2025-6-19 MHPS Board Meeting Livestream

001[Music] head and call the meeting to order. We do have a quorum present. Meeting has been duly called. Appropriate notice has been given. Like everybody to stand while Lisa House leads us in the pledge tonight. >> 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, Lisa. [Music] >> Motion to approve the agenda and the minutes. >> I make a motion we approve tonight's agenda and the minutes of May 15th and May 29th meetings. >> Debate me. I'll second. >> Okay, we have a motion and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Motion passes. At this point, we're going to turn the meeting over to our superintendent for election of board

002officers. >> All right. So, this evening, um, according to policy 1.2, the board elects a president, vice president, secretary, and legislative liaison at the first meeting following the latter of certification of results or runoff, or the first meeting following the certification of results after a runoff officer's one-year term until the board's reorganization following the district's next annual school election. So we will start. Are there any nominations for the office of president? >> I nominate Jason. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. >> Okay, there is a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Mr. President. >> Back to me. >> We have a nomination for vice president. >> I nominate Scott Booth. >> Second. Motion and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Congratulations, condolences, whichever you want to look at it. Thank

003you. >> How does it feel to be one heartbeat away? >> Second place. Do we have a nomination for secretary? >> I'd like to nominate Molly. >> I'll second. >> Oh, lots of seconds. >> They know I can write. >> Motion second. Any discussion? All those in favor unanimous. >> We could go ahead and do legislative liaison as well. >> Okay. >> That is not on the agenda. However, it is in policy. >> Okay. We'll need a nomination for legislative liaison. Typically, that position is held by board president. >> We can do that. Last year, we did have Molly. >> It's not a hard job. You just forward stuff on. >> But if everybody's okay, we can. And if Molly would like to carry that on, >> we Yeah, >> I don't care. But someone

004else might like the valuable position that might be >> It might be time. >> Definitely. There will be a lot more >> Well, that's true. It's been busy. >> It needs to be somebody who who wants to do the position. Can we talk about it? Does anybody want it? I mean, is it fair to talk about like would you like to do it again, Miss Morgan or Miss Miss Marsha? Would you like that position? >> Yeah. They literally send you stuff. You say, "Allison, would you send this on to the rest of the board?" Because we can't and um then everybody reads and is up on what's going on in the leg. >> Since you've had it, you're secretary, I'd like to nominate Miss Marshia Partney for the legislative liaison. >> Second. >> Can I

005can hit four words. >> We have a motion second. Any other discussion? All those in favor? Thanks, Molly. >> Molly. >> So, we do have some committees we need to talk through. Um, Mr. Smezky, would you mind sharing who is on those committees currently? >> Uh, currently, Mr. Booth is on PPC, Miss Horton's on CPPC, I am on technology, Miss Morgan is on curriculum. Um uh with the election of officers, um board president usually sits on finance committee. So that would remove me from tech. Um do we have anybody willing to serve on the technology committee? >> I think I could I'd be willing to serve on tech. >> Okay. >> If that's what you would like me to be at. >> Okay. >> So that one's done. So that opens up PPC. I could

006take that on. >> Okay. So, Molly will put PPC. >> Okay. For all of us newbies, can you use something other than an acronym? >> Yes. >> Personnel policy committee. >> Thank you, sir. >> And then technology is >> I knew that one. >> Um, and then you go ahead with the >> So, the next one, the next domino is the curriculum committee. Um, Marshall, would you serve? >> I'd be happy to serve on that committee. in there before. >> Okay. So then we >> CPPC, >> we've got CPPC, >> PTO, TAC, >> TAC. So TAC is teacher advisory council. >> Stay on CPPC. >> You would like to stay on CP. Okay. >> Thanks. That's easy. [Music] >> T. So it's once a month. Um we I think we've been meeting on Wednesday 3:30

007once a month. If there's a lack of agenda, which often happens at the end of the year, it does not happen at the beginning of the year. Okay. >> Um teachers come and they share the concerns. There's a one there is a person from each building, a teacher from each building and it it may be as simple as we've asked for the light in the parking lot multiple times and we're not getting that turned on. Can you help? You know, because it's gotten to that point. Um and sometimes it's bigger things. >> Okay. Yeah, I'd be I'd be willing to do it. Thank you. >> Tommy, would you serve on the PTO committee? >> Is that the parent teacher? >> That is parent teacher organization. >> You want to switch? >> I'm staying where I'm

008at. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And that's a great group >> to be part of. They work hard. >> They do a lot for the district. Got that little bit of housekeeping out of the way. So now we can move on to our presentation. Miss Heiser, you heard it. >> Yes. >> Thank you for coming in tonight. >> Thank you. I'm honored to be here. >> My name is Corine Heiser. I'm a registered nurse since 1980, a family nurse practitioner since uh 1999. And suicide has not touched my life or my families. My first real exposure, pardon me if I choke up, was recently when one of our youth took her life less than a month before graduation. And then one of the disciple group girls in my disciple group attempted suicide. So I

009had never had any uplose and personal interaction with this. So as a result of that I was devastated. I am devastated and want to do something about this. So I've been in literature. I have networked. Um I found out that Baxter County is um is one of the highest um and in teen suicides. Getting an actual number and ranking has been difficult because I I there doesn't seem to be one that I could get my hands on or the health department could. Uh according to the C CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death from ages 10 to 34 in Arkansas. In 2022, it was ranked 18th in the US. Arkansas's age adjusted suicide death rate increased by 28.6% over the last 20 years. So, as schoolboard members, you folks know and teachers, y'all

010know what kids are faced with now. when I was growing up was difficult. That was a long time ago at Timbo. Things are different now. And so that the challenges that kids have is it just it's daunting. Um in 2022, uh Baxter Health did uh did a community needs assessment. Apparently they do that every three years. And I did not know that. And they found that the suicide death rate for Baxter Health's community of 29.8 per for every 100,000 total population higher than that. Arkansas and the United States with rates of 18.8 and 13.8. So the death rate here, the suicide death rate here is obviously documented well. Um, I haveworked with Mr. Matt Sutton from uh Mountain Home Public School. I haveworked with Stacy Freddy, registered nurse from Baxter Health Unit. I've worked with

011Brad Hayes, our uh Baxter County Corner. I'veorked with Dan Hall, who has started the u veterans uh coordination effort for suicide and death rate prevention and decreasing. I'veworked with uh board member uh Scott Booth. I'veworked with Summer Sasser who is going to speak in just a moment um regarding her passion for this as well. Um we have found that it's it's daunting. The numbers are daunting. The issues are daunting and the resources we have resources in the community and and we're identifying them and trying to come together to help. We know that um the Basher County Health Unit has community resources nurses that can come and speak and do presentations for the school. I didn't know that. Uh the Mountain Home Public School has a bridges program, which I'm sure you're familiar with, that provides

012funding that's monies that are com uh collected from people in the community who donate, which is is is awesome. And and we need to make sure that we can keep those coffers full. And um as a community, our school needs our help. As a community, our teachers need our help. As counselors, they need our help. Students need our help more than anything else. And one of my favorite stories is a little girl at the beach walking along the beach and she's throwing sorry throwing starfish back in the ocean and somebody came up to her and said, "Why are you doing that? You can't save them all." And she said, "Maybe I can save one." So, I want the Mountain Home Public School Board to know that the community is here. We're rallying the troops, and

013it's not going to be an easy process. But I never want to stand in front of a casket of an 18-year-old ever again. Ever. >> Amen. >> If I can do anything in my power to not do that, I will. And with that said, I would love to introduce Summer Sasser. Summer, if you come up. Summer and I met at the uh US veterans uh coordination >> together with veterans. It meets quarterly at ASU Mountain Home and she's phenomenal. So Summer, if you'd be so kind to address the group. >> Hi. I have my handy dandy notebook because I am a little bit nervous. So um thank you guys for letting us come and speak about something that is not very easy to speak about. Um I really do appreciate you guys taking your time

014to listen. Um, suicide prevention and awareness is something that sits really, really close with me. Um, as the anniversary of my fiance and children to my father come up on June 26 of 2018, um, I can personally tell you that that was a devastating experience and it was very traumatic. Um, had a very traumatic imp me and my family and um seven years later, we're still trying to recover from this. So, how can we fix it? How can we make a difference? How can we stop another person from feeling like they're not worthy of being here? Um we have pulled together, like she said, um some organizations. Um we have I'm shaking. I'm sorry. We have the Baxter Health Foundation um on board. we have the veterans uh community on board and we would love

015to have you guys on board um to help us. Um we believe you guys have a strong impact on the community and um so we are putting together a 5K um for a fundraiser to help funds or to help fund um Project Renew which is going to be on September 11th. Um, so what we're looking for is time and talent and treasure. Um, we need support, volunteers. Um, we need people participating. Um, runners, if there's any runners or people who have hosted a bike camp or um done a fundraiser, let me know. Give me some tips, tricks, anything. Um, >> keep going. >> Uh, donations obviously is a huge sponsorships is um what we're looking for um to help fund this and if these funds could go to help someone um just one person I

016would be okay with that. >> So Summer came to me and she's very passionate about this particular issue. Backter County is number one in the state or has been number one in the state in suicide. State of Arkansas is number eight in the nation in suicide. We're literally leading the nation in killing ourselves, not only at the youth level, but at the veterans level. That's why we've partnered up with the veterans groups. That's why we partnered up with the hospital because they see the impact of this. ASU is working with us on a a route for the 5K. Uh we what we're looking for with the schools is another hand in partnership. It might be helpful if we had like a Kathy Beckham that can help us with getting some of the kids that need

017to be involved in this as part of their their their graduation requirements and volunteerism. You know, Coach Mitch, we've already visited a little bit about what the track team with the materials that they might have to help us out. But as the leadership of the school district, if this is an issue for you and you make it an issue districtwide, then I think we can really hit a lick in helping people not experience what summer had to go through. >> Y'all have any questions? >> Yeah. Thank you for sharing and we're >> we're here to serve. So, hello. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Project. >> Okay. Know what you do. >> So, project renew is going to be here on September 11th. Um, this is what the funds are going to be going

018towards. Um, And I really don't have Jamie Leech um with behavioral health unit is helping to set this up. There's a speaker who's going to be coming and doing a presentation to the sixth and eighth graders. >> Sixth through 12. >> Yeah. And then the Yes. And then Yes, ma'am. Then the 9th through 12th graders. And I understand it's going to be an evening presentation as well, but I don't have any information on that. >> You may have a little bit Mr. Sutton. >> Oh, great. Thank you. >> Thank you. teamwork team. >> U it is September 11th. Um I think we're going to have we're going to split our students up into two groups. We spoke of this like when we just learned about it. I came and got to talk about it just

019a little bit. We've got a lot more information now though. So two groups of students and then a community. So she's speaking three times community in that that afternoon. Um we have already established uh a team of students and already started that process because part of that is um they want uh students to lead this kind of charge for us and and not adults. So we've got uh 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade representatives already. They're going to be positioning themselves that team after some training early in the school year. They'll be at like Bomberfest with a booth. They'll be at uh some activities. I think we've got four activities that they're going to be at to just provide resources and to just be able to talk to any kids because kids want to

020talk to kids more than they do adults most of the time. So, that part's really cool as well. There also bring all kinds of um literature, a lot of uh posters that we get to put on our campuses um and just just give away stuff just to get get the discussion going, which is what we talked about when you initially brought it up. So, some really cool stuff happening with Jamie's phenomenal back. So, >> and did do you have a date for the 5K? >> Yes, it's going to be September 13th. >> 13th. >> Already organized with the city and got approval for starting at the cave park. Um, it's going to go through ASU and then it will finish again at the cave park. >> Okay. Okay. Good. So, we can get that in.

021>> What else do you see we can do in the schools? I mean what what do we need to be projecting in the schools because this has hit >> several of us have had some experience. >> I think so I wish I would have known what to say whenever someone was struggling. Um I think if we had someone come into the schools and maybe tell kids like hey this is what you should say if some one of your friends are struggling. Um, I think that's a huge part. Um, is just knowing what to say, not just dismiss it and say, "Oh, you know, this you're just wanting attention or, you know, I think knowing what to say to someone who is struggling is is a is a huge part." >> So, would there be a

022way to train our mentors, you know, our high school, every class has a mentor. if they could be trained and and there was a particular month probably September that we focused on, hey, here's what you say >> because we're all in the classroom. Do we have time to kind of get that? You think we have time to work with Miss Christy Lawrence and possibly um even if there was a Zoom training something because the mentors are always looking for something an an engaging way. You've got to engage students, but this is so personal. I think I think >> now the first mentor session is usually in September, right? >> What a great way to kick off. It's it's >> it's a big year >> and everyone's focused on the same topic um which is a

023valuable topic. So Matt, maybe we could go back >> and you know the she's so spot on obviously the what Kei's bringing with project with what she's bringing is talk saves lives and this is the the premise for what she's going to be talking to our students about. So, it's a perfect kind of, you know, month to focus on. You've got like this large group focus that that she's going to be speaking and then you've got the mentors which is small group more intimate setting which what we have found has been more successful with bringing change to our kids and those small group settings like that. So, I love the love the idea. I think it's great. I think it's easily implemented. So, >> talking is the best thing. You know, there's a it's a

024taboo topic. A lot of us feel like we can't talk about it. And just from my experience with some veterans and talking to them and being involved with them, it's just talking and not making it a taboo topic. And sometimes coming right out and even asking people, the the peers, are you considering hurting yourself? Are you thinking about hurting yourself can make it make 180 degree difference, right? Um at the last veterans, they were talking about part of it the first thing and then we had somebody there who who's attempted several times. the first thing they think about is can I get away with it >> right and so by even talking to somebody asking them you kind of remove that avenue so um Mr. sudden it's far easily the SM me on this a

025subject matter expert not me but just removing a stigma and talking about it and having peers that know to talk about it and mentors and teachers that's that alone seems like it's half the battle is talking about it >> so what steps can we take on the mentoring >> I'm just I mean I just Matt and I visit training it's it's we can this is >> get that I mean that's an easy and that's I think it will be embraced >> by all the mentors I really do >> and it also gives us a chance to follow-up questions throughout the year. >> Sure. Make some connection, >> which would be good. >> So, what I'm hearing is we have a lot of resources in the community that are willing to help us. Also, the community

026is asking for the district's help as well. So, it seems like a fantastic partnership, one that I can see no reason why we shouldn't fully embrace both ways, them helping us and us helping them. As you've heard me talk before, suicide is far more likely a far larger threat to our students than any mass shooting or violence on campus. So, it's something that we really, really need to embrace and talk about before we So, thank you'all. >> Thank you all for sharing. >> Thank you. [Music] >> Moving on to our reports. Academic report, Miss Lawrence. [Music] Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Um I'm excited to talk a little bit about some um academic results we have. We are about to have a windfall of summitive data. We think mid July hopefully. Um we are

027told definitely by August I think August 1. Um so that has not we don't have all the summitive data yet. So, I wanted to present what we do have for some of our K2. Um, well, all of our K2 students participated in middle of the year and end of the year dibbles. Um, I did make a slide that just lets you go through the different components of dibbles. Um, we have done dibbles it seems like forever. It has been a tried andrue um, indicator of how our students are reading. Um, we used to do dibbles K6 if you remember, if you've been around for a little while. Um because of all the new things with Atlas, we reduced that down to K2 this year. And another reason we have stuck with Dibbles at that level

028is because their Atlas pieces have been a little slower to come to us. A little it's been a little bumpier road, I would say, for K2 than it was for our 310 uh teachers and students participating in Atlas. So this one uh our teachers feel very confident uh when we give this that it's giving them some good information. Um, we have letter naming fluency, phone segmentation fluency, nonsense word, word reading, oral reading, and maze. So, what if you haven't ever given this, it's pretty fun actually. You just take the students through these very quick um assessments. At the end, it pulls it together and gives you a a composite score, which you can break down into categories or you can use the composite. So, um our next slide um just gives you a really quick

029synopsis. Um measures of the acquisition of literacy skills, short one minute fluency measures of skills they read a passage until the timer goes off at a minute and then they they record how many words per minute they've read. And we do use nibbles a lot of different ways, but the number one way is to detect risk. And also just to see how many words a minute they're able to read and how flu or the fluency and then the accuracy. Um there's a lot of research behind how many words per minute and how much accuracy a student needs to have at certain points in time to truly be a reader that can comprehend the text that's in front of of him or her. So, um, this is I know it's a little hard to see, but

030if if y'all are looking at your own slide, I did put just the snapshot. This is K2. And what's weird about it this year is you're not going to see beginning of the year. You're going to go straight to middle of the year. The MOI is middle of the year. The EOI is the end of year. And the reason for this is because we were told we were going to have an Atlas interim um that we would give right after the universal screener. So we held off on dibbles because we didn't want to over test our students. Well, the interim did not come. Our teachers were I don't want to say panicking, but they were just wanting some they were wanting some hardcore data. So what we did is once we realized we were not

031going to get the interim, we went ahead and got the license for for dibbles and they were able to a middle of the year assessment and then an end of year assessment. So typically you would have three measures and this year we only have two. Um what you'll see if you want to look at the green and blue combinations that's where the green and blue combined tell you the students that are on grade level or above. Um for kindergarten at the middle of the year um there were 74% of our students were on grade level or above. At the end of the year we had 77%. First grade started middle of the year with 48% on grade level or above and ended at 60%. And then our second grade did have a little dip. They

032started at 58% and then they dipped down to 54% at the end of the year. When I dug into the different pieces of this, they had one um test. It's called Maze and it's a reading comprehension piece and that um they did not they had a lot of red in that category and it brought their overall composite color down. Um that test is a little bit hard for our younger students to take. Um I could tell you all about it but anyway that's probably enough for now. But we did check in the Y. So we have some strategies um some highlights first before I get strategies. I wanted you to see that kindergarten again 77% enter are at the ed or above grade level which was 189 students. They did increase that 3% for middle

033of the year. First grade increased the ed or above grade level from 48 to 60 and they decreased the below grade level the reds by 6%. That is a big um that's a really good indicator moving the students out of the red. And then again second grade was at 54%. They did decrease the below grade level category about 3%. So, you're seeing a little bit of a a swing out of the red, but we just have to get we we lost a couple to yellow. Okay. So, moving on. I did want to I know this is a lot of information tonight about K2, but I do want you to see what our teachers are doing. I think it's important to kind of showcase some of the work. Um, in addition to dibbles, they were also

034doing what we call tesllets. And this is all part of the new Atlas platform. And there's a link that ELA tesllet. Kelly's going to click on that link for us. And I just want to show you in addition to Dibbles what our teachers now the workflow they're using. And I do want to brag on Becca Camp. She has um really helped our teachers with workflow for this because the teachers are now if the student is flagged in a screener for Atlas in any of these categories, they are now giving what's called a Tesllet in that specific category. If the student scores eight or above, they can move on. If they score less than eight, then they keep doing some intervention and then they progress monitor again. And you can see it's pretty daunting if you're

035sliding across. Kelly roll down either way. You can see that on the bottom >> it ends up being quite a bit for a teacher to take in and kind of decide, okay, how am I going to get my students through this? >> Um, so Becca worked with our our principles and our teachers. They kind of got a workflow going. They um help teachers kind of work through how to how to give the tesllets, when to give them, how many students at a time. There's a lot of strategy behind how to best assess the students with these tesllets. Um, so from there, um, Kell, if you want to hop back out just to the slide, what you're going to see is an individualized reading plan. So from the tesllets now they have a plan and these

036are populated now in the Alice portal and so a parent can have access to this, teachers have access to this and this is becoming basically a kind of an RTI response to intervention plan and they call it an individualized reading plan. So any student that shows risk has an individualized reading plan and I did a screenshot. I didn't do the links. I didn't want to I wanted to protect our students identities. But you'll see this student had a risk factor and you'll see a the teacher, you can see her name on there. Um wonderful second grade teacher we have with this. Um she worked through progress monitoring and tesllets until the student scored high enough to exit out of the deficit. So, I thought y'all might enjoy seeing kind of the the working process behind

037some of the data that we're getting and what the teachers are doing with the students um either oneonone or in small groups to help with where the needs are. So, this is just one one piece of it. It goes alongside dibbles. It goes alongside their common form formative assessments they're giving and it's just to help us see how our students are doing in grade level skills. Um, I think our next slide, um, this is just to show you a data wall. I know we've done data walls for you guys in the past, but this is a sample of a kindergarten data wall. What you'll see is the IRP out to the side means those students in this class had an individualized reading plan and the teachers are able to monitor how they're doing on those

038categories. The next one is one from Nelson Wilks. It looks like Legos, but um, we they're monitoring each category or accuracy. Lexia is another literacy piece. Their fluency, if they can retell the story, and you'll see all different colors. If they're showing red on any of these indicators, they are receiving an intervention in that category, and they'll be progress monitored. So, this is what our teams are doing. Our collaborative teams, um, they're working together, looking at this this data together typically when they meet weekly. Um and then the principles are are deep into this work with them as well just to see how the students are shown progress. Um I think next what we're doing next we are doing transition meetings. Um y'all know the way we're set up the handoff from grade to grade

039is a little bit tricky because typically they're leaving a building. Um we've had a lot of meetings principal to principal. They uh we told y'all last time I think that um Miss Concaid and Miss Hamilton have spent time in the kindergarten. Um Miss Goodwin and her team have spent time at Nelson Wolves. We're trying to get that hand off a little bit smoother in our lower grades. The the littles obviously struggle a little bit more than our mid-level kids and above when we're transitioning. um our student success plans. That's where we're taking that information from those data walls, looking at that student by student um doing their RTI. The HIT grant, if y'all remember, we received for the last two years, we've received HIT grants, high impact tutoring. We're waiting to hear if we get

040that again next year, but we have been running um programs all year using the HIT grant money, and we will do that again if we are granted more money for that. Um the IRPS is what I just showed you. And then another thing we have realized is and it goes along with our new technology plan, but our students need to be reading books more. I know that sounds very simple, um, but we we need to get them in in text more and not just excerpts of things for older kids. They need to be reading full stories, beginning, middle, end. So we we're talking about that a lot in collaborative teams. Um, so those are just a few things going on behind the scenes once we get the data on our students. Um, Switching gears here

041a little bit. We had credit recovery going on at the high school grades 9 through 12. Um 52 students did participate in credit recovery course work through Apex. And two days ago, which is maybe different, Miss Russell's here, we have 51 semesters of credit recovered and that was as of Tuesday. So, um making up some ground there. And in our last slide, I know y'all are sad we're done with the dad part of the night, but um we are showcasing a little bit of summer enrichment. So, our summer enrichment program has been going on um every Wednesday 8 to 11 um K5 and they are having a blast. They are doing a tech-free full literacy immersion, arts, crafts, um hands-on learning. We've done volcanoes. They've baked cookies. Um, lots of writing. Uh, lots of They'll

042read a story and they'll do some kind of hands-on activity after the story. That's Miss Mhler. If y'all know Miss Muller, you know she's going to use music to teach everything and anything. And so, she actually has kindergarten. And so, it's been fun to go in her class. She's been she's had the students using instruments with stories, using instruments to tell stories and to go along with text. So, it's been really fun to see um what they're doing. We have a fun trip planned. I'll shout out to Mr. Gates right now, but they are going to be going to the airport on their last Wednesday and they have he has stations planned. They're going to get to see an airplane. Uh it's going to be super cool. So, really some fun hands-on learning this summer

043with summer. Just had one one question going going back to like your K2 with your individualized reading plans and your tesllets. What do those look like for the kids that are at or above? >> So >> what do like what does the enrichment side look like of that? >> If they are needing enrichment, they are not going to get it through a tesllet. Teslates are going to be really targeting on grade level or below skills. So when you see like that Nelson Wilks data wall that has all the blue >> so that work is Those teachers are finding ways to do extension that aren't necessarily through a tesllet. So, and they do that through their their intervention their what I need time. So, they are measuring again when we're looking at blue, blue is hard

044to grow. Those kids typically are a little harder to move. Um, and so they are looking at extended text, harder text, trying to more words a minute, different things like that. And so that's one reason these classroom data walls are important because if we did not do these, you would be really you would get all that data on your individualized reading plans through the portal through your for your deficits, >> but you would not have anything for your extension. >> So that's why we have really leaned heavy on these pieces like this because you really need to see what your blue kids are doing. Yeah. >> If you have a student that starts blue and is dropping, that's problem. just like it is if you have a student that's red and not growing. And so

045we're that a lot of the teamwork within collaborative teams is important because sometimes you can share kids. >> You know, one teacher might be taking the students that need phmic organiz >> but you have to be following the pieces like this or you're not going to know how the students are doing. and kindergarten is they're like they have a lot of extension opportunities too. There's just encoded on blue on there, >> but that's kind of >> okay. >> That answers your question. >> Yeah. No, that's >> we have talked about that a lot with our student success plans. We talked about could we just do IRPS and the math intervention plans that are populated in Atlas. And the reason we don't want to go solely to that and give up our student success plans is

046because of your question. Because if we only use those, we are not watching those. >> You're going to get a handful that are going to hit hit coast and then they're going to fall backwards >> and then you're not even going to know at the end of the year that they have they have slid backwards. >> So, we're holding on to those. Um, we've had a lot of debate about that actually because we're always trying to see can we make the teachers jobs any less. It's not getting any easier >> because I mean that you can tell I mean the data entry piece is pretty insane. >> Yeah. >> And so um but we we have stayed committed to that just for that reason. So >> any other questions? >> Thank you for sharing. >>

047Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay, good job. I'll see you again in a minute. >> Next item is our financial reports. Miss Carter. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> We'll start with the statement of changes in fund balance for the month ending May 31st of 2025. And we ended the month of May with 15,661,373.19. This is kind of just a a dull month for school finance just as June is because we're trying to close out this year and wind things down. Um in June you will see that we will make the transfer to cover the expenditures in 4,000 which was our debt service payment. [Music] And that's really about the biggest action. Any questions about that? Okay, moving on. This is the statement of changes in revenue expend and expenditures for the month of May. We ended

048with total revenues of $4,143,3941 with total expenditures of 3,942,812.75. Our revenues are down and uh the county did let us know that some of their revenues that are typically booked in May were not going to be booked until June. So our revenues for June are came in a little bit higher than normally for June. So >> moving on. >> Yes. Is is that why that We're seeing that little bit of a dip. >> It is our revenues are running lower, but that is the the revenues for this month were down 1.3 million. So, it was very concerning. Yeah. You know, when that >> it's not that we're spending more, we just haven't we've received less so far. >> Right. And we do our June tax collection is lower than expected and lower than >> we

049were hoping for. It's going to be all right, but it definitely they said late um payment and just a little lower than expected. When we look at the operating fund balance for the month of May, we ended at 9 million338,33447 and of course you can see the impact of that from a reduction in those revenues from >> any question. Moving on to the statement of changes in activity funds. We ended the month of May with all activity funds combined of $654,31861. And if there are no f no questions, uh the reports following support the information that I've just shared as well as the check register for the month of May. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Next item is our enrollment report and student transfer update. So enrollment is um as of this week

0503,733 students. That did not count our exiting seniors nor our registered kindergarteners. So you'll start to see those numbers next month. I will tell you that kindergarten is down significantly. Um the last phone call I made, we were at 200 students. I expect 20 to 25 more hopefully. But if anybody's watching this live stream or if any of you all know anybody that has yet to register for kindergarten, >> get your kid registered for kindergarten. >> Um, get them up there and get them signed up. Um, that's, you know, I I'm not surprised by the number today. I'm surprised by the kindergarten number. Not surprised by the 3733. >> How many in kindergarten last year? >> 200. I think they ended the year at 240. >> 240. I think the number is 247. >> 247.

051>> So now they started low. They started about 2. I got to be careful. 220s. Um, so they were a little lower. So they did gain kids all year long. That's a good thing. [Music] Student transfers. >> Two in and two out. >> That's a wash. >> Same district. >> Same. Just we just traded. >> Just traded. >> Traded two. Any other questions on that? Okay, moving on to our facilities report. Mr. Knight, >> your uh maintenance and custodial staff are extremely busy every summer and um I won't go through everything we have to do that we can barely finish anyway, but I wanted to give you all a list. I know some of these things you've approved. A lot of these things didn't make enough didn't cost enough that I had to bring them

052here or bid those out. So, I want you to see just some of the the other things that we're trying to do and um get done with all the the rest of the things we have to finish before school starts this year. >> You all have any questions? I also updated your um spreadsheet. >> Thank you. >> I know they're all out early getting stuff done. >> They're out. They're working. >> Yes, they are. >> They came up with the grass, so you're seeing them earlier. >> Yep. They're putting in the time and and it looks the facilities look good. >> So, >> grass growing business is going to slow down next week. >> Good bathrooms. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Chris. >> Technology report. Mr. Manleski. >> Hello. >> Um, some of the updates

053from last time. Uh, tech committee. We haven't had a tech committee meeting since the last time there was an update. Um, but the screen time policies that were talked about at the last meeting are going into the handbooks for next year. Um, and then AI policies and usage and stuff we'll talk about next year in tech committee and come up with some ideas for that as far as what we need to do and what kind of a path we want to move forward on. Um we were at conference this week so we had a lot of sessions on AI everything in cyber security and AI right now so um we got some really good ideas that stuff is changing a lot also um Google's product AI product Gemini um wasn't available to schools that are

054on the free Google plan like most of them are and Tuesday they released that and gave that option to all the schools even if they're on the free plan. So uh still a paid option within that, but none of it was available unless you were paying for Google. So, that was kind of nice because that's integrated into everything that we're doing already. So, um that was some good news on that. So, um as far as tech department stuff, um we're changing the way Chromebooks are handled there next year. Um, since COVID, the students have been carrying those Chromebooks around and then putting them in a cart at the end of the day. And we're going back to carts in the classroom, they won't carry them anymore. So, um, we're hoping that's going to cut down

055on repairs and help with screen time stuff also. Um, if the teacher has something they need Chromebook for, then they will just get out of the cart like they used to back in the day. So, we'll see how that works. Um and then we may roll that to Hackler next year. Kind of go back to the same thing. Um it takes a lot more Chromebooks to do that when you go that route because you put the state maximum number of students a classroom can have. You put that many Chromebooks in every classroom. So you might have 20 students in a classroom one period, but there's 28 Chromebooks in there. And so if the next period has 28, you know, so so it takes a little bit extra to do that, but we're able to pull

056that off though. any extra this year. So, I think it's going to work out good. We'll see what happens there. So, um we're still working on phones in all the classrooms. It's kind of been a three-year project. Um but we're we're almost almost done. So, we've got a few more left at Kingston. Um and uh uh junior high's done. We finished that last week. So, um it's it's a nice option to have those in the classroom. Teachers can call parents and eventually if like intercom system goes out at a building, we just roll that into the phones. So, the phones are now intercom, bell system, everything. So, we're gearing up for that at some of those other buildings, too. So, um the camera projects we've been doing, um Kingston Junior High 95% complete. Um should

057be done probably by the end of next week. um had a few parts that had to get sent back and replaced and stuff, but um so that's looking good. Um we made a decision to proceed with a manage endpoint detection. We'll talk about that in a little bit on the action item. Um but that's that's been a big project for several years that we decided to finally move forward on. So um as I mentioned before, we were at conference all week, so lots of good stuff there. Um we kind of go to one conference a year and we try to all go as a department and uh so a lot of good team building stuff and learning about what's going on and talking to other schools and stuff. So it's a it's good conference in

058Hot Springs. So um I think Becca's got all the instructional technology PD scheduled um for July 23rd. Um we're going to use the junior high library for that this year. Um and then setting up dates to meet with each building uh at back to school PD and talk about screen time for their building. Um and just different things that are building specific that we need to meet with those buildings on. So that's about it. >> Great. Thank you for sharing. Why don't you hang out? We'll move on to board action items. request to approve managed endpoint detection system. >> So managed endpoint detection and response. I don't like to use the phrase that it's the new antivirus, but that's the easiest way to kind of describe it. Um it's way more than that. And viruses,

059I mean, that's kind of a thing of the past. Everything is is either malware detection or ransomware type detection. So um we've been working on this for four years. We've tested multiple products. We've got pricing on different products. Um, and we always kind of come back to the one product called Crowd Strike. Um, it's probably one of the best products out there. There's it's in the top three. Um, but it's the least expensive of those top three, but it's still kind of on the the higher tier. So, um, the past couple years, the state released acts 846 and 504 that mandate districts utilize something like this as one of their layers of security. Um, if there was um a ransomware attack or a data breach of any kind and you don't utilize a product, you

060know, to help protect yourself against these things, they can exclude you from state insurance money. um and state resources that are designed to come in and help a district. Um it's hard to put a number on what a ransomware attack can cost, but I mean if you shoot at a million dollars, that's probably what it's going to cost. Um depending on depending on how much data were to get leaked or or stolen or ransomed, um you know, you've got recovery fees, recovery costs on that. You have to protect those people. Um, and students is kind of a whole different thing. It's not just like a doctor's office that got breached and they do credit reporting on you, you know, um, or they give you that credit reporting option, um, for several years. Um, so, uh,

061this manage type system actually almost adds another 24-hour employee. there's a real person that looks at a viable threat that comes in, no matter what time of the day it is. And with the software that runs on the computers, they can shut that they can isolate that computer from the network immediately within seconds of anything that's they think might be a viable, you know, attack. And uh the state of Arkansas uses the same software. um DIS, uh all of their the state police, they've got this on all of their computers, schools can go under that umbrella. Um our pricing is actually lower than what the state is getting it for, which is hard to believe because they've got about 10,000 endpoints on it, but they're about $5 an endpoint a month and our quote is

062$3.99 per endpoint per month. So, we're saving 8 to10,000 by doing this ourselves and not going under the state umbrella. We've kind of been waiting the last couple years in anticipation that the state would >> put us under it without any additional cost all the schools. Um, and that might happen down the road, but we can't wait really any further to just see if that happens. So, >> are they funding it at all? No, they're not. >> Not at all. >> So, I mean, and and then it's kind of a double whammy because they don't fund it and then if you don't do it, you're not included in the resources to help >> help, you know. So, Crowd Strike has kind of a insurance policy that can be up to a million dollars of assistance

063and reimbursements if an attack happens. that's how much they trust, you know, their own product. Um, the state gets hits every day on this on their 10,000 end points and nothing so far has been breached. So, it's not really, you know, they always say it's not, you know, if it happens, but when it happens. Um, so I really feel that this is going to be a big layer to help protect our networks. Um, we've got firewalls in place that have already stopped stuff. You know, we've had staff members that have clicked on something and that firewall has stopped it. And, you know, we run I mean, it's it's a $50,000 firewall. So, just to give you an idea of like, you know, you might buy a really good one for your house for 200. This

064is 50 and we pay $15,000 a year in subscriptions. So, it's it's really doing a good job. But putting this on all of our servers and all of our teacher devices and all of the secretaries and central office devices um will really I mean hopefully we never have to go through >> one more layer of security. >> Yeah. Hopefully we never have to go through any kind of a ransomware type situation and there's schools in Arkansas going through it right now. So but anyway, so it's a it's a three-year contract. We'll pay it yearly. Um, and I'm assuming we'll come back each year to have this to consider just approving the the one amount right now because there is a chance that the state picks it up, >> we won't need it. >> We wouldn't

065have to get it approved. So, um, so for the 2526 school year, recommending the approval of $43,92. Um, and then of course the three-year total contract is 129,276 do per year right now. So, uh, software is kind of a preferred status type deal like some of the other hardware we've talked about. Um, one vendor picked it up, another vendor did bid on it, that other vendor was a late submission and it was higher anyway. So, um, but we put them both on there. They were pretty close. But state price on that is like 56,000 if we were to go under there. So >> is is the product the state have has and the product that you're looking at the same? >> It is the same. >> Okay. >> So it's the same manage response um

066full dashboard. If we were to go under the state, Crowdstrike would call the state and the state would call us. Right now, they're going to call us directly if there's if there's any kind of anything going on that they detect. So, >> having worked for ASU Mountain when they had their computers broken into, we can't have enough protection on our computer systems. That was a nightmare. I make a motion uh we approve the manager endpoint detection as presented. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. >> One. >> Any other discussion? >> Yeah. So I can name not even counting ASU. I can name at least five local businesses have had ransomware attacks on it. Um this is needs to be thought of essentially as another insurance policy. Um, y'all may remember and I

067just pulled it up here. In 2022, Little Rock had a ransomware attack and it cost the district nearly 692,000 all told by the time they paid the ransomware investigation software. So, this is just a it's another overhead without reimbursement, but it's a you don't have a choice. It's a >> Does it qualify for -ate or anything? >> Not right now. There's talk of for security subscriptions. It's just not there yet. So, >> so you said you've talked, you've looked at and tried a lot of these. Obviously, Crowd Strike had last year had a massive failure that affected most of the country, banking, medical, airlines, got all the news, etc. So, none of these are immune u from issues. Um, I'm assuming y'all I mean, I don't know what the the options are other than crowd

068strike. Um, y'all have weighed the pros and cons on, hey, Crowd Strike or not? I mean, we heard a lot of negative stuff about Crowd Strike at the time, >> right? >> Um, >> yeah. And and you you heard a lot about that one because they're so big and it did affect a lot of people. >> You don't always hear about some of the other products. I mean, Microsoft has a product. Um, it's it's pretty low on the list of >> options and reliability and stuff like that. There's, like I said, there's there's two that are more expensive. I mean, whether they're better or not, I mean, they claim to be better, but the options the options are pretty much all the same across the products. >> Sure. >> The the managed real person detection

069is is a big part of it. Not all of them have that. >> And just understand, it's not without risk. When that crowd strike incident happened, if the computer had crowd strike monitoring it, they got the blue screen of death. I mean that it took it was like a two billion dollar impact that crowd strike failure, that crowd strike hacking. So we would see our computers go blue screen potentially in that same type of thing. So it's not without risk, but when you weigh the pros and cons, you pretty much >> you have to buy the insurance policy. It's like buying homeowners. >> You got to do it. >> Got to do it. >> Got a motion in a second. Any other discussion? >> All those in favor? Thanks, Steve. >> Thank you. >> Next

070item on the agenda. >> Guy Barer, Mr. Knight. >> All right. So, we have been talking about this and working on it for months now. Um the bids are have finally come in. We were um approved by the state with our plans to go ahead and do those bids. I want to talk about the bids for a second. We did get three and you're going to notice that one of them is significantly lower and I want to talk about the state funding and how that works is going to change some things. Um so when we put in the square feet um on this roof with the state's tool um it came back that they thought that project 1 1.4 4 million but the way our funding works from them. We are funded by the way

071they have not funded us. I know that doesn't make sense. So we're approved to be funded and they are awaiting the money from other schools to give it back and to fund us. So you may not get it. It's looking like you probably will get it. Um anyway, we're funded for about half. So on that 1.4 4 million. They were going to give us a little over $700,000 because the lowest bid came in at 600 was it 65? They're going to re-evaluate that number. So now you're going to get just around half of the 300 something mark. So um they take the lowest. Um now um on to the bids. Um bidder number one, Mrs. Dewey and I both called around um to make sure that um that number was real and that that person

072was a very good company and they really are. Everyone we talked to said, "Best person ever worked with." Um 100% recommend them. U we called him twice. Architect called him. Did you do the bid right? What did we miss out? He wants a job. He's in between jobs right now and he wants to work. So we'd like to start as as soon as possible. Um so I feel like that's and he would still have to be bonded just like we do anything over 50. Um so I am going to um recommend to the four that we approve that are number one at a cost of $665,000 um to replace that roof. >> I make a motion and accept your proposal. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? >> The cost. We do believe that

073the cost for the architect will also be included in reimburseable number >> in reimburseable number. >> So your 665 will go up for his build >> and then be half about half. >> We're still we're still almost half price of what we were anticipating. >> Yes. even our part, right? >> And for the the new board members who weren't there and for the public, when we did our monthly meeting at Guyberry, it happened to be a rainy day and we all saw firsthand how many leaks are in that building and how much water's coming in. So, when you ever hear that discussion about maintaining our properties, etc., like it, this is a no-brainer. It has to be done or else we're just going to give away that property essentially to the elements. So, it's uh

074there was water coming in everywhere. We had Mountain Observer there seeing it, taking pictures as well. So, it's a there's a high need for getting that roof replaced. >> Sweeping up water. >> I mean, just everywhere where we went, there's just water flowing into the inside of the building and classrooms. >> Is this just on the old part of the building? >> The whole thing gym and everything. >> Yeah. So, what makes this one hard is that there's actually three different roofs on there. So you're going to have shingle, you're going to have the metal on the sides, and then the tops are tpo. So it's a real That's why the architect price ended up costing more than junior high did is because all of those parts have to be drawn up and >> they're

075staying three different types. We're not we're not able to make it all one type of roofing. Is that correct? >> Like a big shingles if you wanted to. >> I wonder I mean it would look better. It would be it would function better. Can we do that? make the roof one one cohesive look instead of three different types. >> The one's flat shingles on the shingles. >> Forgot about that. >> Yeah, I had asked if we could do the whole thing in TPO and um it looks terrible. >> Okay. >> If there was one that you wanted to change, I would say you could change the shingles to metal, assuming that it would hold it up structurally. We'd have to go back >> architect [Music] I'm not hung up on that. It's just we we

076need to replace we need something cohesive, but I forgot about the >> We tried that with >> Yeah. No, trust me. >> Have a motion and second. Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> Unanimous. Thanks, Chris. Next. Next action item is our student handbooks. Lawrence handbook helpers. >> Handbook helpers. >> Our reps from the building. Um, handbook revisions occur annually in order to update procedures and reflect any district changes in policy. Revisions are based on policies which have been presented and adopted by the school board. Procedures are revised based on committee discussion and decisions. And this is the third read of the handbooks. Um to provide updated information to stakeholders concerning policies and procedural changes or revisions to district handbook procedures as our rationale and our recommendation is to approve the 25 26 handbooks

077as presented. Um I did want to note three quick things. Um, and I did we did email this out, but just in case you missed the email, I would like to know that um on in the K5 handbook, page 36, they did divide for discipline policies. They have headings. They have a K2 heading and then they have added a 35 uh grouping that is a little more um specific for grades three through five. There's some rationale behind that. that'll be their fourth year in school with our school policies and procedures. And so there's they're adding a little bit of specific um language to the 35 section. Um I have representatives here if you have any questions about that. Um any questions before I go on to the two next two K5? Okay. So, for the

078Mountain Home High School um in Mountainome Junior High handbook, we did add an addendum on page 31 regarding um validatoran saludiatoran. And you'll see an insert there um giving a little bit of a parameter um for five semesters with Mountainome public schools to receive that local designation. We had a committee meeting. We had students in the meeting. Miss Molly was in the meeting. Um Steve Miss Russell um just it was a joint decision because that's a local distinction to have a little bit of a guideline around length of time to be part of Mountain Public Schools. And then we added on page 32 um in the early graduation paragraph, there was a section in there that said they were not allowed to participate in internships. And the the committee wanted to add language that it

079they can be allowed with administrative approval to participate in an internship because we feel like that is in line with trying to get our students work ready. um even if they're graduating early, they shouldn't necessarily have to give up that opportunity to be plugged into the community. So that was that was added. And then the last thing is we made a revision on page 55. It's regarding in school suspension and it's line eight and there was a strike through. um students that receive in school suspension are not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities end period on that day and that will be in align with the athletic handbook as well. So just kind of wanted to make note of those things um because those were were added since the last 14. So and I do

080have my lovely crew here if yall have questions. concerns. >> I make a motion we approve the 2526 student handbooks um as presented. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? >> I do want to make everyone aware about um the the validictorian saludiatoran class ranking. Talk about an educational experience and it's something we really need to pay attention to. unintended consequences due to the voucher system because of the way homeschool grading is calculated um schools, private schools. It affects our students and it's students that had goals, that had passions, that have taken the hard classes that have taken additional classes. And so when you have other students move in, um, it it really took me a minute to wrap my brains around it, but you do the math and

081numbers don't lie. It can change class rankings and we can impact class rankings. And so homeschool students can move in with credits but no grades and they jump ahead of our students who have grades. And that is very disappointing and disheartening and frankly it's not very encouraging. So it's something that we really need to pay attention to. Um here's something that was encouraging when we were sitting in that meeting and um y'all all know who Lucas Harden is and you know bless him that he will answer emails quickly, the Arkansas School Board Association attorney. And so we were emailing back and forth, can we do this? Can we do this? can we do this? And um these students that were on the committee, they paid attention. They listened and I encouraged them to email our

082state um legislators and I truly believe they did. I didn't follow up and ask them, but they asked for email addresses and they're making their voices heard. So, yay. There's there's a civics lesson that you wouldn't get, but we all need to be paying attention and we may need to be emailing our state uh senator and our Stson Painter and Scott Flippo and let them know we've got kids that are working hard and teachers that are putting rigorous work in front of them. And we need to crusade. We need to stand up for our kids. It's a big deal. >> You don't want your students to take less classes. >> You don't want your students pulling classes off their their transcript >> and that could possibly start happening. >> It's a big deal. >> A

083lot of work goes into these. So, thank y'all for everybody involved on these handbook committees. Thank you'all for all that work. Um, >> excellent. >> Please, when maybe when we hand these things out, make it emphasize to the students and to the families that this these are an extension of policy. It's easy to take that thing and throw it off to the side. I'll get to it later, but um it has to be complied with. Um, you know, one of the biggest complaints if I wind up hearing complaints, it's like it addresses bullying and hey, well, why wasn't this happen, etc. Well, we address bullying very, very well in all these handbooks, etc. And we're going to we're going to follow those handbooks. Right. So people parents need to be aware of that. That is

084school policy. >> Be an exception. >> Correct. Right. >> All that's what it is. Ex. >> Exactly. And that goes for the K through 12 all these different handbooks. Like it is school policy. It's not a suggestions manual. >> Well, a shout out to our assistant principles because they carry a huge weight carrying out the policy. They a lot of the rough work around it. So that's one reason we're so happy they serve on this committee because they can represent what needs to change or what needs to stay the same. >> Got a motion in a second. Any other discussion? All those in favor? It's unanimous. Thank you all. Thank you all for the work. >> Still my last name. Um, it's just where's this >> Judy show? >> Um, okay. This is regarding our

085math materials. Um, our purchase for grades K7, I ready math. And, um, we had our curriculum committee review and make recommendations with respect to textbooks and other instructional materials. And our rationale is the selection of high quality instructional materials is essential in providing instruction in mathematics for all students. After months of research and committee meetings and and this is not a mistake, this is the correct year 23 2023 2024 that was our math adoption year. Um it was decided that the I Ready grades K7 including baria grades 6 through 8 will provide for the need of HQIM and our mathematics classrooms. These resources will also create alignment of the grade levels and subject area classrooms. The cost of these materials will be split accordingly between operational and federal funds. And the recommendation is that the

086Mountain Home Public School Board of Education approve the adoption of the IRA for K7 including Gary for $149,864 65. And um the reason we can use some federal funds on that is because we do we are able to fund supplemental and it's my path is a digital piece of Ready Map. So that's why we're able to combine those funds in this and this is one we pay every year. That's why it says 2324 because that was the year we >> just clarify. >> Heard the recommendation. Do we have a motion? >> I move. >> I'll second it. >> Motion is second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? Unanimous. Thanks, Judy. >> Thank you. Next item, >> budget adjustments. >> All these numbers, >> I did make a note about this subject that we

087have some pending additional allocation updates. So, um, as I go through this with you tonight, if you feel so moved to, um, adjust the recommendation to approve these budget amendments and any of the ones that we are anticipating that are coming in next week because we will need to make those adjustments by June 30th for some of our state reporting. So we could we could have another meeting >> or >> we're meeting next week, we >> we may not have the adjustments by then. >> They couldn't guarantee the date that we're >> they can't guarantee the date. >> So that's totally at the board's pleasure. But tonight I have some adjustments for uh special education funds and they are as presented. [Music] heard the recommendation. Do we have a motion? >> I make a motion

088we approve the 2425 budget adjustments as presented. >> We're going to do it again. >> Second. >> Motion to discussion. A motion in a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? unanimous. Thanks, Leah. >> Thank you. >> I guess you're going to stick around for a little bit here >> just for a minute. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have the federal programs asurances with the GEPA statement. um with the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or we often refer to it as IDA in section 427 of the general education provision act and that's what we're referring to when I say the GEA statement uh requires the US Department of Education grantees to describe the steps the grantee will take to ensure equitable access to and

089participation in fally assisted program by addressing the special needs of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries. So attached you have a list several pages of asurances for the federal funds that we receive. Those boxes will have an X by them. And then if they are funds that we do not receive, then we put an NA in the box so you could tell what uh which ones you needed to be looking at. Then in the last pages of the document, we have the the GIA statement and we worked with Miss Benton to identify IDA eligible as our area that we're focusing on. And we utilize the 2324 SE annual performance report to obtain our data. and we are focusing on the graduation rate for our students with IEPs. And then there is in the box it

090briefly describes uh our plans to uh improve our graduation rate among our students with IEPs. So in order for a district to receive their federal funds, we have to bring this before the board for approval. And upon your approval, uh, we need the signature of the superintendent and the president of the board in order to submit to the state so that we can receive our federal funding. I'll make a motion we approve the document as present. >> Second. >> Motion second. Any discussion? >> So, this is something we do every year, right? Um, yes. Are these asurances are there any notable changes from previous years? They're they're basically the same, right? I see that obviously the GAPA statement is a little bit different, but >> um >> without going back and looking at them side

091by side, it's a pretty >> the statement is different for sure. >> The GA statement, GEA statement is different, but the asurances are pretty much the same year to year. >> Interestingly enough though, some of the ones that we don't receive are the ones that I have heard are in question. >> Okay. So when you see the NA for um I think migrant I don't know where that was title. >> Yeah, I saw it. >> You saw it. Um >> that funding is questionable right now. Um I think title Anyway, I was listening to something the other day about federal funding and what schools needed to really think about. >> Um the good news is most of the ones that we're not getting are the ones they're talking about. >> The rule that um Title

092five part B. I heard that one. That's rule low income schools. >> Yeah. >> For our e population, but we do not have >> the population to support us receiving funds. So that's not >> motion. Second. Any other discussion? All those in favor? It's unanimous. Here we go again. >> Yes. One more time. >> Each year, the district's financial records must be audited. The district engages the legislative joint auditing committee. It's a division of the legislative audit for this purpose. And the audits designed to provide assurance that the district is receiving and expending funds in accordance with appropriate federal and state regulations. The audit report is an indication of the financial health of the district and it's available to various governmental agencies, the general public and any entities performing bond reading services. So attached you

093have a copy of the legislative audit report for the year ending June 30th of 2024. Our auditors came a little bit later this year and uh stayed with us quite a while. Anyway, I would like to draw your attention to page 26 of the >> the actual document, but I believe it might be >> 28 PDF. >> Yes, 28 >> to reference the schedule 4 >> right there. And I'm happy to report that we had no findings in our audit this year. >> Excellent. >> Great work. >> Thank you. I'd like to say that it is the work of our team >> because it's a big job and not one person can do it and we work hard to try to do the right things every single day. >> Thank you. >> And this report

094is on our on our website. It's out there or will be once we approve it for the public to look at and you have to harp on it. No adverse findings for this year. So go take a look at it, folks. It's there. >> We have a recommendation. Do we have a motion? >> Oh, I'll make a motion to approve uh the annual audit acceptance as presented. >> I'll second. Motion second. Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? Thanks, Leah. >> Well done. Thank you. uh request to approve policy section 3 up to dates. Mr. Engel, CPPC or I'm sorry, PPC. >> Good evening. >> Now PPC brings three uh minor changes um for your for your approval. Uh the first two I think are very good things for our teachers. Um

095interesting about 3.6 six model policy actually struck out where teachers can receive professional development credit for their graduate hours that they're crewing during that semester. So with some digging, we found a way that we can include those. Um so really that's all that um statement is still granting our teachers the right to earn professional development for those hours. Uh 3.8 is a change to our maximum sick leave payout from 6,000 to 7,500. Obviously this is good for teachers. Um But it's also good for our students as if teachers can dump more of those days heading into their retirement, they might uh, you know, be at school more that year or that year they're heading into retirement, which basically good for our students. And then 3.59 is just the now legally required anti-semitism prohibitive policy. So

096with that, I recommend the board approves these three changes to certified policy. I make a motion to approve the PBC policy update as presented. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any discussion? >> It's quiet. All those in favor? Unanimous. Thanks, Mr. Eng. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to our section 8 updates. Mr. Dailyaly, CPPC. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. Uh my recommendation tonight is even shorter than Mr. Engles. Um it's to section 8.5, the uh classified version of the employee sick leave. Um we have been striving to keep our policies aligned as much as possible to make it easier for the folks down the hall um and make it equitable for everybody. So I ask that you approve the same change of the maximum sickly payout from 6,000 to $7,500 per

097person. Um Thank you. So, if you see fit, >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second. >> Motion is a second. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? Thanks, Mr. Kyle. >> Thank you. >> Last action item is our section four updates. >> Okay. So, revisions to policy are made annually to reflect new policies and procedures. Um, of course, the rules and procedures need to be reviewed. Section four is addressing our student our students. Um I recommend that the board approve the attached policies as presented. [Music] >> I'll make a motion that we approve policy section 4 updates as presented. >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. Any discussion? >> Could I point out just a couple things? >> That'd be fantastic. Um I'd like for us if you would look um you'll

098see that the majority of these policies coincide with the acts that were passed or created during the legislative session. There are no surprises here. Um they truly follow what happened in the legislative session and so we I do want you to look on the I believe it would be the third page. It is policy 4.45 and point in 4.45.1. If you approve the policies tonight, those two policies will be put into our student handbook for high school because they do have the graduation requirements that are updated slightly. Um, well, I won't even say slightly. Smart core is now gone. Um, some of you remember SmartCore and CORE. >> Students are now all on the same track. They just make it their different direction with a student success plan. So, that's included there. You'll also notice

099the free breakfast at 4.51 for all of our students. I got some information today about how to encourage our kids to eat that free breakfast. So, um the state is really wanting our children to take advantage of that because we know that um full students learn better. So those are just some some highlights I wanted to point out because this is a lot. >> But like I said, we did almost go completely ASBA recommended and those did follow the things that did occur during the legislative session >> and families need to read 4.47 um personal electronic devices in the school. There's that's a new policy. Well, it may not be new, but it's all red. Everything in it >> brand new. >> It follows >> that means it's brand new. >> It's brand new. Um

100it follows the legislative session but it has impacts. >> So that's completely started over. Correct. >> You'll see that was completely rewritten >> because changing it was >> more than just starting over. >> Thank you Mr. Booth for bringing that up. Bell to bell no cell. So we'll start pushing that out some more reminding our folks. Miss Crawford made a point when she got here tonight to say she had seen some schools. We're starting to remind parents of that already on Facebook. >> A motion to second. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Next item is constit constituent to address the board. Mr. Myers, thanks for coming out tonight. Got a little share. We did want to remind you that it's a fivem minute window. >> Oh, shouldn't be a

101problem. First of all, uh I want I want to thank Can you all hear me? >> Yep. >> Thanks. Um I I guess a constant tone is please speak up. I hope the folks on the live stream can hear you and I apologize that I'm hearing challenged, but uh I I want to hear what you say and I know the folks listening want to hear what you say. Allison, personally, thank you and for that information you provided on the facilities planning going forward. Very worthwhile. Thank you for that. Um, let me interject this here. uh it may require a policy manual change, but rather than going through the current procedure to write about a specific topic and and go through that, is it possible to have the school board look at merely putting a routine

102agenda item for public comments, constituent comments, brief five minute, whatever, if anybody wants to speak, uh rather than go through a a lengthy maybe month-long procedure, only a thought for your consideration. Uh special thanks to Eddie Helmer um your securityities uh chief. Um he took me around the school a couple weeks ago and showed me some areas at the high school I had not seen before. Very much appreciated. Very professional on his part. And please thank him again uh for that effort. Another thank you. Um, and I hope I'm not gushing, but some folks spoke earlier about mental health and and I would love to talk to um, Miss Heiser about about that. I know Scott's involved. Um, I I had a chance to visit with Matt and one of his colleagues. Um, took some

103time. We sat down, talked about the the issue of bullying and the the terrible consequences both for those kids that are being bullied and for the kids that are doing the bullying. I I'm assured that 90% of the counselor's time are going towards all the kids' needs. So, that was heartwarming and and well received on my part. Um, like I said, I I'm just very pleased and want to wish the the the new um elected officials, especially the board president and and the new uh executives a very su successful tour of duty and um if there's anything the community can do, I know we have established committees, but I know the policy manual provides for special committees to draw comments from the public on any variety of issues. So, thanks. I appreciate it and and

104and I look forward to it. >> Thank you. Thank you for those positive comments. Moving on to board discussion >> to his comment. >> That was part of my superintendent update. >> Well, then I'll leave it alone. >> I mean, go for it. You can. >> No, go for it. >> Well, I'll just echo one thing real quick to what Mr. Myers had to say. I know the district welcomes people to come in and get involved, take a look, ask questions, and when folks do, usually come away with a very positive um positive outlook, positive view of, hey, what is actually going on via the hearsay that we hear online or rumors in the in the community. You know, it's one thing that I've done a lot since I've been here is ask questions, dig

105in. Hey, let me go talk to this person. Let's let's look at what's going on here. And it's nothing but positive every time you take a look. So, um I won't speak for Miss Doo, but I'm sure she would like this district would like for uh the community to get involved and ask questions and take a look uh and get your form your own opinions on what's going on here in the district and the good work that we're doing here. So, thank you, Mr. Myers, for taking that time to dig in a little bit and provide your comments. >> Kind of spring off that because I I did see a podcast on Facebook and some false information was put out there. I want to encourage the community. We have a facilities page with everything going

106on with the new building. We are not hiding anything. We are not building a brand new high school. We are also addressing the big top while we look at where new classrooms need to go in our facilities at the high school. You know, I did not grow up very affluent. I did not grow up with a lot. But I could go to school every day and feel safe, secure. My building was clean. I didn't have to worry about anything. And school became my safe place. School was where I wanted to be. I want to see every student in Mountain Home Public School District have that same feeling when they arrive at a school at a school building. They don't have to worry about leaks. They don't have to worry about mold behind the walls. They

107don't have to have dreary, dark classrooms. They know teachers love them. They know administrators love them. When I was running for school board, I visited with a former uh school board member that I have great respect for. And this lady told me, "There is not a decision you make without having the face of some child in your head." And so far, I've been able to come up with every decision we've made, I've been able to have a face. And let me tell you, it helps you make the right one. Now, that's just not for school board members. That's for the community at large as well. Everyone in this room was educated somewhere. You got through 12th grade. I don't know beyond that. We owe the same thing to our future students. And it's not that

108we owe it. When I go to the hospital, I want to know that the people who are who are working on me are educated. When I go to the bank, I want to know that those people managing my money know what they're doing. That happens in schools. And for the most part, it happens in our public schools. So, I challenge everyone watching us tonight, everyone, see anyone who does anything, especially on social media, before you post, think about a child. Think about it. And if you want real facts, every one of our emails is posted on our website. Miss Dwey has her door open more than any person I've ever seen. And when you see the number of tasks she has before her every day and the fact you can walk in and talk to

109her and she'll offer you a cup of coffee as you sit down, take advantage of that. No one's trying to to pull pull the wool over anyone's eyes. We're all in this together and we need to respect each other. And you know, if you have a difference of opinion, how great. That's a challenge. But bring up that that difference of opinion in a respectful manner. Listen, talk and then listen again. >> That's all I got. >> Well said. >> It's good stuff. >> I need >> anybody else. >> I'll just one last thing. I believe you know it was Senate Bill 90 SB90 became an act. I don't remember the number. Maybe 902. Um it's going to address constituents addressing the board starts next month. >> Starts next month. So uh so yes, Mr. Myers,

110that that is coming. Uh >> so just to quickly address >> to the superintendent. Thank you. >> So um I just want to say a special thank you to our maintenance and custodial. They are working their tails off right now. They've got one less week than they're used to. And I know that we'll have our buildings shining and ready to go when those kids get here. Even with one less week, it amazes me the work. And I'm going to tell you something. I'll be honest. I might be a little vulnerable right now. When I see some of those women doing some of the things they're doing, I think I I don't even know. I was watching them move some stuff the other day and it is >> it's impressive. Um, as you know, our teachers

111are also already working. they're already attending professional developments and planning for the next school year. So it, you know, yes, there's a few weeks of slow, but um they never stop. They're always thinking, always working, always planning. Anyone out there, just like I had mentioned, if you have a kindergartener, if you have a third grader, if you have a 10th grader and you want to attend Mountainome Public Schools, we can help you find a way to do so. But in particular, kindergarteners, we need to get you registered. So, um, just show up at the kindergarten building. called before, worried nobody will be there, but those doors are open almost all the time. Um, I want to talk about two different changes that have happened since the la the legislative session. Um, this is pretty important.

112Um, our schoolboard elections will only take place now on even years during the preferential primary. So that's March. So on March 3rd, 2026, we are going to have three seats up for reelection. So, Mr. Knight, that would be position two. He is fulfilling a position that was had a year left. Miss Horton, position four, her position. And then Mr. Booth got the short end of the stick. His um tenure will be cut short one year. So, he will be up that seat, position six, will be up for reelection as well. Petitions actually will start being circulated August 14th is what I can tell. um with my little bit of research today. And then petitions and filing will be November 3rd through November 11th with the election March 3rd of 2026. So those dates are fast

113approaching. >> Yeah. August what? >> August 14th will be when you can pick up your petitions. >> Okay. And file by >> November 3rd through the 11th. That is straight off the Secretary of State's website today. >> Okay. I'll try. Um, and I will I'll do a reminder and we'll also do a link on our web page with probably near the 1 of August like we did last year with the tips for running for school board. Um, and the important dates. We found some good good information. Um, next month there is a change in policy concerning public comment that starts next month. Uh, there will be a signup sheet before the meeting begins. You do have to sign up before the meeting starts. That sheet will be in the lobby. Each person will have three

114minutes to speak up to three minutes. There are some boundaries um around that. They're pretty simple. Uh you must be a constituent who actually lives in the district or you're a parent or guardian of a student in the district or you're an employee. Those are your three the three caveats. Um there are a few restrictions. We don't want folks Well, we're not supposed to be talking about any student discipline or employee hearing type information. Um, anything that would be brought before the board concerning an employee or a student. So, I said student discipline, but I mean student discipline that would be brought before the board. Um, go one more thing. I'm going to run few through a few dates. on Monday, June 23rd at 5:30. FOIA updates and training for those that can attend. Um

115it will be at the quorum court chambers um at the courthouse. Mr. Morgan, Mr. Roger Morgan will be leading that training. It is not a meeting or a work session. It is a training. Um we did go ahead and publicize that our some of our folks will be attending, but um it is not an official meeting. on Wednesday, June 25th at 5:30 here at central office facilities work session that will be livereamed or please attend in person. Um, and we'll be sending out some reminders especially to our employees and to our junior high and senior high staff making sure that they're part of this discussion. July 17th regular meeting and then I'll give you an early reminder. We're going to be meeting on August 7th for the August meeting for policy. That meeting has to

116be held before the Thursday before the first day of school. And Mr. Engles, it August 12. >> August 12 is your first day of school. So the meeting will be August 7th. That's a lot. I will send reminders of dates. We will publicize those dates. And that is all I have. Okay. >> Yep. We'll go ahead and move into executive session for personnel, employment, retirements, and transfers. Come on. Thanks.