001Board of Directors meeting to order. April 2nd, 2025. I'd like to welcome all the visitors here in the crowd. It's a nice time of year. Back to being warm. It's back to being the year, which is always probably always something good for us. So, we wrap up another year this year, but look forward to meet again. And uh again, I want to thank the visitors that came and uh those to be recognized tonight. I want to thank you for coming and appreciate uh all that you do for our district. Now let's start with the flag salute to the flag of the United States of America to stand for Oh, any changes? Just a high school report. High school report. I changed the high school report when moving on to the consent agenda. Anybody got a
002chance to go through that and read that? We have questions. We have a question on finance and I just lo I talked to Devin about it but is the cost Oh school security system I think is I just wanted to explain what that was. Yeah. Yep. So that's from Crane Alarms and um and the total the total cost is the electronic access um to Aken. The total cost was 50,000. Um we pay 25 up from it and then 25 with um and it's all paid for by with um students um investment unders I entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. I make a motion to accept the consent agenda agenda item. All second. Moved and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Nate. Motion is passed. Going over to reports. We have
003the MS report with Santiago. Good evening. My name is Santiago. I'm the Ontario Middle School student body. Student council just wrapped up our annual fundraiser. We met our goal of selling all 500 cases of chocolates that were ordered. This money will help pay for tomorrow's 8th grade end of year celebration at Wahoo's Fun F fun zone in Meridian. The money also helped paid for a field trip at Urban Air last week for those students who met their learning growth goals. It has been a year of growth at MS with the addition of sixth grade students in our West Wing. Learning how to run an elementary school while also running a middle school on the same campus required students, staff, and families to work together. MS admin are proud of the work everyone did to make
004this happen. They look forward to building on what was learned this year in order to make progress every year after. Having all sixth grade students in one building was valuable to the success. Thank you all for allowing me time to update you each month. I found these speeches interesting and I found it personally enjoyable to know a little bit of all cuz you know with great power comes great responsibilities. What questions? This is where I No, you've done a great job. But you won't be picking it from the high school. May maybe you will. I'll run. Okay. Thank you. Uh, next we'll move on to licensed staff recognition. The board will come down in front and prepare for you guys to be recognized and shaker as you come up and visit with or pass by
005seat. Hello, my name is Andrea Buckolds and I'm the principal at Alama Intermediate and tonight I have the absolute pleasure to recognize our teacher of the year, Miss Katie Mason. Katie is a learning specialist in our building and she's been at Alama for a while. Um, she has a really busy family. Uh, and they weren't able to make it tonight because her kids are running everywhere and her her husband's super busy, but we're her family. We're her Alama family. So, I just have um a little statement here from Emily Speaks, who is her coworker, and then one from myself. Haiti is kind, compassionate, and deeply committed to her students and their families. She created an environment where every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Every student that enters her rooms know knows they are loved
006and safe. Haiti makes an extra effort to connect with parents and students. You can find her spending her lunch with students. Some students have even asked, "How do I get into that club?" She is truly the teacher we all wish we had growing up and her impact extends far beyond the classroom walls. And that was from her coworker Emily Speaks. And then I wrote, "Congratulations, teacher of the year, Katie Mason." Katie is so very thoughtful and patient with her students and extremely kind and caring towards her co-workers. Katie has absorbed many additional responsibilities during this school year. She is a hard worker and is the first to volunteer to help out others in need. This honor is welld deserved and way, way, way past overdue. Katie, thank you for being a wonderful human being, Miss
007B. in there. So Christine is excited about the story up here. No. So I'm Mr. Caps and I'm the principal at Mayor Roberts Primary and this is my first opportunity to give these awards. I'm really excited. A couple things uh before I read the statement is um I went and interviewed her kids while he was gone. I said, "Could you tell me some things about um you know, some ways that you feel about Mrs. Engles? I want to write them to the board." And these are the ones that came up over and over and over. Mrs. Engles is funny. She's kind helpful. She is so nice. She helps me learn. And several said, "I love her." So, I thought that was pretty pretty awesome. Um, as far as me, um, you know, I'm really impressed
008with Christina because she was one of those teachers asked to come over and join a different team during the grade level shift and a different grade and and teach a different grade, kindergarten of all grades. And um, I could tell she was nervous, but she she just jumped in and started working. And I was really proud of her. And um it was awesome to see her students had some of the highest growth of our whole school in her first year. So pretty amazing. May Roberts Primary School would like to recognize Christina Les as our 2024 25 teacher of the year. Christina embodies excellence. Her consistently positive attitude brightens our school, her team, and her students. She's always excited and willing to help at our afterchool events. Christina is a true team player, incredibly supportive of
009colleagues and administrators. This year, Christina courageously accepted a new kindergarten position and has absolutely excelled in her new role. She has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and dedication. We are so lucky to have her. Congratulations, Christina. Yum. her family couldn't make it, but I do want her family to stand up and I've known her since she was a child. [Music] Aken Elementary would love to honor Sarah Good evening. I'm Toby Huddleston, principal at Aken, and I am very excited for this opportunity. Put my glasses on so I do it right. Um, we are so proud to celebrate Sarah Poff as our 2025 teacher of the year. Sarah's official title is music teacher, but her magic spreads far beyond her music duties. If you need any e thing, Sarah is there. Not only there, but smiling in there.
010In addition to sharing her love of music with our students, she is an ever willing helper, covering classes, creating time for students to visit our new book vending machine, and running our amazing tag program. Is there anything Miss Pop can't do? A teacher asked recently. No. The answer is no. She can do anything and she does. All for the sake of Aken students and staff. Constantly helping others with a smile. Sarah's positive spirit and dedication even when navigating challenging circumstances make her an invaluable superhero among us. Thank you, Sarah. So, my name is Lisa Longoria. I'm the principal at Ontario Middle School. We have three grade levels and so we get to recognize two wonderful teachers. Um the first one, Cara Rio, you go girl. Cara, I'm gonna have you stand there so we can't
011see you. Cara is a vital part of the Ontario Middle School family. In her first year as language arts teacher in our building, she has demonstrated her ability to create a positive, inviting, and safe learning environment for all. Cara works diligently every period, every day to create and sustain genuine relationships with students. This allows her to command respect in order to effectively deliver wellthoughtout, engaging lessons. Carara invests time outside of the classroom by coaching cross country and MS track and field. We are fortunate to have Carara on our MS team. And Cara came from the high school to teach middle school students. That's a big shift and she's taken um the bull by the horns and done a wonderful job with that. Congratulations. and her family, if you could please stand. These teachers can't be
012as wonderful as they are without the support of those names. And our next um honory is Maria Bonitez. I feel like I'm gonna get teeyed with this one. Maria, um Maria started her career at Ontario Middle School. Um Maria has been a technology teacher at Ontario Middle School for eight years now. It has been an honor and pleasure to see Maria blossom in our building. From the beginning, she has taken her responsibility for teaching and learning seriously. Although she began teaching a content area she was not familiar with, she quickly and happily learned how to effectively deliver new curriculum to students. She did the same with her new role as yearbook adviser this year, creating a beautiful book of memories. Maria is a team player who is aware of the importance of her contributions to
013students and staff. We value Maria and are fortunate to have her on our team. Maria Bonitez. and Maria's family, please stand. Good evening. I'm Ken Martinez. I'm the principal of Ontario High School. Have Julie Esson. Come on. I'll have you stand right there. One that way everybody can see. But Julia has been an essential pillar of support both professionally and personally within our school community. This year, especially her unwavering dedication, quiet leadership, and tireless work ethic have made a profound impact on both students and staff. Julie played a critical role in helping teachers navigate complex academic and social dynamics among our junior students. She was a trusted, sounded board, always kind and partial, insightful in her feedback. Her thoughtful guidance was not only supportive, but generally helped shape more positive outcomes for our students. When
014our team faced uh staffing shifts, Julie stepped up without hesitation, taking on a significant load of additional students. Despite the increased demands, she remained focused on meeting the diverse needs of both students and staff, never compromising her standard of care. Her efforts in leading extra programs like the student leadership group are a testament to her commitment beyond the classroom. She showed remarkable patience and guidance as she mentored that group, helping them grow in both confidence and responsibility. Congratulations. Welld deserved. Oh, do you have any family, Julie? What about the OS family? We have the OS. There we go. All right, 10 come on up. These are nominated and selected by our staff, so they've made an impression on their colleagues on their peers. Jen Tuttle is an indispensable member of the Ontario High School team,
015exemplifying dedication, innovation, and leadership in every aspect of her work. This year she has gone above and beyond by taking the responsibility of facilitating tutorial and guiding students toward the credit recovery process using Ingenuity. Her support has been instrumental in helping students get back on track and achieve academic success. Jennifer's commitment to supporting both students and colleagues is unmatched. She has willingly sacrificed her time to create uh clear user-friendly instructional manuals that assist staff in navigating various technology platforms. As a recognized leader in technology education, Jennifer serves as a mentor in the Oregon State University Cascades program, currently guiding our new technology teacher in Malher County. Her mentorship reflects not only her technical knowledge, but also her commitment to growing the next generation of educators. Jennifer Tuttle's impact extends far beyond her classroom. Her selflessness,
016professionalism, and tireless efforts make her an exceptional educator and a vital asset to our school and community. We're proud to nominate her for teacher of the year in recognition of the tremendous difference she makes every day. Will the OS family stand and recognize her again? There we go. Thank you both. Well deserved. question. Yes. Sorry. Beautiful. Something's off here. All righty. Beautiful. Thank you guys. Congratulations. Remember, rockar. We're going to target. Yay. I'm going to speak on the voice. together and uh go right on to the for start. had a lot of fun the last couple months and as I mentioned in a letter to the next meeting to stay as engaged um I got to go to the studying of Akens book Lindy machine. Um, I think I already talked about uh student breakfast
017week. Um, I was able to work with Miss Paloma's fifth grade class. Uh, they wrote and illustrated a book on wildlife in Malner County and it was printed. These kids were so proud. I'd be proud if I had a book on my shelf with my name on it. um course graduation, regional track meet last week. Um a lot of fun stuff that I love to engage in with the kids. I think I already mentioned Miss Huddleston always takes me to the students that make me cry and then I find of myself that at Miss Ballold school it happened again. But it's all great. Well, can I just say one thing? So, he came to the party um in Miss Palo's class, and he didn't just go to the party and see the books. He paid
018for every student to have a book, and those books were $40 a piece. Wow. So, he paid for every student in her class to receive that book. My book was frozen and I couldn't pay for it. attended the last graduation as a board member. Yeah. But I told Matt that I was going to set two little chairs on the side for for us to staff. I'll have it with all the teachers. I'll have a Ken, but no, Ken's up on the stage. Yeah. And I also attended the migrant um graduation reception and Matt did too. And I and it was a great time. It has been a celebration time. Well, it's this time of year and it's what I always harp on. we need to feature these brilliant students because there's not just a couple,
019you know, we got a ton of them. So, I was really proud to see all of the Valley Victorians and the people joining the military and everybody that's our honors, too. Got a lot of them. And I would agree with Matt. It was we uh attended the FFA banquet or awards ceremony banquet uh the Hispanic the then for the awards for all the students and it's nice to recognize everyone I guess I wish I knew all the stories about all of them because I know some have had to work really really hard so and graduation was u it was fun to see all the kids and how many stand up because they take and I get it wrong. The extra 2,200 hours 22 credits 22 credits graduating class collecting over 2200 college credits. Okay. So
020it was again those activities most kids have some level of culture. Yeah. They get to get a head start. So it's a very good month. I appreciate it. Thank you. I I'll just double down on that graduation piece. Uh spectacular when I walk away from those and and I'm proud of what we've done. That's a good thing. I have been to my own siblings, aunts, uncle or nieces and nephews graduations outside of this area and we by far put on the best graduation I've ever seen. So, thank you. So tight, meticulous. See if I made them kids rehears. Thank you. I also got an opportunity to go into the egg shop again. Just it and and I didn't get a guided tour. I just said got told, "Yeah, you know where it's at. Go ahead
021and head out there." And since I left, they tore down walls and they moved a lot of things. And I start walking through there. I'm going I'm not sure which door I'm supposed to go through. But by doing that, I got to walk through everybody's classroom. That was kind of nice to see that end of the world again and uh see the hard work that our teachers are doing. So, I'd like to thank them. I'd also like to thank all those teachers that came out for graduation. I do remember those days when teachers attended graduation. It's always hot. Yeah. Always always hot. And if you could get it to rain, it's usually too late. So, uh, but I do I think that our district has done a marvelous job this year and, uh, I say
022that with sincerity because watch all of you come to our board meetings and then I see people out in the community that are also very appreciative of the work that you've done. Yeah. Thank you. financial report beginning being the beginning of June. Um there are three payrolls this month. So we have the regular payroll on the 20th and then we'll have um we'll pay all of the paychecks out um let's see June 27th for July and then June 28th for August. And so looking at the cash flow, um you know, in July we get paid two payments like two months worth of payments in July. So there's a little bit of a spike in July. In November there's a little bit of a spike because that's when property taxes come in. Um and then our
023last payment for the year is received in May. And so June there is no um there is no state payment. Um and there's three payrolls. So there's a influx of of cash flow because of that and so we can look at that um next month but uh but it's all preparing for the end of the year. Um also this next board meeting um I'll have the the budget to approve um to go for that and then I'm also going to make a a a hard push to have the audit to approve um at the end of June. That way we can have it done in this fiscal year. And so, uh, it's in the final, um, partner approval stage at this point. Um, and so I'm gonna make that push and because we need it,
024um, sooner than later. So, other than that, that is all I have. Thank you, Vicki. Yeah. Um just to echo what all of you said, we have a lot going on this last month between um we have um everything from like I said FA student awards uh migrant grad celebration CTE celebration um budget meeting all of that. I do want to give a shout out to Devin and I thought did spectacular in his presentation of the budget and budget especially school budget is not an easy thing to understand and um the way that he presented it to people who are not normally sort of fiscally minded schoolally minded like that I thought he did a great job explaining it and and all that so great job Um and um outside of my regular um report
025that you all received, um we're just still dayto-day watching what the legislature does as they start to wind down session. Um and um you all know this because I announced it at the budget meeting, but um the audience may not that we did a final um hard push to the legislature um actually the day before our budget meeting. we um or two days before that I guess um we did a call to action through Ala and I think there were at least more than a hundred of us that wrote letters to the legislature um and shot that off saying we need at least 114 it's not quite 114 but um we need that and here's why and we could cut through that and it went on for reasons being So, we were we were a
026little nervous there for a minute on what was going to happen. Um, there's still some things that are hanging out there that were uh some things were concerned about um some legislation and then some things um just still hoping to get that we receive full funding through for SIA and measure 98. Hopefully, they will not be cut because we have a lot of positions tied up into those two grants. So, uh, kind of waiting to to, um, hear if we need to do another call to action where we send more letters and off to legislature. Um, and the one thing, the last thing I have is is during the budget meeting, there was a question about bus routes and if we reduced a bus route as we went as we transition to grade level schools.
027The answer is yes, but so the answer is yes, we did reduce a route. However, we've had to add that person back or or that route back, but it's not because of the reason you would think. The the reason that we added that back like as in the afternoon is because we had so many kids um going to the Boys and Girls Club that um it we were way overcrowded on our bus and it was a little bit unruly. So we added that back. So, and to make it work, right, to get all those kids to the Boys and Girls Club and to pick up other students at other schools, um, it was a little complicated. So we added that route back and I think it was mid year February February as we kept working
028kind of our busing issue issues trying to get our times wrapped up because remember we also transport for like our LEAP programs for the through the ESD our preschool programs things like that. On top of that, we're um we have buses going um throughout the day to transport um students with special needs, things like that. So, um so I just wanted to give you guys an update, an answer to that on why that was. Okay, any questions for me? No, I I didn't really know what we did. I'm glad they asked that question and I'm glad to hear and like as you did now we think you said we bus every student. Yes. And so we do students as we switch to busing all students that have that that want to be transported. But it's
029also more than just uh at the beginning of the school day and at the end if there's busing and you said we have some might go to Willow Creek. Well we did last year. I don't think we have that student anymore, but but anytime we have if we have a a homeless student or a foster placement, we and they're living even over in Idaho um or Mitsah or like I said last year we had one in Wilporting Transport and that's a requirement. If it's not inappropriate, where do you pick up a homeless child? Do they give hotel RV? At the park. At the park. If they're staying in their vehicle, whatever they're at. Yeah. Wherever Wherever they are. Sometimes Sometimes that's that changes from day to day or week to week. We had a family
030um come in just recently, a few weeks ago, and they there were actually two families that were together and they were living in their vehicles and staying out at the [Music] um what was it? Um camp the camp the campgrounds or what? They're still homeless from still home. Oh, they still haven't found. We still have been working to find them. They're at farewell band. They're at what? Farewell vent. Are they still going to school here? We picked them up. We Yes. Huntington. We send one of our liaons to bring the students to school. Yeah. They've had perfect attendance. Yeah. So, so yeah, it's and it's ever ch changing, right? Because um their situation um change from day to day. And so um we um and Annabelle and her team make sure that they have the
031things that they need and um also connections to resources in the community to hopefully find them someplace to stay more permanently. You know, maybe we don't all look at it this way, but if I were a traumatized parent in that situation, I really respect them for even figuring out how to get here and meet with you guys to get the kids in school. It's an interesting story for sure. And um and and yes, it is. Yeah. Any any family in these type of situation is going through a chronic stress stage and when we reach out we have to be really simple and specific and almost be task oriented and direct the situation because it's a lot to process and to manage and would make it easy for them. Right. We have a great team. Yes.
032I add to this the three board member or the budget board members they enjoy the presentation about the detail that they learned. Yeah, they asked great questions. They did ask questions, but they didn't expect detail to read. They they all of you asked really good key questions and they were questions with detail in them that showed that you all had looked through the budget and made notes and were prepared coming into that and appreciate it. No other questions for Nikki. Move on to public comment. Just who one? Just one. Good evening. I'm Kirsten Wheeler speaking on behalf of the Ontario Education Association and I'm here to talk to you guys tonight about a drive that we are um moving forward with um in an effort to ironically this happens to be the perfect night to
033work on honoring teachers that work in the school district in conjunction with the district's teacher of the year award. Um I was at a district previously where they had several awards named after um previous teachers that had been in the district and those teachers demonstrated things such as um leadership in technology um care and extra effort for students. And I got to thinking that um as someone who was raised in Ontario and who attended Ontario um that we have a lot of teachers in Ontario school district district's history that really had an impact on my life. I think back to um Brian his name just slipped my mind. Um Hoffman. Hoffman. I had him as a teacher. I babysat his girls. Him and his wife's impact on my life will never be forgotten. So, the
034OEA would like to open up to the community, to the school board, to teachers, um to parents, to anyone who attended Ontario School District who has an idea of a teacher that we could name an award after. They do not obviously have to be deceased or even retired or they could still be working. But if there is someone um within the community or somebody in the community that has an idea of an award um you know, I think back to John Buck. Don Buck ignited my passion for science. Um, you know, he's somebody that I think about that really impacted the students that he led. Um, there were so many people within the leadership department that affected my life and really kind of guided me towards being the teacher that I am today and stepping
035up into leadership positions like I am now. If it weren't for them, I'm not sure that I would have the grit and determination, even the courage to be up here talking to you guys. So, um, we're working on a form right now to push out to the community, to push out to the board members, to anyone who has an idea, um, of a name that they would like to nominate for an award. So, um, if you guys have anything that you would like to share, and my big vision is to kind of throw a huge end of the year teacher appreciation bash and hopefully do that in conjunction with the district, with the community, invite all of our community partners and really celebrate the educators we have that are making impacts on our communities day
036after day. Just like Annabelle talked about, those kids, I mean, we're all here on the front lines working, and I think our um, teachers do a remarkable job. So, be looking for that to come out to you guys and to um be thinking, start racking your brain about the teachers um that your kids had that maybe you had if you lived here in this community um that might make a good award. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions? I think she got a way before you could ask. Oh, sorry. Comment if I could real quick. I had when I was in high school, my algebra I've told the story before, but my algebra teacher gave me an A and underneath he wrote it. Maybe someday you'll deserve it. People said, "Well, are you a fan?" I
037said, "But I I look at grades that way." You know, you So, Mr. Stowe, I might nominate him for That's a great idea. All right, we are going to move on to our business section. Uh, first one is the approval of the June board meeting date. Currently, I think the idea would be at least for me that it would have been the 203rd and I'm out of town. I would like to recommend that we change it to June 30th if there's no conflict for anybody. still I guess for that last meeting. I can do this. Would that work for you? Yes. June 30. I make a motion we change our June board meeting to June 30 at 5:00. Motion made. Second. Motion second. All in favor say I. I. I. Motion is passed. Record that
038as the school board meeting will be June 30th, 2025. Excellent. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the superintendent contract. That is the annual we review and think this one extends it the normal three years. Yep. Okay. Three years from this coming or including this year 2025 2026 27 July 1 2025 to July 1 2028. Correct. So three more years through 28. Yes. Gotcha. Motion to approve the superintendence. I'll second it. Made and second it. All in favor say I. Can I need a comment? I can get a comment. I have about seven of these contracts and I've reviewed this with all the one because I've been around a while and I think this is the best one so far and I'm glad we are able to extend it for three years. Any
039other comments? We like you. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Nay. Motion is passed. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the Alama project contract. We do have someone on Zoom that is here to share a little bit about I love it. Good evening. Um this is Kristen Kavalik with the Trust for Public Land and we have been partnering with the school district for the last few years um on the Alama Elementary School schoolyard design and eventual construction project. And this evening um I just wanted to give an update on where we are with the funding um associated with the project. And there's also um Ashley Ledwig is with us this evening. She's a landscape architect that's been working on the project. She's going to give an
040update on the drawing. Um and then there is an action item um we're seeking approval to enter into um for TPL and the district to enter into an agreement um to go out to bid and then eventual construction of the schoolyard project uh a little later this year. So um I'll just start with the funding. So uh this project we've been uh securing some grants. We've been pursuing a lot of grant proposals mostly through the private sector, a few through the public sector. Um to date we've been able to raise $950,000 uh towards the project and we currently have a request with the legislature um pending in the capital construction budget. Uh so we won't know until uh probably you know next week um or a little little later if that request for funding has
041been approved. um if it is approved, that would give us all of the funding that we would need to um be able to construct the project as it was originally envisioned and the design that um I believe the school district has already seen. Um, and if we don't receive the funding through the legislature, as I mentioned, we still have $950,000 that is secure and we would move forward with the project, but um needing to scale back the project a little bit. And that's what Ashley um would be sharing here uh this evening with you so you could see what the project would look like um in that slightly modified version. So what's the total dollar amount needed to 13 I think right three so 350,000 more that was the original I'm looking at Ashley we're
042around 13 for the original design yeah um assuming that um there's been a lot that's been changing as we have a construction construction project underway at Madress right now. We're seeing costs of everything shift and change. And so that that was a yeah, originally a $1.3 million budget, but So you won't know the cost until you bid it, a rebid or whatever. That's correct. We've not gone out to bid yet. Um, and our goal is to go out to bid um, soon after learning about the legislature and if we are successful receiving any of the funds we requested through the legislature. Um, and and again, if we're not successful, we're still going to go out to bid, but we have then the modified um, drawing set of drawings that that that would be part of
043the bid packet as as opposed to the original set of drawings. Then if I could there's no uh diagram attached that I think it's be I mean I think I saw it a year or two ago. I because I'm not sure what we're going to build. Is it it is I have I have some visuals if I'm able to share my screen. Um I can share with you guys some of the updates that we have and it can be the Alamita school south of the bargain of the back bargain. Yeah. Is it going to be for the school use only or the public use? Both. Are you guys able to see my screen? Yes. Yes. Yeah. Okay, great. Um, so I think the the version that we had, just to kind of orient you guys,
044um, yes, it's the space that we're looking at is between the school and the parking lot. Um, and originally our scheme for the project, um, had included some areas kind of beyond that. And so I think just to pull that budget in, uh, as Kristen was saying, we looked at ways that we could make adjustments without really changing as much as possible. Um, and still kind of, um, achieving the goals, right? that we wanted to create these indoor outdoor spaces for the school to be able to expand outside for places for families to come together after hours and have intergenerational play um and to really kind of bring some nature and native planting into the schoolyard. Um and so what we've done is this kind of big pink dash line that you see is kind
045of where we've kind of um tightened the footprint of the schoolyard. um to look at that and plan. We're basically kind of taking out some additional swings and kind of hangout areas that we had really more for the older kids and now that it's just uh as I believe at third and fourth grade, is that correct? No, four or five. Four or five. We thought that um seemed appropriate um that you know we didn't need as many different play zones. Um, and then we also looked at kind of um reducing the size of the covered structure to really fit an elementary school-sized basketball court. Um, and then we had to remove some of the additional things um that we've tried to put in like an a small orchard and some volleyball courts. Um, and then
046looked at some of the play equipment. So, we still have some really awesome features that we've envisioned with the community. um like these play trails that have signs about different animals um and instruct kids on like you know like hop like a um a rabbit and um flutter like a butterfly. Um that's still in there. And we still have a lot of this wonderful play equipment. We have a big swing set with um a saucer swing and some regular swings, a communications board and musical play area. We're keeping still that the um large play structure and relocating it to from the front of the school to to this play area. Um and we developed some cool custom features with uh a play company. We have this like play onion feature that um is accessible um
047that's a nice kind of little play hut that'll allow kids of all ages to kind of play all abilities, play um in a different kind of way, in a more social way. And then we swapped out what we had before was a a large climber with a slide. And that feature was really expensive. So we looked at um something that still accommodates a large amount of kids. So anywhere from like 25 to 50 kids can fit on this thing um at at recess, but it's uh more in the budget that we're looking for. Um so still have that climbing structure. And then we have smaller things like spinners and the somersa salt bars. And so really we're able to keep a lot of the functionality of what we had before just in a slightly smaller
048footprint with a smaller um covered structure and a change in some of the um some of the play equipment. So any questions about those updates? Exactly the smaller um cupboard structure that was the one thing that I was adamant that I really wanted to maintain that size. Why was that trimmed down? Well, what we were looking at was we were looking at um whether or not we were keeping it or not. And so we knew that we had to keep it. Um and so we looked at the size of it and right now it was sized to be uh or before it was sized as like a high school basketball court size. So it was 60 by 90 and we made it a little bit smaller. Now it's I believe 50 by 80. So um
049you know it's still quite large but um we thought that that savings that I mean we're we're really like really close right there with the cost savings. And so you know if we were to keep that we'd have to look at like eliminating some of the play equipment I think if we wanted to keep it at that 60 by 90. I had a question then. I lived a couple of blocks and there's a lot of cars and trucks that come by and don't they come in that that uh east entrance? Does does this block that entrance? No. No. We're we're keeping that accessible um path into the school so that any kind of maintenance vehicles or trucks that need to come access the back of the school will still have that access. be a roadway
050through the middle of it. I'm sorry, Bob. There'll be a roadway type drive through the middle of this. So, you still be able to come into the parking lot and then this right up against the school back school. Yeah, there'll be a there will be a rolling gate along that so that it'll, you know, maybe control people who maybe aren't supposed to drive up there, but that anyone who, you know, is authorized to drive up can access it. Good. Good. Thank you. Any other questions? Tell us why you wanted a bigger size. um just because of the functionality for the school, you know, we wanted to be able to use that for PE classes year round because it's covered. So, we would be able to take the kids out even when it's raining or potentially
051snowing. don't have that area for kids to play for outdoor recess and during PE classes and nothing I've done decreases in price because it's 40 instead of 50. So I don't know why you would need to decrease the size. Concrete's concrete. Oh, well it's a cover it's a covered structure. So, um it's covering concrete. So, there were significant changes by changing it 10 ft in two directions. Sorry, repeat the question. Oh, there were actually significant um savings like in decreasing 10 ft by 10 ft. Yes. Um I could Is it just concrete? I'll pour it. No, no, no. Sorry. It's a It's a covered structure. So, it's a it's like a pullb barn structure, right? That's open open on the sides and has a roof. That's discouraging. Do we save money in the landscaping rather
052than decreasing the structure size? This is Mrs. B, the principal at Alama. Yeah. Um, I mean, we can we can look at that, but I think we'd have to cut a significant portion of the site to um to make that larger. Okay. Um, I mean, I think something, you know, we've it's something where I mean, if there's something we can do to like go out there and kind of measure it out for for ourselves and kind of see if, you know, see what that looks like in in space. Um, you know, I will say it's quite large. We did a 60 by 90 um a few years ago at the Chiloquin Elementary School and it really it's it's a really robust space and so that's why we felt comfortable um pulling it down a little
053bit for that cost savings. But um I think it might be helpful to like go measure it out and kind of see see what that looks like in physical space um and see if that will meet the needs or not because we um ultimately we want to make sure you know we're giving you what you need. Any other questions from board members? My only question um I I think of this as you know from a building standpoint the the vision is to have it the larger size and I think having that conversation is important. My next question is, can we if we vote on this to approve the the contract, will that conversation still continue? Uh Kristen, I believe so, but what do you think? Yes. what we were hoping to do given the meeting
054schedules um your your meeting schedule was to get on the agenda this evening and the way that the agreement is written. we have a not to exceed dollar amount and that not to exceed dollar amount was based on the budget of the original design um which has all the elements that you know um Ashley had had mentioned um and and in drafting the agreement that way gives us the flexibility to be able to pivot one way or the other after the legislature meets. So if the legislature meets and again we that our funding request is approved, we'll move we can come back and we can move forward with the original design that was proposed. And again, if we don't get the funding through the legislature, then uh we would have the ability to go out
055to bid with this modified version of the design. And if there needs to be still further conversation about the size of the basketball court area, again, we can we can certainly do that before we go out to bid. Um we're we're trying to be mindful of the season and uh hoping to secure a general contractor this summer that could start the work out there and have it completed, you know, ideally before fall. Um, so I just I just raised that that certainly as Ashley said, we want to make sure we're moving forward with a design that we can fund and that also meets the needs of the district. And if that requires further conversation after this evening, um, we will certainly prioritize that. Um, we just wanted to make sure we have the agreement in
056front of the the board and the agreement as it's currently written. Um, if we can get approval to sign that agreement once we know how much funding we have to work with, what the design looks like, then that can just keep us moving on the schedule that we had hoped to stay on. Otherwise, we would have to come back to the board. Um, if there's a July uh board meeting, I I just for myself, my yay v my yes vote would be based on you going back and talking to the district and and making sure we're we're both clear on what we want. If I could add, it would be nice to know what the larger building costs. What's the savings for a smaller building? Um, there may be a way to raise the money
057outside, but did they also say what we're voting on now or the grander? Yes. So, that answers your question, doesn't it, Brett? It could it give we get to move forward, but they still need to talk. Understood. [Music] Sorry, Mike. They didn't answer your question. No, I don't. Yeah. Is there a way to find out the savings for a smaller building? Does it seem like that? Yeah, it's about it's about $40,000. Yeah, I would really think that we would as a board would want the larger building and figure out $4,000 40,000 go out to community whatever, you know, I think there there's a way to obtain another $40,000. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I mean we we obviously want to build as much as we possibly can because we want to, you know, provide as much as
058we can for the kids, but there's a lot of benefit to the school and to the community to have it be an officialsized basketball court. It just opens up a whole another avenue of being able to utilize that space rather than it being an undersized and not a full-size court. So, rent it to other towns for $100,000. We'll rent it to you for 40,000. I understand this if we approve the contract is for the larger it it's just for the contract. It's just for the contract that can be negotiated to go. Okay. I make a motion that we approve the the contract. Motion made. I'll second it. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. I. I. Motion is passed. Okay. I look forward to an update. Thank you. Uh, next on the
059on the agenda is the approval of the classified agreement. So, it's through negotiations. Is this through that one? Yes. Yes, that one. Do you want to comment and and we're we're happy with the changes? I think we passed it last board meeting too. So I'd entertain a motion for approval of the classified agreement. Motion made. I'll second. Made and seconded. Any questions before we No questions. All in favor say I. I. I. I. All oppose. Nay. Motion is passed. Next on there is the approval of the administrative agreement. And I think we had a short discussion and sounds like it went through. And okay, then I'll entertain a motion to approve the administrative contract. I make a motion to approve the administrative contract. Motion's made. I'll second it. Second. All in favor say I. I.
060I. All oppose? Nay. Motion is passed. Approval on the superintendent's goals. Um questions for me. Obviously, I put two goals in front of you. Um one is specific to um the district's long-term financial stability. Um really a proactive approach to what we believe is to come. maybe really paying attention to what's coming and ensuring that we're in a stable place and a healthy place. Um and but there's, you know, obviously things to do. Advocacy is part of that. Um making sure that we're using resources wisely. um making sure to stay in front of if if there continues to be um cuts or changes um to to be able to find places to whether it's through attrition um or something else. Um also still looking at grants um to help supplement um a district. Um and
061then the second goal is really around literacy and that's um one of the the governor's goals right now as well is to really push in that area. We received um obviously a grant last year. We're applying for another grant. Um, I think that the reconfiguration is it's the perfect timing for us to really we've already seen skains that really to um get kids reading and on track right while any questions kind of an aside but associated to the so if I understand it so the state is far and away our biggest funer. Twothirds of our money basically comes from them. I heard in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, there is no state funding for schools. It's all federal. Is that true? No, there's no way. But it's just a minimal amount compared to ours. They
062might have a different funding formula in terms of taxes through that state, but I don't I can't I I I just don't know how that would work. And I read a huge article, God forbid we didn't get the federal funding, we wouldn't shut those schools would they may take a lot more in so it than it does for us. But remember also that way that state school for us and and many states across the nation is that um we also take in local property for us that's only uh it's less than 17% I think it is local that's the local funding and so um if you receive more in local taxes then you would receive you would receive less state school fund. Also remember that there are are districts in our state that that um
063get all of their money through local taxes. So for example, Neani, which is on the coast, a very small town, they don't take any state school fund. All of their fund all of their funding comes through um global taxes. Um, Huntington actually is uh not too far behind in that either because remember now they have the big uh windmill money. And so um so yeah, there's only a handful of them, but they don't get any state school fund because they generate enough local taxes. So that that's a you know, like I said, the more the more money you would get locally, the less states In our case, it's about it's about 7 16 to 17%. So, um they may have some different funding formulas that way where they collect more property taxes or things like
064that. Yeah, I I'll I'm interested in know knowing that. I'm going to do a little research. Great. Yeah. Interesting. Wow. Nikki on your goal one say that you know the objective will be to adapt to funding charge changes. Yes. I don't know why and reading your your uh report it's like like no more money or it's like are we gonna have enough money? Yes. I wonder how the teachers feel and will I just remember that some principles were allocated into the central office into the administration you know when when the schools got together then they had jobs here at the at the office. Is that like are we spending more in the office? No. So, I'll just tell you. So, I'm I'm glad you asked that question because I think you asked it the other
065night at the budget meeting and so I probably didn't explain it. So, for example, um we have an administrative group which is what you just voted on that the administrative group is made up of of uh supervisors, directors, things like that, but it's also made up of different folks. For example, we have um um so when I started in the district, our speech and language pathologists were had come through the ESD. So the ESD um provided so as part of of that consortium, they hired him and then we got those services. We opted out of that portion of the ESD and then as a result what we did was we actually then contracted with St. fancus. Yes. On those speech and language pathologists. Over time, we've been able to hire our own speech and language
066pathologists. Speech and language p pathologists aren't necessarily in the teachers group and they make different wages. So, when we brought them on, we put them in that administrative group. Some other people in that administrative group, for example, are um confidential employees. for example, Andrea who's the board secretary. Now, the administrative group isn't just funded. Actually, a good portion of the administrative group is funded with different dollars. For example, we have um trans the transportation director of transportation who works for us. Remember, they have their own kind of money because that's reimburseable by the state, right? We have Pam, who we talked about who's in the administrative group. Pam and her assistant and the people that work for her are in the administrative group, but that is not the same funding. Does that make sense? I'll
067give you another example. Annabelle is in the administrative group, but Annabelle's salary and her assistant who also works here and a few others are in the administrative group, but that is federal funding. We have Melissa who is works for the district office and Melissa's salary is paid for through IDA Medicaid some general fund some a little bit of general fund but so what I'm saying is is that many of those people in there um uh I'll give you another our s our safety coordinator he's paid for with grant dollars so so when I say that group actually a big portion of that group is probably are mostly funded either with like money like Pam or grant dollars. Okay. Does that make sense? Yes. So, actually um and piece and parts of other people. So, the
068majority of that group is not probably general funds in my mind. I just had that people were moved to uh Jod's another one. So Jod was brought on as grant coordinator and Jod's salary is actually paid with grant dollars as well. So those aren't general fund dollars and she brings in the money and she brings in the money. She pays for herself. Yeah. Yeah. So uh Bob Bob is paid for with general fund dollars. We did we switch a little portion of Bob maybe to he's all general fund. He's all general fund. So, as you can see, the majority of people that that are in that group, it just depends. We have a nurse for for example, the district nurse. District nurses, nurses in general are paid more, right? And paid differently. They don't necessarily
069fit on a certified salary scale. So, she's in the administrative group because of that. And she's actually paid for with some Medicaid, some Medicaid. And we have her at SIA. She's she's a partially funded. She actually I don't think we pay paid for any general fun. One thing I was just going to say if it's okay to keep that it it does kind of look like that group has grown, but a lot of those positions are frankly specialed positions that because of opting out of the ESD, they gave us the money that used to go over a million dollars, right? over a million dollars. So those people that used to be ESD employees are now a lot of them in the administrative contract because of the fact just some things about our contract. Um our
070teacher contract doesn't allow for people to supervise other people. Um and so a speech pathologist must supervise a speech pathology assistant. So they can't be in our certified contract. So there's just some reasons like that. So and several of the positions are also funded by Medicaid which we also didn't used to have and now we generate a good amount of money with Medicaid. So that's allowed us to add a school nurse a um coun a few counselors and it has allowed us to add um the school psychologist as well. So yeah. Yeah. So that was a million dollars that we passed through that. now. So you So it looks like it's it's grown, but it's not ne it hasn't grown with general fund dollars. Medicaid not pay for an assistance in regards to um no
071what Medicaid pays for, Melissa. So what Medicaid does pay for for example, what it will pay for is if we so I think it was last year we had to hire a certified CNA to help with a med medically fragile student. So that so you might see them sort of as an instructional assistant and Medicaid may pay for that. Yes. In some cases. Yeah. So we have some behavior support assistance. So they're kind of like instructional assistants but um have some more training and expertise in working with some of our students who are more difficult students. And so yeah, they can be fun. And so mental health, medically related, um not just an instructional assistant, but if they're an assistant that has like some medical responsibilities or mental health or behavioral health responsibilities, they can
072be paid for with Medicaid. Yeah. And we've also done things like remodel the transition center up by the high school. Um re done some little remodels in buildings. Buy a lot of sensory equipment for students with those dollars. I would say that the majority of that that those people are under Melissa's budget. IDA, Medicaid, those kinds of things. So So I'm I'm glad you brought that up. I don't know Devin if you want to add anything to that. several other people who are grant funded that we didn't mention but um even portions of you know pod doing doing cyber security we're able to put a portion of of him and some other it into grants so there's there's a lot of movement here it might change next year too but for now that's how I
073would I would venture to guess that we probably have less people in the administr um general fund than we did 15 years ago So, yeah. Yeah, good question. And I think it's something that not everybody understood. Oh, you have a bigger administrative group, but there's reasons why they're in the administrative group. And a lot of it has to do with um like Melissa said, supervisory roles or if they have a different job out of Leica. Just kind of unique job titles where we don't have a group of them. There's one or two. Good question. Thank you. Any other questions? I don't think we have a motion. This motion goals goals and then make a motion to approve the superintendent goals for 2526. Motion made. Second. Motion seconded. Any questions? All in favor say I. I.
074All oppose? Nay. Motion is passed. Next on our agenda is the approval of the 2025 summer school payroll. This is just something we do every year. Yep. Every year. Any questions? Run for six weeks or um it begins this Friday for staff and then we shut down July 3rd, but then we pick back up with a something else at the BeQu Park. Any other questions on hearing? None. I have to entertain a motion. Make a motion to approve the planning summer school pay. I second. Motion made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. I. All oppose. Nay. Motion has passed. Pretty sure Mark said yay, but Matt. Yes. Okay, sure. Moving right on to the policies. We have one policy on there. That's a first reading. That's an AR. Can I dump that into
075our vote? So, our approval will be including all of our second and our first reading policies. Anybody have any questions on our policy? Hearing none, entertain a motion. I'd make a motion that we approve policy AC, which is non-discrimination and civil rights policy ACR discrimination complaint procedure. Policy GBN JBA sexual harassment and JB GBN sexual harassment. Good question. I feel like we approve uh some policy on sexual harassment like almost every because they're updated. Is this the same one we approved five months ago with minor vision? So because but there's multiple kinds of understood. Yeah. The only change priority. I think the only change, you know, it highlights it is they changed to include name, title, work address, email address, and phone number. Yeah, I think inconsequential, but I think change the law a little
076bit. Yeah. Yeah. So, did you include number 12 13? He was trying to say, "Oh, I didn't say J JF, which is pregnant or parenting students." And finally, um, JHFK, child abuse and uh, investigation. Motion made. Do I hear a second? I'll second it. Any questions? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. All oppose? Nay. Motion has passed. topics for future meetings. Are you gonna me? Yes. Um, uh, we'll probably have some end stuff. [Music] That's right. You want to add OSBA scholarship. the OSBA. We were trained several years ago and as a result we have $6,500 which we can award as a scholarship. Hopefully our audit will be on next month. a recently graduated. Yep. You think that any others? I would entertain a motion to adjourn. I talked about the I make
077a motion to adjurnn and I'll say motion made and second. All in favor say I. I. Right. If you jerk