Board of Education Meeting - December 8, 2025

001daily work in the classroom. Miss Steinamp consistently steps forward to support students and families outside of the school day. Her volunteer services with the safe zone sports program, giving her time after a full day of teaching to coach the flag football team demonstrates her extraordinary commitment to kids. Her positivity ensured that ensures that every child uh feels included and successful regardless of skill or experience making the program both impactful and memorable. In her classroom, Miss Steinamp brings learning to life with energy, creativity, and joy. Whether transforming her her room into a medieval adventure, playing music to set a welcoming tone, or participating enthusiastically in spirit week. She infuses each day with excitement and curiosity. She devotes countless hours to making her classroom a warm, vibrant, student- centered environment where every child can thrive. Miss Steinamp

002leads with heart, inspiring her students, uplifting her colleagues, and strengthening the JSA community. We are grateful for the extraordinary impact she makes across our district. Thank you, Mrs. Steinamp, for embodying what it means to be a champion for students. [applause] >> Thank you, Director Taminsky. Tonight, we have one public hearing for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. um on the permanent utility easement at Jefferson High School. Um board secretary Shelty, have we received any written correspondence related to the public hearing on tonight's agenda? >> We have not received any written correspondence. >> Do we have anyone who is requested to address the board this evening regarding the published hearing on tonight's agenda? >> We do not. >> Thank you. Um the aforementioned public hearing is now closed. Right. All right. Moving on. We will hear

003from those who have requested to address the board. Board Secretary Shely, do we have any requests this evening? >> We do. We have three requests. >> Three requests. With three speakers this evening, you will be given up to five minutes for your remarks. Please respect the time limit allotted to each speaker. Board Secretary Shelty will serve as your timer and indicate when your time has expired. If you have submitted a request to address the board and choose to refrain from speaking in the interest of equality and fairness, your time may not be yielded to another speaker. to abide by the open meetings law. There will be no dialogue between board directors and the public during this time except to clarify the nature of questions or comments from the individuals speaking. We ask that the audience

004and speakers refrain from using inappropriate language and outbursts as a matter of respect for all in attendance. This board has zero tolerance for profanity, vulgarity, demeaning language, or threats of any kind. Lastly, I'd like to remind our speakers that the board cannot address personnel and student matters. The board policy outlines a process for addressing and resolving concerns. We ask that speakers refrain from using personal names and information during public comment. Before we begin, I'd like to remind our speakers to state their names and addresses when called to the podium. Board Secretary Shelty, please call our first speaker. Our first speaker is Peter Nielsson on the topic of marketing contract and a comment on our fact page. [clears throat] Hello. Uh, my name is Peter Nielsen. I live at 2237 Lynen Drive in C Rapids and

005um, I have no children in school. Um, but I do have a home and I pay taxes and I've decided after the two bond uh, elections that um, I wanted to get a little more information, see what's going on. And so really my comments are um they're more questions and I understand you can't talk. It would be a lot more fun if you could, but [laughter] you know, whatever. Um I was a little surprised about this marketing campaign that I read about um on KCRG. Um I'm curious what we're marketing. Um also in that uh news article, I'm a little nervous. So, a lot of oz. Um, also in that news article was that we've had a drop in enrollment and I think everybody's kind of aware of that. And so before if that were

006the um subject of that marketing campaign, I would think we'd do a little preliminary focus groups, surveys, something understanding why it is that people find these other schools more interesting or why they would choose that. And really, I think we need to uncover that and understand, you know, what it is about the other schools that is attractive. I my assumption is they meet their friends through church and they want to follow their friends and the parents follow the kids and blah blah blah blah. Anyway, that's that. More importantly, um [clears throat] I apologize, but I voted no on both of the bond issues. And the first one, I just had no clue what it was about. It's $200 million. Uh there was really no uh explanation other than a listing of schools and construction programs

007and um there wasn't any detail that I could find anywhere. On the second one, I believe it was 117 million listed five schools, $20 million to rehab a grades or a middle school. Seems crazy. Um I may be wrong. What do I know? But again, there was no real explanation or detail. And so that's what I'm looking for. I think it would be beneficial to the board, Cedar Rapids, the community at large if there were a place to go, and maybe there is. You can tell me where I could get more of a um report that shows by school. Well, first off, by Cedar Rapids School District, what's the population of eligible students? Of those, how many of those attend public school of those? Then let's break it down and say this middle school has

008this number of students, this capacity. Therefore, we can kind of show and prove because I I do think a lot of this is trust. I think that's been a lot of our problem. um further budget per schools uh student teacher ratios um expenditures that have occurred at those schools over the last say five years. Um we there was something about average school age is 60 years old. I'm over 60 years old. I'm still walking [snorts] around. But in the interim we've spent some money improving them and it would be nice to know, you know, what's been done. I would frankly would hold some of these board meetings in the schools. Um I think that would be beneficial to give people an opportunity to see um for instance I drive by Washington High School every day.

009There's something going on there. It looks like a geothermal project, but it started in I believe August just before the school year, which was interesting. There's no signage that I see out there like you would find in a normal office building where there'd be a big sign saying this is what it's going to look like. This is the cost. This is what's being done. This is who funds it. Blah blah blah. That would be a good addition. It would be cheap. Um, now we have Larsson and you know, you see five guys there every once in a while and it's I don't know what the hell's going on. Excuse me. What's going on? But um it doesn't appear to be close to finished uh capital projects. It would be interesting again to list um per

010school what it is that Well, first off, let me step back a minute. One of the reasons I'm here is I don't know who makes the decisions on this. >> Thank you. Your time is expired. [laughter] Thank you, Mr. Nielsen. Our next speaker is Yashan Ferguson speaking on the topic of funding regarding the Academy of Scholastic and Personal Success. [clears throat and cough] >> Good evening. Oh, [clears throat and cough] good evening. I am Yashan Ferguson. Um 6002nd Street Southwest. [clears throat] The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success was [clears throat] founded um 1989 in Cedar Rapids at Washington High School. And the Cedar Rapids Community School District has been in support with the partnership for the academy for 36 years. [clears throat and cough] The purpose of the academy is to install an education

011regarding culture and um sustainable um curricular activities to the students academic achievement um over a six-week course in the summer and the academy is a very active program throughout the entire year. >> [clears throat] >> The partnership between the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the academy began in 2012. But I can certainly say with the funding from um that the district was giving to the academy being reduced or actually being stripped away and the partnership being ended, it has impacted the academy very deeply. Given the fact that I am a student of the Academy for Scholastic and personal success success and the Cedar Rapids Community School District, it has impacted me deeply. I will say from personal experience, I had to work my way out of a IEP program and um persevere to become

012a student that um is now um taking AP courses and college courses. But I will say the person I am today would not would not would not have been able to achieve as much as I have if it wasn't for the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success. And I think that in in reference to my personal opinion, I think that it is very it is absurd and disgraceful. Um the submission to what the federal government has done across this entire country, but specifically to the community of Cedar Rapids is disgusting or absurd. [clears throat] Malcolm X once said, "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." Well, I will certainly say we will not we will not fall or or submit to this effort to dismantle any race programs like the academy. >>

013[clears throat] >> If you truly represent as the Cedar Rapids Community School District, if you truly represent all students getting a deserving education, you will not um defund them. You will empower them and support them. By doing that, you can support programs like the academy rather than defunding them. So please understand and consult with the efforts that is beyond you and consult with what you can do to uplift programs like the academy. It is very vital that you do not submit to what is going on um at the federal level. Thank you. I digress. >> Thank you Mr. Ferguson. >> And our final speaker is Tiaran Bales on our funding. Um, hello. I'm Tieran Bails and I live at 1235 Miami Court, Northeast Leads. I'm here to talk about why the Academy for Scholastic and

014Personal Success is so important to the black kids in this community and how something like defunding has set us back but not stopped us. The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success is for me a place for kids who look like me to learn about the history and culture of our people that isn't taught in the regular curriculums. It is certainly not a summer school with a twist. It is one is a once in a-lifetime experience that offers a place to belong for kids who look like me. It offers us our own place to fit in and even a home that nurtures our young minds to be better students and eventually members of society. The academy itself teaches its students to speak and act accordingly with confidence, but not without respect and care for ourselves and

015those we interact with. The same way that Yashan and I are up here now. For me personally, it taught me that I am more than qualified to speak my mind and share the things I come up with, that my words mean something to the people around me, that I mean something. Eight years ago, I moved here from Las Vegas, a town where you saw more than just black and white. When I moved here though, it felt like I wouldn't fit in and it felt like I never would. But then I met the academy four years ago through the middle school program. And then I got acquainted with the high school program, a program designed to assist kids like me and everything changed. [clears throat] After I began my before I began my journey with them,

016if you told me that I'd be speaking to the school board today, I'd have laughed and thought that you were joking because I was not the type to put myself out there like this. But thanks to the academy, I've learned to find and use my voice in a use my voice in a world that did not want my voice found nor heard. I've allowed my abilities to shine and even hone them to aid in my journey towards the future that I want. The academy gives kids places to belong and grow. But without the but with the defunding and banned from even entering high schools, we are kept we are left with little to no concrete way of telling other kids about our program. However, that is not going to stop us. The academy has been

017going strong for over 35 years and this defunding is only a detour in our long journey, not a roadblock. We're still active in the city and participating in events where we can where we can support accomplished black people and even talk to them like Damon Gupton, successful conductor and actor, as well as Dr. Wes Butterfield, a successful businessman at RNL. The academy even teaches us to engage in other events happening around the city by providing us with fun things to do like going to see Orchestra Iowa perform and having our own trunk for the trunk or treat at Tanninger Place. These are just a few examples of things we've done. Proof that while yes, this is a major letdown in our battle for the future, it isn't something that can actually stop us because we

018are still as strong as ever. The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success is more than just a program. It is a home that many are willing to fight for. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bales. >> All right. Tonight, we will begin with our board reports. And before um before I turn this over to our other board of uh other members of our board, I would like to share a statement that will be shared out with our um CR schools community. And this is on behalf of the board. I want to clearly communicate the board of education's direction and the critical [clears throat] role your voice plays in this process. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is at a pivotal moment. Our need to adjust budgets for the future by 10 to12 million annually is

019the focus of the board of education. We know that this work is weighing on the minds of more than the the more than 3,000 amazing individuals who come to work each day in support of our students. I want to start there by recognizing that every message, news article, and even the rumors that our district staff hears hits with a heavy force. Your school board members are committed to a process that is transparent and visible to our staff, our families, and our community. The board has directed District administration to gather a holistic range of options for consideration, specifically focusing on solutions to create a sustainable financial future structure, sorry, and optimize our facilities to support staff as they educate our students. No decisions have been made yet. While ultimately the board will need to approve the

020plan, we are asking district staff, families, and taxpayers to provide critical and knowledgeable input to help craft the plan. At the request of the board, the administration will be actively collecting input from internal and external stakeholders to create and refine options that will ultimately form our plan. Your insights on perceptions of strategic priorities, desired programming, and opportunities for facility optimization are essential to shaping our success. We urge you to participate to ensure your perspective is a driving force in our district's future. Upcoming engagement activities outlined in our roadmap include all staff meetings held on December 9th um with dedicated time for elementary and secondary staff, [clears throat] administrators meeting on December 10th, and a community coalition meeting and student virtual lunch and learn that will also be scheduled. We are committed to a transparent process.

021Thank you for engaging in this important work to shape the successfully fiscally sound future for CR schools. Thank you. All right. Do we have any other directors who have board reports this evening? I just want to like add to that. >> Absolutely. I'm sorry. >> No, no, no. I No, no. It's really great and I just want to note that, you know, these decisions that are made at a state level, they require local districts to absorb that impact. So, that's why we're here having these really tough conversations because that's what we're doing, right? So, it's not just about reducing costs and it's really about sustaining um Cedar Rapids School District for the long run. And we don't hold all the wisdom and that's why it requires the larger community to come together. Um and that

022that strength really comes from, you know, inside of our schools and uh those that are patting, you know, the outside of the schools as well. So, thank you for engaging in these conversations, these difficult conversations with us and thanks for your statement. Thank you. >> Yeah, I just add, you know, um we're committed to doing this transparently, but that also means that obviously um you know, the meetings are open, the discussions are are open and and people will hear that they'll hear parts of that. Parts of that will get um uh elevated and and maybe, you know, make it in other places and and be shared other uh other ways and and maybe not always with the full scope of of what's there. And so I just would encourage if you hear something or you're

023concerned about it to reach out. Um if you're employee of the district, reach out to your leadership and and um and understand that, you know, we're working through this process. But I I'll also say, you know, as pieces of this have started to um you know, be collected and and ideas there, there is good feedback and it's hugely important um because uh the the group of individuals and hope it's okay. I'm speaking for the board here when I say this is we know what we know, but there's a lot we don't know. and and so that feedback is going to be so important to us. Uh I don't want to sit here and say this is uh you know what what I was hoping for in the first uh month of my board membership, but

024it's where we're at and uh and I think ultimately uh we're going to have to make some decisions that are tough but put us in the right position for the next decade and beyond for our district um and and in the on the right track. And and again, it's it's about how we get to the budget piece, but it's also uh about how we uh change the story financially and what we can do to u start bringing students back into our district and wanting them to to be here. And so, you know, what is driving the in and out of the district? Uh what is um you know, where where are we losing kids to, when are we losing them, when do we have the opportunity to get them here, and how do we keep

025them here is all part of this conversation as well. So, I want to make sure that gets in there because I think the the the bad news or the the how are you going to cut the budget piece is going to get the most uh the most play. Um, but uh certainly how we change the narrative uh for our district and how we we make it a a district of choice is also very important. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, director. >> If I could just jump in, I'll be brief. I think um to piggyback with what um Scott said, this is this is an opportunity uh for us to reinvent the district and come up with options that do make our district the district of choice. So yes, we have some challenges, but from those

026challenges, we are hoping to form some opportunities and as has already been said here, we need input from you as a community. So, if you have ideas or thoughts, um I'm sure Dr. Grover will refer to this, but there is a community coalition forming. Um and we welcome your participation in that. If you reach out to us, if you like it, it didn't take long for social media to swing into action. So, if you're seeing something on social media and you have a question about a concern about it, reach out to us and we would we would happily tell you what it is that we know. Um, as has been said, we have not made any decisions. Everything's on the table. Um, it's it's an opportunity uh to make this a great school district that

027we know is possible. >> Thank you. >> Any other commentary on the the first report? If not, do we have any other board reports? >> Director Garlock. >> Yes, I seem to have two board reports tonight uh from core committees. Uh so first of all I will report on the academics and achievement core committee. We met on November 17th. We got updates on several items related to academics and achievement first. Um as you see on the agenda tonight uh the program of studies for the high school is on our agenda. Um in our core committee we did take a look at that. We heard about the process that it went through and I do want to stress that that was a very rigorous process. there were a number of stakeholders who had input into that

028process. Um, and it it did take a bit of time to get that put together. I think the team is very proud of the fact that it is thorough and readable and userfriendly. So, kudos to everyone that worked on the program of studies. We also uh got a report on special ed. There is a data review protocol uh meeting that took place. um looking at um special ed included our staff some AEA staff they will come up with an action plan to help us uh with that. Also the DM group is in the information gathering phase of our special ed program uh looking at resources and they will come back to us in December I believe with some recommendations uh about our special ed program. Uh we had a short report on our social emotional

029learning program. Uh they are looking at curriculum that will be implemented in the elementary school first and then in secondary schools in the 2027 school year. And then um something new to the district is homebased learning which if we have a snow day that is predictable um two up to two of those snow days can be used as homebased learning. So there have been conversations occurring uh with our staff uh figuring out how we manage that. uh elementary schools have have requested that they the district provide packets that elementary students could be doing at home, but up to two days and those are homebased learning days if we have advanced notice. Um if if it's a last minute snow day, then it's just a snow day. >> Um so I believe that's it for academics.

030Do you want me to do the other one right now? >> Nope. Yep. Let her do our other one. >> Okay, >> keep going. Keep it rolling. >> Okay. Uh the other core committee is the policy policy and compliance [snorts] uh committee. We as we usually do, we are reviewing um items that are part of the five-year policy review cycle. And again, there is a process that all of that goes through. Um it is each of those policies that are reviewed are sent to the the people that have expertise in that area. It comes to the policy committee, goes to the superintendent and then finally to the board. And again, you will notice on the board agenda tonight, there are several policies and procedures that we will be approving. And that simply means that it

031has been through this entire process and been looked at by a lot of different people. So thank you. I am done. Thank you. >> Do we have any other board reports? >> I I do have one. >> Okay. >> I was going to have two, Cindy, but you did the policy one, so I appreciate that. >> I'm sorry. I didn't have my name on it. So, >> by all means. By all means. >> Um, so I'll I'll do the report for the finance and facilities uh committee. Um, I will say this too that this is a committee that I think has had maybe 9 to 12 people that are on it. Lots of staff show up to it. There's a few board members. There's also spots for people from the community. So, we've had relatively

032low attendance and I just wanted to acknowledge that here um because there is an opportunity for people from our community if they're interested in that. I think maybe that would I direct them probably just to you Dr. Grover if they're interested. >> Yes. >> Um but we do have some good news uh in uh in our committee. So our facilities projects at Harrison Hoover Van Beurren and the freshmanies um are all ahead of schedule uh with steel going up exterior framing underway and pre-cast installation expected by late January. Um, also was really excited to hear that we received $1.95 million, so just shy of $2 million through the inflation reduction act for trailides geothermal system with potential for similar rebates on our next three building projects. So that was really exciting for our committee to

033hear. Um, and I think I actually heard Chad that might have been the first assignment that you got when you started with the district from Carla. So, I appreciate the hard work from you and I'm sure many others on that. Um, and geothermal is definitely something that we've talked a lot about um from this board table. So, I appreciate the hard work on that. Um, on Pebble, we did get uh get an update on that. I think we had a budget of about $8 million totally budgeted. I think $5 million of that's been spent. There's a few other places where uh that money is coming out, but just know that we are prioritizing essential projects only. um especially in light of future reconfiguration discussions. So um lots of stuff going on obviously from a budget

034perspective. So that is one area that we'll continue to look at. Um certainly spent some time talking about enrollment. Um so our enrollment is down a little over 600 students uh this year. Um I do have a note that it's down about 2,000 uh students since 2019. And I would say that some of those charts and some of the things that we talk about in that committee just showing that we have had declining enrollment over a number of years. Quite a few of those years do not have budget cuts. So there are some budget cuts in recent years that people are familiar with, but um know this. There was quite a few years where we had declining enrollment and not uh budget cuts to kind of match that. Um so we spent lots of time

035obviously talking about budget um and just the idea of right sizing our district for fiscal year 2027. So as others have already acknowledged lots of really difficult discussion uh to have here but the key is to have that discussion uh with the entire community. So there are opportunities for everybody to engage in that. So um that completes the report. >> Thank you. >> Any other board reports? >> No. Okay. Um our next report um is going to come from a new face at the table here. Um, and it is my my pleasure to do a quick introduction to our new student board representative, um, Katie Hubs, who will share her report. So, Katie is currently a junior at Kennedy High School and has been a part of the of Cedar Rapids School since elementary school

036when she was a part of the Cedar Rapids homeschool assistance program. She's very involved in the Kennedy community and participates in student council, speech, and debate, and plays tennis. She's planning to pursue a career in law or politics because of her interest in government. Let's get her on retainer right now. [laughter] And drive to create a positive impact on her community. This is her second year as a part of the superintendent student cabinet and she is excited to become more involved with the district through her new role as the school board student representative. Katie, welcome. Um, if you have a report to give, I just ask that you go up to the podium. >> So, good evening. Thank you for that wonderful introduction. So since the beginning of the school year, the superintendent student cabinet

037has been focused on the issue of vaping in schools because we have seen a rise in the issue, especially in all the high schools and even some of the middle schools. Um it's caused negative effects such as preventing students from getting to classes on time because of the prevalence of vaping, especially in bathrooms. So through our research into this we have identified four main categories to guide any potential changes which are education/prevention detection support and consequences. So for education/prevention, we have explored potential changes in things like health class requirements, so students are more aware of the negative health impacts and the allowance of students outside the classrooms that would prevent them from leaving class for extended periods of time to vape. for detection. We've been looking into the possible imple implementation of vape detectors and

038have come up with questions for manufacturers over topics such as cost, maintenance, and the function of alerts to administrators and determining the most important locations for the detectors to be used. in support. We've been trying to figure out potential forms of self-reporting and ways to report others which would then drive support for these students in issues such as mental health redirection and coping and stress manage stress management to try to target the roots behind why students are vaping. And then finally for consequences we've been trying to determine a possible consequence ladder which could guide the consequences given to students who are caught vaping. We are trying to emphasize the implementation of support over consequences, but we are aware that both must be used. So possible consequences could be things such as clear backpacks and temporary

039removal from extracurriculars. And important things to emphasize in this area are making sure that any changes are clearly communicated similar to the consequence changes with the new phone policy and ensuring that parents are effectively communicated with and involved in this process. So we have dived deep into the issue of vaping and come up with potential solutions. So student cabinet feels fairly optimistic that we will be able to produce positive contributions to combat the rise of vaping in our schools. Thank you. >> That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> And thank you for your >> support and and for the work that you're doing on the student cabinet. Thank you. >> All right. In the right place. All right. We will now hear from Dr. Grover as she shares her report. Thank you.

040Thank you to the board for their reports as well as Katie. I know Katie um our students are so busy and so the time that they dedicate to this process uh is to be commended and I could totally see her moving into the law field [laughter] based on her engagement uh with the cabinet. I'd like to start my report tonight here uh really focusing in on our strategic uh priority areas uh with area one being winter weather and safety reminders. Um I think we have a lot of evidence out there that we need a reminder. Um so um when we want to first of all take a moment to express our deepest gratitude and a big thanks uh to our dedicated buildings and grounds team for spending their entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend clearing the sidewalks

041and preparing the entrances and ensuring our school buildings that they were safe um and operational by Monday morning. Um so uh we were making the phone calls and they were like we're already on top of it and so just thank you so much to all those team members. We also want to recognize the outstanding work of our transportation team um for navigating challenging road conditions uh to get our students to and from school safely each and every day. And so now that winter it is here, just a little bit of a reminder to our families in terms of our weather closure and delays process. Typically, uh, we would like to make sure that we have decided, uh, our approach to the school day by 5:30 a.m. and that they're based on road conditions, temperatures, weather

042forecast, and building accessibility. Staff and families will receive a call, emailed, and a text about cancellation delays, or early dismissals. We ask families to ensure that their contact information is up to date in Infinite Campus in order to receive these alerts. We also rely heavily u we often get the questions on how we make decisions. They're never popular either way. Um but we just want to be clear with our families that we do um engage ourselves with the National Weather Services. Um they have moved away from terms like windchill advisory to wind chill watch and wind chill warning. They're now using a cold weather advisory or an extreme cold warning. So the rationale is to communicate that the cold is dangerous with or without wind since the air temperature alone can be life-threatening even with

043calm winds. So the terms um cover conditions where the actual temperature or the wind chill meets that criteria. So, we don't necessarily set any type of set, you know, rules in terms of what um will make the decision that day because a lot, as you heard me say earlier, in terms of the road conditions, how it our buildings are accessible um in the weather forecast that all um contributes to our decision-m process, but we just want you to know that we also consult with other school districts um around the area, too. Uh so, a lot of people up late at night, early in the morning trying to make that decision. Um, but most of all, we want our students and our staff members to be safe. Um, and so we just want to remind our

044families that students should arrive with their coats, hat, gloves, and boots for the outdoor activities. Um, and students, they do um, still tend to go outside for recess if the air temperature or the windchill is above 10°. So, if any family needs assistance with winter gear, they should reach out to their school office. There are a lot of supports at our schools um, for our students. Priority area number two, prepare for life. Um, just we wanted to uh share uh the excitement around the Metro Steam Academy. This year the students have their own permanent stand at NewO City Market for the entire holiday season. It's called the Maid Store and it features a variety of unique studentmade products and so [clears throat] um you can see their hours there. Um, so please take an opportunity

045if you're looking still looking for gifts or just even something for yourselves or just want to go over and connect with our students. I know they would love to see you. Priority area number two, I want to continue to um in terms of our CRCSD diploma options. Um, at our last board meeting, uh, the board did approve an important step uh forward in supporting every student's path to graduation. And so to our families out there, we know that uh with some of the feedback um as uh was mentioned u by our vice president in terms of getting feedback from our families, families want um a little bit more of a flexible uh schedule or personalized learning paths. Um this is certainly an area where we have seen u parents needing different options from us. So

046thank you to the board for responding to our families. We still do offer our standard diploma which remains unchanged requiring the 40 credit hours well above the state minimum. Um but also uh with the new approvals we're able to offer the core diploma which is approved by the state as an alternative uh designed for a very small number of students who may be uh facing significant life circumstances or changes that makes a diploma uh attainable for them. We always say we want to ensure that our students they graduate uh from our organization. And so this option requires 32 credits with all core academic expectations remaining in place but with fewer elective requirements. Um and so it is available to students who have fewer than 15 credits by the start of their junior year and who

047are referred uh to an application process. So, I would say to our families, if you feel like maybe your students are a little bit behind or maybe they just had some circumstance that they can't keep up with the regular schedule, there's still a path to graduation um for them to be a proud contributor of our um community as well. And so, please reach out to the school counselor or the administrator so we can make sure that we have the right plan and pathway for your student. Um and priority area number three, um partners with our staff, families, and community. Just a shout out to the staff shoutout program. Um, so far we have 1,331 shoutouts submitted as of December 5th. Um, and so it is uh an excellent opportunity for anyone in our community, other

048staff members to really give some kudos and thanks. We have a lot of people doing a lot of great things here uh in our organization. Um, and this is a positive feedback loop um that recognize the work of our staff members. And then also speaking of the winter uh weather, um we want to talk about how we partner up in real time to meet the needs of our students. And so we want to recognize Grant Elementary School for their operation winter warm-up. It's a beautiful example of what happens when a community wraps around its children. Um so thanks to the efforts, uh students receive essential winter gear, coats, hats, gloves, and boots u right as the cold weather started. And so we're very uh grateful to the dedication of the grant PTA and the volunteers

049from Antioch Church and the many individuals and organizations whose generosity made this possible to help keep our students warm. And we can see all the smiles there uh for doing good in our schools. And so over to priority area number four. Um, just want to let our preschool families know if you're a preschool family member with us right now or maybe you're thinking about coming to preschool uh here next year. We do have a survey out to give us some feedback on our preschool program. Earlier this year, uh, with our the support of our board of education, we expanded the number of preschool sites across the district. Um, this growth reflects not only the strong family interest, but also a physically responsible approach. When students start with us earlier, they build a strong foundation for

050long-term success and they are more likely to stay with our organization. Um, our early results are promising. Um, in our survey, 91.9% of the respondents, they report being satisfied with CRCSD school preschool program. Um, and at the same time, families are clearly expressing a desire for more full day preschool options. Well, we know the state is only funding us for half a day. And so our families are saying um because they really do appreciate the program that they're willing to pay for the other half. Um and so that's something that we want to make sure that we investigate more uh to ensure that we have more full day spots available. So I want to encourage all our parents and caregivers uh with a preschool age child including those that are not currently enrolled but you're

051on your way to take the survey and share your perspectives. Your feedback will make a difference in the next decisions that we make about our preschool program. And then um before just one more minute, I know I had a little bit of a report tonight. >> I did want to just um kind of take the time to thank the board of education for your thoughtful attention and um direction during our recent work session and your statement here tonight in regards to I know this conversation u maybe feel like it started around some needs of the budget and I know we've been talking about facilities uh for quite some time. Um, but as we kind of walk through this, we know that uh what's important for us is really thinking about a more long-term plan and

052creating that seven-year strategic plan. Um, and so I just as we're kind of moving through it, uh, we we've heard a lot about transparency and engagement and involvement. And so as we deepen that commitment to transparency, I want to acknowledge that transparency can be hard. Um it requires us to look directly at the full picture even when realities are challenging and we know that we're in the early stages of building this plan and a lot of ideas um are being put out there uh with our early ideas. We had the opportunity to talk with our principal group, our teacher cabinet um as well as some people here at the ELSC. And so those ideas that you had a chance to take a look at, these did surface uh with our um with our internal staff

053just to get us started uh with some options that we can consider. So um you know sometimes they say that when you make it visible, some people call it the sausage making process. Um you know it's not the most elegant analogy, but it shows how it can be hard and it can be a little bit messy, right? We don't have all the ideas figured out just yet. But this is it is an opportunity for us to demonstrate trust in each other and that collaboration because we truly want you to engage in this process. We do believe that even your questions, your push back and your perspectives that you bring that that's what's going to help us get to the best product, right? Just getting all the ideas, all the realities on the table and helping

054us decide what do we want Cedar Rapids uh school district to be um in the future. And I know that we're we're paying a lot of attention to maybe where we're going to make some adjustments, but I my greatest hope is that we will also be able to make some advancements. As I've gone out with the talks with Toana, I I hear our staff members, you know, there are certain programmings that they want. There's supports that they need. Families, they want innovative programmings within our district. And so let's let's all come together to think about what adjustments can we make to advance the Cedar Rapids Community School District so that we can be a school district of choice. And so how are we going to do that? Uh when this process tomorrow we're going to

055start with our all staff meeting. Uh we'll have a presentation. We feel like it's critical to provide some background and context. Several people here at the board table. You you had you know privilege to that information. A lot of slides and charts and background context. We want to make sure we share some of that with our staff members and give them the opportunity to complete a survey uh to give us more feedback after the presentation. On um Thursday night, uh we will also have a community coalition meeting. We've already had about a hundred people sign up to be a part of that community coalition. If you are still interested um and you haven't had a chance to sign up, I do have the link uh right there on the board. You can go to our

056website. Also, we welcome you to be a part of that conversation. We will also go over um some of that same background and context during the community coalition meeting and also give our community um folks that's on that team an opportunity to participate in the survey after we've had an opportunity to consider and maybe narrow down some then we would take it out to a broader community survey. So I want to be transparent about that um so that everyone is not expecting a survey at this time. We're starting with our internal staff, all of our staff members, uh teachers, um just um support staff, uh par professionals, everyone. They're invited to participate in that process. Then we'll move to the community coalition and then once we feel like we have some ideas to bring back

057to you, we'll be at a point where we can take it out to the broader community. If I can answer any questions on that uh process, please let me know. Um but the direction is clear um from the board uh to make sure that we have a sustainable plan that really uplifts um our students here in the Cedar Rapids community. So, thank you so much for that. >> Thank you. >> All right, moving on to our consent agenda. The board secretary has informed me that we need to make a change to the personnel report. Yes, President Newman, the administration has made me aware of a necessary change to the personnel report, and Carla Hogan, our chief financial officer and district deputy, will provide an explanation. >> Thank you, Carla. >> Thank you, Madam President, and

058members of the board. As you know, Dr. Mara Hobson recently resigned from her position as area 1 chief of schools for our district. This presented the urgent need for a temporary for temporary coverage of all the duties and responsibilities she was fulfilling with as little disruption to the district operations as possible. While we have addressed immediate concerns, we now need time to determine what vacancy is to be filled on a longerterm basis and to do so in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This is why we are recommending the board vote on tonight's personnel report without the name of Jeff Frost. We will present the board with a revised recommendation soon. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to remove the name of Jeff Bro from the personnel report? >> So moved. >> A second.

059>> Second. >> Thank you. >> Does that need a vote? Uh, no. Okay. Are there any other items on which a director has a comment, question, or further discussion? >> Um, I'd like to pull 24 just for comment. >> 24 comment. 24. Just 24. >> Yeah. >> Okay, please. >> Sorry. Hold on. Give me a second to pull my screen back up. It went dark. >> 24. >> I take that back. President Uman. I believe we we do do a vote. >> Okay. Let's back up then. >> Thank you. Backing up. >> Motion. Roll call vote. >> Just a personnel. >> Just um because there's not a it's not a termin. It's just removal. It's an adjustment. So, it's just eyes or nays. >> Okay. for those payment. >> Um, all right. So, back. So,

060we had a motion, we had a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Those oppos say nay. >> All right. Motion passes. All right. Uh, Director Burns, you said you'd like to pull number 24 um for discussion. Did you comment or just for comment? >> Okay. Are there any others? >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Awesome. So, um, 24 is about, um, it's the agreement with Informatics, um, for an enrollment marketing campaign. It'd be among the first, I think, that this district would do. And I just I just wanted to pull it. I know there was some talk about it in the media as well. Um, but I just want to highlight the I think it's the $47,500. I know that as a district, we are facing um, some really tough uncertainties as we

061talked about here. Um, but I just want to highlight something that I learned at our um, session last Friday um, as an all staff board retreat that we had. Um, so basically it sounds like so this 475 um, is coming from funding I think it's called MSAP is that Yep. >> and magnet school assistance program funding um, which is set aside specifically for these purposes. So, I just want to clarify that this isn't just money that is is being um taken out of of teacher pay or things like that, but that this is um also an intentional effort on behalf of our communications team who has a really good plan in place to help us um grow enrollment and to just get the word and the stories out about um our school district. Um what

062is worth noting too is um essentially if we retain eight students this campaign will have essentially paid for itself. So that is also just an important thing to note. So >> thank you. Thank you. Are there any items on which a director requires an item to be pulled from the consent agenda for a separate vote? Okay. Hearing none. Are there any items on which a director needs to abstain? Okay. Hearing none. Uh do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda as written and with the amendment made? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. This is a roll call vote due to the personnel report. >> Director Tinsky. >> I. >> Director Burns. >> Hi. >> Vice President Drainski. >> I. >> Director Zimmerman. >> I. Director Buyers.

063>> Hi, >> Director Garlock. >> Hi, >> President Newman. >> I [clears throat] All right. Moving on to administration. Our first item is the annual comprehensive financial report. This is the FY25 audit. Um, and Carla, are you presenting on this or are just here for questions? I'll take it off and then just questions. >> Okay, great. Take it away. >> Okay, we have Aaron Cauldron from RSM to pro present information about our annual audit. >> Well, [clears throat] thank you very much, Carla, and thank you for having me. Um, as mentioned, uh, my name is Aaron. I'm here with RSM. RSM serves as the district's external financial statement auditors. So each year we uh come out, perform an audit, and ultimately express an opinion on the district's financial statements. Um at this point, we are

064in the final stages of the audit for fiscal year 2025. That's the year ending June 30th, 2025. And so we just wanted to visit with the board, share the results of our audit, address any questions if you have them, that type of thing. So, with that said, I'll I'll provide you with just a quick overview of of what we found with the audit, key points, new things in the report this year, that type of thing. Um, as I mentioned, you know, at the end of the day, our role is to come out as an independent third party, um, and express an opinion over the financials. We intend to issue what is called an unmodified audit opinion. That's really another word for a clean audit opinion, and it is the highest level of opinion that the

065district can receive. What that really means is as a result of ourselves having performed our procedures, uh we do believe that the district's financial report is free from any material misstatement and is materially accurate. At the start of our audit, we'll uh design our audit procedures based on the district specific operations, any audit risks we identify, that type of thing. if we ever run into issues with those procedures or or have new risks arise, we would of course make you aware of that. Um, that being said, the audit went as planned. We didn't run into any difficulties, any unexpected issues. So, happy to to report that as well. Um, one thing that that we did plan on and that is new in the financial statements this year is that there was a new accounting standard

066that was actually applicable this year. Um, this is called Gazsby Statement number 101. It's the compensated absence standard and really this standard broadens the definition of what types of um paid time off, paid sick leave, that type of thing would be acred for um in pri under prior rules. Uh certain types of leave like this would not have been acred for in the current year and going forwards. This will now be showing up on the financials and will now be acred for. Uh this standard actually required retrospective implementation. And what that means is that the district did the work to implement this and then restated the prior year report by this amount. So as a result of this work being performed, this new standard, there's an additional liability on the district's financials for those types

067of employee leave, uh that equated to about $8 million as of last year and about $7 million as of the end of the current fiscal year. In addition to that, um, we always want to emphasize any sorts of accounting estimates that are within the financial statements. So any set of financial statements is going to have certain estimates. This is just a very normal process. Um, but estimates, they require judgment. They're they're a bit subjective and they're an area of enhanced audit risk. So there's something we look at extra closely in the performance of our audit. What I will say is uh we've got six estimates on screen to to share with you, call your attention to. We did perform our audit procedures over each of these six audit estim or accounting estimates, pardon me. And

068we did ultimately deem these reasonable. We thought management had appropriately uh created these estimates and appropriately recorded these balances. Um so no disagreements from our side on these, but again just want to call your attention to these. Uh, of these six estimates, five of them have been in the financials historically. And then the last is that new Gazsby 101 statement I previously discussed. The estimates that you can see that are in the financials. Some of those are are your standard um allowance for uncollectible receivables, useful lives of capital assets, valuation of investments, that type of thing. There are also a couple estimates that there's a little bit more judgment involved. Those are things like the the pension and the other post-employment benefit plan that the district participates in. Those are are a bit more complicated

069and so the district uses actuaries to values those amounts and then we also use actuaries on our own end to test those assumptions. And then ultimately as I mentioned there is one new estimate in the financials this year and that's that estimate of um paid time off to be used in future years based on that new Gazsby statement number 101. in in addition to what I've already talked about, there are a couple other um you know key communications, key findings from our audit that we did just want to share with you all. Uh as you can see on your screen, the first couple items I' I've covered in a little bit more detail so far. Um but beginning with audit adjustments, we just wanted to share that in the current year, we actually had no

070adjustments to the financial statements that came out of our audit. What that's really saying is that the the financial information that the management has been presenting over the past year is the same as what's in the financial report. We had no changes from our audit. So obviously that's very complimentary of the the job management does to prepare uh clean sets of financial statements. The uh second item right below uncorrected misstatements. So that's a little different. um in the course of our audit, we may come across items where there is an error, there is a misstatement, but it's not material. It's something that doesn't really change the financials materially, and so it was not corrected. In the current year, we had one item. It was actually one invoice. It was a timing issue, an invoice that

071should have been um recorded in fiscal year 25, but instead was recorded in fiscal year 26. Like I say, that was about $35,000. So by no means material, but we do want to report it to you all and make you aware of that. And then finally, if there was any any difficulties, disagreements with management, anything out of the ordinary, we would report those to you. Uh that being said, we had we had nothing of the sort. So happy to to report that as well. I've uh I've talked a little bit about what we do in terms of um our financial statement audit, but we do issue two additional reports as part of our audit. Um these both have to do with our compliance reporting. Uh so just wanted to to speak to these a little

072bit as well. Although I will uh you know not bury the headline and say we've got two clean reports in in this area as well. So good news in this area too. The first of those reports that is issued in accordance with government auditing standards. And really what this has to do with is if we were to come across any significant issues in the district's internal controls, we would report those to the board. Um that being said, as I said, this is a clean opinion. So we had nothing of that sort. No significant deficiencies, no material weaknesses. Um overall a clean audit and and nothing to report to you. There are also certain procedures that we perform that the state auditor promulgates and asks us to do. Uh in that area we did have two

073instances of non-compliance. So just wanted to share with you the first related to the budget and and this is just an area where one of the budget categories actual expenditures did exceed budget expenditures over the past fiscal year. I think management has shared this this was expected with the the sessation of some of that COVID related aid. Um but just wanted to make you all aware. The second was certified enrollment. Now I I'll say this falls under the category of say compliance but it I wouldn't necessarily describe as non-compliance or an exception. Um I would hazard a guess probably every district deals with this every year and and this is really just the process of the state and the district reconciling certified enrollment. Um as a result of that the the district certified enrollment decreased

074by about five students uh through the reconciliation process with the state. In addition to that we also do a a single audit. So that is an audit in accordance with federal guidance. It's based off federal funding. Um and we are uh responsible for testing the district's expenditures of federal funds, making sure they're in compliance with the federal guidance that's been um issued to ourselves as auditors. This past year, we did test two categories, two major programs of federal funding. That was the child nutrition cluster and then also the Corona virus state and local fiscal recovery funds. those two programs were about 46% of of overall federal spending that the district had this past year. Uh in terms of that compliance audit, we didn't come across any control issues, no significant deficiencies, no material weaknesses. Um

075we also didn't come across any compliance findings, any areas where the district was out of compliance with federal requirements. And so, as I say, this as well is a a second clean opinion. Um no issues in terms of federal funding noted on our end. So, with that said, that covers the the key points of the audit that I'd want to share with the board. Um, but obviously if anyone has any questions, anything I can clarify, happy to do so. >> Thank you. Do any directors have any questions or need clarification on the report? I don't need a clarification, but I do want to say thanks to Carla and her team for uh providing us with good financials and thank you RSM for the clean audit. >> Absolutely. I I'd be remiss if I didn't echo

076that. Thanks. Obviously, the audit process not the most fun is is what we've heard. Um so really appreciate management's good job [laughter] of uh helping us get this audit done cleanly and and on time. Thank you. Appreciate that. Okay. Is there a motion to approve uh Wait, are we on the right one? >> Mhm. >> Yep, [clears throat] we're on the right one. Is there a motion to approve the annual comprehensive financial report? >> So moved. >> Moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say nay. Okay. The next item is the request of school budget review committee for additional allowable growth on-time funding for increased enrollment unfunded English learner costs and open enrollment students not included in previous years enrollment. Do we have

077a report on this or we're just we're going forward that >> I can report >> I don't if you've got something to report on it go ahead. >> So this is done every year and it's done through the Iowa portal. So once we load certified enrollment into our the certified enrollment uh portal on the Iowa Department of Education, then they prepopulate the fields for open enrollment out and we get uh actual modified uh supplemental amount. It's not dollars. It's just spending authority for the increased open enrollment out that because we'll have to spend those dollars this year. We can cash reserve levy to get th the actual funding to match that. And the same with uh beyond five years for resident students for ELLL. >> Okay. >> Do we have any questions for Carla? >>

078Okay. Hearing none. Um do we have a motion uh to approve the request of school budget review committee for additional allowable growth on-time funding for increased enrollment, unfunded English learner costs, and open enrollment students not included in previous year's enrollment. I so move all of that. [laughter] >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Those opposed say nay. >> All right. Next we will hear from Chad about an overview of the Inflation Reduction Act submission. >> Sorry. >> Stole his thunder. >> Totally stole your thunder. >> Oh, it's great thunder. So we can say it again. We can say it again. >> I agree. Uh the inflation reduction act of 2022 is a landmark US federal law focused on addressing climate change, lowering

079health care costs, and reducing the federal budget deficit. [clears throat] It represents the largest investment in climate and energy in American history, aiming to cut carbon emissions by roughly 40% by 2030. The inflation reduction act provides significant opportunities for public schools to invest in clean energy and energy efficiencies projects through a mechanism called direct pay. Because public schools are tax exempt and typically cannot use traditional tax credits, the inflation reduction acts direct pay provision allows them to receive the full value of certain clean energy tax credits as a cash payment or reimbursement from the IRS. Schools can access this funding by undertaking eligible projects and applying for direct pay reimbursement from the IRS. The funding is non-competitive and unlimited, which basically means that any school with a qualifying project is eligible to apply for this

080tax or for this reimbursement. Public school districts can leverage the IRA for various projects. Schools can receive a 30% investment tax credit or an ITC for installing solar panels, geothermal systems, battery storage, and other clean energy systems. The IRS opened the process for school districts to apply for the ITC in January of 2024 which allowed for trailside to qualify for the reimbursement. Unfortunately, Maple Grove and West willow were before that. So they are they are not eligible. [clears throat] The district we however we did put geothermal in those buildings and they are energy efficient. The district engaged with ID Bailey to assist with the application process and I'm happy to inform the board that the district qualifies for a reimbursement of $1,951,84. >> Nice. >> Yes. GLAD. And uh as we move forward with Hoover,

081Van Beerren, and Harrison, we will also be looking at um applying for this uh tax reimbursement or this uh reimbursement as well. So, uh, any questions from the board regarding that? >> I have a question, Chad. When does that 30%, um, reimbursement, what's the window, when does that end? >> So, I, as far as the ability to apply for that, >> correct? >> Um, I don't know that off the top of my head. Um, but I believe that we're it's it's ongoing through the time of our building of our buildings. So, we would be eligible for the three new buildings that we're building. >> Okay. Okay. That's my Yeah, that's my question. Thank you. >> Unless something were to change um in the national level that this would stay enacted through the building and the

082completion of the three buildings. >> Okay. I thank you for taking the initiative to look into this. Um that's a significant amount of money, but more importantly, we're reducing our carbon footprint and we have to lead by example for our students and our community. So, I appreciate that. >> Any other questions or comments? I wish we could vote on it just so we could say I [laughter] for it. That's great news. Thank you very much. >> All right. Next, we have learning and leadership. Recent members from the calendar committee uh will present on the school calendar draft for the 2026 2027 school year. >> All right. Good evening. It's that time of the year. All right, Justin, I'm ready if you are. So, first of want to start with our makeup of our committee. U,

083this committee is pretty near and dear to me because it's important to have as many diverse voices talking about what does it look like, how do we navigate a school year. So, we do have teachers, parents, administrators. We had um Dr. Hopson as our chief of school who served was my partner and then of course um Justin I don't want him to not be acknowledged. He wouldn't let me type his name up. So collectively we come together and spend a lot of time together. But I do want to point out that several members of the community did join me tonight. I said I needed their energy. So I appreciate them taking time to be here in person and then we have a few who could not be here but are watching. So, it's a big

084effort and they never say no, but we will say there's always room. So, if you're looking for a committee to join for our district, this is the one. Okay. But our purpose really is to act as a body where we're looking for information about what would be an ideal calendar. It's not easy. They can tell you. There are lots of pieces that get in the way. Not just the fact that we have so many hours that we need to accomplish, but then we have to look at things like laws that get in the way of when you can start school >> and other pieces that make it really difficult. We spend a good majority of the first couple of weeks just learning what the guidance is, helping um some of our newer members, and I'm

085so grateful for the new members who brought in new ideas and new perspectives. We go back and forth between the committee and others who are um stakeholders in how we shape it and we spend a lot of time just talking and the whole goal here is for this committee to put something together to deliver to you and so we collect a lot of data. We do a lot of talking and tonight we have our recommendation for the calendar for next school year. So when we talk about time, you can see that we've been together since October. We look forward to this night because traditionally it's the yay, we're done. We've we've shared what we've created, but those are nights where we spend a lot of intense time. We bring snacks and [laughter] you know, food's

086important. We bring snacks and we really do get out and we spend a lot of time building community because that's important. We we do a lot of things that I won't mention this comm you know what I'm talking about um they don't want to do but you have to get to know each other so that you can have tough conversations when you're speaking from a lens whether you're speaking as a parent you're speaking from years of uh different calendars and different experiences. We have to know each other too so that we can have those critical conversations without creating a environment where we can't be disagreeable but likable if that makes sense. So that's the timeline in which we met this year. So let's get into what we put together. First of all, if you're wondering

087why we didn't do a two-year calendar, as we continue to evolve as a system, we didn't want to lock us into a two-year calendar. So, we just decided that for the next school year to just mirror the calendar we created for the school year we're currently living in. And so, there are some small nuances that are different, but for the large part to put them side by side, they look pretty much the same. Um, a couple things that we have on this slide we just want to talk about that um, we did change was for instance we targeted one day of the week where if we were going to have school out for professional learning or other pieces that we had to provide time based on uh, contractual obligations, things like that. So we picked

088Mondays so that again we hoped it would minimize some of the feedback that we received that it be can be unpredictable as a parent. Okay, do they have four days this week? Are they on a Monday? Are they off on Friday? And so we tried to um mimic that. Now, there is obviously an option up there, but that does not happen. But for the most part, we wanted to be as predictable as possible. Um I can say as a parent, I would go and look at my child and go, "Do you have school today?" So I I knew of what we were talking about. So that was something we wanted to try because that was feedback that we received. We also decided to take the election day off. It allows the community to use our

089schools and it keeps our school day from being interrupted by all those wonderful rulers. We want our kids to see that civil act, but we also know it can be very disruptive and the safety of our students matters most. So that was something that we also are recommending that we do with this upcoming calendar. Now something we've tried this year which was again an idea from someone new to the committee. We decided that sometimes people ask us lots of questions. why'd you do this? Or um I was thinking about this. So, we have a one-page two-sided frequently asked questions document that will also be out for people to see and it was included in the information that was shared with you because we wanted to give some ideas of what it's really like to serve

090on this committee and what questions were really um challenged with. So, we wanted to share that as another opportunity so maybe some of us wouldn't have to talk all the time and explain what's going on. So, that was something that was um new to us this year and if it's wellreceived, it's something we think we can continue to do to provide just more context as to how we got to the recommendations we are suggesting. >> But the part you're all really looking forward to is how do we figure out the hours? It is a math game. You never want to play with us. However, with calculators at hand and a couple back and forth, this is how the math worked out. We have to when you approved back in October that we could go with

091hours versus days that meant we had to make sure we had 1080. Now that's never enough. We know that. So we have built in by count 25 additional and if this winter has any >> predictions here we know that these kinds of hours are needed. We also wanted to again suggest that like for this school year that we use the allowable hours that are they the state calls virtual learning which we have now called home learning. So that gives us the 32.5 there. And another piece that again the state allows us to use when needed because again it's not a right out the gate kind of piece to count the contractual time that we use for conferences. A maximum of 12 hours as another builtin hours that we can use if the weather decides to

092give us a little bit of challenge which gives us a total of 69.5 built-in hours. Now that's again sometimes it's not always visible because again we don't put the contract hours on and the state hours because those are again those flexible pieces that our leadership decides where and when and how we can use those pieces. So then as you look at the bottom of the calendar with our lovely color coding we have um additional days. So again, as shared earlier, if the weather cannot be predicted and we can't be proactive and we have to take a snow day, then they're made up June 1st, second, and third, which again, counting counting those three days gives us an additional 19.5 hours. So in total, we have 89 built-in hours. So I know that was a lot

093of fast math, and I promise you, I'll help you go through it if you would like, but this is how we build it in. And you can't physically always see it. So, we hope that this explanation makes it a little bit more clear. [clears throat] So, with that being said, there's still more work to do. When we talked as a committee um a few years ago, we knew that we made a significant change. And so, one of the things we we are going to envelop on is to engage in the change management system to get some more information. So, there's some more information coming about that. But in the meantime, we want to um suggest that if you have any questions, feedback, yays, nays, questions that you participate in our collection for um feedback, [clears

094throat] excuse me, which will be on our website. Um simply put, we're just looking to see what do you think. In the meantime, we have a return in January, actually January 12th, where the anyone would have the opportunity to say something different about what we have proposed at the January 12th meeting. So, we do want to let you know that um the committee really feels like although it only takes a a set amount of time to really whip a calendar together, but with some of the changes coming forward and some of the feedback that we need to gather, we are looking to do some continued engagement this spring so that in the fall we have some additional information to move forward. >> Okay. But that in instance is our proposed calendar. Thoughts, questions, comments? I

095know this is a clearly a lot of work and time and energy. So, thank you just every year for leading the charge and for everybody who is a part of that group. Um, as so from what I understand, it was the last couple years we've had these PD days, correct? Full day versus the embedded half day. >> Um, and so I'm just thinking from a parent lens is a lot of days. Um, which totally understand there's trade-offs to every model, right? Um, I'm just trying to think how do we always make CRCSD unique. Um, and I'm wondering if we can maybe just kind of a call out to community partners or anybody else who has programming that um, accommodates kids in different ways and different interests because I know uh, the Indian Creek Nature Center

096has inservice camps that run from 9 to 3 on those inservice days. I mean there is a cost but um you know the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy if they had all day arts programs if there were Lego league teams that could you know meet inside of our schools or even like scouts [clears throat] programs as a way to um get kids interested in some programs that they can do that on those days. So just encouraging the community to um and some of our community partners think about how we might be able to accommodate so that parents aren't scrambling you know 13 to 16 days. I don't know how many it is total, but um you know it ends up being a lot of days. So let's think of unique ways to um to explore options

097there. >> Ree, I have a question about uh the teacher directed days. >> Uh when we've been out on uh talks with Tuana, those those days are wildly popular with our staff. Go figure. Um so are those teacher directed days the same number for next year as they are this year or has that changed? >> There is a change. We had um for the 2526 school calendar when we're living in right now we had a total of five and for the 26 27 there will be four. >> Okay. >> So we reduced the one that would have been in the spring and that one was taken off the calendar. And one of the advantages is it helps us get out of school the week of >> uh before. Yeah. Which is >> it's a trade.

098It's a trade. >> I I noticed that's uh remarkable. I don't remember getting out before Memorial Day for >> It's been a long long time. >> Absolutely. >> My last comment and then I will be done. Um I know the Lynn County auditor has been lobbying us for years to not have students in attendance on election day. So, thank you for making that work. >> The other thought I had when we've been talk, we've been having these conversations with some of our fine arts educators and there's been a lot that's come up around time constraints or like the continuity of schedules, especially when it comes to certain like concerts and other things in the winter, you know, then you they're not seeing kids for a number of days because of where these days fall or

099if there's a snow day. So they're kind of again scrambling leading up to a concert trying to get things. Um so kind of just a a thought these when you talk about change management are is that sent out then to all staff. What's the process of specific groups of our staff inputting information there? >> Okay. So in full transparency the first time and >> Darius is not in the room going to be extremely excited that this is going to be the first time I'm going to be a lead partner in in the work. So this can't just be an internal change change management um piece and since the first year we have been using it only as an internal piece working closely with Adam and some others we're going to be working on how to

100get both the internal and external stakeholders for feedback. So uh we're just at the beginning of deciding what it is that we're all looking for because sometimes you get so much information you don't also know what to do with it. So um one of the pieces again we were looking at is after 3 years how was that working to have the one day of a full release from both >> staff feedback as well as our parents and family and community and just you know we just need a pulse on it because some of it is just good to know information and it may not be able to change things but I can tell you as we talked as a committee we want to make sure we have a calendar that makes people want to attend

101our schools and so we were very intentional about um not having our school year go into the second week of [clears throat] June. >> And so um one of the pieces that again sacrificing a teacher directed day one day can can shift your whole calendar. So it's a >> it's a real >> thing and if we want people to look and go because people do comp compare calendars you look at when that last day of school going to be and we we found that with a lot of careful calculation we could make it work to get out in May. And I think uh we'd rather be popular that way than unpopular. >> Yeah, I was excited to see May. And that's great. I I appreciate just the clarity around that because I know there was

102just some uneven like student contact time and PD PD day looks different for different groups. So, um yeah, I know there's a lot of considerations and appreciate all the work you're doing. If I may, um I think in years past like the start of like school hours has been a topic and I think that's been kind of put off. It's obviously a massive overhaul, but just curious if the committee discussed that at all and you know if there's any ongoing conversations around that. >> We always discuss that and and the thing is it's not a our decision >> and that's again where the change management piece would come in. that could be something we could put on there so that we have more research and information about the community's interest at large because again we

103love talking about everything. We've even we even had a draft where we started obviously before the states said we could and we had a semester that ended at winter break. None of that's possible when you put in all the the true parameters. So the change management system is helping us is going to help us seek out what it is we can do, what how can we improve this calendar based on the parameters that we have to work with. And u something else that you may have also not been maybe is aware of and make sure everyone knows the other thing we did too to make sure we had hours is the first and last day of school are not early releases either. So >> those every hour counts >> is the really the way to

104count it. So we wanted to um get that feedback that we received from um food nutrition as well as uh transportation. We took in account of lots of stakeholders within within the system so we had the best counter to meet as many workg groupoup needs as we possibly could. >> Great. Well, thank you um for all the work that you and your committee have done. This is one of those invisible things that means so much more than anybody knows. So, thank you so much. Really appreciate your time. Thank you for your time today. >> We'll see you in January. [snorts] >> Okay. Now, um there have been a lot of people patiently waiting and um this is this is going to be a really really fun part of the night. We will now hear from

105Tara Traster and students uh presentations from their time during the design dash event. >> Cool. >> We're just giving a wave. >> Come on in. Come on in. over there. So, they've been patiently waiting and practicing. So, um good evening, President Newman, um board members, Dr. Grover, and parents and community that are here today. Um my name is Dr. Tara Traster, and I serve as the partnership lead for the district. And um what you will find out is I often like to say yes, let's give things a try. So, this is one of those yes, let's give things a try. So on November 13th, we invited high school students. So each high school and high school program. So Iowa big also brought students to just over in Cedar D. And we did a design dash.

106So the design dash is through the Jacob Oh, I'm jumping ahead. All right. But I will do this one first. Is through the Jacobson Institute. And it is something that happens all around the state, fall, spring. Um but this is one of those where they personalized it for us. So it was all around Cedar Rapids Community School District. So it aligned with our core pillars as we look at elevating our students plans, pathways, and passions. So students were engaging in real world experiences, energizing our staff. So not only did students come, but then staff came and then staff had another day where they had professional development because like if I get them, I'm going to make sure we're making something with that. Um stabilizing our district. So leveraging student ownership to solve real operational issues.

107So they are our stakeholders and sometimes I think we might get a little bit lost with that but this was all about them and their knowledge and then mobilizing our community. We were lucky enough to have excellent mentors and then judges um from the community from the district to provide feedback and leadership for the students. So the design dash is a one-day startup simulation and some of you may have this has been around for quite a few years. um Jacob's Institute, Jacobson Institute, and then Don Bullis serves as a director, but it's really a one-day fast pitch. There's problems, there's um entrepreneurship opportunities. It's all put up around a room and then students from cross school teams. So, the idea was to not work with um classmates that you're used to working with. And then

108when it's done larger scale, it's with multiple districts also. And so the personalized twist was really challenging students with our challenges, our opportunities. So elevating students plans, pathways, um igniting career interests. So these questions and topics all around um there were and not all were selected. um money management, access to nutritional food, internships, transportation, scheduling conflicts, future planning, and those were just some of the ones that the students had an opportunity to talk about. So, they walked around, they chose their their problem, and then they really worked on creating solutions after they gained um research. So, they went around asked questions, professional growth and inspiration. And so Debbie will talk later as yes Debbie is up there on the screen. So the teachers participated not only in this. So there were pitches from the educators

109there too because it's not the idea wasn't for a teacher to join a team of students and then tell the students like this is this is the situation. This is what we should do. So teachers had their own um and we were divided into two groups with that. So it was showing a different model of student engagement. um breaking down the walls of like this is within my classroom, this is what I know, but taking it much further than that and then new instructional strategies that can be back be brought back to what they're already doing in the class. And then the second day, so we've you maybe have had a dive into um industry recognized credentials or work-based learning. And so the teachers went through the day one and then day two was really

110diving into the curriculum for industry recognized credential and then they will also be able to offer um college credit to the students through the University of Iowa. So it was a not just a really cool activity but then it directly related to what our goals are with our students and being able to provide industry recognized credentials to our students and then also that opportunity for college credit. Can you go back to that last slide? Um, hi. I'm Can you like hold that too because I don't want to click. Hi, I'm Debbie Smith. I teach at Washington High School and I've taken my students to Design Dash before. So, I have been a part of other districts. So, this was interesting just us the district together. Um, this last one, um, I do have my students

111take it every year. I offer it as like opposite of AP because they take the test first and if they get a C or better then they can pay for that credit. So that's why I like about that. >> So our district is facing a complex challenges. Sorry I'm like filling in for a student so I'm just reading from here. Uh district is facing these challenges of like rightsized facilities, resource efficiency and student retention. So top-down solution misses students perspectives. So, design dash turns students into stakeholders. Um, the teams proposed innovative solutions for sustainability, safety, and campus culture uh which leads to a stable district environment. Design dash is not only possible without or not possible without our uh mentors that are listed right here. So, they work with the teams throughout the design phase.

112So they give them points and stuff. And then of course we have our pit pitch judges here listed. >> Oh, and then these are our 60-cond pitch winners. So our first group >> I know you guys are >> and yeah. So really that emphasis it's a 60-second pitch that they're doing and they are shut down when that timer goes off. >> You got this. Okay, the clock starts. >> Awesome. >> Hi, my name is Elizabeth and my name is Lauraai. Raise your hand if you have ever had a struggle schedule like with your schedule. >> Come closer to the microphone both of you. >> Okay, my fault. >> Sorry. So you're not alone with problem with time management and we ask the teenagers that are 9 to 12th graders about how they manage the time

113and 50% does it in their head which make it really really bad like it's poor management and that leads to a average of six hours of sleep and that's not enough you should at least have eight hours in that age. So that was why we created bring it on. Okay, Bring It On is a fun summer program that students would come to. There's different sessions, once at the beginning of the summer and once at the end. So, if you can't make one, you can make the other. And then what we would be doing is we would be I'll just look up here. We'd be creating schedules that work for them, creating college applications, job opportunities, helping them with transportation or any of their other needs. And the way that we would do that is with

114volunteers that would come and help them do that scheduling. So we choose to do it in the summer because we also ask what are you doing this in the summer guys and 34% said nothing and um not surprising I also don't do anything. So um that was why we thought bring it on is the perfect thing for teenagers. So >> what are we going to do this summer guys? Bring it on. [laughter] >> [applause] >> question. >> Yes, we want questions. Totally want questions. >> So, you you talked a little bit about providing some guidance on did you say like work and transportation? Yes. What what does that look like? >> So, what we I don't know if this is working or not. What we would want to help students be able to do is

115be able to figure out how to like get jobs and stuff and be able to save money and be able to schedule their time better. So then they can not only have that job, but they can still have their free time and do homework at night and do school stuff and anything else that they need to have done, but they're still like making money so they can get like at our age cars and be able to transport themselves. And if they can't, then find like help them find their bus routes or a way to get somebody to help them take them to where they need to go. >> Great. That's great. Any other questions? >> I'm looking up in the top right corner because you know we just talked about calendars. Um, so we know

116it's tough to get schedules aligned. How did you select those dates? What's the significance of those those dates? >> We just decided we looked at the summer and this is just for the upcoming year. It it's not like a guaranteed thing. We just need to put a date up there. Okay. >> But it would be once at the beginning. So there would be two sessions at the beginning of the summer and then two at the end. So there's two days and it's like >> a week. So you don't you're not going for the whole week. you're only going like those two days during the day. So, you'd be provided like a lunch and you'd be able to do all that fun stuff and then you'd go home and still have time to do everything else.

117>> Seems totally reasonable. I feel like this could be real life applications. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. >> Any other questions? >> I just absolutely love this stuff. I live for it. >> How did uh how did the team get formed? So, there's four of you total that were on the team. I'm just kind of curious how the team got formed. >> Um and I'll ask that question first. I got a second question too. >> Okay. We um Yeah. So actually we got time on the designer dash to choose what we found the most interesting and I think we also [snorts] found the like time management and like balancing life with work in school like hard. And that was why we wanted to create a solution for like yeah for this problem. >> Awesome. And then

118how long did you have from when the team got formed to when you had to make a final presentation? Um that's the first part of the question. The second part is what's the biggest thing that you think changed from when you started to when you finished? I think we had like two or three hoursish >> about and then not including if we're including lunch about two or three hours but not including lunch probably about two. >> Yeah. And then um we talked to a lot of people and like half of the mentors that were there had their own programs like summer programs and so they came and like talked to us like hey how would you do this and that like changed how we would do certain things about the camp like how we'd finance

119it and stuff like that changed >> from talking to I don't remember her name I'm so sorry she she was great okay she was awesome she has a summer program that she does like every year with the University of Iowa, I think. >> Is it Julie? >> Don. >> Oh, Don. Okay. >> I don't think it was Don. I think it was Julie. >> I think it was Julie. >> She's so great. >> Great. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Any other questions? That was fantastic. Thank you very much. [applause] >> All right. So, now we have best understanding of customers. >> Shooter. Just before we start, I'd like to thank you guys for coming out and doing this. Um, >> all right. Hi, my name is Crane and I'm from Kennedy and this is Scubber.

120Scubber is a built-in app in Infinite Campus that would help students get to school easier. >> Awesome. >> And I get it. It's It's just to help people get to like outside activities that don't have rides to school. >> Um, if you think that would be an issue, there's will be safety features like you have to have a clean driving record. There would be a background check and the app will tell you what car they're driving and just give you information about them just so you feel safer as a parent. Um this will also be open for students, parents and faculty just for driving. Um it'll give you information about where they're going, what route, and also for the drivers, there will be a point system that gives them free stuff just for them letting

121them drive. Because if you're going to be driving to, let's say, school or an outside activity and somebody needs a ride there, too, why not just get free stuff because you're going to be using that gas to get there anyway. >> Um, that's that's about it. >> That's a great idea. [applause] >> It took me a second to get the scubber, but now I've got it. But that's pretty brilliant. That's pretty brilliant. Do we have questions from the board? >> Is there a trademark on the name? >> Um Kraton, um how is this something that the drivers are all volunteers for? >> Uh yes, it'll be volunteers. >> Volunteers. Okay. Um and you kind of pay them in the free stuff if they >> Yeah, free stuff. Point system. Yeah. >> Great. >> I might

122even encourage you. It could be paid for. I think there are a lot of families that especially with like wraparound activities and things with working parents that if you could um engage this in some way uh make it up an opportunity for different neighborhoods or however you structure it, I think people would pitch in. So >> definitely worth implementing if you can get it there. Love it. >> I just have a clarifying question. Is this really high schoolers driving around other high schoolers or potentially middle schoolers as well? Uh there will also be a thing in the app that like you can select who can [clears throat] drive. Like oh let's say you don't trust another 16-year-old that just got their license to you can select a parent that has more driving experience to drive

123your student. [clears throat] So you just feel more safer. >> Yes. And >> that's great. >> Yeah. >> From a technology perspective, can you like why why is the integration? So it says location tracking through infinite campus. Um did you look at other integrations beyond Infinite Campus? Why did you select that? Why not stand? >> It would just be easier because it would just be in Infinite Campus. So then you can just go into because you need the app to look Oh, let's say you need to look at your students progress and stuff. Might as well just go in there and just >> look at like where they're going. I kind of took this off like life 360 because it gives you like information about like, >> oh, my parent or your student is at,

124let's say, Kennedy High School and then they're driving down on Edgewood Road right now. >> Did you have an opportunity? So, we know that you only had a few hours. Did you actually be get to talk to anybody at Infinite Campus about the idea? And >> no, I did not. >> So, it's like day two. Yeah. Perfect. All right. Somebody will set that up. >> Oh, yeah. All right. >> I was just going to say partnering with maybe CO or Kirkwoods to get some of those students to, you know, that need side jobs or whatnot. That could also be an opportunity for drivers. >> Very cool. >> For Mount Mercy. >> All right. >> I think we see why you were an award winner. So, thank you. >> Very good idea. [applause] That's awesome. >>

125So, this was best this was best market ready. So, it's one of those >> from the judges, they thought this could be ready to plug and play. Just go. [snorts] >> Hi, I'm Callie. >> Hi, I'm Journey. >> Hi, I'm Violet. >> And this is Roots of Hope, our project. So, our problem was that we have a lack of access to nutritional food. >> Justin is telling you to make sure you speak into the microphone. [laughter] >> Our problem was that we have a lack of access to nutritional foods in public schools. Over half the district students need free or reduced price meals. And after a quick search, we found that 40.2% are economically disadvantaged. Our goal is to provide free fresh produce and fruits to students who may not be able to afford it

126or even some to those who can. because when you eat better, you feel better, you work better, and ultimately you can have a better future. >> Um the way we will do this is it will be run by a group of students or teacher. And to get more people to know about it and to get more volunteers, volunteer hours or after school, it's open to anybody who wants to participate. And even for students during school, if you have good standings, you can come in during your free period, water some plants, and it will be distributed in um bags with like little recipe books so that you can like make a cheap easy recipe with the contents of the bag. And to get more people to like to get people to know when it's like this

127distributed date is, it'll be set on the announcements and the newsletters. >> Our ultimate goal is so that way students can eat better and have better lives and be able to do better in school. HEY. [applause] HEY. >> From a facilities perspective, what do you need at the schools to make this happen with the gardens? Are you thinking outdoors? You think greenhouse? What's the thought there? >> Um, so we know that some schools like Wash and McKinley, Metro, um, even I think Prairie all have green houses at their schools. And so in theory in [clears throat] the winter time like a student council or a science teacher would start these plants in the winter and then if grants need to be made or if there's already gardens at the school those plants would go into

128those gardens um and then they would be grown and then that would be would given out. If a school does not have a greenhouse the idea would be that schools that do have green houses could give plants to those schools who don't because [clears throat] green houses produce like an excess of plants. Like I worked in a greenhouse last year and there was so many extra plants. like there's enough to be able to like sell as well at like markets and stuff and that'd be enough money to like give other places green houses as well. >> And how do you select what you're going to grow? Because I know from my own family that some vegetables go very well and others don't. >> Um, so we would try and keep a generally like a balanced

129group. So we would try and have like carrots, potatoes, and onions like your basic main like foods that you would normally see in grocery stores. But then the hope would also to be to have fruit trees because fruit trees are something you can plant and then never worry about. And that would help to provide also fruit to students as well. And you can also have strawberries because they are like hardy and they will return every year. And so some plants will be like in and out. And we'll see what students like the most and what is easiest to use in recipes. >> Nice. Thank you. >> I love this so much. And I'm um would love if my students came home with or my kids came home with bags of fresh veggies that I could

130snack on, too. Um, and I just I think it's worth noting as our board is taking on a lot of complex issues and that requires creative problem solving. It's really energizing knowing that our students are right alongside us working alongside us on these same issues. And so, thank you for engaging in these activities. This is um not directly a question about your um project, but I'm curious about the experience. So, we kind of learned how you picked teams and that whole thing. Um, and then what really caught my attention is that you're all from different schools and I'm thinking back to like two experiences in high school that I had to work with kids from other schools and they're very memorable. Um, so kind of helps you ideulate and come up with other things when

131you have these different um, viewpoints. So just anybody want to speak to the experience of working um, with students from other schools and making new friends? >> No pressure. Um, since I'm a member of Iowa Big U, I kind of work with students from other schools all the time, just like at the end of every day. Um, I don't know. I just feel like it's such like a special experience because you don't see them every day. They're like they're not people that you know on a personal level and then once you get to know them it's like dang like you're pretty cool. Like [laughter] >> it's just like fun to see how other people from other schools like work and like that there's just like the same people even though like our schools might be

132enemies. We don't have to be. [laughter] Yeah, I mean we're all from different sides of town, right? We represent different sides of town on this board. It's similar. So solving these problems together, super unique. Thank you. >> I think this is a great idea. If you get it if you get it off the ground, I love to grow things. So let me know. I'll come and help. [laughter] >> That means she'll weed for you. That's what I heard. >> Yes, I will do that, too. >> So if this is the most market ready according to the judges, when are you starting and where are you starting? You got that? >> What the? [laughter] >> Um, so wait, repeat. [laughter] >> Since it's the most market ready according to the judges, when are you starting and

133where are you starting? >> I think this could be a really cool I would make project. >> I I actually did say that when we were making I was like, "Guys, this kind of sounds like something I would do at Iowa because right now I'm working on a lot of different projects for like people around the community. I feel like this would be pretty cool to work on. >> Yeah. I mean, if we got um not all schools have green houses and not all schools have gardens and so it's one of those things where it'd be nice to start to work with the other schools to start to come up with a plan um because this is one of those things where it takes a lot of collaboration between the other schools. And so if

134there was a time to be able to get everybody together and we could all talk about it um it might be easier to start like get a plan going forward. Um yeah, >> even with like organizations outside of school like food banks or like food pantries or anything like that, like they could also help for schools if like a school didn't have like a greenhouse or a garden or space for it. >> We could also like students can go there to volunteer or maybe they could come here and teach them about it. It could just be anything. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Great job, guys. [applause] We had one other one um but the individuals were unable to attend so it was just an investor's choice. What that means is we were

135given fake money and students had a chance to see everyone's and this one received the most money and it was really a reversed LinkedIn. So it was um high school students putting their profiles out but very strict safety guards um along with that but helping students then um career connect so find their future plans. >> That is really cool. >> And then any questions just overall >> I how are the students selected? >> Debbie could probably speak. I sent out like emails and blanket everywhere and said sign up. Yeah. [laughter] >> So, normally Don with the University of Iowa just email all the business teachers, I think other teachers, but mostly the business, and then we just share out um with our classes, and I just say to each one of my classes and just

136grab students who decide. Usually, there's a limit to 10 per district, but I [clears throat] don't know if we have that limit for this one. And this is the first year >> for just for the whole >> this [laughter] is the first one specific to us >> and we're hoping to to continue. >> We will definitely >> wonderful. Thank you. >> Is the date for the next one already like do they already have those planned out for next semester? >> Not for our not for a district specific but for regional one there is. >> Okay. So there the regional one you're talking about is 10 per district. And so you you're actually meeting kids from other school districts. And so we'll do one just for Yeah. Yes. Okay. >> Great. Thank you very much. That

137was wonderful. [applause] >> And this is what I'm talking about when I say amazing things happen in our schools every day um in Cedar Rapids. Thank you very much for that presentation. Our last item tonight is to discuss and approve board delegates to national professional development programs. We have two conferences coming up. district management group summit in February and the consortium of state school boards associations. I'm just going to call that COSBA from here forward national conference in March. Um as part of um our DMG membership, we receive four complimentary tickets to the DMG summit, full meals and all materials to the summit conference. They are also providing hotel accommodations for up to two individuals for two nights. The district will only pay for flight and hotel accommodations for the other two individuals. It is

138recommended that board leadership attend the DMG summit and director Burns, Garlock, and Newman um attend KASPA. Is there a motion to approve directors Newman and Drainsky to attend the DMG summit and directors Burns, Garlock, and Newman to attend Kazba? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed say nay. >> All right. Motion passes. Um before we adjourn, thank you to not too many people are left at this point in the night, but thank you to all who who came, who spoke, who presented um and who um inspired us tonight. Um we appreciate it and they and thank you for helping us celebrate student success. I want to provide a notice that the board meeting for closed session open enrollment will take

139place next Monday, December 15, 2025. And the next regular board meeting is January 12th of 2026 if you can believe that. Uh do we have a motion to adjurnn the meeting? >> So moved. >> A second. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Oppose say nay. And with no further business, we stand adjourned at 7:26 am.