001that just about uh I don't know for sure. >> Okay. Are we on it? >> We are on. >> Okay. I'd like to call the meeting to order. First um item on our agenda is the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the cons uh the agenda? >> I'll move that we approve the agenda. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Is there any objection? Hearing? None. The agenda is approved. We did add a consent agenda just of the policies which we have put on our previous agenda for final reading. Um an adoption through the consent agenda. Do
002I have a motion? >> There's also I will note there's also board minutes on there from our June. >> Oh, and board minutes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I will move approve the consent agenda. >> Second that. >> Okay. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the consent agenda is approved. Okay. Next on our agenda, we have discussed the superintendency. When I got home last week, I realized that um we had a very quick meeting and some people in the audience um may not have even realized that the superintendent resigned um since we accepted his resignation in the consent agenda. So, I did just want to, you know, publicly announce. I'm sure by now the um there have been announcements in the newspaper and in other media, but our superintendent um has resigned, Justin Ainsworth, and
003the board um feeling the urgency to fill the position since we're facing the beginning of the school year, moved with some elacrity last week. And I just want to make sure that everybody who had something to say was able to say it um in public session so that we can get everything on the record. So, does anybody have any comments? We didn't have anyone sign up for public comment. >> You did. [Laughter] >> There's no one out there, though. I I feel confident with the vote in the choice that we make and I think that is the right and positive direction to go through this time. So, I'll just say um I have always believed that family comes first in any situation. And we had a superintendent who was put in a really hard spot
004in his own life, balancing between being here and being our superintendent or moving back to Alaska where his family really wanted to be and his boys in particular. Um and I think his wife so and family was back there. I think there was a it was a difficult decision for him and u it it turned out make it harder for us that it came so late. So it was well after summer started that we found out this information that made it hard on the school. Thankfully, from my perspective, um we had gone through a very extensive process in our in that search that ended up having him be hired. And in that search, um our number two respondent was still here and was willing to consider taking on that responsibility. And uh from my perspective,
005um that made the process that we went through last even more important. Went through that process. Uh the other thing that happened in in light of that we found out is that because of the rules and the money we paid to the OSBA for doing the search, they owe us another search because they um the person didn't stay for the full year. >> Two years. We get um do that all over again just paying a little bit of the transportation cost if we're going to have a person come in. Most of the time um they don't come down, they can do it online. So that encouraged me to say here we get an opportunity um to to look at a really great candidate we had before doing the job um for the next six to
006eight months and then we could still go through a regular search and find out if there's others if there's something we want to do or make a decision that we want to stay. I mean that's the board's prerogative but it gave us opportunities to do things and saved us a fair amount of money. So from my perspective, it was the right thing to do knowing as I do about schools waiting and trying to figure out if we were going to do something differently when every all the administrators come back on next Monday uh didn't make any sense to me uh since we had a really opportunity and we had a willing participant who would love to have had the opportunity and uh and we had I know you had talked to a number of the
007people um I know that our superintendent giving us recommendations of people who might be ready. Um, all of those things considered keeping us on track. Uh, I think we got some really great things started last year. We wanted to continue it. I think that what we did um was take advantage of a bad situation like when you're given lemonade lemons, you might as well make it into lemonade. And I think we had a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to the working with uh the person and I'm happy to see Mr. Roberts here in the audience. Um we had a great opportunity and and I am looking forward to this coming school year now with without the trepidation I had when I found out we had lost superintendent. Um and we can get going and
008I think get off to a really great start for the year and see how it goes. So that's my reasoning for the recommendations I made and I appreciate that the board went along with that. >> Kim, >> thank you. Um, I just have a few comments. Um, I felt extremely, you know, under pressure to definitely make a decision and I understand we were between this rock and a hard place. Uh, we didn't get the information. um that our dear superintendent was leaving um I think it was like less than a week prior to I don't even know what day it is right now. I mean to the day that we were meeting or maybe it was one week exactly that we got the information. So it it's not something that the board held on to.
009We had just gotten it. We had a a emergency meet meeting scheduled. I do want to say now after the fact that um something as big as the superintendent's resignation should be in my opinion not in a consent agenda. It's the one position that we directly supervise. It's the person we hire and you know supervise and let go if need be. So, I feel like that should definitely be out of the consent agenda so the public can hear those, you know, hey, this is what's happening and the board can um, you know, talk about that and it wouldn't have been something that I didn't even really think about it until afterwards we were like, oh, some people didn't know and a lot of people don't read the consent agenda and and it's kind of buried
010in there with policy policies and you know or people might just fly by that and so I think that's something we definitely need to have o in the open not every position just that one and um I think we did the best we could I you know considering the uh situation I also feel like I I wish we could have had 60 days notice I know it says that in the contract I really wish that could have been the case but unfortunately we weren't um given in that and so we're doing what we can to rectify the situation and make sure that we have somebody for the beginning of the school year. And those are my comments. Thank you, >> baby. >> Thank you. I just I want to echo what Kim said. I agree
011with her comments and I want to thank Chair Hutcherson and Vice Chair Dubisair and the Dubisar sorry and the whole board for how uh how effective they were uh last week at Dr. Rogolski and I's very first board meeting made for an exciting first board meeting for us. Um, and it was really great to work with a board that has um has really come together around um moving forward and its commitment to getting this school year started off on the right foot. I think that um those that's absolutely correct that we are really in the last minutes here and it's so important that inservice and when the administrators come back and all the things that have to happen before children are entering buildings is so critical and and we need somebody to help um really
012get that up and running and I don't want there to be any sense in the district of any um you know unease or anything. So, thank you to this board for um its swift decision making. Thank you, >> Kim. I mean um Kevin, did you have any? >> Okay, one thing we didn't discuss um last week was a salary range and and some of those items. So I would like to raise that issue and then um so that we have some pieces on which to start negotiations. Kim >> um I I'm sure I'm assuming you're going here but I'm just in case. I was just wondering to hear from um I thought Devon had reached out to Rebecca and her team about uh the wages and what was appropriate and maybe had some conversations around
013that to give us an idea. >> Yeah, we did. I had conversations with Rebecca um who said that there was nothing wrong with what we did. I'm just bringing it up again so that we have a full public discussion of it which we didn't have last time looking at a second. Um, well, it's a year contract. So, normally we would look at entering into a contract with them uh with whoever we end up going with um for the one year. It would be a one-year interim contract. >> You're confusing me, Addie. >> Yes. >> Last meeting, we appointed Gary as board as interim superintendent. So, are we talking about in the future contract because you said whoever we No decide on or are we talking about >> carry? >> Okay. >> Whenever we negotiate. I'm
014sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I just I want to make sure so I didn't lose something in translation. So, this is in regards to Gary's negotiation. >> Yes. >> For the interim position of super. Yes. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you. on with respect to negotiations. My feeling has been that we ended up paying um because of experience in small things and the fact I think he raises up three or four% or what he might want it by three or four% but I think it should be enough. That's my opinion. >> Kevin, do you have any >> makes sense? >> Does that make sense? >> Is that good for you? >> I mean that's good for me as long as that is the kind of >> that I I also have
015a conversation with Norina that is in our budget. Oh, I Yeah, because that that is kind of the going rate superintendent I would assume or whatever. Yeah. >> So, I couldn't hear everything that was said. It was cutting in and out. I'm not sure if that was the case for everyone or if that was supposed to be the case. I see some head shaking and >> a range of 160 to 180 is what we had last time. >> Okay. and and Army is suggesting that that would be a good place to start negotiations that start. >> Okay, thank you for clarifying that. >> Do you have any objections or any comments on it? >> Um, I just wanted to You probably have already done this. I just made sure that you had run that by
016Rebecca. You said you already talked to her and sounds like that's on par with where we're at for an interim. >> Okay. Maybe. >> Oh, that sounds good. Thank you. >> Okay. Um I see Rebecca up there, but is that really Derek? >> No, that's Rebecca. >> Oh, it is Rebecca. >> She usually comes to our meeting. >> Okay. Well, I didn't know if Derek was part No, this this is Rebecca. Derek um is trying to get there. He's he's still in surgery. So, as soon as he gets out, he's going to run down, but he is not with me. >> Don't worry. I just didn't know if it was him sitting there. >> Tell him not to rush. >> Rebecca, we uh we got a text from him that said that. I sent a
017note back saying, "Take your time because we don't run and unload too fast." >> Oh, good. I just didn't know if he was able to get a text out. I haven't heard from him in like six hours. So I I just want to be here in case you were looking for him. >> We were very impressed that he could find out send us at that even though our chair wasn't here. So that >> Yeah. So it didn't matter. >> Okay. So um Okay. So we can use a 160 to 180. >> Um okay. So, I I would like if we could to just ratify our vote from last time. >> Double vote. >> Huh? >> A double vote. >> Why? >> Um, we did it in public session. I'm just curious. I'm not I'm not
018being spicy. >> I'm just I just am >> and I know Kevin was not here for that vote, but that was also by choice. I would have also loved to not But I hung out. >> I had to ask him to >> and I did. So I'm just curious why because then now we have different members missing >> and so I'm good with whatever, but >> I just we already voted on it. We need to >> I don't think so. It was in public session and >> yeah, >> I think we did everything right. So I have no objection to doing anything. Okay. Um, did the motion that we entered into last time authorize anyone to negotiate the contract? >> It did not. >> So, in the past um few times we basically left that
019up to the executive committee. So, that's you and our vice chair. I would make a motion that we instruct them along with Marina if she wants to help and or Michelle if she wants to help. But anyway, use whoever you need to to help people um to enter into the negotiations come up with salary and and other things you want to put into that conversation. Um with the understanding that we'd like to get it done before the beginning of the new school year, which is August 1st. So you have a date or something. >> Yeah, >> that would be my motion. >> I'll second if that's a motion. It was broken. >> That's longwinded. >> It was and it will be editedly. >> Kim, can you hear? Did you were you able to grasp that?
020Okay. >> And Mie. Okay. So, um, all those in FA, we have a motion on the table to authorize Kevin and myself as the executive committee to negotiate a contract um with Gary Roberts for uh interim superintendent position for the 2526 school year. Um, Diane, >> hi >> Arnon. >> Hi, >> Kevin. >> Hi, >> Kim. Hi >> baby. >> Hi. >> And the chair votes eye. So >> thank you. We will get that started immediately. Um are there any other actions before our board this evening? >> Yes. >> The only thing I would say is that um we know it was kind of short notice and it went very quickly and so a lot of people didn't necessarily hear. I would love to see if you could invite um Gary Roberts up to say
021a few words if you'd like to. He's had a little bit more time to think about it. Mr. >> has changed his mind by now. >> On the spot. Let's see how well he does on the spot. >> He did it last time. >> He did. >> Come on to pack audience. That's right. Oh, you got a screen full. >> I do. Um, yeah. I just want to say thank you to the board. Um, I've had a lot of time to think about this and I'm still humbled and honored to be selected uh for this position. Uh, we have a lot to prepare for. As you mentioned, um, Ari admin report back actually on Thursday to the Is that right? That's right. >> Thursday admin report back. Um, we have cabinet meeting on Thursday and
022admin retreat next week on Wednesday. So, lots and lots of things to do and a short amount of time. I'm looking forward to working with David on on getting our cabinet meeting agenda prepared tomorrow to start on Thursday and uh working with uh the admin team next week in the retreat. Um, you know, we we placed or excuse me, we laid a really good foundation, a really good path last year, uh, for to be successful. Um, our task this year is to pick up where we left off, move forward, and, um, to advance the ball in coaching terms. Um, and so I'm excited about that. I'm excited to follow that path. Um, I believe in our mission of our motto of one compass, one crew, uh, one vision. And I believe in our mission as
023a school district that we need to know all of our students by, uh, name, strength, and need, and to prepare them for, uh, to be successful as graduates with our three, enrolled, listed, or employed. And so I'm excited to take up the mantra that we've we've put in place and lead this uh lead our crew both admin certified classified and uh I'm really excited for where we're going with business. Again, thank you for this opportunity. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I I just want to say um we appreciate Gary. I want to thank you. You have stepped up since you came back from Cottage Grove. You know, everybody has to go and see something. Sure. and we appreciate it. You have some great mentors in the state. I appreciate that. Having looked over your resume again
024and remembering spare a bunch of the other people even guys who I've been impressed with in my career. So I think you have all those things you need when we needed wrestling coaches when we had a girls team and all that kind of stuff. You stepped up and did stuff over and above you needed to do. So I appreciate all those things and I again appreciate the fact that you're willing and here to step up now because if a person had given us 60 days you can't leave when you're when you're going out. I mean it's really difficult. So those 60 days would have been in my opinion been enriched to the start of the school. the way it worked out. We have this school year, we have the people in place that we want
025to have in place and you get to prove yourself. Um, and and how you're going to work with all the different people in our district. Um, I I I I believe strongly that you have what it's going to take to make that transition. It is a difficult transition having made the similar transition from being a teacher to an administrator at the high school. Um it is interesting uh how those transitions affect different people and you never know what it's going to be and who it's going to be but but there will be a difference in who you are because of your position. Uh and it's something that I hope and I think clearly um you're up to and are ready for it. But it it is an interesting change. Um, and all of those things
026made it much easier for me to make a motion and see you getting this promotion. I guess it's a promotion. Thank you. >> Um, >> I wouldn't say that too quickly. The other the other part that is important from my perspective um our district has done well when we have brought people who were from our district to understand the culture and the history of this place and you bring that with you as well. Um you also are from my perspective of the people um your family and everything how you grew up in this community. Those are important aspects that you bring to the job uh in being able to relate to our community and work with. So I just wanted to make that on the record and say thanks for being willing to take this
027on for us at least a year. >> Hopefully it won't. But that's to me and you know how well I >> um yeah thank you. I it's been really uh overwhelming the the feedback that I've received from community members, people that I've I've ran into at the grocery store, >> right? >> Um that have wished me well and congratulated me and so um I know I have a big responsibility uh not just to the district but the community and I'm excited to take that on. You talk about the people that have helped me along and people that you respect. I've tried to learn something from everybody that I've worked with in my career. Um, and talked about Dr. Barrett Christa. Um, I've learned so much in the last year from working with Dr. Aber. So,
028I'm really excited to uh follow him and get that foundation a but I learned things every day from also the people that work in this district office and I'm excited to work with them. So, looking forward to it and uh I'm ready to go. So, thank you. and and having been on a lot of boards, I want to make sure that I say we have an exceptional board to work with. >> Tell you that always pat our own back. >> You should the two new people have raised our whole level. >> I I would tell that to people who left us just walked off and left us. >> They only served, you know, how many >> Anyway, we appreciate and those of us on the board, I think really appreciate. I've been on many many
029boards in my lifetime. Not all of them are as cohesive and willing to do the work. >> Yeah. Very I'm very excited to work with all of you and looking forward to to meeting with you talking about goals to you know continue mission like that. >> I just want to put out there too that um Dr. experience where it's obviously laid a nice path for us. But I'm excited to see what Gary's ideas are too because, you know, different people different perspectives and and I'm excited to see kind of what your ideas are and what we can do better and maybe some of the ideas that we thought were working are not working or and and I'm really interested to kind of hear what your approach is to on some. I think his first hit
030the we're first going to see it when he proposes who's going to move where to make up the empty spaces. >> That's Yes. Yes, it is. >> And I have I have some ideas. And yeah, I'm looking forward to as we we get rolling out in in August and September talking about not just the vision and mission that we've laid out, but then others that we can look at within our district to to move us forward and to continue trying to raise our uh raise our scores and um prepare our kids for future they have a plan. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you all. there there was a a motion printed for you that that we'll need to usually we would do it as part of our July meeting but we did because
031we were kind of >> um I make motion >> yes we um neglected to include someone in the >> uh as the budget officer to make him the budget officer >> I move to appoint interim superintendent Roberts as chief administrative officer, district clerk, and budget officer for the 2526 school year. And before I have a second, are you willing to do all those jobs? >> Laura, lucky you. >> So, I have got a second. >> I'll second. Okay, it's been moved and seconded that um Superintendent interim superintendent Roberts be appointed the chief administrative officer, district clerk and budget officer for the 2526 school year. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I hand. Yeah. All those opposed say no. Okay, the motion passes. Okay. Is there anything else before
032our body tonight? Okay. We are adjourned. Thank you everybody.