001[laughter] The Liberty Elementary Governing School Governing Board meeting for Liberty Elementary School District is called to order Monday, October 27th, 2025. The time is 5:30. Five board members are present. Board member Schmidt Zimmerman, Vice President Kenyon, board member Shinsion, myself, Michael Todd. First item of order is item 1.1, call to order. Second is 1.2, pledge of allegiance. Uh, Vice President Kenyon, can you please lead us? >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Our next item of business is 1.3. We approve regular agenda. >> Welcome to the Liberty Elementary School District governing board meeting. We appreciate your interest in the district. The five elected governing board members serve without compensation and volunteer countless hours on behalf
002of our students and staff. The president and the vice president of the board are elected in January. Under state law, the governing board may only discuss and vote on matters that are on the agenda for tonight's meeting. Agendas are posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance on the Liberty Elementary School District web page and at the Jerry Roie District Complex. Copies of tonight's agenda are located in the foyer and on the district web page. If you wish to make a public comment, please complete a request to address the board form and submit it to the board secretary before the meeting starts. These forms are located in the foyer prior to entering the governing boardroom. Members of the public will be given up to 3 minutes to speak at the discretion of the board president.
003Once recognized, please state your name and if you live inside or outside of the district. During the call to the public, the public may speak on any item of business on the agenda that requires the board to take action. The public may also speak to the governing board about a school district matter that is not on the agenda. State law prohibits board members from commenting on or discussing the matters presented at the end of the call to the public. However, the board may ask the superintendent to review the issue or place it on a future agenda. A board member may also briefly respond to criticism of a board member or the governing board itself. We ask that all speakers show respect and courtesy to others. Comments must pertain to a matter that is within the
004jurisdiction of the governing board. This is not an appropriate forum to complain about an employee, student, or others. We also ask the public who are present for the meeting to be respectful by being attentive. Avoid calling out or creating any disruption that may interfere or interrupt the meeting. Individuals who interrupt or interfere with the meeting may be asked to leave by the board president. Inappropriate language and repetition will not be permitted. Thank you for allowing this meeting to be conducted in a peaceful and productive manner. and thank you for your attendance and involvement in tonight's meeting. Next item is item 1.3, approve the regular agenda form. I make a motion to approve the irregular agenda form consistent with board policy 1-302 and temporarily suspend governing board policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent. Second
005>> a motion, a second for the approval of the agenda item 1.3. If there's no discussion, we'll take the vote. >> Board member Schmidt, >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman, >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Shrenion, >> I'm also I would show that I approve. Five, yes. Zero, no. Next will be item 2.1, attendance and enrollment reports and school newsletters. There's any questions from the board to staff? You may ask those now. >> Uh, Mr. Todd. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, I had a couple questions. So, um, if we could pull up the first document enrollment count. So, if we're looking from the end of um August to the end of September, um it looks like we're down 13 kids um from um you know, just month over month. And
006then if you were to look at last year at the same time, we're down 47 kids. So I think um my question is when we budgeted ADM did we did we end up going back to zero? >> Um did you mean zero increase? >> Yes. We ended up budgeting for exactly what we had at our May revision. Same ADM at the July budget. >> Okay. So, in that sense, we're we're we're going to be down because we're down I think I didn't figure it out this time. We're down almost 100 kids, I think, from May to now because the eighth grade class was bigger than the incoming kinder. But I think it's really important that we pay attention to this um enrollment piece because to be down 13 students from last month is pretty concerning.
007Um, and every year, last year the enrollment went up every single month. So to have it decline basically in the first month that we're looking at, I think is really important because when that December revision comes along, we're going to have to be really mindful of what that ADM looks like. That's all I have. Okay. Any other comments? All right. Moved item 2.2, 2 monthly budget report. Miss Moer, >> good evening. Governing board, members of the community. Uh what you have attached for tonight is our [clears throat] expenses and incumbrances through the end of September 2025. Um it's pretty similar to last month's report. Um good thing is a lot of our revenues has started coming in. So you'll notice there's more revenue listed on this. Um on the October report, you'll also see that
008our balances have carried over from the prior year. So while this one doesn't show it, you should be able to see that at the next meeting. Um the other thing I included based on some feedback last meeting is I added a column at the very end of the report um that says targeted carry forward. Uh so I believe we have a discussion later on but you are able to put a number in that field if you would like to see the report show where we are right now and if you'd like to put some type of targeted number to stay um and then it will calculate what would be remaining after you you take out your carry forward. So I'll take any questions that you have for me. >> Mr. Todd, >> you may. So
009when I compare the August to September, I noticed that what's remaining in M went from 8.3 to 2 million. So that was a pretty significant drop. And what I mean by remaining is like what we spent and what we encumbered. So what changed I guess between August to September to have that decrease so much? Did we, you know, kind of redo our encumbrances or how, you know, how did that big change occur? Yes, good question. Um, basically in August and September is when some of our big payrolls are happening when everybody's back for the year. Um, those payrolls start running again. So, the incumbrances update every single time that payroll is ran. So, that changes salaries every time. Um, another thing that started, I think the second payroll in August would have been everybody's benefits.
010So, in the earlier reports, benefits weren't all entered yet cuz they hadn't started. So, um, benefits were updated. All of that started encumbering when payroll was ran. So, those August, September payrolls are really big. There's a lot of changes throughout that time period. One other thing would be POS. Um, when office managers and secretaries get back from their summer break, they start entering POS, but as the school starts, they realize um the things that they need, maybe POS that are missing, and they start entering all of the things for the future. So that's that's another thing that increases during that time period. >> Okay. And is it an accurate statement then to say that essentially we only have $2 million left that we either haven't spent or that isn't encumbered from our M budget. I'm
011just referring to M at the moment. >> Correct. With encumbrances and expenses. Yes. >> Okay. Um, are our open positions also encumbered, especially like big open positions like the assistant superintendent of educational services and things like that? >> Some of them are. Those are ones that were in the system last year, so they're still in our system this year. So, when payroll is ran, it calculates as if that person was to work here the whole year. So, honestly, some of those right now um have a little bit higher amounts because there have been months that have passed um that we wouldn't be paying somebody for. So, once there's a person in that position, the salary would likely be less than what we have encumbered and then it would recalculate when their first payroll would be
012ran. [snorts] >> Okay. So, if we take for example the assistant superintendent, they were only here for half the year last year. So, have we only encumbered half? I know this is a very specific question so I apologize but like half of that it's just a big number so I'm just trying to get some clarification. >> So it was originally budgeted on that person's full salary. So that's what's still in there for this year. >> Okay. And um and then again for 610 for capital it looks like 875,000. >> Yes. The biggest change on that one is um we went ahead and entered the purchase order for our upcoming vari lease payment. So we now know that we have our big purchase orders are encumbered and then um any purchase orders that have happened in
013the last month or so would be included in that balance too. >> Okay. Um and then can you speak to why the budget for IDA changed? Um, did you notice it go up? >> Um, yes, ma'am. >> Okay, good. [laughter] That's consistent with what I know. >> Okay. >> Um, we were awarded more money. So, they they occasionally reallocate funds at the state level. We were awarded more money in IDA and Title One. Um, and then what we're going to be have we're what what's going to happen soon is any money that was left over from last year will carry into this year, but we probably won't see that in our actual grant funds. If we're lucky, December, but more likely January or February. >> Okay. Um, and so I kind of asked it in
014the previous one, but so the ADM and how we calculated these funds is what we had at the end of last at the in May. Correct. >> Okay. So, we are down from that number. >> Just keep in mind that the report that's up on the screen th those are different numbers than our actual ADM. We have reports that we go off of. Um but uh I could pull one and find out exactly. We're working on the budget right now. So, we're pulling active ADM. >> Okay. Um I think in terms of the carry forward, like I'll save that discussion for the agenda item. Um my only request would be is it possible um when you bring these forward to either kind of stack them with the latest budget on top and then the month
015pri you know the months prior underneath or can you just attach them to the agenda item so it's easy I think it's important to compare um to see the the actual changes that are happening. I think it would be nice for our public to not have to try to go back into agenda items and figure out where we discussed it. So, I don't know if it could be one document with the latest on top or if it's easier to, you know, like have another page that would have been August. >> Yeah. And then next month would be October, September, August. >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you so much, >> Mr. President. >> Vice President, go ahead. Um, I agree with Miss Zimmerman where it would be nice to have those stacked. It's it makes it
016a little easier to to follow. Um, I will say that uh I'm going to save it a little bit for the B board update, but um went to a training a governing board training that the Maropa County Superintendent's office had, not this not yesterday or this last weekend, but the one prior, and they did a lot of talking about budgets, um, which was very, very good. Um, but I have a couple questions came from that and then probably at the end of the meeting I'll I'll request a few charts and things. But, uh, first of all, do we have an inactive account policy for inactive codes? >> I'm not sure exactly what you mean. So, I would say no. >> Okay. All right. I'll look into that. Um, and then one of the other things
017I would like to request is a chart of your account codes. >> Sure. So we can it makes it easier for us to follow and and go through the budgeting. I think that we're at that time where we probably need to as a board probably do some work sessions or something and get back to looking at this budget really really closely again. So um that's all I have right now. Thank you. Okay. Any additional questions, comments? All right. Thank you. We will now move to item 3.1, governing board updates. Miss Zimmer, I'm sorry, Miss Schmidt. >> Thank you. Um, I have a short update today. I just wanted to mention, um, between last meeting and today, I was invited to a visit at Loretta Zumbro um, by Mr. Naminsky. So, uh, it was my first
018opportunity to really get to walk the campus and see the whole school with it full of kids. Um, it was great. It's a beautiful campus. So nice to see it full, well, not full yet, but working at it. Um, I got to talk to some of the teachers and some of the staff and that was really nice. And I was mostly there so that I could read to the first and second grade classrooms, which was like for sure the highlight of my week. um spending 15 to 20 minutes in the two in each of the classrooms, both first and both second, uh and reading the same book four times because they all chose the same one. Uh which is the same book I read last time, too. So, I'm I'm wellversed in that book at
019this point. Um, but getting to to read with them and talk with them and see the excitement that they had and uh how they enjoyed the the silly book with um um the food characters and getting to talk about what they knew and what they didn't know. So, I had a great time there. Uh I look forward to going back and reading with some of the older kids uh again. But so that was that was pretty much the only thing I had uh I did on campuses between now and the last meeting. Thank you, board members. >> Um, I also have a relatively short update. Um, I hope that our staff and our students and our families had a restful break. I know I took some time to enjoy some time with my children. Um,
020and I haven't had the opportunity to be at too many events. Um, but I'm hopeful to get to some this month. Um, I want to uh I'm excited to see the letter grades um for our schools hopefully come out this week um so that we're able to celebrate um the things that our staff and our students were able to accomplish last year. Um I also want to thank uh Mr. Todd for changing this meeting from a special meeting to a regular meeting. Um, and adding back in public comment after I sent an email that indicated that we'd be violating uh, board policy 1-302 by not having at least one regular meeting a month. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> Thank you, President Todd. Um, yeah, there was a lot that went over went on since the
021last general meeting. Uh, I I'll try to be quick and I agree. I hope everybody had a really good fall break. It was a much needed time at this time of the year for for that. Um, I alluded to this a little bit ago, but uh the week prior to last, we I got to attend the Maricopa County Superintendent training from Shelley Bog's office put on. It was a two-day free all day each day training. um and for schoolboard members. And I got to say I've been to quite a few of those um from different organizations and that was by far the best. Um not even including that it was free. Usually those cost a lot and that one was a very very good training and we got a lot I got a lot out
022of it. Um, and so I want to thank Maricopa County Superintendent Office, Shelley Bogs, and her team and the leadership institute that helped put that together. Um, I was able to go to uh, Liberty Elementary School's curriculum night, which was kind of fun. They did a little bit different this year than previous years. Uh, this year they did the parents are the students and the students are the teachers. And so it was a lot of fun where we actually showed up at the door with a schedule where our family had to go just like we were in class and each class was 10-15 minutes long and the kids were the ones that were teaching us what they were learning and it was really really fun and because I have an eighth grader and a kindergartener
023I got all varieties of you know you're you're in a kinder class here and an eighth grade class there and it was a lot of fun. Um and so uh that I think went very well. And then uh they're just looking at the schedule and things that have been happening around the district. There's a lot of celebrations going on. There's a lot of things happening within the next week, especially with Halloween around the corner. There's a lot of trunk or treats happening at different campuses and stuff like that. Um it's just exciting this time of the year. Fall is always a very exciting time ramping into the holiday season. And so I encourage everybody to get out there and get involved in in our district. Board member Shention. Oh, >> yes. I was also able
024to attend the the training put on the by the county superintendent. There was some uh some really good nice things we learned in there. It was nice to see outside perspective from what different boards do. There's some things I thought maybe we can implement, some things might not work for our district. Um but overall it was really good. Was nice to see the different topics and get an outside view. So really appreciate the opportunity to be able to go to that. >> Thank you. Um, I also attended that training um that Miss Bogs put on from county school superintendent. Um, I absolutely agree with my fellow board members who attended. It was the best training that I've ever attended uh in schoolboard training at all. In fact, I think it was some of the most
025organized training I've ever attended um from any position I've held uh in in a job or anything. It it was fantastic hearing different ideas, different viewpoints uh from from many different board members um around superintendent from instate but various parts of the state. Um some people who had served in superintendent special education roles in other parts of the country. Uh it was it was fantastic and the simple fact that it was that good and it was free is really kudos to to uh what what took place that day. I know it's already being scheduled again for next year. Again, looking at doing it for free. For those that don't know, we we typically spend the better part of $1,000 per board member to attend the ASBA conference and literally got more out of the first
026meeting, the first morning, sorry, of of day one than I ever have received from the other um from the other training. So, it was a great job. I can't say enough good things about it. The budget uh training we did was great. Um members from the auditor general's office were there to um again talk about public records requests, open meeting laws, conversation afterwards. We are actually we're doing a very good job in both of those um and and they concur. So um it was great. I look forward to doing it again next year. We'll uh close the comments. We'll move to item 4.1 which will be public comment. >> Mr. Mr. President, we have four public comments. Okay. And if I could real quick, I know that there was a gentleman who wanted to turn
027in public comment and it was after we already started. Feel free to uh email the board and any concerns or comments. We're all available. Um all right, first public comment. We'll call Ashley Wright. And just a reminder before you start, it is three minutes. Um and you should have a time. There it is right now. >> Good evening. My name is Ashley Wright. I reside within the district. I'm here to address the letter the district attorney sent warning us not to collect recall signatures on district property. Let's be clear, that letter was intimidation, not information, and it was a waste of district resources. We have never collected signatures on district property. Not since your own guidance changed last year. We know the law. We follow it. And we've done this before. or as you keep
028reiterating to everyone, we're adults, community members, and registered voters, not children, running petitions, we haven't collect Yes, we haven't collected on district property since your own guidance changed last year. Not one of us has been trespass, and you're well aware of that. Forcing site administrators to come in when we're not even on campus, that's not about safety, that's about control. The district gains nothing from it. It's using your own position to create division. But staff see through it. They know who's following the rules. And about this claim, the recall is costing the district money. That's false as well. >> Excuse me, ma'am. Yes. There is to be no >> altering of any political activity. If you're talking about a recall election, you're trying to alter. And as you talking about charges that the district has
029to pay is that you may not talk about >> we need to pause the time. >> You may not talk about the recall. You may not talk about cost of the recall. That is attempting to campaign. cannot limit public comment. >> We can limit that legal address. She's not an employee. That she's not limited to say >> Miss Zimmerman, we have legal guidance on this. We are not talk. >> She's at another meeting. It was discussed ahead of time. >> No, >> we are not allowed to campaign or to do any >> Nobody's campaigning. >> You're addressing You are addressing costs to the district. You may not do that. This is a first amendment. >> I'm allowed to do that on my Facebook page. >> I'm not going to debate at this time because it's
030open meeting. But you are not allowed to communicate on political activity in the district. >> You cannot limit First Amendment speech. >> We can limit the law. The law says you are not allowed to do it. Mr. President, our next uh speaker is Virginia Feron. >> Hi, my name is Virginia Ferrron and I'm here tonight because our children are practicing and competing on unsafe soccer fields and this district knows it. I've been raising these concerns for months since the end of last school year. I personally met with Bob Young at that time and he told me about the problems at uh with the fields at Estrella Mountain. I went so far as to outline a plan. Overseed, air rate, fix the irrigation. These are basic and responsible maintenance steps. Bob assured me they were working
031on all of these things over the summer. To my knowledge, none of these things were done. On October 15th, I emailed Dr. Mahorn with questions about athletics and fields. I followed up again on October 24th after receiving no response from her. The only reply I did receive was from Bob Young, who said he would send someone to look at the fields before the first game. Well, practices have started, and when I picked up my daughter from, excuse me, when I picked up my daughter from Estraa's practice, I was stunned. The field is unsafe, uneven, full of holes with bare, hard patches that are a recipe for twisted ankles and serious injury. And it's not just a straa. Westar's field is covered in dangerous dips and ridges, and the retaining wall sits nearly flush with the
032sideline, a a collision waiting to happen. Rainbow Valley doesn't even have a field to play on. So my question is simple. How can this board and this dis and this district think it's acceptable to knowingly allow children to play in unsafe conditions? We're not talking about upgrades or luxuries. We're talking about basic safety. Parents should not have to chase district leaders down for responses or accountability. You've had months to address this and you've chosen not to. Our kids deserve better. They deserve safe fields, not excuses and empty promises. And I am demanding that this district take immediate visible action to fix the soccer fields before another child gets hurt, just like I did in May. And nothing was done. Thank you, Mr. President. Our next speaker is Megan Cananan. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of
033the board. My name is Megan Cananan. I reside in district with one current and two former students. Mr. Todd, I have heard you and I have heard you and read that I have heard you speak and read that you have have not heard complaints and would like to assist in addressing issues and concerns. However, us parents and community members use the time given during public comment to address our concerns. Yet you have not yet I [clears throat] have not seen you address or request to address our concerns we have brought to you. Your accusations on Facebook that we have not come to you with our concerns is quite frankly bogus as we do at every meeting we can in public comment for all to witness. Also, it's clear that three board members yet again by
034their actions show they have no desire or care about our staff, students, teachers, and community. They voted to terminate the contract of interim superintendent Mr. McDonald even though he was a breath of fresh air and bringing light back into a dimming district. They also pick and choose which rules to follow and when, such as self-reporting open meeting violations. They choose to report Mr. McDonald and the district for something, but they refuse to report themselves for signing a document to purchase land that stated on the document itself it was signed during a board meeting that never occurred. That is an absolute and an intentional violation. They need to hold everyone to the same level. They have shown they don't on several occasions such as in the last meeting I talked about the different standards for two
035schools and principles with picking their signature programs. How much more can our students, staff, and community take of this inconsisty inconsistency and unaccountability before enough is enough? If we as parents, staff, and community members want this madness to stop, we need to speak up about the injustices and issues that are following with the decisions of these three men. We have a duty to stand up for what is right and for what is in the best interest of our students, staff, and district as a whole. Thank you. >> All right, Mr. President, our next speaker is uh Susan Chetum. President Todd and board, I am here speaking on behalf in support of Michael Todd. Again, all the charges of open meeting violations have been unfounded and dropped. The shortfall of funds, if there really was one,
036was not on his watch. He has been instrumental in restoring order and discipline to the classrooms. He supports the teachers and parents and he along with other conservatives help rid this district again of DEI and CRT. And I will say there are parents and teachers that want to speak out in support but are afraid they will be harassed. We just want to thank you for all your hard work for the kids. And Mr. President, that concludes our public comment. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a couple points of correction. Uh there were four board members who voted for the unilateral termination of Mr. McDonald, not three. Also, with regards to the land letter that was referenced in the comments, the land letter was not signed by any board members. The land letter was signed
037by a former superintendent. At no time did the board sign that letter. the the one I received it was not there. >> Okay. >> All right. Then we'll then I'll stand correct and we'll look at that when we get there. Okay. We'll we'll get a copy of it. All right. Let's move to the consent agenda item 5.1. >> I would like to pull 5.2 5.3. 5.6, 5.7, and 5.11. >> Again, you're going to have to go a little bit slower. 5.2 5.3 >> 5.6 6 >> 5.7 >> 5.11 Any other ones? Mr. President, I'd like to pull 5.10. I >> think that one was pulled already. >> No. No. Okay. Let me get to it. >> 5.10. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Are you ready for a motion? >> Yes. If there's no
038other ones to be pulled. >> Okay. I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, and 5.11. >> Okay. Do I have a second? Second. >> Have a motion, a second to approve the consent agenda with the exceptions of 52, 53, 56, 57, 510, and 511. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we'll take the vote. >> Board member Schmidt, >> I. Board member Zimmerman >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon >> I. >> Board member Shrenion >> I'm also I will show that proof five yes zero no. We will move to item 5.2. Um, I pulled this [clears throat] because in this minutes there are several that contain um meetings that have executive sessions and um I have not had the opportunity to review the minutes and
039since we're not recording executive sessions anymore. The minutes are extremely important um because they are the only reflection of what transpired and since Mr. Todd took minutes, which I believe is somewhat of a conflict. It's not a neutral party. Um, I asked to review them today and I didn't get an email back at till 5 that I need to set up an appointment. So, I cannot put my name to something I haven't personally reviewed. The other minutes are, you know, there are there are videos that anybody can watch any specific thing and know what happened. But when I'm attaching my name and agreeing to something that happened in executive session, I need to be able to review the minutes. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> Just out of curiosity, when did
040you request to see them? >> You can just give a guess. >> Oh, around noon. I asked what if there's a process. >> Thank you. So, all we're looking at approving here are minutes of the governing board meeting, not executive session minutes. Executive session is a separate meeting that by statute does not require approval. Actually, neither does the regular minutes, but our board does that. We do not have any board policy about approving executive minutes. With regards to your question about taking the notes, that is what legal advised to do. That's what was done. >> Um, in a previous meeting, I asked if we were approving the executive session minutes when we approved the minutes of the meeting and the answer I was given was yes. So, I'm not sure why it's changing now. >>
041I did not understand that explanation to be that way. The the minute item here, the agenda item is approval of minutes of the July 4th governing board meeting. It is not approving executive session. >> But the executive session happened within the July 14th meeting. >> Actually is a separate meeting. >> It's not a separate meeting. >> It is. It is a separate meeting. >> Well, we don't call to order. >> You cannot take action in executive session to call it to order. Many boards actually will come in and never have an open meeting. they will just go straight to an executive session. We also don't adjourn an executive session because you can take no action. >> Do call an end to the executive session. We do note the time that the executive session ends. >>
042We convene and we end which are different terms. There is no board action to take a motion to call an executive session to order. There is also no board action to end an executive session. It is a different process. Okay. >> And this is why we need to have an attorney present so that we can ask the attorney these questions. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> So, I just want to clarify because I understand you're concerned want to see the minutes. This motion or this action is only for the minutes that happen during the public meeting. I'm not >> we're not doing anything with the executive session. >> Okay. But I am I've been given now two different answers in >> in in a meeting. So without an attorney present, >>
043I I'm I'm not going to take somebody's word for it. >> I understand. But how I put it? So if but if we're saying this right and and you make the motion or whatever to approve it excluding the executive session, it's the same thing we're doing now. I make a motion to approve the minutes of the meetings listed with the exception of any executive session minutes that were included in any of these meetings. >> I second our motion. >> President Todd. >> Yes. >> One moment, please. with the exception of executive session minutes that occurred in any of these meetings. >> Thank you. Okay, as it was explained to me, we can't even discuss any objections to executive session meetings in an open meeting. We can take no action executive session. So therefore, there's not
044much mechanism or process that can take place. Executive session minutes are taken separately. They're sealed. You're allowed to review them. But there is actually not even a state statute that requires us approve our regular meeting minutes. So I'm fine with the motion. I think it we're only asking to approve the general the general session. Take a vote. Zimmerman >> I. >> Miss Schmidt >> I. >> Sorry I called you guys out of order. Vice President Kenyon. >> I board member Shenion. >> I'm also I will show that proof. Five. Yes. Zero. No. Next is item uh 5.3 approval of personal action items. Miss Zimmerman. [clears throat] Um so I had several questions. Um at the last meeting I did ask for the board to be sent um any resumeumés or uh resignation letters. So I'll
045just make that request again if we could get them ahead of time just so that we can appropriately prepare. Um with that, you know, we only have one for the administrative positions that we are being asked to approve tonight. Um you know, what is the interview? What were the interview process, you know, for these two positions? the the assistant principal one um I did not participate but Michelle May who is here um she did participate as with the school team on that one and then the one that is a central office uh I participated on that as well as Michelle May and I do not remember is Michelle here oh that's right and uh one of our school assistant principles as well uh participated on that for the CNI, >> okay, >> position. >> Um,
046you know, there's there's been some conversation in the past about, you know, our teachers, our administrators breaking contracts, and so we're hiring people in the middle of the year or are these people breaking their contracts to come here? >> They are. >> Okay. Um and I noticed that um one the assistant principal at LBI um less recess I apologize um is not supposed to start till the end of November. Um is there a reason for that? I guess >> that was the we let them not totally let them give a timeline, but we respect if they uh need extra time, especially those that are breaking their contract. If they say, "Well, my my current school is asking that I give three weeks or four weeks before I come and start." Um, we really try to
047be flexible with that, especially if they're breaking a contract. Um, [clears throat] and so sometimes there are situations like that. >> Okay. So for both of these people is it a promotion that they are receiving? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um, you know, with, um, Lasus, you know, not having a vice principal for almost half the year and being a larger school, what kind of supports are we giving them, you know, in terms of evaluations and AD and, you know, 504s and child studies, like what are we doing to make sure that we're supporting that school? I know I haven't worked um with Miss Gentry directly, but I know Michelle May is working directly, but I know as far as AD, they have an alternative. Um they have one of their teachers who is
048serving in the in the AD role, but I know Miss May is working extensively uh with Miss Gentry as far as support for 504s, evaluations, different things like that. >> Okay. Are we offering that school a stipened? Um >> point of order. I think we're getting off topic. I would agree this is strictly for the approval of personal action items. >> All right. I have some other questions. >> Please carry on. >> Um so resignation letters um for those leaving and the recommendation is to wave the liquidated damages. Um are there resignation letters? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So are we able to see them? because again we don't have a policy currently in place. I've asked for a policy to with our new policies for liquidated damages. We don't have it. So
049again, if we're being asked to approve the liquidated damages and they're being waved, I feel like we need to be able to see that. Um, in terms of uh supplemental compensation, um, there is a teacher at Westar that is getting over the class max pay from the first day of school to the last day of school. Um, and in the enrollment, you know, things in the earlier agenda item, there's not one class that's been over the um, max. So, can you help me understand what's happening there? >> Hers is over max. Um, and it will be because it is algebra and she is the only one that can teach that. >> Mhm. >> And so that so it it's not one we could separate into two uh courses because she's the only one certified to
050teach that that course. >> Okay. So, is she teaching an extra section? Like is she giving up her prep every day? >> No, but she's over the class max. So that's why she will receive that because she's over what the class max is for that course. >> Okay. So should she just be getting the over the class max for one section? Because I've seen it broken out before because this is this is saying basically she's over the class max every day or every every every class period. >> No, she should be getting for Sorry, I get a cough again. >> That's okay. [clears throat] she should be getting a for for one period for just the period that she has algebra >> because I've seen it where where we split kids in lower grades and
051you know one home room is over and one isn't so they don't get the full $30 a day because they're not over all day long. So she that that this particular teacher for that period every day should be getting compensated just for that period, not for all of her periods, just for the one that she's over. >> Okay? >> So if it's if it's calculated wrong, we can go back and look if you're saying it's calculated wrong, but it's for should be for if she's if there's six periods and she's only teaching one period of algebra, which is that's all we have, then she should be getting it for the the one period of algebra, not the other. >> Okay. I I would just look at that so that we're being equitable to our teachers
052that we've done in the past. I'm not saying this teacher doesn't deserve it. I'm just trying to make sure that we are maintaining the same standard. Um I um also the school leads um it looks like some are getting uh school teacher school team teacher leaders some are getting 400 and some are getting 800. Um, can you speak to why that is? >> So, they all should be getting 1,200, but it's in two separate. Some of it is coming out of M and some of it is coming out of Project Momentum. So, that's why you should see PE people's names twice. So, it's the 800 in one spot and the 400 in a different spot. >> Okay. And so, that was kind of leading into my second question is I did not think Estraa or
053Westar got any project momentum money this year. And so some of their teacher leaders are being prayed out of the project momentum fund. >> Okay, >> you're correct. They did not get any award for this year, but our last year grant is open um still we could have spent money through um I I want to say the end of September. So some of those things were done prior to that work. So they were still eligible up to that point. Okay. But on here, the date says all the way to um like June 30th, 2026. So that's the ones that are separated out. Like if you see somebody who gets 400 and then 800, the 400 that's separated out is specifically so that they're eligible for the project momentum money only for that those months where
054it was allowable. But shouldn't the the end date then be for the months that it's only allowable? >> It could be. Do they both say the whole year? >> Yes, it does. Okay, those are my the end of my questions. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. Um, kind of pigtailing off of what Miss Zimmerman was saying, the that was one of my other things that one of my questions as well was about these uh school team teacher leads and just explaining um what what was happening there. It does I I did find some redundancies where there's a a number of teachers who it says are paid out of Project Momentum and then you go down to the other payment and it still says Project Momentum. Um, just making sure that that's all
055in order and maybe it that's supposed to be that way, but making sure that the line items are actually labeled correctly. I mean, can you speak on that for a second, >> please? Um, I don't add to this list, so I can't say what was added, but um, they would definitely be if it's 400, that would be the project momentum money. The M would be the 800 side of it. So, if anybody's listed with project momentum and it says 800, that would be incorrect. >> Okay. There's quite a few on there that say project momentum. So, I would say we need to look at that and just make sure that that is accurate. >> I I think it's the schools that still get project momentum that have the 800. So if you if you look
056at um all the the beginning have the 400 that lists project momentum that includes Estustrala and Westar but if you go down where the 800 is you'll see where it starts to switch off. >> Yeah I see that there's just quite a few in there that is still project momentum. So I just just to for for just for transparency for everybody to see what kind of get an idea of what's going on right there. I understand what Miss Zimmerman's saying, but I just want to make sure it's coming from account services. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, my other question, well just just uh for transparency as well, the very last line item on here is for an athletic director season 1 and it says that uh for season one the stipen amount was $900 and
057the revised amount is zero. Um, I just want to make sure that it looks like there was probably an error with the dates on this one. I just want to make sure that that was the case and that this athletic director actually got her stipen because I know she did work it. >> We we'll follow up and make sure too. >> Okay, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I do think there are some things on here that we need to look at, but there are things that I think need to be approved as well. >> I would agree. Um because because again we're having our regular meetings so late we you know we have people that have been employed since the beginning of September and we they're not board approved. Um if you would
058like to craft a motion to approve which you want to approve we can hold the other. Uh we do I believe staff asked about uh everybody convening this Wednesday as well for a meeting on the superintendent search. we could add the remainder of that then hopefully staff can get it done tomorrow. But if you'd like to make a modified motion um instead of approving the entire thing, approve 5.3 with the following omissions and then have that brought back up at a future meeting. We'll get it on as soon as possible. >> I I had a question also before we do that. >> Okay, go with your question. >> I just had a question. um down there for the supplemental conver um compensation. There's a Miss Williams on there who we're paying to do uh like
059$4,000 for the speech lead, but then we're also paying her every time she writes an IEP. So, are those is that $4,000 supposed to cover that also? >> That would be a question. That would be a question for Dr. VA >> because there's sorry because there's like $1,800 worth of IEPs that she's written, but we're also paying her a stipen to be this. >> We have Miss Dr. here if you want. >> Oh, hi. >> You can come to the microphone and answer the questions, I suppose. >> Oh, stand by. Let's get you turned on. voice. Good evening. >> Well, hang on because it's for our minutes. So, we have to have a recording and people are home watching as well. So, try it now. >> Ready? >> Now, we got you. >> Good evening.
060For specifically for that staff member, the speech lead duties include um PD support training. The additional um compensation you see is for writing the IEPs at the preschool. We started without a speech person at the preschool. So we did not have a speech pathologist testing writing IEPs or um doing any of the meetings. So it was doing the speech lead duties in addition to covering an additional site. So that's what that was for. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Uh, could I ask Dr. Ao a question? >> You may. >> Okay. So, um, I see, you know, in kind of following up with Mr. Senion, um, extra duty IEP writing for, you know, several people because we were short staffed. Um, what about our psychologist that stayed? Did she perform? You know, was she involved in
061extra IEPs? >> Um, she has done um an enormous amount of work. There was an agenda item. was pulled again from this board agenda. Um but we I have been trying to get that approved and so um she has been working and covering seven other sites. So if we could get that approved by the board that would be fantastic. And she is covering not only evaluations and meetings, consultations. This includes site visits and classroom observations. Um, and she's uh, Miss Harrison is keeping us in compliance and really helping to keep the district out of legal trouble. Um, but no, she has not been compensated and and um, the agenda items been pulled. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. I make a motion to approve 5.3 personal action items with the exception of supplemental compensation.
062>> Second. Have a motion. Second. Miss Camarado, are you clear on the motion? President Todd Crystal clear. >> Okay, great. There's no further discussion, we'll take the vote. >> Board member Schmidt, >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman, >> I and I'd like to make a comment after my vote. >> Vice President Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Shinsion, >> I'm also I wish I approve five yes, zero, no. >> Next will be item 5.6. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You You may. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I just would like to say that uh certainly I want to be able to pay all of these people. I just like it cleaned up and hopefully we can do it for Wednesday so these people can get paid and I'd hope to see the psychologist on here
063as well. >> Thank you. Item 5.6 approval recommendation to restore groundskeeper position. I think Miss Zimmerman, this was yours as well. >> Yes, it was. Um, all right. Uh, where are we planning to what fund are we planning to pay this out of out of ML? >> I'll defer that to Crystal, please. >> Okay. Correct. There's no special funding for groundskeepers. >> Okay. So, you know, I have a concern with this. um when we uh or I shouldn't say we when the four of us you know did the budget uh last spring very painstakingly we cut a lot and we all all of us and district admin all agreed that we had to make sacrifices um that you know everybody was going to feel the kind of budget cuts that we had to make so
064that we were not in the negative and um you know one of the things that we did try to do was to cut things that didn't directly impact students. And so, you know, with only $2 million remaining in M that's not encumbered or spent yet, I feel like that's not very much money to get us through seven more months of this school year when other things could come up. And while I understand that, you know, it would be great to have another person, I'm not denying that. I'm not saying there's not a need, but the first thing that comes back to the board to add back in, not having to do with students is very hard for me to support. And when our educational services department is a shell of itself from last year that
065directly supports students, it's just very hard for me to support something the first thing that comes to the board. Um, and so again, I feel like I'm just gonna say that we all agreed to make the cuts. We all agreed that um, you know, that people were going to be understaffed, right? It wasn't going to be fun. Everybody is understaffed. The educational services um, contract, you know, we're having to all kinds of things. We cut psychologists a position and a half and then because of that, we lost six of them and we were in a complete bind. And so it's just very difficult for me to restore something that doesn't directly impact student learning. So that's my concern. >> Mr. President, if I >> you may. >> So thank you, Mr. Young, for bringing this.
066Um I know we had public comment tonight, concerns about the soccer fields. I've driven by them. They are horrendous. They're very, very um bad. And I know this is something that we've been talking about for basically ever since I've been on the board for about three years and probably before. Um I know we've tried different options. We tried to outsource. We tried to insource and hire people for this. This what we're looking at here and I agree with Miss Zimmerman. We have to look at the budget constraints as well. But what we're looking at here is one full-time groundskeeper. And to be completely frank, I don't think one's enough. And so what I would like to see is an actual plan moving forward of what what is it going to take to get these fields
067safe, playable again? Um, and again, I I I think if we just if we were to approve this tonight, I think it's just basically hiring somebody to try to fix a huge job and they won't be able to do it. So, I I I just don't see it going anywhere. Um, and you can correct me if if if you have some plan, but that's that's really what I'm looking at is the budget impact, but also a real true plan on how to get these fields in order in shape. So that's my comment. Any other comments from the board? If I may point just for a minute, um I would agree um with with the concerns that have been expressed by the board. I would also agree with the concerns addressed by Miss Feron. We have
068talked about these fields being a disaster for a long time. Fields have to be maintained. And as we look back over the years and we talk about these great carryovers that we had, maybe we should have put some of those money into the fields because fields are a lot like auto maintenance. You can defer some oil changes, but it's going to cost you a lot more in the end when it catches up. And that's where we're at now. I believe to get these fields back into a respectable order, and I'm talking a low-level respectable order, we're looking at at least a million dollars, if not more. Um, we have fields at schools that aren't even big enough to play that previous boards thought would be a great idea. Loss Priestess being one of those. The
069field they they can't even have sports at their facility or at their school because the school grounds are too small. The fields are absolutely atrocious. And I'm not sure that putting one grounds keeper into the middle of this is going to do a bit of good um at all. So uh Vice President, Kenya, I agree with you. There needs to be a comprehensive plan put into place as to what the plan is with with deliverables, timelines, benchmarks so that we can see some progress if it can be justified for a board for an additional position. And this is the the lynch pin to to improve all our fields. then we can look at this. But um I'm almost to the point where I don't even feel like we should be having any sports because the
070fields are in such bad shape. The Arizona Diamondbacks have come twice and put money into the fields at uh Estraa and those fields are a disaster. The baseball field specifically that they've they've done twice. In fact, they did it once and then when they got ready to dedicate it was so bad they came out and did it again. We we have to have a plan. But as we look at past boards that chose to neglect fields so that they could say they had a great carryover, um, probably not a good idea. Just like a lot of the maintenance issues that you brought to us, they were neglected for over 10 years. That's no longer an oil change in a car. That's a whole motor that we're having to replace. So had several people ask me
071about this. I say, you know, at the end of the year, if you have a million dollars in your savings account or your carryover, but you had a holes in your roof, your kids haven't been fed, and they have no shoes, you're not really a millionaire. You just didn't spend your your money properly. And and that's kind of where we're at. But I think, Mr. Young, you're going to have to put together a plan and a and an idea of what the fields are going to cost to get them to a safe working condition. Um, they're all bad. Some are much worse than others. And as we talk about being good neighbors, um we should be Rainbow Valley a complete disaster. Um I I would encourage anybody to put that field on their resume as
072a groundskeeper and say, "Hire me. This is what I do." Um we have some problems and and we asked before when we took this away from Yellowstone. We asked back then for a plan um what this was going to do. We've invested money in equipment. I don't know that we're any better off at all. Um there was some progress, some things turned a little bit green, but it seems like it's it's fallen short. And it is hard because we have people who are saying there's no carryover and then they're saying, "But we want our fields done." So we're in a really tough spot, but years and years of neglect of our facilities and our B and our fields uh has has put us into this situation. And I I don't know how well we dig
073out of it. But I think we probably need to start looking at some we got a lot of farmers um just coming out and dragging those fields being a few of the local farmers would come out and partner with us to just drag these fields down, tear up some of the gopher holes and and start fresh may be a great idea. Um I'm not a groundskeeper. I don't I don't profess to be, but there's a lot that needs to be done and I'm not sure that one person is going to change eight schools. >> Mr. President, members of the board, there's been a lot of work done on the fields that you can't see. I think I've sent pictures of my updates. The valves are bad. I mean, really bad. The piping, it's been patched.
074And I'm and I'm not faulting anybody from what they did in the past. They did the best they could with what they had. The sprinkler heads are all a various mix of different types. They're not even full rotors or you know they put different quarter rotor where it should be a full and those are easy fixes with the sprinkler heads. But the time clocks, the wirings are all bad. It just takes a lot of time and we've been doing a lot. Australia a lot of the undergrounds done and it doesn't look good from the and I'll admit they're not looking good from the top but there's a lot been done underneath. Rainbow hasn't been touched yet. they've been doing Australia, uh, Freedom, and West Star is the big major ones they've done so far. Rainbow
075is going to need a lot of work. I did get a a company come in just to give me a quote on refurbishing Australia's upper fields, the the main fields up there. It was it was $200,000 just to do that one field up there. So, it it it takes a lot of time, a lot of work. The one person we're asking for is to balance the crews out so we can have two two twoman crews and Stephen's been the supervisor been doing all these repairs. So he's got to come off the repairs to help do because you know there's people get sick vacations and so we don't always have four men all the time. We've, you know, we got two, three. One day we had one, but it's just very important to get to, you
076know, the safety of the kids is a is a big thing. And and I I know I I'm I'm I'm not making excuses. I'm not trying to say, hey, we we've done our best because we have it. We've we've done our best at fixing things you don't see. But those things need to be fixed before you you're going to see the improvements in it. I just want to, you know, it's it's of course, you know, up to the board what what you want to do. But I think the one person would make a big difference in helping us get getting to that goal. >> Mr. President, >> yes. >> Um I I don't disagree that that you probably need the extra person. Um, I don't know that I'm ready yet to approve this person, but
077I do think as President Todd said, in this community, there's a lot of partners we could partner with, whether it be, you know, residential farmers or even businesses, you know, STOs equipment down the street in in Buckeye. Um, we do a lot for the community and and we've actually had some really good community partners that that could partner with us in helping us with some of this. Obviously, they can't probably won't redo the whole field, but if like President Todd said, they can come out, drag it, level things out, and then we just start with nice flat dirt would be an improvement. Um, and obviously, you know, just getting creative. Getting creative. That's what we always have to do, especially when we're looking at budget things. So, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. So, um,
078I just kind of wanted, you know, there some question about, you know, kind of deferred maintenance and and things like that. And so, I think it's important to remember that the community approved a bond that included a significant amount of money for deferred maintenance, but a board decided to spend $9 million of that deferred maintenance to build a school for 200 children and with an ADM of zero. So, we would have had $9 million of bond money that we could have used. So, I think the community did vote to, you know, help fix some things in our schools and unfortunately a board decided to change the direction without asking for the voter approval. And I just want for clarification sake, um, Mr. Todd said that there are no sports that take place at Lascases and
079I do not think that is an accurate statement. Miss Gentry, do all sports take place at your school? >> Thank you so much. >> Your baseball team does. >> Soccer and baseball both play there because as of last year, your principal said they cannot play at that field. >> Yes. >> Proction. Are they playing games there? >> We they definitely played soccer there last year. I attended a soccer game at Lasus. >> They told me they couldn't play there. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. Mr. Young, I just want to I can't speak for the whole board. I speak for myself. I just want to know like I personally don't think you guys are not doing your hard your hardest to get the fields and the rest of the grounds in the
080best shape as you guys can. So please don't take that from the board that oh sorry from me that we don't think you guys are working hard and that's cuz that's not what I'm saying. We're just saying I I'm saying sorry that I don't know if this is just the right time, but we definitely appreciate what you and your team are doing and we know they're working really hard and with what they have and it's they're doing a great job. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> I I would echo that. I think I've said many times you got to tell your story. So if you're working underground, the public doesn't see that. They don't realize that. So I think every board meeting every every once a month you need to come and show pictures on
081the screen so people understand because at the end of the day on the top it does not look any better and as we're spending money we we have to show some results and if we're making it underground it's going to change but there needs to be some timelines and deliverables. So if we're making making underground changes today in one year we should see green grass at Rainbow two years. you can tell me 15 at this point, but then you better hit it at 15. Um, we we've got to show progress. We have to tell our story, and that is one thing that that continues to struggle here. Um, I I have a lot of faith in you. I know you you've brought forth a lot of stuff to to the district and you've brought tons
082of SFB funding to us, but we've got to get the top side fixed. And and and again, very poor decisions over many years. sprinkler heads. It's hard for you to even keep those in stock because every school probably has 12 different types and and probably none of them are the correct ones anymore. So, um but that's a struggle. But we need a comprehensive plan that says this is the plan for these facilities complete. And right now, we don't know what your what your what your business plan is, the grounds. And I think we've heard it loud and clear. I' I've been asking that honestly for four years. um that we need to get our grounds in better shape and all the paint on the outside of the buildings does not fix the look of Rainbow
083Valley. It doesn't fix the field loss brie's Miss Gentry. I'm going to It's news to me that they were playing there because I was told they couldn't play last year. The coach had to come out on his own just for practice. Your baseball coach told me we we don't play any games here. Um right. Okay. All right. If it's if it's getting better, but but we've got to get a long way. So, I think a full plan that that shows some real timelines and deliverables. We can uh take a motion to approve this or we can let this die out. All right. Looks like that's going to die out for the time. 5.7 approval to issue purchase order for wastewater and drinking water operations, repairs and chemicals. Miss Zimmerman, I think you asked for this
084one to be pulled as well. >> I did. So, [clears throat] uh, just for some clarification, um, and I saw it in the vouchers, um, but for the first three months, we issued a purchase order for $28,000. Correct. >> Right. and then which is over 10,000 and then we went out for the three quotes. >> Uh Mr. President, uh members of the board, >> the company that we're using is on the save contract. >> Okay. >> So we don't have to do the three I was getting three quotes trying to find a better deal I guess for the com for the school. >> So I was just trying to get the cost down because I I I think you know I've talked to several people. So, we gave him a three-month contract just while I
085was investigating trying to get somebody, but we couldn't find anybody that had the expertise. And, you know, some people gave us a better price, but well, it didn't include uh chemicals, didn't include testing, didn't include lab, and one that we're doing with West does all of that. >> Okay. >> And so, that's what we gave them the contract. And so, this is an annual thing that comes up. We didn't bring it up at first because I didn't know who we were going to go with. So, I was just bringing it up at this point because by the end of the year it will go over, but it's on a save contract. >> Okay. And the other companies that you were looking at, were they on save contracts or >> they were not? No. [clears throat]
086>> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. President. If I may. >> You may. >> Um, I know. So, we're talking about the water treatment facility right here on Liberty. >> Correct. So, because this has been annexed by Buckeye, have we talked to the city of Buckeye about them helping out with this or taking it over completely? >> We'd like to have a a sewer line come through and get public water and sewer here, but they don't have that available to us right now. >> Okay. Um, and then going back to these these other quotes you got this one is uh what's the best way of putting this I guess. Can we do we know what the quotes of the other ones are? >> Cuz I mean really what it comes down to is if the other
087quotes may not include and I'm not saying you didn't do your due diligence. I trust you bub. Uh but if the other ones came in, you know, 30,000, they didn't include tests and stuff. Now, obviously, that's that's a stretch. >> A big drop where you couldn't see it. It's just that they were probably a little bit lower than West, but again, they didn't do any of those C. So, I would have to go out and get a uh somebody that tests the water, a company that go, you know, [clears throat] send the reports in, send the reports into the ADQ where it's all inclusive with West. And I'm not I didn't go with West just because it's easier, you know, I don't do it just because it's more, you know, trying to >> okay, well,
088I'm not I don't have to deal with this, so I'm going to let them do it. I I I would take care of whatever I need to in the best interest of the district, not the best interest of Bob Y. >> I appreciate that. trust but verify. So, and I trust you, Mr. Young, but we got to ask these questions. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um, >> I That's all I have right now >> on that. I I have a question. In the RFP that you put out that you you did put out an RFP, correct? >> I did not put out an RFP. We did not because we would have come to the board for that. >> Okay. >> It was just calling the I I contacted a couple other districts that use different people
089and and asked them who they use. And >> so did we ask it says here while the other vendors were lower, they did not include chemicals. Did we ask them for their price to include chemicals? >> We did. And then they came back with, well, we're not sure what chemicals you need. And so I I gave them a list of but one didn't return my uh inquiries after that. And >> so if we were to put out an RFP for this, we might even get West to negotiate down a little bit. >> Yeah, actually West did come down a little bit on this this one just by going out. >> Again, if we put on RFP, everybody can bid this and they're on the same playing field. They can all be told for for to
090include chemicals, to include weekly tests, lab testing cost, everything. >> Yeah. And in fact, that's what I'd like to do for the next school year is >> I'd have to have somebody prepare a good RFP to make sure I list everything, get everything in there, and uh then we can put it out for the, you know, for the following school year, and hopefully we get a a good >> So, so why wouldn't we do that now? >> There's still a lot of time left in the year. So, why wouldn't we do an RFP now and at least try to get this started and see if this price comes down? Well, we could do it this year. I mean, but right now we need to have the water tested and running. So, >> right, but if
091we stay on the safe contract for one more month and you do an RFP, >> it's it's going to take more than a month to do an RFP and get it out and get the bids in and review them and stuff, it's going to take a while to put one together. >> I mean, I I see RFPs come out all the time and they take I I I struggle with how long it takes this district sometimes to turn an RFP. I think this is critical and we can get this done pretty quickly and it shouldn't be too difficult to write a scope of work to say what needs to be included and give a short timeline to respond back. I think it's worth doing because this is a um your total amount is 78,000 for
092the next nine months, >> right? I mean, it's the pleasure of the board, but I would I would look at looking at RFP for this perhaps. >> And and I I I don't disagree, but I think we should finish here with this one. Get the RFP done correctly and get a good company and make sure we have enough time to evaluate and look at them because it's one of those things that what keeps you awake at night? the water treatment and the wastewater treatment keeps me awake at night because agree one little thing can put us in a very bad bind. >> Okay. >> Uh Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Uh I would agree with Mr. Young um that I think we should finish the year on this contract and you know to Mr.
093Kenyon's point if we explore a conversation with the city of Buckeye too in that time frame that gives us the ability to do that. And um so I would be in support of doing it for the year and then you know in the spring looking at an RFP or something after maybe a conversation with the city of Buckeye. >> Sounds good. >> All right. You want to make a motion? >> Yeah. I make a motion to approve 5.7. >> Second. >> Motion. A second is on the floor for item 5.7. the issue of purchase order for wastewater and drinking water operations, repairs and chemicals. There's no discussion. We'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt >> I. >> Zimmerman >> I. >> Kenyon >> I and I'd like to make a comment afterwards. >> Mr. Rion,
094>> I'm also I will show approve five yes zero no. And Vice President Kenyon. >> Yeah, I would just ask Mr. Young that you do um sooner than later start working on that RFP. That way we can get it really nailed down all the specifics. Thank you. All right. Item 5.10, approval of student activity fund for the month of July and August 2025. Mr. President. >> Yes. So, I pulled this one because when I open the student activities fund, I just notice um for complete transparency for everybody, all of the accounts are in the green except for Rainbow Valley. And I don't want to pick on them, but they're the one that's negative over $2,000. Um first, is there a reason why? And second, it are they still allowed to use this fund even though
095they're in the negative? >> Good evening. Thank you, Mr. Kenyon. Um, Rainbow Valley, they have a large purchase order that they use every year. This particular instance occurred because of their Disneyland trip. So, the purchase order was split out between student activities, auxiliary tax credit. When the payments came out, they didn't have enough to cover in student activities. Um, it's something that we are are still in the process of fixing. We can fix by journal entry so that they're not in the negative anymore. Um, that transaction just has not occurred yet. Um, and I'm sorry, I forgot your second question. >> With with it being a negative balance, um, are they able to still use this fund? >> Um, we don't have them using it at the moment. And honestly, they did lose their student
096council sponsors, so I don't believe there is a lot of student out council activity happening there at the moment. Um, but they have other funding sources they can use in the time being. >> Okay. And then I guess my follow-up question is did we it seems like especially the Disneyland trips and these out of state trips a lot of times the expense is much more than we budgeted. Um, so as administration in these campuses start looking at these field trips that cost a lot of money, we need to really start doing our due diligence and and and maybe even putting in a buffer right in the in the budget. And I know in the private sector whenever I'm doing a large project, I always factor 20% 20% more is going to cost me than what
097I figure just because you got these unforeseen expenses. Um, and it just seems like almost every year we end up going into something like this, right? We had a something that was unforeseen and it was in a Disneyland fun field trip. I hope the kids had a blast. I hope the staff had a blast, but you come back to a negative balance and that doesn't look good. So, thank you. >> Take a motion. >> I make a motion to approve the student activities fund balance for the month of July and August 2025. >> I second. >> I have a motion and a second to approve item [clears throat] 5.10. There's no further discussion. will take the vote. Miss Schmidt >> I. >> Zimmerman >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon >> I. >> Board member Shion
098>> I'm also I will show that proof five yes zero no. >> President Todd. Yes >> ma'am. >> One moment please. Okay. Thank you. Just for the record, I have Chris Kenyon made the motion. Miss Schmidt second the motion. Thank you. >> Item 5.11, approval ratification of expense vouchers, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Um, could we pull up voucher 2612, please? And I wrote the page numbers tonight. So if we could go to page three. Um and it's the like kind of bottom half of page three. Um it's about um ASBA. Um so [clears throat] it's a question about the diligent community platform. Um and uh you know there's been a lot of conversation uh I guess not conversation there's been a lot of updates in our board updates about the transition
099from board docs to diligent but I thought diligent ran board docs. So my question is is this payment it's so people can see it it's around $10,000. Um, are we paying is this a payment for Boardocks, but we're transitioning to Diligent, but they're the same company? Can you explain what this is for? If I'm answering the question, [laughter] um, I I would need to look into it. I don't know off the top of my head. >> Okay. I didn't know if um, Mr. man knew cuz he's the one usually providing the updates about diligent >> you'll come to the microphone >> sorry good evening okay thank you board um thanks for the question we are still merging with diligent community board docs is diligent community um But they're they've got a kind of a slow
100roll out for their changeover. They had a lot of push back from districts who want to change their systems and didn't want to change the way that they were doing things, but we're going to see some of this increased flexibility um in the software. Um we are scheduled for a >> Okay, I just want to be careful because I don't want to get off the agenda item. So is do you know if this is the payment for using board docs? Thank you. Sorry. I do want to hear about it, but I want to be careful that we're not off topic. Okay, if we could go to page nine, please. Okay. Um, so there is a voucher for Exel. Um, and it's approximately $3,500. um some uh you know it's complete for those that don't know
101ex we had used uh I believe gifted in some other children that had kind of uh aged out isn't the right word but kind of mastered Dreambox they were allowing them to use so who's using this >> this is for the gifted program >> okay and so Spanish is included >> um I didn't see that as an option. >> It It's on the like it's kind of like the next page. >> Oh, >> you know, if you scroll down, >> um are we still allowing um students that were using last year? And this might be a question for principles or um Miss May, are we still allowing students that used that were not in the gifted program last year? Are they still being um is that a no? Okay, I'll bring that up later. Um
102if we could go to page 13, please. So, uh this kind of refers to our budget. So, when we um I'm looking at the emergency plumbing and so in just just this particular invoice, we spent $10,000 on emergency plumbing. And the PO for the entire year is only $35,000. And there was a whole discussion during the budget about cutting that particular position, the plumber. And I expressed concern that maybe that was an important position. And so my concern here is that we spent 10,000 of the 35,000 that we've encumbered. And so, you know, I'm thinking maybe that this is not going to be enough. And so when we look at only having $2 million left in M, we're probably going to have to increase this PO. And so that's why I'm hesitant to approve additional
103things out of M because I think this number is going to increase. Would you uh you know, do you know how much we spent? I I should have sent you this question ahead of time, so I apologize. I I'm not going to if you don't know, just say Miss Zimmerman. I don't know. But how much we spent all of last year on emergency? Well, we had a plumber, so it was different, right? >> Correct. And we do have a plumber now. >> Oh, we do. >> So, we hired one. So, so emergency plumbing might be something that happened over the weekend or something when the plumber wasn't there. >> Oh, okay. >> And so we have a small amount in there for emergency plumbing. So water's not running all over if we have emergency. So
104>> So we didn't cut that position? >> No, it was restored. We just hired him back. It was on last month's board agenda, I think. >> Okay. I I'm not going to get off agenda topic. Um, and then page 15, um, it's the same kind of concern. It's about consulting. Um essentially we have spent um $5500 in consulting and the yearly budget the PO is $20,000. Um, and so again, my concern is, you know, kind of what we're encumbering. And if we spent $5,500 in one month, are we going to need to spend that every month? >> That PO has already been revised and it's been increased to a higher amount. >> Okay. And is that will we see that encumbered in the like October? Um, >> um, I'd have to check on the date
105for sure. October. I I don't think it happened during that September budget report. >> Okay. All right. Thank you so much. >> Yeah, you're welcome. >> Is that all your questions? >> Yes, it is. >> Okay. I had a question also on uh back on the first page. We have a payment to the Arizona School Board Association for about $23,000 um on the same voucher 2612. Do you know what that is? That was the PO that she referenced. There was two line items on it. Uh, so one of the line items was for board docs. The other one, Minnie might have more details. I I I'm not sure what the second line item is without looking at the actual PO. >> Okay. Oh, you know what? Okay, I see. I'm looking at this first page
106and then it lines out. I remember. Okay. My apologies. Okay, great. Thank you. would you like to make a motion? >> I make a motion to approve 5.11 approval of expense vouchers 2610, 2611, 2612, 2613, and 2614. >> Second. >> All right, have a motion and a second. If there's no further discussion, we'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt, >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman, >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Schwinion, >> I. I'm also I will show that proof five. Yes. zero. No. Okay. We'll move now to item 6.1. Discussion, possible action to sell approximately 2 acres of vacant land. Mr. Young, >> President, Mr. President, members of the board, uh, item was brought to you. I'm not recommending we sell it or anything. It's just, uh, we had
107an inquiry by a company that was looking at building a big solar farm. It's way down on the south end. And I don't know if you saw the maps where it is. It's but it's two acres that was donated to the district in 2010 and it's sitting there and they just wanted to know if the board would be interested in in selling that and we went with the attorney uh just you know what the options are of how how we could go about that. And so those five options are listed. Uh it it it can be put out to public auction. and the SFB said they have no interest in it because it's only two acres. Uh so it's it's just the board's discretion whether they if they're interested in selling it or if they're
108not. The company just wants to know before they pursue uh purchasing other land in the area if we are interested. Uh couple of the things that we're saying if we want to put it up a public auction, we see what the value of the land is and have a minimum bid. If it's $80,000, we won't sell it for any less than 80,000. Uh, you know, hopefully it'll be go for more. But, uh, but it's, you know, totally up to the board. I'm just bringing it because the company was asking about their business venture. Uh, 10 years from now, it might be valuable to the district. You know, if there's a lot of, but if they're building a solar farm, they're probably not going to be building houses out there. So, >> Mr. President, if I
109may, >> you may. >> Yeah. Thank you for bringing this. That was that was my first question is is we're not not right not deciding anything right now other than the interest right of the board >> correct it says action on it >> or we could decide if we wanted to. Yeah. Um that's first I I guess is there any cost to the district for us holding that? >> No, we it doesn't cost us anything to keep it there. >> Okay. Um, and just in my experience and living in Arizona, land never goes down. I mean, yeah, you have waves, but man, everything's getting more and more expensive. And and uh right now, we're kind of plateaued, maybe even come down a little bit in home values, but you look at what it was 10
110years ago, it's just ridiculous. So, um, personally, I I don't see why we don't just hold on to it. It's not hurting us. It's not costing us anything. Um, and it and it may be beneficial down the in down the future in the in the future. Um, and I guess my other question was, did this company mention that they've purchased around there and they're planning on doing a solar farm whether we sell or not? >> The plan is if they want because the piece of land we have is kind of right in the middle of where they want to go. So, I'm sure they can adjust. Uh, but they just want, you know, they just according to them, they want to help out public schools and, you know, do the best they can for us
111as, you know, >> well, let's say a million dollars. >> I'm a car salesman kind of guy. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, so I apologize like I'm not the best with the map. So, is there any district uh buildings I guess around or on? None. >> No, it's it's way down south in the middle of nowhere. >> Okay. >> Basically. >> And so, just uh do you know how we like I know you said it was donated in 2010, but was it a farmer then? Like, how did we, you know, end up with a random donation of two acres? >> I've asked a few people that were around for a lot longer than I have been, and nobody quite knows how it came to be. So, >>
112okay. Um, and so do you think did they give you an indication that they would kind of build around the two acres? >> He he didn't he didn't say he just said right now they're trying to get the interest in who owns land out there and that, you know, if they're willing to sell so that they could build there. That's, you know, they're just I guess getting a feel for who will sell and who won't >> and they would need more than two acres. They would need Okay, sorry. I don't, you know, work in that field at all. So I don't have any understanding of it >> farms. They're they're huge. >> I guess you know my thought would be if they really do build a solar farm like surrounding the two acres, you know,
113is it then really not valuable at all for us to hold on to it? you know, um, if we were to pursue it, is there, you know, which of these ways, I guess, would you recommend that we pursue if, if that was something the board decided to do? >> Uh, I think it was, I believe it was the fifth one. >> It's been vacant for three years. You may sell the property without an election after it's been listed as vacant school property by the SFB, which I already talked to them. and then the districts uh have the opportunity to, you know, to do that. So, you don't have to go back out to the usually when you sell vacant land, it has to go back to the voters, but if it's been sitting vacant for
114so many years, then you're allowed to just sell it. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, and Mr. Young, looking at the map, it looks like it's comp, you said it's in the middle of nowhere, but it is literally in the middle of nowhere. There's nothing built around it currently. Is that correct? Like, and it's not even farmland. It's just literally empty land right now. >> Okay. Thank you. >> On the uh on the Maricopa County Assessors site, they list a property. I think it was $79,000 of value of the two acres. So, >> can can we ask it to pull that up so the public can see? >> So, what you know, one one of the things they suggested that if you do sell it, you could have a
115minimum, and if you don't hit that minimum, then you don't sell it. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may you may need to rotate that as well. So, north is up. Rotate to the left one. >> There we go. Um, along with this map. So, the green little green rectangle there. What we're looking at, do we have any What are those purple? There's one, two, three, four. What are Well, I guess even the other ones, five, six, seven. What are Do you know if those are what those represent? >> I think I think those are uh farmland and stuff. I'm not sure. I never I've never driven down there, so I don't know. >> No, that's fine. You're right. It's it's in the middle of nowhere. And the other question is, is there
116easement or access to that 2acre parcel? >> It's it's I believe it's right on a a future road. You know, they show a line where a road is going to go and it's right next to it. >> Okay. Um, and my other question is, do you know if the district has any other miscellaneous random pieces of property laying around? >> That's the only >> Okay, this came up and I was like, what do we have two acres way the heck down there for? >> And I I Okay, thank you whoever donated that. We really appreciate it. Um, just wondering if there were other things that I I didn't know about, but All right, I'll leave that so we can discuss, I guess. I would be in favor of probably letting that land go. It's going
117to be a long time before we put a school there. It's going to be a long time before that area develops. And it's two acres. Um, so even if we end up putting a school in that general area and we have to buy two acres again to to make up for it, I I don't know that we're going to have uh a school down there before the rest of that land starts to develop, there's going to be no water there right now probably. There's no sewage. There's no I think if somebody wants to give us some money for it. >> We're trying to build this land up like if we're going to think about >> Well, for a solar farm, it's great. That's what they want. They don't want a lot of They They like
118to have desolate. It's great for a solar farm. Um, it's not so great for a school. That would be that would be my thoughts. I'd be in favor of selling it. Are they wanting us to pay for a appraisal or are they going to work on doing that? >> They they didn't ask about the appraisal. They just asking about selling it. Uh, the attorney suggested that we do an appraisal, which probably a couple thousand dollars just to, you know, so we know what the value of the land is. for not selling something for less than it's worth. And I would suggest just one appraisal would work on it to to get it. We can always add it to the cost of the land when we sell it. Say the minimum is 85,000, >> right? I
119don't know. Let's see how serious they are, I guess. And they may also have some appraisals from area right next to it that are already done that we can get a general idea. If we're asking for 80 and they're wanting to give us 20, we're probably no need to >> Yeah. We just hold on to it. Yeah. >> No need to do it. >> Yeah. And and you know, and they might not find interested parties around that want to sell the land. So, they might not even want it at the end, but it's up to the board if they want to decide to sell it. We would need to get an attorney involved in finance to, you know, put out the right wording to get it advertised and put it out there and uh, you
120know, receive, >> you know, just get some bids on it, see what it's worth. >> Well, I'm okay with that. I don't know that we need to spend any money right now to obtain an appraisal. Uh, but if you want to continue negotiation or discussion with them, see where we're at. Okay. I don't know if the board wants to take a motion on that to carry on discussion with the group. Um, let them know we're interested, but I certainly don't want to until they're a little more sure on it. I don't want to pay for an appraisal. Mr. President, I would agree. Um, I don't know that we're right now with all the things we have in the district to focus on this. You know, as much as it would be nice to have some
121extra income, I I don't want to sell a short and so I'm okay with the conversation to continue and maybe if there's a real serious interest um, and as Mr. Serenion was selling, you'd let them or telling you let them know that there's a gold mine on that property or something, you know. So, uh, it comes up in value, but really just to know that there's, you know, if they really want to help the district, then they're going to help the district, not try and short change the district. So, yeah, I mean, if they want to give an appra if they want to pay for an appraisal and then we give them credit on a sale or something down the road for that cost, be okay with that. I just don't think we need to
122take money out of our accounts right now until they're real sure. >> I just it just a little cloudy if you want the person buying it doing the appraisal, you know. >> Well, I mean they're going to have to we would pick an appraisal. They would just pay for it and they have to pay. >> Right. Right. Right. I mean and usually you don't pick your appraiser. I think it's kind of a random. It's like a hearing officer. You >> Yeah. We have a couple we've used >> something happening. Right. >> Okay. Do you board want to give a motion on anything or do we just want to continue let him continue with what he's been doing with some discussion? >> I can I'll just make a motion that we continue the disc discussion that
123district continues to discuss this with the interested party. >> Okay. President, can you please repeat that motion to >> motion for district administration to continue discussion with interested party >> to continue conversation? >> Sure. With interested party >> and just Mr. President, members of the board, just so it right now if everything works out, you are in favor of selling it to them if it's the right. I just want to let them know so if they can continue negotiations. >> But I think it Oh, I apologize, Mr. Todd. >> You're okay. Go ahead. Um I think number five says though does it have to be um not like you have to sell it to the highest bidder so it's not a guarantee that they're going to get it. >> That is correct. >> Okay. I
124just wanted to provide that clarification. >> Would really want that piece of >> I mean I don't know but I'm just saying I think we need to be careful that we're not saying we're negotiating with a particular person that we're just deciding whether to sell the land. >> Okay. long as long as you're not looking at it for your summer home or something. >> Okay, we have a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right, have the motion second to continue discussion with the solar farm company on this property. If there's no further discussion, we'll take a vote. Board member Schmidt >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Shinion, >> I. I'm also I would show that approved five yes zero no. Moving
125on to 6.2 discussion possible action of governing board members speaking with the Arizona auditors. Vice President Kenyon. >> Yeah, thank you President Todd. Um, one of the last board meetings we had gotten into a dis uh a little bit of a conversation about uh Miss Zimmerman speaking with an auditor, the auditor's general calling them and correct me if I'm wrong, but you made the the comment that you know it's you're doing your due diligence to um increase your knowledge of your your position. And so I wanted to openly and publicly say I completely agree. Um, I think that as board members, it's our due diligence to become more informed and to get to the point where, you know, if we have questions, we reach out and we ask. My concern though is that when it
126crosses from your any one of our individual um requests to gain knowledge to now we're representing the board. Um, and I'm going to kind of allude to I it was September 1st or September 2nd. Uh, Miss Zimmerman, you came into the office and there were auditors here performing an audit and you went and spoke with them um, here at the district. And so that I found out after the fact. I actually have an email here from then interim superintendent McDonald saying board member Zimmerman was in the building to pick up her board packet from Minnie. Then the auditors asked if they could meet with a board member and since she was here, Minnie sent her over. Um, that's concerning because you weren't the board president at the time. Uh uh so you know you I
127don't know what was said there. And again for full transparency everybody on the board should have known what that conversation was about because a future email I got from Trevor McDonald says Chris I hope all is well. I wanted to inform you of a couple questions the auditors asked last week. They said they had a report that your hauling trucking company had contracts with the district and we and if we knew of you benefiting financially from such an arrangement. I said I was not aware of this. They then said that they couldn't find that connection either. Just wanted to let you know. Um I don't know where that came from, but that's my concern. individual board members speaking to auditors for the board or for personal reasons. I'm not sure, but that was here in
128the district office. And that's very concerning to me. Just so the public knows, I have never accepted any financial benefit kickback contract for my personal business or myself. Um, this is a complete 100%. It's it's different than a volunteer position. We actually a lot of times have to pay for certain things to sit on this board. Um our families pay a high price for us being here and not being with them. Uh we do a lot we do sacrifice a lot but I've never been receive have received any financial compensation and this coming from Mr. McDonald at that time raised some alarms on my end. So, just to be clear, I find it very disturbing when we say as individual board members, we've made a call and we've looked into this and the rest of
129the board has no idea what that conversation was about, what what happened. Um, and so in in policy, in board norms, it's the president of the board. And it doesn't matter who sits in that spot, but the president of the board is the one who speaks for the board. And I just wanted that to come to life, >> Mr. Todd. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um there are several things here that we need to address. Um so, um first of all, the board president does not speak for the board except in very specific situations. He does not speak for us as a whole. We can only make decisions as a board and he can only speak to the things that we have decided on. He does not get to speak for us. Secondly, as it
130was explained to you in the email, I came to pick up a board packet. I was asked by staff that the auditors are here and they need to speak to a board member and they asked if I would do it and I said yes. Is it typical for board members to be interviewed by the auditing firm? >> Yes, the superintendent and at least one board member is interviewed every year and it's standard questions. Just things like have you heard of any fraud occurring? Um, have there been any policy changes? It's very standard questions. It's not um incriminating in any way. >> Okay. Is it always the board president? Is that in policy or statute that it has to be the board president that's interviewed? >> They did not ask for the board president. They asked
131for any member who was available. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, you know, and just to clear up your concerns. I didn't say anything to the effect that you're concerned about. Um, as um, Miss Moer stated, they were just asking very general questions and I provided very general answers to those questions. Um, I think if you know if all of the board members want to be interviewed again, I didn't seek this out, you know, being interviewed. I was brought to me. I happened to be here when the auditors were here. I don't think there's any like weird I don't even think many knew I was coming in that day to pick it up. So it just, you know, again, you could pull a foyer and you can see um in terms of um me contacting the
132auditor general's office, it is absolutely my responsibility as a board member to do my due diligence and not just take people's word for what how they are interpreting things. I went directly to the source. Um, the people that handle procurement, um, the USFR, the specific things that govern us, I went directly to the source to get the information, not taking secondhand information. And I think frankly this is a double standard that I am being called into question about who I'm talking to when other board members call people and get people's emails and they bring them to the board and we have no idea about anything about them. But nobody questions that. No, no, only me. So it is a complete double standard that I'm not allowed to do my due diligence but other people are
133allowed to call people. That's how I see it. Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. >> I do not have a motion on this. I just wanted to bring it up for discussion. >> Thank you. I I believe you clarified you didn't have any problems with board member reaching out to the auditor general's office. Correct. >> That is correct. I stated that. Yep. >> That's what I understood. I I would agree board members can reach out and should reach out for clarification. So right 6.3 discussion possible action for governing board attendance at the 16th annual ASBA ASA annual conference. Vice President Kenyon. >> Yeah, thank you President Todd. Excuse me. So we're looking at this ASA ASBA ASA uh conference and let's see here. It's Yeah, it has it even up there on the board about the
134cost of this thing. And the cost is going to be $960 for somebody to go for three days. Um, to be completely honest, I've been to this training multiple times and I I do not see the value in it, especially right now where we're looking at budget issues, budget priorities. Um, it just it doesn't make sense, especially since there's what I feel as a much better training that was completely free that just took place a week a week ago. Um, that will continue as an annual training from my understanding. They're already planning that. Um, so I I don't see the need. I think it's actually irresponsible for us to continue in this uh with what this would be. If we were to send all five board members plus staff, you know, that could be a,
135you know, seven seven to $10,000 bill and it just doesn't make sense. Um, and like I said in the past, I've never came away from this conference feeling any better, knowing any more as a board member. And so at this time I don't think honestly any of us should go to this. I think it's a waste of resources. >> Is there any further discussion? >> Mr. Todd, >> Miss Zimmerman. >> Um, you know, uh, I agree that it's expensive. I think to say that all board members may not get value out of it out of it. I think that's very dependent on um different people. Um so I think that you know if you'd like to speak for yourself that you know that that you don't feel that you would get anything out of it
136but you have been on the board for three years at this point. Um so um you know I'm okay either way um if we choose not to. I agree, you know, it is a big budget expense, but I think making general statements that it's not useful um you know, that's subjective. >> Mr. President, if I may >> um I can clarify that. Yes, I those statements were more for me. I haven't gotten anything out of that. Um I've spoken to multiple other board members um from other districts who have also said similar things. Uh just they have not received they they go there and it's almost like a raw raw fest. It's more of a cheerleading for the ASBA and for superintendents and it really didn't have a lot of substance to the actual board
137members and what board members deal with. um opposed to this training we just had which was was very direct, very concise, exactly what board members and and superintendents. There were a number of superintendents there as well. Um had wonderful training and resources given to us that is just and I apologize because I had some materials that I was going to bring for those of you who couldn't make it. I got some extra pamphlets and books and things that I wanted to give you and I forgot those at home but I'll get them to you. Um, I just, yeah, at this point I just don't think it's it's worth us going to this. Um, I'll speak for myself, but the board can decide as a whole. Okay. So based off your feedback uh from you, a
138motion would be in order to say um not to send anybody this year to the conference or to stop attending ASBA conferences or you can let it die as is with no motion. >> I'll make a motion that we do not attend this year's ASBA ASA annual conference. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second on the floor to not attend the ASBA ASA annual conference. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll take the vote. Board member Zimmerman. >> I sorry, >> I went out of order again. My apologies. Board member Schmidt. >> Hi. Vice President Kenyon I. >> Board member Shrenion >> I'm also I will show that proof. Five. Yes. Zero. No. Next up will be item 6.4 discussion possible action to review the fiscical year 25 procurement file
139for Amy Castanos. Miss Camarada. Okay. President Todd and governing board members. Um, in front of you, you will see a hard copy of the um, quote summaries from data from March 13 of 2025. Um, and that was written quotes to continue using Amy Castanos as our board consultant. Just to give you a little bit of background, um, back in May of 24, Amy began working with us, um, to do the strategic plan, which included several meetings in between there, and that continued through December of 24. Then in November of 24, Amy began providing a different set of services under a different agreement to assist with the transition if you remember from the ASBA policy to the trust policy which concluded in June of at some point prior to exceeding the $10,000 threshold. procurement notified me
140that I needed to secure an additional um additional quotes which you see in front of you since Amy was approaching that limit and was expected to continue working with the governing board. Uh those quotes were obtained along with supporting email documentation and justification. Um and that is in front of you. Um I don't have anything further to say Crystal. I don't know if you wanted to add anything. Um, I can answer questions as you have them. Um, I don't have anything to add right at this time, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, this was my agenda item that I requested and, you know, I wish that staff would reach out so that I we could have things attached for the public for transparency to be able to see what we're going to
141be discussing tonight. Um, so I have several questions, but um, in here um, you know, just kind of from a procedural standpoint, is there a reason that Miss Camarada was asked to get the quotes versus the procurement specialist? >> That's pretty typical. The purchaser of the services obtains the quotes for their services. >> Okay, so in this packet, basically, there are no quotes. So the first one says no quote out of scope of work requested. That was for both of the people that you know is not Amy Castanos. And then um for Amy it says current consultant but I don't see her quote. That's our quote summary sheet. So that's what our staff members fill out to summarize the work that they've done to obtain quotes. Um no quotes is a quote. a vendor responding
142saying, "I don't provide those services or I mean just in general not returning your email or phone calls is still a quote." So attempting to get the quote is a quote. So I I would have to see exactly what you're looking at, but that's what I'm assuming you're looking at is the summary sheet. >> Yeah. And attached are the emails, but again, you know, attached here is not Amy's quote. So I don't even know what her quote is. >> Her quote was her agreement. I don't know if you all have what I'm looking at, but her quote is her agreement >> that she gave to the board, I believe, is who this was for. >> Yeah, we have this hard copy, but we don't have anything attached to the agenda. I'm not sure why we
143have a few items that on this agenda that don't have any supplemental attachments to them, but I don't see an agreement from from Amy. >> So, you know, my concern, you know, procurement has become a, you know, big topic up here about, you know, the $10,000 and when we reach it and when we get the quotes and things like that. And so my concern is that we're we are picking and choosing when we're going to make it a class 4 felony, I guess. And here Amy Casianos had been employed essentially since May of 2024. And on um the board voted to approve the trust policies on October 7th, 2024. So, in October, you know, the board, the district administration knew that we were going to need her services to help us transition those policies. And
144we didn't get the quotes until March when we were getting close to the $10,000. So, as of 12925, we had paid Amy Castiano's $8,924. I'm pulling all of my notes where the money is coming from from vouchers. So, just to be clear where I'm pulling that from. Um, and so she continued to provide services to the district and we didn't get those quotes until March and then we didn't pay her again until April. And so my concern here is that you know at the when we had a procurement discussion um Miss Williams had stated that you know her understanding was basically we needed to get the three quotes from before we paid the purchase order and Mr. Todd stated that was not his understanding. But here, that's essentially what happened with Amy Costanos is that
145we got close to the 10,000. She continued to provide services and then we got the three quotes and then we paid her. So, I just want to make sure that when we are doing things that we are holding everybody to the same standard and I don't feel like it's been done. And this is just one example. again. Um, you know, I'm not sure why my name isn't on this item because it is my agenda request. Um, but that's my concern here and you know to say and I understand that the the policy and this is not your fault. Like I understand the policy says like no quote is a quote. Um, but you know, I I would have liked to have seen as part of this agenda item, you know, Amy's contract because essentially I
146don't know what she agreed to. Um, I wasn't on the board when she first started. And so, um, Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> So, basically what I heard is everything that was done here is legit. That's what I heard. So, for fisc I'm so sorry. >> Go ahead. >> I did not mean to interrupt you. Um, for fiscal year 25, what we're talking about is she had a purchase order in place that was under 10,000 that did not require quotes. Then what happened is a second order purchase order was put in place for a separate service. So, this is the perfect time to clarify something that was said in a prior meeting. uh when we get quotes it's based on services like services not vendor. So if Amy did two separate
147projects as as long as they were separate projects separate services then there would have been quotes for one thing and maybe not the other. So that that's just a clarification. Um but if we knew right away like the second purchase order I believe that you're referencing already we knew that was going to be more than 10,000. That's the point where we should be obtaining the three quotes. But if we have one where we don't know what the expected amount is going to be upfront, maybe we think it's only going to be three, four, 5,000. That's what we put our PO in for. Then as our PO starts increasing, we realize we were wrong on our guess. Um that's when we get the quotes. So there are there are different scenarios and they're based on the
148situation at hand. >> And thank you for that. Um I I agree wholeheartedly. And the biggest point is Miss Castiano's helped us with one project and then helped us with a different one completely. It was completely separate. >> And so that's that's the difference. And and I don't want to get off track on talking about other things other than what this agenda item is. >> But um >> to me it looks like everything was done appropriately with with getting Miss Castanos and her help that she provided to us. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. So would you not consider providing board consulting a like service because that's essentially what she did both times she was a board consultant. I think you'd have to define exactly what her scope of work was. So if she was
149doing something like for example I know she was working on board policies but then she was also doing a totally separate project. I don't know what that other one was. Those are separate things. So something like PD is separate from consulting for a particular staff member. >> So that's the question is are they like services or not? And so >> the agreement should should kind of be a clue. >> Yeah. So if we could get the agreement that would be very helpful. Thank you. >> Miss Zimmerman. We can take a recess if you'd like and have staff pull the agreement while we're on this agenda topic and and get it and continue discussion if you'd like. >> I'll ask staff if you feel like you can achieve that quickly or we can >> Well, I
150have the signed November 2020 2024 agreement right here, but I personally don't have the one for the lower dollar amount. So, I would probably need Minnie's help to obtain if we need two separate agreements. Um, I make a motion to direct staff to um send the board um Amy Castanos's scope of work. um anytime she provided board consulting um and to table this agenda item, >> you you can't take action and then table. So, you're going to have to you have to pick one or the other. You can table it and ask staff to bring it back. We can bring it back with all that information. >> Would you like me to revise it? >> Yes. There's no second. So, you can revise it. Um, I make a motion to table this agenda item for
151staff to gather further information. >> Second. >> Okay, I have a motion to second. Is there no further discussion? We'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Board member Ken. Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board memberion. >> I. I'm also I will show that proof five. Yes. Zero. No. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> May. >> Uh, can I actually get a short recess real quick? >> You may do so. We'll show us recessed. Uh, let's see. That clock is wrong. So, it's 7:41. We're in recess. She was freaking Heat. Heat. N. Hey, Heat. Heat. Hey hey. Daddy. D. Okay, the time is 7:45. We'll show that we're back in session. Moving on to item 6.5, discussion, possible action of requested agenda topics that have
152not been added to the agenda. Miss Zimmerman requested this. Miss Camado, you were going to review the agenda items. Miss Zimmerman, if you would like to say something up front. I think we captured everything you said last time. I know we reviewed the tape later to watch it, but uh Vinnie has some information. >> Okay. President Todd, govern board members. At the October 8th meeting, board member Zimmerman mentioned a few agenda topics that she had previously requested that had not been added to the agenda. That very night I went home and I emailed the board along with Dr. Mohorn and I tried to re review which agenda topics had been missed. I did notice that in the time frame of when Dr. Monroe um in Dr. Monroe's absence and upon uh Mr. McDonald when he
153became our interim um superintendent, some of those topics were not captured in that time. Dr. Dr. Monroe was diligent in recording all agenda topics on a Google form that I had created for him. After that, we would meet the morning of a governing board meeting and the very next day after a governing board meeting to debrief from the night before. Since Dr. Monroe's absence, we have not continued those meetings as a cabinet team. Um, and that's what I know once I emailed you all that night, which turned into we hours of the morning, um, I did try to capture some of the topics that board member Zimmerman was speaking about. Okay. And just for the board to understand my process, when a request is made, staff captures that request for an agenda topic. Once they
154are prepared with the information to bring it forward, then when we have our weekly agenda setting meetings, the superintendent who by the way canceled the last two agenda setting meetings before he departed the district um or the previous one who absolutely met every week um and and even the one previous that I think met with with the board president at the time. It was not me. Once staff is prepared for that, I add it to the agenda. At no time has anything been intentionally, purposefully left off an agenda or omitted. There have been a few things that a superintendent has advised they would send in a staff update. Um, and I trust at that point if the board member wants it in a different manner, they'll get it that way. Um, in order to rectify
155this problem in the future, what I have asked our staff to do is create a form that board members will be able to fill out at any time. And that form will then be able to be tracked as well by staff who can then assign things moving forward. I think we did have some issues by not having our department heads at meetings. There were some balls that were dropped and I've heard on more than one occasion, well that wasn't assigned to me. Um, it's not my job as the board president to assign anything to a specific staff person to prepare. That is the superintendent's job. So, moving forward, we've done a couple test runs and it looks like that's going to work better. Miss Cameron, I think you can or I'll leave it up to
156you, but if if you agree that that system is going to work a little bit better for you to track these, then we'll do that as well. Is that your feelings? So everybody, >> President Todd and governing board members, um I have created a Google form um after a board meeting if you can go on there and enter your agenda request, then I believe that it it's it's going to work as long as you follow through on adding your agenda item in the Google form. So we'll we'll give it a try and we'll go from there. Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, um I just want to be clear that I understand that it takes time for staff to prepare agenda items. The reason that I chose to read all of those is because
157at a meeting, Mr. Todd, you said that you felt that all of the agenda topics had been cleared and that was not the case. And so, I just wanted to then have a clean list of them since you stated that. So, at no means do I think that they can happen all the time or super quickly. I understand staff has to prepare, but when that statement was made, I felt that was an inaccurate statement. And so, I wanted to make sure that I provided the the dates that I requested and what I had requested. Um, [clears throat] I think though that, you know, if we're talking about things that I have requested, you know, oftent times I have heard you say to Mr. Kenyon, um, you know, I'll have staff reach out to you to
158make sure the agenda item is what you're looking for. And that has never been done for me. And I think that's a reflection of some of these things tonight that don't have executive summaries and attachments. And I think a lot of that could have been avoided if staff contacts me to make if it's my agenda item that I requested. Um, and as the board president, the agenda has your final say. Like there was this very big discussion during policy about whether the board president develops the agenda or the superintendent. And I believe you stated this is the board's meeting. It's the board president's agenda. And that's what policy 1-302 says is the board president is authorized to develop the agenda for each board main in collaboration with the superintendent. And then finally, it says the
159final approval of the agenda rests with the board president. So if you feel like there should be attachments or there should be um executive summaries, I think as the board president that falls in your duty under policy 1-302. Um [clears throat] I also find it troubling that uh sometimes my agenda items are brought back as a discussion item only. um where other board members theirs is always an a potential take action item. So two examples of that were on April 15th I had asked for the budget spreadsheet to come back so that we could discuss it and continue to make adjustments and it was only a discussion item. We never got to make final adjustments as a board voting it. And you know, I miss that whole we added the plumber back in after we
160made that cut. And so I think that's problematic. And then tonight with this whole land thing, it's again conveniently a discussion only item. It's not an action item. And I don't think that the board president should get to choose whether the board as it as a whole is going to take action or not. That's the board's decision in the meeting. So, those are my concerns with things that have happened. I'm happy to follow the procedure that's been outlined. Um, but again, the reason that I said anything was because it was stated that all of the agenda items had been taken care of and that was an inaccurate statement. >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. I have a question for you, Manny. after like I fill a form out, how do I will I be able
161to go to the spreadsheet afterwards and track like where my request is like if it's been assigned to staff yet or um just to see if it made it? I guess is there a way we're going to be able to track a like the process as it's going through or are we just like shooting it off? >> The way I envisioned it was you would have access to view the to view it and see where it is. It gets assigned to staff. it's got to come forward. They have to prepare for it. Not all of these things happen overnight. So then you would be able to see or you can always check with many who's monitor or monitoring that to tell you where it is in the in the process. >> Okay. Thank you. >>
162So you you wouldn't just make a request. It falls into a void. That's a way to track it. We did not have that tracking system in the past. And when I made the statement, Miss Zimmerman, that I thought everything was cleared, that was the information that I had from staff. We had cleared everything. Um I since found out afterwards that there were never cabinet meetings, there were never debriefings after board meetings. Um and staff was kind of left into a lurch. So um that that's where that came from. This meeting is rather long tonight because we added a bunch of stuff to get them cleared once we got access to that form. And some of those things that you had requested were actually prior to me coming back to the board uh that still hadn't
163uh had been cleared and hadn't been assigned to staff. So, those are all in the process of being done. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> I just also want to comment. Um, while Mr. McDonald was here towards the end of his tenure here, he he sent out a spreadsheet that had agenda items, potential agenda items on them. However, even on that one, a lot of the things that you had requested were not listed there. Um, and so in President's Todd's defense, that's that's what I saw is there were quite a few things that were left off whether they thought that they had already been addressed, discussed, information given. However, I think that this going forward, this new uh method is going to hopefully make things a lot more transparent and better
164for us as a board. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. Um just also for clarification when I was acting as the vice president therefore acting as the president as we didn't have one it was my request to have a Google doc to keep track of the agenda topics because at that time you know I felt it was my responsibility as acting board president to make sure that you know we were getting things on the agenda that board members requested. Now, I was only acting president for one regular meeting in the middle of a budget crisis, so we didn't add anything, but that came to be um and Mr. Todd, you weren't on the board at that time. So, >> and that that was probably the same form that I had asked uh that that Dr.
165Monroe had started when he when we first came on, we talked about this. We need a tracking system. Problem with that became it wasn't shared here. When I met with Dr. Monroe all the time, uh previously I was president, he had that list. We went down every item. That was obviously before you were on the board. Coming back working with the superintendent. That was a different story. It didn't that never got cleared. And there was obviously a little bit of a of a crossover when Dr. Monroe left and and Mr. McDonald came on. Um but rest assured, we're moving forward and we have a document now that is shared with the proper positions. Um so Miss Camarado will have access to that. Um and and our superintendent or assistant superintendents will have access to that
166and then the board will also be able to get access to see to see where it is and can always follow up with Miss Miss Camarada for a status. >> President Todd. >> Yes. >> May I ask a question? >> You may. >> This Google form I am able to make um all the board members a viewer. >> Yes. And that will tell you exactly where when your agenda item will be placed on an agenda or it will be placed in a board update. >> Correct. >> Just making it clear. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> You may. >> Just one more um I guess clarification comment. Miss Camarado, you stated that under Trevor McDonald, the cabinet never met to discuss agenda items. Is that like like you did with Dr. Monroe? >> President
167Todd, governing board members, let me just rephrase that. We met once as cabinet. >> Okay. Also, just for clarification before we approve the agenda, we always send it to legal uh whether that be Mr. Dangerfield when he was here, Miss Seagull, um to review the agenda as well. We did make uh board docs a little cumbersome sometimes in the drop down whether or not it becomes action or discussion. Um and so we're trying to make all of those uh a default. Now it's kind of strange to say we have action. We'll always have discussion with that. There's some default language that comes into play but um we are working to get that clarified so that the wrong drop down is not selected. All right. Um move to 6.6 discussion possible action for cabinet and or
168department directors to attend regular governing board meetings. Um as a result of some of the issues that Miss expressed in the preview agenda topic um it is very common amongst other governing agencies be it city councils be it school boards that all of the department heads and cabinet members are present at council meetings board meetings whatever you would like to call them um this gives them the idea to hear the discussion and it eliminates the idea that I wasn't assigned um are essentially talking about something to do with human resources. Our human resources director would hear that and they would begin to start working on that immediately. It's finance, finance would do it. If it's if it's facilities, you know, somebody in Mr. Young's capacity would do that. So, I think it's important. Also, there's
169been many times where we've had questions and as a matter of fact, tonight we've relied on a couple people who are part of our cabinet, our staff, the principles to answer some questions and make some clarification. So I feel it's very important that we have those um folks present and we uh have put forth a suggested motion to direct cabinet or department directors to attend regular governing board meetings which will help us to get answers and we're not relying on on others. So that kind of sets that up. I'm open for discussion. Mr. President, may >> you may uh looking at this list you have here. My question one question would be the transportation supervisor uh because there's not we don't have discussions about transportation very often. So I would kind of be hesitant to
170require them to be here all the time because I feel like a lot of the questions the executive director of operations would probably be able to answer. So that's one of the ones I'm not really comfortable with having here all the time or making come here all the time. >> Okay. Um, I mean it's open for discussion where that is. Mr. Young, are you comfortable with not having that department head here? I know it works under you, but kind of se there's a lot of moving parts over there. >> Yeah, Mr. President, members of the board, I I most of the questions I can answer, but if there's a special thing that comes up for transportation, I can ask uh her to be here for that night, but uh she does early morning, so it's
171it's probably hard for her to be here late at night. Uh, Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Got a couple thoughts. Um, you know, [clears throat] I have a little bit of a a little trouble with it because we are not these people's bosses, right? Our only employee is a superintendent. And so requiring the people that are not our employees to attend meetings feels a little bit out of our scope. It feels like that direction should come from the superintendent. Um, with that said, um, I think we need, if the board decides to, you know, make a motion that we need to consider several things. One, I would only be in support of a of uh, staff, all these lists attending regular board meetings. I think forcing all of these people to come to special
172board meetings, we have them very frequently on this board. um is unfair. Um I also think that you know we need to consider the time um as Mr. Sincion has asked to have an agenda item about kind of a drop dead time. You know our principles need to be you know fully present for their staff and their students every single morning. And if we're here till 11 o'clock at night I think that is unfair to them. um when I feel like their staff and their students should be their first priority. I also think we need to consider that um our principles who do not have APs, you know, they can't split time with their APs. They have to come every single time. And considering that, you know, this board has chosen to keep the day
173of the week of meetings on the days that we have school sports. Um again the for the schools that do have APS they are acting as our athletic directors so therefore they need to be on campuses to you know make sure the safety of our students is there. So, I just think there are some things that we should um consider. Um and I guess I had a question for staff. Um in terms of um you know, in the past practice, I guess if you're here for a late meeting, have you been able to like flex time basically and come in later um the next day? Personally, we always try. It It is very hard though. Our job duties during the day are pretty demanding. So, it's it's not always a possibility. >> But it is
174at times people >> at times. Yes. Yes. Absolutely. >> Okay. And so, our principles aren't going to have that same opportunity um because again, their priority is their schools as it should be in my opinion. So um you know I would just ask the board to consider you know um only if this is the direction we decide to go only regular meetings and having a drop dead time so that principles are fully present for their staff and their students the following day. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> You may. >> Um I don't necessarily disagree with what's been said. However, I you know, in here it does say to attend a regular government board meeting. So, that that spells out Miss Zimmerman's concern. But, um I I completely agree that we do need especially
175when the agenda is talking about their issue, what their what their department encompasses. Like if we have a obviously a presentation just say from Las Besus, obviously the staff from Los Besus are going to be here. um if we have a presentation about you know something that has to do with loses they probably should be here even if it's not a big presentation that way when we as a board are up here and and as President Todd mentioned and Miss Zimmerman you took advantage of this evening with staff being here we were able to ask questions that we didn't we wouldn't have answers to right away. Um, and so I do think that we're as a district kind of in a predicament. Um, we have Miss Mohorn, Miss Miss uh, sorry, I >> Moer, I
176had it on the tip of my tongue. I I don't know why I went blank. But anyways, Miss Moer, you're both fulfilling or supposed to be fulfilling roles of the person who's supposed to be over you. So, absolutely, you're overwhelmed and and there's a lot going on. um and you're here tonight. Thank you. It's one of the it's one of the needs of the job, right? As as a governing board, we have to have this the specific people here to ask the questions to. Um and so, how can we make good governing decisions without the proper answers? And the best way to get those answers to have the people right in front of us. Um, I know it's not always easy. I think that these late meetings, they've they've happened from time to time. Uh,
177I don't think anybody enjoys them. And I do think that as we get some positions filled in the district administration, um, that hopefully the board gets more answers to questions. Some of this stuff can be put in consent agendas. we can figure out ways and President Todd and can work with administration um on this, but figure out ways where we can make these meetings shorter, especially if we know we're going to have a whole bunch of of administration in here. But I do think it's very important that we do have these these staff here. I'm hesitant to put a drop dead time just because we don't we can't foresee every situation. And so I think that as a board we can be attentive to that at the beginning of every meeting. We basically suspend rules.
178So if we needed to adjust uh the schedule, if we see that somebody's, you know, on the on the agenda late, we can move them around. Um I really do think that that just should be at the discretion of the president because he's working on this and sees something. Oh, you know what? we this person they have to get up early in the morning. Why don't we bump them to the top? And we've done that from time to time. Um but I think that there's ways of working around some of these valid concerns, but at the same time, I do think we do have to have this in place so that we have the answers in front of us when we're making critical decisions for the district. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> You
179may. So yeah, it's important for the regular meeting thing. Um, so how do we go about like if if we're going to say they need to come if they have agenda item? I don't know if that's something when the president sits down with the superintendent, acting superintendent and they're making the agenda, they decide you look through and like these people are probably going to have some questions. Maybe direct them to come at that time. One thing we can do, I know you guys are super busy, but do you have cabinet meetings scheduled? No. Like I know it's hard because you guys are filling multiple roles right now. Um because that's something we can look at too if having the cabinet meetings if if this isn't going to work with like I guess we give Manny's
180thing the sheet a shot, right? To see if maybe they come together and get the agenda items. But we can direct them to make a have a cabinet meeting, right? We can direct her to have a cabinet meeting. So I don't know if that's going to be >> I don't I don't sorry I don't think this is on topic. We're not talking about them having a cabinet meeting. >> I I understand what you're saying, but I'm trying to think about because it's in lie of having everybody come. So, I don't know if it is part of the topic of the agenda item because it's in lie of making all these people come. Anyway, I don't know. I'm just saying if we do have them come, I don't think me personally or personally uh I don't
181think they should have to come if they're not going to have a speaking part, especially if they're going to have to get up early in the morning. My my thoughts were we don't always know that they have a speaking part and then it comes about where we'll see that a little bit tonight with that consent agenda. There's always questions that come up that can can lead into that. And I just look at how other governing bodies work. All those department heads are present. If you go to any city council meeting, they have a separate seating area. They all sit there. They're all working. They all do stuff. The transportation director is still up in their early morning for the traffic issues and all that. It's kind of a responsibility of having a a management job.
182For the schools that don't have an assistant principal, I would be comfortable if they sent somebody who could represent them. Uh, or maybe they send they take a little bit of time in the morning and they have I think they all have a part-time assistant principal. Correct. Do they all have one or which ones don't? >> They Oh, sorry. No, no, it's not. >> The two have a 20%. >> 20%. That's not very much time, right? Um >> again, we have to be able to have answers and be able to move meetings. So, um it was just an idea to bring to surface to to the board and and look at this, but we've seen tonight um where we've gone out to those folks and sometimes something comes up that we're not even really aware.
183There's been several instances where a principal has just been present been able to add something that we might not be aware of. Mr. >> President, you may you may >> Let me just rephrase this then. If we go with this, I just want to make sure we're protect like we're vice president Kenyan was saying that we protect like their safety. I don't want people here from 6:30 to 10:30 at night. It's not safe. So, like he was saying, if we do look at rearranging stuff ahead of time to make sure that these people get a chance to get out of here, >> we we certainly can. I don't know that even rearranging it always something doesn't come forward and you say we've got another question for you at the end of the at the end
184of the meeting. Um maybe they flex their time and come in later in a day um so they can be here late at night. Again, this was just a discussion, but I feel it's important that we have some of these folks at meetings because we don't have all the answers and we can't certainly expect every cabinet member to have the answer of of everything that happens downstream from them. So, I mean, much like the military, your general doesn't have all the answers. He's going to have to go down to lieutenants, captains, and and other folks. And so, that's that's where we get, but if they're not present, we're we're a little stuck. >> Mr. Todd, would it be okay if I made a comment for the board? >> Yes. >> Um, I just wanted to
185say something. I'm not sure that it would be okay to leave the job title of accountant on the list just because of the fact that that is a support staff level role here at the district office, not an administrator role. I understand I think you're including it to me make sure to include me, but I think we could do it in a different way. Maybe put executive director of business and then temporarily an alter alternate design or something of that matter. I just wouldn't want a future accountant to be liable for something that you really intended just for me. >> No, it it wasn't for you. It was really just the finance and I think I probably said accounting and maybe I said accountant. So, I apologize. I wasn't singling you. We definitely need somebody
186from the department that you're >> correct. That's our executive director of business. Yes. >> And obviously if we don't have one of those and it's whoever's filling in for that spot, which I think is you. I mean, it's you now. So, um, and and I think some of this can be adjusted if if you can't make it for one night. I know like Miss Williams is here. You could ask her to cover for you >> and and she has. I know she's been to these. So, um, you know, a lot of these positions, but I just feel like it would be a good time to have that and sometimes questions come up that we can we can get answers for right away. >> Mr. President. >> Yes. >> One of the things I don't see
187on here is procurement that we have a lot of questions. >> That's finance. That would be finance account office. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, there's sometimes and not picking on you, but you're here right now. There's sometimes we ask questions about procurement and it's sometimes there's questions that you're not positive on, right? So, we I'm not speaking to you specifically, but people who have sat in some of these roles, there's there's reasons why sometimes we have backup. And again, this all goes to the agenda. When you look at the agenda, you you should be able to see who are the people who are going to possibly be questioned on on certain things. And it's good to have those people present. Um, and us as a board, I think we can do a better job, and
188I think we do a decent job, but we can do a better job of getting our questions to staff ahead of time as much as possible. Clear up things um questions we may have. That way, one, we have we know it coming in, but two, we may not have to be redundant and say it again and again again in a meeting just because we already got that information. There's a number of things I could have said tonight that I left alone because I have reached out and and been able to get some questions answered. So, um, as a board, we can work on that as well. >> You know, to follow [clears throat] up with Mr. Kenyon. Um, I agree it would be helpful to ask our questions ahead of time, but I'm not finding
189the same experience of getting answers back. So, as a board member, that's difficult. If I write an email and I don't get a response back, I not having my questions answered. Um, and again, as I've said before, when we don't get the agendas finalized until Friday and staff isn't working and we have a meeting on Monday, it makes it very difficult to ask our questions because, you know, there are 30 items, let's say, between the consent and the regular agenda tonight. I can't possibly I don't have the uh time frame in one night to review everything accurately. So, Mr. President, if I may. >> You may. >> So, I I understand what you're saying, Miss Zimmerman, but just so everybody's clear, us board members do have the ability to see the drafts and we can
190go into the agenda and how it's being built. It's not that it's all of a sudden that's the first time we can put eyes on it is on a Friday. Um, we could put eyes on it before that. Sometimes the attachments may not be there. Sometimes there may be some information missing and I do agree it would be better if we got them out earlier um if if staff were able to make those available earlier. Um but I will say that you know as as President Todd and I or just President Todd meet with staff to try to get these agendas created. We're trying to give as much time for district staff to answer and get the information compiled and get it to us as a board uh for the agenda items that we're we're
191trying to discuss and and deal with. And sometimes that's it. We're able to make that happen. Sometimes staff can make that happen. Sometimes they can't. But um I do agree that sooner we can get it to the board the better with all the information. >> Right. Another component sometimes with the agendas is just the uh legal review and we don't always get that as soon as we'd like. So that that's uh but but sticking to this here um to bring us back this is just a discussion somebody wants to make a motion for this to miss Zimmerman's point um we have one employee so we can direct one employee to direct our staff to do this if that cleans that motion up if this is the the direction the board chooses to go. We can
192also put this to create policy to make this happen and that would be within within guideline as well. >> Mr. President, I'll make a motion. >> Okay. >> A motion uh for the superintendent or acting superintendent to direct appropriate cabinet and or department directors to attend regular G uh governing board meetings. Okay, I have a second. >> President Todd, can I please repeat that? >> You may. >> Be a motion to direct the superintendent or acting superintendent to direct the appropriate cabinet >> and or department directors to attend regular governing board meetings. >> Thank you. That's what I have. Second have the motion. We have the second. If there's no further discussion, we can take a vote. >> Uh I have a question. >> Okay. >> Uh is your intention or principles to be are
193they considered department directors? >> I would believe that they are. >> Okay. Thank you. direct the campus and I'm okay if they want to send somebody in their spot. That person just needs to be able to have the authority to address the board. And if I what I don't want to hear later is, well, I wasn't there and I sent miss so and so or Mr. So and so and they told you this and that's wrong. Well, if you send somebody, the old analogy I used here, send your check writer and your check casher. So, if they write the check, they got to be able to cash the check. Um, that's ultimately that's ultimately that it doesn't necessarily matter who the person as long as every department is represented. That's what I'm good with. And
194if the department director is is picking that person to represent them, then then that's the person, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Uh, just to just to clarify, I I think I got what you just said. I just want to make sure I have this correct in my head. So the intention is that we have an individual representing every school and every major department attending every regular board meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> When appropriate. >> No. It didn't say when >> he said the appropriate individual, not when appropriate. So, it was every board meeting there needs to be an individual representing every school building and all of the major departments within the district. >> That's my understanding. Correct, Mr. Todd? >> That's correct. >> Thank you. >> Now, with that, I'm
195saying it doesn't have to be the principal. If the principal wants to send the janitor to represent the school that day, that's fine. As long as if the janitor says, "This is what we want on behalf of this campus and we're making a decision." the principal doesn't come back later and go, "Whoa, that's not what we wanted." If you send a representative, that's your proxy vote. That that's your that's your proxy. And whoever that is, that's up to each department head to to send. They should not send somebody that says, "That's a good idea. I need to go ask my boss how they want me to vote on this." They or how they want me to speak. They need to be ready to go at the meeting. >> Mr. President, may I >> You may.
196>> M. Camera, could you read the motion back, please? >> Yes, President Todd. Members, the motion will read, "Motion for the acting superintendent to direct appropriate cabinet and or department directors to attend regular governing board meetings." >> Thank you. >> Motion made by Chris Kenyon, second Brian Sirinion. >> All right. Any further discussion? We have the motion, the second. No further discussion. We'll take the vote. Board member Schmidt. Nay. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> Nay. And I'd like to explain my vote. >> Okay. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shrenion. >> I'm also and I will show that prove three yes to no. Miss Zimmerman, please go ahead. >> Uh, I voted nay because I believe that there should be a drop dead time. And I also feel like we circumvented us
197directing staff. We just changed it to direct the superintendent to do what we wanted, but we have talked about, you know, circumventing things like procurement before and essentially that's what we just did. So, I'm not in agreement of doing that. >> Okay. Next item 6.7, discussion, possible action for update on per campus budgets. Miss Moer. >> Good evening, governing board, members of the community. Um, this was a topic that was brought up by one of the board members. So, I'm prepared to answer your questions and facilitate any discussion you want to have about campus level budgets. >> So, we go ahead. Go ahead. No, go ahead. >> All right. Um, I'm I would like to know where we're at with the different campuses and how they're set up right now to just basically a good
198update on where we're at with the per campus budgets. >> So, each campus does have a budget assigned to them. Um, for M and capital purposes, it's broken down uh based on student count. So, for example, Liberty is a much smaller school, so they have a smaller budget than Blue Horizons. Um, and it's kind of categorized for their needs. Um, so we've broken it out in the way that they actually use things. So, they have things like classroom supplies, nurse supplies, custodian. Um, it's kind of broken down in those different account codes that we use on our end so that it's easier for them to track. Um, but the principal still does have full discretion. If all of those things total to say a $90,000 budget and they need to make adjustments, they have the
199authority to do so. >> Okay. So, can you tell me what the operating cost for Australia or our our eight schools? Can you just tell me what the operating budget is for each of those schools and where they're at year to date? >> I can tell you the budget that they have as a campus, not their operating cost. We need we need to know cost of each facility. What it's costing us to stay open, what it costs us to keep the lights on, what our payroll is at that campus, what our maintenance costs are, what our IT cost. That all has to be broken down so that we can see per campus what it is. For example, if you were to go to the city of Phoenix and say, "What is your operating budget?" They'd
200tell you how many billions. Then they would break it down saying, "Our police department is this many millions." And within the police department, the SWAT team costs us this much. The air unit costs us this much. And then they could break it down and tell you, we spent this much in fuel for the helicopter. We spent this much fuel for police cars. Uh we had this much in overtime. We had this much in in firearms. And that's where we need to get to have a better understanding of our budget of the actual operating costs versus where we're at in the budgets. That that's what I've been asking for so we have a a more clear and transparent snapshot of where we're at in in budgeting. >> We currently have our higher level budgets. Um, I
201would imagine that the city of Phoenix has quite a large staff of budget people that can break things down to that level. Um, that's not something that our district really has ever had. We don't even have a business manager. We just have executive director. >> The town of Hila Ben can do that and they have a very small city staff. Every government entity can tell you operating costs of of what each business model be which each business unit is be it a campus or a district office transportation everybody should be able to break that down really based off of expenditures of what's happening and then we can look to it to say how much have they spent this year to a school if we have one school and we've replaced 200 computers because they were
202broken we've got a problem with either aging technology lack of respect for technology whatever that might Every time a maintenance person goes out to work at a school, they should build back something. If they're changing a sprinkler head, we should be able to look back to say this was a cost to operate the entire school. Much like you would do with with any other business. You can look at every single unit and see what where you're at trending on your budget and the overall cost. That that's where I'm trying to get out with this. >> Um, so if you're talking about expenses, that's something that's included in our annual financial report. So we have a highlevel annual financial report. That's something we just talked about at the last meeting that was approved. But then we
203also have a school level financial report. So it does break down each school and the expenses that they had. The the full financial report also breaks down in the ways of um like your example, maintenance, transportation, those types of things are all on that report. We're required to do that for for reporting to the state of Arizona. So, so I think if that's happening, it's it's very hard to see what each school cost. A principal should be able to tell me, I'm the principal at this school, and it cost me x millions, hundreds of thousands, whatever the number is for my school this year. That's that's my part of the budget. The district has a $38 million budget. Out of that, 2.7 million goes to my school. And here's the breakdown of it. That's that's
204basic very very basic finance that every business unit every business is able to do um from a local Ace Hardware. They can tell you, "Oh, I have this much here. Electrical cost me this. My my cashiers do this. The guys in the back at the lumber yard, this is what that costs." And that's how they learn and that's how they manage their budget. I think we're doing a lot of carryover and and it's creating some problems, but we've been asking this for a while. I've I've heard this from other places. Um, we should have a complete annual report that lines out cost of business for every single business unit that we have. Some of that would be transportation, but there would be a chargeback to each school based off of how much they're using transportation.
205Um, larger schools are certainly going to have a different cost set than than a smaller school. That's the only way we can truly manage our budget and not have a big bucket of water that's just slloshing around in a tank like, "Oh, let's spend some from over here." They don't know. And when we ask principles, and again, they're not here tonight to get their input, but when I've been on tours, I've asked them before, they say, "We really don't know. We we just don't understand that." Dr. Mahorn and I met with principles earlier this year, and I asked that question. I said, "We don't have any idea. We don't know what our schools cost us to run." They're department heads over large business units, millions of dollars. They should be able to have some better
206understandings through that. And I think it would help them to understand when they're asking for things, where is it in the budget? Where does this come from? And it would help our taxpayers to see that. It would help the board to see it better. So that's that was my goal in asking for these per campus budgets and and where they're at. When we looked back to signature programs, well, some campuses required extra teachers. That was a cost of that signature program, but it got lumped in differently. It got lumped in just as staff. No, because if we get rid of this program or we modify this program, we may need something different. And that's the true cost of of ownership of that campus. That that's where we need to be at, >> Mr. Todd. >>
207Yes. Okay. Um, so you know, I think that what you're referring to, Mr. Todd, is very different than I guess my understanding because last time this was brought up. Again, my concern is okay, you want to know how much electrical it costs for each school, but in the end, you have a budget for the electrical for the district, and in the end, we are going to pay that bill for the electrical for the district. Correct. Correct. We also make sure when we pay something like that in the accounting side of things, it is always broken down to where the costs go. So our purchase order for APS has specific line items for each school, each, you know, each building essentially. >> Okay. So essentially, you know, comparing us to, you know, saying each building in
208the Phoenix city knows what their operating costs. Do they know what it costs for the police, for the fire? Yes, we know how much it costs for transportation, for curriculum, for um it. We have all of those costs. they're by our departments, but to break them down for schools. What is the point of that? Because we're going to pay it. We're not going to approve curriculum for Australa and not approve curriculum for Lasus. We're approving curriculum for the district. So, I think it's great that, you know, they have a budget kind of per ADM, right? That's kind of what you said. um for classroom supplies and you know you listed some other things and maybe you can send that to us of you know things that they are required to track um I think that
209is appropriate but to break it out for electrical and it sounds like maybe you're already even doing it but again the principal's job is not to pay the electric bill that's why we have cabinet that's why we have a director of finance that's why we have a director of operations that's their responsibility um this is my personal opinion and uh and like a chargeback for transportation. Like I don't understand the purpose of that. Like what are you looking for? We have to transport students. The the director of transportation creates the um bus routes for all the schools. Is that a correct statement? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so she is calculating the miles and you know whether we're you know making good decisions in that regards. The principal is not doing that. So I guess
210I don't understand the point of having a chargeback to know how much it costs to transport kids. We're required to transport them. >> Well, we're not we're not required. There's no requirement to transport kids. We do that. But we don't have to >> out over a mile. >> We we don't have to. No. The state does not require us to transport students. We do it. And our policy is a mile. It used to be less. It could change. It could go less or it could go more. Uh just like charter schools don't don't do transportation. It's not a requirement. Um there are school districts, public school districts in the state who have stopped transportation because like every other district in the state like we are. They're seeing a decline of enrollment. They're seeing declines of
211budgets. This is not new to just Liberty. I know there are some people who think the sky is falling in on Liberty, but the sky is falling in on education in some aspects, but there are many districts who have stopped transportation. It's not a requirement. >> Okay. So, >> but I'm glad you brought that up because we can now start looking if we're paying an absorbent amount of travel of transportation from more somewhere, maybe we need to adjust our our lines, our our boundaries of schools. But the only way you can get a true snapshot of how our budget is really being spent is to do a full report and look at costs. For years, we spent thousands of dollars keeping the old Liberty campus up and running. Those costs went down after we built
212the new school. We we built the school. Maintenance costs happen. We don't have to worry about replacing a roof on a building every every few years. If we're seeing exorbitant cost of of computers breaking at one school, we can recognize that trend and start looking at expenditures. Do I think the principles have to pay the power bill? No. Just like the fire chief doesn't pay the power bill at the fire stations, the cities do. Somebody in in finance does that, but you have to have a budget on each campus. And the only way we can do that is to manage per campus and look at that as a whole. And that is a much more transparent way. Excuse me, we're trying to talk and all I hear is people in the audience. If you need
213to talk, please take it outside. This is a board meeting. The only way we can do that is by looking at each business unit. And and if you were to just look at the local McDonald's, that owner, that franchisee has to look at each one that he owns and see what it's costing. At some point, has to recognize, I need more staff or I need less staff. I need to order more things here. I need less things here. That's how you do it per per business. You don't just throw all the money in the one McDonald's pot and say, "Have at it." >> Can I continue my questions? >> You may. So, you mentioned a like schools have their own AFR. Um, >> yeah, there's a school level report. Yes. >> Could you ex I
214honestly had never heard that before. So, could you explain what are is in a school AFR? >> So, it takes a lot of the district expenditures and breaks them down per site level. Um, because each of our sites have a specific accounting code. So we can kind of break those out so that you can see things like how much is staff at Liberty versus staff at Estustrala, something along those lines. Um, so there's there's a a report for each site basically that shows the same spending that you'd see on the district level report. So like curriculum, um, maintenance, operation of the plant. Sorry, I'm trying to pull the AFR >> all those categories >> categories. Correct. So, um I I don't know if we could propose that. Um I don't know if you've ever seen
215the school AFR, Mr. Todd, but maybe um Crystal could send it to us. So, we could see if that's what you're if if that is going to suffice because that does break it down at, you know, to a school level that we do for the district AFR. >> It it breaks down part of it. Again, I ask a simple question, tell me the cost of ownership of of a campus. We can't answer that question right now. We just cannot answer what the cost of ownership of a of a campus is. What does that campus truly cost us? We're not able to do that. So, there's no way you can create a budget that's efficient, that's proper when we don't know. I would tend to venture that there will come a point in time where some
216schools are costing us more than the money that we're getting for the student population that's there. That's happening all over the place. we can head that off and keep schools open by learning what the true cost of ownership of each campus is. That's that's the critical part to this. And I don't believe that the AFR shows shows all of that properly as I've seen those in the past. They it's very unclear. >> Well, I I would agree with you that some of our schools cost more money. That's why I think I know I was not in support of opening Loretta Zumbro when we're paying for um principal specials instructional coach for 200 kids. So, yeah, I agree. Uh some schools don't cost the same with their ADM. >> So Mr. Todd, may I >> you
217may. >> So I think we're kind of I think we're getting to the point of the of I believe what the intent of this agenda topic is. So it sounds like from Miss Moer, we have a a a decent breakdown for campus in the school AFR. >> Yes. Of expenses. Yes. >> Okay. Of expenses. So now this is talking about the budget. Obviously they're different things. There's a budget and there's what you your income, what you're spending, right? So I see this as fairly easy. We have the information. It's not as difficult. It's being made to sound. If the information is there, we pull that per campus. We make sure our budget for that campus aligns with what we've been spending or it's close to. And then we do a PD session with the principles
218and say, "Do you know what's going on in your campus? Here it is right here." You inform them. You help them. You build them up. You you you educate them. And there'll only be better because of it. I I really reject the idea that that they're too busy to know what their campus runs. they're too busy or um you know these are these are professionals who as President Todd said are managing these huge campuses that are costing millions of dollars. They should have some idea of why where everything's going. It's not saying that we're going to shut the power off. It's not saying that we're even going to stop transporting the kids. What it's saying is they should have the understanding of the operational costs. Um, and us as a board, we dang sure should
219have an understanding of every campus's operational cost, which to President Ta's point, I couldn't tell you what Liberty costs. I can't tell you what Westar costs. I can't tell you what Freedom costs to keep running. I can't even tell you what the district costs district office. So if we and and we talk a lot on this board about understanding the budget, getting down to the budget, but I think it's more than just us as a board. I think we can as a district do a much better job at this. And I think that that's the intent um of kind of getting these these campus heads to understand what what they're costing, what they're budgeted for, and if they're going over that budget or they're under that budget, that those would be good things to know.
220So, I think it's a good um discussion to have. I think it's a good thing to look towards implementing, but I really do think that uh these if we could do professional development sessions with the staff when the time is right for getting them up to speed on this. Um so I I completely agree with the idea and the intent of this per campus budget. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. Uh, I'm a visual person, so I have to see what you guys are talking about, like what you're asking. This is very vague to me, and so I'm not really sure what >> what we're what we're asking. I don't know if this is the wrong time to ask for this or this is in seven, but can you send me the
221school F AFR, sorry, and then show me what it's breaking down so I can actually see and I don't know if there's going to be a future thing. Can you I think we need to talk about like what you're like what you're asking to see. Yeah, I I just simply said tonight, what's the operating cost of all eight of our schools? We can't answer that question. We have our finance department here. We cannot answer the true cost of ownership of each one of our campuses. We have to be able to do that. When you were in the military, each operating cost, each company, they knew what that cost was going to be. That's how you make decisions on how you're expanding something, how you're not. With with regards to schools opening, that's a different issue
222because you have the school facilities board telling you need to open up a new school. you need to build a school and they're going to give you money one time and if you don't take it then you're never going to get it again. But in this case, it's true cost of ownership. What does it cost to own anything? When you look at your budget in your house, you know you need X dollars every year for insurance. You have a account probably set aside for co-pays and miscellaneous medical stuff. Maybe that's an HSA. You know about what your power bill is going to be >> and you know what your vacation fund is. And if your roof gets a big leak in it, your vacation your vacation may change from Hawaii to Ngalas. >> I'm not
223saying that it's a bad idea. What I'm saying is I don't know exactly what you're asking for. So before I would like to take action on I would like to see like >> like written down like what what would it look like? What would we be asking them to do? That's what I'm asking for. >> Okay, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. >> And just you know I agree. I'm a complete visual person and I think it's important that some of this is again in the executive summary and as the board president like I think it's important that you ensure that these things are there so that the board can be prepared because we didn't know what was going to be discussed about this agenda item because there's no summary or attachments. >> This is because
224we have a board right now that doesn't have a lot of business experience and doesn't understand where this is. So this is very simple language to anybody else. If you go to a company now and ask them, if you go up Australia Parkway to Ace Hardware and you ask him, he owns about three of them in town. And you say, "What does this store cost you to own versus this store?" He can break it down exactly. Overall, that's a corporation that runs two or three, four, five, 10 stores. But they can break each one down and a complete if they have to move that aside, they know exactly what that business model is costing them, what that business unit cost them. And that's just very very simple basic finance 101 in in a government or
225business business model. So that was all I was asking for is per campus what does it cost to operate every year what does it cost that ownership what is it what it's become do just if you purchase a car. If you buy a Chevy truck you know you've got a $200 oil change every 6,000 mi. If you buy a Ferrari you know you have a a a $4,000 oil change every 4,000 mi. If you buy a Corvette, you know you're paying $200 and then every 20,000 miles, you got about a $5,000 oil change that comes to be. That's cost of ownership of your car. You know what the insurance cost on your Corvette versus your pickup truck. Those are how you determine what your true cost of ownership and what a what a unit within
226a larger organization cost. >> Representative Todd. >> Yes. So, would it be safe to say what we're looking for is a per campus AFR and a per campus budget that would help get us started in the right direction? >> Well, I don't think the AFR is real visual and I don't think it also goes back and tracks things like um broken water pipes all the time and that sort of stuff. So, you have no idea if if we're breaking water pipes every week at a campus, >> right? But, I mean, this would be somewhere to start building. >> I mean, it's a start. I think it kind of goes along with what the training that was on Yeah. >> Saturday that that uh >> which by the way this has been on the agenda long
227before that but you you look at this and Mr. Sincone left so you didn't hear the probably the best part of of the training but but that's where it goes to of looking at this and you can't do this on what was the Wayne thing they said you can't do this on state reporting forms because it doesn't show up properly. >> You can't you can't do anything this way. You've got to do it like a business model. And they talked about large companies and large universities and and and those sorts of things that that are doing this already. We seem to just kind of do a carryover. >> Mr. Todd, are you looking for a motion or is it just something to direction? >> Well, I I mean we can do a motion. I think
228we need to look at developing true per campus budgets. Maybe that is to look at a zerobased budget. Um, and we can do that now for the rest of this year. We can get it started and probably have it done to kick off in January. Um, that that would be an option as well, which as they talked about kind of a zerobased budget, hybrided into a per campus to a per campus budget, which is what I've been talking about for four years. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. I just uh you know I just want the board to be cognizant that we do not have a director of finance and we have somebody that is filling two roles and you are asking for something very specific which I understand but to ask for it by January
229I think is is maybe not appropriate for staff um with the limited staff that we currently employ. So again, I want to be fair to the staff that we have. We don't want to lose them. Um they are very important. Um and we need them to continue to have a budget. And um I would just ask that the board consider that. >> And I'm compassionate, Miss Zimmerman. The issue is as we talk to other school districts, they're already starting to talk about their budgets for next year. Um, if we don't keep our budget under control, we don't look at things and we don't start making better decisions like hiring full-time staff with with grant funding that's going to run away, all the many things that happened in the past, and we don't get this budget
230more identified, we're not going to have to worry about staff quitting because we're going to be telling them we don't have a paycheck for them any longer. Um, this is important and if we need to look out to a consultant that can help with this, I think it's money well spent to to do this. And I think staff could can reach out um and and look at this and and and get that consultant on board that looks at a zerobased budget um with a with a kind of hybrid to the per campus cost of operation and ownership. Uh, Mr. Todd. >> Yes. >> So, I think if we're talking about hiring a consultant, then that cost needs to come before the board because again, we made, you know, over $2.3 million in budget cuts. And
231so, I, you know, I think that we need to discuss that in a separate agenda item. >> We can do that. Um, also if we want staff to start preparing next year's budget in general, which I agree we need to start way earlier than we did last year, which is why I asked for a budget study session in February because nothing had been done prior to that. Again, we only have a limited amount of staff and you know, again, it's up to the will of the board. I'm just I'm asking the board to consider our staff and being able to manage what they are required to do, submit AFRs and manage the budget as a whole. All I'm saying, >> Mr. President. >> Yes. Um, right now I I think it's a good starting ground
232if we can get the per campus AFR, the per campus budgets, we can look at those, compare them a little bit. Um, the I think that that's going to start us on the path to be having a true campus budget and so that they know what their operating costs are. I'm not opposed to reaching out and trying to get some help uh with a consultant. Um the training that we went to was very very indepth in finances and that's probably why we're getting pretty ramped up on finances um because it's important it's very important that we're diligent and we do what's best for the taxpayers that that fund our our public education. So, um, in regards to that, I I think that right now with where we're at, I think if we look at the
233per campus AFR, the per campus budget, we get that presented provided to us by staff, um, that at least gets us going in the right direction. >> I'm fine with that. I would trust that you'd be able to get those and then make a presentation to the board of of your understanding of those because as we learned in the training, those are very difficult to get a clear snapshot and things fall into cracks. That's why again this doesn't come from the training. I've been asking for this sort of stuff for four years. We're finally to a point where we're pushing harder for it. Um because now a couple one of you heard it at a training as well. But that's the key. and every we have two board meetings coming up in uh one in
234November, one in December. We're into January and we're hot into budget season at that point. Um we cannot continue to do budgets the way we've done them in the past. There's way too many loopholes and and things where where money is just not transparent. It's not clear where it goes. So again, it's the pleasure of the board, but every day we waste is we're going to do this and then we're going to come back and try to do something else because these are not clear. I've seen these at campus AFRs and they don't they're not clear. They're just not a clear a clear definition. I I guess maybe you would expect a phrase of trending in the right direction. I think you heard that the past weekend and that's what I feel like we're at
235right now. Trending in the right direction. >> Mr. Todd, can I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Um Miss Moer, you said earlier that every school has a code. So, like when you're paying the electric, it's coded for each school and that goes through the software that you use like that. We see the the um Oh my gosh, I'm sorry. I've been up since like 4:00 a.m. So, my brain is like fried at this point. Um earlier when we were going through Yes, thank you. Um, so is there a way with the software that we use to filter by code for each building so that you could like print a report that showed the last 3 months of this specific code's expenses and you could look at it that way. Um, so obviously that would
236not be a line by line. I mean there would be, but it would be a huge amount of things to kind of piece through. But if you could go back and say this is the last six months, this school cost us this much money in the last six months. Um maybe that would give us a snapshot. Uh or even by if you could do a whole calendar year. Um but if you could filter it that way, then you're not having to potentially do manual work. I was just trying to think of some way that we can use the software and get a snapshot at least to start with. um that would not be so time inensive for you to have to do. >> Yes, our software does do that. We can run reports that we
237already have available by our account coding structure. We can also build reports. So, if there's something that we're looking for that maybe isn't already readily available, we can kind of make some selections and and build a report that we're wanting to look at. So, yes, we can do that. >> That's perfect. I want total cost of ownership of each campus. One line item one. We need we need like 10 10 things. Total cost of ownership. That's that's the snapshot that helps us to make determinations on campuses what they're costing, what they're what they're doing to us. Total cost of ownership. >> So, I can run a report and share it with you all and you can tell me if it looks the way you're expecting. >> Mr. Todd, could I add something? >> May. >>
238Could it be uh Sorry, I'm going to ask one more thing. Could it be um calculated by ADM? Because I think, you know, saying just to have a total cost of how much a school costs, well, a school of 200 versus a school of 800 is is going to look very different. >> And that's why you need that total cost of ownership of each school because if you have a facility, let's just say Blue Horizons, which is one of our larger campuses, has an ADM of 200. now because neighborhoods do mature and grow up or things change. For example, most of the zoning around the Liberty campus now after the district decided to rebuild Liberty, they never asked the city of Buckeye what their 20-year plan and everything around here has basically been reszoned commercial.
239What does that tell you? Tells you that there's not a lot of kids coming to Liberty in the future. So if you had 200 kids at Blue Horizons, that cost of ownership would probably be larger up there because it's not as populated. If you look at a school and then you have that same 200 kids at Liberty, perhaps it's going to balance out. But you've got to look at each business unit, each unit, and see what what are the costs. Are is our transportation exorbitantly high at one campus? So, we should be able to say transportation has a budget of whatever that number is, $10, and seven of those dollars goes to I'll pick on Loretta Zumbro school because it's it's the newest one. $7 goes to Loretta Zumbro and three goes to the rest
240of the district. We need to start looking at that and find out why that cost is there. We can define some of that. Rainbow Valley probably has some high transportation costs because the bus routes are very long. They go deep into Rainbow Valley. Um but without a true cost of ownership of each campus, we cannot properly do a budget. That's that's just simple budgeting. >> Okay. And that that's your request and my request is to also see it with the ADM accounted for please. >> I think that the report would have to accompany some context. So probably what you're saying some ADM numbers um some of what Mr. Todd saying the demographers report would have a lot of the details um about the city area and things like that too. So I think a report
241is definitely helpful but there is always other context that has to be included. >> There is and and you start looking at that other context when you see a report and you say what's happening here. If if water is really high a water bill is really high in one area. Do we have an underground leak or do we have more grass or do we just sit in a certain part of our district that has very high water bills? But we still have to accomplish that. We still have to cover those costs and understand what the cost of that ownership is. Again, technology, everything that happens. If we're making 12 more IT trouble tickets for one school, that tells us we got a problem at that school. I don't know what that problem is. It's staff
242that just doesn't want to troubleshoot on their own. It's older technology there, and it's we say, "We need to refresh this." um you'll have a company that you know does microwaves and then it's constantly breaking down at some point they go the cost of ownership of this site is too much. We need to invest in new technology because we're wasting time and manpower to get out to this area um continuously rebuild it. You got to have total cost of ownership. There's there's no way to not to not have that. >> Mr. President, I'm ready to make a motion. >> [snorts] >> I'm going to make a motion to direct administration to provide a per campus cost of ownership for our discussion. >> There a second. >> President Todd. >> Yes. >> Excuse me. Um, Chris
243Kenyon, did you say a motion to direct >> to direct administration to provide >> a per campus cost of ownership? >> Okay. >> Can I really quick before we go further, can I ask you, do you just want campus or you want each unit district office include that transportation? >> Yeah. No, you're right. So, per district unit, >> I would think you've got eight campuses, you have transportation, you But I'm saying unit work. >> I think that will cover it. >> Sure. >> So per per unit cost of ownership. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> So to define cost of ownership, we're just talking about sending the the reports that there's been so much going on on this topic. >> Yep. the so my so what I'm getting at cost of
244ownership what kind of the discussion was that Miss Moer has this per campus AFR or the codes that she can filter to give a a breakdown of each location um and their expensing expenses operating costs so that would be the cost of ownership so for administration to provide for each unit as president Todd said each campus office plus district office plus administration, all these different location or all these different areas to make sure that uh we just get that cost of ownership for each unit >> based on based on her just pulling the report with the software we already have. >> Correct. With the AFR. >> Okay. >> I mean that I don't know that that shows it because what that's not going to show is your transportation cost at each school. I don't know
245if we break that down. I think that I think we start with this and then we get to that. I think we're just going to dive into too many details and we won't be able to get anything accomplished if we don't just start somewhere. >> And with the ADM? >> Yeah, I mean that per the discussion that would I assume be included. >> Thank you. I second. >> Okay. Have a motion second. Is there any further discussion >> Mr. Todd? >> Yes. Um, I would just ask um, Miss Moer that you communicate with your supervisor since you are not an employee of the board if you feel like this is something that is uh, too big of a scope with what you have already taken on and um, allow your supervisor to bring that concern
246back to the board and whether it needs to be um, you know, whether we need to look at a consultant if if we're really going to go down this road. Okay, we have the motion. We have the second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, take the vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shinsion. >> I'm also an I show that prove five. Yes. Zero no 6.8 discussion possible action to build and plan the carry forward and how it will be implemented. I we have Crystal Mo is our staff leazison. Miss Zimmerman I think you asked for this also on the agenda. >> Yes I did. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, um, as I've stated previously, I think that some carry
247forward is important and, um, you know, I don't think we need $10 million carry forward. I'm not even sure we need $5 million carry forward. What my concern is is that we have very little of only around $500,000. And I think this board has seen how quickly $500,000 can go. Um, essentially we went through 2 million in one year of carry forward. And I think what's equally concerning is that we have very few remaining bond dollars. And so if something big were to happen, capital needs, um, the fields, things like that, we don't have those bond dollars to rely on. Um, and I think we need to protect the district for if something big were to come up that we are not cutting into students, which is what I feel like we had to do
248this past year when we had to make these big cuts. We impacted student learning. And so by creating a carry forward plan, um, I believe it will help protect in the end, right? it will help protect um what we budget for M and things like that to protect student learning. Um I just did some research um to see what the neighboring districts have and also what our operational peer districts have um from the auditor general um fiscal spending report. So our neighboring districts meaning um location-wise, that's what I mean when I say neighboring. So Aendale has 10 million in reserve or carry forward. I know that's a touchy word. Lichfield 11 million, Buckeye L has 8 million and Buckeye Union, which obviously is very different. So I think you can't really compare it, but it
249does have 2.5. Our operational peer districts as identified by the auditor general. So they create that on they create these peer districts for operational spending based on a lot of different factors. Um, so Buckeye L is part of our peer district. They again, as I said, have 8 million. Littleton has 6.5. Fowler has 8 million, Tollesen Elementary 2.2, Aendale 10 million. Phoenix Elementary 2.6, Madison 1.9, and Wilson 2.3. So from that, you can see that every single district that I looked up has more than us. Um, and again, you know, some of them are higher than others, but um, what I would be looking for is to, um, direct staff to develop a two-year plan that would allow the district to create, um, a $2 million carry forward. Um, and so, um, that that would
250not occur till the end of fiscal year 2028. We would not, my goal would be to not have that money until the end of 2028, but that staff would create a plan for us to build it. And again, it's not so that we hold on to money. I I don't want to hold on to money, but I do think that things happen. I think we've seen that over the past couple years where we've had a significant decrease in our carry forward. So, we've obviously needed it. And um with again with our bond dollars basically going to very little now we've spent most of it and as we've been told the FSB is not getting as much money um and therefore we can't apply for it. You know we as people have said we have to
251keep the district running. Um, and if we don't kind of plan for the future, I'm I think there are times that we could get in trouble and I do not want it to impact students um like I feel like it did this past year when we had to make significant cuts quickly. >> Okay. Do you wish to make a motion? >> Yeah. I just didn't know if there was other discussion. Um, I motion to direct district administration to develop a two-year plan that would allow the district to build a $2 million carry forward by the end of fiscal year 2028. Slowly. Okay. A motion to direct district administration to develop a two-year plan that would allow the district to build a $2 million carry forward by the end of fiscal year 2028. Mr. President, if
252I can comment before we get to the second. >> Uh, we probably should have a second and then we can have discussion. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Now we can have discussion. >> All right. I would just be uh I'm I'm not opposed to this. I I think we need this. However, I do know that carry forwards are a hot topic in the state right now with legislators and they're looking at possibly limiting what districts can have. So, if that comes about in legislation, I just I hope that we consider that and understand, you know, we'll have to abide by the law. But I'm okay with this, >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. And of course if legislation changes, you know, we would obviously make changes as we do when legislation changes, >> right? The other
253thing to remember is we can't bind another board. So if if a new majority was to come in at any time, um that could change they could go a different direction. But I do believe that this is a good goal for us. Um over the past it was very much about trying to get some very deep maintenance issues cleaned up which necessitated getting into the reserves. Now I do agree we need to build the reserve or carryover um back up. So I don't think this is a bad I don't think this is a bad idea at all. Fully support it. So we got the motion, we got the second. There's no further discussion. Let's take a vote if you're for it member. Well either way Miss Schmidt please tell us your vote. I >> Zimmerman
254>> I >> vice president Kenyon >> I board >> memberion >> I'm also I would show that approve five yes zero no all right uh 6.9 discussion possible action of risk action plan this was requested by Miss Zimmerman Christ is our staff liazison for this >> I can answer anything you need I just wanted to point out that I did pull some of the things that you discussed in the last meeting. So, those are attached. I appreciate that. Um, you know, I just want to go back and look at the date. Um, so just for clarity purposes, I requested this on May 13th and I think a lot has changed um, in the district since then and um, I feel like we have taken some good steps to, you know, have a monthly um, budget
255report and things like that. But I think it's important for me to explain why I initially requested this and then I'll kind of explain what I think going forward. Um so it came out of the financial risk um spending alert I guess that comes from the auditor general and does it come out in February? I feel like >> February to May depends on the fiscal year. Okay. Um and so, uh for fiscal year 24, the district had three of nine categories that were at high risk. Um and um just for comparison's sake, the highest risk districts that are identified by their auditor general are at risk in five and nine or five out of nine and six out of nine categories. Um, and of the districts that the auditor general designate at high risk, not
256the highest risk, but are high risk, they have four of nine, three of nine, three of nine, four of nine, four of nine, three of nine, five of nine. So certainly we would fit into that with being three of nine. Now, they don't identify us as a higher risk district um just in certain categories, but that's still concerning to me that we have a significant number of high-risisk categories. And um when I look at our peer and neighboring districts, oh, I should specify our neighboring districts that I had mentioned before, those districts, Lichfield, Buckeye L, Buckeye Union, Aenddale, they have zero risk, high-risk um categories. And then our operational peer districts that I had listed before um so there are nine of them which is one of us. So five yes five of them have
257zero out of nine high-risisk categories and then the other three have four one one and then we have three. Um I do not feel like I could request something to put additional on your plate at this time. Um, but I just wanted to highlight that I think it's very important that the board stay very alert as we're spending and I do think we've taken steps. I think the monthly budget report is helpful. Um, and I think if we continue to look at the budget earlier um this year so that we're not putting ourselves in this position. Um but you know the auditor general has identified our district you know to be high-risisk in three of the nine categories. So again just for us to be um cognizant and again I think when I requested this
258in May it's now the end of October. It's you know a very different time in the district. So >> okay so you're not recommending any action? >> I am not. Okay. Move to 6.10. Discussion possible action of dreambox agreement in the funding source. Miss Michelle May. Let's not. Good evening, Mr. President, members of the board and community. It is my pleasure tonight to present to you a little information about Dreambox and I have some really exciting news to share that we have secured funding for the purchase of Dreambox at no cost to the district. So let's share a little bit about what we know about Dreambox. So it it has been our supplemental math resource. There's a strong correlation with the AASA. It fills a hole that is needed to support tiered math intervention. It
259provides ability to track student progress. It is consistent and a known resource within our district. And the best part, no cost to us out of our M funds. So then how are we going to fund it? We have federal grants, specifically our title one funds that will support Freedom, Liberty, Blue Horizons, LBA, and Rainbow Valley. And then through a C sponsorship, through partnership with Dreambox, they will fund LZ, Loretta, Zumbro, Westar, and Australia Mountain. We could begin this as early as next week upon your approval. So basically, and I think you have the save contracts in front of you. If not, I have them for you. Um, it is a cost of about 69,500 plus tax per year. The title funds would cover 43,000. The sponsorship would cover 26,500 per year. So you see the
260first year and then the second year there. So if we purchased it for 2 years, title would cover the 86,000 plus tax and the C would cover the 53,000. So that bonus is that sponsorship for 2 years, which is pretty exciting. So there's a couple options. Either we don't move forward with anything. Um, no dream box. We'll continue to look at other options because this is a significant void right now. Um, our schools are struggling without having this math math supplemental resource. So, we can research other options. It will take time. Uh, there's been no internal vetting of other resources. Dreambox has been vetted by Dr. Slat and of course our teachers and admin that have been using it. We would adopt a new resource which research shows it takes time to really strongly implement
261something new about three years would need PD professional development etc. And the soonest that realistically we'd be able to implement would probably be second semester if we got moving right away. Second option is we adopt dreambox for one year. We can immediately implement an aligned and known mathematical resource with no cost to the district. I should have put an exclamation point right there. And then the third option which has all of the second or the middle of the one-year adoption plus we would secure that C sponsorship for two years. And typically a three-year commitment is required for the C sponsorship and then funds decrease each year by half and basically the district has to take more ownership of that which is typical but we've secured 100% of the sponsorship for both years if you adopt
262for two years. So, thank you for your consideration today. As shared, the integration of Dreambox as our math supplement is a key opportunity to enhance our educational offerings without incurring any cost to the district. This educational program will significantly benefit our students and support their learning journeys. I respectfully request that you consider moving forward with a vote to approve the implementation of Dreambox today so we can quickly bring a tool for intervention and extension back into our classrooms to enrich our students math experiences. Thank you. >> Thank you. Questions from the board. >> Mr. President, >> yes. I just had a couple quick questions. Um, so this Title One grant, what else can it be used on? It can be used for anything within our title one schools. And Crystal can probably help better answer
263this. Uh curriculum. [clears throat] Uh I'm not sure about professional development, instructional aids. Um it can be used on quite a few things, but it it's to support students to that are falling behind. Basically, what we use it on the most right now is reading. >> Okay. Uh, and the reason I ask is you guys might refresh my memory. When we were looking at things we had to cut, I feel like the community and the staff had Dreambox on the list. Am I wrong? So, while I think this is super important, I know at that that time, which feelings change, we didn't feel like it was that important. I don't know if we should look be using these title one funds somewhere else if we really think Dreambox is still not that important. >> Mr.
264Todd. Yes. >> So, um I I think that us as parents agreed that we didn't love Dreambox. Um my feedback from staff that I've received over the last, you know, several months that they, you know, that we eliminated it is like, okay, if you eliminate it, we need something because it does provide the differentiation. And so, you know, my thought is that last year on ASA, we really did see an improvement in math. Um, and you know, obviously it's not as high as we want our proficiency, but we saw an increase. And that could be attributed to a lot of things. I'm not saying it's only Dreambox, but if we want to see that, I think we need to have some sort of supplemental resource um to differentiate instruction. And so, um, you know, I
265asked to have this on here and I appreciate that, you know, the work that you've done to secure funding. I did have some questions about the funding, though, because it says that it's 43,000 from title one. And when I look at this is where the monthly budget report comes in handy, is we only have 49,000 that's not encumbered or spent for the rest of the year. So, can we really afford to use Title One funds, leaving us only a few thousand for six months of school? >> Currently, that doesn't show the additional allocations that we receive usually in the wintertime, and it doesn't show our carry forward money from last year yet. So, we still have expected money to come in from title one, and that budget will increase. >> Okay. Do you know if
266the legislature um gave us more allocation or we won't know until winter? >> Uh they've told us that we've only been given about 80% maybe 85% of our allocation right now. So we still should have more. Um and then we definitely have a carry forward from last year's funds. I'm just doing rough estimate 140,000 maybe in that range. >> Okay. um you know uh during that you know budget discussion where we we did go back and forth and we were you know trying to cut 2.3 million and so yeah we we made a cut then but you know at that at one of the meetings it wasn't that specific one but on April 21st I did ask that staff look at other options because I and I you weren't here I'm not saying I'm fully
267aware um that we explore other options ions um because again I think a supplemental math curriculum is needed and I think your point about it's a known um program it's been vetted it, you know, aligns with ASA asa um you know I didn't think about the time to implement and and um professional development. So, I think those are all important factors and again because we're already in the middle of the year, um, you know, I'd like to see us do it at least for this year. Um, especially that, you know, grant covering our n our non-title one schools, I think is a big deal. So, I appreciate you finding that. >> In addition, can I just add one thing is we don't have to pay for the second year until next year. So, we're required
268to pay for the first year within 90 days and we're looking at some possible additional funding coming to us within those, you know, about that 90-day mark and then we wouldn't have to pay for the second year until next year. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. >> Miss May, I want to apologize. Like, I'm gotten tired and my manners kind of went away. Like, you did really good job on this and I kind of just jumped right in to try to like ask questions, but it looks like you did a lot of hard work to get the funding, especially getting the sponsors. So, thank you for that. >> You're welcome. Thank you, >> Mr. President. If I may, >> you may. >> So, looking if we go back one slide. Actually, is
269it back forward? >> Sorry. Forward. >> Forward. Okay. >> Uh, one more. There we go. So, typically a three-year commitment is required. So, what you're saying is right now they've waved that. We don't have the three-year commitment. We only have the two-year if we if we agree to this as a board. We we have the two-year and that provides the C sponsorship. So basically >> at 100% for both years. >> So the $53,000 basically is the is the sponsorship for us to go ahead and do this. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Exactly. >> And thank you. >> Yes. Mr. Todd, could I add one more thing? >> You may. I'll give you two. Just >> I think that it's also important to consider that a lot of our parents do know the program, right? So
270that you know it is something that could be used at home. They already know it. um whether it's their favorite or not I think could be up for debate but it is there as a resource and certainly the kids know it as well right but you know having families at least know what it is know how to log in I feel like sometimes that's half the battle I agree and there is a desperate need for that supplemental math resource I'm hearing it from principles and teachers they're desperate to have something so if not this then what >> Mr. Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, this is not going to be a novel statement because they've already pretty much covered it, but I I just wanted to reiterate that I appreciate that you mentioned that
271if we bring back Dreambox, we're not required to do any more PD. The teachers in general outside of, you know, new teachers who would need it um already know how to use it. That saves the district time, money, and effort right there as well. um which is something to think about because we know that training is not easy or cheap or really fun. Um so let's be honest. Uh so I think that's something really that we should consider in using it. Um I have no idea what it's like. So this is just totally from that perspective of it's easier to implement. Teachers already know it. Students already know it. Parents know it. And we don't have to spend more time and money on develop uh professional development in order to train staff. >> Mr. May,
272you may >> I know when when we voted as a board to get rid of this, my kids were a little bit happy. [laughter] Um but I understand the need for this supplemental resource. Um, and we do need something here. And there's a lot of positives to bringing this back. It may make some people upset. They're going to have to get used to it again, but this is for the kids. This is what they need at this moment. This is to assist the teachers to help educate these kids to get them the best education possible. And so, thank you for doing the due diligence and and working on getting these grants and scholarships. um because it it means a lot and it shows that the district and you in particular are working on trying to
273help this district. So, thank you. Mr. Todd, if you're ready, I can make a motion. >> I'm ready. >> Motion to approve Dreambox agreement and funding source >> for one or two years. >> Yeah, that's my >> or two years. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Okay. A motion and a second to approve dreambox uh funding for two years utilizing the title one and the C uh dollars. Correct. Okay. All right. If there's no more discussion, we'll take the vote for your name. Please let me know. Board member Schmidt. >> I. Board member Zimmerman. >> Hi. >> Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Shrenion. >> I'm also I will show approve five yes, zero nos. >> Thank you. All right. All right. 6.11 discussion possible action discuss interim
274superintendent position members. We had to hold off until we had uh last situation resolved. It's resolved. Um wanted to bring this to you all for discussion and possible action if we want to stay the course of where we're at now if we want to look at uh somebody else coming coming in to take on the interim superintendent role. And then we've had a few people who have kind of reached out to the district and and uh so we we have those we can post this. It's just to to bring this forward now that the last situation is resolved. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> You may. >> Yeah. I think it's really important that um I I appreciate all the work that Miss Mahorn, Dr. Mahorn, and you know, all the cabinet staff are
275doing in in this vacant position. Um and so trying to keep everything running a float. Um but if we have candidates, I would really like to hear from them and the sooner the possible. So I mean even if even if candidates would be willing to show up on Wednesday night, I know that's a quick turnaround, but um I I do know that there's quite a few people that have been watching our district and seeing what's happening. um and seeing that there's a vacancy and and uh I know of one or two people and maybe other staff may know of others, but um I would like to hear from anybody who's interested. >> U Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> You know, I think this is very difficult. I'm not I'm not saying we're not in
276need of one, but uh I think not having a formal process um and just having people come that have expressed interest with no vetting process. Um, one of the big things that the company we used previously was that, you know, um, the board should not have any interaction with candidates to not taint it and and that they're, you know, giving getting preferential treatment. I I just think there's a lot of concerns just like off the cuff like, hey, let's let some random people come in and interview. Um, I I'm not sure how to do it without spending, you know, taxpayer dollars when this board voted to get rid of the super interimm superintendent when, you know, their contract was going to expire. So, you know, what guarantee are we not going to do that again?
277Um, and I think to not appropriately post the position, I think we could be accused of, you know, not making it known for every I just think there's a lot of issues and I think this is way more than we can discuss in this one agenda item. >> Well, given that the it was not to just call any one specific person. It was to literally discuss and take possible action to discuss the position. So that that's all we're doing um is is discussing that and setting forth a plan. If we don't set a plan and take some action, we stay exactly where we're at. Um so that that's the purpose. We can certainly post the position. We can conduct interviews uh for those who have reached out already and keep it open. We don't have
278to make any decisions. It's just bringing it to the board to figure out the direction that you guys would like to take. >> Mr. prison for me. >> You may. >> I do feel like we need to start a search for an interm. Nothing against you. It's a lot to take on. Um, but I I agree with Miss Zman. We need to try to do it and I think you agree too in in an open way and make sure everybody gets a fair shake so nobody could say we were trying to slide somebody in. >> I totally agree. >> We can do that. I don't know if you guys want to go out and hire another company to come search or if we want to do this internally. If we do that, we got to
279go out for proposals and we'll be graduating kids before that all gets done apparently. So, um there are, you know, opportunities. It's it's again it's what you guys would like to uh what you would like to do, >> Mr. President. >> Yes. As I stated before, if we have interested candidates, I would like the board to at least talk with them. I I don't see the need to have to hire another agency to help us with an interim. Um, we've been through this process a few times. Uh, we could save the district a lot of money by doing this ourselves. There's there's ways that districts do this without having to hire somebody. And it's not trying to skirt anything. It's being open and transparent. you post, you know, you set up an email account. Anybody
280who's interested, they email to that account, we as a board would do. And I think we're we're fairly active board. We do our research. We do our homework for the most part. So, um, we could even hire an investigating company to do backgrounds on these that I think would probably be a lot more sufficient than the past backgrounds we've gotten on from the last couple um that we paid a lot of money for. And so, you know, always finding out things after the fact is always the problem. And so, I think that that money can be spent more uh wisely if we use it on background searches and figuring out who who these people are. And honestly, one of the complaints that I think every board member has stated in the past is we haven't
281had enough time with candidates. So, the sooner we get with candidates, we don't have to make a decision right away, but at least we start to get to know who these people are. Um, so if there's people expressing interest in this, uh, I would be open and willing to meet with them or have them come and and present, um, who they are, kind of the resume. Uh, and as long as we make it open to everybody, then there is no tainting. is it is open to everybody. Anybody can come and apply for an for a job just like any job interview anywhere. Um so that's kind of my position. I I would like this to get done sooner rather than later. Um because we do need an interim. We're we're sometimes feels like we're on
282life support in this district and I think we do need somebody who's who's good there at this position. As for the permanent superintendent, we're not talking about that right now, but my intent would be that would be a much longer process. This one, I'm more looking for somebody to help us get navigate this this time period. >> Mr. President, if I may >> I don't I don't have a big issue with that. I think what we need to do as a board is come with the requirements um for the [clears throat] position as in like the experience or whatever we want it to be and then I guess whoever everybody who applies and meets those then I think the right thing to do would be interview everybody as long as they meet our requirements that
283we set forth. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. I think it's very important that we get legal advice about posting um you know are there certain requirements and how to ensure that we do it in a way that the board is not involved with individual candidates as the previous company made it very clear that um you know we could be um held liable essentially if it wasn't a fair process. So again, I think that um you know, if this is the direction the board chooses to go, um which I'm not necessarily saying I'm in support of, but I think we definitely need to have legal involved in this conversation before it goes too much further. >> We always have legal involved. We talk to them four or five times a day on average. >> Okay. But
284the whole board needs to be present for those conversations cuz you're having them and you're not sharing them with the board. And so I have no idea what conversations you've had with legal counsel. >> We do that. >> Mr. President, if I may. >> Yes. >> Was your intent bringing this up to see if we wanted to move forward with finding a superintendent? >> Yeah. >> Discuss the interim superintendent position. That's all it that's all it is. But we're closing in on a holiday season which is going to make people schedule much tighter. We have less opportunity for board meetings moving forward and there are people out there who are interested. Um so it's it's an opportunity for us to to look at this. I I we can post the position probably as soon as
285tomorrow. We can start interviewing and if we find the right one, we can make an offer. If we don't, we continue to search. Um, but the longer I think we wait, the harder it is to find somebody. So, that's my that was my idea to bring it to you guys to see what you wanted to do to move forward. >> Um, Mr. Todd, >> yes. Would it be possible to have legal on Wednesday so that we before we post anything we get their advice as a board so that we all have the same information before we move forward because again I think just posting it off the cus and as Mr. Sincerone has said we have not identified our you know requirements what we're looking for again we want to present a very professional in
286my opinion we should be presenting a very professional job description requirements things we're looking for so that we attract the best candidates um and I don't think that that can be done right now uh >> yeah like I that this was just to surface this now. This is our first opportunity to surface this now that we can legally >> fill that position before a couple days a few days ago we couldn't fill the position now we can. So bringing to you for input >> do we need to make a motion to get this added to Wednesday to talk to a lawyer? >> No we can if she's available. you know, the the feedback that we continue to hear from lawyers is we use there are very few districts, in fact, I was told there's none
287that have a lawyer at every board meeting. Um, the lawyers have come into our district, have seen that, have said that no other board is asking for that. Um, so we uh we can make the request. It's short notice. I don't know what her schedule is like. Um, but we can certainly we can certainly make the request and and have that discussion on Wednesday. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. So, you know, you say she, so I assume you're referring to Susan Seagull, but you had stated in the past that, you know, we can use any lawyer from the trust. So, if she's not available, could we use a different lawyer from the trust so that we can continue to move the process forward, but still get legal advice? >> We can reach out to them
288and see. Many of them take some time because they have to do a conflict check. Uh, and there's things that have to happen uh before that. Also, I'm not sure that we know another lawyer well enough to just trust their advice on on what takes place, but I will reach out to legal tomorrow, see their availability on Wednesday, and then make some determinations from there. Does that resonate okay with everybody? Mr. President? Yes, I'm I'm okay with that. I still um I don't want to lose candidates. If there's candidates that are asking, and I don't know if that there are, but it sounds like there's there's candidates that are asking to be included. I would like to get their information. The sooner the better. Um, even have them present to us, the sooner the better.
289Um, as long as legal's okay with that. So, like I said before, even if somebody's willing to come short notice on Wednesday, as long as legal is okay with them coming and just doing presentation, we don't even got to ask them questions, but they're just telling us who they are and that they're interested. I don't see that as tainting anything. Um, but as long as legal is okay with that, I still would like that to happen. Whatever direction you head, we can certainly take a motion if you want to place it into a motion that that solidifies it and it of course it'll all be pending talking to legal in the morning and making sure that they're okay with that. >> Mr. Todd, >> yes. I am very uncomfortable with having anybody present before the
290entire board talks to legal. It is not appropriate to allow one person to present ahead of other people. There is a whole process that happens and I think that it is going to set us up big time and I think it's highly inappropriate. So, I make a motion for legal to come to Wednesday's board meeting to discuss the process of finding an interim superintendent. >> Okay. We can we can request legal to come. We can't force them to come. I I will put in the request to them tomorrow to see if they can make it on Wednesday. >> President Todd. >> Yes. >> Board member Zimmerman, can you please repeat that motion? Mhm. I motion to have legal counsel available for Wednesday's meeting to discuss the interim superintendent position. >> Is there a second? >>
291I second. Hey Have a motion, a second to request legal to attend Wednesday's meeting to give us advice on the interim superintendent position posting interview process. With that, if there's no further discussion, we will take a vote. Board member Schmidt, >> I. >> Board member Zman, >> I. >> Board member Kenyon, >> I. >> Board member Shinion, >> I. >> Show me an I as well. It' be a five. Yes. Zero no vote. Item 6.12 discussion possible action to issue RFP for staff insurance and benefits. Dr. Mahorn. >> Yes, we are um ready. We have already reached out to Gallagher and um are ready to uh put out an RFP for um benefits for our staff. Again, the the last time we put our RFP, we got a a great rate. Um, we are hoping
292to to again get a great rate. Lots of rates have gone up, but we were able to get a an amazing rate with Meritane. Not sure if it will be with Meritane or or who it will be with, but of course, we're always looking to get um the best rates we can for our staff for benefits. Any questions from staff, >> Mr. President? >> From board. Yes. Go ahead. >> Um, yeah, thank you for doing this. Uh, I had requested this in the past because I've had a couple com concerns. I won't say complaints, but more concerns about um just the the insurance rates, benefit packages, those kind of things. So, I think it's always prudent for us as a district to be looking out for the staff and doing what we can to get
293the best deal for them. Um, and so I don't I don't like when we get stuck with one vendor and you know it's just well we've always used them. Well, it's times change and it's always good to go out and just hey if they end up being the best one then we go with them again but if they're not then you know we just see see what the options are. So thank you for doing this. >> Any other questions? >> I do. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry if this is just ignorance, but do you actually have to get board approval just for request for uh a proposal or whatever? >> I always have since I've been here. So, >> is the RFP? So, >> can I comment? >> Uh it is not actually in state
294statute that the board has to approve it, but our district has done that in practice. >> Okay. So, it's just a like Yeah. I I just have a question. You mentioned Gallagher. I'm not sure. Gallagher's been with us for years, but it's been one rep. Um I don't know if our relationship is with that firm or with the rep that's no longer there. And I think somebody had said she moved somewhere else. So um different brokers like Gallagher have different relationships with others. So, do we lock this just to Gallagher or do we look to do we look to other folks who know our district better? Because I'm not sure that Gallagher knows our district as well as as some others now that their their people have gone. So, I don't I don't know we
295lock ourselves just to Gallagher. Maybe we have a couple work with us and see what one who can bring us back the best benefits. That's always been a an item for me that we want to see. I I will be honest. Uh, Maritine gave us good benefits the first time, but the second year they they played some games and and so I think we should we should be looking at everybody and see who else is out there that can bring forth some uh um some opportunities for us to see better the best benefits package. It's not necessarily a low bid issue. It's it's the process. So, >> I don't know that I would say if I was to make a motion, I wouldn't lock it down to Gallagher, but that's again for the board, too.
296Um, >> that's just who we currently have our who we've paid already our contract with. >> Right. Right. Um, I just Dr. Horn, you know, hear this all the time. This is what we've always done. We always do what we've always done. We're always going to get what we've always got. It's not always the best. We need to look at some things. So, I don't, you know, if we're on contract with Gallagher, I don't know for how long that is. I hope we didn't recently sign that. Um, if we're under contract and we have to use them, then then that's what it is. If we're not, I think we should take a wide view of of our opportunities. We fought this really hard two and a half, three years ago when we started going out
297and everybody said, "This is just what we always do." It said, "Let's do something different." And we did. And we got better rates, got better coverage, we had everything better. when you force some competition, you're going to get you're going to get better. So, would be my my thoughts, >> Mr. Todd? >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Uh, I had a question. So, for the RFP, Gallagher is just the consultant that gets the rates, right? But this is this is not looking at a consultant, is it? Okay. >> Okay. So, that's that's a separate agenda item. >> Yes. That's Yes. They just help us gather the different companies. They just help us with that. They are just the consultant. >> Okay. And this RFP is not in regards to them. This is specifically getting rates. >>
298Getting rates. Yes. >> Ourselves essentially. >> Yes. >> Okay. I >> They just help us gather. They are just the conduit that help us gather the different through the different companies. Blue Cross, Blue Shield, different companies. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, do we pay them? >> Yes. >> To do this? >> Yes. How much is that? >> A lot. Oh, yeah. >> Specifically, just RFP services 15,000. >> And we're on contract with only them >> right now, >> but we can contract with that's not a sole contract. We can look at we can get I think as part of this process, we should we should look at who's going to get >> I believe that contract with them ends this year as well. Okay. Well, it depends on when it ends, but yeah,
299>> I mean, part of this process would be to have the best representation moving forward with Gallagher, >> right? >> Who has been really >> really great to work with, >> okay? I mean, you guys know better. I just want to make sure we have >> it's a brand new >> competitive people that want to give us the best and >> that we've worked with >> and defend us. Mhm. >> So, I know last time Gallagher brought forth everything and then there was a swaperoo right at the end and we and they didn't filter that out very well. So, >> I uh we'll just be honest, I haven't been the most impressed with working with Gallagher and they've been the only ones that have been around forever. So, there's an opportunity to look. Maybe they
300are the best. They may still be the best. Um or maybe there's somebody else out there. But, we have to quit just hitting the easy repeat button. That gets gets us in trouble. So, we have contract with them to do this, >> correct? >> You're saying we already have a contract with them to do this. Okay, I can make a motion. >> Right. >> But we can use We have a contract with them, but we could contract with another search firm as well or another >> If we want to pay additional money and contract with someone else, >> but have we paid them now? You're saying $15,000 per RFP. So, we paid Gallagher for this already. It's included on our PO for the year, but we've not paid them the money. >> Okay. So, we're
301locked into them for this process or No, >> I don't know if our contract is exclusive with them. We'd have to have somebody review that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, you guys can handle that. Okay. Thank you. >> Take a motion. >> Motion to approve RFP for staff insurance and benefits. >> Second. >> All right. Motion by board member Shion. Second by board member. There's no discussion. We will take a vote. Board member Schmidt. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Board. Vice President Jeez, it's getting late. Vice President Kenyon. >> I. >> Uh, board member Stencion. >> I. >> And I'm also an I. Show that. Proof. Five. Yes. Zero. No. >> 6.13 update of land resolution and self-reporting. This was asked to be brought up by Miss Zimmerman.
302I think we brought this up before. Mr. Young has some information. >> Uh, I've got the same information I had last time. So, if there's any questions I can answer, I'll be happy to. >> Okay. Um, I did request this agenda item and, uh, it needs to be an action item. Uh, you know, I don't think we really need to redisuss it. It is clear open meeting law violation. Business took place outside of a public meeting. If you'd like to pull up the April 15th, 2025 agenda, um you will see um this and we can see the four board members signatures and the two that are still on the board can confirm whether those are their signatures or not since it was said tonight that's not their signatures. So, could you pull up April 15th,
303please? 2025. [clears throat] >> I actually now have a copy of this. This was signed in 2024. I did not remember this being signed. I did not say it was not my signature. I said we hadn't signed it. What has told me by staff was this was sent by Dr. Monroe um forward. My understanding was he had sent a resolution forward saying that the board approved this during the meeting. Miss Camarado was able to get a copy of this letter which again was not part of the agenda. Um so I I want to apologize for that. It's got a good memory. It's just a little short and remembering all the way back to something in March of 2024 was was quite some time ago. >> So yeah, April 15th and it's agenda item 7.16. So
304um I'm it's just the land resolution April 15th of 2025. So because that's when it was last discussed um where essentially some board members voted to ratify something um to then say it was valid. But um 7.16 So, those are the signatures of the four board members that signed it. And if you could scroll up for me, please. It says in the second paragraph, "At a duly called meeting of the governing board of Liberty Elementary, uh, school district number 25 of Maricopa County, Arizona held on March 6th, 2024, in accordance with all applicable legal requirements, including the open meeting law, the following resolution was adopted. And as I stated on April 15th, this meeting did not occur and the district administration agreed that the meeting did not occur. You can look in board docs. There
305is no date for this meeting. Um, and this uh, land resolution was sent to the FSB and it was included in their August of 2024 meeting as an attachment saying that the board approved the purchase of $3.1 million of land. So, um, this is about self-reporting it. This is a clear open meeting law violation. And in recently, the board has elected to uh self-report some open meeting law violations. So again, to be consistent, I think that we should con we should do that for everything. We should not pick and choose what we decide to self-report. Um again, I'm not sure why this wasn't an action item, but it's not. So we cannot take action at this time. >> Mr. President, if I may, >> you may. as being that one of those signatures is mine.
306Um I also have done a lot of background on here that I you're right. I don't see where we there was a meeting on March 6th. With that being said, we've basically um done a lot of investigation on this and it turns out from my understanding is it was a clerical error that had been reported to the FSB and the FSB had given us a response. Um, and I I was under the impression this was all done because it was all we had already reported it and it's been uh we've got received responses on it. So, Mr. Young, if you don't mind just kind of speaking on that, please. >> Mr. President, members of the board, we did we did uh contact the SFB after this mistake was made and they asked for a copy
307of the April 15th agenda item saying that it was ratified. We sent that to them and they included it in their record on their side. But what they told me on the phone, it wasn't a big deal on their side as long as the board signed it. Uh, obviously it's a problem because, you know, the date was wrong, whatever was, however it got wrong. I'm not sure how it happened, but there there was obviously a mistake made here. >> Yeah. And I just want to be clear. I think the accusation is that four board members met secretly to sign this document when that is not the case. >> Yes. I mean, I wouldn't I wouldn't I I have the only time I've handed somebody something to sign on the board was President Todd when we're
308in there like >> tonight the SFBRGs that were approved, we hand those to him and he signs off. You know, I don't go, "Hey, can you sign this? Can you sign this? Can you sign this?" >> Right? So, so a clerical error doesn't mean that there was an open meeting law violation because obviously those were signed during a meeting, including our old uh board member Paul Bixler there and Brian Parks. We were all in a meeting when we signed that, but there was a clerical error with the date and that's what was corrected. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. It's not a clerical error. The board took action outside of a public meeting. It was never an agenda item. There is no meeting whether the it's not that the meeting date is wrong
309>> that there there is no agenda item regarding the land purchase until this was ratified. So, my thing is is if if you're if you're so convinced last time you all were like, "Well, we can just self-report because if it's, you know, we're just doing the right thing. We don't know if it is or not. We're just going to self-report." So, what is the difference here? >> The difference here is this wasn't this was all done in a meeting. >> It's not done in a meeting. It's not an agenda item. >> Don't yell over me. This was done in a meeting. Okay. And so you you're telling me that all four board members signed this outside of a meeting. That's is that the accusation? >> I don't know when you signed it. >> Thank you.
310You don't know when we signed, >> right? But it wasn't >> it was signed in a meeting because that's when all four board members were present. Now, if there was a clerical error with the date of when that meeting took place, that makes sense. It was a clerical error. It does not make sense that all Ford board members sign that outside of a meeting. >> Okay. Can I interject for just one second? >> I apologize. >> No, it's okay. I I So, I just want to pull it back a second because I don't think what's being said is that it wasn't signed during a meeting when everyone was present. Clearly, everyone was present. It was very likely a board meeting because when else would you all be together, right? However, there's no agenda item from
311any board meeting at all where this was discussed, which is what the problem that Miss Zimmerman is trying to make is that it's not an agenda item ever. So, you signed something that was never brought forth as an agenda item to be voted on. So, you signed it in a meeting, agreed, but when was it discussed and voted on in a meeting? That's That's the problem. There's no agenda item at all. Does that make sense? Cuz I think you guys are arguing about it, but like maybe not getting all the points. So, um just taking that step back to just to clarify, we understand it was signed in a meeting. I don't think anybody is disagreeing with that. We get all kinds of papers where we sign them. Absolutely. However, it was never brought up
312as an agenda item to be voted on in a public meeting. That's where the issue lies. >> Right. So, it was I hear what you're saying and I I I agree with that. We get a stack like this given to us at many meetings to sign. If this document got into one of those facts and the four board members present signed it, they signed this. This document, we did not have a meeting now that I'm looking at this for the first time since whenever we did sign this, which wasn't on March 6th because we didn't even have a meeting that day. Um, we signed it. However, the board did not discuss this at any time in a meeting. That's where the open meeting violation would come. However, um we can table this and ask legal
313to come back on this one. I'm perplexed how this document got into the folders to sign to begin with. We get these lots of them and it's usually late. I know we had some late meetings at this time. Something could easily be signed that was miss um that got into the file and been signed. I think that's what happened here. But we can table this and ask legal to weigh in given this as it was explained to me. Um and again this was not attached to the agenda but what was explained to me was Dr. Monroe had sent a letter forward to SFB saying the board approved this. I did not realize that this is what we had signed. If I had realized this, we certainly would not have signed it. Um, but I'm guessing
314that this was pre-drafted, somehow got slipped into one of the many documents that we signed and it inadvertently got signed by four board members, myself, Brian Parks, Paul Bixler, and Chris Kenyon. And I will apologize for saying we didn't sign this earlier. Um, like I said, it's something that I didn't remember. Um, and was told that this was just something that was sent forward by Dr. Monroe uh confirming to the state SFB of what happened. So we can table this and bring it back. I believe they'll discuss this a little further with us if we need to self-report or not. >> I don't think we can table it. It's not an action item. >> Well, I can just You're correct, but I can bring it back as I can add it to an agenda item.
315So, I'll do that. All right. And I'll try to get that for Wednesday's meeting. Uh 7.1 board comments or agenda topics. >> Mr. President. >> Yes. >> Um I would like to see um the psychologist compensation added to a meeting. I would like an action item for the land resolution self-report of open meeting law violation. I would like a presentation from legal about the legal right to limit uh free speech in public comment. And I would like an agenda item with an action item to discuss having legal counsel at least available to answer legal questions during a meeting. Okay. Please type those into the new link. Miss Camera Auto will send that out if you haven't. Did you send that out yet? Okay, she'll send it out probably tomorrow and you can add them there.
316>> All right. Anybody else, >> Mr. President? >> Yes. >> Uh I don't know if this is the right place, but I made a comment on early agenda when I said like a stipen number. I said the incorrect amount when I was saying I said 4,000 actually revised to,00. >> Was that a motion? uh you made >> no we removed the supplemental um compensation from the personal action items. So that technically wasn't approved. >> Okay, that's >> all right. I attached somebody's name to it and it was incorrect information. Uh and I also uh the more I think about it, I'd like to bring back 6.6. Um I think the motion was just too vague. I like to narrow that down a little bit. Okay, please fill out the form. >> All right. Anything else,
317>> Mr. President? >> Yes. >> So, it's come to my attention that there may have been some staff members who are in violation of policy, certain policies. I think this is something that the board needs to address. Um, and so I can I can give you some information that you can discuss with legal and we can see if we need a A1 session or something. >> Okay. Uh, why don't you email staff? >> I can do that, >> Dr. Warren. And then we can sort through that. >> Um, and then I've also had I guess this would be more for administration. I don't know that it needs to be an actual agenda item, but I've had some parents commenting about the shade structures that are being put in uh by Verarigy over the parking lots,
318some of the parking, well, most of the parking lots, right? And I've had parents complaining that we are shading the parked cars and not the kids. So, I want to make sure that we have adequate shade for our children um out on the playgrounds uh for all grade levels and I understand what we're doing with Varigy, but that's that's a concern. So, just something to look at. >> Okay. I'll ask you as well to fill out the form. Remember, do you have anything? >> Yes. >> Already gave them to you. >> Oh, sorry. And it is getting late. I'm been up since about 4 myself. Um, okay. I have a a couple of things. I think we need to look at um under our current situation, Dr. Mahorn is basically on call 247. I would
319like the board to look at creating some sort of an odd call administrative position so that she's not uh constantly the one has to answer the phone. So, we can put that on. Um, I'd also like to talk about the front office hours. We are not open 40 hours a week at the front office. I'd like the board to address that and see the direction that we want to head there. Um, also establishing some expectations for Friday availability of staff. We have a 4-day week, but there are times on Fridays, especially for board meetings, where we need to be able to get a hold of people. Um, prior to Dr. I'm sorry, prior to Mr. McDonald leaving, he had told some parents that he was going to create a sports committee. And I think that
320didn't get relayed on to anybody else, but I think we do have some parents out there that are expecting some sort of a committee. So, I'd ask staff to start looking at that. And uh um and I would just ask staff in the future, please have the attachments into the into the folder. This a lot of things tonight were not not attached. And when we approved the agenda, we approved the agenda and not all the attachments there trusting that they're going to get in there. Um again, they're not required and many districts don't even make them available to the public. We've always under transparency um have made those available. most districts do not. Um, but I think it is important that we continue to do that and it certainly helps us um to prepare for
321meetings a little bit better and and uh refresh our memories. So, uh that's all I have for that. We will look at uh our next board meetings. We've got October 29th, this Wednesday, a special board meeting, um meet with one, possibly two respondents to the superintendent search. Uh these are search firms. Um we sent out to several, but two have responded and just to give the board a friendly update, one may not be proceeding forward. Uh then we have a meeting on November 10th. That's a special board meeting, a regular board meeting. I think they're just regular board meetings at that point unless we do a need a work session ahead of time. Monday, November 24th is an optional special board meeting. Monday, December 8th, 2025 is a special board meeting and a regular board
322meeting. Again, I believe that will be just a regular meeting unless we need a work session. And that will close out our year with the exception that we'll probably be busy doing some superintendent search work and we'll have to schedule those meetings uh accordingly as we move on. I would ask the board to please let staff know your availability as we throughout the rest of the year. I know there's Christmas parties, vacations, and so forth. But if you can let staff know what uh what your availability is, that will certainly help us when we have to get meetings scheduled and we'll rely on we'll rely on that update. So, if you can get that to staff soon, that would greatly be appreciated. That takes us to 9.1, the adjournment of the meeting. We've concluded business
323for the night. We'll show the times 10:07 and we're adjourned. Don't worry. I don't [music] Hey, hey, hey. [music] >> [music] [music]