2025-7-17 MHPS Board Meeting Livestream

001the meeting to order. We do have a quorum present. Meeting has been duly called. Appropriate notice has been given. Um we're going to go ahead and stand for the pledge. And this evening we have uh Ashley Looney, one of our school nurses, is going to lead us and then share a little bit. 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. >> Thank you for sharing. Could >> we're not you're not going to get off that easy. >> Could you tell us a little bit about what it means to be a nationally certified school nurse? >> Well, um let's see. I had to um be a school nurse for three years. Had to

002get my bachelor's um and then it was over about the course of a school year um doing some I guess student nursing you could say. Um and then I took a INLEX style test and passed luckily. Um so that's kind of how I got that. But it was just a lot of I guess kind of working experience and wanting to um take some time kind of refresh myself and be able to really um you know have that expertise for our students. >> That's great. >> Been very blessed to be at the kindergarten with Kevin Roach and Denny's like to name a couple. Shout out >> to Kevin and of course I work with some of the best students on earth. Five girls, you know, hilarious and full of joy and just excited to start another

003school year. >> That's fantastic. >> So this is this is a big deal. >> It is. Um, this is not just something that's done on a whim and it was a lot of work and thank you for being willing to do that for yourself, for our kids, for our teachers, for our families because a school nurse doesn't just take care of kids. >> No, >> they are a huge part of what we do every single day. >> Well, thank you so much. It's my pleasure. >> Congratulations. Okay, at this time on the agenda, we're going to we have our public comment section. Um, but first before I'd like to just kind of set the groundwork here. Um, you know, so we open this meeting for public comments. It's it's a designated time for the community

004members to address the board on matters before us. So each speaker will be given three minutes to speak. We welcome your input. We encourage you to speak respectfully and professionally. We encourage you to avoid statements about specific students or district staff members in order to protect their rights. All public comments will be included in the recording of the meeting. We also encourage you to ensure you have followed our district policy um district chain of command and district policy which is policy 6.7 if and it's on our website and we could probably even have copies of it back there um before signing up for public comment. So thank you for speaking and we look forward to your comments and so this is the first time that we've done this since the law has passed and I'm

005pretty sure we're ahead of the game as far as the deadline. So, >> August August 5th, I believe is when it's required. >> So, um, we actually had one gentleman sign up, uh, Mr. Hat Me Myers. Thanks for coming in tonight. And just a reminder, we got three minutes. >> Oh, thank you, Jason. I don't think it's going to take anywhere near three minutes. I'll keep it brief and to the point. Um, I'm very pleased that the school board has got ahead of things in compliance with Senate Bill 90 and and the the policy changes to your manual uh I I think will be a benefit to the the general public and folks will be able to come in here knowing that they have an opportunity to interact with the board on whatever topic based

006on the law that they want to address whether it be the football team to the you know the lunch program or whatever it is. Um I I I I I commend the board for that and and wish you all luck and uh as the the challenges that that face the community and the school board. Um I I I'm pleased to hopefully be part of the solution rather than the the the problem. So thanks for this opportunity. I I deeply appreciate it. >> Thanks for coming in. H have a great night. >> And that was the only comment we have listed there. So we can move on to the approval of the agenda. >> I make a motion we approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Moving

007on to our presentations. Mr. Mr. Gage. >> Yes, sir. Thank you, Jason, Mrs. Dwey, and board members. Bill, you want to join me up here for just a second? >> So, in 2022, this school board considered and approved the aviation STEM curriculum and CTE pathway provided by the world's largest aviation organization, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. and the administration then implemented the three-year curriculum here in 2023. You will graduate our first cohort this spring. Some of you have visited the aviation classroom over at the junior high school. Tonight, I'll review briefly the national impact of this aviation STEM curriculum, where we have come in the first two years, and what is needed to optimize our results for future school years. With me this evening, Mr. Bill Holland recently moved from Oklahoma where he was

008involved in the development of the most successful aviation STEM program in the nation. Just this year, the Oklahoma program expanded from 117 high schools to 144 schools teaching the AOPA aviation STEM curriculum. That is fully 20% of all Oklahoma high schools. Here in Mountain Home, you are in very good company across the country. You have in your material uh distributed earlier a slide summary that describes the curriculum implemented over the past eight years. The aviation STEM curriculum is being used in more than 1,000 schools in 47 states and 82 colleges in 21 states offer college credit for this course based on its science content. results nationally are clear with opportunity created for high demand careers in aviation and aerospace industries. And don't think just pilots. Think engineers, weathermen, traffic controllers, mechanics, avionics technicians, drone operators,

009designers, airport managers, airline dispatchers, computer programmers, and hundreds of other aviation related careers. How important is this? More than 71,000 students served so far with 1700 achieving advanced FAA certificates in aviation careers. This is high school. Our first group will walk out with theirs next year. Exposed to the high school curriculum. 94% are going on to advanced education of some type, college, military, trade school, or technical training. and fully 60% of graduates have secured careers within the aviation aerospace industry to date. So we are established here in Mountain Home thanks to the board decision in 2022 and the hard work of our school administrators. We are about to graduate our first cohort with this three years of experience. Then what are our results? From over a 100 students requesting the course each year, only seven

010of the original 25 will complete. This loss is partly due to the usual small moveout percentage, but we have found it comes mostly from an incomplete and misleading class description in our course catalog and resistance to the location of this 10th through 12th grade class on the 9th grade campus. Mrs. Dwey, Mrs. Russell and the administration have done everything they can but do not have space to accommodate this critical STEM career pathway at the high school campus. It is a wonder we may graduate 32% of our starters in spite of this resistance. But that number is not likely to be sustained and already represents a loss of 50% of opportunity for some students. If this board and administration can support a solution, perhaps a temporary portable classroom, alternative course space at ASU Mountain Home with

011other classes, or swapping the space with a more flexible subject matter class, it could restore the potential to this program. One key factor has not changed, the support of the community through the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation, a group of pilots located right here at the Baxter County Airport. You may see one example of the type of support from Mrs. Lawrence's presentation later tonight. Class visits like that are available on request for any grade level the year round and in the past year three years more than 700 students have experienced aviation learning and career exposure at our airport. Experienced pilots and members of the aviation commu community are committed to providing solid support for the aviation STEM program in many other important ways. For example, foundation maintains an aviation corner in the library of the four

012upper grade level schools campuses with free publications available for the taking by students at any time. All career days and CTE events are supported with aviation industry information and mentors. Each year, two aviation internships for seniors are supported by the foundation and the Baxter County Airport focusing on airport management and aviation operations. And then there is the scholarship program critical to backing up student achievement. The foundation provides four types of scholarship totaling more than $35,000 in the last two years. For grades 9 through 11, students can win awards to ascend attend summer aviation STEM learning sessions at our militarymies and specialized aviation camps. Three of them are learning at various locations right now based on last year's scholarships. For graduates, six in the last three years are on their way to towards aerospace industry careers.

013Here at home, the foundation provides discovery flights for achieving students and others interested. And for those few students aspiring to pilot careers, that includes aircraft and instructors for an out of school flight training opportunity. Each of you have an invitation for such a flight. And I see one of my co-pilots in your desk here tonight. So I hope you might uh sometime join. Foundation pilots continue to attract donations to support the increasing demand for future scholarships while also contributing to the aviation STEM classroom needs. As incumbent members know, we cooperated with the district to acquire six flight simulators for our aviation students to check their math by performing an actual flight profile. For one of your future campus field trips, I recommend and invite you to the course and family aviation classroom to assess those

014resources for yourself. So, your aviation STEM studies program is established. Our students are benefiting and the chief need is to provide an adequate classroom location as we continue to increase the resources applied for optimum student opportunity. At the state level, Mrs. Dwey administration and I are working with education regulators to adopt this aviation STEM curriculum as the state standard for the aviation CTE pathway and even core course credit for graduation. All of this along with the significant indicated demand from our students points to a solid basis to support and expand this valuable STEM program. So, I will leave you with the written materials provided in advance, and Mr. Holland and I stand ready to answer any questions or discuss your concerns as we work to be the best supporters for you and your students. >>

015Thank you for sharing. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you for taking care of our kids. You know, it's >> any questions or comments? You mentioned >> classroom space over at ASU Mountain. >> So would this I mean have you visited with Dr. Wallace? Would there be room in the CTE area because I know we have I I we we see the problem. I just want to know what what part of the who's been questioned and how is this progressing? >> Yeah, I it's it's the space allocation is being dealt with by Mrs. Dwey and her staff. So if anybody has sought that alternative, it's been them. We just know that Mr. Mureer has stated that if that is a solution, it'll be better than where we are now. We have to bus at

016least we can bus to somewhere the students don't object to going. Um, but I have not looked into that issue with the university. Okay. Personally, and I don't know if you have any idea whether you consider that alternative or not. >> You know, we've been working with, of course, Miss Russell. I think she's I saw her. I She may have slipped out. Um, and Mr. Mure. It would be wonderful to have a space at the high school. Our sophomore class is very, very large this year. As the class sizes get smaller, we may have a classroom. The issue is material. they would have to share a room with somebody else right now. That's how full we are. Um, and that equipment, those those simulators, >> it's more than >> I mean, if we could have

017the exact same setup that he has at junior high at the high school, it would be absolutely perfect. >> So, it requires more square footage. >> It would be nice. I mean, it would be especially for his aviation one because those classes are larger and the kids may not understand the use of the simulators as much because I'm sure he doesn't just let them go to the simulators and we want to take care of those things that have been gifted. Um, that's that's kind of that's where we are. >> I know >> it's it's space. Um, we have offered Mr. Mir the opportunity to share a classroom. Um, however, he was Miss Russell, I don't want to I know you actually spoke to Mr. Mure. He was not He wanted his materials. Is that correct?

018>> He said it would be difficult to teach the upper level aviation courses without >> it's hard to share a classroom with >> Yeah, there need to be a separate lab or large class. But that doesn't mean we're not going to keep looking >> and that doesn't mean we're not going to keep it on the front on the radar because it is important and we know that it will help our juniors and seniors take those level two and level three courses. >> Yeah. Why such an objection of going to the junior high? >> Um the student feedback is that they're going the course is eligible for 9th through 12th graders. So ninth graders that sign up are on their campus. Uh 10th graders to sign up for the first year because they can complete in

019three years as 10th graders signing up 10, 11, and 12. They have to go back to what they view as kitty land in order to >> participate. That's one objection. Now, we we've seen ninth graders who completed the first year, went to the 10th grade, and then dropped out because they didn't want to go back to the junior high for the class. The other objection is, of course, the bus ride. Uh the students that uh are uh optimal studyers and working on student activity don't want to waste time on a bus. Students who want to find ways to waste time and get out of doing things in school do want to ride a bus and they end up sometimes in our aviation class holding a space that one of those other hundred kids who really

020wanted to register could have had. That's the resistance that we're getting from the feedback of the players. >> Ultimately, the class needs to be on the high school campus. I mean, that's our goal. Our goal is at some point to hopefully have a 9th through 12th grade campus >> to where these level one courses >> eventually, but if they want it, they'll make it happen. It's available to them. So, if I'm saying, "Well, I don't want to get on a bus and well, they don't really want it." >> Our level three kids, I I Miss Russell told me who some of those students were that are enrolled in level three and they are super they are kids who are super interested. I mean, it is a passion. Several of them are out there with you

021all. >> Huge. >> A lot. >> If they're willing to go to ASU, I think they could go right up to the junior high as well, too. >> Exactly. >> It'd be better to have them there than at ASU, probably. >> And I know Miss Russell just answered the question I was going to ask, which is how dependent are the simulators in that level three course. Sure, I know we use them. I know you validate, you know, the flight planning, etc. But hey, if it doesn't work, hey, let's do it without the simulators. Once a month you go up to the simulators and spend a period up there >> whereas maybe we still can get the bulk of it at the high school and once a month they try for example track truck up to

022the junior high. >> An option I really Mr. Mure I think we're going to lean on him as well. >> You know what is it Mr. Mureer thinks is best for his class. >> It's for Miss Russell. It's difficult to teach it without simulators but that doesn't mean it's not possible to hey we're going to teach it for three weeks and then spend a week in the simulators etc. to make it happen in the interim till we can get you your own space. >> That is an option. >> So >> Doug would have been here tonight. He's at in Annapolis at his duties as the US Navy recruiter for themies there updating his required CE for for that or he would have been here. So you can work with him in the time available to

023explore options and see if there's a way to improve your situation. And I don't want to dwell on that issue. I did want to identify things that would help us be more effective and efficient. And that happens to be one of them. >> But what I would really like to emphasize is how grateful we are for the support of the board and how you are in the top five in Arkansas. If we can get 144 in here like Oklahoma has, you might stay in the top five because you made forwardlooking decisions and you're supporting it just as well as you can. So, thank you for that. >> I'll just add I moved here a week ago. We come to Mountain Home for 25 years. We retired mother job and and we love this committee and

024I've known about this program and kept up with it while chairing my foundation and working with the STEM program in ADA. uh on the side, but but I congratulate you for for embracing the program and taking the challenge to do it. It will change kids' lives. I just want to, you know, reinforce another's challenges and ADA was lucky. They're like the flagship of all of Oklahoma plus nationally. They went out taking kids to Oshkosh and presented to the foundation. And we were really lucky because we were the we we were the first pilot program in the nation and the first in Oklahoma in 2017. In 2022, we got the biggest hurdle because all these I didn't know how much the electives were when I was going to school to win all these electives. So they

025were to be able to graduate. We were able in 2022 petition took three years to get it done to have the aviation STEM program become a core class. So we lost kids and lost retention because they couldn't they want to be in band and athletics and whatever. They had to drop out. That was one of our big pitfalls. But you got to walk before you run. >> You're going to grow. uh and the words out. It's only going to get bigger and better. Uh and I I'll just uh came here met met Jerry last week and I said, "Hey, how can I help here?" So, just congratulate you on being part of it. >> Yeah. on that. We we Allison and Miss Carter and Miss Lawrence will tell you that we are actively working with

026the state education department leaders in CTE and curriculum development uh to have this program adopted and available for great core credit. But as Bill pointed out, that may be a two or three year project, but we're going to keep it rolling in that direction and I fully expect that will happen. feedback from them so far on their work with AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. The same people that you incumbent board members worked with uh in the approval process. Uh the feedback from the state educators is very positive. They're thankful that we're offering them something of such high quality and such good content with such proven results across the country that I feel like we'll be able to get that approved. >> Thank you very much. I want to add two more things. First, I want

027to thank you because working with the scholarship program here that supports the school, three $2,500 scholarships were given away this past May. And those students have already been reaching out. They are very focused students. So, that money will help them because y'all also work with your scholarships to go um creatively. You work it creatively so that the students actually benefit from the funds. So, this is Molly Morgan telling me to get the check over there. >> Very subtle. I have ways. I have ways. But the other thing I want to point out and and I had an email this week. I don't I don't get that many from the community, but I did have one this week that was focusing on um the new high school structure that that we're we've had work sessions on

028and um went through a long thing about um you know, maybe we're not looking for something beautiful, maybe we're not. And it was very well written, very good good verbiage. And um my response back was what we need is a building that improves student outcomes. This is the perfect example of what that means. What we need is a building that provides the the workspaces that education requires in today's for today's workplace. We need to be able to find to to to find space to have classes taught that create the future workforce that we need. That's how a building matters is if a building can support the future. >> And it it's classes and activities. And we all know we're in competition with robotics and the NJOTC and all of the other worldclass programs that you

029guys have created here in Mountain Home. So, we're ready to compete and we hope that we can support you in providing enough space for all of that kind of activity. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next, next presentation is our budget discussion. Miss Carter, >> I figured that pile of paper would be a lot larger. >> She's got the other. >> She's got the big Oh, okay. Here we go. >> I I did ask Donna to join me tonight. um she has really worked really hard and done a lot of pulling this budget together this year while I was writing federal applications and getting those submitted to the state. So I'm grateful for everything she did has done and I told her she needed to come up here and be recognized as well. >> Thanks Donna.

030So what you have before you tonight is a first read a preliminary budget and we can just keep in mind we haven't been given allocations for any of the federal funds. So these allocations or these amounts that you see in the federal funds are estimations of what we think that we'll probably receive. um in the beginning balances, those are carryover amounts that we have from the 2425 school year. And so we will start at the top with the 10,000 funds. And these are the certified teacher salaries that we currently have in the system. Of course, we you have um executive sessions that are going to be coming up that will have personnel changes. We have to make adjustments in those things. And uh but as we stand right now, this is this is what we're

031looking like with uh certified salaries. If we move on down to the operating funds, as um I had stated before, you can see those beginning balances. And you can see in 2001 we're ending projection. The projection is that we're ending with a little bit less than we've started. Um, however, we can explain where that's coming from. about 300,000 of that is the additional expenses because this was budgeted as if we are zeroing out all the beginning balances and that lets us see like worst case scenario where we might end the year if we spent every dime. Also, um it also takes into account um just some additional expenses that that we have been able to account for. If you look at the 2001 operating fund in the revenue column, this is where and this is

032I'm sure maybe they've talked about this at new member board meeting, but when we have operating fund revenues come in, they all go to 2001 like from the state. So that's where we put our tax money. That's where we put any, you know, reimbursements that aren't associated with a different fund. That's where all of those go. And so right now we have budgeted approximately 95% of our revenue. So that gives us a little wiggle room there as we're finishing up the year. We have not wrapped up 2425. Our books are open until the last day of August. So from now to that time, we're cleaning up our books, getting our journal entries done. So you'll see some of these numbers fluctuate. Do you want to see anything? Don't forget anything you wanted to stare. Okay.

033All right. If we Move on to page two. You can see at the top we have the building fund and um we have plugged in $200,000 in expenditures. We know that starting the year we had approximately 85,000 in in encumbrances and we also have one more payment that we will make that $75,000 payment to the Wooster Foundation for our ball field. And um by my calculations that should be our last >> that's what I think >> last payment for this year. >> It's 10 years. So >> those are 10 years. >> That doesn't give us a much wiggle room in the 200,000, but um that's just kind of what we've got plugged in for now. Then as you see debt service, you can see our debt service payment in there. And um then we would

034transfer from operating to zero that fund out because 000 has to keep a zero needs to keep a zero balance. When we move on down to the 6,000 funds, these are considered all of our federal funds and these are allocations that are given to us from the state and uh we have to budget 100% of those funds. A couple of those funds are still up in the air, aren't they? As far as I mean, I know we haven't gotten allocations, but there are a couple of funds that >> federally they have they're we're not sure we're >> and we have and this is one of those things that could change. We have gone ahead and put them in as if we are receiving them, but the state has still not made a dec or the

035federal government actually has still has not made a decision on that. The talk is that 2A which is fund 6756 could possibly go away and that's what we use for professional development for our teachers and staff that's above their required professional development helpers. >> So the number that's in there is the >> the number that's you see right now is our carryover. They guaranteed us pretty much from the state level that our carryover was safe. The um fiscal period for federal funds runs 15 months. So it's July 1 to September 30th of the following year. And so we will probably expend most of that 60,000 by the end of September based on summer PDS and things like that that we have committed to. >> Then title four is also in question. Title four, if you

036can notice that it says transfer out. And if you look at title one 6501 transfer in, I'm allowed to transfer title four funds into title one. And I do that because it gives us a little more flexibility as to how we can use those. If I keep them in title four, then there are percentages that are applied for spec only specific things that I can spend them on. >> But >> and that's a question that is in question right now. But we feel better about that >> is in question. >> But we feel pretty good about title four right >> here. >> We just don't know. I mean, >> I I'm afraid to say at this point we're just waiting to see what what happens. Also this uh Perkins funds are our CTE funds. We

037do projects and professional development for our CTE teachers from there and typically I receive those allocations in April or May and we are still waiting on notification of those allocations. Uh they think that we're getting a that they say we are getting them. We're not sure about the amount. So, we're hoping that amount stays about the same because we've got some good projects planned for the coming year. Then if you move on down to food service, you can see we've budgeted for as if we were spending all of that beginning balance just to >> Oh, actually we didn't. Sorry, I said that wrong. >> We've budgeted our expenditures and Um, we have about estimate to have a little over 200,000 left at the end of the year if all goes as planned. So, um, we'll

038take any questions that you have, but this is just a >> if those federal funds are not allocated, if we do not receive them, what are we doing without >> um, one of the one of the things we do spend, title 2A, of course, is PD. We'll just make adjustments as needed. And this is federal PD. We do have some state >> professional development money. Title four, we have been moving to title one in order to help purchase school supplies for our students. Those are considered supplemental because they are above and beyond what what we have to have in the classrooms. It just helps make helps our kids learn, right? So, that is really the one I'm as more concerned about. Um, we spend right at what did we spend this year? A little over

039$100,000 on school supplies for our students. So, we will just keep watching. Uh, we'll figure it out. Um, one way or the other, but but that definitely is that's the one I am the most concerned about. >> Yes. I >> Our title one services are not in jeopardy. Our special education services are not in jeopardy. Um, >> yes. I mean, if you hear out there that we're not getting title one money, well, we are. >> We just aren't sure, you know, >> because we have quite a few staff members that are paid. >> Yes. >> And if you recall this past year, we uh took in several salaries into Title One when the ESER funds expired. And um we had because of the ESER funds, we had a pretty healthy carryover from title one last

040year that we don't have this year because we took in more salaries, we had more expenses, we had, you know, our free reduced lunch count went down. Our number was down a little bit. So, you know, there's lots of factors that go into to that fund. >> Okay. And on the title two part a did you say earlier that is for professional development that is outside the state requirement. Correct. >> Yes. >> So it's it's just extra that we are doing it um past the state right? Yes. >> For the title two part A. >> We we generally say anything over your 36 hours >> would fall under that category. >> That's how we would pay for that. >> And the key to the 6,000 funds they're all the federal funds. The key to those

041is the word supplemental. If the state requires it, we're going to use operating funds. If it if it's above and beyond, then we can utilize those funds to >> Gotcha. Okay. [Music] >> And my understanding is we've you've you've looked at expenditures as if, hey, we're going to spend >> everything, but collecting we're only going to collect we're this is based on collecting what 95% of of what I think. So that makes this a conservative budget. So we're probably not going to see these numbers, right? Assuming we get collections that are above 90 95% and we're not spending every dime that comes in. >> This is this is where you know this would be we haven't spent everything that's come in ever. >> Right. Well, I looked at food service. Food service runs a surplus

042every year. Correct. Right. And this budget showing it with a $227,000 deficit. Miss Harper can speak to that. >> That's just um an estimate right now, right? >> I'm gonna work with them a little and get it a little more fine tuned because they have been not, you know, they bringing in everything they've been spending basically. So that surplus has been there. Um we put it in there to spend a little bit of it, but I don't expect that they're going to do that. >> Yes, ma'am. So I guess it's a conservative budget iss what we're looking at here where hey these numbers are probably not >> these are on the safe side >> expenditures are high >> understood. Thank you. >> And we don't this finaliz doesn't have to be done until like uh

043I'm forgetting that meeting >> per policy >> per our policy we need an adopted budget before school begins. >> Okay. >> However, there'll be budget adjustments made all year long. also based on policy so that you all can see where we've had to add, take away, etc. >> So, we may not have our allocations by August. So, you'll just get numbers based on last year's numbers. Hopefully you will, but >> this year it's very, you know, it's likely a lot of times we have to bring something back in September because this all this budget all becomes part of our cycle one that is our required budget to be submitted to the state. >> Thank you for asking Mr. Yeah. >> So once you know once they start giving us some more solid numbers when you

044like even after you approve it in August we might even bring it back in September. >> When when I was in the hot springs they said for us not to get over excited about the first couple of times we see these >> because there's going to be a lot of wild adjustments. >> I expect you'll see a diff different numbers next month and then I do expect you'll see some changes in September. Yes sir. So it'll be an action item in three weeks for the August meeting. >> Yes. Also um at that time we will also have analysis of property assessment and some of the other if if we haven't received the state categorical allocations. Donna and I have worked on those and we think we've got those pretty pretty tight. So we'll bring that

045for you to see. I did want to mention that um our analysis of our property tax assessments for 24 for Baxter County was 826,769,56 that was up 5.3% from the prior year. In Marian County, it was 24,237,34 and that was up 2.4%. So, I mean, that's great that our our values are are going up. And um then when we combine those, our 98% is 27 million 368,379. So, >> what about collection rates? >> Um, collection rates have been like 90 94. >> They weren't this year. >> So, so collection rates are down a little bit, which impacts us a little bit. >> It does. It impacted us about a million dollars >> this last year. >> Maybe worth more, but you got to pay it. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And you know that's misperception

046sometimes on the public's part about how much you get per student because that per student you know is a combination of from our local taxes with the state. >> What is that split most of them? >> Depends on your percentage. >> I do have the percentage but I don't have it with me either on our >> um I don't have the percentage but >> I can get I can give it to you. >> We can get it to >> we have it. I can email tomorrow. Does that sound good? >> It used to be like a 6040 split. I don't know. >> A little. It's That's a >> We do pretty good on our collections. We really do. >> Yeah. >> Um you know, there's some some districts that are at 88%. >> Yeah. >>

047So, we do we do okay. They're just down from where we anticipated them to be this year. >> And we're hearing that around the county. And we're guaranteed, you know, that >> guarantee 8% so we get that uniform rate of tax to help us shore up >> um I believe this year was it 900,000 eight or 900,000 we got this year >> to shore that up >> and it came >> last month >> right before vacation. And I was so happy >> it got here. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you for all the hard work. >> You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next item on the agenda is our academic report. Miss Lawrence. >> Hello. Good evening. I brought my Becca with me, our district testing coordinator. Um, we actually a week and

048a day ago received our summitive scores from Atlas for grades 310. Um, we're going to report on those tonight. I'm going to let Becca go through the slides for you. Um, I will say K2, we're hearing October on our end of year um, scores for grades K2. That was not good news. We were not excited to hear that. you will have to wait that long to see how those incoming first, second, and third graders did on their assessment. So, um I'm gonna let Becca share some numbers with you and we'll kind of talk through some strategies we have and some things we're planning. So, I feel like I've spent the last week staring at numbers. It's only been a week. Um so, this is just the very top of the iceberg for our test scores.

049Um, so I've given you the school average versus the state average and just broken it down into subject areas um and by grade level. So and just tried to simplify it as much as possible. So if you look at Hackler and and specifically um our fifth grade math, like I I should have put this over on the side, but you're looking at 51% proficiency in fifth grade math across the board. like that's every kid in in the building which is um pointing to some quality instruction happening and and really um hitting those those blueprint standards and all the things that you have to do during the day. So there are areas in each of our buildings that that we need to grow and there are areas in each of our building that highlight. Um, if

050you look at Kingston on the next page, one of the things that stood out from Kingston all the way up is our kids who are placed in honors classes are placed in honors classes for a reason. Um, and with Secretary Leva's push for honors to go down to fifth grade. Um, and sixth grade, you know, I think we're going to see this trend happening even at fifth and sixth grade levels. Um, but sixth and seventh grade math, you're looking at 96% proficiency. I mean just an incredible um accomplishment for those kids and those instructors. Um at the junior high um the same trend continues. Our honors kids did really well. Um there are areas at the junior high just as in every other building that we need to improve. But one of the great things

051about Atlas data is when you start peeling back those layers of that iceberg and that onion, you get a very clear picture of where we need to improve. Um so I've met building admins. I've met with Allison and Judy. I think Judy and I talk every day. We're best friends now. Um >> coming up with some very concrete solutions for our teachers. Um specifically, it drills all the way down to like at the elementary level, maybe a kid wasn't proficient in ELA. It's going to drill all the way down to look at, well, they weren't proficient in vocabulary. >> So, here's what that teacher needs to focus on for that kid. So, it's um exciting to see what the data is looking like when it's coming back to us from Atlas. Um you look at

052the high school, same trend again. Our high school grew, Allison told me before we walked in, was it 16% or >> 15. That was close. Um 15% across all subjects >> from last year to this year. So 15% more of the students at the high school were proficient than the year before, which is great. Um and then you look at Gabberry even though >> fantastic. That's great. That's awesome. >> Yeah. High school. It's pretty exciting. >> Um and I mean you look at the end of course exams. Um even I've been at AD summit this week and sat in a session with Hope Warham who is the deputy assistant commissioner somebody important and she says yeah we we realize that EOC geometry is a bear. Okay. Um, so for our kids to perform where they

053where they have performed with them knowing that it it's a beast of an assessment. Um, just excited to be able to drill into that very specific information and data and meet with teachers and CT teams and building admin and figure out how do we keep growing our kids. Um, and Gabberry, we know that is our um, alternative campus and those kids. Um, I will say we tested 100% of kids at Gabberry this year. The year before we missed one kid, so we were put on alert because it dropped us under our 95%. Um, and that kid was actually incarcerated at the time and it was this whole big thing. And I am super proud of a guy that we we actually went and picked kids up. Um, and so that they could test and they

054actually showed growth from 23 24 there are in I looked at 10th grade ELA just because that's the end of the road for ELA. And of their 13 kids that were in 10th grade, four of them moved from a level one and 23 24 to a level two. So they're still not where they need to be, but with all the things going on in those kids' lives for them to move a whole level is worth celebrating. And there are there are pockets even at Gabberry and the biology class and you can look like there are this data shows the very very tip of where we need to start. I'm super excited that if I'm sitting as a fifth grade ELA teacher, I know exactly what I need to teach. Um, so we've given them some

055some it's a spreadsheet. It it's really pretty, but it's a spreadsheet that the teachers will all go in and look at um their kids that they had last year and compare them to their scores the previous year to see if that kid grew. >> That's phase one. So, that's kind of that reflective piece of of how did my kids do last year? And then phase two will start with K10. Um it will start with this year's end ofear assessment as the baseline and then the state has added a middle of the year interim even for K2 this year. So K10 will have a middle of the year interim that we will get immediate results on that every teacher will be able to say did this kid grow from last year to the first interim and

056if they didn't what's the conversation. So, I'm excited um about the data that's coming back. They did say K2 um they're not going to give us levelized scores this first year. We're going to get an at risk already. Um which is okay. Um but they did listen to teachers and listen to some of the hiccups that were happening with the frustration with K2 and fixed it. Kevin went to the co-op to a training. Did he leave? I guess he did. Um and was super excited about it. He and a couple of his teachers have already started working on it as well. So, We know that yes, we beat state average in in most of our areas, but we can do better. >> Absolutely. >> So, we have a plan and we know what we need

057to do and let's roll. >> What questions? I'd like to have a work session in September where we can dive even further into some of this, talk about some things that may need to happen for the future. I'd like for youall to see some of the plans some of our teachers are working through. Um, I can assure you all that Miss Lawrence and Miss Camp and the principles have been diving into this because we see areas to celebrate, but even more importantly, we see areas that need significant work. >> I have a lot of that data. If you want it, you'll just send me an email. I'll be glad to send it to your house and I can send it all to you. I have some other things I think I'm going to forward tomorrow

058some work and um >> let y'all dive in with us >> for public knowledge because it it is a lot. So you see this and it's yay but when those report cards come out about the schools. >> So that's coming up. >> It's it's not just about the hardcore data. It is about how much did the student grow. So, >> and the higher your scores, the harder it is to prove the growth. Or do you see teachers challenging? >> They have amended some of that with our level four kids. So, let's say a level four kid scored a 1020 >> um in third grade and in fourth grade he scored a 1020 again. That would still be considered growth and be a positive marker because the standards have have increased. So they have listened to

059that and growth is at the elementary level onethird of the formula. I think there's >> well two/3 because you're also looking at growth bottom >> the lowest 20% 25% counts as part of that growth. >> Um but this portion how many kids are proficient is a portion of that formula >> part of your score. >> What I'd also like to do in September is share how school report cards are calculated. Now your grades >> that would be huge. >> That's what I would like to do. We will have our growth scores. We'll have some simulations. Um >> there's some tools available that we can you can see the difference that one or two kids can make. So um there is there is plenty of work ahead but I I would like to do that in

060September. go through exactly how those are are calculated and we should have a early August should have a simulated grade. >> Okay, I'm going to ask this question because it really is um I mean I really am curious but I want to make sure I ask the question correctly. [Music] So we look at these fantastic scores. Is there ever any way that the data is broken down where it shows socioeconomically? >> Yes. >> So we have that >> you can you can break down the reports in Atlas by um >> so then that helps us know how we can talk to parents and say did you know that you can do this and help your child because sometimes parents don't know that writing to their child at night or taking them to the zoo or

061and and It's little bitty things. >> The state has also redone the parent portal of Atlas. >> Um, and they've made it easier for parents to access. So, that will be coming out through open house and all of the things. And there are all of those tips like your kids score a level two. Here are some things you can do to improve your kids reading. >> Um, so getting our parents plugged into that. The state's done a phenomenal job in in providing everything in a in a nice package. It's a lot of numbers. >> Yeah. >> But I mean it it's phenomenal when you get in and look. Um and you guys all have access to Atlas. If you want an account, you just let me know. I can sit down with you and walk

062you through how to look at things. Of course, with every program, there's quirks and there's weird weird parts, but I'll be glad to to walk you through how to access this data. >> And one thing that teachers will be doing when they come back um with the template that campus made. They are going to look at at their information student by student. We're going to look at longitudinal pieces for every student in their class. It's not just how their class did, but we really want them to reflect on. >> So, they'll be looking at that when we come back. So, and then we'll be ready to switch forward. But we are going to spend a lot of time reflecting on this. >> Good. >> This may be more for the work session if you're talking

063about it. I mean, and maybe I'm the outlier here, but um certainly there's some highlights, but I'm not as excited about a lot of these numbers as maybe others are. When I see third grade ELA, we're at 32%. The state averages at 36. >> We're not excited about that. >> So, I I know. >> Um >> I have no doubt that every year we've seen numbers and said, "Hey, we know we're going to we're going to we have a plan. We're going to address something. We're going to fix this and we're going to go better." And well, we're kind of still here. We've we've gotten a little bit better. If we do the same things over and over, we should expect the same results. So, as I said, maybe this is a question for the

064work session, but what are we going to do different than we've done in the past when we've seen numbers that said, "Hey, we got to do better." What are we going to do different? >> I can tell you the data we're getting back from Atlas is 360 degrees different from what we got back from >> ACTS fire. you were given a number in ACTS fire and and it did break it down but the simplicity of what teachers can see and even at the K2 level there are they're called tesllets but it's okay kids at risk it breaks it down into and I'm going to say all the things wrong because I didn't I didn't teach K2 but letter naming phone names um it breaks it down into very specific subs skills that we've not had

065in the past >> does make you progress monitor those specific skills before they move on to something else. So, you can't just say they got it. You got to monitor with a piece of data that shows they got it. >> I'm really impressed with that part. >> And I think as as a teacher that would be so beneficial and it's instantaneous and then you know what you have to do. You check to make sure it worked. If it doesn't, we have other processes in place. Um, I will say from the gifted standpoint, this is not measuring above grade level. So, I I wish it was more adaptive like what we've used in the past, NWA, um, ACT Aspire, gives us percentile rankings that will show us who's above grade level. This is not that kind

066of test. It does not test above grade level. It's not telling us how far above grade level our gifted population and high ability students are. So for me, >> um it is excellent for >> grade level. Um it falls short. >> I give them a B on taking care of high ability and gifted kids because there's really no way to show that they are growing and generally they'll function above grade level. But we do have acceleration in place and Aliva is leading the charge on that and we've always done it in Mountain Home since I've been here that our eighth graders can take algebra one early and things like that. So I love seeing that honors is coming down to fifth grade. I've seen the the um the standards. Um they've shared those with me.

067>> So you got a sneak peek, didn't you? >> I did. And um it looks good. It's it's like what I did when I taught fifth grade. preap at Kingston in sixth grade. So, they're doing it. Uh, it's coming and it looks I can totally endorse it and I'll be happier with them. I just wish the testing yielded what we used to get because we utilize that for placements >> and so >> encourage you like this is year two of Atlas. So, this is the first year of growth that we've been able to see within Atlas. Um, so I don't feel this is year 840 for me as testing coordinator. I don't know this year four. I have never felt like I knew how to help staff grow kids until this. >> Um, and I

068think everybody can say the same thing and it it may just be me being ignorant and I just didn't know any better. But I feel like it is very concrete and if I'm a fifth grade ELA teacher, I know exactly what I need to do from the blueprint from the state to my reflective piece to my new piece for kids that are sitting in my room. >> So Atlas is going to provide us is providing us a fidelity of the data that we can actually take actionable steps on that we haven't been able to in the past. And that's going to be the difference the change from what we've seen in the past. I think you're also going to see more documentation of those actionable steps and I can share I'll share that as well.

069We're working through how that works for individual teachers, how that works for grade levels. >> Um we we've got a plan and I I really do I look forward to sharing it because this we have some unex I'll just be honest. We were >> all on the same page. I have no doubt that we're all on the same >> to look at some of these and then to celebrate at times and that's what's so hard >> is seeing >> the areas that need the work and at the same time turn around and make sure folks know how proud we are >> because our teachers are working their tails off. >> Of course, >> we want to continue to provide what they need. >> And that's my question maybe to work smarter. >> I know we're

070all on the same page. What are we going to do different to affect the different outcomes from this year last year? That that's what my question was. It's not that we're not on the same page. We're not all working really hard, etc. So, >> so we will >> maybe it needs to look a little bit different. >> It's got to look it it must look a bit different. >> But help me with this because I've always been confused by it anyway. It's kind of a springboard of what Marsha said and it's a springboard from what Scott said and I look at this when I see sixth grade honors math 96% that's that's great. What's the difference in that sixth grade honors math? Why are those students is it because of exposure they're getting from home?

071Is it because they're naturally gifted? Why is that score higher than just >> both of those? I mean, you've answered it. Um, >> so that's what I need to work on. >> It's all of it. >> It's both. There's IQ and and school ability. >> So, it's just they're going to score better on the test because of I I think that's my I've always had that question. Why are our regular traditional classrooms not pushing the button as hard as is it is it is it funding is it is it socioeconomic conditions at home what is it causing that >> but I mean if you'll remember when we used norm reference testing uh and it follows a very regular bell curve you got 50 >> you know 50th percentile that's the bulk of your students and

072then you have your students that are in the top 15% and or 25% and then the bottom 25%. So if we looked at it that way, we would want to see uh of course our honors scores to look like they're looking and then we would want to see our others at least 50%. >> At least >> is what >> is how my mind works. But I will step out and say I mean I analyze data all the all the time and that the last year's scores the geometry was a concern. >> I asked Miss Dwey, oh my gosh, what's going on? But then I was remember Barbara since the beginning of time when we've been testing what's our lowest tested score from the babies all the way to high school. >> It's always geometry. >>

073But then that goes to Mr. Booth. So, are we treating it the same all the way since the beginning of time? Are we expecting it to go? It should shift at some point. It should shift and I of course y'all kind of know my background. I I just hate seeing traditional classrooms. I get the bell curb. I mean, I remember stuff. >> That'll be that that ought to be >> we can do better. >> Yeah. Just as much as the honors >> like our level two piece is we're holding too many kids. >> Yeah. Like the data will show like one of the teachers that I did, >> I I just plugged a random person in and put all the kids in a level one, all the kids in level two, level three, level four.

074Teacher did did didn't really move very many of the level one and level two kids, but moved almost every three and four kid. Either stayed a three, stayed a four. Well, then let's look at another teacher. Maybe she she or he was really strong in moving ones and twos. So, let's get these two people together. Let's figure out, hey, how are you doing this? Well, how are you doing this? Let's look at our curriculum. >> Like, that's the work that's going to happen this year. >> Um, and I think we'll we'll go through that together in the September meeting, but that's what's coming. >> Um, >> well, if you remember last year, we didn't even have our data in school >> and this year it will be immediate. They're saying >> we didn't get to

075really reflect much before it was we were off and >> in the spring we believe that we will have our summitive data. I heard today 48 hours after our kids test. >> It will be immediate this year. Um and same the same for >> K2. We got to get K2. >> So K2 will start with a universal screener this year >> and their dibbles um beginning of the year and we're actually participating in a dibbles and atlas alignment with the state um to make sure that they don't need to change anything else because they listened. You know, districts are still purchasing dibbles and we need to fix atlas to match. Um so K2 will start with universal screener. We'll look at subsklls and things that they need to address. They've added a middle of the

076year screen um interim. So they'll have another data point Novemberish. Now there's also a middle of the year screener that's aligned to middle of the year standard. So they'll have another So your K2 is looking at five data points throughout the year which is phenomenal. So >> they didn't and they didn't get it last year. So and they're saying it won't be immediate. So the Atlas roller coaster continues >> any other question. >> I don't >> We do have um two days of work sessions with our solution rep that y'all have graciously well that's what we've been using our state grant money for. That is not it's not federal that's our state grant money. Um she's going to be here supporting teachers and some of their collaborative teamwork. Y'all are welcome to join us. We'll

077be at Hackler all day Monday. school library all day Tuesday if you just want to see what the collaboration looks like. Um it's Dr. Emily Felner. We spent a lot of time with her and um she she tells you like it is but we really really have a good relationship with her. So that's happening next week. And then she's with our leadership team on Friday. She's gonna line us up. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for sharing. >> Any other questions? This is a a little more lighthearted, but I wanted to throw out one lighthearted fun thing. I do want to celebrate this with Mr. Gage and his team that so graciously allowed our summer enrichment program to come visit um at Baxter County Airport. We loaded up I do want to say that was

078our highest attendant day for summer enrichment. Um we had a great turnout. Our teachers loved it and we got on a bus. We had stations set up if you want to keep filling Kelly. I put a lot of photos on on the slides just so you can get a glimpse at what all they got to do that day. They rotated through four stations and you can see some of the things they got to do. They were inside for two and outside for two and the classroom. Um they got to do some activities around um just the piloting piece and do some research and just see where all these things are happening. Um, and then they got to actually sit in the plane, pretend they were flying. They loved it. Um, and they had their experts

079there um, at each station explaining different parts of of what they were seeing and um, it was it was fantastic. So, they left there with lots of goodies, lots of excitement. Um, they had a talking uh, page before the trip. Mr. Gage, he's he's very crafty. He knew to give them talking points before the trip, which why I think it was so highly attended. So we sent those home the week before and then when they left they had new new things to take home. So new things to talk about and so it was >> I was told the best field trip like the best best organized. It was >> beautiful day. Great day to be out. Anything else y'all want to add about our field trip? That was great. that this that the preliminary briefing

080sheet that we sent home was an effort to incorporate the parents into their process so they had a week to work with their students and and prepare them for the questions and the issues that they were going to see and the opportunity they would have to learn and we thought that was important because the more the families know about the opportunities and the more excited the kids can get. So, >> and so it was a great day and we'll have more to come. We have excited to share with you. Next month we have some great AP celebrations to share with you and we'll have some more information about some professional development. So, >> thank you. more. >> Well, and a quick note as of this leading edge enrichment trip, as somebody who had two children

081that were there, I can verify they had a fantastic time from everything they brought home to including cutting up the AOPA magazines with look, I had this cut out of an airplane to I did have to uh I did have to convince them or or let them know that they weren't going anywhere when they went to the airport cuz they're used to showing up on a vacation destination like we're going to the airport was like, "No, but you're not going anywhere when you get there." Uh, it was fantastic. All the summer enrichment as a whole wasn't fantastic. I heard some grumblings about going to school during the summertime and they didn't want to go and every day they'd come back glowing with the projects they had done, the things they had done. Um, and of

082course, this was the cherry on the top. They really enjoyed that. So, thank you, Mr. Gage. Um, and thank you. >> Hopefully, we can do that next year again. Yes, ma'am. I think it's really good. Okay, next item we can move on to is financial reports. Before I get started on the financial reports, I just wanted to give you a little bit of an update on student insurance. Uh, we put student insurance out for bids again this year and I just wanted to inform you that we are changing companies and uh when we requested the proposals we received six. So, we were pretty excited about that. There was a wide range of cost for those uh plans. However, we landed with EVI and that will be players help and it come it be it started

083on July 1st. It our premium is $11,900 which is considerably less than any of the previous ones we've had and they have guaranteed us that price for two years on the premier plan. So after that two years, I'm not sure what will happen. Oh, we all know what will happen. What am I saying? Um but at this point, that's the direction that we have chosen to go in. And that will cover all all school activities, sports and school activities included. Um, and there is it it it met or exceeded everything we had in our previous insurance for considerably less. >> Question for you about the your insurance. >> Sure. >> What exactly is it covered? >> Because I had a daughter who broke her wrist playing basketball in the ninth grade expert that went on

084there and it paid nothing. Well, just this insurance that we carry is secondary to a person's primary insurance. And so to say that it pays the exact same on every student, it does not because it depends on what those individual insuranceances are and then the maximum that >> So if you've got an 8020 policy and you're responsible for the 20 >> and or the whatever your deductible is, at what point does it come in and pay anything? >> It doesn't. >> It would. >> It never pays, right? Yeah. I don't think it would. I've never had a school insurance policy. I got hurt in high school, didn't pay a dime. >> We've we've had some cases where it paid a lot and we've had some cases where it didn't pay it down. >> Um, in

085the past policy, we had did have a $500 deductible as well in the secondary insurance. This one's going to have a zero deductible. >> But what good is a deductible if it's not going to pay? I mean, I understand what you're saying, but I can't >> because now with the new laws and everything, all the children in school should have health insurance. >> So, at what point is this supplementary? Typically, a supplemental insurance policy, if you go and you break an arm and your insurance pays, it still pays you XYZ for a broken arm. period. >> But like I said, we we >> I have it all detailed in the plan and I could give you a copy of that. >> Okay. I appreciate it. >> Sure. >> So, >> would everybody like that? >>

086Is that required to have that >> state law? Yeah. Are we required to have this insurance policy? >> We just We always have. >> We're required, but we felt like it was best practice to have one. >> Mitch, have you had any of your athletes get any money through them or anything? you know. >> Yeah. >> It's kind of like what she said. We've had one that was blew out >> and it covered in like everything and then we had one that my bro, you know, had a fracture in the arm that didn't cover much. >> Yeah. >> So, there's no rhyme or reason how they pay, >> right? >> We'll get you a copy then. Yeah. There's got to be some details in there. >> Yeah. There's got to be >> So, this covers

087medical. When I heard that number, I figured it was a liability. But so we're covering all >> 3,800 students >> medically for $11,000 for the year. >> It's a great price if it pays something. >> Supplement. So this is >> Yeah, >> this is better than this is a better policy than we had for less money. >> Well, I understand that, but I'm not disputing. It might be better, but I want to know what it's going to pay, when it's going to pay, and how it's going to pay. And it's case by case. >> Do they do that according to the insurance of the family? >> And then they do. >> So that's probably >> secondary to their primary insurance. >> So they got to fulfill their primary insurance before. >> No, there's additional >>

088is an opportunity. >> We'll see with >> but when the accident occurs, we give them all the paperwork >> and then the school is not involved. in that process after that because it's their medical records and so the parents are responsible and it states usually states all of that on the form >> not does it does it cover everybody from K through 12 >> even >> and parents will have the opportunity They're offered if they feel like they want to buy additional coverage, that opportunity is there as well. >> And what line item is that on here or is it just an operating? >> It's not on here. It's paid out of it would be paid an expenditure out of fund 2000. >> It's out of operating But because it didn't um make an effect

089till July 1 and it's for this upcoming school year, they delayed they allowed to us to invoice invoice us and pay the payment after the start of the new fiscal year. >> You know what the rating is? >> I do not have that on hand. Any other questions on the financial reports? >> Well, we haven't done the financial report. We were talking about insurance. >> You can let me sit down. Okay. >> What else would you like to share? >> Oh, moving on. Okay. Um let's look at the statement of changes in fund balance for the month ending June 30th of 2025. This is the last month of our fiscal year. And as I had mentioned earlier when we looked at the preliminary budget um our books for the year. We're not receiving any money.

090We're not writing any checks out of the 2425 school year. We're just making necessary journal entries um to wrap up our year for cycle reporting. So we ended the month of June with 14 million426,89828. An example I will mention is in fund 2034. That's our preschool daycare that we have. our Little Bombers Academy and that negative balance we will bring to zero when we make our journal entries. If you look in the 6,000 funds, we just have a few that have negative balances and those would be ones that where we would make approvals because we we will be receiving those funds. it's just not until they start paying out um federal reimbursements again. And so we would make those approvals and then reverse them in period one and uh receipt that money as it comes

091in receding it in the 256 year. Let me clarify. Moving on to the next page if there's no questions. We had total revenues for the month of June 30th of 5,310,1445. That was up from June of last year by 1.5 million and that had something to do. Remember last month I talked about a little delay we had in getting funds from the county. So this got us caught up. Then we had total expenditures for the month of June at 6,491,495.81. This was down compared to uh June of last year. Our expenditures were down by the $138,000. And that was due to us wrapping up some grants that were expiring and we were in a big push to finish those up in June last year and also some of our uh carryover had an impact on

092that. If we move on to page 2B2, the monthly operating fund balance tracking, uh we ended June with 7,926,614.19. Uh that was it as of June 30th. And of course this number could change some in as we close out the year just due to us you know those journal entries that I have talked about earlier as we're uh finishing up our cycle reporting. When we move on to the activity funds, we ended the month with all funds combined of $620,58840. And then the following reports are the system reports that support the information that I've just presented along with the June check register. Any questions? >> Thanks for sharing. >> Thank you, Mer. >> You're welcome. I think I got one more, but it's a little ways down. >> Your enrollment report. >> Um, as of

093today, we have well, as of the printing of this report, we have 3,654 students. We do have four. We're at 202 or 204, Mr. Roach. >> Well, we're at 204. >> Yes, sir. >> I got a phone call today. We're probably going to 203. >> Okay. Um I had written down 204. So, we had 200 enrolled on this particular report in kindergarten. So, the number is a little higher, three students. So, um I did make some phone calls. I know we have I've shared my concern about the numbers and as far as enrollment in kindergarten. I did contact four surrounding districts and each district significantly less kindergarteners this year. Um some of our schools not having f you know some of our surrounding schools not having five students is quite a quite a deal. um

094classrooms, fewer kindergarten classrooms at two of the districts and um I think y'all both said they were 15 lower than this time last year. So this is not a mountain home problem and there are fewer kindergarteners right now. Same number uh last year at our private school as they had the private schools. So um there just aren't as many kids or they're not in the area. Um I did talk one of you I'll say Miss Morgan shared that Stockhart >> it was down >> it's down as well. So it's not just northern Arkansas >> state is down but the whole almost every big district is significantly down. >> So I did look at kindergarten numbers last year across the state if you look on the desi website about a thousand fewer kindergarteners last year across

095the state. So I expect that number to be down even further this year. >> Is there any reasoning behind that? I know. Is this the first uh co uh the first co babies are coming into kindergarten? >> Well, most of those babies will come next year, too. We'll have several come in next year because we're right at that five years right now and they have to be five by August one. Correct, Mr. Ro? >> So, we do projections are the number will go up next year. It's not going to go up like we've seen projections, but we could be sitting at 280 kindergarteners next year. I don't know. Our preschools say their numbers are low as well. >> Our preschool alliance, we met four times this year and each one said that their prek class

096was the small. Well, I know one in particular the smallest they ever had. >> I mean, there's just no they're just not here right now. [Music] >> Student transfers. >> Well, we were doing really well till we had a family of four show up today. Um they live almost in Cotter. So of course we're not going to we're not going to hold them back. Three and six out and four of those we had today come see us. So >> that mom said for pickup purposes she can pick all her kids up at one campus and >> something to think about as well. >> So um can't argue with that. and they seriously live much closer. I did talk to him. Great family. Nothing wrong with Mountain Home. >> Next item is our facilities report. Mr.

097Knight, the other Mr. Knight. >> All right. So, uh, Monday the roofing company showed up. Um, of course on their first day they ripped all the shingles off and the old decking from whenever that building was built as old time groove has moved and slid and there's large gaps in it. Um, there is some damage but we're expecting there to be damage. Um, it was recommended by them to um do a change form and to overlay that with half inch plywood. Um, the architect agreed. I actually went ahead and bugged Mr. Gregory. He also found the price to be um actually very reasonable. >> Um so I went ahead and signed that. They've already started putting that up. Um also Tuesday, good news. You guys are funded for the roof. Um so I went ahead

098and reran the numbers for you. So you got a $665,000 roof. We approved that pretty much $20,000 change order. The architect's fees are now in here because they will um pay for part of that. Um, so, uh, total looks like 371,495 right now. >> Wow. >> So, it's almost a 5050 split. Um, and also if we get into more damage and stuff, they'll continue to pay half of that. I think up to like $700,000. >> Awesome. >> So, and this was half of what the other people. >> You got a very cheap roof. >> And they've been great to work with so far. I went in today and talked to Miss Benton. She did get there was a little wet. >> We did we did have a little wet the roof off and we had

099a >> torrential downpour and it absolutely drenched. >> So they've been great. Their humidifier >> more money than we got in partnership funding for the junior high roof. >> Yes, because the wealth index and some other stuff changed. >> So that's great news. Yeah, we're actually finally I know that we can't always guarantee that we get funded and we probably won't be funded for most things, but >> it's >> we did >> it used to be like >> this is a bummer. >> Okay, well I'm going to spend hours and hours of work to not get funded and if you did get funded was it worth the money? And it is worth it definitely worth it. [Music] >> Any questions? If you get a chance, drive by. >> It will not be done by then.

100So, >> but drive by. They're working hard about 10 of them today working. >> No more questions there. We'll move on to our board action items. Mr. Knight, paper bid. >> These next uh few that we do are the ones we always do yearly before school starts. Um the first one we have in the past and continue to do it this year is to uh enter into consortium pricing with the co-op where they take all the schools bulk order the paper force and try to uh save us a little bit of money. Um so that was bid out. Um this is pretty significant less than last year. Um we did not order as much paper. I'm trying to be a little bit more less conservative with it this year. So, um, I'm asking that you

101approve the low bid of $27,62.30, not including tax for this year's copy paper. >> I make a motion we approve the yearly copy paper bid as presented. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those paper. >> Uh, we're moving it to We used to have a full-time carpenter. We're going to move it into that building because it's heated. We've had >> some type of issues >> problems with humidity and stuff in the past. So >> in the Ozarks humidity >> is bad. >> It was a rough time. >> Any other questions? All those in favor? Unanimous. >> Take the plastics. >> Okay. So for our custodial needs um for the year, this is toilet tissue, paper towels, cash bags. Um, we bid that out um in bulk and I'm recommending I

102believe we had we had uh four biders. The fourth bidder uh someone over the internet, they just actually just sent us like three trash bags um with not a lot of information. Um but bidder three is the cheapest and I'm recommending that we go with bidder number three at $93,53.96. [Music] Bitter one did not include the toilet paper. >> Okay. >> I was looking at I was like, "Yeah." >> Yeah. So, you've got $30,000 of toilet paper. >> That's a lot of toilet paper. >> Kind of need that. >> It is. And you also too that we have to be very specific because only certain things fit in the all of the containers we already have dispensers. I make a motion to approve the yearly paper and plastic bid as presented. >> Second. >> Motion

103and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous? Next >> item. Chris. >> All right. So, uh, same thing. Every year we have to bid um all the food products. I don't tell the vendors that the cafeteria is going to use. Tom worked extremely hard on this, especially with milk. Um, you know, a lot of those things are also not apples to apples. So, I think if you look at some milk, I think one of the bidters was two cents higher on white milk and but not but cheaper on chocolate and there's other services in there. Um so um I'm recommending um the board accept the highlighted items for the milk bread and chemical groceries and supplies as presented. I know that's a lot spreadsheets. So [Music] I make a motion we approve the food

104service bid for the 2526 school year as presented. >> Second that >> motion second. any discussion. I could tell there was a lot of work put into this. When you look at those spreadsheets, well, this is a better price here and this is a better price and try to analyze. >> Everyone's case counts different. And he he worked very well. >> Totally. I was really, you know, happy to see the multiple bids for milk because previous years we've only gotten a single bid for milk. So that that goes to show the effort that was put in last year to getting those bids. Last year, um, we had always had one person that got us and, um, Tom was not happy with the pricing we were get and remember we spent some money and bought some

105coolers and sent it somewhere else and they came back this year and lowered their prices significantly. So, it worked >> very good. >> Y, >> there's a really good attachment as well that explains Mr. Mary did a fantastic job. It explains exactly why he went with certain Yers. Any other discussion? All those in favor. Thanks. >> Uh 24 to 26 contract disclosures. Miss Carter. >> Oh, I got to go. >> Oh, yes. Miss Morgan, stay out of the banana pudding. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] Okay, before I get started on this, I just I do want to preface this with according to the state guidelines, it's not necessary that we bring this before you. However, for transparency sake, we wanted to bring this before you. As you recall, there was a sale of the GLIA property and

106that buyer wanted to use or chose to use Legacy Title Company and Miss Molly Morgan's spouse is a co-owner of that company. So, just for transparency sake, she would like for us to to bring this before you. This is not something that would go to the commissioner because it doesn't meet the dollar amount. So, like I said, this is just to make sure that we're transparent in what is happening with Legacy Title Company. So, um, this is part of or references part Arkansas Act 1599 that requires districts to make known to the public any potential transactions with related parties. And attached you have a resolution just letting you know the relationship between uh Miss Molly Morgan as a board member and her spouse as a co-owner of Legacy Title Company. And this would also cover

107if for some reason there were some type of property transaction in the future. Um, but if it was above a certain above a $5,000 dollar amount, that would have to have commissioner approval. So, this is [Music] simply for transparency. And so, I'm asking the board to approve the resolution to do business with Legacy Title Company. >> I make a motion to approve the contract disclosures as presented. >> Second. >> Motion second. Any discussion? And this was the buyer requested legacy. >> Correct. We will not be paying the fees on that that selling of that property. The buyer will >> her that business will be associated with that transaction and the public school. And so she just wanted to be transparent about >> sure. So, the intent is, you know, to pass this for the specific

108transaction, but this does apply for the for the whole year. >> Yes, we needed it. >> Um, Legacy is a great title company. I've used them personally before. Um, so I mean, nothing against Legacy. If if the district comes into other sales, I would I would recommend that we look at other title companies just to prevent any any appearance of of nepotism or anything like that. Right. since we do have other options here in town. But um >> Yes, sir. >> case by case basis. >> Sure. >> Um in the past there was a property purchased last I remember would be junior high. >> Um Mr. Morgan as the district attorney did help with that property purchase. However, at that time, they did not have a title company. So, he has been part of purchasing

109before or I'm sorry, property transactions before. He's just never had a company. Um, so this this we're not paying this company, but the sale they will benefit from. >> Yes, ma'am. >> From the person who is purchasing because they're paying all closing cost. >> Okay. Any other discussion? All those in favor unanimous get grab Morgan. >> Would you get >> Was it good? >> No. >> We approve. Next item is Connor's purchases over 20,000. This is the time of year when we bring to you a list of vendors and estimated amounts of what the expenditures might be for the year and descriptions of what those expenditures would include. Um so these are not time payments. It could be over the series of the over the course of the whole school year. But we want to

110make the board aware that these are, >> you know, significant amounts. Any questions? >> Let me make a motion here. I make a motion we approve the purchases over 20,000 um as presented. >> Second that a motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Just people need to understand and be aware. I'm sure they do, but a lot of these, you know, therapies are are required. Like we have to provide them. So there has to be somebody that we're going to pay this money to, whether it's this group or that group. And there's only so many of these providers out there that provide speech therapy, physical therapy, OT, etc. So that's what a lot of these big dollars that we look at, it's it is mandated that we spend that money and give these children these

111therapies. So >> an example is solution tree. Another example is, you know, that's a pretty significant amount, but we have grants that we're utilizing to purchase these things. So we just make you aware of these big ticket items that um that it takes to run our school and serve kids. >> So I want to ask this question is is as much for the public to understand as because I still don't always grasp it all. A lot of these contract services people work full-time within our district. Do we ever try to hire our own therapists? And I know we used to. I know we've had a few. >> So, Miss Benton, can you speak to the We ran some numbers. >> Yeah. >> I did a lot of work on this and and one of the

112things that would have to come about for that to occur is providing competitive salary and benefits for those providers to have insisting coming to work for our district. >> Um, that would be taking something to PBC of a proposed salary schedule and benefits. I've created a draft of that. I've done research from other districts. Um, and then to comparative data related to what we are currently expending and the conversations that I had, I had this a long time ago with with Dr. Long because I' I've done the research for several years. Um, what what you run into is yes, there are there are pockets where you do save money. There were pockets where we didn't necessarily save money, but um you you run into you may save a little bit of money if you can

113hire all the positions. But if you can't hire all the positions, then you got to hope that you can still find a provider that's willing to work when you say, "I only need one person rather than eight." And I'm making up numbers on that. Sure. But that becomes a little more difficult because you >> unless you hire all of your positions, you've got to be careful not to >> offend your provider. >> Yeah. >> And we it would be very difficult >> to find physical therapists that would be willing to work for >> our on our current salary schedule. >> I will used to hire speech. >> Okay. and and then they they would leave us and we hire another speech and they would leave us and that's really not what's best for kids either.

114I just know and I have personal knowledge of speech therapists in other districts who there might be a little creative use of >> maybe extra time that they have to spend during the summer doing different things or what there's an advantage because I mean I feel like I feel bad if I don't point this out. There's an advantage for some therapists. They don't have to then look they don't have to work in the summer. >> They still get a good salary. They get the benefits, they get whatever, but they don't have to work in the summer. And I wonder if we ever try to put out there, hey, here's an option. You can make you can make a you can make a good salary. We will go off the grid just a little bit. We

115can go off the grid in order to attract our own therapists. It's kind of a it's kind of a give and take. >> We're not paying as much to a contract service. We're paying a little bit more than what we initially say, but we're not paying what. So, we'd be saving money even though we're spend we're going off the grid of the salary schedule >> and I don't know this might get me nailed to a cross. Does PPC control that or does the board control that? That's a question. I can't answer that part, but I know that when I have these conversations, I was told that it would have to go to PPC. Any proposed salary schedule that I created for this would have to go through PPC. And and the feeling was is that

116it would appear that therapists are valued more than teachers and that would maybe not go over well with PPC. If if a speech therapist came to us and said, "Hey, I'd like to work for the district." Like, do we have the ability to hire like say, "Hey, get >> We currently have a speech therapist that works for the district. We pay on the teacher salary schedule and of course they >> they're multipliers because of that. >> They have some movement in that because of the education that they have. >> Sure. >> We did the last advertise for a speech pathologist for over a year without an >> That's what I need to know. >> That's where because there are that's a big deal. There's so much competition right now even in the private sector. >>

117Well, and in our community, stroke patients >> need speech therapy. We we have a demand for them that I think in our community is greater >> with our elderly population that we would see in other communities honestly that don't have such a great number of elderly patients. >> I just wonder if it's worth a shot to try. Well, sometimes you can contract with companies and >> and it'll cost you >> and and versus hiring that person because if you hire that person, you also got to remember you got to social security >> 100%. Still might come out cheaper might come out better. Well, >> you got workers comp. [Music] >> And I mean, we're not against advertising. >> No. >> Um, >> it's just a question. I never hear that discussed. and we do a

118lot of contract labor and I do think sometimes there's a loyalty to your organization when you work for the organization you kind of have some control. >> Do they also uh do the billing for Medicaid and things like that or do we do that? So they do they're required to enter in all of their notes into our Medicaid billing system that we have and we actually require that on even our non-medaid students. That way if they become Medicaid eligible we can back bill on. >> So they input everything but we actually >> we have a we have a company that does that now for us which if we go back to all of the >> information that Leah presented earlier you'll see our Medicaid money and we're projected to have $700,000 of revenue. >> So

119that's on top of paying the contract services >> then we pay for medical billing >> where they put they as part of their agreements with us they have to enter in those notes >> um and then we get some reimbursement for the services. But they file all the claims and so forth. >> They >> the notes the notes become the claims and the systems that information. >> We have a we have a provider filing those claims. Third party provider. >> It's proved very very beneficial. We were doing it. >> We weren't using the provider last year. >> It has freed up our staff that we've utilized previously to do the Medicaid billing to work on retaining missing components that we've needed to be able to build. >> Even though it's, you know, our sheer volume

120of kids receiving therapy is also >> we have over 300 kids getting speech therapy and when I started here, we only had like 380 kids getting special education services total. So, >> question. >> Those are good questions. are great questions. >> Great questions. And thank you for bringing it up. >> Do we have any other questions? All those in favor? >> Thank you. >> You're up, Miss B. >> All right. Tonight, I am presenting a behavioral support agreement. Um, I'm asking that the board approve this agreement because of the needs within our district in our special education program. Um, some of what we do is complete functional behavior assessments and those assessments are very lengthy in process and our current evaluators are the ones that have been doing those uh FBAs and they will continue

121to do those but they need some help in the observation piece because that does take a lot of time. Additionally, uh we have two new self-contained teachers for the coming school year. Um those teachers will need some additional support as far as classroom design, instructional format, um the behavioral strategies and and so forth. And so I am asking for the district to enter into an agreement with Miss Jill Chinowski. She is a previous teacher in the district, also was a previous special education supervisor, um and has great experience working with the self-contained population and understands how to complete those observations. Heard the recommendation. Do we have a motion? >> Make a motion. We approve the recommendation. >> I'll second. >> Got a motion in a second. Any discussion, an estimate on hours? >> Uh I

122I think you know last year it really was like very few. She even got to the point at some point she was like I'm just going to volunteer. But I don't you know that's necessarily appropriate for her to do all the time. I would say no more than five hours a month. >> Okay. >> It might vary. Like I, you know, we'll probably spend more time in August trying to get our new special ed supervisors or not supervisors, that's only me. Um, self-contained teachers ready to go for the school year, but she might not need to come back, you know, more than an hour or so to check on them. And as far as the FBAs, we did about 15 last year. So, If we stay at that rate, that could increase hours. >> 25

123hours last year, give or take. When I went and looked at her total, the total that we had paid her, it wasn't >> it was nothing concerning. Yeah. >> Um, as far as >> massive amounts of time and money. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> Thanks, M. >> Good question, >> Miss Dewey. Okay. So, over the past six months, work has been done to create a very um generic schematic um of a possible new high school rebuild project. As you know, all public school building projects must be reviewed and approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, their division of p of public school academic facilities and transportation. In order to move forward with a possible funded building project, it is necessary to have approval by that division. I recommend that the board

124approve the submission of the schematic of a high school building project to the division of public school academic facilities and transportation for early approval. >> I make a motion we approve the facilities plan submission as submitted. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? I think we >> This is just one more step in hoping to procru, you know, to secure some funding is what it is. >> Yes. And you do have to have a you have to have your projects approved. You can't just go build stuff. Um, as a reminder, this schematic is located on our facilities page of our website. So, all of the web all of the powerpoints, slideshows, all of the meetings, there's a link to the live stream. If there's any anybody that wants to come visit, I'm here. There's there's been

125lots of discussion over the previous six months in our work session. So, those are all on the live stream. People can watch them, reach out to us if you have questions. And yes, >> and this is just the first real step of many still to come before we ever get to a public ask. Um, so, >> so this is just really kind of step one. Let's submit it. And >> hey, we're all in agreement that that's >> we agree with the work session work. I've had several people talk to me who watched the the last presentation and nobody spoke against >> that they they thought this was a better fit for the community. >> Great. >> Even if it cost the same amount. Okay. Any other discussion? All those in favor? Unanimous. Next item is

126duty. >> Okay. So, policy and procedure update. This is for section 7, policy 7.5. As you know, that rules and procedures in our policy handbook should be revised as needed. Um, the policy below allows a more clear understanding of our bidding procedures and the desire of the district to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. The changes do not Kelly, could you click on the the changes are highlighted and they're not necessar there are not changes to how we will work in purchasing, but it does make the policy more clear. Um, you'll notice if you refer back to the old policy, you'll see there's some a period and it separates the shall only be made by advertising and there's a period and then it states that bids will be received. We know that we want more

127than one bid, but shall is now not attached to bids. Um, the same thing on number three with $20,000. It does say that bids shall be sealed because we know that and approved by the superintendent and the board. Bids is plural. It always has been plural. Um but this this create this to me simp makes things more clear. >> And then finally the last statement to promote transparency, fairness, and fiscal responsibility. The district shall make reasonable effort to obtain multiple bids or quotes for all services and commodities when feasible, even when not specifically required. by law and or policy. And that's just a statement that is, I believe, very um responsive to what this board wants us to do with trusted taxpayer funds. >> Okay. I make a motion to approve um policy section 7

128update as presented. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? Yeah, I guess it's appropriate for me to talk since, you know, I've voted against a few um items like milk that I know we've needed, but hey, we're in the past we've gotten a single bid because there's only one bidder and I said, "Hey, I feel like we're violating our policy just from the way it reads to accepting a single bid." So, this is something that I've kind of been talking about. Hey, let's update this policy where we can accept a single bidder or if we only get two bids for a project where we can comfortably vote yes for it without feeling like we're violating our policy 7.5 which I've brought up in the past. So that's kind of the intent here. Um it

129doesn't, as Miss Dwey said, it's not changing um how we're doing our bids or the processes or anything like that. It's just clearing up the language so we can accept those where we only get one or two bids without feeling like we're violating our own policy. That's the intent. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor? Yeah. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you for discussion. [Music] >> Quiet. Um I'll just say one thing. Yeah. Um I guess it's the Baxter County Republican Committee has a podcast that they're they're now doing. Um, I know I was invited to be on it this coming Monday. Um, just to kind of talk about, hey, school, hey, what's going on the school um, from the board. So, looking forward to being on that uh, next Monday. If anybody

130out there in the community wants to talk to, I'm sure I can't speak for all of y'all, but reach out to me. I suspect the other board members are willing to talk. Um, first step of, you know, hey, we've we've come up with a plan for the school, but we need to start talking to the community with it, too. So, I would encourage my fellow board members to, hey, start talking to constituents on why we've come to the decisions we've come to and um just any other board business. So, um uh I'm looking forward to that on Monday. And um yeah, if anybody else wants to chat, reach out to us. Okay. >> Okay. Miss D, you got >> Oh, of course I do. Um, special shout out to custodial work done on floors, maintenance

131for the incessant, I guess that's the best word, mowing. It um is growing as fast as they can get it cut because I've decided we live in a tropical rainforest. Um, it's it's growing, but everybody knows that because they have their own grass at home. Um, our folks are working hard to get our buildings ready for students August 12th. Um, and just so thankful to them. These are hot, hot summer days and they're working hard. Professional development that's been led by our own people this summer. It's fantastic. And Miss Lawrence pointed out to me the other day that we have experts in the field and our own folks are being able to benefit from those experts in their presentations. So shout out to those teachers that are not only presenting but those who are attending

132because we all know we have an opportunity to get better at our craft, get better at our jobs, get better at leadership and the first step is that learning. Um I need to go over just a couple of dates. >> Sure. >> Um August 1 uh from 10 to 3 will be dropping with Dewey at central office. So please if you have anything, those that are on the live stream um those that are in the audience, come by if you'd like and we'll visit. We'll get that advertised as well. Um, I was going to say something else about August 1. Oh, dropins. If you have a location in the community that you think would be good for a drop in, if you'd let me know. We kind of took those on the road last year

133and we didn't have a huge attendance at all of them, but I felt like that was a good way for us to get out there and get to some of our our community locations that aren't in the center of Mountain Home. So, if you have ideas for me, I'm kind of out of ideas right now. So, please share them. Somebody's watching and they're like, I wish they'd come to this location. We'll see what we can do. Um, August 4th is the first day of PD. Um, that's the professional development from 8 to 9 or however long you'd like to stay during that day. I'd like to invite each of you board members to be there um to be recognized as board members and to enjoy breakfast with our staff. So, our staff will be having

134a breakfast sponsored by PTO and next starting about 8:30. So, please if you're available and I'll send y'all a reminder, but we would love to have you. And yes, we're going to point out who our board members are if you're available. >> Is that Dunart day? >> Yes, ma'am. That's affectionately known as Dunar Day. Following the breakfast, we will have um we'll be celebrating some things there. And then we have Dr. Tyler Tarver is coming to speak to our staff about AI and not necessarily how not to use it in the classroom, >> but how educators can benefit from AI. So, Miss Camp has been working with him some to make sure that our um approved AI sites are what he will be promoting. So, we're we're looking forward to that. I think it'll be

135energetic. Anybody who's heard him knows that >> he's great. He's energetic. He's >> going to pump you up and it's um we don't need any downers on the first day, right? So, >> I might I might have missed it, but where's the location? >> Dunar >> for breakfast. >> Breakfast will walk over to the cafeteria. Things have changed >> about 8:30. >> That's my first go round. >> So 8:00 in Dunar. We'll do our kickoff. At 8:30ish, we'll be walking over to the cafeteria for breakfast. We've got band, we've got cheer, we've got NJOTC, we've got choir. It's going to be fun. Going to be exciting. Um August 7th, we will be having our schoolboard meeting. So just a reminder, that's very, very early. It's three weeks. >> Three weeks. Is that right? >> My

136birthday. >> Okay. So, we'll need a birthday tag for Marsha on August 7th. Um, per policy, we must have a meeting and an approved budget before the first day of school, first day of students. So, August 7th and August 12th, first day with kids. If you are interested in going to a building, being at car loading that morning, coming after school, walking the halls, please feel free to. Um, if you'd like me to give you an idea of where to go, that'd be great. Um, a lot of times we focus on those younger grades, but me and high school and junior high would love to see y'all as well. >> I would have loved to been there. I'll be out of town. >> So, well, it is your almost your birthday week right after. >>

137That's a birthday trip. >> It's a birthday week. >> Good for you. It's a birthday week. Um, August 4th, I'll be on the Republican podcast. I'm looking forward to just sharing information about getting started for the new school year. Um I am asking the board for a favor. Um October 16th is our October board meeting. I had the opportunity to see um reading instruction at a district in Lafayette, Louisiana. This is in correlation with the leaders of literacy letters training that I've been able to do this year. Um this will be with a group of superintendents. This is all supported by Desi. Um most of you if you have s researched at all literacy reform in our country, Louisiana is leading the charge. And if you all are comfortable with it, I'd like to move

138that October 16th scheduled meeting to October 14th, just the Tuesday before. Is that something that kind of putting y'all on the spot? I don't have um on calendar >> that I'm good with it. I don't have anything. >> What a wonderful way to spend a Tuesday. >> That's what I was thinking. >> I'm okay with it. >> Kind of resonates. Got to boot up here. >> October 14th. >> Yes, sir. Versus the 16th. >> Works better for me. You get first day off. >> Yeah. If you come Tuesday, you get Thursday off. that I'm going to Louisiana. >> Well, 15 starts a >> I probably wouldn't be here on the 16th. >> So, I can share those dates tomorrow. I'll send an email where I share the dates and just make sure we'll update our

139website if that's agreeable with you all. >> I'm good on the 14th >> as well. >> So, the August 7th meeting replaces the 21st. Is that right? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. We won't have the >> No, and that should that's already on the website. >> Yeah, >> that >> I just want to make sure. >> Yeah, I'm just making sure it is. But yeah, no, you won't have to. Um, and I'll be looking for some September dates for a work session and goal setting. So, I'll get with you all. I'll throw out a few dates and if you'll just respond and let me know what works. >> Thank you for agreeing to that. I do think it'll be beneficial. >> Anything else? Okay, we'll go ahead and move into executive session for personnel employment,

140retirements, and transfers.