001Mhm. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to our regular scheduled board meeting. I'm glad to see the group here all made it through the um the damage from the earthquake and found their way here. And uh we'll try and get through this as quickly as possible. But before we begin the work of the district, let us stand for a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Superintendent, board, do we have any changes, amendments, additions, or deletions? >> I have none. >> No, sir. >> Okay. Moving along, approval of minutes, superintendent. >> Recommend approval of the minutes from the school board workshop
002May 4th, 2026 and the regular school board meeting May 11th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Three aye. Representation, we have none. Public input, we have none. So we're moving to the Ed Foundation. >> They're not here this evening. >> We have none. Attorney? I'm the acting attorney tonight. >> [laughter] >> That's dangerous. And there's no unfinished business. Consent consent agenda. >> Recommend approval of consent agenda items 8.01 to 10.04. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> No. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Three up. Now we're on to discussion. So we're This is 11.01. In absence of Mr. Cole, these policies are before the board for final approval approval. Approval. Policy 8405 school safety and security. Policy 8406 reports of
003suspicious activity and potential threats to schools. Policy policy 8407 safe school officers. Policy 8415 emergency and crisis management. Policy 8420 emergency management emergency preparedness and emergency response agency. This meeting is now open. Is there anyone that would like to come and speak to any of those policies? Seeing none, I declare that the policy uh the public hearing is closed. Superintendent, a recommendation? >> I recommend final approval of the policies as presented. Second. >> I'd like to offer a motion to accept. >> Second. [laughter] I would switch it up a little. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Well, there's only three of us. Three up. Okay. Now we're moving to 11.02, which is why we have some new fans in the audience. Um which is the request for variance to
004Lake County Schools policy 8 uh 6330 acquisition of professional architectural engineering landscape architectural or land surveying services. Mr. Farnsworth, deputy superintendent, is going to lead these discussions from 11.02 and we're going to include them all to 11.05. So, Mr. Farnsworth. >> Yes, sir. Thank Thank uh Mr. Chair. Um just want to give a brief update, you know, where we've come from from our follow-up of our May 27th workshop where we talked about the combination of Oak Park Middle School and Carver Middle School. We followed that up with two community uh meetings, one at Oak Park Middle School on 6-2 and the other at Carver on 6-4. Um, it was wonderful. We had good attendance and uh we had parents come out and had a few students. We had staff members, um community members, representatives from
005LC A, um and just came out, gave a brief presentation. We were there for a little over an hour probably at each one and answered any questions that that that came about. And I can tell you the the overall consensus was enthusiasm. Um, I think everybody realizes the commitment that we have to making sure that those middle school students of Leesburg area um are able to have all the available opportunities that they deserve and enhanced programs. And I think it's really going to be a great change. So, I just wanted to give that update for for where we've come from since our workshop uh in late May. Uh the 11.02 is a variance that puts us in line with state statute for continuing contracts allowing us to spend up to 7.5 million. Uh the uh
006already we're advertising our uh school board policy to update um to mirror statute in line with statute. So, that's in the process, but this allows us to go ahead and get the project underway. 11.03 uh is just providing the direction that we discussed uh in the workshop of what it would take to move forward. Um, that's approval of a design contract with Low Diversified Architects. Uh approved pre-construction services with DNA Construction Group under under continuing contract. Uh begin demolition of the Carver Middle area. Uh That will become the new media center in July of 2026. So, we'll get that underway soon. Also, include capital renovations of Carver Middle School and add new classroom addition at Leesburg at [clears throat] Leesburg Elementary in the 2027 to 2031 capital improvements plan in place of the previously planned
007Oak Park Middle Leesburg Elementary K8 project. And then the last two are improved a guaranteed maximum price agreement with DNA Construction Group for the finish work on new media center remodeling of building six in the classroom wing and other associated renovations. And then also provide resources necessary to Oak Park and Carver along with community stakeholders to work together to determine the future educational athletic and cultural direction of the expanded and combining Carver Middle School. That's just basically uh putting on record that we are moving forward with a project and what the intent is there. And then the last two discussion items 11.04 is the actual design professional services with Little Diversified. And 11.05 is pre-construction services with DNA Construction Group. So, those are the items that all kind of come together. And we look forward
008hopefully to to move them forward. So, Superintendent, you want to recommend? >> Before I do so, were there any additional comments, Board? >> I I just like to hear. Would you all like to come up for just 1 second and model your t-shirts and just give one last comment? >> [laughter] >> Come on. So, we have the principal of both schools and the area director. There we go. Go right up there. >> Good evening. Good evening, Superintendent and to board and chair, uh Mr. Mathias. Um we stand in solidarity and and unity in um in the belief of this project, believing that it is something that is best for students, that will provide better opportunities for our students, open doors for them and windows that may we may not be able to do on our
009own as individual locations. So, thank you for this opportunity and uh as our shirt says, we are stronger together. Uh we may be two teams, two traditions, but we're one community. And so, we're standing in that. >> Well done. Thank you. Anybody else want to speak? >> I concur. >> [laughter] >> Thank you all very much. Board members, any comments? >> Yeah, just a few brief comments to build off what Deputy uh Superintendent Chad Farnsworth shared. Um had the opportunity to attend both of those listening sessions last week um and echo those comments. The The conversations were productive. Uh to KT, Dr. Langley, Renee, your team at Region 2, um just the information that was provided and the passion in that room really made it clear that this truly is what's best for students. And
010as a proud product of Carver Middle School and Leesburg High School ultimately, I think this does do nothing but help our kids in Leesburg area continue to shine. Um as many people have stated throughout this process, they all get together at Leesburg High School, why not get them together a little sooner to squash some of the the neighborhood growing up stuff middle school normal um disagreements that come about and really give us a good plan to do what's best for kids and really provide some incredible opportunities. So, thank you all for your leadership. Uh looking forward to going through this process with you all um and looking forward to get it rolling. So, thank you. >> I think it's a wonderful thing. I congratulate both principals along with their leader uh for coming together and
011working together to help this to happen. So, thank you for your always dedication. >> All right, Superintendent, do you have a recommendation? >> I do. I recommend approval of items 11.02 to 11.05. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any more discussion? All those in favor? Aye. >> I. Three of. Congratulations to everyone. Okay. Superintendent report. >> Uh just a quick report tonight. Um one letter of condolence was sent to Kathy Yasko and her family. She's a driver trainer in transportation and she lost her husband Alan. Condolences to her and her family. Um also I just want to extend my appreciation and thanks to you uh Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. Randall, and certainly the leadership of those schools who have just been tremendous um throughout this process. Your passion is undeniable. Thank you for what you do
012every day for you not only your community, but for every child in that community. And so, thank you all. I just very pleased to be a part of the process and um to to attend at Oak Park and be part of the conversations last week was great. So, thank you all. >> Thank you, Superintendent. Board members? >> Um ditto per usual. Only other comment I had to add was uh to give a well-deserved shout-out to Mr. Eric Suber and the team in risk management. Um on the consent agenda tonight was item 811 and 812 for the property and casualty insurance renewals. Um as you all know, I sit on the insurance advisory committee um and then I had the opportunity to speak with our broker um on the property side on Friday with Mr. Suber
013over Zoom uh to go over the excellent results they were able to provide for us this year. Some pretty significant savings in the dollar category, which will only help us in the health insurance side of the equation, which continues to be more challenging. So, that work is appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Suber, for your work. Thank you, Mr. Ward, for your partnership in there as well. Um and looking forward to to more good conversations ahead. But, just kidding. >> I think tonight is just another example of why we're special in Lake County uh and why it's such a pleasure to be a part of a group that can see a need and come together. And there are several people, I think, who can take kudos for getting this Oak Park Carver Middle project off. And certainly,
014we'd like to thank each of them. Uh and then we'd like to thank all the other people that came together and made it happen so fast. I am just impressed with the speed to which this is happening. Um, but it's wonderful. Even in the summer time, you guys are making great things happen for kids. And that's why we're here. That's what it's all about. So, thank you again for your hard work. >> Okay. And I've got nothing. Meeting adjourned.