. And so this would complement that um and be more of a instead of a a a document that's mailed, it would be a compliment that's just a one page that would highlight that information and um not be distributed but be a source document for us that we could use on many different levels. >> I like your question though. Yeah, >> I I had to ask. >> I really appreciate the update. You know, I just just thinking about you ways to improve. Um, you know, if we can put some dates on these, you know, like is this are some of these things they're going to be completed by
030the end of this current school year because I know this is a three-year plan. Correct. Or are some of these more into, you know, year it's hard to say is that 26 27 the next one after this one. So just some kind of when you say started or or initial implementation, give us some ideas on dates. >> It'll allow us to check in throughout the course of the year and make sure we're maintaining progress. Thank you. >> I have one more quick question about the Raptor system. Um do we need additional funds to support, you know, mobile devices for people to have that um available to them on their devices? >> I will lean on Mr. level on that one because I'm not as familiar with the Raptor system. Question was, do we need additional
031devices for Raptor to be on? Oh, are you speaking like uh staff? >> Staff staff. So staff have two options. Um obviously we try to encourage all of our staff to have it on them on their bodies. So it would be on their phone if that's something they're not comfortable with. Um we also it is on devices in the room. um it can be on their large format displays and things like that. We have a pretty high um usage rate of folks that have it on their I would just say on their personal device. >> Yeah, exactly. Yep. And then if there's folks that are concerned from a safety standpoint or something like that, we also have um different ways to do two-factor authentication and things like that. >> Got it. I just want to
032make sure if we needed more funds for that, we could cover that for us. Yeah, we don't um we don't issue phones or stipens um to the staff necess for that. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Balon. Just to give you kind of a overview like where are we, where are we now? Because we have an internal document that has dates that we communicate back and forth like we're all putting updates on it. It's just a larger document with lots of pages. It's probably Mr. Long, what is it? Probably 30 plus Excel pages. Um >> I want to see 30. >> I didn't think you did. But >> the full like if you talk about items on that document, eight items are fully implemented, nine are in the initial implementation stage, 10
033are what we call the installation stage and six are still in the exploration stage. So the further up that full implementation obviously is where we want to get to. But after year one, I feel really good about having you know 17 of the 33 items in or maybe initial out the ones that you expect to be working on this year or the the milestones you expect to get. I don't need to see dates on every line item. We can give you a kind of an update >> and define full implementation. >> Well, full implementation would be we've done everything we think we need to do to accomplish the goal, >> but it's not complete. >> Well, you can never Most of these items if you look at them, they're never complete. You can never be
034>> finished. always >> it's like an ongoing like I don't know that we like with community like uh business and civic engagement I don't know that we need to add more things we need to continue to keep doing the same things we've been doing the breakfast the now there might be things we add but from my standpoint like to be where we wanted to get to based on that goal we've done a lot um to get that up and running so yeah good question though great questions thank you >> I think do you need anything from on the board. I mean, I think that what you provided here on S2.1, I think it looks really good. Um, if you need if anyone has any feedback that you want to share, I know we all you're
035looking at it now, but if there's anything, you could just reach out to Mr. Lewis and let him know. Um, but I think this looks great. I mean, it seems like it's staying on the messaging for our um strategic plan and we really appreciate the update and um and telling us the progress that we're where we are. And we do know that it's it's a working document and this is why sometimes it needs to be, you know, edited and adjusted as time goes on. >> Thanks for that. I think at some point we would love to engage the board and maybe a deeper conversation around uh the AES culture and climate team. Maybe have them come and present to the board. I think that might be a good update. >> It would be good. >>
036Yeah, that would be great. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Can I please get All right. Can I please get a motion and a second for school bus stops for the 2025 2026 school year? >> So move >> second. >> Thank you Dr. Steager for your motion. Thank you Mr. Harris for your second. >> One thing you Mr. Levelvel and Mr. Miller for answering questions I had about this. And um what I learned is this is a living breathing document in the district and it's not just necessarily one thing. So, I appreciated that I asked the question because was obvious to me that something was missing and turns out it wasn't missing at the district office, but it was missing on the Yeah. on the board um initial go through. So,
037>> it was a great question. Board policy EA um basically states that we get board or bus routes approved by the board every year, but also designates authority to our transportation director to update those throughout the year as well. So, yep. >> I just want to make sure the public hears that before they start calling with concerns. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a um transportation um this time of year specifically is a living breathing thing that we're constantly moving to. So, if I can have a moment just to shout out to our transportation team right now. It is a mad house craziness but organized chaos um over there and they're doing a phenomenal job getting folks hired, getting them trained, getting the routes. We just went through bus bidding which is always an exciting time of
038the year getting the drivers in to pick their routes. So, um, and today I believe the routes were posted online. >> So, they're out there on the website. You need your student number to access them. >> So, thank you to all of you for answering my >> You're very welcome. >> Crazy questions. >> Not crazy at all. >> All right. Mrs. Logan, can you please call the role? >> Dr. Steer, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Spitter. >> I can I please get a motion and a second for approval of agreement of an agreement with applied behavioral services. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you Dr. Steer for your motion. Thank you Mr. Balant for your second. >> Just comment. >>
039Um you approved previously a contract with applied behavior services. Um this is additional contracts for uh students who recently moved into our district uh new to Sycamore who are already placed at um applied behavior services. So um this is for more than one student um but there's just one contract there because it's the same exact contract redacted. That's why there aren't multiple there. Just wanted to clarify that for all of you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mrs. Logan, please call the role. Dr. Stager, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> I >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I can I please get a motion and a second for approval of an agreement with Key Behavioral Services? >> Move. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion.
040Thank you, Dr. James, for your second. Miss Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Balant, >> I. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Steager, >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. Can I please get a motion and a second for approval of an agreement with Western Nursing Services? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Stager, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. Stager, >> I. >> Mr. Harris, >> Mr. Balant, >> I. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion and a second for transportation impractical? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Valent for your second. Mrs. Logan, please
041call the RO. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Stagger, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I think other >> Yeah, a few things. Um, number one, I just want to report back to the board. Um, I know at the last meeting we had a really good and rich discussion about um whether or not we should join uh the lawsuit and talking about vouchers and um I I just as we talked about it and then I we had a chance to engage in some dialogue with Mr. Harris and Mrs. One of the things that we talked about was felt like we need more information and we have a group of people uh that that serve the board um as a committee that do a lot
042of research. Um, so one of the things that we talked about and discussed and I think it's a good idea, I'm going to present it to uh the Sigmore Advisory Commission as a project for them to look into and not only dig into the why, but the why not or why people are not joining because I think that was one of the questions that we had and both Mrs. Logan and I reached out to uh some other districts and I you know I'll be honest with you some of the districts didn't respond. So I'm not sure why they didn't respond. I don't know if people are just in summer mode and but I think being able to get some additional information to present to the board that's again just factual. Let's get some factual information
043to be able to understand why what what are the pros? What are the cons? Um here's the costs. present all the information and make a decision. Um, and that way and it to me that could be one of the early research projects because I don't think it'll take too long to uncover some of those things. So, um, I do think and would recommend that we do that move forward moving forward. Um, so if the board is okay with that, I will present that as one of the potential projects. Now, if they turn it down, then we'll have to go back to the drawing board. happy to um engage deeper in the work and do the work myself. So I'm happy to take that on. >> Can I just add you said so for the community
044um I know people will be watching this and really eager to understand what's going on. Uh we have had several members of the community reach out to us regarding um vouchers and the data related to Sycamore schools and there is currently a a lawsuit where multiple me uh school districts throughout the state of Ohio are filing against the this particular uh against vouchers in Ohio because they're worried about public education funding in their school districts. So, as a board, we all agreed during one of our meetings that we wanted to talk about it and we've been talking about it as often as we can. Um, and we have received information, some data from public, some from community members. We've received contact information from people who can actually come and present to school districts and to
045boards and to treasurers and superintendents. And we were discussing this at our agenda planning and Mrs. Logan and M and Mr. Lewis brought up the fact that, you know, reminder, we have a board committee, an advisory committee, which is the community of Sycamore, right? Parents in this community. And this might be better. We might be serving the board in a better way if we if we have if the if we would have the board committee do the actual presentation have the person come and speak to them and provide the information to sack because at the end of the day it really is kind of a community decision if we were going if the board would want to join in or not right that was sort that was our thinking so as a board we just
046wanted to present that to you to see what you thought otherwise the alternative would be because I In the last meetings, we've said, "Well, we want to know pros and cons." So, we asked our superintendent treasurer to go and get data from other school districts. And then we said, also, we want someone to come to present to the board, and we have a contact information. Mrs. Logan has that contact information of a person who will do that in Southwest Ohio. But I I do think I mean I I am, you know, I am supportive of this endeavor because I do care deeply about public education funding and I want to make sure if there's something that's harming Sycamore that we take action on behalf of our taxpayers. However, we don't really know what the we
047don't know it. We don't know the details. And I know people are giving us information. We're getting fact sheets, but I think our advisory council would be better at looking at this and really digging in because that's their role is to study this information. So, that's I agree with our treasurer and our superintendent on this. Um, I think it would be great for them to study this issue and get back to us and let us know what they think. Like, is this a something their sycamore community has an appetite for? Is this something that they don't? What do what do what do they recommend? and we don't know what the answer will be. So, I would really encourage all of you board members to just sort of let me know like can you tell me
048what you think about that idea or let Miss tell Mr. Lewis what you think here today so that >> I support yeah I support Zack doing it. My only ask would be let's not you know if they finish the project early let's make sure we bring it back to the board in a timely manner instead of waiting till the end of the school year which we typically do for projects. >> But I think I think SAC is is the right avenue to go about this. Okay. What about you? >> I think with being on Zack with uh Dr. James, I think it is the a good use of our community leaders that we work with every time we're in a meeting. Um and I think that everyone in SAC would love to have some input
049on this rather than feeling like we decided something like oh here's what we decided. Don't wouldn't you agree, Dr. >> I would agree. Yes, they >> want to be part of it >> and the pres presenter could actually come to sack and do the whole presentation and then the sack could ask questions and then and also reach out to other learn from other school districts why maybe they joined or why they didn't join that would be super helpful work but >> I agree I agree 100%. I think that's a good way to approach that. >> Okay. >> And if one of you wanted to be the liaison to that group from a board standpoint I'm sure they would love that. So, >> all right. Thank you for that direction. That's helpful. Um, the other all
050the other stuff is good stuff. Uh, marching band preview is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. um at the high school. So, you want to see the marching band um and get a little preview before anything else, they're ready to go. Um 50th anniversary water polo alumni game uh 3:30 on Saturday um at the Seagar Family Niatorium. Opening day for staff is Monday, August 11th. So, um, we are very excited. It's always one of the favorite days of the year. Um, lot of energy. Never know what's going to happen on opening day either. You just never know. Um, Seager Family Stadium, Chris Colmes Field, opening day is August 16th. Uh, there'll be a big ceremony for that. And then, uh, new teacher orientation was today. the start of it was today. Um, what energy. Uh, Mr.
051Levelville and his team did a great job uh getting everything set up for the morning. Um, and then the Sycamore Education Association did a great job this afternoon uh with the staff. Just positive good vibes in the room. It's always a great feeling. Uh, tomorrow they get to uh be led around the district by Miss Lawson and I on a bus tour. So, uh, that'll be a fun day. and then they end on Friday with uh CPI training. So, one of the uh staff members came up to me and she's like, "I'm looking forward to Friday. I could have really used that last year in the district I'm coming from." And I thought that's pretty cool for somebody to say that that they're looking forward to something we're providing them. So, um and then the
052last thing I just wanted to say thank you to our building uh leaders, our district cabinet team, and especially our Sycamore Education Association. We had a day yesterday. It feels like it was three days ago, but yesterday uh with the authors of Other Fool and we just it it was fun. It was building community, but it was understanding kind of everybody's roles and um it really was just a positive good day uh to spend time together. And I appreciate teachers that give up a day when it's getting close because I know how hard that is to give up a day. Um but it was just a such a positive day and um looking forward to the school year and and spending hopefully more time like that because one of the things you realize is you
053don't get to get that time like that to connect on that level often. Um so it was a really good day and just appreciate everyone doing that and taking time out of busy schedules a week away from the start of school. So um that's all I have. Thank you. Can I just give a huge shout out? A thank you to Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Levelville, Mr. Miller, and Mrs. Logan also for answering questions I had about a bunch of stuff this week. Just a lot in my brain this week that needed clarification. So, thank you to all of you for that. I appreciate it. >> Anytime. >> All right. Can I get a motion and a second for personnel consent agenda number one? >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr.
054Balot, for your second. Mrs. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. Stagger, >> hi. >> Mrs. Spitter, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion and second for personnel consent agenda number two? >> Um, can I say something before we go ahead and >> Sure. >> vote on this. Um, just for full disclosure, before moving it forward to a discussion of vote, want to state the individual being considered for this position is my spouse. In the interest of transparency and avoid any conflict of interest, I want this board and the public to know that I've not had any involvement in this hiring process. I'm respectful of this process and Ohio ethics laws and will be recusing myself from
055all discussion and voting on this matter. I trust the board will handle this process with fairness and objectivity. Thank you, Dr. James, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Ballot, for your second. Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Dr. James, >> hi. >> Mr. Balot, >> I. >> Mr. Harris, >> abstain. >> Dr. Steager, >> abstain. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> I. >> Can I please get a motion, a second to accept donations? >> So moved. Second. Thank you, Mr. Balot, for your motion. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for your second. Thank you very much for donations that were donated to our community schools. Uh we have had some very significant made on behalf of our students and we always appreciate that. >> Yeah, I just want to shout out to the athletic boosters for a very
056significant donation, another donation to our athletic facilities. you know, they continue to to donate to our student athletes and our facilities and in large amounts that have allowed us to move forward with these projects. So, thank you to all the people involved in the athletic boosters. >> So, please keep coming to the games and buying stuff at the concession >> helps pay for that stuff. >> Mrs. Logan, please call the role. >> Mr. Balant, >> hi. >> Mr. Harris, >> hi. >> Dr. James, hi. >> Dr. Stagger, >> hi. >> Mrs. Bidder, >> hi. Can I please get a motion and second um in accordance with board policy JF motion to approve the payment of prior fiscal year invoices to Cincinnati public schools exceeding $3,000. >> So moved >> second. >> Thank you Dr. James
057for your motion. Thank you Dr. Steer for your second. >> Mrs. Logan, could you This is a different explain this is and I'm Yes. Rebecca, if you could come help. So, um, on the fiscal side of the house, I'm going to kind of explain to you why it's on the agenda. Um, and then Mrs. Hopkins is going to explain, you know, the process and why is CPS invoicing us. So, by policy, if we do not have a purchase order um dated at least on the day of an invoice um and it exceeds $3,000, I have to bring it to the board by policy before I can pay it. So, that's why it's on the agenda. It's more than $3,000. The invoice is dated the prior fiscal year. Um and it has to be dated this
058fiscal year. So I need your approval before we can pay it. Secondly, um CPS is basically a fiscal agent. So it's like a pass through entity. So that's why CPS is invoicing us for the cost. Um but then Mrs. Tomkins, you want to step in and talk a little bit about this process? >> Good evening. I'm so happy to speak with the board this evening. So like u many districts in the state of Ohio, Sycamore receives title one funding to support students in areas um it's district's choice of literacy math um and things like um PBIS and behavioral supports for students who identify. So we are a targeted assistance school district which means that only some of our buildings and only some students get to funnel through with those funds. So there are very stringent
059laws around surrounding title one and federal dollars and how we can spend it. So what happens is we take a look at our free and reduced lunch population and what is the district average for free and reduced lunch and then any buildings that meet the district average at or above may have access to these title one dollars to support students who are identified through multiriteria within our district. um in the last year, so fiscal year 25, the 2425 school year, there were two buildings. So that was Green Intermediate and Sims Elementary School. So they received the title one funds to support students. In addition to that, we also have to serve non-public schools. So the non-publix um they qualify by if they have students who meet criteria so they meet academic they're at risk academically
060and they are identified as free and reduced lunch and they would have attended either Sims Elementary or Green School then those schools get the PPA the per the per pupil allocation boy that's difficult the per pupil allocation that students instant award get and that then is sent to the non so for us it's two students so one was attending um best point and one's attending St. it what the nonpublix do. So what that means for a district is that we would have to provide services for one student in some way shape or form that's a burden on the school district for us and also the nonpubliclix. So one allowable way to provide those services to our nonpubliclix is to partner with a school like CPS who has uh other students in CPS who are also
061attending their schools and they provide the services. So since they are providing the services, Sycamore gives their PPAs to CPS because they're providing the services. >> Got it. >> Well, that was just that was a really see I asked her to I mean we should have known that. >> Yes. Now you can see how why public education is so challenging. There's a lot of rules and regulations and this is what our administrators do on a daily basis. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Explaining that. >> Thank you, M. Okay, now we know uh Logan roll. >> Dr. James, >> I >> Dr. Stager, >> hi >> Mr. Ballot. >> Hi, >> Mr. Harris. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Bidder. >> Hi. >> Next item is and the last item is the other board business. Um, other So,
062I I just was going to bring up the vouchers, but you already you already did that with Sack. Um, is there anything else that we have? >> Do we have Yeah. Do we have agreement on the financial retreat date? Is that set in stone? >> Um, it's on my calendar, but Mr. Harris, I think you would. >> Yes. Uh, >> we're waiting for Mr. Harris. >> Yes, I know. I And I currently have an obligation on that date, but I need to check on that obligation and see how that goes. So, >> Okay. So, everyone just keep hold and then let us know. >> Yep. I'll let you know. >> Thank you. That's all I have. >> Okay, good. Meeting adjourned.